Accidentally Sold Myself (Rebirth) - Chapter 37

37: The Evil Handcuffs

Although Luo Chengyu was puzzled, he still agreed to Gu Xi’s request. However, after they returned, Luo Ningshuang, who had been silent the entire way, suddenly spoke up: “You must have already sensed something about your background, but I don’t quite understand—why don’t you want to return to the Gu family? Is there something you’re hiding from me?”

Gu Xi pursed her lips, deciding it was better to speak the truth. After all, she didn’t want her secrecy to drag Luo Ningshuang into trouble. She just wasn’t sure if she would be believed.

Tentatively, she said, “Actually… if I told you I’ve died once before, would you believe me?”

Luo Ningshuang froze at her words, her eyes locking onto Gu Xi with unprecedented seriousness. The room fell silent for a long time, leaving Gu Xi in an agonizing wait. Finally, she backtracked, “I was just kidding. Actually, I…”

“Gu Xi, if you don’t want to talk about it, I won’t ask.” Luo Ningshuang interrupted, her tone softening. “I roughly understand what you mean. I’ll keep helping you investigate, at least to uncover what happened 20 years ago. You don’t need to worry too much.”

As expected, no one would easily believe in something like reincarnation. Gu Xi felt a slight pang of disappointment. “Sorry, I’m tired. I’m going to rest.”

But before she could reach her room, Luo Ningshuang suddenly called out, “Upstairs.”

Gu Xi turned back to see her smiling warmly, like a spring breeze. Inwardly, Gu Xi cursed her as a jerk but obediently followed her instructions and went upstairs.

Sometimes, Gu Xi felt that Luo Ningshuang liked her—at least had some affection for her. But every time she thought so, Luo Ningshuang seemed to pull back.

“Is she trying to play hard-to-get with me? No way, that’s ridiculous. Forget it, my head hurts. I’m not thinking about this anymore. It’s not like I like her anyway, hmph!” Gu Xi rubbed her temples, preparing to take a shower. When she took out her wallet, she remembered the life-saving medicine she had.

She pulled out the medicine and a hundred-yuan bill. For some reason, she folded the bill into a heart shape and tucked the medicine inside.

“What are you doing? Not resting yet?” Luo Ningshuang’s sudden voice startled Gu Xi, who was focused on folding the paper. She turned around, patting her chest. “Please, don’t sneak up on me like a ghost! You scared me to death.”

She showed Luo Ningshuang the heart-shaped bill. “I’m folding this.”

But Luo Ningshuang, with a swift step and a wave of her long arm, snatched the heart-shaped bill away. “Oh, I didn’t expect my dear wife to love me so much, folding a heart for me. Since you put so much effort into it, I’ll keep it.”

No way! That was priceless! Gu Xi immediately stood up to grab it back, but Luo Ningshuang raised her hand high, and no matter how much Gu Xi jumped or tugged, she couldn’t reach it. Left with no choice, she tried flattery. “You can’t have this one. If you like it, I’ll fold tons of hearts for you, but this one… you have to… give it back…”

Before she could finish, Gu Xi lunged to grab it again. But Luo Ningshuang blocked her with one arm, making it impossible to get close.

Fine, you won’t give it back? Gu Xi stepped back, then charged forward, crashing into Luo Ningshuang with a thud, sending them both tumbling to the ground.

After rolling twice, Gu Xi managed to pin her down. But Luo Ningshuang hid the bill behind her back. With no other option, Gu Xi leaned down to wrestle for it, inevitably leading to physical contact.

As they struggled, their bodies pressed against each other, and Gu Xi, focused on grabbing the bill, didn’t notice the strange expression on Luo Ningshuang’s face.

Suddenly, Luo Ningshuang let out a cold hum near her ear. “Gu Xi, you brought this on yourself.”

“What do you mean?” Gu Xi froze, then heard a click. Looking down, she saw handcuffs—where did Luo Ningshuang even get those?—locking her wrists. “Luo Ningshuang, you… where did you get these? Let me go!”

Luo Ningshuang smirked. “Your sleeping posture is too ugly, so I got these handcuffs. Tonight, I’ll cuff you to a chair by the bed, and I can finally sleep in peace.”

Gu Xi fumed. “Are you crazy? If you think my sleeping posture is bad, just let me sleep alone!”

Luo Ningshuang shook her head, deadpan. “No way. If you don’t sleep with me, I’d lose my personal heater.”

“Wait, where are you going? Hey, I haven’t showered yet! You’re not seriously going to let me sleep like this, are you?” Gu Xi called out as Luo Ningshuang seemed to be leaving.

Luo Ningshuang pinched her cheek, but her words infuriated Gu Xi. “Don’t worry, I don’t mind. I’m going to shower first.”

“Hey, uncuff me!”

…

The entire night, Gu Xi remained handcuffed until Luo Ningshuang uncuffed her the next morning. She couldn’t fathom what kind of perverse hobby this was. The world of the rich… ugh, so evil!

“You don’t need to come to the company with me today. The driver will take you to the film set later. Learn as much as you can there.” Luo Ningshuang instructed before hurrying off.

