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?
......
ng to die together with you." Lin Xuan is dead, his body thrown into the river by his scumbag lover and her accomplice. She, the president of the Su Group, is decisive, ruthless, and ice-cold. For three days and three nights, she had his body fished out of the river, and without hesitation, she kissed the bloated corpse of Lin Xuan. She laid down beside him in a cold coffin, their fingers intertwined, a smile lingering on her lips as she closed her eyes. The noble and cold-hearted woman, only bending for one man—Lin Xuan. Lin Xuan, with his golden finger, is reborn and returns to the day of his wedding to the treacherous woman. Su Qiang comes to steal the bride. Lin Xuan's eyes light up, eager to pledge his loyalty on the spot, but instead, her kiss transfers a glass of drugged wine into his mouth, causing him to pass out... 【Male Protagonist with Single Female Lead】【Yandere Tycoon】【Action-Packed】【True vs. Fake Heir】
pression Bureau] Transported to a fantasy world overrun by demons and monsters, Gu Qingfeng becomes a jailer in the Demon Suppression Prison of the Great Yan Dynasty's Demon Suppression Bureau. From this point on, bizarre cases frequently occur in the Demon Suppression Prison, once known as hell on earth and infamous for its gloomy, terrifying atmosphere! Why do the demons and monsters in the prison wail miserably every night? Why has the corpse demon, capable of transforming into various beauties, donned black stockings and switched careers to become a foot massage therapist? Why has the eye demon, expert in soul-snatching and illusions, turned into a VR headset? Why is the fox spirit performing otaku dances? Are all these occurrences a twisted expression of demonic nature, or a descent into moral depravity? After peeling away layer upon layer of mystery, all clues ultimately point to a jailer named Gu Qingfeng. Gu Qingfeng: "Hehehe... My dear demons and monsters, whose card shall we flip today?"
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!
transmigrates into the world as the sect master of the Heavenly Yan Sect, which is on the verge of being wiped out. He binds a system that grants him cultivation power based on the number of disciples he has: for each disciple, he automatically gains a year's worth of cultivation every single day! Take one disciple: every day he gains 1 year of cultivation power. While others struggle through a year of bitter training, he gets the same just by sleeping through a single night. Take ten disciples: every day he gains 10 years of cultivation power. Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Nascent Soul—he breezes through all bottlenecks without lifting a finger. Take one hundred disciples: every day he gains 100 years of cultivation power. Even a Soul Transformation Venerable before him can’t survive a single blow. Take ten thousand disciples: every day he gains 10,000 years of cultivation power! With a wave of his hand, he topples empires. With a single step, he crushes the sacred grounds of the universe. ... While others fight tooth and nail for secret techniques, Lin Yan casually hands out Nascent Soul-level cultivation manuals as beginner textbooks. While others strain to find talented recruits, Lin Yan opens his doors to anyone—so long as they’re human. In just three short years, the Heavenly Yan Sect went from a backwater sect made up of three crumbling huts to a sacred land that every cultivator under heaven would kill to enter. ... One day, otherworldly demon gods invade, with a million demon soldiers pressing down upon the realm. Lin Yan, yawning, rises from his lounge chair and glances at the system panel: [Current Disciples: 1.28 million] [Daily Cultivation Increase: 1.28 million years] He waves his hand casually, and the countless demon soldiers are reduced to ashes in an instant. “So noisy… interrupting my fishing.”
