Chapter 66: Mind Reading (7)

How had things escalated to this point?

Gu Li summoned his driver, and under the slightly surprised gaze of the chauffeur, brought Yan Ling back home.

Within the Gu household, Gu Li held considerable autonomy. His exceptional performance and obedience gave Father and Mother Gu great confidence in him.

He could freely manage his own time, and even if he returned late at night, they never questioned his reasons. This maturity was largely due to his father’s guidance.

As the Secretary-General to Olay’s royal family, Father Gu conducted himself impeccably. As the Chief Administrative Officer, he oversaw the day-to-day operations of the entire administrative department, coordinating and directing the work between various institutions. With high standards for himself, he naturally did not overlook discipline with his children.

Fortunately, Gu Li consistently excelled. After entering Saint Hieria as an S-grade student and efficiently managing the student council affairs, Father Gu felt reassured. He believed his son was disciplined, meticulous, and beyond reproach. Consequently, he shifted his full attention back to work, focusing on advancing his political achievements.

Mother Gu was equally career-driven and did not abandon her singing profession after marriage; during this period, she was even engaged in opera house tours.

Due to the busyness of Father and Mother Gu, the management of the Gu household effectively fell upon Gu Li’s shoulders.

Naturally, bringing Yan Ling home faced no opposition whatsoever. The Gu family’s butler and servants would never question him; they only followed his instructions diligently.

As soon as the girl entered his home, she assumed a composed demeanor, gracefully walking behind him with impeccable etiquette. This sight captivated all the servants present.

Despite himself, Gu Li felt another smile tugging at his lips.

While others could only see the girl’s flawless exterior, he knew she was actually nervous.

Her back was held exceptionally straight, eyes fixed forward without a glance sideways, each step seemingly calculated with precision. Occasionally, she would sneak a quick look at him from the corner of her eye before continuing with the same poised gait.

“My parents aren’t here,” Gu Li slowed down slightly, matching steps with the girl beside him. “You can relax.”

He preferred seeing Yan Ling at ease rather than presenting her perfect facade.

She didn’t need to be so tense; interacting with him as she had before would suffice.

Upon hearing Gu Li’s words, Yan Ling gently exhaled. While maintaining her composed demeanor, her expression visibly relaxed and became more animated.

“I was just thinking about how I should speak when meeting Secretary-General Gu…” The girl turned her head and winked at him. “But then I realized you’re here with me, and you’ll surely help figure things out. So now, I’m not as afraid.”

Gu Li deliberately asked, “What if I can’t assist you?”

“That won’t happen,” Yan Ling replied earnestly. “Since you’ve chosen to shelter me, there must be a way. All I need to do is follow your guidance.”

Gu Li wasn’t sure whether to sigh or feel helpless. “Do you perhaps trust me too much?”

“Shouldn’t I trust you?” Yan Ling countered.

After a moment of silence, Gu Li asked, “Have you considered seeking help from others?”

“Others?” Yan Ling looked puzzled. “Who do you mean?”

Despite his reservations, Gu Li mentioned his friend’s name, “Xiao Lingfei, your… fiancé.”

“But it’s you whom I encountered.” Yan Ling lifted her head to look at him, her gaze intensely focused and unwavering. “The one who can help me is you; why should I seek others when the assistance is right here?”

“Besides, without you, forget about contacting anyone else, I wouldn’t even know where to begin,” the young woman said with a relieved smile. “I’m truly fortunate to have met you.”

A tingling sensation returned to Gu Li’s heart once more. He knew well that Yan Ling’s words held no deeper meaning; she was simply grateful for someone willing to assist her. Yet, he couldn’t help but feel that perhaps, to her, he seemed somewhat special.

“And Xiao Lingfei…” Yan Ling’s expression turned slightly conflicted.

“What about him?” Gu Li asked, unsure of his own feelings as he posed the question.

“Our families arranged our engagement, and I understand such alliances are inevitable,” Yan Ling whispered softly. “That’s why I went to the HR club to meet him. I thought if we got along well, maybe I could strive to accept this reality.”

Gu Li asked cautiously, “Is there something Xiao Lingfei did that was inappropriate?”

It was clear that Xiao Lingfei harbored feelings for Yan Ling, and Gu Li had assumed their relationship was progressing well. However, it seemed his assumption might have been incorrect…

Yan Ling, her face slightly flushed, lowered her voice even more as if recalling something specific. “He… he’s too frivolous.”

