C19 Chapter 19

Bai Nuochu’s nerves snapped tight. Last night had been a one-in-a-million accident, a single night that never should’ve happened. For Gu Lijue, women were supposed to wait to be summoned—thrilled just to be noticed, praying he’d keep them around. Why would he show up in person?

“Young Master Jue, what brings you here?” But before Bai Nuochu could even collect herself, she heard Bai Ni’an’s syrupy voice downstairs.

“Even though the paparazzi have been a nightmare these past couple days, if you wanted to see me, Young Master Jue, you could’ve just had your assistant let me know.” Bai Ni’an sounded shy, sweet, and perfectly accommodating.

“Young Master Jue, having you in our home is a real honor. Ni’an, take good care of Young Master Jue—show him around.” Bai Jinda jumped in at once, with Jiaang Wanmei chiming right along, the whole family working together to shove Bai Ni’an straight into Gu Lijue’s arms.

Bai Nuochu turned her head. No one was expecting her to be part of this.

“I’m here to pick up Bai Nuochu so we can get our marriage license.” Gu Lijue’s low voice cut through the room—quiet, but firm enough to freeze Bai Jinda and the others mid-flatter.

Especially Bai Ni’an. The second she heard Gu Lijue and Bai Nuochu were going to get their marriage license—and that he’d come personally to get her—jealousy hit so hard it felt like her chest might burst.

“Nuochu isn’t back?” Gu Lijue frowned.

The report he’d gotten said the woman had woken up, gone to a pharmacy to buy medicine, and then returned to the Bai family home.

After the way she’d made him feel—after he’d even left her a note—she’d still walked out the moment she woke up. The update had left a sour edge in his mood.

“Or does she just prefer lingering outside instead of coming back here?”

“No, no.” Whatever was behind Gu Lijue’s hard-to-read displeasure, it rattled Bai Jinda immediately.

Even if he still wanted to play matchmaker between Gu Lijue and Bai Ni’an, right now he had no choice but to produce Bai Nuochu first. “Ni’an, go get your sister downstairs.”

“Bitch, who taught you how to seduce men? How did you get Gu Lijue to marry you so fast?” Bai Ni’an stormed in the moment she saw Bai Nuochu, her malice and jealousy surging. “If you dare go get the marriage license with him today, I’ll make sure the name Bai Nuoqing ends up on a death certificate.”

“Bai Ni’an, you won’t.” Bai Nuochu frowned when she saw Bai Nuoqing flinch at Bai Ni’an’s shrill voice. Calmly, she said, “Because it’s best for you if my sister stays safe and sound—then you can keep stepping on my neck. But if my sister’s name shows up on a death certificate, you—no, all of you—will end up on a list of bankrupt debtors.”

“Y-you...” Bai Ni’an was so furious her face twisted, but Bai Nuochu turned and walked out of the attic. Anywhere Gu Lijue might see her, she had to keep up a sweet, elegant image.

Nuochu barely made it around the corner before she spotted Gu Lijue’s tall figure.

Gu Lijue was the kind of man who looked flawless anywhere he went—so striking you couldn’t ignore him. Even in silence, it felt like all the light in the room gathered behind him.

A jet-black suit, a powerful frame, a face without a single flaw—seen from the attic stairs, he was impossibly handsome.

This man, powerful and untouchable, didn’t allow anyone to sway his decisions—whether it was the ruthless, iron-fisted reputation people whispered about or the sheer presence he radiated right now.

How was she supposed to talk him out of marrying her?

A flicker of conflict crossed Bai Nuochu’s eyes. At that moment, as if he’d sensed it, Gu Lijue looked up at her—catching her panic and unease in an instant.

“Young Master Jue, I need to change first.” Bai Nuochu broke the eye contact that felt like he could see straight through her and called down to him.

She’d rushed out of the hotel in such a hurry that her torn clothes barely covered the marks the man had left behind.

Seeing that Bai Nuochu had the sense not to cling to Gu Lijue, Jiaang Wanmei hurried over and quickly shot Bai Ni’an a look. “Ni’an, take Young Master Jue around.”

“Young Master Jue,” Bai Ni’an cooed, tilting her head slightly, her eyes shimmering—her signature move in front of the cameras. But Gu Lijue didn’t spare her so much as a glance.

“Young Master Jue… Nuochu planted quite a few medicinal herbs in the backyard.” Bai Ni’an hadn’t become a red-hot, award-winning actress by being pretty and clueless. Gritting her teeth, she switched tactics. “Interested?”

Gu Lijue remembered that when he’d held her, she’d carried a faint, clean bitterness—nothing like the cloying, seductive perfume most women wore. It was subtle, but oddly calming. All at once, he wanted to see what had left Bai Nuochu smelling that way.

Gu Lijue headed toward the garden.

“Oh!” The moment they reached the back garden, he heard an exaggerated gasp behind him. Bai Ni’an lay “awkwardly” sprawled across the uneven garden steps.