Chapter 2: Before Understanding, After Emotion

Gu Yunshan gave a sum of money to his uncle's family, then took Wen Wan away. Once they were in the car, he quietly winked at her and said: "Xiao Wan will have a good life in the future, and Uncle will take good care of your father for you"

Xiao Xiao nodded heavily, yet still felt uneasy: "But He Chen—"

Wen Wan did not know how to explain it. Looking at this child, she sometimes felt as if she were seeing her childhood self. Furthermore, He Tingyan is now her patient; if something were to happen, she would certainly lose her job.

"Doctor Wen, is this what you meant by wanting to deal with me?" He Chen said with a smile that was not quite a smile, his expression extremely grim.

That was Dad's closest friend, and Wen Wan certainly remembered him. However, they hadn't seen each other for many years, as his family had moved to the provincial capital long before Dad's accident. It is said that he has done great business and made quite a bit of money. Oh, right, part of the capital he used for his business was borrowed from Dad, and because of this, Mom and Dad had once had a big argument.

Other than drinking, Wen Wan really couldn't find any activities to pass the time, and before she knew it, she had drunk a bit too much. She could clearly feel herself getting a little dizzy, not knowing what kind of liquor Xiao Xiao had ordered, but it had quite a strong aftereffect. On her way to the restroom, her feet felt a bit light. Despite following the signs, she couldn't find out where the restroom was, but she did encounter an acquaintance outside a private room.

Fortunately, he has good self-control; after all, at this age, what kind of experiences has he not gone through. He directly leaned the person against the headboard, took a cup, and fed water. Unfortunately, he really has no experience in taking care of others, and when he applied too much force, he ended up feeding too aggressively.

He Tingyan pressed his lips together, yet said nothing.

There was no expression on He Chen's face. A Jue walked over and slightly bowed: "The master is looking for you. I will take you back now."

He Tingyan continued to tilt his head as he looked at her, his gaze intensely focused, and there were already signs of relaxation on his face

He slowly leaned in to kiss her, just as Wen Wan suddenly let out an ungraceful hiccup.

Warm's expression was obviously stiff. She didn't answer immediately, but slowly sat up. After a while, she showed a self-deprecating smile to Xiao Xiao: "If I say I don't know, would you believe me?"

"Get up." He half-embraced her, one hand encircling her as he brought the medicine to her lips. Initially, he was contemplating how to get the medicine into her mouth when he suddenly felt a small, soft, yet damp object slide across his palm, gently licking his hand.

He turned around to leave, and suddenly someone grabbed the belt of his bathrobe.

Everything is too coincidental. No one could give an explanation for how my father died. The police hastily closed the case and sent my father's body back.

It's probably because I've been suppressing myself for too long. No one in the He family would dare to criticize He Chen behind his back. He Tingyan seems to enjoy being criticized, his eyes shining brightly. Wen Wan had no choice but to cater to his preference: "Your father looks very gentlemanly, but your uncle looks like a ruffian."

Sent for cleaning

He stood in front of her with his tall figure, slightly bending forward to look at her and smile: "Thanks to Dr. Wen, this is the first time I have been regarded as a rapist. Such an interesting experience, I must properly thank Dr. Wen for it"

I lived like this for four years; when I was ten years old, my grandmother passed away

She nervously clutched the bed sheet and asked, "Where are my clothes?"

Half a month after grandma passed away, Wen Wan was transferred to her uncle's house, who was her only remaining relative. However, her uncle's family was not well-off, and her aunt was very harsh to her, often making her do chores.

The three characters Gu Mingchen also represent an insurmountable hurdle in her heart

Wen Wan had a feeling that something was off; the atmosphere felt a bit strange

Wen Wan felt uncomfortable under his gaze. She had not drunk much before, and last night was the first time she got drunk. It is uncertain whether she caused any trouble afterward, but at least judging by He Chen's reaction now, the situation does not seem very good

To outsiders, she appears to be sensible and well-behaved, obedient to her uncle and aunt, and never causes trouble. Even when she suffers losses or is bullied outside, she grits her teeth and returns without uttering a single word.

These photos were not unfamiliar to Wen Wan, and after glancing at the man whose chest was heaving violently with anger, she hesitated for a few seconds: "Ji Yan, she is also innocent."

