Gu Anran turned around slowly.
Standing by the door was a tall man leaning casually against it, a white bathrobe loosely draped over his body. Water dripped from his wet hair, sliding down his sharp jawline and disappearing into the fabric.
His gaze was cold.
Dangerously cold.
Gu Anran's heart skipped violently.
Lu Zhenyu.
Even without introductions, she recognized him instantly.
In her previous life, this man had dominated the entire business world. He was known throughout Beijing for being ruthless, brutal, and decisive—someone who crushed opponents without mercy. Many people secretly called him the reincarnation of a devil.
If she had known she would run into him, she would have rather stayed trapped in that room and figured out another way.
Lu Zhenyu's eyes swept over her calmly, yet sharply, like a predator assessing prey.
"How did you get in?" he asked coldly.
He knew—he was certain—that the door had been locked from the inside.
Gu Anran swallowed hard. "T-Through the window."
His eyes narrowed slightly, sharp as blades.
"Please," she said quickly, fear seeping into her voice, "I just need to stay for an hour. After that, I'll leave immediately. I swear."
Lu Zhenyu let out a soft, humorless scoff.
"What makes you think I'll allow you to stay here for even a minute?" he asked calmly.
"Since you dared to sneak into my room, you must have already considered the consequences."
Her face paled.
"I've been drugged," Gu Anran blurted out, tears welling up despite her efforts to stay strong. "And someone is chasing me. I really need to stay here. I truly didn't know this room belonged to you."
She bowed her head slightly, clutching the edge of her dress like it was her last lifeline.
Lu Zhenyu studied her silently.
Then, his lips curved into a faint, dangerous smile.
"And what makes you think," he asked slowly, "that you're safe here—with me?"
The words struck harder than a slap.
Gu Anran froze.
Only then did she remember—this man standing before her was far more dangerous than Song Yichen had ever been.
Before she could respond, Lu Zhenyu's expression returned to icy indifference.
"I don't care who's chasing you," he said coldly. "Nor do I care whether you've been drugged or not."
His gaze hardened.
"You should be grateful I haven't called security to drag you out.
He straightened slightly, his presence pressing down on her like a mountain.
"Now get lost," he said flatly, "before I lose my patience." Gu Anran trembled but she still poured herself a glass of water and drank it in one go.
Gu Anran clenched the glass, her thoughts racing. If she stayed like this, she would lose control—or worse.
She looked up at Lu Zhenyu.
In her past life, she had always been passive. Always waiting. Always trusting.
That weakness had killed her.
This time, she wouldn't wait.
Gu Anran stood up again.
Lu Zhenyu's eyes darkened. "Don't move."
But she ignored him and walked toward him slowly.
"I won't survive if you throw me out," she said quietly. "And you know it."
She stopped right in front of him.
Too close.
Her fingers trembled as they gripped the edge of his bathrobe
.
Lu Zhenyu stiffened.
This should have disgusted him.
Every woman's touch always had.
Yet—
Nothing happened.
No revulsion.
Only a strange, dangerous tension spreading through his body.
Gu Anran looked up at him, eyes clear despite the drug. "I don't want anything from you," she whispered. "I just want to live."
Lu Zhenyu grabbed her wrist sharply. "Do you know what you're doing?"
"Yes."
That single word broke the last line of restraint.
He pulled her into his arms and took her to the bed.
That night, Gu Anran crossed a line she could never return from.
And Lu Zhenyu discovered something that overturned everything he believed—
His physical aversion to women didn't apply to her.
When Gu Anran woke up it was already morning, she felt extremely uncomfortable. She was stunned when she saw Lu Zhenyu lying beside her on the bed, last night memories quickly rushed into her head.
Last night she had crossed the line with Lu Zhenyu, she blushed thinking of what happened last night she quickly wore her disheveled clothes and left the hotel room quietly. After she left, few minutes later Lu Zhenyu opened his eyes only to see the space beside him empty.
He made a call,
"I want to see you in my room in 2 minutes"
At exactly 2 minutes, Lin Feng who was Lin Zhenyu's assistant walked into the room. He was stunned when he saw that the room looked like a battle was fought.
He was even more stunned when he saw scratch marks on his Lu Zhenyu's chest.
"The CEO couldn't have scratched himself so a woman was here last night" he deduced.