Chapter 224
The moment the prelude of the ending theme played, the originally dim and romantic lights in the theater suddenly brightened.
The light pierced through the darkness, and it also pierced through Ye Zhenzhen's final psychological defense.
She abruptly sat up straight, her fingers flying as she adjusted her slightly messy collar.
She haphazardly tucked the loose strands of hair behind her ears, wishing she could find a hole in the ground to crawl into right then and there.
It was completely and utterly mortifying!
Everything that had just happened was simply the "darkest hour" of her life, where all her reasoning had completely collapsed.
She didn't even dare to look up at Gu Ran.
She didn't even need to think to know that the scoundrel was definitely wearing a highly punchable smirk!
"L-let's go!"
Ye Zhenzhen grabbed her bag, ready to flee the "scene of the crime."
However, expectations are one thing, reality is another.
The moment she stood up straight, her legs turned to jelly like cooked noodles.
The aftereffects of oxygen deprivation, combined with a certain someone's highly aggressive offensive just now, fully erupted at this very moment.
Seeing that she was about to have a close encounter with the seat in front of her, a warm and powerful hand firmly gripped her waist.
The world spun, and she fell right back into that familiar embrace.
"What? Legs feeling weak?"
Gu Ran looked down, his words carrying undisguised teasing.
"It seems Student Ye's endurance needs some strengthening. This is nothing."
"Shut up!"
Ye Zhenzhen was dying of embarrassment. How could this guy make such dirty jokes so casually!
"Okay, okay, I'll shut up."
Gu Ran surrendered verbally, but his hands became even more brazen, half-hugging and half-carrying her as he acted as a human crutch.
"Since you can't walk, just enjoy your boyfriend's exclusive after-sales support service. Free of charge."
What the hell kind of after-sales service is that!
Furious and flush-headed, Ye Zhenzhen raised her hand and threw a punch.
She didn't use any force at all; at most, it counted as lovers' flirting.
"Hiss—"
Gu Ran suddenly gasped, clutching his chest as he bent over in pain, his brows tightly furrowed.
"Cough, cough... trying to murder your own husband..."
Ye Zhenzhen, who was originally still embarrassed and angry, instantly panicked. Her medical student DNA activated.
Forgetting her shyness, she hurriedly leaned in, frantically wanting to check on him.
"What's wrong? I didn't hit you hard!"
Diagrams of chest anatomy flashed quickly through her mind as she wondered if her punch had accidentally hit a vagus nerve.
"It hurts... my heart hurts..."
Gu Ran's voice was weak.
With this acting skill, it was an absolute loss to the entertainment industry that he didn't go win an Oscar.
"I'm taking you to the hospital right now!"
Ye Zhenzhen was so anxious her eyes turned red, and her voice carried a hint of a sob.
Just as her hand was about to touch Gu Ran's chest, she caught sight of his lowered eyes.
There was a fleeting, completely irrepressible sly smile.
The air went quiet for three seconds.
Ye Zhenzhen's hand froze in mid-air.
She! Was! Tricked!
"Gu! Dog! Ran!"
Ye Zhenzhen gritted her teeth and squeezed out the three words.
Seeing things taking a bad turn, Gu Ran instantly reined it in and straightened his back.
"Oh? Suddenly it doesn't hurt anymore. It must be the power of love that healed me."
"Heal my foot!"
Ye Zhenzhen shoved the drama king away and turned to leave.
Liar!
Big liar!
Her heart had almost stopped from fright just now, and this guy was actually putting on a performance of 'An Actor Prepares' for her?!
The young woman practically sprinted toward the underground parking lot.
The Love Bible that Pei Susu had given her suddenly popped into her mind.
There was a golden rule boldly circled in red ink:
[Men cannot be spoiled. The more you spoil them, the more they become jerks. When he starts pushing his luck, you must maintain a sense of mystery and distance to give him a sense of crisis!]
That's right!
Pei's Art of War never deceives!
Ye Zhenzhen took a deep breath and adjusted her facial expression.
Chin tilted up fifteen degrees, gaze focused in the distance, she firmly welded the aloof mature woman persona onto her face.