Wen Wan was being looked at by him for the first time in such a way, seriously and intently. All the expressions on her face gradually froze, and finally, she said calmly: "No, you have always disliked me, and I have grown accustomed to being disliked by others, so I am not sad."

Wen Wan understood that in order to treat this child's psychological issues, she first needed to gain his trust, to break down his defenses so that he would speak. Thus, she sat by the bedside and continued, "It is evident that you seem quite fierce; you probably do not have many friends."

Really

Wen Wan no longer knew how to respond to this person, so she simply took her medical record and prepared to leave. As she turned around, she nearly bumped into the person's resolute chin. His lips were thin, and a faint smile curled at the corners, his voice deep and slightly hoarse: "Doctor Wen said she would teach me a lesson, I am waiting for it"

The final note that escaped from his lips surprisingly carried a hint of mockery

She hesitated to speak, and finally just solemnly adjusted Wen Wan's head, saying slowly and deliberately: "Remember this, no one can provoke the He family, especially He Chen. After divorcing Gu Mingchen and leaving the wolf's den, I also do not wish for you to enter the tiger's lair again. As for He Tingyan's matter, if you can help, then help; if you cannot, then resign."

A-Jue took the thermos and poured out the golden chicken soup, the enticing aroma filling the entire hospital room, making one’s appetite stir. However, He Tingyan kept looking pale as he gazed at the porcelain bowl that A-Jue handed over, his fingers clenched tightly at the side of the bed. After a few seconds of hesitation, he finally spoke softly, saying: "I’m not hungry"

Wen Wan, in a daze, with her cheeks flushed, surprisingly replied to him indistinctly: "Thank you"

He must have a problem with his mind

He Tingyan raised his head in confusion, yet there was a glimmer of astonishment in his eyes

The child's high nose bridge glistened with a few drops of sweat, and it was unclear whether it was due to the fear of being discovered by He Chen. This appearance clearly indicated that the child was frightened. Wen Wan felt a bit uncomfortable; the child was at a sensitive and rebellious stage, and due to some reasons related to introversion, any grievances and anger could only be quietly buried in the heart.

There are some things she did not say out loud, but it is believed that Wen Wan understands. The He family is deeply rooted, and it is not something an outsider like Wen Wan can easily navigate.

He Chen threw her onto the bed and sat there, coldly watching her roll around. As she rolled, her clothes became disheveled. Only after she finally settled down did he ask, "Where does it hurt?"

He Chen stood there for a moment, then bent down and picked the person up horizontally.

How debauched, this is no longer his Yan Yan. Gu Mingchen could not bear to look at it for even a moment, feeling as if his head were about to split open.

He Chen was utterly speechless, having stripped down completely and only now thinking to ask again, yet still patiently replied to her: "Your clothes are wet"

Wen Wan sighed heavily, unable to suppress her inner complaints: "He Tingyan is now my patient. Regardless of what is happening with the He family, I must ensure his well-being within the scope of my responsibilities. I cannot continue to watch my patient—"

Wen Wan has actually had a streak of bad luck. At the age of 6, her father suddenly found himself imprisoned, charged with murder

He Chen's enthusiasm was instantly swept away.

Wen Wan's face suddenly felt hot, and she was somewhat exasperated: "He Chen!"

She was personally picked up by Gu Yunshan. When Wen Wan was in the city, she had also met many wealthy people like Gu Yunshan. They wore well-tailored suits, had sleek and stylish hair, and their leather shoes were shiny and clean.

He Chen remained silent, simply sinking into the sofa and gazing at her without uttering a word

The children at school do not like her either; she is the daughter of a murderer. Everyone fears and avoids her, yet they always tease her. She has no friends and is always alone, and even the teachers rarely communicate with her. She has never been included in the questions during class breaks.

A wave of bitterness surged in Wen Wan's throat; she truly did not know. Over the years, she had only wanted to live well. The tumultuous life had made her constantly on guard, filled with a sense of crisis and insecurity. Being able to eat enough, dress warmly, and live well had become her greatest happiness; love was simply too unfamiliar and too extravagant.

