A thief had broken into Su Mei’s house.

To be precise, it wasn’t exactly theft.

Because now, at a glance, nothing seemed to be missing from Su Mei’s house, but rather, there were a lot of additional things.

There was a pair of couplets, a pile of joss paper, a black-and-white photo printed with her image, and a bunch of miscellaneous paper offerings.

Also, there was a box that Su Mei, after catching a glimpse of bloody animal organs through the gap, didn’t dare to look into further.

“Ms. Su, CEO, we have obtained the surveillance footage from the property management, and the villa’s surveillance is intact as well.” Wang Qin said as he walked in, with the property management personnel following behind him.

Upon hearing that, Gu Yancheng nodded and asked, “How long until the police arrive?”

“I called 15 minutes ago. They should be here soon within 10 minutes.”

“I’ve already reviewed the surveillance footage.” Wang Qin said. As he spoke, he instinctively glanced at Su Mei, who was still looking a bit pale and was nestled in Gu Yancheng’s arms on the sofa. He continued, “It seems like an extreme action taken by an overly hostile netizen due to some matters concerning Ms. Su.”

The internet is vast and full of all kinds of people, including those with extreme views.

As for how the person found this place, the production team of 《My Life 2》 had signed a confidentiality agreement and wouldn’t have disclosed Su Mei’s address.

It was likely deduced by the individual through subtle clues in the program’s videos. Quite resourceful, indeed.

“How many people?” Gu Yancheng asked.

“Just one. Judging by the build, it should be a male.” Wang Qin replied.

“The intruder likely climbed up to the second floor via the balcony, using the area behind the house where the view is obstructed by landscaping trees. They then broke a small window to get inside and later came down to the first floor to move these things in through the front door.” Wang Qin explained.

However, the surveillance footage showed the person wearing a mask and headscarf, making it impossible to discern his appearance. They would need to wait for the police to arrive and expand the search area.

“You said upstairs?” Upon hearing Wang Qin’s words, Su Mei thought of something and immediately stood up from the sofa.

The first floor of her house only contained daily necessities, the most valuable of which was the new high-tech food processor she had recently acquired.

But the second floor was different!

Up there were not only her valuables but also bags and jewelry from the other Su Mei, as well as the expensive items she had recently obtained while attending events with Gu Yancheng.

Who knew if that deranged ‘well-wisher’ might have seen something valuable and decided to take things?

With this thought, Su Mei, now visibly anxious, dashed upstairs.

Gu Yancheng followed closely behind Su Mei.

Once upstairs, instead of immediately checking the bags and jewelry, Su Mei went straight to her room to check the safe.

Although it showed no signs of being tampered with, she opened it just to be sure.

The property deeds, the vehicle registration certificates, and various stock and savings certificates were all there.

And so was the ring worth almost a hundred million.

Su Mei breathed a sigh of relief.

Other things could be reported lost and replaced, but if this item went missing under her watch, she wouldn’t be able to explain it.

Thinking about it, Su Mei decided to take this opportunity to return it to Gu Yancheng.

“Gu Yancheng, this ring……” Why don’t you take it back? It’s not safe to keep it with me.

Gu Yancheng remembered this ring. It was the one he had bid on at an auction with her.

Seeing Su Mei take it out of the safe surprised him, causing his gaze to flicker.

So, Su Mei had rushed upstairs so anxiously because of this ring?

“As long as you’re okay, it’s all that matters. If something gets lost, we can always buy it again. There’s no need to be so worried.” Gu Yancheng said with a slight smile.

He was trying to comfort Su Mei, but also making a point.

However, to Su Mei, his words had a different implication.

Hah, Gu Yancheng, do you think you know what I’m about to say next? And now you’re acting all magnanimous, saying it doesn’t matter if it gets lost!

“No, this ring is very significant. It’s better if you take it back.” Su Mei replied, frowning.

“You don’t like it?”

“Hmm?”

“Why not wear it?” Gu Yancheng preferred that Su Mei wear the ring rather than keeping it in the safe.

Hearing his question, Su Mei’s expression changed.

“Um, it doesn’t seem suitable for me to wear.” She said. After all, this ring belonged to the female protagonist.

“Why is it unsuitable?”

