Chapter 129: Sizzling Figure

"Ran, where are you going?"

An Lan had just tried calling Gu Xiao, but he hadn't answered. Stamping her foot in frustration, she turned and headed into Mu Ran's room.

Mu Ran’s expression was distant. "Going skiing with Gu Beicheng."

Skiing? And with Gu Beicheng?

An Lan tilted her head, looking at the three Mu brothers in confusion. How had Ran gone from being so resistant to Gu Beicheng to this in the blink of an eye?

Mu Lang frowned, pressing his lips together and shaking his head at the bewildered An Lan, signaling that nothing had actually changed. Judging by Mu Ran’s behavior, while she claimed to resist Gu Beicheng, her heart didn’t seem as cold as her words suggested.

Mu Ran’s situation was currently delicate. Even they couldn't decipher her true feelings for Gu Beicheng, but as long as she wasn't seeking out Gu Yan, they were relieved.

"An Lan, is there something you need? Let me change first."

Mu Ran felt as if she hadn't been skiing in ages; she was eager to change and head out with Gu Beicheng. She walked into the walk-in closet with familiarity and slammed the door shut.

The four men and one woman in the bedroom stared at each other, none of them able to make sense of the woman behind that closet door.

Mu Jingrong felt his brother Mu Lang nudge his arm and looked over. Mu Lang gestured animatedly, urging him to comfort Gu Beicheng.

Mu Jingrong nodded in understanding. He walked over to the sofa where Gu Beicheng was sitting, his hands in his pockets, and sat down beside him. His tone was soft and consoling. "Beicheng, don't be sad. Look, when Ran first woke up, she said she hated you. But now, she’s not resisting you, and she’s even going skiing with you..."

Among the three Mu brothers, Mu Jingrong had the highest emotional intelligence and the most even temperament; he also had the best relationship with Gu Beicheng.

Gu Beicheng shook his head at him. "Ran is very clever. She knows that I know where Gu Yan is. She’s only getting close to me now because of him."

The group fell silent, tacitly waiting for Mu Ran to emerge.

"Let’s go, Gu Beicheng. Where are we going skiing?"

The closet door opened, and Mu Ran stepped out. She was wearing a gray, form-fitting athletic suit. The fabric clung to her, perfectly accentuating her curves. Her long legs, which needed no embellishment, were breathtaking—she looked every bit the model.

"Ran, you should dress like this more often! We can take some promotional photos; it’ll definitely draw in fans. Since you aren't exactly an 'acting powerhouse' yet, let’s start as a 'traffic star'!" An Lan’s professional instincts kicked in. She circled the woman, who was both physically stunning and coldly aloof. "Perfect. This is how you should dress at the airport—it highlights your cold, untouchable persona!"

"No."

A voice, cold and laced with irritation, cut through the air. Gu Beicheng stood up and strode over to Mu Ran, his tall, imposing frame looming over her. "Go change."

Gu Beicheng’s face was as still as a frozen well, yet the clear irritation—and even jealousy—was unmistakable. "What are you looking at? Go change!"

This was the first time Gu Beicheng had ordered Mu Ran so "fiercely."

Mu Ran stood her ground, tilting her chin up, one hand on her hip. Her face, devoid of makeup and filled with cold defiance, looked puffed up with anger. Her voice was three degrees colder than his. "Why should I? Who are you! I hate you!"

She narrowed her eyes, a flash of cold light flickering within them, and she slowly stepped toward him. She stopped just as her face was inches from his chest. Her mind was filled with rage, but her heart was brimming with a sense of grievance.

"Go change!" Gu Beicheng’s stance didn't waver. His command was absolute, and he radiated a powerful, gloomy aura. He stood rigid before her, as if to suggest that if she didn't comply, he would change her clothes himself.

"Fine, I'll change!" Mu Ran bit her lip and turned away with a cold huff. While she might have thought she looked intimidating and angry, to Gu Beicheng, she looked just like a little wildcat baring its teeth.

