Gu Junshi's noble and refined face, once it showed an expression of distance and coldness, could make those who cherished and depended on her feel a chilling descent into an ice cellar.
Especially those who had once been treated with her gentleness and patience.
Hua Jie was already a startled bird, constantly tormented by Mu Junshi. Having finally received Gu Junshi's care and affection, he clung to her like duckweed seeking roots. He wanted to stay by her side, he wanted... to replace Liu Jiangfusheng.
Although, even now, he didn't know her name, nor her relationship with Liu Jiangfusheng.
He simply wanted someone to rely on. He found a sense of security in her, as well as a physical and emotional craving that was different from Mu Junshi.
After all, who could refuse the condescension of a domineering CEO, and her exclusive devotion? Such specialized and vain treatment could be addictive and cloud one's judgment.
"Don't... don't abandon me..." panic flickered in his eyes. He didn't know why he suddenly felt this way.
Gu Junshi let him grip her sleeve, concealing the fleeting coolness in her eyes.
She said, "Do you want to change yourself? In reality, no one is born resplendent. You need to be sculpted, taught, and led to climb step by step. Since heaven has given you such a perfect face, why not perfect your soul as well?"
Her palm pressed against his chest, like an allure to humanity to sacrifice everything to a deity. "Listen to your heart. It's telling you not to be afraid, not to worry. You want to change, and you want to become stronger. It refuses to remain so weak."
No one had ever spoken such words to Hua Jie.
He had been disliked by his parents since childhood, living a life of pleasing others and a subservient, lowly existence. Later, he finally had an opportunity to change his life, acquiring a face he wouldn't have dared to dream of. Yet, his life seemed to have changed very little.
Although he wore exquisite clothes and ate fine food, after these external needs were met, all that remained was emptiness, and even a more terrifying sense of aimless loss.
He still lived in fear, a life where he had to please others and lose himself. He didn't know what he truly wanted, even though his current life was exactly what he had always pursued.
But he wasn't comfortable, he was unhappy, and in pain. He wanted to escape but dared not. Even taking an extra step forward made him break out in a cold sweat.
Before, he hadn't understood what he wanted. But at this moment, after she had exposed it, he finally understood what he had been afraid to face.
He also wanted to live like those strong and confident people. He didn't want to please others, and he certainly didn't want to impersonate someone else.
She had awakened his true inner desires.
What he had always craved was not wealth and status, but the power to control his own destiny. He no longer wanted to be bullied by anyone.
"I want to change. I don't want to continue like this anymore..."
"Changing yourself is difficult, so start with the person you fear and avoid the most. Here."
Gu Junshi placed the "Demon Breaking Arrow" into Hua Jie's hand, urging him to grip it tightly. "You can definitely do it."
Hua Jie looked into her eyes. There was no doubt or darkness within them; they were calm and gentle, like an boundless and vast ocean, embracing everything, whether his timidity and ugliness, or his lowliness and malice.
When a person despises themselves, to meet someone who can encompass them entirely is a miracle, and something that can easily make one's head spin, like a moth drawn to a flame.
"I, I'll try." Though he mustered all his lifelong courage to agree, his confidence was still lacking.
However, if Gu Sijun were here to see Hua Jie like this, her jaw would likely drop in shock.
This Hua Jie, whom he saw as vain, despicable, cowardly, ugly, and full of unrealistic desires, someone who embodied all flaws, was now, in front of Gu Junshi, little by little reclaiming the beautiful virtues he had once lost and forgotten.
It was like someone terrified of heights, with trembling legs, insisting on posing as a brave and fearless climber.
He wanted to show her his best side, not let her know his base, shameless, and dirty true self.
"Although Mu Junshi's guard against you isn't strong, I wouldn't feel at ease with you going alone, so I've found you an assistant."
Gu Junshi waved her hand behind her, and a quadrupedal animal, like a 'black cat', leaped onto the wall.
However, it wasn't a true black cat. It resembled one, with pointed ears and a round head, emerald green cat pupils, five digits on its forelimbs and four on its hind limbs, and a coat of sleek, oily short fur. It looked elegant and languid, with a cold gaze.
"Its name is Nue. It's very well-behaved; you can keep it with you."
"Is this a spirit pet?"
Hua Jie had seen others with spirit pets, and he had envied them when he was younger. Thus, upon seeing this beautiful, lazy, and noble cat-like creature, he immediately felt affection.
Gu Junshi smiled. The cat-like animal then leaped down from the wall. Its black shadow cast upon the wall expanded like leavened dough, and a ferocious beast appeared throughout the courtyard.
Hua Jie recoiled in fright, his foot slipping. He stumbled backward, but Gu Junshi pulled him back with her arm.
Her eyes were like a calm lake surface, yet shrouded in a thin, cool mist, as if a faint veil brushed across her dark eyelashes, making her so mysterious and captivating.
"Don't be afraid, it won't hurt you."
He stared at her dazedly. His pounding heart didn't stop; instead, it beat more fiercely.
But it was different.
One was from fear, the other was... his face flushed subtly.
He didn't understand what this feeling of a tightened, then warm, heart was, but he truly wanted to hold her outstretched hand.
"I, I'm not afraid. You gave it to me, and you won't hurt me, will you?"
This was the first time Gu Junshi saw a pure innocence in Hua Jie's previously murky, greedy eyes. It was as if the dirty mud and water had been cleansed and became clear, possessing a fervent radiance of aspiration.
"You trust me so much..." Gu Junshi paused, but felt no burden of deception. At most, she merely thought—
The corners of her lips curved upwards with little emotion. "Very good."
Was he praised?
Hua Jie also curved his lips and smiled at her.
This slightly shy and unaccustomed smile reminded Gu Junshi of Liu Jiangfusheng after her amnesia.
Foolish, helping to count money even after being sold.
"No matter the outcome, I won't let anything happen to you."
Hua Jie didn't know what had bewitched him. He was such a suspicious and selfish person, yet now he felt like sacrificing everything for her.
"Then, no matter the outcome, can you take me with you?" he craved a promise from her.
Gu Junshi gazed at him with deep, dark eyes. After a moment, she said, "Okay."
---
Hua Jie was not a fool. He somewhat guessed that Gu Junshi was using him. As for whether she recognized he wasn't Liu Jiangfusheng, he dared not ponder that question too deeply.
He craved leaving the abyss and mire of Mu Mansion too much. Even if he was being used by her, at least he could see that she had no ill intentions towards him and had even provided him with a weapon and an ally for survival.
At this time, Hua Jie had no idea what the "Demon Breaking Arrow" was, nor did he understand its power. Once he was outside the influence of Gu Junshi, his mind was no longer a muddle. He wouldn't be foolish enough to go and assassinate Mu Junshi directly with the "Demon Breaking Arrow."
He needed an opportunity.