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"I thought you guys were asleep and was about to get rid of the late-night snacks. Since Miss Gu wants to eat, then I’ll prepare it again." The butler uncle hurriedly asked as Gu Xiaoxi turned to leave, "Should I prepare a portion for the young master too?"

Gu Xiaoxi squinted and thought for a moment, then turned back and said seriously, "No need. He just said he was already full."

"Ah! What did he eat then? There’s no food prepared in the room!"

Gu Xiaoxi hung her head, admitting total defeat, and seeing the butler uncle so earnest and honest. She felt there was nothing to be embarrassed about, so she coughed, lifted her flushed cheeks, turned back, and seriously said to the butler, "He’s drunk."

With that, she stopped looking at the butler and rushed back to her room in one breath.

The butler stood at the door, scratching his head, looking utterly confused. Suddenly, as if realizing something, he hurried towards Young Master Quan’s bathroom, calling out as he went, "Young Master, are you alright?"

...

Gu Xiaoxi lay in her room’s bathtub, listening to the butler’s voice and almost burst out laughing.

The uncle is so cute! Hahaha!

Thinking about Quan Shaoqing’s expression at that moment, it must’ve been wonderful.

She continued to eavesdrop, hoping to hear Quan Shaoqing’s embarrassed voice, considering he was undressed.

But unexpectedly, she heard Quan Shaoqing ask indifferently, "What’s the matter, why are you so agitated?"

"I was just coming to ask if you wanted a late-night snack. Miss Gu said you were drunk, so I came in to check... Young Master, why haven’t you finished bathing after so long, shall I help you? Oh my, the bathroom is all wet, what were you and Miss Gu doing in here..."

Gagaga! Suddenly, as if the butler had realized something, he felt as if he had been struck by lightning! Even though he was simple and slow, he now thought of some inappropriate...

Quan Shaoqing raised his face, showing no change in expression, and said seriously, "Gu Xiaoxi made a mistake in the army, and I came back to question her. As a result, she fought with me, so the bathroom got dirty. Uncle Zhou, I’m hungry too, please prepare dinner!

She probably felt aggrieved after being lectured and just said that to spite me. Don’t mind it."

Dammit!

Gu Xiaoxi silently cursed in her heart, this guy is simply shameless.

At that thought, Gu Xiaoxi suddenly covered her face, her cheeks burning red as she slipped into the bath, letting the water engulf her completely, hating Quan Shaoqing so much.

What she did today, was the most unbelievable thing in her life.

Quan Shaoqing that big bad guy, totally corrupting her.

"Thud thud thud!" Just after Gu Xiaoxi had finished bathing and put on a neat set of shorts and short-sleeved pajamas, there was a knock on the door.

Gu Xiaoxi went to open the door and saw Quan Shaoqing wearing a snow-white robe, casually open at the neck, revealing a sturdy chest.

He stood there, fresh and handsome, his tall figure exceptionally dashing, a cheerful smile hanging between his brows, looking incredibly spirited and radiant.

"Hurry up and come to have the late-night snack!" Quan Shaoqing pushed open her door, dragging her out of the room.

Gu Xiaoxi’s hand was gently held in his palm, making her ears turn barely noticeably red. No matter how much she pretended it was nothing, she still couldn’t forget those not-suitable-for-children images.

Quan Shaoqing held her wrist in one hand and casually, gently massaged her slender fingers with the other, asking with concern, "Wife, I’ll rub it more for you, so you won’t cramp next time."

"Scram!" Gu Xiaoxi glared at him and strode towards the dining table.

Despite her attempt to look fierce, her cheeks were still flushed red, making her appearance anything but intimidating.

Quan Shaoqing, watching her cute expression, immediately burst into loud laughter, "Wife is really too polite."

Gu Xiaoxi picked up a piece of pastry and stuffed it into Quan Shaoqing’s mouth to shut him up.

Dammit, so annoying! So shameless.

Dinner passed amidst their playful fighting and lively atmosphere.

After dinner, Gu Xiaoxi insisted on returning to her own room to sleep.

There was no way she was going to sleep with him.

Quan Shaoqing watched her dash back into her room, slam the door shut, and then stood at her doorstep, lips curling into a smile before he affectionately said, "Goodnight, wife!"

Gu Xiaoxi lay on her bed in a frenzy, indignantly retorted, "I’m not your wife!"

Immediately after, his voice came through once more, "You will be very soon."

"Go die!" Gu Xiaoxi buried her head under the blanket. Oh heavens, oh God, let her never have met Quan Shaoqing!

Early the next morning, Gu Xiaoxi wanted to go out.

