You Owe Me, My Love novel Chapter 356

Chapter 356 I Am Bai Rong

Wu Nian jumped and stumbled backward, knocking her head against the wall.

Gu Mingchen did not hesitate and trapped her against the wall before pressing his lips forcibly against hers. His kiss was deep and desperate as if he were a wild beast.

Trying to resist, Wu Nian used all the strength that she had to push him away.

However, the harder she struggled, the closer he would press against her. Wu Nian felt like a little boat on the brink of sinking in the treacherous stormy seas.

She panicked and bit Gu Mingchen’s tongue.

A piercing sense of pain woke him up from his trance.

Staring at Wu Nian with bloodshot eyes, he seemed to be in agony.

What’s with me?

Why did I just kiss her like that?

She’s not Bai Rong!

As a devastating wave of regret overwhelmed his brain, he threw a heavy punch against the wall “Get the f*ck out,” he snarled.

Wu Nian hastily wiped off the blood on her lips and hurried off into the living room.

Upon seeing Wu Nian’s pale face, Liu Yan immediately came over. Kneeling before her, she asked, “Nian, are you okay?”

Wu Nian was still trembling uncontrollably. She was unsure if it was out of anger, fear, or something else. No matter how much she wanted to deny it, she felt a stinging numbness in her heart when she saw Gu Mingchen’s despondent face.

“I’m fine. Yan, I don’t have any more business with Gu Mingchen. Please don’t arrange for us to meet or anything from now on,” Wu Nian said softly with tears sparkling in her eyes.

“Oh… Okay, I understand. I’m sorry,” Liu Yan replied.

Liu Yan also began to regret telling Gu Mingchen that Wu Nian was actually Bai Rong. She had hoped that his attitude toward her would change for the better after hearing the truth, but Gu Mingchen only seemed more provoked due to his distrust toward the two of them. In the end, Bai Rong was the one suffering the most.

“I won’t get you involved with him ever again, I promise.”

After the episode, Gu Mingchen did not enter the living room for the entire journey.

That came as a relief for Wu Nian. Staying in the same space as him would feel suffocating, stressful, and awkward.

When they alighted the steamship, there were two cars prepared by Stephen, which were on stand-by to pick them up. Wu Nian, Liu Yan, and Aaron boarded the same car.

It took roughly ten minutes to arrive at Stephen’s villa.

The villa resembled a grandiose castle- robust high walls enclosed the majestic main building, and the electric barbed wires on the fencing formed a strong barricade against unwanted personnel. Two security guards were stationed at each vantage point.

“Are artists usually this rich?” Liu Yan raised an eyebrow at Wu Nian.

“Stephen’s family used to run a jewelry business, and he only became an artist to pursue his personal passions. After inheriting the family business, he promptly passed it down to his daughter. All in all, he owns sufficient assets to live such a lifestyle,” Aaron explained.

Nodding, Wu Nian said, “Oh, is that so. Well, that does sound like something an oddball like him would do.”

“He used to have a son too. Due to an unfortunate accident, his son drowned, and now his two daughters are sharing the family inheritance equally. However, Stephen doesn’t really care about all of that. He’s just really single-minded about painting, you know?” Aaron continued.

“Yan, try to criticize his art more. You may get a pleasant surprise,” Wu Nian suggested.

“Huh?” Liu Yan scratched her head. “O-okay. By the way, there seems to be a lot of people in there.”

Wu Nian had also noticed the considerable number of guests at the villa. A sense of unease began creeping up her spine. “I wonder if they are guests like us or residents of the island. They don’t look like residents to me.”

“Let me introduce my companions!” Aaron said, walking toward Stephen with a bright smile plastered on his face. “Stephen, this is my girlfriend, Wu Nian, and that is her friend, Liu Yan.”

Aaron gestured to the two of them, keeping his introduction concise.

Stephen’s family members and in-laws were all present in the room. There was his eldest daughter’s family, including her husband and her children, as well as his second daughter with her friend, who took her boyfriend along. Stephen’s butler also entered the room with Gu Mingchen.

