The Ritz-Carlton Executive Lounge was carpeted in deep crimson, with chandeliers scattering shards of golden light.
In a hotel like this, both the service and security could be fully trusted.
“Ah…”
Gu Yebai took a deep breath.
He was still savoring the aftertaste of the black tea that had wafted from the interview room.
To be honest, it all felt like a dream.
Sometimes he couldn’t help but wonder.
Maybe he would suddenly wake up and find himself still on that wooden bed in Linchuan County—a poor boy who hadn’t made it through winter, dreaming in his final moments.
His steps felt light, as if he were drunk, even though he hadn’t touched a drop of alcohol.
Sir Huo Sang Jueshi’s approval and applause, along with the words “Welcome aboard,” had lifted the dust of humility from Gu Yebai’s chest, spreading it across the entire universe…
“Congratulations, Xiao Gu Gu.”
Bai Xialin’s evening gown swayed in front of Gu Yebai’s eyes, her silver high heels clicking against the floor.
“Congratulations to you too, Xiao Lin.”
“We’re going to be classmates now. When you think about it, it’s actually pretty strange.”
“Xiao Lin, I never knew you were this amazing. I don’t know much about Ewha Girls’ High School, but the headmaster just said a lot of impressive things. You actually built a club that shocked plenty of adults. At St. George, you’ll definitely thrive.”
“Not at all, not at all. Xiao Gu Gu is impressive too—able to write books and support yourself. Sometimes I think, if I were in your shoes, I could never do better than you.”
Bai Xialin curved her lips, but her movements were mechanical.
There was no trace of laughter deep in her eyes.
Her gaze drifted, as if searching for something, flickering to the tables and chairs on either side of the lounge and the shadows hidden beneath the light.
Her fingers unconsciously twisted the hem of her skirt, her fingertips pale, as if she wanted to reach out and take Gu Yebai’s hand.
But Gu Yebai dodged her reaching hand.
“Xiao Gu Gu, should we head back now?”
Her voice was soft, but distracted.
Her eyes flickered again, this time landing on the elevator doors at the end of the hall.
She paused for half a second before forcing her gaze back to Gu Yebai’s face.
“Yeah, we’re about to be classmates… That’s great.”
Gu Yebai vaguely sensed something off.
Come to think of it, Bai Xialin had always given him the impression of a sporty girl charging straight ahead—always sunny, always proud and loud.
But now, for some reason, she seemed lost, as if her soul had been drained away.
Maybe it was the exhaustion from the interview, or maybe something Sir Huo Sang said had touched a nerve.
Or of course, it could be because he had rejected her heart-pounding confession…
“Xiao Lin, are you okay? You seem a bit distracted?”
Bai Xialin shook her head, her eyelashes drooping, masking the growing gloom in her eyes.
She stepped forward, her arm brushing lightly against his.
Hot breath whispered against his ear, the milky scent of white musk drifting into his nostrils.
“I’m fine… I’m perfectly fine.”
‘Why hasn’t it started yet?’
She muttered inwardly.
They were almost at the elevator.
One more turn and it would be too late!
What the hell was Min Jun doing?
Just then, a shadow darted out from the corner, fast as a ghost, impossible to react to.
Gu Yebai felt a chill on the back of his neck.
Before he could react, a wet towel clamped down over his mouth and nose.
The stench of chloroform hit him—musty, like aged mold mixed with some unidentifiable chemical—seeping straight from his nostrils into his lungs, plunging his vision into darkness.
What the hell?!
His mind went blank.
His first instinct was to struggle, but his arms swung back weakly, as if their bones had been pulled out.
The chloroform hit too fast.
His breath caught, his vision blurred, edges bleeding like ink spreading across paper.
Kidnapping?
Why?
Uncle Gao?
Hongyi… Hongyi would be worried to death.
I promised her I’d get back as soon as the interview ended… Whatever.
If they’re really after me, at least—
“Xiao Lin… Run.”
He tried to shout, but only a muffled groan escaped.
His body fell backward, knees hitting the carpet with no sound.
The world began to spin.
The chloroform tasted like syrup laced with poison.
Maybe he would die like this.
Or maybe he would wake up again on the wooden bed in the old house in Linchuan County, brush his teeth, and head off to Linchuan Fifth High School.
…..
Because the kidnapper targeted Gu Yebai first, Bai Xialin had time to react.
She spun around and saw the tall, skinny man—about six feet—wearing a cap and black mask.
His eyes were narrow and cold.
