Chapter 2: Memories That Have Passed Away

A month later, Gu Shenshen, who once threw money around like it was nothing, went bankrupt.

The court seized her house, every asset under her name was frozen, and she was millions in debt.

Even a stray dog had more dignity—Gu Shenshen sat in the empty lobby of a hotel, lost in a daze.

“So here you are.” A cool, clear female voice broke the silence of the vast hall.

Gu Shenshen looked up toward the sound and saw Gu Yanran.

Leaning back, Gu Shenshen crossed her long legs and arched a brow, her expression indifferent as she regarded Gu Yanran.

Even in her downfall, her makeup was flawless, her attire immaculate.

She was still, to others, that beautiful woman who exuded charm and seemed always at ease.

“What brings you here?”

Gu Yanran took a seat on a chair opposite her, drew a document from a folder, and slid it across the table.

“Mother said you need money now. The shares you hold can cover all your debts, and you’re allowed to move back home,” Gu Yanran repeated Yang Liqiong’s words word for word.

At this, Gu Shenshen scoffed, her red lips curving with disdain as she looked at the cool and aloof Gu Yanran before her, every inch of her gaze dripping with scorn.

“Tell Mrs. Yang not to daydream.”

Gu Yanran frowned slightly. “Shenshen, she’s your mother. How can you speak that way?”

Shenshen shrugged, spreading her hands wide. “What way? No matter how much of a disappointment I am, I’m still her daughter by blood. If she hates me so much, she might as well kill me.”

She wore that enchanting face with all the insolence in the world, and even with all her experience, Gu Yanran could do nothing about her.

“Shenshen, if no one takes over this hotel, it’ll be auctioned off sooner or later. After everything that’s happened, do you think it’s worth anything now?”

Gu Shenshen’s gaze went cold. “My affairs are none of your concern. Go back. Feel free to embellish my words when you relay them to her.”

Gu Yanran took a slow breath, tamping down her frustration.

“Shenshen…” She had only just begun when a group of men entered from outside, and the familiar face of the man leading them made her fall silent.

Gu Shenshen noticed Gu Yanran’s sudden silence and followed her gaze.

The moment she saw, her face went pale, her muscles tensing uncontrollably.

Memories she thought dead came flooding back with a vengeance.

It was Zhou Ci.

But he was nothing like before—no longer the naive boy with a buzz cut, but a man with short, styled hair, his maturity edged with restraint.

His impeccably tailored suit lent him an air of aloof nobility, the bearing of a man atop the world.

Yet her last memory of him was two years ago, lying in a pool of blood on the street while she fled in terror.

Gu Yanran, too, recognized Zhou Ci, her expression growing complicated as she watched him.

“Miss Gu.” Zhou Ci looked their way, but it was unclear whom he was addressing.

Gu Shenshen stared at him, rigid and unmoving, pinching her own fingers in an effort to seem composed.

Gu Yanran, too, watched as Zhou Ci approached.

He stopped in front of Gu Shenshen, lowered his eyes to meet hers.

“How much to sell?” he asked quietly.

For some reason, at this moment, Gu Shenshen found it hard to muster any bravado before Zhou Ci.

She pressed her lips together, her beautiful eyes lifting slightly, affecting a smile as she looked at him. “Mr. Zhou, are you asking about me, or the hotel?”