Wen Wan silently met his gaze, and after a moment, gently nodded: "Yes"

Gu Yunshan also planned to give Wen Wan a sum of money separately, which would certainly be more than what her father had lent out initially, but Wen Wan was too young, so the money had always been kept by the Gu family

But how did she end up here

He Tingyan was taken aback, and his expression suddenly became complicated.

He raised his head from the newspaper, and Wen Wan noticed that he didn't look too well.

Why would this woman dress like this to go to a nightclub? In fact, it becomes clear upon a moment's thought. At this moment, Wen Wan, in He Chen's eyes, resembles those married women who secretly venture out to seek affection due to loneliness. Thus, every action she takes seems to carry an implication of seduction.

A-Jue glanced at it and placed the medicine back in front of him: "You feed him."

Wen Wan couldn't help but smile: "How could that be? He was probably busy before."

The woman's lips moved as if she had something to say but could not speak

Gu Mingchen sat on the sofa without looking up at her, his hair falling softly over his forehead, slightly obscuring his eyes, revealing only his high nose bridge and tightly pressed lips. ... This version of Gu Mingchen felt unfamiliar, as if he were a bit ... ? ... sad? Wen Wan doubted that she must have misread the situation; such a weak emotion, how could he possibly show it in front of her?

In fact, it is not entirely her fault. She was abandoned by her mother at a very young age, and thereafter, neither her grandmother nor her aunt taught her what a girl should be like. To be fair, she is not unattractive, but her style of dressing is always conventional and lacks any highlights, causing her to be completely overshadowed when placed among a crowd

Xiao Xiao narrowed his eyes cunningly, and suddenly smiled sinisterly, saying, "I understand."

Before the warm evening, she had lived a very simple life for twenty-eight years. She would never do anything that Gu Yunshan and Zhou Erlan disliked, nor would she go to places they hated. Therefore, this was indeed her first time at a nightclub

Wen Wan usually does not wear much makeup, but she was compelled by Xiao Xiao to dress up properly. Before leaving the house, she was tugging at her skirt, saying, "Isn't this a bit too short?"

Mother cried so hard that she nearly fainted, reaching out to pull Wen Wan into her embrace, the strength of her grip as if she wanted to crush her: "Xiao Wan, what are we going to do from now on..."

Dongdong is the small dog raised at grandmother's house entrance, and grandmother treats it very well. Wenwan sometimes sits on the threshold watching grandmother feed Dongdong, listening to her speak, and secretly feels envious in her heart.

Do you like this kind of book? Wen Wan, looking for a topic to discuss, smiled and picked it up to flip through it. Is it interesting?

The door to the private room was opened again with great force, accompanied by a surge of anger. A disheveled woman rushed out with bloodshot eyes, casting a resentful glance at He Chen, yet she did not dare to utter a single word.

Wen Wan held Xiao Xiao's arm, speaking to Gu Mingchen: "Let us go to the study to talk"

The consequence of unfulfilled desires is a great deal of anger. He pulled the blanket tightly around himself and stood by the bed, sneering: "If you say one more word, you will sleep in the bathtub tonight"

Xiao Xiao looked up and down, nodding in approval: "At last, this looks like a woman."

Wen Wan was in great pain, yet she endured and continued to speak: "You know she has no background, and it is very difficult for a girl in the entertainment industry. Initially, she was set up by someone, and after repeated threats, she had no choice but to engage in scandalous transactions with these wealthy businessmen"

Xiao Xiao looked at her with a perplexed expression

He Chen stared at her pair of sparkling black eyes, his Adam's apple bobbing as he hoarsely commanded: "Go to sleep"

Xiao Xiao shook her head, and her words were even more infuriating: "You seemed to have not fully developed in the past twenty-eight years"

She is not very good at comforting others, bit her lip, and still said in a very soft voice: "She has always loved you."

She sat not far from He Chen, stealing glances at him several times, and in the end, she could not help but ask: "How did I end up here?"

Wen Wan truly did not like this person speaking. The words "thank you" that were originally on the tip of her tongue were swallowed back, and she directly bypassed him to go to the bathroom

He Chen first remained silent, probably because he had not directed anyone before. After a few seconds, he pointed to the end of the corridor, then looked at her with some suspicion: "You won't go to the wrong men's restroom, will you?"

