Deadly Trap

Chapter 113 New Book Preview: "The Three Layers of the Imperial State" (Part 2)
Sotheby's New York headquarters maintains over a dozen galleries open year-round. The airy atrium echoes with the sounds of cocktail parties on the ground floor, yet feels slightly otherworldly. Every now and then, several composed couples nod to them and walk past from the opposite side.

In each exhibition hall, Su Li's pristine white train and pale green crepe fabric created a delightful contrast. Wandering through them, gently nourished by love and aesthetics, she finally found peace.

Soon, with her keen eye, Su Li noticed a small, light gray metal plaque in the corner of each exhibition hall, all somewhat old. Various names were discreetly engraved on them.

One of them prominently displays the name of the Gu family.

"This was an early investment by the Gu family, and it has nothing to do with me." Following calmly behind Su Li, Gu Mufeng explained simply, "The Gu family has funded the showroom in many institutions, and I only help with operations and accounting."

It's a sponsorship exhibition hall.

Su Li couldn't help but sigh. For some reason, compared to a yacht named after herself, a private island vacation, custom-made gowns, or an endless supply of jewelry, sponsoring an exhibition hall seemed to have gently touched Su Li's heart.

In this space, there are few paintings and sculptures, simple white walls, and a dark floor, allowing people to walk in and walk out at will, taking away five minutes of reflection; or allowing emerging artists to proudly sign their names.

If only one day she could have her own named gallery; or even a teaching building, a school.

Unfortunately, a monthly after-tax income of only a few thousand yuan means this dream is still just a dream.

Her gaze shifted to the corner of the wall. A small exhibition hall displayed neatly arranged paintings by emerging artists in the styles of Kandinsky and Mondrian, their colors exceptionally vibrant. A brand-new nameplate stood at the entrance, engraved with:

SU LI, special thanks for the sponsorship.

Her heart skipped a beat.

"You've been found out." Gu Mufeng gently wiped his nose and smiled slyly.

Only he knew that he had been anticipating this moment for so long, like a child, that he had been dreaming about it ever since he stepped through the doors of Sotheby's.

But Gu Mufeng spoke with an air of utter seriousness and nonchalance: "I donated this small gallery in your name. That way, we can save on taxes when we receive dividends each year..."

"You can use Gu family's shares like this?" Su Li asked in surprise.

So, can she also use the dividends to help students or sponsor rural schools?

"The shares have already been given to you; they're yours. You can use them however you like." As if sensing the fleeting gleam in Su Li's eyes, Gu Mufeng smiled confidently, "But—"

Immediately afterward, Su Li's fingertips pressed against his seemingly cold and ruthless lips:
"Oh, Mumu, no buts. Don't tell me how to do the most appropriate financial operations."

Immediately, she tiptoed and her red lips captured Gu Mufeng's lips:
"Don't try to express your love in an unromantic way."

Deeply, her arms wrapped around his neck, which seemed unreachable and wore a black bow tie. Her fingertips touched behind his ear, where his body immediately tensed.

That face is truly aloof and handsome.

The pearl necklace and the shimmering emerald corsage intertwined like a deep kiss, yet they couldn't withstand the pounding of Su Li's heart. Inch by inch, an invitation, both inclusive and firm, pierced straight into his heart...

Chicago and New York are thousands of miles apart, but they meet once a week.

His Adam's apple bobbed uncontrollably, and Gu Mufeng's deliberately controlled breathing began to falter. As if on its own, he realized that his hands had already enveloped Su Li's soft, pressed waist beneath the white silk. Against the backdrop of the gallery's white walls, amidst the harmonious colors of Kandinsky and Mondrian, he was pinning Su Li down like a savage.

Their lips met, moist and intertwined. Gu Mufeng forced himself to concentrate, managing only a half-second to catch his breath before managing to force out a sentence:
"Public places..."

Then, he felt as if he were being swallowed by Su Li's tongue. Su Li was determined and reckless. Her seemingly casual touches with her fingertips were the most effective weapon to punish his icy heart.
"Foreigners always think we East Asians aren't romantic. Tonight, let's open their eyes, Mumu?"

