Gu Yuhan supported Gu Anran's unconscious body as they left the restroom.
Step by step, they moved upstairs.
The corridor was quiet.
Gu Yuhan stopped in front of a particular room. From her clutch, she took out a key.
Her lips curved.
The door clicked open.
Just as she was about to drag Gu Anran inside—
A soft voice sounded behind her.
"Oh… my innocent sister."
Gu Yuhan froze.
Her eyes widened in disbelief as she turned around.
Gu Anran was standing upright.
Awake.
Clear-eyed.
Looking at her with a cold, mocking smile.
"Y-You… how are you awake?" Gu Yuhan stuttered, her grip loosening.
Before she could react—
Gu Anran pushed her forward.
Gu Yuhan stumbled straight into the room.
Bang.
The door slammed shut.
Click.
Locked.
Gu Anran stepped back calmly, then without hesitation, she tossed the key out of the nearby window.
It disappeared into the darkness below.
Earlier—
When the waitress spilled the wine, Gu Anran had already noticed something unusual.
The smell on the waitress.
A faint trace of drugs.
She had played along.
When she entered the restroom, she held her breath and pretended to faint.
And as expected—
Her "good sister" did not disappoint.
Now?
The hunter had walked into her own trap.
Gu Anran smoothed her dress and walked away, her hips swaying slightly, a sly smile on her lips.
Tonight would be a very good show.
And she intended to enjoy every second of it.
Downstairs, chaos was brewing.
Li Meirong rushed toward the second floor with Song Yichen and several "concerned" guests.
"Old Madam Song, please help!" Li Meirong cried, her eyes red. "Song Yichen said he saw Gu Anran enter this room with several men. I'm worried something terrible has happened!"
Her acting was flawless.
Just then—
Strange sounds came from inside the room.
Low.
Indecent.
Li Meirong's heart leaped in excitement.
Bitch. You're finished this time.
Teacher Bai frowned deeply.
He refused to believe his student was that kind of person.
Matriarch Song's sharp eyes swept over Li Meirong and Song Yichen.
She saw through them immediately.
But she remained silent.
This situation was delicate.
And for some reason—
She believed Gu Anran would not be easily destroyed.
"Don't worry," Song Yichen said, pretending to be anxious. "I'll break the door open so we can save her."
He was already imagining the headlines.
Not far away, Lu Zhenyu and his friends observed calmly.
"Today's banquet is really something," Xie Niangli said excitedly.
"Do you think Miss Gu is inside?" Ming Lin asked.
"Who knows?" Song Qingshen smirked. "Let's enjoy the show."
Lu Zhenyu remained silent.
His fingers tapped slowly against the armrest.
No one could read his expression.
Just as the door was about to be forced open—
A clear voice rang out behind them.
"Teacher? Why are you here?"
"Aunt Meirong… why are you crying?"
Everyone turned.
Gu Anran stood there.
Perfectly fine.
Looking confused.
Li Meirong's face drained of color.
A terrible premonition rose in her chest.
At that exact moment—
Bang!
The door was finally pushed open.
A suffocating smell hit them.
Inside—
On the bed—
Gu Yuhan was entangled with three greasy middle-aged men.
Clothes scattered everywhere.
Her face flushed.
Her body moving uncontrollably.
Li Meirong and Song Yichen froze.
How…
How did this happen?!
Li Meirong rushed inside immediately.
"Yuhan!"
She pulled her daughter away, but Gu Yuhan let out a soft, drug-induced moan.
The sound echoed through the hallway.
Gasps erupted.
Phones were already raised.
Recording.
"Stop filming!" Li Meirong screamed hysterically.
But it was too late.
Matriarch Song's face turned icy.
Teacher Bai looked utterly disgusted.
Without a word, they both turned and left.
Reputation.
Dignity.
Ruined.
Gu Yuhan was splashed with cold water by a Song family maid.
Her mind cleared.
When she saw the cameras.
The men.
The crowd.
She broke down completely.
"Mom… what will happen to me now?" she sobbed.
Li Meirong's heart felt like it was being torn apart.
But more than grief—
There was fear.
The Gu family name was finished.
"Everyone, please return to the banquet," Butler Song announced firmly.
The crowd slowly dispersed.
But whispers followed.
Like wildfire.
News spread instantly.
"Damn… that Miss Gu is ruthless," Xie Niangli muttered.
"I'm going downstairs to get a closer look," Song Qingshen said excitedly.
"Hey, wait up!" Xie Niangli chased after him.
"I'm going too," Ming Lin said before glancing at Lu Zhenyu. "Coming?"
"Let's go."
Lu Zhenyu stood up.
Ming Lin blinked in surprise.
Lu Zhenyu never involved himself in such gossip.
Interesting
.
Very interesting.
As they walked out—
Lu Zhenyu's gaze swept across the hallway.
And for a split second—
His eyes met Gu Anran's.
Her lips curved slightly.
Her lips curved slightly.
Not innocent.
Not weak.
Dangerous.
Lu Zhenyu's eyes darkened.
So.
She wasn't prey.
She was a predator.
And for some reason—
That made her even more interesting.
* * * * * *
Teacher Bai's gaze settled on Gu Anran.
"Why did Madam Gu claim that you were inside that room?"
His tone was calm, but there was unmistakable sharpness in his eyes.
Gu Anran lowered her lashes slightly, appearing puzzled.
"Teacher, I truly don't know," she replied gently. "After I went to clean the stain on my dress, I met an acquaintance downstairs. When I saw everyone heading upstairs, I became curious and followed. I didn't expect to witness… that scene."
She deliberately left out the part where she personally arranged everything.
Some truths were best kept to herself.
Teacher Bai studied her expression for a long moment.
There was no panic.
No guilt.
Only composed innocence.
Before he could say anything further—
The door suddenly burst open.
Li Meirong stormed in, followed by Gu Sheng and the disheveled Gu Yuhan.
Gu Yuhan's eyes were swollen red, her face pale, her body trembling.
Li Meirong walked straight toward Gu Anran.
Without warning—
Slap!
A sharp sound echoed through the room.
Gu Anran's face snapped to the side.
A red palm mark appeared instantly on her fair skin.
"You bitch!" Li Meirong shrieked, all elegance gone. "You've ruined my daughter's life! I won't let you off!"
Her voice was hysterical, venomous.
Completely stripped of the noble, gentle persona she always displayed in public.
Gu Anran slowly lifted her head.
She pressed her fingers lightly against her burning cheek.
And then—
She smiled.
Cold.
Calm.
Almost amused.
"Little girl, are you alright?" Teacher Bai asked immediately, his voice filled with concern.
But when he turned to Li Meirong—
His expression darkened.
"Madam Gu," he said sharply, "how dare you hit my student in front of me?"
The temperature in the room seemed to drop instantly.
Li Meirong stiffened.
But she refused to back down.
"I am her mother!" she declared self-righteously. "If she does something wrong, I have the right to discipline her!"
Gu Sheng stood beside her.
Silent.
But his expression clearly showed agreement.
Teacher Bai let out a cold laugh.
"Your daughter?" he repeated slowly. "From today onward, Gu Anran is my student."
His voice grew colder.
"If anyone touches her, they are challenging me."
The weight of his words pressed down on the room.
Li Meirong's face changed slightly.
Teacher Bai was not someone the Gu family could casually offend.