Chapter 151: Don

"According to the financial news flash, a top‑tier mysterious overseas capital newcomer, a powerful family's ruler, has quietly returned to the country, making his first appearance in the domestic capital market."

"Regrettably, my channel only caught a tall silhouette…"

Meng Shutang, sitting on the sofa, was curious about this capital newcomer, fixing her gaze, holding her breath, eyes widened, wanting to see who he was.

Just then, the door rang.

Grandmother nudged her, and Meng Shutang got up to open the door.

"He's here."

She opened the door and saw Gu Yunci standing outside; her hand paused for a second before she was about to close the door and said, "Xin Xin hasn't finished school yet; come back later!"

The man's brow darkened instantly; his well‑defined hand moved a step ahead, pressing against the doorframe, his knuckles against the cold door panel, forcibly halting her from closing it.

The force was neither light nor heavy, but carried an undeniable dominance: "I'm looking for you."

Meng Shutang's movement faltered for a moment, then she turned and walked toward her own room.

Gu Yunci came in, changed into slippers, passed the living room and greeted Grandmother, "Grandmother, how are you feeling?"

Grandmother didn't get up, turned her head lightly, "It's fine, I've taken my blood‑pressure medicine."

Gu Yunci gave a slight nod and entered the room.

He closed the door casually, said nothing, and domineeringly wrapped his arms around Meng Shutang from behind, his tone filled with cautious sincerity.

"When I rescued the person, I had no idea who they were; the car was about to burst into flames, and I didn't have time to think."

After pulling them out, I realized it was her. Later the police and medical staff arrived; I cooperated with the statement and then left, doing nothing beyond the bounds."

He paused, "This morning, a nurse called and asked me to come over; I admit I had personal motives."

Hearing this, Meng Shutang's heart gave a sudden thud.

"I went over only to ask who had helped the Meng family, certainly not for Bai Cixian."

As he spoke, he pressed several deep kisses onto Meng Shutang's neck.

Meng Shutang turned away and pushed him, only to be overpowered as he seized her lips with a mighty kiss.

"You're still the same as before, always forcing me with this method."

Having been secretly married for three years, Gu Yunci is both dominant and overbearing; in kisses and intimate affairs, he almost never considers her feelings, demanding whatever he wants without regard.

Even on business trips, when he wanted her, he had Qin Zheng pick her up.

But he never thought about what would happen if she quit her job, or whether they quarreled, whether she might be angry and unwilling.

"Since you returned, I've become restrained enough, respectable enough."

After Meng Shutang came back, he no longer acted as recklessly as four years ago, nor was he as out of control as before; his touches were all cautious.

But at this moment, his emotions surged.

Unlike his usual dignified aloofness, the force now carried frantic urgency; his lips pressed together clumsily yet pleadingly, as if trying to fold all unspoken apologies into this kiss.

Meng Shutang struggled to breathe, instinctively turning her head to dodge; he tightened his arms, trapping her between the door and himself, his panic evident, "Don't hide from me…"

Meng Shutang didn't move further, but she began to cry.

It wasn't a loud sob, just a faint whimper.

In an instant, Gu Yunci stopped.

Looking at her, his eyes filled with panic and regret, "I'm sorry, I… I lost control."

Meng Shutang ignored him, yet continued to whimper silently.

One tear after another spilled from her watery eyes, sliding down her delicate jaw.

Gu Yunci's throat tightened; he leaned down and gently cupped each warm, salty drop, his motion so delicate it was almost cautious, as if handling a reclaimed celestial treasure.

Meng Shutang, having cried enough, said, "You can go."

She didn't want to forgive him.

His bond with Bai Cixian remained, and he was still that uncontrollable toward her.

He was still the same old self, unable to change.

Seeing her emotions settle and knowing she wouldn't forgive him for a while, Gu Yunci squeezed her hand firmly and said, "Alright, I'll come back in a couple of days to see you."

After Gu Yunci left, Meng Shutang saw that the time was about right and went to pick up Xin Xin.

