Chapter 51—Be Good, Hold Me Tight

“Are you feeling unwell? Is your leg still cramping?” Gu Beicheng caught Mu Ran’s small hand, his deep, hoarse voice full of concern as he turned to look at the woman who had been lost in thought along the way.

“No, that’s not it, it’s right here…” Mu Ran mumbled to herself, and suddenly her hand was clasped tightly. She looked up at him, her autumn eyes moist, her little mouth pouting as if she wanted to say something, but hesitated.

“Is your leg uncomfortable?” Gu Beicheng frowned, thinking she was trying to be strong, his tone displeased as he released her hand, stepped in front of the stairs, and crouched down slightly.

He turned his head, his deep eyes free from coldness, filled instead with helplessness. “Come on, I’ll carry you up.”

Mu Ran looked down at his broad, muscular back facing her. A rush of emotion surged in her heart—she could hardly stay calm. The dignified president of Chengxing Group was actually humbling himself to carry her.

Truth be told, Mu Ran was a bit overwhelmed by his favor.

“Get on!” The man’s tone grew firmer, filled with an irresistible authority.

Mu Ran tried moving her leg. “I must’ve pressed too hard while driving just now, so… it cramped again. You…”

Gu Beicheng’s usual cold aura was subdued; although his expression seemed impatient, he remained crouched, waiting for her to climb onto his back.

“Move back a little, you’re too far.” Mu Ran’s voice suddenly softened, embarrassed to let him carry her, her posture betraying a rare hint of nervousness.

Gu Beicheng laughed heartily, his heart trembling—her delicate voice was intoxicating. “Alright.”

He shuffled backward.

Mu Ran stared at the back so close to her, her white teeth gently biting her lips as she slowly climbed onto his back.

“I’m a bit heavy, you’re not allowed to dislike me!” she murmured, surprised at how much she cared about his opinion of her.

“Don’t bite your lip.” Gu Beicheng’s voice was raspy, his hands firmly supporting her.

Mu Ran froze, instinctively loosening her grip on her lower lip, muttering inwardly: Did this man have eyes on the back of his head?

Still, she obediently stopped biting her lip.

As he stood up, Mu Ran’s body pressed tightly against his back. She swallowed, heart pounding, and squeezed her eyes shut to calm herself.

The smile at Gu Beicheng’s lips never faded; at this moment, he genuinely felt the softness of the woman.

The softness of her body, and the tenderness of her heart.

“Do you see that snow-covered bump up ahead? That’s a signpost. We’ll go that way.” Mu Ran wrapped one arm around his neck and pointed with the other toward a spot not far from them.

“Are you sure?” Gu Beicheng could tell she was taking a shortcut, feeling a bit worried. He frowned and turned his handsome face, feeling her warm breath against his skin.

Mu Ran tilted her head away, her tone resolute. “I’m sure. The director arranged for us to take the mountain road. We won’t. It’s too tiring for you to carry me that way. We’ll take that path instead.”

A straight line is the shortest distance between two points. Though that path was a bit steeper, it was much shorter—about ten minutes.

Gu Beicheng was silent for a moment, then moved in the direction she’d pointed. “We’ll do as you say. But that road is steep. Hold on tight.”

Hearing his words, a blush crept across Mu Ran’s face. She pressed close to his ear and whispered, “Okay.”

“Mm.” Gu Beicheng’s voice was so rough it was almost unrecognizable, suppressing his urge to hold her tightly and kiss her hard.

They reached the snow-covered signpost and Gu Beicheng stopped.

“What’s wrong?” Mu Ran looked up ahead.

The road in front of them was covered in about fifteen centimeters of snow. It looked flat, but beneath the snow, who knew what holes or pits might lurk?

“When you trained here before, did you ever walk this path?” Gu Beicheng tested a few steps ahead, seeking solid ground.

The snow had hidden everything. No one knew what might lie beneath. Gu Beicheng worried that if danger arose, Mu Ran’s leg would be troublesome.

“Oh, don’t worry. I used to ski here all the time. It’s definitely safe.”

“Let’s hope so.”

Mu Ran glanced back at the cameraman following them. “Brother, give us the mini camera. You can head back now.”

The cameraman stood confused. Surely this wasn’t allowed? The audience loved watching this couple. If he stopped filming, the director would be furious.

Suddenly, the walkie-talkie at his waist crackled with Gao Minglang’s voice: “Little Zhao, give the mini camera to Mu Ran and come back.”

