Chapter 29: At a Loss

Zhou Ci’s words were like a bucket of cold water, instantly snapping Gu Shen awake.

“Let’s go back to the hotel,” she said, sensibly bringing the topic to an end. She had no intention of provoking Zhou Ci into further displeasure.

“We’re going for a drink.”

Gu Shen silently cursed him for being insane, but quickly pulled out her phone to find the nearest bar, then drove them over.

She had barely stepped away from the gambling table, her mind still reeling, and now she was being forced to keep him company for drinks. But she was a fallen phoenix, less than a chicken, with no choice but to sell herself to him.

She had worked hard to accomplish this, something that should have been cause for celebration for the Zhou family. Yet as Zhou Ci drank, his mood grew turbulent. He drank fiercely and fast.

Gu Shen sat quietly to the side and watched as he emptied glass after glass, until at last he collapsed, drunk beyond reason.

She tipped the bartender a bit to help her haul Zhou Ci out to the car.

It took considerable effort to get him back to the hotel. No sooner had she settled him onto the bed than her phone rang with a call from an unfamiliar number.

She glanced at Zhou Ci, who was already unconscious on the bed, hesitated a moment, then answered.

“Mr. Fu,” she greeted respectfully, her tone warm and polite.

Fu Jincheng smiled faintly at her greeting. “It seems you did your homework before coming to Upper City. Now, can you tell me who you are?”

For Fu Jincheng to call her himself meant he already had his suspicions, and was nearly certain.

Gu Shen gazed out at the city lights from the window, a faint smile on her lips. “I know you once worked at the Western Sichuan Forestry Bureau. My grandfather worked there when he was young as well. He taught me how to cook.”

Hearing this, Fu Jincheng felt his doubts vanish. No wonder the meal had tasted so familiar—it came from an old friend.

“Zhou Ci is just an illegitimate son of the Zhou family. Is he really worth such a favor from you?” Fu Jincheng’s tone remained gentle and even, full of amiable warmth.

That calm, unchanging gentleness was something Gu Shen had never been able to read. She frowned slightly. “I owe him. I apologize for the little tricks I played today.”

Fu Jincheng was silent for a long time. She could cook, she understood people, and she played her cards with effortless poise—worldly and astute, she was truly her grandfather’s granddaughter.

“Come again tomorrow.”

Gu Shen replied with a smile, “Of course.”

After the call ended, she looked up to find Zhou Ci—she wasn’t sure when he’d sat up—watching her intently from the bed.

Her grip tightened on her phone as she turned to face him.

“I’ll have them send up some hangover soup.”

Zhou Ci’s gaze was clear, not at all like someone deeply drunk. In fact, the look he gave her was a little frightening.

“You’re quite pleased with yourself, aren’t you?”

“No, it was just a coincidence. I did make preparations in advance—there’s never any harm in planning ahead.”

Zhou Ci gave a cold, mocking laugh. “Did you break up with me back then as part of your planning ahead, too?”

Gu Shen hadn’t expected him to bring up the past.

“No.”

His eyes sharpened, and he staggered to his feet, walking unsteadily over to her.

Gu Shen instinctively retreated, but after only a few steps, her back was pressed against the floor-to-ceiling window.

“Mr. Zhou, it’s late. You’ve had a lot to drink tonight. You should get some rest; we have to go to Spring Garden tomorrow. Mr. Fu doesn’t seem to like you very much, so we should—”

Before she could finish, Zhou Ci braced one hand against the glass beside her ear.

“I really can’t stand that inexplicable pride of yours.”

Had he not been ruthless enough? Even now, he hadn’t tasted the thrill of conquest.

How could there be a woman who left him at such a loss?