Chapter 682: A Million Times for You (44)Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
“It’s not far from here, but not near either. Young Sir, rest early.” Fan s.h.i.+xin turned and went out.
—
Meanwhile, at the Autumn Palace…
Lin s.h.i.+s.h.i.+ pushed open the door of the study and glanced at the figure standing by the window. She then gently called out, “Honey.”
Tuoba Gucheng turned. “Why aren’t you sleeping yet?”
“Since you weren’t back, I came to see if you were still busy.”
He reached out to grab her shoulders before following her back to the bedroom.
The couple lay down on the bed, and Lin s.h.i.+s.h.i.+ rested against his arms. “Have you been too tired lately? You seem rather troubled.”
“I’m just too busy. If I’ve neglected you, please understand.”
“I don’t feel neglected.” She laughed lightly. “You’re working hard, I know that. Danxue’s wedding is taking place soon. Although wedding traditions usually call for the groom’s side to take charge, Mother said that Danxue’s wedding will take place here.”
“Umm, she told me.” Tuoba Gucheng continued, “I saw the wedding invitation list as well.”
“I’m so looking forward to it.” Lin s.h.i.+s.h.i.+ went on excitedly, “I haven’t seen my family for some time already. I’ll be able to see them during Danxue’s wedding. I really can’t wait for that day to come.”
Tuoba Gucheng thought of a name on the list and added, “I’m excited too.”
Lin s.h.i.+s.h.i.+ merrily acknowledged his reply, “You’ve been so busy during the day, you should sleep soon.”
He did not reply. Even after Lin s.h.i.+s.h.i.+ had fallen asleep, he was still wide awake.
Since he still had his clothes on, it was easy for him to get out of bed.
Ever since he had taken over the position of president, he had moved to another residence.
The place he had lived in previously was now emptied out and had no one guarding it.
It was chilly outside late at night. He was wearing a leather coat and thick leather boots as he arrived at the place he had lived in previously.
After going up the stairs, he entered the room An Xiaoning had once stayed in.
His fingers flicked the switch on the wall, and the pitch-black room was instantly illuminated.
Tuoba Gucheng closed the door shut, his eyes landing on her suitcase.
He had not bothered to check such details in the past, but now that he noticed, the suitcase was a designer brand, and even all the clothes were from various established overseas brands.
He reached out and touched the clothes inside her suitcase, idly letting out a sigh.
It was no wonder that such a woman would make him interested even when she had an ordinary face.
In Tuoba Gucheng’s knowledge, having pretty looks was the first step to making a man interested in a woman. But making a man fall deeply in love with her depended on whether the woman was knowledgeable. A woman who was pretty and smart at the same time was the most lovable and rare.
Some women had good looks but empty brains and questionable morals. Such flaws instantly eliminate the superficial beauty they possess, and anyone who interacts with them will eventually keep a distance from them.
Since he was young, Tuoba Gucheng had seen many of the latter kind of women.
Usually, these women would make him disgusted just at the thought of them. It was impossible for him to even like them.
An Xiaoning was by far the one woman who had made him the most surprised amongst all the women he had met in his life.
When he had grown interested in her, she only had an ordinary-looking face.
Later, when he found out her true appearance, he was beyond astonished.
He had always known that it was difficult for one to live according to their own will. But still, he could not help but stop for her.
Even just thinking of her name made him feel pleased inside for some time.
Lying on the bed she had once slept on, Tuoba Gucheng thought of the short period of time in the seventh lunar month when she was possessed by his favorite dog.
During that time, he was able to sleep on the same bed as her and could see her face the moment he woke up.
To him, that was the happiest time of his life.
That was then, and he would not be able to experience it again. Yet, he yearned for it desperately.
Since he was born to the Tuoba family, he was already fully prepared to not be able to be with the person he liked.
At the same time that he had gained power, he lost his precious freedom.
Was it considered a fortunate thing or not?
Tuoba Gucheng lightly touched the bedsheet by his face. It was akin to touching her face.
He closed his eyes and lay there quietly for a while before fis.h.i.+ng his phone out and selecting her number on his display screen.
He did not make a call to her but clicked on the text message function instead.
Tuoba Gucheng sent a text to her that had only four words: “I’m missing you already.”
He knew she would not reply.
And indeed, she didn’t.
He could only wonder how she was doing before they were to actually meet in a few days.
—
Gu Dongcheng, who was overseas, received a call from a bodyguard claiming that Xu Youran had gone missing. He immediately berated the bodyguard before hurriedly taking a flight back.
Even after making a police report, he still did not find any clue about Xu Youran’s whereabouts.
Gu Dongcheng did not sleep well the whole night, given that Xu Youran was pregnant and had gone missing for no reason.
An adult who was doing well and fine had suddenly just vanished into thin air. How could he not be startled?
He could vaguely guess who was behind this, but since he had no proof, he did not dare to just intrude and demand for Xu Youran.
There was no choice for him but to wait anxiously.
He was hoping the police would do an efficient job and find some clues.
But very evidently, he was about to be disappointed.
There were no leads on the investigation at all.
Gu Dongcheng was not in any mood to think about his work as he was in a huge mess.
Eventually, he could only seek help from DK organization.
But even then, his effort was futile too.
Gu Dongcheng was sent into a state of helplessness for a few days consecutively.
In the end, he could only take the risk of paying a visit to Jin Qingyan.
Upon seeing him, Jin Qingyan still asked the obvious, “Mr. Gu, may I know what is the matter?”
“Mr. Jin, whatever it is that you want, as long as I can give it to you, I will. Don’t make things hard for my wife, she’s pregnant.”
He could no longer hold it in and just went straight to the point.
Jin Qingyan, on the other hand, appeared composed. “Mr. Gu, I don’t understand what you are saying. Why could I make things hard for your wife? You have no proof at all. Saying such things can make one understandably displeased.”
“Straightforward people shouldn’t resort to making insinuations. Mr. Jin, if you dare to do it, why can’t you own up to it?” Gu Dongcheng had originally felt that it was either Gu Beicheng or Jin Qingyan behind it. After further thought, he concluded that Gu Beicheng was someone who was used to collecting all the available evidence before delivering the fatal blow to his opponent. He did not seem like someone who would land a blow without being fully prepared. Moreover, considering what had happened to Mrs. Jin, the more Gu Dongcheng thought of it, the more he felt that it was Jin Qingyan.
Of course, he did not have evidence. It was just his pure speculation.
He had wanted to trap Jin Qingyan into revealing something, but he obviously failed as Jin Qingyan did not give away even a slight hint.
“What have I done that I need to own up to?” Jin Qingyan laughed coldly. “Don’t you know that you could be put to jail for slander?”
Gu Dongcheng turned speechless and clearly knew that it was pointless for him to have come. He then left angrily.
“Young Sir, he has already guessed that it’s you.”
“If relying on pure speculation can put one in jail, what is evidence for?” Jin Qingyan sn.i.g.g.e.red. “Who does he think he is? He even dares to come and question me.”
“Exactly.” Fan s.h.i.+xin brought a set of clothes over. “This is your suit for the wedding tomorrow. Young Sir, you should try it.”
“Just put it there, I have to go somewhere now.”
“Where are you going?”
He did not answer and took his car keys with him as he left.
Fan s.h.i.+xin could vaguely make a guess, and the corner of his lips curled into a grin.