Then he signed it? As soon as Gu Mingchen left, Xiao Xiao grabbed Wen Wan and interrogated her. Wen Wan recounted the process of that man signing, leaving her astonished and speechless. "Strange, it was too easy. I thought he was reluctant to divorce since he had been evading it all along."

He Chen recalled that his temples were still throbbing. Last night, this woman said she wanted to drink water, and he, suppressing his anger, went to the refrigerator to get her some soda. Who would have thought that as soon as he left, this woman immediately called the front desk. The most troublesome part was that when she drank the water, she choked and splashed it all over him. He couldn't tell if it was intentional, but in any case, just as he had changed out of his bathrobe, the hotel manager and security barged in.

Wen Wan was also puzzled, but it was clear that Gu Mingchen did not want to answer. He ignored Xiao Xiao and directly walked over, throwing the items in his hand into Wen Wan's arms, still maintaining that cold demeanor: "I have reviewed the divorce agreement, and there are no issues."

After she finished speaking, she suddenly hesitated, lowering her head to look at Wen Wan. Seeing the smile that lingered at the corner of her mouth, she quietly asked, "You married Gu Mingchen, was it really for... really not at all, do you not love him?"

The woman in the photo is Ji Yan, a once-popular movie star in the entertainment industry, known for her charming and appealing appearance, which has always garnered her much affection. However, in the photo, she appears strikingly exposed, lying beneath a middle-aged man with a pained yet intoxicated expression, and even the male lead has changed several times.

Wen Wan found Xiao Xiao's words amusing: "So you're saying I couldn't tell the difference between genders for the first 28 years of my life?"

Wen Wan was clearly taken aback: "What?" She hadn't heard that name in so long that she momentarily couldn't react.

Perhaps, it is true that there is no love

Caught red-handed

Wen Wan placed the document on the desk and turned to look at Gu Mingchen. It had been a long time since they had sat down to speak so calmly. The last time was probably more than two years ago

He had no choice but to take her to the hotel. He was not in the habit of bringing strangers home, especially unfamiliar women. However, this woman was quite difficult to attend to; at one moment she complained of a headache, and at the next, she was crying out about a stomachache

He Chen sat on the sofa, staring at the large bed. Wen Wan's figure was frail, lying on it looking very small. If it weren't for her occasional pained moan, one could hardly sense her presence.

With a sense of helplessness, Wen Wan truly could not remember. She tried her best to speak calmly: "What exactly did I do? If I have caused you any inconvenience, I will take responsibility for it."

Wen Wan looked at this friend who always thought of her, and a wave of warmth surged in her heart. She smiled and leaned into her embrace, saying: "What should I do? If I were to leave, I might as well be with you. I am sure I will never find anyone who loves me more than you do."

He sank into silence again, slowly turning around with his hands in his pockets. A Jue understood him best, knowing that the less he spoke and the calmer his expression, the worse his mood usually was.

He took a stack of photos out of his coat pocket and threw them onto Wen Wan, his expression fierce, yet the intensity of his earlier hysteria had long since faded away

And you?

He Chen snorted through his nose: "Is your husband unable to satisfy you, causing you to constantly fantasize about being violated? Or do you have a penchant for this kind of thing?"

Wen Wan glanced at the time; it was almost time for work. She hurriedly picked up the landline and called the housekeeping department. After she finished these tasks, she realized that He Chen had not acknowledged her at all, as if he were the only person in the room, not even sparing her a glance from the corner of his eye

What is this if not perversion? It is simply sadomasochism

As soon as Wen Wan finished speaking, the living room door was opened. Gu Mingchen stood at the door wearing a black trench coat, holding a kraft paper bag in his hand. However, the man's expression was quite grim at that moment, with a heavy gloom in his eyes, as if a storm was about to arrive.

Because no one cares whether she is being bullied, those who could stand up for her have long since disappeared

He Chen looked at her in disbelief. After a moment, he simply leaned closer to her, his nose ambiguously brushing against hers, and asked, "Are you hinting at something?"

Gu Mingchen suddenly asked her, leaving Wen Wan completely puzzled: "Me?"

He Chen spoke in a very calm tone, yet there was an unresistable sense of pressure that surrounded him. Even Wen Wan, who was standing nearby, could not bear it any longer. She frowned and stepped in front of He Tingyan, saying: "He has already said he is not hungry. He has a low level of physical activity, and eating too much would only add burden to his stomach."

