Chapter 47 — Carry On Without Me

Just now, when Gu Beicheng watched the woman’s first big ski jump, he was certain she was Mumu; he only wanted her to admit it herself.

“Since I won, you’ll arrange for me to meet Nanyang, right?” Mu Ran shot the man a sidelong glance, her hands straining to break free from his grip, but his hands were immovable, locking her firmly in place.

Gu Beicheng frowned, his demeanor dark and his tone icy. Lowering his gaze, he stared at the woman’s bare but dazzlingly beautiful face. “Do you really like Nanyang that much?”

“Of course. He’s an idol for so many of us.” Mu Ran sensed that every time she mentioned Nanyang, this man’s aura turned especially cold.

“Just an idol?”

“What else could it be? Could I have a secret crush on him? I don’t even know what he looks like.” Mu Ran looked at him helplessly. After a moment, her lips curled into a playful smile. “Are you jealous?”

Gu Beicheng was completely forthright, showing not the slightest embarrassment. “Yes.”

Mu Ran had only been joking, but hadn’t expected such a direct answer. She gave an awkward laugh. “A man with a full beard is hardly my type.”

It was common knowledge that Nanyang, though he’d never revealed his true face, was well known for his thick beard.

As soon as Mu Ran finished speaking, Gu Beicheng’s face darkened, his lips pressed into a thin line, and his brows arched; for a moment, he did not know whether to be pleased or troubled.

He was glad Mu Ran didn’t like Nanyang—though Nanyang was himself—but still, he hoped she’d be interested in the real Gu Beicheng. As for that beard he’d once been so proud of, believing it to be his greatest charm, he hadn’t expected her to dislike it.

“Let go of me.” Mu Ran’s voice was crisp, with a hint of command.

“You probably can’t walk on that leg.”

“How could you know my leg better than I do?”

Gu Beicheng merely smiled and released her hands. “Alright.”

“That’s more like it.” Mu Ran removed her skis and prepared to leave the field.

Her feet had barely touched the ground when, as her left leg took a step forward, she suddenly lost all balance and fell.

“What happened!” Gao Minglang hurried over, panic written on his face as he looked at Mu Ran, who had collapsed to the ground.

Shao Ping, Qi Jun, and the others rushed over as well. She’d been fine just moments ago—how had she fallen so suddenly?

“I’m fine.” Mu Ran bit her lip and shook her head, bracing herself with both hands as she tried to rise, but her left foot was numb and limp, utterly unresponsive.

When she tried to stand again, she was suddenly lifted into the air. Instinctively, she clung tightly to Gu Beicheng’s neck. Her face paled instantly, and all color drained from her lips.

“What’s wrong with my leg?”

Gu Beicheng lowered his gaze to her stubborn little face, now shadowed with fear. His heart softened entirely; her vulnerability was for him alone.

“Don’t worry. When you landed, your posture was a bit off, and after your earlier fall, your left foot took too much strain. It’s just temporarily numb.”

“Really?” Her beautiful eyes shimmered with tears. For some reason, she placed her trust in Gu Beicheng.

He gave a gentle laugh, his cool breath brushing her face. “Really. I’ve experienced it myself. Next time, be careful how you land.”

“Mm. Where are we going?” Mu Ran tried to sit up and look around for the others.

Gu Beicheng’s tone was frosty. “Don’t move. Lie still.”

“So fierce.”

He glanced down at her pouting lips, an itch stirring in his heart. “I’ve arranged for a professional doctor to wait for us at the lodge. I’ll take you back.”

Within a minute, Gu Beicheng carried her to a snowmobile and gently set her on the back seat.

“Put this on.” He placed a black helmet on her head, carefully adjusting it for her comfort, then straddled the snowmobile himself.

Though the snowmobile was large, the seat was small. As soon as he got on, he pressed close against her.

Mu Ran flushed, her hands clenched tightly on her lap.

“Put your arms around my waist.”

She mumbled an awkward assent; the gesture felt far too intimate and made her self-conscious.

Inside the oversized helmet, Gu Beicheng’s scent surrounded her—mature, fresh, and enticing, with a faint trace of mint, a fragrance uniquely his.

Mu Ran grew a little dazed. Suddenly, his large hands clasped hers and wrapped her arms around his lean, muscled waist.

“Hold on.”

With a roar, the snowmobile sped across the snow.

The force pressed Mu Ran tightly against his back, her ears unconsciously reddening.

“Gu Beicheng…” she whimpered, her face pressed close to his back.

He eased off the throttle, slowing down. Was he driving too fast and making her uncomfortable?

“Yes?”

“My leg hurts.”

Her left leg, numb just moments before, was now throbbing with sharp pain.

“Is it fractured?” Mu Ran’s voice trembled as she asked, seeing he didn’t answer. She wasn’t afraid of pain—she was only worried about delaying the show’s progress. She hated being a burden to anyone.

As if hearing her thoughts, Gu Beicheng fell silent for a moment before speaking softly, “Don’t worry, it’s not fractured. Let them wait for you. Whatever happens, I’m here.”

Hearing such protective words from him sent a warm current through her heart. She hugged his waist tighter, whispering, “You’re so good to me.”

Yet her heart was a tangled mess. She relished his care and tenderness, but the gulf between them seemed insurmountable. If she ever decided to be with him, it would only be after she was strong enough to stand by his side as an equal.

At last, the snowmobile arrived at the lodge, where several staff members hurried out to greet them.

“President Gu!”

Gu Beicheng nodded, his expression stony as he carried her into a room.

Inside, he gently laid her on a heated kang bed. “Check her quickly.”

The medical staff briskly cut open her trouser leg, carefully examining her and asking where it hurt. Though they didn’t know who she was, the oppressive aura of the president of Chengxing made it clear she was likely his girlfriend.

“Be gentle,” Gu Beicheng said hoarsely, displeasure etched on his face. Couldn’t they see how much pain she was in?

These doctors were all from Chengxing Group’s private hospital. At their boss’s command, they softened their touch, even breathing more lightly for fear of upsetting him.

Gu Beicheng’s gaze never left Mu Ran. He suspected she wasn’t seriously injured, but seeing her in so much pain was agony for him.

“It’ll be alright. Hold on. Once they’re finished, the pain will fade. When the show ends, I’ll take you to meet Nanyang.” Gu Beicheng crouched by her side, his large hand gently smoothing her forehead, his voice so tender it was almost unrecognizable.

Even the medical staff exchanged startled glances. They had never imagined the iron-willed President Gu could be so gentle.

“How is she?” His icy gaze swept over the doctors.

One of the older doctors wiped the sweat from his brow. “President Gu, there’s no serious injury. It’s likely psychological.”

“But my left leg hurts a lot,” Mu Ran said, slowly sitting up despite the pain bulging the veins on her forehead.

“It’s probably just a cramp.”