Chapter 4 The Secretary in Black Stockings Entered

“My origins...” Hearing these words, a shadow passed over Gu Xiangnan’s eyes. On the surface, he was always carefree and full of laughter, but deep down, he’d long harbored doubts about where he came from.

Nobody is born from a stone.

Yet, all these years, despite his own effort and that of his several masters, not a single clue about his origins had come to light.

“Xiaonan, we have been trying to find out about your background,” Su Hanyan said, worried he might feel hurt, and quickly tried to comfort him. “But... there just hasn’t been any progress. Still, don’t lose hope. We’ll keep searching. For now, just stay by my side. I’ll take care of you.”

Gu Xiangnan was deeply moved and hugged Su Hanyan tightly. “Thank you, Senior Sister!”

But unexpectedly, Su Hanyan’s body swayed and she collapsed onto the sofa.

Startled, Gu Xiangnan caught her and quickly placed his fingers on her pulse.

A muffled sound escaped Su Hanyan’s lips. She slowly opened her eyes to find herself lying in his arms, momentarily stunned.

“Xiaonan, what happened to me?” She’d blacked out a moment ago and lost consciousness.

She tried to pull away from his embrace, but her body felt weak. And... in his arms, the scent of a young man’s hormones made her feel strangely safe and comfortable.

It wasn’t so bad, just lying there like this.

“Senior Sister, you’re just exhausted. You’ve been worrying too much, and that’s why you fainted. But don’t worry. Let me give you a massage, and you’ll feel refreshed in no time.”

Without waiting for her refusal, he helped her sit upright and placed his hands on her shoulders, pressing and kneading gently.

A feeling of indescribable comfort spread through Su Hanyan’s body. Gu Xiangnan’s fingers seemed to possess a magical power, sending tingling waves of relaxation through her, washing away all her weariness.

Her breath gradually grew ragged, and a flush crept across her cheeks. Her entire body turned soft and powerless, as if comfort crashed over her in wave after wave.

Soft moans slipped from her lips; her mouth trembled as she bit her lower lip. Even through her clothes, Gu Xiangnan could sense the smoothness and softness of her shoulders.

As he glanced down, he saw her shirt collar had fallen slightly open, and a phrase flashed through his mind:

When you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes back into you.

He swallowed, steadying his breath, forcing his thoughts away.

He changed techniques, using his knuckles to press key spots.

Su Hanyan’s body shuddered, her blush deepening. Heat surged through her: hands, feet, abdomen, even her chest—all aflame.

Intermittent sighs of pleasure escaped her lips, and her toes curled tightly within her shoes from the overwhelming sensation.

After an indeterminate time, Gu Xiangnan finished with a final press. Su Hanyan’s lips parted in a gasp, her toes clenched hard, and her back arched.

“Ah!” A cry of sheer delight escaped her.

In that moment, her mind was filled with only one thought:

Transcendent!

It had been so long since she’d had a massage that felt this incredible.

She stretched her arms and legs, feeling energy coursing through her, more invigorated than she’d felt in ages.

“Xiaonan, you’re amazing,” she praised, cheeks still tinted red.

Gu Xiangnan grinned. “Actually, after you all left the mountain, Master taught me something even more powerful.”

Even more powerful?

Su Hanyan’s curiosity was piqued. “What is it?”

Gu Xiangnan smiled, extended his middle and ring fingers together, and made a knocking gesture in the air.

Su Hanyan’s face turned scarlet. “You little rascal, you even dare tease your senior sister!”

“Hey, don’t hit my head! I’ll never grow taller!”

As Su Hanyan chased after him, a knock came at the door.

“President Su, the next meeting is about to begin,” Wu Meiyu said, gently pushing open the door. She paused, surprised to see the two playfully tussling, then quickly lowered her head and withdrew. “Sorry, I’ll come back later.”

Having been caught by a subordinate, Su Hanyan didn’t seem too embarrassed. She straightened her clothes, saying to Gu Xiangnan, “Xiaonan, wait here and rest. Once I finish the meeting, I’ll take you to a grand dinner tonight to welcome you properly.”

With that, she clicked away in her high heels, leaving the office quiet. Gu Xiangnan had just reached for a drink of water when Wu Meiyu returned, carrying a stack of documents.

After placing the files on the desk, Wu Meiyu sighed deeply for no apparent reason.

“What’s wrong, Sister Wu?” Gu Xiangnan asked, curious.

Wu Meiyu was about to answer when her phone rang. She answered; Su Hanyan’s voice came through.

“When is the final repayment deadline with the bank?”

Wu Meiyu thought for a moment. “In three days.”

There was a brief pause on the other end.

“Remember to coordinate with finance. See if you can pull funds from elsewhere. If that doesn’t work, I’ll have to find another way to raise money.”

“All right.”

