Chapter 107: Who Am I? Where Am I?
It was almost 8 PM when Gu Hanling returned to the villa, looking travel-worn. He glanced around the house, noticing how quiet and empty it felt. His brows furrowed slightly.
"Sir, the helicopter is ready. Once your luggage is loaded, you can depart."
Butler Wang quickly approached with his usual polite smile. As Gu Hanling’s most trusted housekeeper, he had already arranged everything in advance for his master’s urgent overseas business trip.
The plan was simple: take the helicopter from the backyard helipad to the airport, then board his private jet.
Noticing Gu Hanling’s expression, Butler Wang hesitated for a moment before adding, "Madam said she went out for work. It was arranged by the production crew."
Hearing this, Gu Hanling’s expression softened slightly, though his demeanor remained cold.
But just then, Shen Xi wobbled through the front door, her cheeks flushed red. Her eyes were half-closed, and she was clearly dazed, staggering as she walked.
She had been out having dinner with the "Heartbreak Alliance" trio, all with things on their minds. She and the others had shared a few drinks, but Shen Xi had ended up drinking a little too much, leaving her in this state.
Su Kexin had driven her home, making sure to drop Shen Xi off at the villa first. After all, Keke knew all too well how strict Mr. Gu’s house rules were.
Gu Hanling's gaze darkened as he turned to his butler.
"Work? Hmm?"
"Uh…"
Butler Wang’s eyelid twitched. This is bad. He had just said that Madam was out working, but now she had come back completely drunk, making it seem like he was covering for her.
"Sir, you can rest assured. I’ll have the servants take good care of Madam while you’re abroad."
Gu Hanling raised an eyebrow, looking first at the woman reeking of alcohol, then at his ever-loyal old butler.
He trusted his butler to take care of Shen Xi’s daily life at the villa, but no one could control her restless, wandering feet.
Ignoring the butler’s words, Gu Hanling turned and strode toward the woman.
Like lifting a sandbag, he hoisted her onto his shoulder and carried her toward the helipad, his movements rougher than usual.
Shen Xi was already feeling dizzy, and being suddenly tossed over someone’s shoulder made her head spin even more. She gasped in shock, her tiny, unthreatening hands weakly scratching at the man’s muscular back.
"Who are you?! Put me down! How dare you… pick up my… my body! I am a ma—"
Before she could finish, the pressure of Gu Hanling’s shoulder against her stomach made her gag, and a wave of alcohol fumes escaped her mouth.
Frowning, the man quickly shifted his grip, scooping her into a proper bridal carry instead.
The cool night breeze helped clear some of Shen Xi’s drunken haze. She squinted, trying to focus her vision, and gradually made out the outline of the person holding her.
"Hanling?"
Gu Hanling glanced down at her with a displeased expression but didn’t answer.
Nestled in his arms, Shen Xi felt the weight of sleep creeping in. She closed her eyes, instinctively tilting her head slightly to take in the familiar scent of cedarwood.
As if confirming something, she stopped resisting, her body relaxing as she drifted into a deep sleep.
In a daze, Shen Xi slowly opened her eyes. Everything around her was dark, except for a single illuminated spot where a man and a woman were embracing intimately.
Looking closer, she realized. It was Lin Yueyue. Dressed in a gorgeous gown, Lin Yueyue wore a smug, triumphant smile.
"Sister Xixi, I stole your childhood sweetheart. I can steal your husband too."
The man holding her?
Gu Hanling.
His gaze was cold as he looked at Shen Xi, his expression unreadable.
Shen Xi opened her mouth to speak, but no sound came out.
Suddenly, a powerful force pushed her backward. The scene around her blurred, and in an instant, she found herself thrown into the ending of a dark novel.
Tall walls. Barbed wire. A desolate, run-down compound. From all directions, a group of men with sinister smiles surrounded her.
Shen Xi slowly woke up, feeling groggy. A soft, high-quality floral blanket was draped over her.
So… it was all just a dream.
She sat up, rubbed her eyes, and looked around in confusion.
“What the… Where am I? I remember going home…”
For a second, she thought she had checked into some airplane-themed hotel. But why were the room and bed so small?
Getting up, she walked to the window, pulled back the curtain, and looked outside—
Clouds. Endless clouds beneath her.
Her heart skipped a beat, and she sucked in a sharp breath.
"Are you freaking kidding me? Am I really going to be sold off to the slave labor camp?"
Still half-asleep, it took her a moment to process the situation. Who in their right mind would use a private jet to send someone to a place like that?
"Madam, with the little meat you have, I doubt you could even cover the cost of the flight."
A familiar cold voice came from behind her. Shen Xi turned around to see Gu Hanling standing at the door of the small bedroom, looking somewhat exhausted.
What surprised him, however, was the petite figure in front of him suddenly throwing herself into his arms.
Though taken aback for a second, Gu Hanling naturally wrapped his strong arms around her slender waist, letting out a soft smile.
"Had a nightmare?"
Shen Xi gave a small nod without saying a word and burrowed deeper into his embrace, like a little hamster seeking warmth and comfort.
For the moment, she forgot about the rules of her past life and their contract.
Gu Hanling would never understand the deep, unspoken fear she carried ever since arriving in this world.
Then, as if suddenly remembering something, Shen Xi quickly pulled away from his arms, her cheeks turning slightly red. She stammered out a weak excuse.
“B-Boss… Gu, I wasn’t thinking anything inappropriate!”
“I just… I just see you as my dad!”
The amusement on Gu Hanling’s face instantly disappeared. His expression darkened like a storm cloud.
“I don’t have such an unfilial daughter.”
Realizing she had said the wrong thing, Shen Xi hurriedly changed the subject.
"Uh… Where are we going? Why am I on a plane?"
"Overseas."
Gu Hanling uttered the word flatly, his tone carrying a hint of exhaustion.
He rubbed his temples, walked over to the small bed Shen Xi had been sleeping on, and lay down.
Shen Xi froze for a moment. How did she end up going on an international trip just from taking a nap?
She had nothing with her except her phone. No luggage, no ID.
"Uh… Am I gonna get deported as soon as we land?"
Gu Hanling shot her a glance, clearly too lazy to answer such a pointless question. If he had the ability to take her out of the country just like that, would landing even be a problem?
"Come here. Sleep with me."
"......"
Shen Xi was speechless. Again? Asking her to "sleep with him" right when she just woke up?
But, well… she was at his mercy on this plane.
Reluctantly, she climbed into bed. The bed was already small, clearly not designed for two people.
To avoid falling, the woman moved slightly inward, but still ended up touching Gu Hanling.
Shen Xi's heart tightened involuntarily. Just as she was about to move away, a large hand wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer into his embrace.
Shen Xi froze. Her face heated up uncontrollably.
She didn’t dare move. She knew exactly what would happen if a woman squirmed too much while pressed against a man like this.
Maybe it was because she hadn’t gotten enough sleep from her strange dream, but before she knew it, she dozed off again.
The next time she opened her eyes, the plane had already landed.
As soon as they stepped off, she saw a long, black luxury car parked right on the tarmac. Several men in black suits, looking very much like bodyguards, were waiting for them.