Mr. Gu, Your Replacement Bride Is A Big Shot! Chapter 5

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Qiao Nian let go of Gu Zhou’s wrist. She failed to notice Gu Zhou’s faint reluctance as her fingers pulled away. Her face grave, she stated, “The toxins in your body were absorbed from your mother’s womb. It’s already in its late stages.”

In its late stages?

A chilling murderous intent flickered in Gu Zhou’s eyes. He shifted his gaze away and rose to his feet, intending to depart.

“Mr. Gu.” Qiao Nian had no idea what Gu Zhou intended. She quickly got up as well. Staring at his retreating back, she called out, “But your illness…”

Gu Zhou suddenly crumpled before Qiao Nian could complete her words, dropping onto the sofa like a marionette with severed strings.

His eyelids drooped heavily, while his breaths came faster. Control over his body slipped completely from his grasp.

“Gu Zhou!” Qiao Nian rushed forward, turning his body to face her. His complexion had turned ashen, a sheet of frost seemingly coating his entire form.

Zhao Qian burst into the room. She had come to inform Gu Zhou that Little Qi had fainted and been rushed to the hospital, only to witness his condition worsening dramatically.

“Get away!” Noticing the woman still hovering near Gu Zhou, Zhao Qian dashed over and tried to yank Qiao Nian aside. Spotting the silver needle in Qiao Nian’s hand, she shuddered and cried out in alarm, “What do you think you’re doing? Get away from him! Brother Gu Zhou hates when anyone else touches him!”

Aside from Little Qi and his snake Lan, no one was permitted to lay a hand on Brother Gu Zhou. Zhao Qian, who had known Brother Gu Zhou since childhood and shared a close friendship, wasn’t even allowed that privilege.

With that realization hitting her, Zhao Qian advanced once more, tugging insistently at Qiao Nian while urging, “Brother Gu Zhou’s relapse is hitting hard. I’ll summon the doctor shortly. Move aside!”

Qiao Nian was on the verge of piercing the needle when Zhao Qian’s outburst made irritation cross her features. In a sharp tone, she snapped, “Quit hindering me! I’m working to save his life!”

A flare-up of illness posed grave risks to any sufferer. Timely intervention to dispel the crisis allowed for swift recovery.

“Get up! Right now!” Zhao Qian persisted in hauling Qiao Nian back. But Qiao Nian flung off her hold.

Her eyes flicked toward Lan, coiled lazily on a nearby sofa, and Qiao Nian ordered firmly, “Lan, watch her!”

Zhao Qian moved to shove Qiao Nian aside again when the python lunged before her, tongue darting out menacingly. Startled, she retreated several paces.

Lan answered solely to Brother Gu Zhou. Zhao Qian never imagined it would heed this woman’s command too.

She attempted another approach, yet Lan bared its fangs, poised to strike.

“Ah!” Frozen in terror, Zhao Qian staggered backward. She’d only meant to provoke Lan lightly—she regularly fed it!

Lan’s tongue flicked repeatedly. It positioned itself squarely in Zhao Qian’s path, blocking any advance toward the sofa.

Zhao Qian froze in place, helpless to act. All she could witness was the woman wielding a silver needle and plunging it into Brother Gu Zhou’s scalp.

Gu Zhou retained awareness. He eyed the needle embedded in his head. Perhaps it was his fancy, but the agony appeared to ease somewhat.

Incredulous, Zhao Qian observed as Gu Zhou clutched the woman’s garment. One must remember Brother Gu Zhou abhorred contact with others.

Qiao Nian deftly stripped off Gu Zhou’s shirt, exposing his chiseled torso. Years of rigorous training were evident in the sharp eight-pack abs beneath his pecs.

Gu Zhou’s breaths ragged unevenly, cold sweat soaking his brow. It felt like he’d been cast into an ice vault, the chill penetrating to his marrow. His vitality ebbed away steadily.

However, the spots pierced by Qiao Nian’s silver needles radiated faint warmth. That subtle heat infused him with life, countering the icy void and fostering a hope of endurance.

Qiao Nian dipped her hands lower. Strands of hair draped across her cheek, her thick curled lashes veiling her stunning eyes partially. Expression intent, she placed the final needle and lifted her gaze to Gu Zhou, murmuring softly, “Blink once if you can hear me.”

Gu Zhou blinked.

Qiao Nian exhaled in relief. She clasped Gu Zhou’s hand, deftly applying the final needle.

That should suffice.

Cold sweat now beaded on Qiao Nian’s forehead too. As she rose to fetch a tissue, her left hand felt ensnared. Glancing down, she saw Gu Zhou gripping it tightly.

Unable to free her hand from Gu Zhou’s clasp, Qiao Nian settled beside the sofa to wait it out.

Gu Zhou’s eyes remained shut. A soothing warmth coursed through his bloodstream, gradually thawing his frame…

Joy sparked in Zhao Qian’s gaze. Was Gu Zhou finally okay with others’ touch?

Checking the clock, Qiao Nian proceeded to extract the silver needles from Gu Zhou’s form. Upon withdrawing the last one, she noted his returning awareness.

Qiao Nian yanked her left hand back promptly and shifted to the sofa’s opposite end. She pulled out a tissue to dab at the perspiration on her brow.

“Brother Gu Zhou!” Zhao Qian leaped up instantly and hurried to the sofa. She extended her hand toward Gu Zhou’s, but he evaded her effortlessly.

“Lan!”

Gu Zhou uttered the name in an icy tone.

In a blur of motion, a shadowy form slithered across the room. Tongue flicking, Lan settled beside Gu Zhou. It fixed a menacing stare on Zhao Qian, determined to drive her off.