Chapter 75 — My Home Is Your Home

Hearing the teasing in her tone, Gu Beicheng's lips curled up, his hawk-like eyes fixed deeply on her. He reached out and gently brushed the woman's hair.

"There are naturally people handling the company's affairs for me. Such high salaries aren't paid for nothing," he said.

Mu Ran pouted, inwardly marveling, as expected, at the unrivaled power of capital.

But with Gu Beicheng appearing on variety shows so often, wouldn't it affect Chengxing Group?

"Don't worry about me. Your matters are the most important," he replied, his long fingers twisting a fragrant lock of her hair, while his other hand caressed her slender waist. "I've discovered that participating in variety shows is actually quite fun—especially with you."

"You just want to take advantage of me!"

She brushed his hand away with a snort, but her enchanting eyes held not a trace of anger, only the smile of a woman in love.

"As long as I'm here, no one else will dare covet you," he said, indulging her childishness with a smile. Then, with a sweep of his arm, he pulled her fully into his embrace.

The car was spacious, and the ceiling high.

"Ah! Put me down," she protested as she found herself sitting on his lap, a flush spreading across her usually cool cheeks.

Instinctively, she glanced toward the driver's seat.

At that moment, the driver, having heard the commotion, looked back through the rearview mirror, locking eyes with her for several seconds.

Instantly, Mu Ran's already pink cheeks grew hot, embarrassment overwhelming her as she buried her face into Gu Beicheng's chest.

Her small fists pounded his chest a few times. "It's all your fault! You don't care about your image at all! You've ruined your cold, aloof persona—do you realize that?"

Hearing her playful scolding and feeling the softness and heat of her body, Gu Beicheng's inner defenses were utterly breached.

He gazed at the little woman with her head bowed, then shifted his eyes, sending a sharp, warning look toward the driver, whose ears reddened visibly.

Feeling the intense aura radiating from the backseat, the unsettled driver shivered, nearly losing control of the steering wheel.

He quickly pressed a button on the door, and the partition between the front and rear seats slowly rose.

"There, there. Don't be shy," Gu Beicheng soothed.

Mu Ran wriggled in his arms, murmuring as she tightened her grip around him.

He laughed heartily, his chest vibrating, which only made her cheeks burn more fiercely.

"In a few days, the ski competition begins. If you have scheduling conflicts, I'll reschedule it," he said, his domineering affection making Mu Ran lift her gaze, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

"No need, I have time. I'm only a small-time actress—there's no such thing as a packed schedule for me," she replied.

In the entertainment industry, one must advance step by step; to climb too quickly is to court disaster. Stars rise and fall overnight. All she needed to do now was hone her craft and establish her own entertainment company.

"By the way, Beibei! What about Nanyang?"

It had been a week since their return from the snow village. He had promised to introduce her to Nanyang—her idol.

Her sudden question caught Gu Beicheng off guard. His lips twitched, and he turned to gaze out the window, avoiding her eyes.

His Adam's apple bobbed as he replied after a few seconds, "He's competing abroad right now and can't come back at the moment."

Mu Ran pressed her hands to his chest, sitting up. Her small hands cupped his angular, slightly gaunt face, turning it toward her.

"You don't actually know Nanyang, do you?"

He met her suspicious gaze, chuckled, and admitted, "No, I don't."

"You! Gu Beicheng! You don't know him? Then why did you lie to me?"

Mu Ran slid off his lap and sat apart, arms crossed, her expression cold and angry.

She hated being lied to, no matter how trivial the matter.

"Do you like Nanyang that much?"

Seeing her strong reaction, the smile faded from Gu Beicheng's lips, and his dark eyes flashed with anger.

"I told you, he's just my idol—nothing romantic," she retorted coolly. "Gu Beicheng, your lying skills are pathetic. Nanyang retired years ago, but you tell me he's still competing?"

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. She couldn't believe he'd lie to her.

As expected, men who rush into relationships are never reliable! Calculating, deep, and difficult! This man was even more troublesome than Bai Zehan.

"Turn around. I want to go home," she ordered, eyes narrowed and lips pressed in a frown.

"My home is your home," Gu Beicheng replied, unmoved, his own face cold as he gazed out the window.

Inside, he felt conflicted.

Mu Ran was the first woman he had ever liked, and likely the last. But he couldn't stand hearing her mention "Nanyang" constantly.

Even though he was Nanyang himself, he wanted the man she admired to be Gu Beicheng.

When Shao Ping and the others asked why he didn't just tell Mu Ran the truth, he had his reasons. Now wasn't the time.