"Gu, is this really necessary? Uh... Ran, how is it that she’s still so obedient to you?" An Lan stared at the door that had just slammed shut again, her jaw dropped, at a loss for words. What was going on? Was this the "hate" Ran kept talking about? Why was she being so difficult yet obedient?

"I don't know either." Gu Beicheng curled his lips, his gaze fixed on the door with deep affection. He had been jealous of her outfit, and he truly regretted being so harsh with her just now. Yet, he hadn't expected this little woman to actually listen to him.

Was it possible she didn't love him anymore? Gu Beicheng smiled and shook his head. It didn't matter. He would make her fall in love with him all over again. As for Gu Yan, he would make sure that scum wished he were dead.

"Let's go, skiing."

Mu Ran opened the door and marched out, and those in the room could tell she was deliberately swaying her hips as she walked.

"Holy—! Ran! What are you wearing?!" An Lan followed behind her, eyes widening as she stared at the woman’s smooth, bare back.

Mu Ran was now in a red, long-slit dress with a daring V-neck, her back exposed all the way to her waist. Overall, the outfit made her look even more provocatively hot.

So she wasn't listening to Gu Beicheng after all... An Lan glanced at Gu Beicheng’s darkening face and couldn't help but burst into a giggle. The three Mu brothers also exchanged knowing, mischievous glances at the man who had just been "slapped in the face" by his own expectations.

"Beicheng, well... I sympathize." Mu Lang’s mouth twitched as he fought to keep his expression neutral. He couldn't help it; Mu Ran was Gu Beicheng’s little nemesis! Still, it was a blessing that the two of them weren't at each other's throats.

An Lan blocked Mu Ran’s path. "Ran, you can't go skiing just yet. Uh... you need to come to the company with me. We need to go to the PR department and clarify those rumors in front of the media."

"Go to the company?" Mu Ran raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on her lips. "What rumors?"

An Lan stumbled over her words, trying to organize her thoughts. "The company has a lot of things for you to handle. As for the rumors, it’s about the gossip online that you’re two-timing. This is having a huge impact on you, and you’ve only just started to clear your name!"

"Fine." Mu Ran nodded. After checking the time, she tilted her head toward Gu Beicheng. "You can come pick me up for skiing later."

Gu Beicheng curled his lips. "I’ll accompany you to the company."

Mu Ran frowned. "Why do you need to come with me?"

"Ran, just let Beicheng come with you. Listen to your big brother." Mu Jingrong walked over, patting her shoulder with the doting affection one would show a younger sister. "Your brothers won't lie to you. Gu Beicheng is better than Gu Yan. When you get back from skiing, I'll take you home to see Mom."

Mu Ran’s face lit up like a flower. "Okay."

Mom? A long-lost flutter stirred in Mu Ran's heart. In her current memories, there were only her three brothers. She had absolutely no impression of her mother in her mind. But she didn't think much of it. When she woke up, they had all told her she was ill. Although they didn't specify what kind of illness, she assumed she was suffering from temporary amnesia.

The group headed downstairs.

"Ran, you’ve forgotten some things, but don't worry. Everyone will be by your side. If you don't want to be an actress, we don't have to do it." Gu Beicheng followed her, his sharp eyes fixed on her graceful back. His gaze was burning, his voice husky but softened with a tone of negotiation. Mu Ran’s memories were completely scrambled, and he didn't want to exhaust her.

Mu Ran didn't look back, just waved a hand at him. "Don't worry about it. I actually quite like being an actress."

Gu Beicheng didn't say another word, climbing into the backseat with her.

"Big Brother, Second Brother, Third Brother, don't forget to come pick me up to go home and see Mom. You must not lie to me." Mu Ran looked through the car window, calling out to the three men outside in a delicate voice. "Don't go back on your word."