As Gu Li observed the young woman clenching her hands, her reddened cheeks and evident annoyance made her appear even more delicate and lovely.

“We’re clearly not yet close…” Yan Ling cast her gaze down, eyelashes fluttering, “yet he already wants to… get intimate with me.”

After managing to stammer out these words, the girl’s face turned bright red. “I don’t know if he behaves similarly with others, but I feel like our pace may not be quite… aligned.”

Hearing this, Gu Li’s eyebrows furrowed deeply. “Get intimate with you?”

At the time, he had been preoccupied watching Jin Yingyao closely and hadn’t paid attention to what was happening between Xiao Lingfei and Yan Ling. Now he wondered if Jin Yingyao’s agitated reaction was due to witnessing something Xiao Lingfei did…

Is Xiao Lingfei really so unable to control himself around someone he fancies? Yan Ling clearly seemed inexperienced and naive; encountering Xiao Lingfei’s aggressive advances would undoubtedly make her uncomfortable.

Xiao Lingfei… Upon closer reflection, despite being his close friend, Xiao Lingfei had no shortage of romantic rumors surrounding him. He appeared quite adept at attracting attention, but is such a man truly suitable for Yan Ling?

“In any case… if I were to seek help from him, it wouldn’t feel safe…” Yan Ling abruptly changed the subject, smiling at Gu Li. “But you’re different, Gu Li. You’re gentlemanly and kind-hearted; I can’t think of anyone who feels more secure to be around than you.”

Gu Li remained silent, a faint unease stirring within him. He secretly wished Yan Ling would exercise some caution towards him instead of treating him as entirely devoid of desires or selfish motives, as she seemed to do now.

In truth…

Just as this thought began to surface, Gu Li swiftly suppressed it. His upbringing taught him that harboring such thoughts about his friend’s fiancée was inappropriate.

Yan Ling was right; he was indeed safe, and he must continue to be so.

A soft “gurgle” interrupted Gu Li’s thoughts. He turned to see Yan Ling blushing, her gaze shifting nervously. As soon as she noticed him looking, she subtly stepped aside, trying to pretend nothing had happened.

“Are you hungry?” Gu Li quickly asked. “Did you not have dinner?”

“Uh…” With his question, mist gathered again in Yan Ling’s eyes. “Don’t ask, it’s too embarrassing! Why… why do I always feel so humiliated in front of you!”

Gu Li’s earlier discontent instantly evaporated, barely managing to suppress a smile. “I don’t mind at all.”

“I do mind,” Yan Ling replied indignantly. “Are you trying to hold back another laugh? I know you must think I’m no longer a proper young lady now.”

Yan Ling lowered her head, visibly shaken by this thought.

To everyone else, she was the academy’s goddess, a paragon of etiquette and grace. Yet, around Gu Li, unexpected mishaps seemed to occur frequently. It was understandable why Yan Ling would react this way.

“I genuinely don’t mind seeing you like this…” This wasn’t just a comforting platitude but Gu Li’s heartfelt truth. “You’re wonderful… In my eyes, there’s nothing humiliating about it; on the contrary…”

On the contrary, every reaction from her made her seem more genuine and endearing to him.

Never before had Gu Li felt so drawn to anyone; being around her seemed to help him rediscover parts of himself.

“Really?” Yan Ling’s eyes were slightly red, and with a hint of nasal tone from crying, she asked, “I’m not embarrassing myself too much? I’ve been terribly impolite.”

Gu Li replied gently, “Absolutely, even if you were more unreserved, it wouldn’t change my opinion of you. You’re wonderful just as you are.”

“Sob… Sob…” Tears welled up in the girl’s eyes as she tearfully praised Gu Li, “Gu Li, you truly are such a good person.”

Gu Li, caught between laughter and exasperation, responded, “Don’t hand out ‘good person’ cards so casually.”

He instructed the chef to prepare a late-night snack, and to ease Yan Ling’s discomfort, he joined her for a light meal.

After dining, Gu Li escorted Yan Ling to a guest room and requested that the housekeeper purchase sleepwear and toiletries for her.

“You can ask the housekeeper for anything you need,” said Gu Li. “For tonight, please rest here while I call the Yan family to reassure your parents about your well-being.”

“Thank you.” The way the girl now looked at Gu Li was akin to how one might gaze upon a saint. “President Gu Li, from now on, I’ll be a devoted member of your support group. I’ll make sure to check in regularly.”

