Chapter 32

The Gu family patriarch's birthday banquet was held in the garden of the old residence.

The summer night breeze carried the scent of gardenias, guests came and went, silks and jeweled hairpins flashing.

Gu Yan wore a cloud-water blue satin gown, the South Sea pearls at her ears, as her grandfather led her around to greet people.

"Come, come, meet our little granddaughter Yan Yan. Just returned from Paris, a little painter." The patriarch's voice boomed, full of pride.

Familiar guests laughed and exchanged pleasantries, sparing no praise for the patriarch's most beloved little granddaughter.

Gu Yan smiled and obliged, displaying the poise and grace expected of a young lady from a prestigious family.

Suddenly, a commotion arose at the entrance.

Gu Yan glanced over, her gaze freezing.

A group entered, led by Shen Yanhui. Dressed in a black suit with subtle dark patterns, it flattered his figure—broad shoulders, narrow waist, exuding noble refinement.

"Shen Mr. actually came in person..."

"This old Gu really has some face."

"..."

The murmurs of the surrounding guests reached Gu Yan's ears, making her feel a little secretly pleased.

She hadn't expected Shen Yanhui to come.

The Gu and Shen families had little to do with each other, nor moved in the same circles.

So, was his visit because of her?

Shen Yanhui was led by the steward directly to the patriarch's side, Chang Su following behind, holding a sandalwood box.

He glanced at his little girl without changing expression, as she wished, playing the part of a stranger.

"Patriarch Gu." Gu Yan's grandfather released her hand, stepping forward two paces, his attitude clearly respectful, "Your presence brings light to my humble abode."

"It is natural to come congratulate Patriarch Gu on his birthday." Shen Yanhui's tone was even, gesturing for Chang Su to open the box.

Inside was a Qianlong-era enamel longevity peach vase. The peaches were plump, branches and leaves vivid green, the glaze flowing with a warm luster under the light. Around the vase, a ring of tiny fly-head regular script revealed, upon close inspection, the entire Diamond Sutra.

The entire hall fell silent.

Those who understood had already sucked in a cold breath.

This item was not only valuable, but its meaning was exceptionally auspicious—longevity peaches for birthday blessings, sutras for prayers.

Patriarch Gu thanked him repeatedly, personally leading Shen Yanhui to the seat of honor.

Gu Yan stood at her grandfather's side; as they brushed past, her fingertip lightly hooked.

Extremely light, like a feather brushing past, it caught his little finger.

Parting the instant they touched.

Shen Yanhui's steps did not pause, as if he had not noticed.

Only in that instant when his back was to the crowd did the corner of his lips bend down, barely perceptibly.

Gu Yan lowered her eyes, suppressing the smile at her lips.

When she lifted her head again, she was once more the obedient, gentle young lady of the Gu family.

As the banquet reached its midpoint, Gu Yan was chatting with a few girls from long-standing allied families at the dessert table, her peripheral vision catching sight of the terrace.

Shen Yanhui stood by the railing, and at some point, a woman in a moon-white cheongsam had appeared beside him. Her posture was graceful, her hair loosely tied, and she was turned sideways, speaking with him.

"That's the eldest daughter of the Zhou family, Zhou Shuyao." A girl beside her recognized her identity.

Gu Yan stared at that spot, then jabbed hard at the cake.

Chu Yilan walked over holding a wine glass, giving a light, derisive snort.

The several young ladies nearby knew the two were on bad terms, making excuses to walk away, lest they be innocently caught in the crossfire.

Gu Yan couldn't be bothered with her, not even giving her a glance.

But the other didn't think so; Chu Yilan had come specifically to make Gu Yan unhappy.

"Some people, when a sparrow flies up to a branch, really think they're a phoenix. They don't look—like Miss Zhou here, gentle, virtuous, and of equal standing, is what the Shen family expects as their future mistress."

Gu Yan set down the small cake, lifted her eyes to look at her, her gaze clear and icy.

Chu Yilan felt she had hit a soft spot, growing more smug, "Shen Mr.'s interest in you is just a passing fancy."

Gu Yan impatiently rubbed her ears, "You're really noisy."

Chu Yilan's expression changed, about to speak, but Gu Yan cut her off, "Still want to keep getting your card stopped by your brother? Then keep talking."

"Or maybe you also want to go to Lincheng to accompany Shen Qingluo?"

Chu Yilan: "..."

Gu Yan no longer paid her attention, turned, and looked again toward the terrace.

But Shen Yanhui was no longer there.