Her back looked resolute.
Gu Ran froze for a moment.
This wasn't the script, was it?
According to normal procedure, shouldn't she bashfully punch him a couple more times in annoyance?
And then he would naturally coax her, ultimately winning the beauty back in his arms?
"Zhenzhen?"
Gu Ran called out tentatively.
The young woman ahead walked with a steady pace, turning a deaf ear.
"Doctor Ye?"
Still no response.
"Sister? Pay attention to me."
The only thing in the air was his own echo.
Gu Ran's heart skipped a beat.
Crap, I took it too far.
This girl actually learned the silent treatment?
Looking at the retreating figure, Gu Ran hurriedly chased after her.
"Zhenzhen, I was wrong, I was really wrong."
"That was just a reflex earlier. Wasn't I just trying to make you laugh?"
Gu Ran buzzed around her, chattering non-stop.
One moment he ran to her left, the next he darted to her right.
But this time, Ye Zhenzhen was dead set on executing Pei's Art of War.
Looking straight ahead, she was determined to carry out her aloofness to the very end.
Seeing that she was immune to both hard and soft tactics, a certain someone rolled his eyes and launched a menu reading attack.
"I heard a new charcoal-grilled crawfish place opened near the school. Their thirteen-spice flavor is top-notch, with rich tomalley and bouncy meat..."
Ye Zhenzhen's throat bobbed uselessly as she swallowed.
Hold it in! Ye Zhenzhen!
Those are the enemy's sugar-coated bullets!
"And that Hokkaido ice cream cake you said you wanted to eat last time. It's just downstairs, limited daily supply. If we're late, it'll be gone."
Ye Zhenzhen's footsteps paused for an imperceptible moment.
Ice cream cake...
No! I can't lose!
The aloof persona absolutely cannot collapse!
Gu Ran keenly caught her hesitation. The corners of his lips curled up as he threw out his ultimate trump card.
"Let's go eat Korean BBQ! Thickly sliced pork belly sizzling with oil on the grill, roasted until it's golden and crispy, paired with a sip of ice-cold cola..."
Gulp.
A clear swallowing sound echoed in the quiet elevator lobby.
Ye Zhenzhen closed her eyes in despair.
This damn, useless stomach!
The girl silently raised a white flag in her heart, but she still stubbornly maintained her facade.
She gritted her teeth until the elevator doors opened, rushing out first and heading straight for the parking lot.
As long as she got in the car, she would unilaterally declare this battle over!
Ye Zhenzhen walked straight to the passenger door, just about to reach out.
A dark shadow instantly flashed by.
Gu Ran beat her to it, blocking the car door.
Ye Zhenzhen looked confused, just about to speak.
Then she saw Gu Ran suddenly stand up straight, adjust his collar with one hand, his expression solemn and dignified.
Then, under Ye Zhenzhen's bewildered gaze.
He placed his left hand behind his back and gracefully pulled the car door open with his right.
At the same time, he leaned forward slightly, performing a standard British butler's bow.
"Your Majesty, please get in."
Gu Ran looked up, a flattering yet sincere smile hanging on his handsome face.
"Pfft—"
Ye Zhenzhen's tight lips finally failed to hold the last line of defense.
She looked helplessly at the guy in front of her, whose shamelessness was as thick as a city wall.
"Smooth talker."
She playfully scolded, cooperatively reaching out and placing her hand in his palm.
Seeing this, the heavy stone in Gu Ran's heart finally dropped.
Phew... these days.
Dating takes more brain cells than fighting a corporate war.
He shielded Ye Zhenzhen as she got into the car, helped her buckle her seatbelt, and then walked around the front to get into the driver's seat.
Just when Ye Zhenzhen thought he was going to start the car, Gu Ran suddenly leaned in, closing the distance between them.
Inside the cramped cabin, the romantic atmosphere heated up once again.
He reached out and gently pinched Ye Zhenzhen's soft cheeks with his fingertips. They felt so incredibly soft that it was almost addictive.
"Well, well, Ye Zhenzhen. You've really grown bolder, haven't you?"
