Unexpected Second Chance at Love

Chapter 1033: A Dangerous Proposition

The same night, while snow continued to blanket the streets of Imperial, Ji Chu Hua was nowhere near the nightclub she had been frequenting.

Instead, she was in the comfort of her luxurious bedroom.

The enormous room was dimly illuminated by the warm glow of bedside lamps.

Heavy curtains concealed the windows, while expensive furnishings and delicate decorations reflected the extravagant lifestyle she had grown accustomed to.

At the center of the room stood a king-sized bed.

Its silk sheets were tangled, pillows scattered carelessly across the mattress.

Ji Chu Hua slowly sat up.

Her long brown hair cascaded over her bare shoulders, slightly disheveled from the hours she had spent with the man beside her.

Ever since Gui Ting Fei returned to Imperial, the two had been seeing each other frequently.

The frustration that had accumulated during his absence had found an outlet in their renewed relationship.

For the past several nights, she had barely bothered visiting her usual clubs.

Not when she had someone available to entertain her at home.

Ji Chu Hua reached for the silk robe draped over the edge of the bed.

She slipped it over her shoulders and rose, gathering the fabric around herself before tying the belt at her waist.

Behind her, Gui Ting Fei watched lazily from the mattress.

He made no effort to cover himself beneath the tangled sheets.

His dark hair was tousled, and a satisfied smile lingered on his handsome face.

"Where are you going?"

Ji Chu Hua didn’t answer.

She continued adjusting her robe.

Gui Ting Fei studied her.

Even after spending the evening together, she had barely spoken to him.

Something was clearly bothering her.

He knew her well enough to recognize the signs.

The tightness around her mouth.

The occasional irritated sigh.

The way she seemed to be thinking about someone or something else.

His smile faded slightly.

"Are you still angry that I left you alone?"

Ji Chu Hua’s fingers paused briefly at her waist.

Then she resumed tying the belt.

Gui Ting Fei sighed.

He rolled onto his side, propping his head against one hand.

"Babe."

His voice softened.

"I already explained everything."

She remained silent.

"I had things to take care of. You know how complicated my family’s business can get."

He spoke with practiced sincerity.

His expression carried just enough regret to make his explanation sound convincing.

But the truth was far less noble.

When the scandal involving their photographs had surfaced, he had deliberately remained outside Imperial.

Returning immediately would have forced him to face reporters, business associates, and the humiliation that followed.

His reputation had already suffered.

He had no intention of making matters worse by appearing in public while the controversy was still fresh.

So he had waited.

Allowed the attention to fade.

Let his family’s influence quietly suppress what it could.

Only when he believed the worst had passed did he finally return.

Of course, Ji Chu Hua didn’t need to know that.

Not when blaming business obligations was so much easier.

She glanced at him over her shoulder.

"I’m going downstairs to get something to drink."

Gui Ting Fei’s gaze followed her as she walked toward the door.

A slow smirk spread across his face.

"When is your father coming home?"

Ji Chu Hua’s hand stopped on the door handle.

She turned her head.

"Why?"

"Just curious."

His smile widened.

She studied him suspiciously before answering.

"He won’t be back for a few more days."

Gui Ting Fei’s eyes brightened.

"Is that so?"

He leisurely climbed out of bed.

Ji Chu Hua watched him approach.

Her father had always been particular about the people she brought into the house.

Although Gui Ting Fei was publicly recognized as her boyfriend, her father didn’t always welcome him.

Especially when her father was home.

Fortunately, the old man was away on business.

Which meant Ji Chu Hua could entertain whomever she pleased.

Gui Ting Fei stopped behind her. His hands settled on her waist.

"Then why are you going downstairs alone?"

Ji Chu Hua raised an eyebrow.

"Because I’m thirsty."

He chuckled.

"Want some company?"

His fingers lightly adjusted the loose fabric of her robe.

Ji Chu Hua tilted her head.

"Since when did you become so helpful?"

"Since I realized we have the entire house to ourselves."

She laughed softly.

"You’re shameless."

"And you like it."

He leaned closer, brushing a kiss against her cheek.

Ji Chu Hua’s lips curved faintly.

For a moment, she allowed herself to enjoy his attention.

Then—

Ring. Ring.

The sound of her phone shattered the moment.

Ji Chu Hua froze. Her eyes immediately shifted toward the dresser.

The screen glowed in the dim room.

Gui Ting Fei sighed.

"Ignore it."

He attempted to draw her attention back to him.

But Ji Chu Hua had already stepped away.

"Wait."

"Babe—"

"I said wait."

Something in her tone made him stop.

She hurried toward the dresser.

The moment she saw the name displayed on the screen, her expression changed.

Her eyes widened slightly.

Then narrowed.

A mixture of relief, anger, and apprehension flashed across her face.

’Finally.’

She had been waiting for this call.

For days.

Her fingers tightened around the phone.

Gui Ting Fei noticed her sudden seriousness.

"Who’s calling?"

Ji Chu Hua looked up.

For a moment, she considered ignoring him.

Then a sweet smile appeared.

"Babe."

"Hm?"

"Could you get us some wine?"

Gui Ting Fei glanced at her phone.

His eyes narrowed.

"Now?"

"Please?"

She tilted her head.

"Something good. The bottle in the downstairs cabinet."

He studied her.

Ji Chu Hua maintained her smile.

