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Zhang Jingsi and her bodyguard had barely exited the building when Le Tian finally snapped out of his daze, still reeling from the whirlwind drama he had just witnessed.
He opened his mouth to speak but froze when he noticed the Second Master standing silently in the hallway. At some point, Mu Qinghan had emerged from his apartment, his expression cold and unreadable.
Although Mu Qinghan wore his signature sunglasses, Le Tian could feel the weight of his gaze, sharp and icy as a blade. A chill ran down Le Tian’s spine.
Even with his eyes obscured, the Second Master's gaze was terrifying.
The head of security stepped forward, bowing apologetically. "I’m terribly sorry, Mr. Mu. This was a lapse in our security. I assure you, we will not allow this individual to enter the premises again."
Mu Qinghan gave a slight nod but said nothing. His silence was more oppressive than any reprimand.
The security guard bowed again before retreating respectfully.
The corridor fell into an awkward, tense silence.
Le Tian quickly stepped forward, hands gripping the handles of Mu Qinghan’s wheelchair, and pushed him back into the apartment. As the door began to close, Mu Qinghan turned his head, casting a final glance at Gu Li.
That cold, piercing gaze lingered on Gu Li’s face for a moment before the door shut behind him.
Unbothered, Gu Li smiled faintly, then turned to Yue Xiaoqing. "Come in," she said casually, gesturing toward her apartment.
The sound of two doors shutting echoed in unison.
Inside the apartment, Gu Li moved with easy confidence, pouring a cup of tea and setting it on the table before Yue Xiaoqing.
"So, what brings you here?" Gu Li asked, sitting across from her. She observed Yue Xiaoqing as the girl glanced curiously around the room, her gaze lingering on the decor.
The studio was full of personality—warm tones, thoughtful furnishings—but what stood out were the covered portraits leaning against the walls. It was clear these unfinished works held significance.
The background information Gu Li had gathered on Yue Xiaoqing flashed through her mind.
Her brother had a complicated history with this girl. At first, Yue Xiaoqing had pursued him relentlessly, and though he had resisted for a while, he eventually gave in. But their relationship was short-lived, cut off when Zhang Jingsi interfered, driving a wedge between them.
Judging by the way her brother had carefully preserved the portraits of Yue Xiaoqing but now hid them away, it was clear he still harbored feelings for her.
Snapping out of her musings, Gu Li’s lips curled into a half-smile as she asked, "Enjoying the view?"
Yue Xiaoqing’s cheeks reddened slightly as she returned her focus to the present. "I used to wait outside your apartment after school, but this is my first time inside," she said softly.
Gu Li narrowed her eyes slightly but said nothing, her expression neutral.
Breaking the silence, Yue Xiaoqing lowered her head, her hands twisting in her lap. "Brother Zheng, I’m sorry. I know you told me never to come looking for you again, but—"
"No need to apologize," Gu Li interrupted, leaning back lazily against the sofa. Despite the relaxed posture, her gaze was sharp, as if dissecting every word and gesture. "Let’s skip the formalities. You didn’t come here just to apologize, did you?"
Yue Xiaoqing hesitated, her eyelashes trembling slightly. After a moment, she gathered her courage and said, "You saw it too. Zhang Jingsi threatened me and asked me to persuade you to get engaged to her."
Gu Li arched a brow, a trace of amusement flickering in her eyes. She draped one arm over the back of the sofa, exuding the confidence of someone entirely in control. "So?"
The single word was casual, but it carried weight.
Yue Xiaoqing’s gaze wavered before she spoke again. "Brother Zheng, I heard... you have a twin sister, don’t you?"
Gu Li’s expression didn’t change, though her eyes darkened slightly. She gave a faint nod, acknowledging the question.
Taking his silence as permission to continue, Yue Xiaoqing pressed on, "I remember you once said that you and your sister were separated at birth. She was taken abroad by your aunt and hasn’t returned since."
The accuracy of her statement made it clear these details had come directly from her brother himself. Gu Li couldn’t help but feel a pang of curiosity—her brother must have truly trusted Yue Xiaoqing to share such personal history.
But Gu Li also knew this wasn’t the end of the story. Whatever Yue Xiaoqing wanted to say next would be the real reason she was here.
Sure enough, Yue Xiaoqing reached into her bag and pulled out a neatly folded sheet of A4 paper. The edges were slightly crumpled, as though she had handled it frequently. She handed it over to Gu Li with a mix of regret and determination in her expression.
"Two months ago, you gave me a box of medicine and asked me to have my uncle analyze its components in his lab," she began, her tone measured. "But my uncle said there was nothing unusual about the formula you provided."
Gu Li’s brows furrowed slightly as she unfolded the paper. Her eyes skimmed over the list of ingredients.
Her heart skipped a beat.
The medicine wasn’t ordinary—it was a formula designed to treat mental illness and alleviate depression.
Gu Li’s fingers tightened around the paper as her thoughts churned.
(End of Chapter 15)
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