Gu Ran narrowed his eyes, his tone laced with a dangerous edge yet carrying a hint of undeniable affection.
"Learning how to play mind games now? Did Pei Susu teach you that? Hmm?"
Ye Zhenzhen swatted his hand away and lifted her chin with a proud, haughty expression.
"Hmph! I'm not telling you. Let's just say a brilliant master makes for an outstanding apprentice! This is called tactical warfare!"
She bobbed her head smugly, looking just like a victorious little peacock.
"You'd better watch out from now on. I've got plenty of tricks up my sleeve!"
Watching the young woman's vibrant and lively demeanor, the amusement in Gu Ran's eyes deepened.
He leaned in closer until the tips of their noses were practically touching, their warm breaths intertwining.
"You are absolutely right, My Queen."
His voice was low and husky, loaded with implication.
"Since the first round has concluded, shouldn't we... move on to the next phase?"
Ye Zhenzhen froze. She instinctively shrank back, staring at him with sudden wariness.
"W-what phase?"
This guy...
He wasn't going to try anything funny again, was he?
......
for mindless slaughter, this isn't for you.] My name is Ye Shu, and I'm a transmigrator. It seems I'm supposed to be the protagonist, but that feels pretty unlikely. This world has been invaded by a system. The antagonists on the other side have suddenly become pure, flawless saints. The female leads have been force-fed the so-called "original plot," making them think they've been reborn. Now, everyone thinks I'm scum. Including the old lady in my ring. And here I am, in the Monster Beast Mountain Range, braising pork. To put my situation in perspective— It's as if, the moment Xiao Yan stepped into the Monster Beast Mountain Range, the Soul Emperor already knew he would become the Flame Emperor, and Yao Lao had been turned to the enemy's side. I have nothing right now. Oh wait, that's not true. I do have a white-haired loli child-bride who's the Heavenly Dao, and her only skill is acting cute. So, tell me guys... what are my chances of making it to the end?
ut it can buy an entire year of absolutely perfect training results! Su Yu stared at his empty wallet and decisively opened up various online loan platforms. “Borrow a thousand bucks! Recharge my vitality!” Boom! His vitality broke a hundred points, shattering the limits of the human body! “Borrow ten thousand bucks! Recharge my combat skills!” Boom! A basic punching technique so common it was everywhere instantly maxed out, revealing the ultimate assassination technique of Five Elements Unity—Inner Force! When a rich kid hired assassins for a midnight ambush, aiming to break both of his legs, they instead ran headfirst into a monster—a human-shaped tyrannosaur, brimming with dragon-like vitality. With just two fingers, Su Yu snapped a steel staff reinforced with alloy. Staring at the killer’s stash of stolen cash—a staggering quarter-million dollars—he showed a corporate-sincere smile: “Thanks for the pre-exam gift pack, Mr. Zhao! I’m gonna go re-invest this!” Three days later, at the National Martial Arts College Entrance Exam, while everyone else struggled just to reach the passing line, Su Yu threw a single punch—and more than a thousand vitality points literally detonated the entire arena!
saw a female celebrity tied up and stuffed in the trunk! Little did he know, countless cameras were aimed at him at this moment - this was a new type of reality show. The first randomly selected passerby was caught in less than an hour. But when Xu Moru was selected, things started to take an unexpected turn. "Damn, this isn't how the script goes. This Xu Moru is too bold, he's not following the rules at all." "Crap, is this guy taking it seriously?" "The female celebrity has been scared to tears!"
ing gift was a patch of barren land, and disciples were all picked up along the way. He spent fifty years diligently building three "ramshackle little sects," thinking he could finally live a carefree life relying on his disciples. But right at the fifty-year mark, he was suddenly swept away by a spatial rift and exiled to the Chaos Desolation, the Disorderly Ruins. There was no spiritual energy there, only slaughter. Relying on the cultivation feedback from his disciples, Gu Changyuan hacked his way through a sea of blood for eleven hundred years. When the system finally fished him back out, he discovered the ramshackle little sects he'd built back then had developed a rather... unusual style. Hold on... I vanished for a thousand years, so how did my ramshackle little sects become holy lands?!
