Chapter 39: Be Good, I Was Wrong

The moment his grip tightened on her, her wrist first went numb, then a surge of sharp pain swept over her. Without thinking, she pursed her lips and let out a plaintive cry, “Ouch—it hurts!”

Gu Zhenzhi immediately loosened his hold.

The girl’s slender, porcelain-white wrists were clasped in his hands; it felt as though a slight twist could break them. He lowered his gaze. Her hands were pinned, her back to him.

Meanwhile, she turned her head to look at him, those round, beautiful eyes brimming with tears. In the next instant, droplets fell, streaming down her face.

Her tears were like a string of pearls breaking loose. The pain had reddened the corners of her eyes, and she gazed up, aggrieved and glistening with tears. “Gu Zhenzhi, you actually dared to lay hands on me…”

She sniffled and stammered, her eyes accusing, a misty haze clouding their depths.

He was caught off guard by her gaze, and in that moment, she managed to break free.

The next second, he watched as she stumbled, her footing slipping, and she tumbled forward—right toward him!

Her small hands seemed about to grab his trousers.

Gu Zhenzhi’s brows twitched. Instinctively, his long, straight legs took a step back.

She watched, wide-eyed, as her only support retreated, and she fell hard onto the floor.

The sound of her elbow hitting the ground was sharp and violent, making her gasp in pain.

Lying prone, her cheek pressed against the cold floor, she felt utterly betrayed.

She remained still, enduring the sharp ache in her knees and elbows.

Gu Zhenzhi hadn’t expected it to turn out so badly. Seeing her sprawled on the ground, he immediately bent down, his strong arms scooping her up at the waist.

He carried her to the sofa outside.

Throughout, she clenched her fists in silence.

When she finally sat down, she suddenly slapped the sofa beside her, raising her head with a look so furious it could pierce through him. “Gu Zhenzhi, let me tell you, I’ve never suffered such indignity!”

“I’m sorry.”

“Is an apology enough?” she retorted, her eyes flickering downward as she secretly thought—this was the critical moment when he might feel pity for her.

With that thought, her eyes grew red again, her tone pitiful: “If you can treat me like this now, who knows what you’ll do in the future—lock me up, exploit me…”

The more she spoke, the harder she cried.

She remembered the scenes from the book: after misunderstanding her, Gu Zhenzhi had obsessively imprisoned her in his home…

Suddenly, she truly felt miserable.

How could she dare to throw such a tantrum at a man like this, someone so unhinged?

Thinking this, she shrank back, her tearful eyes shimmering, looking so pitiable it tugged at the heartstrings.

Before she could retreat further, Gu Zhenzhi seized her wrist again.

With a gentle tug, he pulled her into his arms.

His broad chest, laced with familiar scent, left her stunned, cheeks flushing pink.

“I won’t treat you like that,” he murmured, his deep, husky voice coming from above. His throat moved slightly, the heartbeat in his chest thumping through his clothes into her ears.

Clumsy and awkward, he tried to soothe her, “Be good. I was wrong.”

That hoarse voice made her heart tremble. She hadn't expected him to truly yield.

Her eyes were still red, corners damp, with lingering traces of tears on her cheeks.

Taking advantage, she wrapped her slender arms around his waist, nestling her face against his chest, rubbing gently. “If you want my forgiveness, it’s not impossible—but you have to promise me a few things…”