Before stepping out, she suddenly recalled the mysterious capital newcomer from the news, "Grandmother, who was that person?"

Li Xiuyun turned her gaze, "I can't see the face, only a silhouette; that figure looks a bit like… Jin Xing!"

Meng Shutang didn't think much; having just seen him a second time, she asked Gu Jin Xing what he did.

Gu Jin Xing told her himself, "I'm in small trade."

He wouldn't deceive her.

Meng Shutang went downstairs and found Gu Yunci hadn't left.

"I'll go with you to pick up Xin Xin; it's been a day since we saw each other, I miss her too."

The man stood there, speaking cautiously.

Father seeing his daughter, it was natural; Meng Shutang wouldn't object.

But she ignored him; the two walked one ahead of the other, half a step apart, in silence, neither speaking.

At the kindergarten gate, the teachers let the children out one by one.

Xin Xin saw Gu Yunci and Meng Shutang coming together to pick her up and was very happy.

She ran toward Gu Yunci; the man bent down and scooped her up into his arms.

"Dad, why are you free to pick me up today?"

"Dad isn't busy today."

"If you could come pick me up every day, that would be great."

"Alright, I'll try to pick you up every day."

"When will Song Yilin come back?"

"Your cousin won't be able to return until later."

Originally, Gu Wan Ying and his wife thought they would play abroad for a while and then come back, but after they got there they decided to stay for half a year.

So Gu Yunci had Qin Zheng send Song Yilin over.

Walking, they arrived at the entrance of the apartment building, and Meng Shutang reached out to Xin Xin, "Xin Xin, we're going home."

Xin Xin obediently stepped down from Gu Yunci's arms, took Meng Shutang's hand, and said, "Bye, Dad, see you tomorrow."

Watching the mother and daughter go inside, Gu Yunci stood there feeling uneasy, and he didn't know when they would be willing to return with him to Qian Shui Wan.

For the next few days, Gu Yunci kept coming to Qingluju, but Meng Shutang treated him politely, neither cold nor warm.

One day, feeling stifled, Gu Yunci went to the tavern.

Huo Yanchen called, said something, and got up to leave.

He sat alone there, idly twirling a crystal cup between his fingertips; his knuckles were distinct, his bone structure refined, and his gentle movements were slow and steady.

The dim yellow light fell on the back of his hand, the lines crisp and cold‑white; the way he held the cup exuded aristocratic laziness, so attractive that one couldn't look away.

Without much notice, he glanced and saw Bai Cixian sitting there.

Half of her face was wrapped in a sheer white veil, revealing only a swan‑like neck and faintly pink eye corners; she appeared delicate and mysterious.

She sat alone there, drinking in a melancholy mood.

He saw this, grabbed his coat and stood up, suddenly remembering that Huo Yanchen hadn't returned, so after walking halfway he turned back and sat down.

After a while, a few thugs' voices teasing Bai Cixian came from behind.

"Hey little girl, drinking alone? Brother's coming to keep you company for a couple of drinks."

"Why are you wearing a veil? You're beautiful as a celestial maiden; are you afraid of being seen?"

Terrified, Bai Cixian stood up, "Don't come over, don't touch me."

During the scuffle, the veil was ripped off, and the teasing turned instantly into mockery and punches and kicks.

"Ugly freak!"

"With so many scars on your face, why pretend to be a 'veiled beauty'!"

"Are you trying to scare me to death?"

Once perched at the top of society thanks to her beauty and wealth, Bai Cixian was shoved to the ground by a group of thugs, who trampled and insulted her at will.

She sobbed, "Stop hitting me; I didn't provoke you. If you keep this up, I'll call the police."

One thug sneered, "You still dare call the police? You're so ugly, will the police even care?"

Gu Yunci sat there, indifferent and calm, with a hint of detached compassion.

Suddenly hearing the sound of them tearing Bai Cixian's clothes, he slammed his cup with a bang and sprang up.

"Everyone, stop!"

As soon as the words fell, a slender figure quietly halted at the tavern entrance, turned and looked this way.