Gu Mufeng couldn't help but chuckle. Before he completely lost control, he simply pulled Su Li forcefully into his arms.

Like waves, white silk and green crepe billowed in the lap of his tuxedo.

He swiftly scooped her up in his arms, almost as if carrying her on his shoulders. Using the trailing hem of his long dress as cover, Gu Mufeng strode up the stairs, carrying Su Li all the way to the deepest, most secluded corner of the fourth-floor gallery. In the dim light and shadow, he simply laid her down on a bench.

Tonight's banquet will take place deep within the gallery, where no one should disturb us.

He buried his face in her neck, pecking and kissing his way down her body. Gu Mufeng knelt between her dresses, his fingers lifting the layers of crepe and train, almost tearing the long gown apart. His kisses and breaths grew more passionate and deep.

Feeling the captivating power emanating from every muscle and taut waist beneath his tuxedo, Su Li finally felt a little panicked. They were at Sotheby's... at a public banquet!
She was panting, her face flushed with a mixture of allure and shock. She gently pushed against Gu Mufei's pounding chest: "Mumu, you wouldn't, really want to...?"

Before the enormous painting, taller than a person, the gallery was so quiet that only the central air conditioning and their blasphemous whispers could be heard.

"...Mrs. Gu of Qian Sui Hua Long..."

In an instant, the couple who were embracing tightly in the gallery froze in silence.

Clearly, they weren't the only two who sneaked out of the banquet.

As if suddenly scalded by reason, Gu Mufeng sprang up from Su Li. He controlled his breathing, narrowed his eyes slightly, quickly straightened their clothes, and began to retreat slowly in a stiff posture.

In front of Su Li, he actually lost control and acted like a shameless lecher.

Su Li sat up straight, slightly out of breath, staring at him. The bright red marks from his fierce bite beneath the pearl necklace were clearly visible.

Keeping a two-meter distance from Su Li, Gu Mufeng's breathing was labored, and his formal coat was draped over his arm as if to conceal his movements.

His voice was slightly hoarse. He casually ruffled Jiao Jin's hair as if to relax, and asked softly from afar, "What's wrong tonight? Why do you have to use me to show people what's going on?"

Hearing his calm and straightforward voice, Su Li simply turned her head away and pouted slightly. She lifted her white silk skirt, kicked off her high heels, and casually exposed her legs, crossing them without any restraint, defiant yet frank: "I don't like the title 'Mrs. Gu,' is that alright?"

She wrapped her arms tightly around him, following his tone:

“I haven’t changed my surname. They keep calling me that, as if I’m just an appendage to you.”

“It would be fair if we switched places, and I were called ‘Architect Su’ or ‘Ms. Su,’ while you were called ‘the husband of the great architect Su.’”

Gu Mufeng was taken aback, but then chuckled softly: "You can correct them right now by calling you 'Ms. Su.' And,"

His voice was gentler than the night breeze, sounding exceptionally earnest and clear in the empty gallery:

"Su Li, we attend different occasions, and we are used and flattered in different ways, which is why we address each other differently. People are very practical."

“Last month I accompanied you to IIT to attend the alumni reunion and meet your boss. Isn’t that what you said, that I am your appendage?”

"There will only be more occasions like this in the future."

"When Pritzker went up to accept the award, I could only hide in the crowd and try my best to raise my hand and clap, hoping that my wife would see me and give me a word of thanks."

"Pfft." Su Li burst out laughing. "You're talking nonsense! The Pritzker Prize. Why don't you say I won the Nobel Prize? Mr. Gu, I'm not in New York anymore. Your skills at lying have improved. Who taught you that?"

"I'm not making this up."

With a slight furrow of his brow, Gu Mufeng's expression was calm and serious.

Then, step by step, from one end of the gallery, Gu Mufeng finally approached resolutely, standing before her as she sat relaxed on the bench. His gaze was focused yet gentle:
“I know you can. I know, I believe, and I support you.”

He gently lifted Su Li's chin and called out in a low voice, "Mrs. Gu, I quite enjoy being addressed like this tonight. I like it very much."