After hanging up, Wu Meiyu saw Gu Xiangnan’s worried face and explained.

Recently, the company had developed a new drug capable of treating epidemics. Somehow, the formula had leaked to the Wang family, who rushed to file a patent and began producing and selling it first.

Nearly all of the company’s capital had been invested in developing this drug, and they’d borrowed another ten million from the bank. Now, with bankruptcy looming and unable to repay the loan, Su Hanyan even faced the risk of jail time.

The Wang family had proposed a deal—if Su Hanyan agreed to become Wang Ke’s mistress, they would share a portion of the drug’s sales rights with her.

She refused.

Wang Ke then lied, claiming he wanted to sign a business contract with her. The meeting was initially set for a hotel restaurant, but she was forcibly taken to a hotel room upstairs and nearly assaulted.

Understanding the situation, Wu Meiyu hurried back to work.

Gu Xiangnan left the office, exited the company, and took a taxi to the Wang Group’s headquarters.

Senior Sister had treated him so well; he had to do something for her.

The troublesome formula—if he could, he’d get the patent back from the Wangs.

In less than half an hour, he arrived.

The Wang Group’s office building stood in the city center, imposing and grand.

Gu Xiangnan entered the lobby but was stopped at the turnstiles by security. Employees needed swipe cards, and visitors had to register in advance.

He went to the front desk and asked the pretty receptionist, “Hello, I’d like to see President Wang.”

She looked up. “Which one? We have Young Master Wang and Old Master Wang.”

Gu Xiangnan reasoned that Young Master Wang must be the son. “Then I’d like to see Old Master Wang.”

“Do you have an appointment?”

“No.”

“No appointment, no entry,” she replied curtly.

“Let me in, please!” Gu Xiangnan tried to play the soft and persistent card—a strategy that always worked with his senior sisters.

Nearby, employees passed by, whispering, “Who’s that penniless guy? His clothes scream street market.”

“True, but he’s pretty handsome... Good morning, President Wang.”

Wang Jinquan stepped out of the elevator at that moment. All the staff greeted him in unison.

He barely acknowledged them and strode hurriedly toward the exit.

Gu Xiangnan darted forward, blocking his path.

“President Wang, I just happened to be looking for you. Do you remember me? I’m Gu Xiangnan!”

Wang Jinquan jumped back in fright. At his age, he’d seen all kinds of storms, but today’s encounter at the hotel had shaken him to his core.

He’d witnessed, with his own eyes, someone catch a bullet barehanded, shatter a gun with a slap, and single-handedly take down over ten of his men.

If anyone else had told him that story, he’d never have believed it—but he’d seen it himself.

The hospital had just called: his son’s precious asset hadn’t been destroyed, but there would be lasting consequences. The other men had various fractures and would be out for a long time.

This... this was a monster!

Did he mean to finish them all and come for his life?

When Gu Xiangnan raised his arm, Wang Jinquan instinctively recoiled. But the arm landed casually around his shoulders.

...

Yisheng Corporation.

Su Hanyan returned from her meeting to find her office empty.

She asked several employees; none knew where he’d gone.

She summoned the receptionist, who said she’d seen him leave.

Worried, she wondered why her junior brother had disappeared without a word. New to the city and unfamiliar with everything, would he be deceived?

Only then did she realize she’d forgotten to ask for Xiaonan’s phone number.

After some thought, she remembered Wu Meiyu might have his WeChat and was about to ask her when her phone rang.

The Wang Group’s assistant called, requesting her immediate presence.

Suspicious, Su Hanyan hesitated. She’d nearly been assaulted by Wang Ke today, and now they wanted her to come over? Was she walking into a trap?

“Could you tell me what’s so urgent?” she asked cautiously.

“It’s about the patent formula. Wang Group has decided to return it to you. We need you to come and complete the paperwork.”

“Oh.” She hung up, still reeling.

The Wangs had schemed so much to steal the formula. Even if they meant to return it, surely they would attach conditions. Why would they offer it back so readily?

Wiser now, Su Hanyan brought Wu Meiyu with her and drove to the Wang Group’s offices.

The receptionist led them to a meeting room, where they were stunned by the sight.

Gu Xiangnan sat comfortably on the main sofa, feet up on the coffee table. Wang Jinquan stood behind him, massaging his head. Gu Xiangnan had his eyes closed in contentment.

“Gu—Xiang—Nan!” Su Hanyan’s tone was tinged with annoyance.

She’d been worried sick, and here he was, living like a lord.

Startled, Gu Xiangnan quickly sat up and took his feet off the table, standing up awkwardly.

“You have some nerve,” Su Hanyan scolded, pointing at him. “I searched everywhere, afraid something had happened. And you’re here, enjoying yourself!”

He was just about to explain when the door opened, and a secretary in black stockings entered.