Mu Ran took the camera and pinned it to herself, capturing both of them.

Once the cameraman left, she pressed herself against Gu Beicheng’s back, inhaling his complex scent—a mature yet fresh mint.

“Mr. Cheng?”

“Hmm?”

Hearing her soft voice call his name, the man’s heart melted completely.

“Why are you so good to me?”

Mu Ran had never believed a man of Gu Beicheng’s status would truly like her; at most, she thought he was just interested.

Gu Beicheng paused, surprised by her question. He didn’t know how to answer. He knew he liked her, but…

“For many reasons,” he replied vaguely.

Mu Ran didn’t press further. Perhaps he was just acting for the camera, pleasing his grandfather.

Gu Beicheng noticed her silence, seeming to understand her thoughts. “I’m not acting. I’m not that good at pretending. I can only say it’s because of my grandfather that I first met you, but everything after that wasn’t for him.”

Mu Ran clutched his shoulders tightly, her nails digging into her palms. “Mm, got it.”

Strangely, his explanation eased her low spirits.

“Mr. Cheng, if we hadn’t met… I mean, if I’d been sent to your bed, would you have hated me? Would you have been disgusted?”

Gu Beicheng stopped, his brows knitting, his aura growing cold. What did she mean by that?

“I mean, if!” Mu Ran emphasized.

“You’re not the kind of woman who would sell herself for gain. If you ended up in my bed, it would have been a setup. Of course I wouldn’t hate or despise you.” His voice was like a clear spring, soothing her chaotic heart.

Mu Ran closed her eyes and said nothing. Yet, in her previous life, he had indeed despised her, cast her out, and his contemptuous gaze was unforgettable.

“What’s wrong?” Gu Beicheng sensed something was off. Why ask such a question?

Did she know him before?

“Nothing, just bored, asking randomly.”

Gu Beicheng gave a mischievous smile and countered, “What do you feel for me?”

“Just so-so,” Mu Ran’s face flushed, avoiding a direct answer.

“I’m not a playboy, trust me. Be good.” When Gu Beicheng uttered “be good” in his magnetic voice, Mu Ran’s heart utterly surrendered.

Mu Ran leaned closer, her breath warm against his ear. “It was just a joke back then. You still remember.”

“You’re the only woman I’ve ever liked.” Gu Beicheng’s handsome face was serious and solemn.

He didn’t want her to think he was merely playing around. He treasured every moment with her.

Mu Ran said nothing, gazing at his face, her beautiful eyes gradually losing focus.

“Heh.” Gu Beicheng guessed she was shy and said no more, only holding her tighter.

A few minutes later—

“Why did you stop?” Mu Ran, warmed by his body heat, was nearly asleep.

Gu Beicheng didn’t answer, his breath alert, his dark eyes fixed on the ground beneath them.

“Don’t move!”

The woman on his back squirmed slightly.

Bang—

The snow beneath the man’s feet collapsed, and both fell straight down.

Gu Beicheng shielded the woman, landing heavily.

“Where are we?” Mu Ran was sore all over. On landing, her left foot had slammed into a rock, the pain piercing.

“A snow cave—how is there a cave on the mountain?”

Gu Beicheng quickly got up, helped her to a boulder, and placed her leg on his thigh to examine it carefully.

“It hurts.” She grimaced, her face scrunched up. This time it might really be a fracture.

“It’s alright, don’t be afraid.” Gu Beicheng rubbed the injured spot and looked up at where they’d fallen.

The place was a vertical pit, not very deep. He could easily climb out, but the little woman in his arms…

“What do we do?” Mu Ran regretted her shortcut decision.

Gu Beicheng lowered his head, smoothing her hair, his steady voice soothing her. “Don’t worry, the director will come looking for us.”

Mu Ran quickly grabbed the mini camera, her face falling. “It’s broken…”

Gu Beicheng smiled dotingly, rubbing her cheek. “Be good, they’ll come.”

Mu Ran melted into his arms, soft and aggrieved. “If only…”

“No one blames you; you couldn’t have known there was a cave here.” Gu Beicheng gazed into her wet, wide eyes, smiled, and pressed his handsome face close, dropping a kiss on her forehead.

“I’m cold.”

“Hold me tight. Does your leg still hurt?”

“No, not anymore.” Perhaps she’d been too tense. Mu Ran shook her head and wrapped her arms tightly around his waist.