Chapter 137: How Much Do You Like Me?

This was the first time since he had been injured that someone had told him not to let the wound get wet, lest it become infected, or not to drink alcohol, lest it fail to heal.

Those people in the Gu family would only rub salt into his bleeding wounds.

"You useless thing, look at you, just a couple of lashes and you’re in this state."

"You merely fell into the water, yet you framed your brother for trying to kill you; what a vicious heart you have!"

"What an ill-bred creature. Of everyone in the Gu family, you are the most sinister and dark-minded..."

Gu Zhenzhi’s eyes flickered. His throat bobbed slightly, and his breathing grew rapid. "My neck."

Hearing Gu Zhenzhi’s words, Ruan Cha took a towel and moved toward him, lifting her hand to gently wipe his neck.

He tilted his chin slightly upward, revealing a long, elegant line of his throat.

Ruan Cha gazed at his chin; the man’s features were remarkably superior, his facial contours perfectly sculpted. His skin was a cold, pale white, his face exquisite. Under the influence of the alcohol, a faint flush gradually bloomed on his cheeks.

He carried an air of detachment mixed with a languid indifference, yet, paradoxically, he was most sensitive to these tiny, trivial details.

The Gu family’s specialty was using every minute detail to push Gu Zhenzhi, step by step, into an bottomless abyss. The thought of this made Ruan Cha’s heart ache with bitterness.

She finished wiping his neck, then quietly slipped her small hand into Gu Zhenzhi’s palm before leading him out of the bathroom.

A medical kit sat on the nightstand in Gu Zhenzhi’s bedroom. She had him lie on the bed and began to clean his wounds.

The man rested his chin on the pillow, his gaze fixed on the headboard ahead. Thinking of something, he asked in a low, husky voice, "How are you so skilled at bandaging wounds?"

Ruan Cha was focused on clearing away the blood seeping from the wound and answered offhandedly, "I was injured often in the past. I got used to it."

"Why were you injured so often?"

The moment Ruan Cha heard Gu Zhenzhi’s voice, her expression grew slightly dazed.

Because one had to fight. Since one wasn't born favored by the heavens, one had to fight with their life to become strong enough to protect oneself.

She was silent for two seconds, and her hand slipped.

"Nng—!" Gu Zhenzhi let out a low, muffled groan of pain.

Pulled back to reality by his sound, Ruan Cha panicked. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry... I didn't mean to hurt you!"

Gu Zhenzhi propped himself up on his arms and rose slowly. He lowered his head slightly, his dark, tousled hair shading the pale skin of his face. His hair was still damp from the shower.

His gaze was gradually losing its focus, no longer as bright and sharp as before.

Struck by the sheer impact of Gu Zhenzhi’s beauty, Ruan Cha froze for a moment. Before she could react, Gu Zhenzhi grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his arms.

"Brother Zhizhi, you..."

"Ruan Cha, how much do you like me?"

Taken aback by the sudden question, Ruan Cha couldn't find her voice for a moment.

Gu Zhenzhi’s eyes were dark as ink, his breath still carrying the faint scent of alcohol.

After a few seconds of silence, he spoke again. "To put it another way, what about me is worth you liking?"

Ruan Cha looked into Gu Zhenzhi’s cautious, hazy eyes. Her own shimmering eyes turned red as she finally understood.

The book had described Gu Zhenzhi as inherently dark and self-loathing; if he realized he truly liked someone, his first instinct would be to retreat.

Thinking of this, Ruan Cha suddenly gripped Gu Zhenzhi’s arm. Her eyes were red-rimmed, but her voice was sweet, soft, and firm. "You are worth it, Gu Zhenzhi. Every part of you is worth being liked. You haven't done anything wrong, yet you have to endure their punishment—it’s not fair!"