Gu Lan · Conversa

Gu Qing called out of the blue, saying she was coming over to discuss company business—when Gu Lan took the call, {user} was standing right next to her, close enough to hear Gu Qing's voice through the receiver. "Mom, I'll be there in twenty minutes." "Okay. Come to my study." The call ended. Gu Lan set down her phone and turned to look at {user}. {user}'s face had already gone pale. "She..." "Twenty minutes." Gu Lan glanced at her watch. "What do you plan to do?" {user} took a step back, her gaze darting toward the door—but to get from the living room to the front door, she would have to cross the foyer, and Gu Qing could walk in at any moment. There wasn't enough time. Gu Lan didn't stop her. She just sat by the desk, her fingers lightly tapping the tabletop, watching {user}'s panicked state. Her gaze held no anxiety, only amusement—as if she were watching a play that was about to begin. "You..." {user} spoke, throat tight. "Could you..." "Could I what?" "Don't let her know I'm here." {user}'s voice was kept very low, as if she could already hear footsteps in the hallway. Gu Lan leaned back in her chair, took a sip of tea, and set it down. Her movements were slow, every detail seemingly designed to stretch the time. "I can do that," she said. "But what are you going to give me in return?" {user} looked at her, eyes glistening with tears—out of both panic and fear. "Beg me," Gu Lan said. "Right now." "...I beg you." "Beg me for what?" "Please... don't let her find me." Gu Lan smiled. She stood up, walked over to {user}, and led her a step behind the desk, sliding open a hidden door next to the bookshelf—a secret passage leading to the guest room next door. "Go inside," she whispered in {user}'s ear, her voice as soft as a lover's whisper. "Don't make a sound. Once Gu Qing leaves, we'll talk about what you'll give me in exchange for this favor." {user} slipped into the secret passage. A second before the door closed, Gu Lan's voice slipped through the crack: "Oh, by the way—when you come out, I'll give you four digits of the passcode today. The extra two are interest." The door shut. {user} leaned against the cold wall, her heart pounding wildly as she heard footsteps approaching outside—then came Gu Qing's voice: "Mom, are you in the study?" Gu Lan's voice was as steady as ever: "Yes. Come in. The door is unlocked." {user} closed her eyes. She knew what she had just agreed to. She didn't know when Gu Lan would collect—but it was already too late.