“Well, it’s just that, um, the size doesn’t really fit.” Su Mei said. She held the ring and casually tried it on her index and ring fingers, but it indeed didn’t fit well.

Seeing this, Gu Yancheng nodded.

“I overlooked that.” He admitted. He hadn’t considered the ring’s size before.

While Su Mei and Gu Yancheng were upstairs checking the safe, the police arrived.

After taking statements and inspecting the scene, it was already approaching midnight.

“Then you guys……”

“This place isn’t very safe. You should stay somewhere else.” Gu Yancheng said. He was also concerned that Su Mei might be psychologically affected.

Wang Qin added, “Yes, Ms. Su, do you have another property nearby? We can take you there. The window on the upper floor needs to be repaired, and since someone was able to find this place through the show, it’s definitely not safe here.”

What they said made sense.

However, upon hearing that, Su Mei’s face showed a hint of difficulty.

Previously, to experience a bit of the joy of being a landlady, she had instructed Wu Fei to rent out all her other properties except for this one.

It was so late already so she couldn’t go to Wu Fei’s place now.

“How about I stay at a hotel for the night first?” Then she would go find Wu Fei tomorrow.

“Ms. Su, is there any inconvenience? If so, the company has a dedicated accommodation for guests. If you don’t mind, you could stay there temporarily for now.”

I don’t mind! I don’t mind!

Hearing Wang Qin’s offer, Su Mei’s eyes brightened.

Just as she was about to agree, Gu Yancheng interjected, “There’s no need.”

———pr


Gu family’s main residence.

Seeing Su Mei, accompanied by Gu Yancheng, step into the house again, Auntie Mei’s eyes nearly popped out.

“Sir, this……”

“Is Madam’s old room still available?” Ignoring Auntie Mei’s astonishment, Gu Yancheng asked directly.

“Yes……”

After Su Mei moved out, Auntie Mei considered reorganizing the place, but since Gu Yancheng hadn’t stayed there afterward, she didn’t have the authority to make major changes.

Thus, Auntie Mei had only arranged for the items inside to be replaced with new ones.

Auntie Mei wanted to say more but noticed that Gu Yancheng had already shifted his attention back to Su Mei.

“Are you fine with your previous room?”

“Mm, that’s fine. Thank you.”

“No need to thank me. For tonight, just settle in. We’ll get the rest of the things you need tomorrow. If there’s anything else you’re not used to or need to add, just let Auntie Mei know.”

“Please make the arrangements, Auntie Mei.”

With that, Gu Yancheng directly helped Su Mei carry her luggage upstairs.

Su Mei wanted to say that these things were already enough for a temporary stay. However, seeing Gu Yancheng already heading upstairs, she decided not to say anything and quietly followed him.

Su Mei could see Auntie Mei’s disdainful expression, which was practically shouting ‘class enemy’.

However, even Su Mei herself didn’t fully understand how, after listening to Gu Yancheng’s analysis and reasoning, she ended up being persuaded to return to the residence.

This was the first place Su Mei had lived in after transmigrating. Although she hadn’t stayed there long, returning now gave her a strong sense of revisiting an old place.

After staying there for a few days, and with the added memories of the other Su Mei, she felt quite familiar with the residence.

Moreover, if Wu Fei hadn’t mentioned it, Su Mei wouldn’t have known that, after receiving her portion of the inheritance from Gu Hongguang, this house was also partly hers!

With that in mind, Su Mei felt more at ease and comfortably settled back into the residence.

That night, Gu Yancheng also stayed at the main residence.

He had rarely stayed there before, but since it was so late, it was normal for him to stay temporarily.

Su Mei had genuinely not expected Gu Yancheng to settle in there directly.

So much so that the next day, seeing Gu Yancheng come home from work on time and have dinner with her at the same table, Su Mei was still incredulous.

However, many things become familiar with time and repetition.

Moreover, Su Mei found that coexisting amicably with Gu Yancheng under the same roof actually felt quite pleasant.

The only thing Su Mei had difficulty getting used to was probably Auntie Mei.

Sometimes, Su Mei even wondered if Auntie Mei had secretly installed surveillance on her, as it seemed that wherever she went, Auntie Mei would mysteriously appear behind her.