Complete silence fell as their eyes met, a deep, burning gaze. A blush spread across Su Li's cheeks. Three years of dating, two years of marriage—she had long been prepared for the day when they would grow tired of each other and for her to leave at any moment. But at this moment, the unwavering determination in his eyes shook Su Li's deep-seated insecurities.

Unable to resist, she even started to whine:
“Mr. Gu, the crown you made for your wife is beautiful, but the jewels are giving Mrs. Gu a headache.”

Gu Mufeng smiled silently, gesturing for Su Li to turn around. His calloused fingers, calloused from the gun, gently stroked her light chestnut-colored hair.

In the lonely New York night, he didn't know how long he had been waiting for this moment. Carefully removing the hair crown, he was careful not to snag a single hair on Su Li's head.

He wouldn't tell Su Li that her scent still made him yearn for her.

Just as I was engrossed in my conversation, I suddenly heard whispers coming from the gallery next door:
"Is ForestMoore and Chitose Hualong in legal trouble?"

"It's probably a contractual dispute. The streaming industry is highly competitive, and it's normal to want to gain more market share. I've heard Blackstone and Berkshire Hathaway are already choosing sides..."

"This is absolutely unofficial information. If these two giants were to fight to the death, who would benefit?"

With a slight frown, Su Li looked at Gu Mufeng behind her.

Gently toying with the Caesar crown, adorned with emeralds and pure gold ginkgo leaves, Gu Mufei lowered his eyes, a deep and obscure light flashing in the two pools of water.

Before long, it was past midnight in New York. Before the banquet ended, Gu Mufeng personally confirmed the auction items designated by Gu Zhipei with the collection department and the finance department. After all three parties checked and confirmed that everything was correct, Gu Mufeng finally agreed to affix his seal, seal the boxes, and sign the documents for shipping back to Minzhou.

Hand in hand, they stepped into the car, the dazzling cityscape of Manhattan outside the window a mesmerizing sight. Su Li felt a little tired. As the car moved smoothly along, her loose hair rested on Gu Mufeng's shoulder, swaying slightly: "Mumu, what I just heard, was it true?"

Gu Mufeng said calmly, "Whether it's true or false is not important. In the game of capital, rumors are the facts."

The car drove deep into Fifth Avenue. Meanwhile, in the turbulent night of the Atlantic Ocean, a giant container ship was anchored in the dark Port Elizabeth of Newark, preparing to sail into the stormy Pacific Ocean.

>>>>>
The Three Layers of the Imperial State

[Cold-blooded capitalist tyrant × Sober, suave architect | A powerful couple who dote on each other]

"Mrs. Gu, you've risen to power through your bed, haven't you?" The socialites raised their glasses with smiles.

Until Su Li's design transformed the Manhattan landmark, Gu Mufeng coldly cut off the family meeting: "If you mention urging childbirth again, the board of directors will be dissolved on the spot."

On a stormy night, he traveled 1,200 kilometers to her bedroom and embraced her tightly as she struggled with her nightmares, his body still soaking wet: "Su Su, you really made me marry you."

He's a force to be reckoned with at the NYSE, she's planning her future in Chicago. Her first love shows up in court with a contract, her boss tests her sincerity with a shared career. Su Li chuckles: "Gu Mufeng, one minute to explain. Then we'll get a divorce. Goodbye."

Later, at the Times Square Awards ceremony, the red-dressed architect looked down at the tycoon kneeling on one knee and said, "Mr. Gu, you should act like you're asking for a favor."

Gu Mufei's spear brushed against Su Li's toes, his Adam's apple bobbing: "Madam is right. Allow me to... plead slowly tonight."

—Sweet and powerful couple | United in heart | Extreme pampering—

This chapter is a preview of the new book. The official content may be modified and changed. Please refer to the final release for the final version.

"Fatal Trap" has officially come to an end. Those who enjoyed "The Three Realms of the Imperial State" can follow the author on the homepage. The author will be taking exams for the next three to four months, after which writing will gradually resume, with a planned return in 2026.

Thank you for the chance to meet you. I look forward to seeing you again. Good night~