She lifted her skirt, slipped quietly from the crowd, and walked toward the side wing of the main building.

The corridor lights were dim, thick carpet laid, swallowing the sound of footsteps. Just as she passed a resting room with its door ajar, her wrist was suddenly seized, and she was pulled inside.

The door closed softly.

The resting room had no main light on, only the garden light filtering in through the window. Shen Yanhui pressed her against the door, one hand braced beside her ear, lowering his eyes to look at her.

"Hooked my finger? Your courage has grown." His voice was low.

Gu Yan lifted her face, not yielding: "I hooked it, so what?"

"Nothing much." His fingertip brushed over her earlobe, pinching the pearl and turning it lightly, "I just feel, Miss Gu, that after provoking, you run off, not very responsible."

"Who ran?" She glared at him, her voice unconsciously taking on a coquettish tone, "I saw someone talking to you, the one in the white dress, still quite pretty."

Shen Yanhui stared at her for two seconds, then suddenly let out a low laugh.

"What are you laughing at?" Gu Yan glared at him.

"Jealous?" His fingertip brushed over her earlobe.

"Not at all." She turned her head away, her ears red, "I just wanted to ask what you two were talking about to be so happy..."

She didn't finish her sentence.

He lowered his head and kissed her.

Amidst the noisy room, hidden where no one could see, he kissed her wantonly.

His kiss, like him, was domineering, leaving no room for resistance.

Gu Yan instinctively clutched the front of his suit, a soft moan escaping her lips, sweet and tender.

Soul-stirring.

Shen Yanhui's other hand gripped her waist, pressing her tighter against him, as if trying to make up for all the days they hadn't kissed.

Faint laughter and conversation from the banquet outside drifted in, making this dim, secluded room feel even quieter.

Only the sound of their tongues entwining and their gradually ragged breathing remained.

After a long while, he finally pulled back slightly, his forehead resting against hers, his breath hot.

He reached out, his thumb brushing over her swollen, wet lips.

Gu Yan panted, her eyelashes damp, her glare at him weak: "Shen Yanhui, all you know is to bully me."

Shen Yanhui laughed again.

This time his smile deepened, the dark glint in his eyes flickering faintly in the dim light.

"As long as you behave, I won't bully you."

"Then you've got the wrong girlfriend—I'm not obedient at all!"

"Where aren't you obedient?" Shen Yanhui asked, lowering his voice.

"Everywhere! You'd better hold back, or..." Gu Yan snapped fiercely.

Shen Yanhui saw her bared teeth, feigned ferocity, his eyes dark and unfathomable: "Or what?"

As his words fell, footsteps echoed down the hall, drawing near from afar.

Gu Yan startled, forgetting she was in the middle of threatening him, and instinctively shrank into his embrace.

Shen Yanhui tilted his head to listen, his arms tightening around her. The footsteps passed the door, paused for a moment, then gradually faded away.

She exhaled in relief, her forehead resting against his chest.

"Are you really this afraid of being discovered?" he asked softly.

His hand lightly stroked her waist, once, twice, like a scratch upon the heart.

Gu Yan bit her lip to keep from moaning.

She wasn't used to his state of total control; she wanted him, and he also lowered this calm mask of his.

Suddenly, Gu Yan reached out and tugged open his collar, his tie askew at his neck.

Shen Yanhui raised an eyebrow.

The next second, the girl rose on her toes and bit into his collarbone.

Pain shot through him; the man tilted his head back with a muffled groan, revealing his long neck.

Gu Yan felt his hand at her waist suddenly tighten, their bodies pressed firmly together.

She used force, easily leaving a mark.

The wound wasn't deep; her lips and tongue brushed over it, sending a bone-deep shiver.

Shen Yanhui closed his eyes, the hand gripping her waist tightening further, veins standing out on his hand.

Gu Yan tentatively kissed him, until she heard his unrestrained moan—soft, brief, but enough to entice.

She finally felt satisfied.

"Grandpa will be looking for me soon, I'm leaving now..."

Her wrist was seized, and she was pulled back.

Do you really think you can get away with teasing and running a second time?

Shen Yanhui won't give her such an opportunity.

He lowered his head, but before his touch reached the skin of her neck, the little girl cried out: "No, no, can't leave marks here, others will see!"

Shen Yanhui paused, then kissed her collarbone.

Again she stopped him: "Not here either..."

Shen Yanhui's patience exhausted, he pulled down the zipper at her back, and her dress loosened.

Amid Gu Yan's panicked cries, he crushed his lips down upon hers.