Their gazes met for less than a second, as if they had rehearsed it…
Min Jun’s pupils flickered with a silent question.
Bai Xialin curved her eyes, pulling her lips into a hidden smile—Everything going according to plan.
But because of the hotel’s surveillance, she couldn’t assist with the kidnapping.
She had to play the victim.
So she let out a scream first.
“Ah—!”
“Xiao Gu Gu!”
“Don’t touch him!!”
Her scream was sharp enough to tear the air.
Her silver heels dug in, and she launched herself like an arrow from a bow.
The violet evening gown’s hem whipped through the air, a poisonous flower torn by the wind.
She didn’t run, didn’t play the victim—she charged straight at Min Jun, attacking him.
“He’s mine alone! No one gets to touch him! No one gets to take him away!!”
But how could a weak girl stand against an experienced kidnapper?
The moment her words left her mouth, Min Jun’s other hand pressed the towel over her mouth and nose—except it wasn’t the chloroform-soaked towel he’d used on Gu Yebai; it was an ordinary one.
After all, the surveillance cameras couldn’t tell the difference.
As soon as the towel touched her face, Bai Xialin slipped into character.
Her body stiffened instinctively, she pretended to thrash twice, then went limp, looking just as helpless.
But her eyelashes trembled.
Deep in her eyes, excitement was barely concealed.
“Don’t… let me go… Xiao Gu Gu… I…”
“This is so exciting…. (So exciting.)”
She murmured, her voice growing weaker, like a truly terrified girl.
Her body slowly went limp.
Her knees buckled, and she collapsed onto the carpet, the violet evening gown spreading out.
But even as she fell, her hand gripped Gu Yebai’s wrist tightly.
The hallway remained quiet.
The chandelier’s golden light poured over their “unconscious” bodies.
The carpet absorbed all sound.
Min Jun glanced down at her, confirming her “unconscious” state, then released the towel.
His movements were clean and efficient, devoid of any extra emotion, like executing a pre-programmed task.
He pulled a coarse hemp rope from his backpack and began winding it around them, loop after loop.
Bai Xialin cracked her eyes open into slits.
‘Xiao Gu Gu… This rope is our red thread. From now on, no one can separate us… What scientific experiment? What research project on Earthling love? I’m done acting. I love you so much I want to eat you alive. We’re tied together now, hehe…’
Min Jun didn’t notice her little trick—or maybe he knew, but didn’t care.
The rope wound from Bai Xialin’s wrist to Gu Yebai’s, crossing and wrapping, binding the two together tightly.
First their arms—the rope forced their limbs flush against each other.
Bai Xialin’s skin was cool and smooth as silk, but through the thin fabric of her evening gown, heat radiated like fire.
When Min Jun pulled it tight, Bai Xialin’s body leaned forward involuntarily, her proud chest pressing directly against Gu Yebai’s.
The soft curves were squeezed by the rope, deformed into a tender, tight mass, as if kneaded by an invisible force.
Pressed so close she could feel Gu Yebai’s heartbeat through his suit, pounding against her chest.
The rope continued downward.
Min Jun bound their waists together, wrapping the coarse hemp three times, pulling it taut.
Her body was forced against his waist and abdomen.
The warmth seeped through the fabric, making her thighs clench involuntarily.
When the rope wrapped around her thighs, her body trembled.
Not from pain—but from the pleasure of being forced against the one she loved.
‘Now we’re one body, one fate…’
Heat seeped in, layer by layer.
‘You’ll regret leaving me, because no one else can swallow you whole like I can… Including your breath, your warmth, your pain…’
Min Jun checked the rope one last time, tugging to ensure it was tight and wouldn’t loosen, but not enough to cut into their skin.
He pulled an opaque blindfold from his bag, first covering Gu Yebai’s eyes, then Bai Xialin’s.
Finally, a sack.
The opening gaped wide, lined with soft padding to prevent bumps.
Like prey falling into a pitcher plant, they were stuffed into the sack.
The rough fabric scraped against Bai Xialin’s evening gown, rustling.
The sack’s mouth was tied shut, and the world went completely dark.
In this sealed world, only Gu Yebai and Bai Xialin remained.
And so they were kidnapped by Min Jun.
The sack swayed on Min Jun’s shoulder as he activated a stealth electronic jamming device.
The kidnapping had only just begun.
He walked out of the Ritz-Carlton without a care, heading toward the Toyota Alphard parked in the lot.
The two of them were tossed into the trunk.