Na Liu Ting Du squeezed Yuan Gun Gun’s waist.

‘There is nothing wrong with having meat on your body,’ Na Liu Ting Du said. ‘You’re not allowed to diet.’

‘It hurts…’ Yuan Gun Gun said.

‘Where does it hurt?’ Na Liu Ting Du asked and rubbed Yuan Gun Gun’s waist.

Yuan Gun Gun ate another chocolate.

‘Gun Gun, do you like big brother Du?’ Na Liu Ting Du asked.

‘Yes,’ Yuan Gun Gun said.

‘Do you like Hao Yan Che?’ Na Liu Ting Du asked.

Yuan Gun Gun didn’t answer. Na Liu Ting Du turned her face around and looked into her eyes. He was sad to see the truth.

‘No,’ Yuan Gun Gun denied. ‘Big brother Du it’s nine. I have to go home.’

‘Home?’ Na Liu Ting Du asked. ‘Do you see the Hao Mansion as your home?’

Na Liu Ting Du rubbed cream onto the bruises on Yuan Gun Gun’s face.

Yuan Gun Gun didn’t know what to say. She followed Na Liu Ting Du to the bathroom and watched him wash his hands. She didn’t know how provocative she looked in his shirt, and how her exposed legs affected him.

‘Big brother Du, I’m hungry,’ Yuan Gun Gun said.

‘What do you want to eat?’ Na Liu Ting Du asked. ‘I’ll ask someone to deliver food for you.’

‘Big brother Du, can I cook for you?’ Yuan Gun Gun asked.

Na Liu Ting Du showed Yuan Gun Gun the kitchen.

‘Gun Gun, be careful,’ Na Liu Ting Du said. ‘Don’t hurt yourself. I’m going to shower.’

‘OK,’ Yuan Gun Gun said.

At midnight, Na Liu Ting Du drove Yuan Gun Gun back to the Hao Mansion.

‘Gun Gun, remember to rub cream on your bruises every day,’ Na Liu Ting Du said.

‘I’ll remember,’ Yuan Gun Gun said. ‘Big brother Du, don’t forget to call my school and ask permission for me to take sick leave.’

‘I will,’ Na Liu Ting Du said and rubbed Yuan Gun Gun’s head.

‘I’m going inside,’ Yuan Gun Gun said and kissed Na Liu Ting Du’s cheek.

‘Go inside,’ Na Liu Ting Du said and gently kissed Yuan Gun Gun’s cheek.

Na Liu Ting Du held the cheek Yuan Gun Gun kissed and smiled while he watched her walk into the Hao Mansion.

When Yuan Gun Gun walked into the Hao Mansion, Mrs Chen and a group of servants were waiting anxiously for her.

‘Gun Gun’s home!’ Chen Jia Wen said happily.

‘Gun Gun, what happened?’ Mrs Chen asked. ‘Who injured you?’

Yuan Gun Gun smiled awkwardly and covered her face.

‘How can you smile at a time like this?’ Mrs Chen asked. She held Yuan Gun Gun’s hand, and her heart ached to see the bruises on Yuan Gun Gun’s face. ‘Young master is really angry.’

‘Why?’ Yuan Gun Gun asked. ‘Is he angry at me?’

‘Who else can make young master angry?’ Chen Jia Wen asked.

‘Gun Gun, change your clothes before you see young master,’ Mrs Chen advised.

Mrs Chen was worried what Hao Yan Che would do if he saw Yuan Gun Gun wear another man’s shirt.

‘Yuan Gun Gun,’ Hao Yan Che called.

Mrs Chen and Yuan Gun Gun turned around. It was too late, Hao Yan Che was standing upstairs.

‘Hello young master,’ Yuan Gun Gun greeted and bowed.

Hao Yan Che’s violet eyes changed color the moment he saw the bruises and another man’s shirt on Yuan Gun Gun’s body.

Yuan Gun Gun took steps back. She knew if Hao Yan Che’s violet eyes changed color, it meant he was seriously angry.

‘Young master… I didn’t mean to come home this late,’ Yuan Gun Gun said.

‘What time is it?’ Hao Yan Che asked.

‘Past midnight,’ Yuan Gun Gun said.

‘Come upstairs,’ Hao Yan Che said.

Yuan Gun Gun followed Hao Yan Che to the study room, and the servants prayed for Yuan Gun Gun’s life.

Minutes later, in the study room, Yuan Gun Gun fiddled her fingers anxiously.

‘Do you know about the curfew here?’ Hao Yan Che asked.

‘Yes,’ Yuan Gun Gun said softly.

‘Good,’ Hao Yan Che said. He sipped a glass of red wine. ‘Then you know about the consequence of breaking curfew.’

***

End of Chapter Fifty-Six