"Don't worry, your brothers love you the most." The three brothers exchanged a smile, their eyes filled with endless affection as they looked at the bright-eyed woman in the car. They already regarded Mu Ran as their own sister and had long been planning to take her home to meet their mother.

Mu Ran curled her lips, her tone soft and gentle. "Good."

The car started and pulled away, falling into silence. An Lan sat in the passenger seat, her gaze shifting back and forth; she wanted to see how Gu Beicheng and Mu Ran were doing in the back, but she didn't dare look too openly.

"An Lan, if you want to look, just look. Being all sneaky is just funny and ridiculous." Mu Ran rested her chin on her hand, looking out the window, her voice languid.

"Uh, I don't have anything to look at. I just wanted to say, Ran, don't be too nervous when we get to the company. You’re the boss." An Lan paused for a few seconds before continuing. "In front of the public, you’re the girlfriend of the man beside you—you’ve already gone public. As for that Gu Yan, he’s no good, you were just hypnotized..."

An Lan noticed that Gu Beicheng hadn't taken his eyes off Mu Ran the entire time, his gaze filled with both affection and bitterness. It pained her just to watch. It was all that scum Gu Yan's fault! Whenever Gu Yan was mentioned, An Lan could barely control her urge to curse. If not for that bastard, Mu Ran wouldn't have been hypnotized and had her memories scrambled.

"Turn around and stop talking." Gu Beicheng’s cold eyes swept over the now-furious An Lan. His demeanor shifted, his coldness carrying a clear warning.

An Lan gripped the seat, her voice rising. "No, I have to say it! Ran’s memories are a mess, so we have to tell her straight what is right and what is wrong!" She was flushed with anger, her breathing heavy as she looked at Mu Ran with deep concern. "I don't care, you are Gu Beicheng’s girlfriend right now." Gu Yan wasn't worth a damn!

Sensing the urgency in An Lan’s words, Mu Ran was momentarily stunned. A faint smile appeared on her lips, her voice drawn out. "Fine. I am his girlfriend."

"Really? You remembered?" An Lan was excited; Mu Ran’s expression just now looked exactly like the Ran she used to know.

Mu Ran sneered. "Remembered what? Whatever you say, goes. You’re my manager."

An Lan felt deflated. What was that supposed to mean?

"Gu Beicheng, I hate you. There’s a voice in my head that keeps telling me to hate you! But I can't do it. My heart hurts."

Hearing these sudden words, Gu Beicheng’s body went rigid. He slowly put down the phone he had picked up to hide his discomfort. He stared with unfocused eyes at Mu Ran’s expressionless face, instinctively reaching out to pull her into his arms. "Ran, what do you mean?"

"I don't know." Mu Ran turned her head away, no longer looking at him. She was in pain; her mind and her heart were at odds. She couldn't handle his affectionate gaze because she could feel her heart pounding violently, urging her to throw herself into his arms. But the voice in her head kept telling her: She loved Gu Yan, and she hated Gu Beicheng.

"Gu Beicheng, I want to see Gu Yan."

"No."

Mu Ran wasn't angry or annoyed by his refusal. Instead, she handed her phone to him. "There’s an image in my head. I participated in a dating show, and I met Gu Yan there. But... why is it that you were the one who appeared in that show?"

Mu Ran’s mind was in chaos. What exactly was the relationship between Gu Yan and Gu Beicheng?

The car arrived at SY Entertainment.

"Let’s get out." Gu Beicheng stepped out and opened the door for her. He avoided her question, and Mu Ran didn't press him. She let him shield her as she stepped out of the car.

The three of them entered the company together, which immediately caused a sensation. The company’s big boss, Mu Ran, and the president of the Chengxing Group, Gu Beicheng, had arrived together?

"President Gu, President Mu, Director An."

The entire staff bowed respectfully. Mu Ran and Gu Beicheng’s temperaments were identical—cold, aloof, and devoid of any smiles. An Lan, on the other hand, wore a smile, nodding gently at the employees they passed.