So What If the Beautiful Campus Belle Loves Money? (25)

Hua Jinchen snorted. "For baby's sake, I won't stoop to his level. Let's go back."

With that, he wrapped an arm around Shi Zheng, turned, and headed for the private room.

To their surprise, Gu Yanshen brazenly followed them inside.

Huang Siyuan and the others, who had been talking in low voices because Hua Jinchen had been gone so long, all looked up at the sound of the door opening.

Their gazes froze on the third person who came in right behind them—

G-Gu Yanshen?!

Gu Yanshen, who was so out of place in their circle, had actually shown up at Yunding Club?!

And he had come in with Hua Jinchen and Shi Zheng?!

Dead silence fell over the private room. A pin could have been heard dropping.

Everyone's eyes widened, disbelief written all over their faces.

Huang Siyuan was the quickest to react. Forcing down the storm raging in his heart, he quickly put on a warm expression and stood up. "Young Master Gu? What a rare guest! Please, come in! I didn't expect to run into you here!"

Zhao Yong hurriedly chimed in. "Yes, yes! What brings you here today, Young Master Gu? Care to have a drink with us?"

Yet his gaze darted frantically between Shi Zheng, Hua Jinchen, and Gu Yanshen as he tried to decipher what lay behind this strange combination.

Hearing everyone's greetings, Hua Jinchen slowly turned around. When he saw Gu Yanshen's face, he froze.

He hadn't even noticed that this guy had followed them in?!

At the same time, Shi Zheng saw Gu Yanshen behind her, her face full of incredulous question marks.

Hadn't we just agreed?

He was supposed to leave after seeing me to the door. What does he mean by coming in now?

Does he think he hasn't made a big enough scene?

"Who invited you in?" Hua Jinchen made no attempt to hide his hostility. "Gu Yanshen, you're not welcome here. Get out, right here, right now."

Gu Yanshen, however, acted as though he hadn't heard the blatant order to leave.

Then, under everyone's dumbfounded gazes, Gu Yanshen took a long stride and walked straight toward the sofa.

Without the slightest hesitation, he went to the empty seat on Shi Zheng's other side and sat down as calm as could be.

The atmosphere in the private room instantly dropped to freezing.

The two men sat on either side of Shi Zheng, sandwiching her between them.

Everyone held their breath. Even the two who had just tried to lighten the mood sheepishly shut their mouths.

Their terrified gazes darted back and forth between Hua Jinchen and Gu Yanshen, as though they were trying desperately to figure out what was going on.

Hua Jinchen's expression was beyond ugly.

He stared fixedly at Gu Yanshen, who sat calmly beside him. "Gu. Yan. Shen!"

"What the fuck do you want?!"

"To drink," Gu Yanshen said indifferently.

Just then, a waitress came over.

Perhaps wanting to curry favor with this distinguished young guest, she came over with a professional smile on her face, a drinks menu in her hands, and a sway of her hips. In a sweet voice, she asked, "Sir, what would you like to drink? We have—"

She didn't get to finish.

Gu Yanshen didn't even look up at her. He merely turned his head slightly, avoiding her body, which had come too close, and the strong scent of her perfume.

His thin lips parted, and he spat out a single word. "Scram."

The smile froze on the waitress's face, and she slunk away.

The merciless rejection stood in stark contrast to the way he was now sitting beside Shi Zheng.

Gu Yanshen rejected the approach of every other woman, but Shi Zheng alone...

Everyone silently played the part of the background, breathing with care.

Thanks to Huang Siyuan and the others' interruptions, the conversation managed to shift from the drawn swords and taut bows of a moment ago to harmless gossip.

"Speaking of which, that new equestrian club in the east of the city seems pretty good. I heard they brought in a few thoroughbreds."

"Horse riding? That's too boring. I still think racing is more exciting. I heard there's an amateur race at the new track in the northern suburbs next weekend. Want to go have some fun together next week? Is sister-in-law coming too?"

Shi Zheng asked, "Baby, can I come along and have some fun too?"

Hua Jinchen gave an absentminded "Mm."

His arm lay possessively across the back of the sofa behind Shi Zheng, half enclosing her in his territory.

He angled his body slightly toward Shi Zheng, keeping Gu Yanshen on her other side at a distance.

On the other side, Gu Yanshen held a glass of whiskey, taking an occasional sip, his expression cold and aloof.

But on closer inspection, his body was unusually stiff.

Because beneath the drinking table, in the shadows out of everyone's sight.

... (deleted)

Even the ice-cold liquor sliding down his throat couldn't quench the strange heat spreading from the point of contact.