Chapter 57: One Embrace, and All is Forgiven

When Gu Zhenzhi heard Ruan Cha say, “You have to trust me,” something in his heart began to soften.

He stood by the door, his dark eyes fixed on the bedroom door, his mind filled with the image of the girl. He couldn’t see her face, but he could hear her voice and sense her current grievance.

Never before had anyone in Gu Zhenzhi’s life stirred his emotions so violently and deeply. He lowered his gaze, shadows flickering in his long, narrow eyes, a tangled web of feelings within.

Why was he so upset by being kept in the dark? Perhaps it was because he despised the feeling of being out of control.

He had gradually grown accustomed to her presence in his life, only to realize that he knew nothing about her.

The depth in Gu Zhenzhi’s eyes slowly cleared. He raised his pale, slender hand and placed it on the doorknob, pressing down lightly—

Yet in the very instant the door opened, the hallway outside was empty.

His eyes froze.

Looking at the deserted corridor, it felt as if a sharp blade had grazed his heart, leaving a faint, stinging pain, tugging at his chest.

He realized, perhaps, he’d been sentimental for nothing.

Gu Zhenzhi lowered his eyes, the corners tilting down, his dark lashes hiding the emotion there.

His fingers, resting on the cold doorknob, curled ever so slightly.

Just as he was about to turn and close the door, hurried footsteps echoed from the end of the corridor. “Gu Zhenzhi!”

Ruan Cha’s clear voice carried a note of delight.

At the sound, Gu Zhenzhi looked up and immediately saw Ruan Cha running toward him, stumbling in her haste.

Her eyes were still red, but when she saw him open the door, her gaze shone with undisguised, vivid joy.

She ran the rest of the way in a few quick steps and extended her slender, fair wrist toward him.

Her fist was clenched tightly. When she reached him, she slowly opened her palm.

Gu Zhenzhi’s gaze lowered. Her hand was delicate and porcelain-pale, her fingertips tinged with a gentle pink.

In her palm lay a piece of fruit candy.

“Gu Zhenzhi, here’s a sweet for you. Will you forgive me now?”

Ruan Cha’s eyes curved in a smile.

Under the light, her eyes sparkled as if filled with scattered starlight.

Gu Zhenzhi’s ink-black eyes lingered on the candy in her hand. He neither took it nor spoke.

He stared at it for nearly five seconds, then gently lifted his gaze, looking into the clear, smiling eyes of the girl before him.

Around them, everything was silent but for the fierce pounding of his own heart.

It was as if Gu Zhenzhi were drowning in the laughter shining in her eyes.

The next second, just as Ruan Cha was beginning to think he would ignore her and she’d have to coax him further, he suddenly covered her hand—with the candy still inside—enclosing it in his own.

He gripped her hand and pulled her forward.

Ruan Cha’s face landed squarely against Gu Zhenzhi’s chest.

She gasped in surprise.

By her ear, a low, husky voice sounded, “Give me a hug and I’ll forgive you.”

Ruan Cha’s back stiffened slightly.

She could feel the tension in Gu Zhenzhi; his arms wrapped so tightly around her, it was as if he wanted to merge her into his very being.

With some difficulty, she tilted her head up to breathe, and, seeing that he didn’t seem quite so angry anymore, she gently tested, “Gu Zhenzhi, does this mean we’re friends now?”

His answer was a long silence.

Undeterred, Ruan Cha pressed on, “You’re hugging me now, aren’t you? Does that mean you like me, even just a little?”

At her words, Gu Zhenzhi immediately let her go.

Their eyes met, and his voice was cold and mechanical, “Human nature drives them to seek warmth.”

Ruan Cha was taken aback.

She stared at his impassive face, bewildered.

Damn it.

He was as heartless as a machine—what a cold-blooded man!