C39 Chase Me Away!?

Despite Huo Niannian's impulse to retort, she conceded that she was outmatched by him. She reasoned that provoking this man, driven by desire, could lead to consequences she was ill-equipped to handle.

Thus, she complied and went to sleep. Exhausted from the day's events, Huo Niannian quickly succumbed to slumber.

Gu Tingshen exhaled a sigh of relief as he listened to the soft, even breaths of the small woman next to him. Quietly, he left the bed and took a cold shower to quell the heat within him before slipping back under the covers to sleep.

At the crack of dawn, Huo Niannian and Gu Tingshen left, forgoing breakfast.

Before their departure, Yin Jie, under Gu Changqing's supervisory gaze, ostentatiously equipped Huo Niannian with a variety of nutritional and health supplements.

Huo Niannian accepted them with a radiant smile.

On their return journey, Gu Tingshen drove a sleek black Land Rover. Noticing Huo Niannian's joyful laughter in the passenger seat, he inquired, "Are you really that thrilled to be going home?"

"Thrilled? Far from it! Visiting your home is like stepping into the Imperial Palace—so many rules and watchful elders. I was practically holding my breath the whole time; it was unbearably stifling."

"It seemed to me your breathing was quite untroubled," he remarked playfully.

Huo Niannian gave him a glare but decided not to engage in a spat. Her spirits were too high to bother with his teasing.

The vehicle cruised steadily on the road. Perhaps worn out from the previous night's activities, Huo Niannian drifted off to sleep once more.

The spring day was aglow with vibrant flowers and the fragrance of nature.

As Gu Tingshen parked at the villa's entrance, he meant to rouse Huo Niannian, only to discover she had dozed off. Her pale, lovely face was etched with a smile, her long eyelashes casting delicate shadows, her nose petite, and her lips a tender pink...

"Mm... Are we here?" Huo Niannian murmured as her eyes fluttered open. Gu Tingshen continued to watch her, captivated. Sensing his intense gaze, she stirred uncomfortably. "Is there something on my face? Why are you looking at me like that?"

Huo Niannian suddenly opened her eyes to find Gu Tingshen's gaze still fixed on her. As her awareness returned, she felt the intensity of his stare and shifted uncomfortably under it.

"Do I have something on my face? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Huo Niannian, what exactly is going on in your mind?"

"What?"

"Never mind." Gu Tingshen's composure slipped for a moment. He looked away, pretending he hadn't asked the strange question, then opened the car door and strode purposefully outside.

Huo Niannian, touching her head, watched Gu Tingshen's sudden change in demeanor with confusion.

Do all rich people have such fickle personalities?

He really is high maintenance.

Nanny Liu greeted them with a cheerful smile as Gu Tingshen and Huo Niannian arrived. After freshening up, they sat down to breakfast in the dining room.

Huo Niannian enjoyed the meal immensely and, with a contented burp, smiled at Gu Tingshen across the table. "You should be off to work by now, right?"

"Are you trying to kick me out?"

"This is your home, how could I dare to do that?"

Smiling mischievously, like a cat that had snuck a taste of fish, Huo Niannian pointed to a scroll she had brought with her. "Grandpa gave me this piece of calligraphy. I was thinking, since you're heading to work, I could take your car to the mall. I want to have it framed."

The Old Master's writing was vigorous and naturally elegant.

Huo Niannian, who cherished calligraphy, would never let such a precious treasure collect dust in a corner.

Regretting her decision to have Gu Tingshen join her, Huo Niannian hurried through the largest art market in S City, anxious to get her shopping done and return.

It was only when Gu Tingshen caught her by the collar that Huo Niannian was forced to confront his gaze.

"Is being out here with me really that unbearable for you?"