Chapter 23: Come Here

Before Gu Jiayan could get into his car, he caught sight of a familiar license plate and halted, turning toward the vehicle that had just come to a stop. The driver’s door opened, and the chauffeur stepped out, taking his place by the rear door.

Once he was sure it was his elder brother’s car, a ripple stirred in the depths of Gu Jiayan’s dark eyes. He paused in silence, and when he looked up again, his expression was respectful yet distant.

He approached the car, raised his hand, and knocked on the window.

The glass slid smoothly down, revealing that strikingly cold and elegant face inside.

“Big Brother,” Gu Jiayan greeted him, his tone hardly deferential, with even a trace of disdain lurking beneath the words.

Gu Zhenzhi’s gaze was cool and proud as he stared straight ahead. At the sound of Gu Jiayan’s voice, his deep, ink-black eyes shifted, barely glancing across his younger brother’s face.

The instant their gazes met, Gu Jiayan’s spine unconsciously stiffened. He remembered his own childhood cruelty—cornering the sickly young Gu Zhenzhi against a wall, fists and feet flying, mocking him: “Gu Zhenzhi, your mother’s a whore! Shameless!”

Since Gu Zhenzhi’s return, he seemed quieter. Every time Gu Jiayan met his gaze, a chill seemed to seep into his bones.

It was the look one might give the dead.

Yet, deep down, Gu Jiayan still could not bring himself to respect Gu Zhenzhi.

“What do you want?” Gu Zhenzhi’s sharp black eyes swept across Gu Jiayan’s face, noting how he stood rooted, almost lost in thought before him.

“I was just curious what brings you to the school, big brother.” Under the weight of that icy gaze, Gu Jiayan instinctively explained himself.

“To pick someone up.” Gu Zhenzhi’s eyes were clear and penetrating, the corners of his phoenix eyes narrowing slightly as he glanced toward Ruan Cha, who was watching the scene with her head tilted in interest not far away.

“Come here,” he called, his pale, slender hand gesturing to Ruan Cha.

Gu Jiayan turned as he caught the motion, just in time to see the girl’s face light up with delight and hurry toward them, her steps light with excitement.

She was stunning: delicate, fair skin like spring snow, features as fine as a painting, soft and lovely, her rounded eyes sparkling with life. She ran up, stopping in front of Gu Jiayan, breathless and bright-eyed, looking at him with eyes that seemed almost to speak.

For a moment, Gu Jiayan was dazed, taking in her delicate, pale face. Was there really such a beautiful girl at No. 2 High School?

Inside the car, Gu Zhenzhi’s gaze grew colder as he watched Ruan Cha and Gu Jiayan. His expression darkened. With Gu Jiayan’s looks, there were few girls at their school who wouldn’t fall for him.

The moment he saw Ruan Cha outside, head tilted, gazing up at Gu Jiayan with shining eyes, a chill swept over Gu Zhenzhi’s already cold face, as if a layer of frost had settled there.

So, all those coquettish acts, those pitiful glances she’d given him before, were just for his status and power. Now, it seemed, she’d found a better prospect.

Even before Ruan Cha got into the car, Gu Zhenzhi had already labeled her as fickle and unfaithful in his heart.

His long, narrow eyes lowered, lips curving in a sarcastic arc. “Driver, let’s—”

To think he’d worried for her safety and come all the way to pick her up.

He didn’t finish the word. Before he could, a clear, sweet voice rang out from outside the window. “Excuse me, you’re in my way. Could you move, please?”

There was no coquetry, no attempt to act cute or pitiful. Her voice was as sweet and gentle as always, but her tone was cool, devoid of any unnecessary emotion.