Quan Shaoqing outright refused, which meant, by implication, confinement! She wasn’t allowed to go anywhere.

Gu Xiaoxi was furious but dared not express it, so she ate breakfast and then went back to sleep.

Quan Shaoqing kept busy in the study until the afternoon when a maid brought her a beautiful gift box, speaking in a deferential tone, "Miss Gu, this is the gown Young Master Quan had custom-made for you.

Please dress up beautifully this afternoon; there is a cocktail party at seven tonight that he wants you to attend with him. "

Gu Xiaoxi, her head still under the blanket and eyes unopened, furiously said, "I’m not going!"

"This..." The maid hesitated in a murmur, "Young Master Quan insisted that you must attend."

Gu Xiaoxi snorted coldly. He wouldn’t let her out in the morning, yet he wanted her to accompany him to a party in the evening.

Why should she obey him?

The maid placed the clothes on the table and then exited the room with difficulty.

A moment later, Gu Xiaoxi’s door was twisted open again.

This time, it was the sound of heavy, sure footsteps that, without a doubt, belonged to Quan Shaoqing.

She held her breath, expecting him to call out to her, but instead, the bed beside her dipped slightly as he lay down. His broad arm stretched over from the side, hooking around her waist, and he gently smiled down at the top of her head, "Xiao Xi, are you really not going?"

"No, I want to sleep!"

"Are you sure? How about I don’t go either and just stay to sleep with you?" Quan Shaoqing suggested as he pulled over her blanket and leaned in.

Gu Xiaoxi, startled, sat up abruptly and stared at his smiling face. "What kind of party is it? Who will be there?"

"It’s Old Master Zhang’s birthday celebration—that is, the grandfather of Zhang Jingyue, the one you can’t stand.

He retired from Zhongdu ten years ago and has been living in seclusion in City A.

So, his guests tonight will be numerous.

The reason I want to attend is naturally to offer congratulations on behalf of my father.

I think it would be better for you to join me," Quan Shaoqing explained.

Gu Xiaoxi turned her head slightly, a hint of hesitation crossing her gaze, "Are you talking about Zhang Jingyue’s grandfather? The one she always uses to threaten people?"

"Does she often do that?" Quan Shaoqing asked out of curiosity.

Gu Xiaoxi narrowed her eyes, snorting coldly, "I don’t know if it’s frequent, but she used that threat to have Liu Wenxing go after me."

"Then do you want to go? If you don’t, I’ll go and come right back," Quan Shaoqing said. He was aware that Zhang Jingyue had done some foolish things, but none of those involved Old Master Zhang.

Old Master Zhang was a clean official, never accepting valuable gifts, unlike what Zhang Jingyue claimed—that for the sake of his offspring, he completely discarded morality.

Although protective of his grandchildren, he understood the importance of education. Indulging Zhang Jingyue didn’t mean he allowed her to do whatever she pleased.

Suddenly, Gu Xiaoxi’s eyes lit up with mischief, and she cheerfully rose from the bed, "Go? Why wouldn’t I?

I want to see what the Zhang family is like.

If they’re really as Zhang Jingyue says—abusing power for personal gain, bullying others, engaging in corruption—then I’ll steal his information and find some evidence to expose them.

If her grandfather truly is as incorruptible as you say, I’ll show him what’s on my phone and let him see what kind of person his granddaughter really is. "

"You won’t cause trouble, will you?" Quan Shaoqing immediately became alert, took Gu Xiaoxi’s hand, and instructed, "Leave it to me to handle this. Don’t say too much in case you stir up trouble. Not only will Zhang Jingyue deny everything, but it might backfire on you."

"What do you mean?" Gu Xiaoxi looked up at him, not understanding.

Quan Shaoqing’s expression turned icy as he raised an eyebrow, his tone became threatening, "My mother is sensible and upright, but she strongly opposes our affair. She must have spoken ill of you behind your back; besides her, I can’t think of anyone else involved.

So, we’re going today to settle this. Bringing you with me is also to quash her malicious thoughts.

And incidentally, to announce to the world that I am no longer available. "

Gu Xiaoxi gave him a glance, her lips curling into a bright smile, "I’m afraid that by then, I’ll become the sacrificial lamb everyone wants to take a bite out of."

"Not while I’m there, let’s see who dares!" Quan Shaoqing fondly pinched her cheek, then stole a kiss, urging her, "Hurry up and change; we need to choose a piece of jewelry. There’s still time."

"Don’t I have the necklace you gave me before?" Gu Xiaoxi asked. She had treasured and kept it safely.

"I want to give you another one!" Quan Shaoqing lifted her from the bed, doting on her.