Chapter Thirty-Five: Why Don't You Two Just Get Together?

Worldly Affairs, Qingfeng Grand Hotel.

Having just stepped out from her shower, Chu Xingran looked at the man sitting on her bed, and the goodwill she’d felt toward him over the past two days plummeted straight into the negative.

“Don’t you know to knock before coming in?” Thankfully, she was wearing a bathrobe; otherwise, he would have seen everything today!

Mo Han—this guy—couldn’t he be a little less direct? Not everyone was like him! Maybe he’d become too accustomed to acting like a domineering CEO and couldn’t adjust to the reality of his ordinary identity.

“Tch. It’s not like I haven’t seen it before, no need to react like this.” He’d already seen her the first time they’d met. Although he hadn’t caught every detail, he’d seen enough.

Granted, the consequence was Chu Xingran beating him up, but it wasn’t as if he’d lost out.

Back then, to avoid his grandfather’s pursuit, he’d accidentally stumbled into Chu Xingran’s room while she was showering. That’s when he’d caught a glimpse.

It was also then that he’d thought to apologize to Chu Xingran, but as time passed, he realized he’d hopelessly fallen for her.

“So, what do you want? Say your piece and get out!” This was the second time; she was convinced Mo Han did it on purpose.

What were the odds? Every time, it happened while she was showering—surely he had ulterior motives.

“Ah Heng said he tried to call you but couldn’t get through, so he asked me to check on you. I just wanted to see what you were busy with.” If he weren’t worried about her, he’d never bother showing up here.

Yet this woman didn’t appreciate it, just looked irritated and impatient.

“I was taking a shower, obviously didn’t see the call. Now you’ve checked, so shouldn’t you leave?” Chu Xingran rolled her eyes, snatched her phone from Mo Han’s hand.

Gu Zhiheng finally remembered to contact her—they’d been on the mountain for days now.

She’d thought he’d stopped caring.

She unlocked her phone and saw a dozen missed calls.

“Sis, what are you doing? Why didn’t you answer my calls?” The voice on the other end was anxious, speaking quickly.

Chu Xingran smiled, feeling content—he still cared about her.

She laughed as she explained, “I was showering, the phone was in the bedroom, so I missed your calls.”

Mo Han, sitting beside her, watched this double-standard woman with annoyance.

He didn’t think he was any less deserving than Gu Zhiheng. If Gu Zhiheng hadn’t been the reincarnation of Ye Zheng, would Chu Xingran even pay him so much attention?

He couldn’t understand her—why cling so stubbornly to one tree?

“How has Ah Heng been lately? Is he managing okay on his own?” She worried he couldn’t take care of himself, wasn’t eating or sleeping well.

“Sis, I’m fine. I’ve been training and studying every day at the mountaintop!” More than training, he’d been getting beaten up—miserably so.

If his whole body wasn’t covered in bruises, his face swollen like a pig’s head, he would have video-chatted with Chu Xingran.

Not wanting her to worry about his appearance, he could only call and greet her.

“Mountaintop? Why did you go up there? Didn’t I say to stay at the mountainside?” Wasn’t it agreed that he’d wait until next month?

She’d written it clearly in the letter. Why couldn’t he follow instructions?

Those at the mountaintop were far beyond his ability to contend with.

And given his identity, he’d be risking everything.

“Sis, the night before you left, I went up to the restricted zone at the summit. They know me—they’ve all been to my family’s ancestral shrine.”

They were old acquaintances. Though their methods were harsh, he’d learned a lot.

Thinking it over, it wasn’t a bad deal. Suffering a bit was worth it for the benefits.

“Why didn’t you tell me? Are you sure they didn’t bully you?” This fool—why didn’t he ever consult her before doing anything?

Gu Zhiheng didn’t see the problem; he was twenty-three, after all, and ought to make his own decisions.

Besides, those old monsters were just a bit temperamental and heavy-handed.

Otherwise, they treated him well. No need to worry about his safety—they were good people.

But recalling recent events, Gu Zhiheng abruptly changed the subject to Chu Xingran.

He asked, tentatively, “Sis, does Han like you? I think he’s different around you.”

Chu Xingran’s expression darkened at his words.

Mo Han, sitting nearby, remained impassive. The atmosphere turned subtly awkward, a hint of embarrassment hanging in the air.

“Han’s good to you, and you’re single. Why don’t you two get together?” Gu Zhiheng voiced his thoughts, but for some reason, his heart felt uncomfortable.

Still, he wanted to know Chu Xingran’s answer, and Mo Han’s intentions.

They really were a perfect match—a talented man and a beautiful woman, a harmonious pair.

“Gu Zhiheng, do you even know what you’re saying?” Chu Xingran suddenly snapped, realizing that all these years, she’d made a mistake.

To Gu Zhiheng, she was nothing but family—nothing more.

He didn’t understand that her feelings for him went beyond his identity as Ye Zheng’s reincarnation; she truly cared for him.

She never imagined that one day, Gu Zhiheng would urge her to be with someone else.

Did he really not sense her feelings?

“Sis, of course I know what I’m saying. I just want you to be happier, to have a better life!” What’s the point of holding onto him? She didn’t need to wait.

In his heart, there seemed to be no room for deeper emotions.

Still, he hoped she could live happily. As long as someone was by her side, his heart felt lighter.

Why Mo Han? Perhaps because he genuinely wanted Chu Xingran to be with him.

And because he was strong—the Black Snake clan could protect Chu Xingran and give her the sense of security she needed.

But Chu Xingran fell silent, and Gu Zhiheng realized his suggestion had upset her.

But he truly couldn’t give her what she wanted—whatever it was.

The journey to the Northwest was too dangerous. If Chu Xingran could be with Mo Han, he would urge Mo Han to take her back.

He would handle the rest alone. He just wanted Chu Xingran to live peacefully, not to follow him into this mire.

“This is my own matter, I’ll decide for myself. You focus on your training at Mist-Brow Mountain.” Without waiting for Gu Zhiheng’s reply, she swiftly hung up.

He didn’t know that, for his sake, Chu Xingran had already agreed to be with Mo Han.

Although her heart wasn’t in it, she had given her word.

Now, hearing it from Gu Zhiheng, in another form, Chu Xingran found it hard to accept.

Did she really have to give him up and be with Mo Han?

Was this the only way to ease his mind and set him at ease?