"Shameless! Why not just say your company is mine too?" she scoffed.

They weren't even officially together and he dared say such things—who knew how many women he'd said that to?

"It's not impossible to give it to you," he retorted.

He leaned in, bracing his arm on the window, caging her before him. "Everything I have is yours," he said, his thick brows raised, exuding a dangerous charm.

"I don't need it, and I don't care for it. I told you—I want to go home," she insisted, her delicate face icy with stubbornness.

"Lao Liu, turn around—head to Biting Garden."

For half an hour, he held the same posture, his gaze never leaving her face.

"Aren't you tired?" she finally asked, amused by his childish persistence. Who would have thought the president of Chengxing Group would stand guard over her for half an hour without moving an inch?

"Not tired," he replied, pressing his lips together, a little embarrassed. His Adam's apple moved, ears tinged red.

"Muah—" she leaned in and kissed his Adam's apple.

Gu Beicheng froze, a trace of surprise in his eyes, and then sat up properly.

"Beibei, Nanyang is just my idol, nothing more. You—"

"I don't misunderstand anymore," he said, swallowing, his Adam's apple bobbing but then stilling.

He touched the spot she had kissed, his eyes dark with longing as he glanced at her. Then he opened his lips. "Lao Liu, turn around—head to the mountain."

Mu Ran's eyes widened, then sparkled as she blinked, poking his arm with her finger. "Go to Biting Garden, Beibei."

"Acting cute won't work," he replied, lips quirking with playful mischief.

A few minutes later, the car stopped in front of a large villa on the mountain.

Gu Beicheng took Mu Ran's small hand and led her upstairs.

"Are we sleeping in the same room?" she asked.

He answered meaningfully, "If you want to, it's not impossible."

She snorted. "I don't want to."

He led her to the room at the end of the hall. When he opened the door, a familiar scent filled the air.

"This scent?" Mu Ran asked in surprise, shaking her hand free.

The room was filled with the fragrance of her own perfume.

This was a blend she had created herself, unavailable anywhere else: a fresh floral and fruity top note, a rich, luxurious ambergris heart, and a woody base.

"How did you get it?" she asked, standing at the door and inhaling the familiar scent. "Impossible, I made this myself."

"If you can create it, why can't I?" he replied, lowering his head with ambiguous affection, his handsome face close to hers, his gentle words nearly drowning her.

She arched her brows, at a loss for words, and murmured, "Impressive."

Inside, she looked around at the room's décor.

It was exactly her style—the bed, wardrobe, nightstands, and vanity were all the types she liked.

How did Gu Beicheng know?

"You once posted your preferences on Weibo. I remembered them all," he answered.

Years ago, before she became known, Mu Ran would post freely on Weibo about her likes and daily life.

Once she gained some fame, she posted less frequently, especially during the time when she faced online criticism. She grew resistant to social media for a while.

But she had never deleted or hidden her old posts.

"And these clothes?" she asked, stepping into the walk-in closet to find it filled with luxury clothes, shoes, and bags.

"All prepared for you," he replied.

Was he trying to keep her?

Her face, which had just softened, darkened again at the thought.

"I don't need them."

"Ranran, the house in Biting Garden belongs to the Qin family. Do you still want to go back?" he asked.

She stopped, giving him a look, then strode out of the closet without a trace of nostalgia.

"No, I'll rent a new place," she said haughtily.

As she walked past, Gu Beicheng's heart stirred. He stepped forward and caught her hand.

"Stay here."

"No."

"Gu Beicheng, I don't want our relationship to involve money or interests," she said righteously, her cold little face and the sharp aura around her radiating wariness and distance.

"Alright. Then stay here for now. When you find a place, you can move out—is that okay?"

She shot him an icy look. "Fine."

He didn't linger in her room, only gave a few instructions before leaving.

"Ranran, if you need anything for starting your company, you can come to me, I—"

"There's no need."

A bittersweet feeling washed over him. Maybe he was too eager to define their relationship and keep her by his side, and it only made her push him away.

He gave her a gentle smile. "Alright."

Then he closed the door softly behind him and left.

Once he was gone, Mu Ran locked the door. Leaning against it, she exhaled deeply. She found herself unable to see through this man at all.

She couldn't shake the feeling that he was hiding something.

She took out her phone and dialed.

"Lin Chong, check on the Qin family's youngest daughter, Qin Ranran, for me."

"Miss Mu," Lin Chong replied, "aren't you Qin Ranran yourself?"