Upon seeing Gu Mingchen, Stephen walked toward him with enthusiasm and extended his hand. “Mr. Gu! You’re really a seer! You promised that you would help me auction my work for fifteen million, and as it turns out, it’s at sixteen million already!”

Wu Nian and Liu Yan exchanged looks.

They finally wrapped their heads around what Gu Mingchen had meant by “all that glitters is not gold”.

Su Xuyan’s successful bid for “Dream Girl” actually worked in Gu Mingchen’s favor.

Gu Mingchen had stricken a deal with Stephen all along.

So, what more can we do? Does it matter if we talk to Stephen at this point?

“Mr. Stephen, your meal is ready.” A woman in a maid uniform walked into the room and bowed to him.

Wu Nian’s eyes widened. “Xia He!” She spluttered.

The maid looked up at Wu Nian with a perplexed expression. “Do you know me?”

“We… we’ve met at the mall, don’t you remember?” Wu Nian hastily explained.

Gu Mingchen narrowed his eyes. Pursing his lips, he fixed his deep gaze on Xia He with a dispassionate expression.

“Oh, I remember. You helped me pay last time, and that’s when I told you my name. I’m so sorry. You didn’t give me your phone number, so I haven’t been able to return the money. I’ll pass it to you later.” Xia He smiled.

“Don’t sweat it. It’s nothing,” Wu Nian replied, going with the flow.

“Oh, so you two are acquainted. Hah… It’s really as they say… It’s a small world, isn’t it? Alright, since everyone is already here, let us have our meal first. I’ve got something to announce!” Stephen seemed to be in a pleasant mood.

Xia He nodded and glanced at Wu Nian with smiley eyes. “Please follow me out for a bit.”

With that, she turned around and disappeared after turning a corner, leaving Wu Nian standing there, dumbfounded.

Didn’t she see Gu Mingchen? Is she trying to make a run?

Wu Nian followed Xia He for five whole minutes until Xia He suddenly turned around sharply and snatched her neck with claw-like fingers.

Glaring at Wu Nian intensely with a scathing gaze, Xia He growled, “Who in the world are you? I’ve never seen you before. Only Gu Mingchen and my boss know my name.”

Wu Nian was choking and could barely make a sound.

Upon seeing Wu Nian’s furrowed brows, Xia He realized that she might have been too violent with her attack. She immediately loosened her grip by a little but still kept Wu Nian under her restraint.

“Xia He… Xia He… I’m Bai Rong. I underwent plastic surgery. We’ve met at Tangqian Village, do you remember? You helped Tang Xiaojiu kill Governor Cheng, and when I found out that you have a basement in your room, you tied me to the table in your basement.” Wu Nian recounted the details of the past.

Xia He was dazed. She knew very well that only Bai Rong, Gu Mingchen, and herself knew about the incidents in Tangqian Village. She finally let go of Wu Nian. “How did you end up like this?”

“Long story. Anyways, please keep my identity a secret. Gu Mingchen mustn’t know that I’m Bai Rong,” Wu Nian pleaded.

“Why? Did you undergo plastic surgery just to hide from him?” Xia He asked.

“I have my own reasons. There’s another thing I need to tell you. Do you know why Gu Mingchen suspected you of being a spy? It’s because you two were the only survivors of that incident. Zhou Hailan has returned, and Gu Mingchen knows that one of you has to be the spy. You should make your identity clear to Gu Mingchen. Prove it to him that Zhou Hailan is the spy, and you won’t have to live your life like a fugitive,” Wu Nian said earnestly.

Xia He’s eyes widened. “Zhou Hailan isn’t dead?”

Wu Nian sighed. “That’s just my take on the matter. I’m not getting involved in this,” she said, walking off to the living room.

In a dark corner behind her, Gu Mingchen stood there with his fists clenched so tightly that blood was seeping down from his hands.