Just like now.

Su Mei, initially feeling hungry and planning to make herself a bowl of noodles, went downstairs. However, as soon as she reached the bottom, she ran into Auntie Mei.

Before Su Mei could say anything, Auntie Mei spoke first, expressing her disapproval, “Ms. Su, you staying here is the master’s decision, so I can’t say much about it. But could you please respect the rules of this house? Why are you downstairs at such a late hour instead of staying in your room?”

Hearing Auntie Mei’s words, Su Mei was almost fed up.

“Heh, I didn’t realize there were any house rules. Did you set them, Auntie Mei?” Su Mei retorted coldly.

If Su Mei hadn’t been mindful that Auntie Mei was holding onto the female protagonist’s metaphorical golden thigh, she would have directly confronted her.

Just then, Gu Yancheng returned.

“Gu Yancheng, you’re only coming back now?”

Earlier that day, Gu Yancheng had sent her a message saying he had a dinner engagement with SCFG Company and would not be home for dinner.

Su Mei had assumed that Gu Yancheng would be back after dinner. She didn’t expect him to be returning from outside only now.

It was almost 10:30 PM.

“I was discussing another project collaboration with them, which took some time.” Gu Yancheng explained.

He then looked at Su Mei and asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing much. I’m just a bit hungry, so I came down to make a bowl of noodles.”

“Would you like a bowl as well?” Not knowing whether Gu Yancheng’s engagement involved a meal or just drinks, Su Mei decided to ask.

“Mm, sure.” Gu Yancheng nodded with a smile.

“Then wait a moment.”

At that moment, Su Mei, focused on satisfying her hunger and heading into the kitchen, didn’t notice the tenderness and affection in Gu Yancheng’s eyes.

Auntie Mei, on the other hand, observed it clearly.

Although her own marriage wasn’t perfect, Auntie Mei was still an experienced person.

She could see that the master had changed, and his gaze toward Su Mei was changing as well.

Even though Auntie Mei found it hard to believe, she could vaguely sense what Gu Yancheng’s changing gaze toward Su Mei might imply.

Such a realization filled her with deep panic.

How could this be?!

It was one thing with Old Mr. Gu as he wasn’t a good person to begin with, but the master……

It’s all that sl*t Su Mei’s fault!

Upon receiving Gu Yancheng’s warning glance directed at her for the earlier conflict with Su Mei, Auntie Mei’s expression changed instantly.

Grinding her teeth, Auntie Mei finally couldn’t hold back any longer.

“Sir……” Auntie Mei hesitated and subtly suggested, “In the future, you will bring a wife to live here. Isn’t it a bit inappropriate for Ms. Su to stay here as well?”

Upon hearing that, Gu Yancheng’s gaze hardened as he looked coldly at Auntie Mei.

“I don’t think there’s anything inappropriate about it.” Gu Yancheng said calmly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

“And,” Pausing for a moment and giving Aunt Mei a stern look, Gu Yancheng continued, “You should address her as ‘Madam’.”

At those words, Auntie Mei’s face changed dramatically.

“S-sir.” Auntie Mei forced a smile that was more distressing than crying, and said, “How can we call her Madam? It’s inappropriate, especially since Old Mr. Gu has already—”

“I’m sure you understand what I mean.” Gu Yancheng interrupted Auntie Mei.

Hearing his words, Aunt Mei’s knees went weak and she nearly collapsed to the floor.

“Sir, how can you— You’ll really—” Aunt Mei struggled to continue, feeling as if Gu Yancheng had stabbed her in the back.

Before she could finish, Su Mei’s voice came from the direction of the kitchen.

“Gu Yancheng.”

“What’s wrong?” Gu Yancheng’s gaze had returned to its usual softness as he looked at Su Mei.

“I’ve cooked too much. Can you eat a bit more?”

“Yes.”

Once Su Mei had returned to the kitchen, Gu Yancheng’s gaze turned cold as he looked at Auntie Mei.

“Sir, do you know what Su Mei is like?”

“This has nothing to do with you.”

“You used to take care of my mother, so I treated you respectfully. However, it seems that with age, Auntie Mei, you’ve forgotten your primary duties. In that case, just go to the Gu family’s villa in S City and retire there.”