Aunt Lan wouldn’t arrive until noon, so Gu Xi packed her own luggage. She didn’t take the designer clothes Luo Ningshuang had bought her, instead grabbing her own.

“Sigh, these feel much more comfortable.” After packing, the driver arrived.

The first filming location was on XX Mountain, where the female lead time-travels to a wilderness and meets the male lead. The male lead was handpicked by the director, making it clear that if they didn’t use him, this genius director might not even show up.

“This guy was a nobody in my past life. Hopefully, the butterfly effect will help him out this time.” Gu Xi muttered as she put away her documents and looked out the car window. It was still early, so she closed her eyes to nap. Handcuffed all night, she hadn’t slept well.

Dark clouds gathered in the sky, and Gu Xi was woken by the sound of rain. Rubbing her eyes, she looked up. It seemed filming wouldn’t start today, but they’d likely prepare for tomorrow’s shoot.

“Miss Gu Xi, we’ve arrived,” the driver announced.

Gu Xi nodded and got out of the car. Two people ran toward her—a tall, imposing man and a petite woman.

“Hello, Madam. Starting today, I’m your assistant, Wang Xiaoya. This is Du Peng, who’ll be responsible for your safety.” Wang Xiaoya said, holding an umbrella to shield Gu Xi from the rain.

Du Peng picked up her luggage. Gu Xi felt a bit embarrassed. “No, no, I can carry it myself.”

Du Peng shook his head with a smile. “Please, if you carry it yourself, we’ll be out of a job.”

Wang Xiaoya nodded. “Exactly. Madam, don’t make things hard for us.”

Gu Xi wanted to say they were the ones making things hard for her, but she relented. “Fine, but stop with the ‘Madam’ and formalities. It makes me feel old. Just call me Gu Xi.”

“This…” Du Peng hesitated.

Wang Xiaoya was more straightforward. “Alright, Gu Xi, let’s go inside and get your luggage settled. Since we’re near the mountain, the living conditions aren’t great, so bear with it.”

Gu Xi nodded. She wasn’t some pampered heiress; rough conditions didn’t bother her.

But when she saw the room, she was slapped in the face by reality. She finally understood the phrase “it’s hard to go from luxury to simplicity.” Used to clean bathrooms, hot water, and a life of convenience, she was now faced with a yellowish bed sheet that had clearly been used for ages, a bathroom with no hot water, so you had to boil it yourself, and a smoky kitchen.

Pointing at the kitchen, Gu Xi asked, “Why is there a kitchen here?”

Wang Xiaoya nodded. “Some people stay long-term, so the kitchen gets used.”

She handed Gu Xi some bottles. “This is insect repellent for the room. This one’s for mosquitoes—use it when you go up the mountain tomorrow. My room’s right next door. If you need anything, just shout.”

Looking utterly defeated, Gu Xi said weakly, “Got it. Can we change the bed sheets?”

“Sure.”

“Oh, by the way, has Sister Xi—Cheng Zixi—arrived?” Gu Xi suddenly remembered and asked.

Wang Xiaoya pursed her lips, thinking for a moment before shaking her head. “Not yet, I think. Cheng Zixi’s with another crew filming Empress Strategy or something, also on XX Mountain, but it’s a few kilometers away.”

Damn it, Luo Ningshuang had tricked her into coming to this godforsaken place. What was she thinking?

Gu Xi pulled out her phone to call and ask, but Wang Xiaoya stopped her. “There’s no signal here. You’d have to go down the mountain.”

Gu Xi’s eyes widened in frustration. “No signal? I’ll die of boredom! How am I supposed to update? Am I going to get locked in the little black room?”

Wang Xiaoya didn’t understand but said, “I’ll get you some food.”

Gu Xi: System, can you figure something out for me?

Ding~ Jinjiang System at your service. Want a signal? You can spend luck points to get one. 1 luck point for 10 minutes.

Gu Xi: Ten minutes? That’s such a rip-off!

Ding~ It’s enough for Author Ji to post a new chapter.

Gu Xi: “…” But I also want to watch TV to kill time!

Knock knock~

A knock on the door interrupted Gu Xi’s sulking. She opened it with a bitter expression and saw a tall woman with bold eyebrows, striking eyes, and a short, neat haircut. Her demeanor was cool, but her words were cheeky. “So you’re the little wife of the Luo family? Not bad-looking! Tsk, how’s Luo Ningshuang in bed? She’s so cold normally—bet she’s a total flirt behind closed doors, huh?”

Gu Xi was speechless. Starting with this? Wasn’t she afraid of getting slapped? “The famous genius director Huai Anlu, as expected—exactly like the news says: eccentric and loves offending people.”

Huai Anlu laughed, unbothered by her words, and raised an eyebrow. “I just came to see who this vixen was that stole Ningshuang’s heart. But I didn’t expect—you’re not the vixen, you’re the little cabbage, and Luo Ningshuang’s the real flirt! Hahaha.”

Gu Xi: “…” Sister, you’re really asking to get hit!

“Alright, I just came to say hi. No filming today. Be up early tomorrow, and I’ll show you how a genius director works.”

Gu Xi: “…” I don’t care how you film. I just want to sleep in!