After a moment, he sighed.

"Fine."

He reached for his trousers and slipped them on.

Then he walked toward the door.

"But don’t take too long."

Ji Chu Hua smiled.

"I won’t."

Gui Ting Fei paused at the doorway.

"Remember, you’re mine tonight."

His lips curved into a teasing smirk.

"That call had better be finished by the time I get back."

Ji Chu Hua laughed softly.

"Go already."

He disappeared into the hallway.

The moment the door closed, her smile vanished.

Her expression turned cold.

She answered the call.

"You have some nerve calling me."

Her voice was sharp.

"Do you have any idea how many times I’ve tried reaching you?"

Silence greeted her.

Ji Chu Hua’s irritation intensified.

"Where the hell have you been? I’ve been calling for days, and you—"

A man’s laughter interrupted her.

Low.

Amused.

Unsettling.

Ji Chu Hua immediately stopped speaking.

The sound sent an unpleasant chill down her spine.

"What’s the point of getting so angry?"

The man’s voice was leisurely.

Almost playful.

"I’m calling you now, aren’t I?"

Ji Chu Hua’s jaw tightened.

"That’s not the point."

"Oh?"

His tone changed.

The amusement disappeared.

"Then perhaps you’d like to explain what the point is."

Ji Chu Hua stiffened.

The silence that followed was far more frightening than his laughter.

Then the man spoke again.

"And never speak to me in that tone again."

His voice was quiet.

Dangerously quiet.

Ji Chu Hua’s fingers tightened around the phone.

"You know what happened to the people who disrespected me."

Her breath caught.

For several seconds, she couldn’t speak.

She knew.

Of course she knew.

The man on the other end was not someone who tolerated insults.

He was not Gui Ting Fei, whom she could manipulate with a smile or a few affectionate words.

He was someone whose displeasure could have consequences she wasn’t prepared to face.

Ji Chu Hua swallowed.

Her earlier arrogance disappeared.

When she finally spoke, her voice had become noticeably softer.

"I’m sorry."

A pause.

"I didn’t mean it that way."

The man said nothing.

Ji Chu Hua hurried to continue.

"I was just worried about you."

Her tone turned gentle.

Almost affectionate.

"You disappeared so suddenly. No one could reach you."

She lowered her gaze.

"I thought something terrible had happened."

Silence.

Then—

A low chuckle.

"There she is."

Ji Chu Hua forced herself to relax.

"There’s the Hua I prefer."

His voice carried unmistakable satisfaction.

She smiled despite the uneasiness in her chest.

"You’re terrible."

"Am I?"

"Of course."

She softened her voice further.

"Do you know how much I’ve missed you?"

The man laughed again.

This time, the sound was warmer.

Or perhaps he simply wanted her to believe it was.

Ji Chu Hua couldn’t tell.

And she wasn’t foolish enough to test him.

"Then you’ll be happy to hear that we’ll be seeing each other soon."

Her eyes sharpened.

"When?"

"Tomorrow night."

Ji Chu Hua straightened.

"Where?"

"The usual place."

She frowned.

"Tomorrow? But I—"

Click.

The call ended.

Ji Chu Hua stared at the phone.

For several seconds, she remained completely motionless.

Then she slowly lowered it.

Her expression twisted.

"Unbelievable."

She stared at the dark screen. Her fingers curled around the device.

The humiliation burned.

She hated being dismissed.

Hated being ordered around.

Hated that someone could speak to her as though she were nothing more than a servant expected to appear whenever summoned.

But she hated something else even more.

The fact that she couldn’t do anything about it.

Her lips curled into a bitter sneer.

"Bastard."

She tossed the phone onto the dresser.

Just then, the bedroom door opened.

Gui Ting Fei returned carrying two glasses of red wine.

He stopped when he noticed her expression.

"What happened?"

Ji Chu Hua turned toward him.

Her face was cold.

Gui Ting Fei raised an eyebrow.

"Not the call you were expecting?"

His casual question only worsened her mood.

She marched toward him.

Before he could react, she snatched one of the glasses from his hand.

"Babe?"

She drained the wine.

Gui Ting Fei blinked.

Then she reached for the second glass.

"Hey—"

Too late.

She took it from him and emptied it as well.

He stared at her.

"Well."

His lips twitched.

"Someone’s in a mood."

Ji Chu Hua slammed the empty glass onto the dresser.

Then turned toward him.

Gui Ting Fei barely had time to react before she pulled him into a fierce kiss.

His eyebrows rose. Then he laughed softly against her lips.

"Now that’s more like it."

Ji Chu Hua pushed him backward toward the bed.

He allowed himself to be guided, amusement spreading across his face.

When the backs of his knees touched the mattress, he sat down.

She stood before him.

Her expression carried a restless intensity that had little to do with affection.

Gui Ting Fei looked up at her.

"I guess that call didn’t go as planned."

Ji Chu Hua ignored him.

She leaned closer.

"Are you going to keep talking?"

His smile widened.

"Depends."

"On?"

"Whether you plan to tell me what’s wrong."

Ji Chu Hua gave him a cold smile.

"No."

Gui Ting Fei chuckled.

"Then I suppose we have better things to do."

She leaned down and kissed him again.

And for the next several hours, Ji Chu Hua tried to bury her anger beneath his attention.

But no matter how thoroughly she distracted herself, the resentment never truly disappeared.