Chapter 577 - 369: Redeeming a Gu Muxue

’So what if I haven’t showered?’

Xue Rui kept replaying Gu Muxue’s words in his mind. He looked down to confirm who was in his arms, his mind still in a daze.

’Such doting words, plus burying her head in my chest to breathe... Isn’t that something only Lin Ruoxi would do?’

"Muxue, do I smell good even though I haven’t showered?" Xue Rui asked tentatively.

The Gu Muxue right now was too out of character, as if she had been infected by Lin Ruoxi.

However, just as he finished speaking, he felt a bite on his chest.

"Now, that’s more like it," Xue Rui grinned. He backed toward the door and nudged the wall with his back a few times until he managed to turn off the light in Gu Muxue’s room.

The moment the lights went out, Gu Muxue’s body instantly tensed up, and even her breathing stopped.

’Isn’t she just nervous?’ Xue Rui thought.

He recalled his first time with Lin Ruoxi. The little rascal had taken the initiative to lock him in a private room, looking like she was ready to pounce on him, without a shred of nervousness...

The supposedly meek Lin Ruoxi was on a whole other level than Gu Muxue in some respects.

Xue Rui bent down slightly and swept Gu Muxue up in a princess carry. He felt like he was holding a mannequin—heavy and stiff.

’The girl’s way too tense...’

When Xue Rui gently placed Gu Muxue on the bed, he could clearly feel her let out a breath of relief, but she immediately clutched her chest.

"Muxue, I won’t do anything," Xue Rui said, leaning over her. He had just uttered a classic scumbag line.

"Really?" Gu Muxue’s voice was faint.

Xue Rui couldn’t help but laugh. The ever-so-sharp Gu Muxue was actually asking such a naive question.

"Couldn’t be more true," Xue Rui said shamelessly.

"Hmph, I don’t believe you."

"Then why did you ask?" Xue Rui was speechless.

Gu Muxue was different today. It was as if she were following Lin Ruoxi’s instructions—she didn’t find an excuse to kick him out, yet she was so nervous she could barely function, completely losing her usual fierce authority.

"You... you..." Gu Muxue hesitated for a long time. ’Since I have to face this sooner or later, it doesn’t matter if it’s now or later.’

She hated that Xue Rui was two-timing her, but she couldn’t accept anyone else.

’Since I’m going to give myself to him eventually, why keep making things difficult for him?’

Gu Muxue forced herself to relax, turning her head to the side. "Xiaorui," she said with a hint of resignation, "do whatever you want. I accept my fate."

Xue Rui nearly choked on her words. This was supposed to be a beautiful moment, but the way she said it made it sound like she was marching to her own execution.

With her saying that, Xue Rui found he couldn’t bring himself to do anything.

He had wanted to slowly guide her into the mood, but ever since Gu Muxue found out he was two-timing, his sweet-talk and little tricks no longer worked. The girl’s mind was completely clear, unaffected by any romantic words.

Xue Rui joked, "Muxue, we’re both adults. You have to do what you say."

Gu Muxue swallowed hard. "Okay. I won’t resist."

Xue Rui slowly leaned closer to Gu Muxue’s face and blew a gentle breath on her neck. He could clearly feel her body go rigid...

He then tried to kiss her cheek but tasted a teardrop. It was salty...

Xue Rui sighed inwardly. ’That’s enough for today.’

He didn’t want to leave Gu Muxue with a bad memory. Besides, this wasn’t the Gu Muxue he wanted.

Gu Muxue kept her eyes shut tight. Suddenly, she felt a gentle hand lightly brushing her eyelashes, and the oppressive presence in front of her was gone.

Gu Muxue choked out, "Xiaorui... I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s wrong with me."

Xue Rui didn’t answer, only gently stroking Gu Muxue’s slightly damp hair.

"This isn’t how I imagined it would be. Why did it turn out like this?" Gu Muxue sobbed softly.

Xue Rui held Gu Muxue tightly. "It’s me..."

Just as Xue Rui was about to apologize, he noticed a flicker of light from the crack under the door, as if someone was standing right outside.

Xue Rui: ...

’Lin Ruoxi is here to eavesdrop again.’

"Shh. Muxue, look at the crack under the door," Xue Rui whispered.

"Ruoxi?" Gu Muxue wiped her tears.

"That’s just how she is. She used to ambush me every night. It’s her fault I lost my innocence," Xue Rui said indignantly.

Gu Muxue didn’t doubt Xue Rui, because she too had received Lin Ruoxi’s secret "attentions" at night.

She pouted and said, "You benefited and you’re still complaining. How exactly did you lose out?"

"Is my purity not purity?" Xue Rui felt the world was too unfair to men.

Gu Muxue gradually relaxed. She snuggled deeper into Xue Rui’s arms, the corners of her lips turning up slightly.

A moment ago, she had indeed resigned herself to her fate and wouldn’t have resisted whatever Xue Rui did. As for why he didn’t, she had guessed the reason—Xue Rui had always been very gentle with her.

’This must be why Lin Ruoxi fell in love with Xue Rui, right?’

’It’s the same for me, really. Xue Rui seems carefree and thoughtless, but he actually cares a lot about the feelings of everyone around him.’

"Xixi, stop eavesdropping and go to bed," Xue Rui suddenly shouted toward the door.

A flurry of panicked footsteps was heard, and then the living room light went out, plunging the room into complete darkness once more.

PFFT! Gu Muxue’s body started shaking with laughter.

Xue Rui stroked her head. "Go to sleep. I really won’t do anything."

"Xiaorui," Gu Muxue called out softly.

"What is it?"

"Nothing. I just wanted to say your name," Gu Muxue murmured.

"Xiaorui."

"Mm, I’m here."

Gu Muxue turned over to face Xue Rui, and their breaths gradually mingled together.