Gu Li couldn’t help but chuckle at Yan Ling’s words, “Oh, you.”

After Gu Li left the room, Tong Ling dropped her backpack and flopped onto the soft bed, then spoke to the system, “Hee hee, I’ve thought of a name for this chapter arc - ‘The President Insists on Spoiling Me’.”

m577 responded with disdain: [Ugh, what a clichéd old-school Mary Sue romance.]

“I want it to be Mary Sue-y, just Mary Sue-y!” Tong Ling exclaimed sentimentally. “School can be quite troublesome, but being a naive student is truly refreshing! Is this the allure of campus-themed stories, evoking the vibrancy of youth?”

As m577 watched, Tong Ling entered the bathroom. After her shower, she emerged wearing pajamas with long wet hair draped over her shoulders. She quickly retrieved a workbook and pencil from her backpack, then headed towards the door.

m577 protested: [It’s already 11 PM! What do you think you’re doing?!]

Tong Ling waved the workbook in her hand, “I love learning; studying brings me joy.”

m577 scoffed: [Studying my foot! There’s not a single serious thought in your head!]

“How dare you talk to me like that?” Tong Ling’s expression turned stern.

m577 obediently feigned submission: [Bell Sister, you’re amazing! Seeing your dedication to learning moves me to tears…]

Ignoring the cheeky system, Tong Ling summoned a servant. Guided by them, she approached Gu Li’s bedroom, knocked on the door, and called out, “Gu Li, are you asleep yet?”

Footsteps approached, and the young man swiftly opened the door. Upon seeing Tong Ling’s appearance, his eyes flickered with added warmth. “What is it?”

Tong Ling held up her workbook, casting him a pleading gaze. “I’m stuck on some questions, President Gu. Could you help me understand them?”

Gu Li hesitated, momentarily at a loss for words.

He had never spent late nights alone with a beautiful girl before. Moreover, this girl had just finished bathing; her cheeks flushed pink from the steam, and her damp long hair clung to her nightgown, giving her an enticing allure.

“It’s too late,” Gu Li stammered, feeling his heart rate quicken as soon as he laid eyes on Yan Ling. “Let me explain the problems to you tomorrow morning…”

The proximity between him and Yan Ling was far too close. He shouldn’t have even opened the door to see her like this. Instead, he ought to have shut it, urging Yan Ling back to her room, advising against venturing out at night, and cautioning her against interacting with any men.

It was too dangerous. She didn’t realize how perilous her actions were.

Pouting, Tong Ling asked, “Why delay solving these questions until tomorrow? You’re not asleep yet, right? Please help me.”

Her voice, filled with girlish charm, was soft and sweet, while her clear gaze upon him exuded innocence and allure.

“It’s too late…” Gu Li could only muster this excuse as he stood stiffly by the door, repeating, “It’s too late.”

“Really no exception?” Tong Ling stared intently at Gu Li. “I’ll leave right after asking about these problems, I promise not to disturb your rest!”

Sighing inwardly, Gu Li silently stepped back.

He watched as the girl cheerfully entered his room, completely unguarded, as if certain that he was the safe and trustworthy Student Council President. Her trust seemed so profound that she momentarily forgot his gender, overlooking the possibility of inappropriate thoughts crossing his mind.

Gu Li didn’t close the door; this was the boundary he held onto for himself.

He resolved to quickly teach her the exercises and escort her out without making any mistakes.

As soon as Tong Ling entered Gu Li’s room, she complained to the system, “This doesn’t look like a typical guy’s room at all. The color scheme is cold and rigid, the style minimalistic, and it’s almost excessively clean.”

The only splash of color came from the neatly arranged trophies on the bookshelf, exuding an air of academic excellence throughout the space.

m577 hinted with its response: [That’s because he genuinely loves learning, maintaining a pure and innocent mindset.]

“Pure and innocent?” Tong Ling retorted, “If he were truly pure and innocent, he wouldn’t have let me inside.”

m577 disagreed with Tong Ling’s interpretation: [He didn’t even close the door and deliberately kept a distance from you. Isn’t his attitude clear enough?]

“This only shows he has stronger self-restraint than most, but it doesn’t mean he truly isn’t interested.” Tong Ling sat at Gu Li’s study desk, placed her workbook down, and gave him a slight smile.

“From the moment he let me enter, any boundaries he had towards me were already crossed.”