He Chen's smile deepened a little more as he slowly got up and walked over

He, He Chenwei, tilted his head slightly. His features were already somewhat deep and three-dimensional, and even when he smiled, it always gave people an indescribable chill to the bone. Moreover, he was not smiling at all this time, indicating that something had indeed happened last night that made him extremely irritable

He Tingyan's body has recovered quite quickly; this child is not as weak as he appears on the surface, and he even has quite a few ideas. Wen Wan discovered that the books placed on his bedside are somewhat beyond her understanding.

Gu Mingchen looked at her expressionlessly and said, "Do you want me to throw you out?"

Wen Wan's intuition suggested that the man had heard every word of her earlier criticisms; otherwise, his gaze would not have been so unsettling. She calmly picked up the medical records, having no intention of greeting anyone, while her peripheral vision remained alert to his movements.

He Chen slowly looked over, a hint of mockery in his eyes. After carefully folding the newspaper, he replied with a half-smile, "Forgot? It's such an interesting experience, it's a pity that Doctor Wen has forgotten it."

He Chen tugged at the corner of his lips but did not respond immediately, unsure whether the matter was too difficult to speak of or if he was genuinely very angry. Wen Wan waited for quite a while before hearing the cold, icy voice of the man: "Last night, you called the hotel front desk and said someone had ill intentions towards you, resulting in the hotel manager and security barging in—"

Zhou Erlan had also bought her many clothes and accessories, but they all carried the weariness and experiences of that age. Xiao Xiao had always been critical of her makeup and attire, and this time she finally seized the opportunity to give her a complete makeover

This person has never been graceful, and at this moment, he is even more ominous and terrifying. However, Xiao Xiao is not intimidated; she straightens her back and defiantly glares back, saying: "It's not like you haven't hit a woman before. What is it that you, Gu Mingchen, cannot do?"

The neighbors all said that her mother had run away with another man, but Wen Wan did not believe it. She sat on the steps in front of her house every day waiting for her mother. However, as the days passed, the woman who used to smile gently at her never appeared again

Wen Wan paused for a moment and sighed softly, "Seeing him so small, without father or mother, I can't help but think of myself."

The ambiguous expression on his face made Wen Wan feel quite uncomfortable, and she couldn't help but frown, looking down on her choice of words: "Isn't that just teasing? I've never seen such a petty man."

The dark thoughts were exposed, and He Tingyan was extremely flustered, hurriedly stuffing the photos haphazardly into a book, and then pressing the book under the pillow

Xiao Xiao sat cross-legged on the sofa. Seeing her in low spirits, she couldn't help but lean over and wrap her arms around her shoulders: "You were also sixteen when you arrived at the Gu family, no wonder you can empathize with him."

Looking at the furnishings of the room, Wen Wan quickly realized that it should be a hotel. Her mind went blank, and she suddenly sprang up from the bed. What was even more alarming was that she found herself wearing almost nothing! Fortunately, her body felt fine, so nothing significant should have happened.

At just six years old, little Wenwan had no way of knowing. She gently nuzzled her mother's wet chin and innocently replied: "Xiaowan will always be with Mommy"

Xiao Xiao let out a scoff, tilting her head back with a proud raise of her eyebrows: "Of course, I have been utterly concerned about you."

When He Chen found Wen Wan, the veins on his forehead were throbbing. She had actually fallen asleep leaning against the wall of the corridor, her high heels tossed aside, and the hem of her skirt slightly lifted, revealing her smooth, long legs.

He Chen stood in the corridor smoking, wearing only a simple black shirt, looking somewhat different from usual, with his brows tightly furrowed, as if he were facing some troubling matter

Was it your father who told you not to tell me in the first place? He had almost guessed it. Wen Wan was very obedient to Gu Yunshan and Zhou Erlan; whatever they instructed, she would certainly follow through.

He Chen asked with a bit of a headache: "Where is home?"

Wen Wan's brow furrowed even tighter, and He Chen found her appearance quite alluring, especially her pair of lips, soft and tender, resembling cherries kissed by dew, making one unable to resist the urge to take a bite

Wen Wan, however, did not speak, merely staring blankly at the glass cup on the table

Indeed, He Chen's expression immediately turned cold: "Doctor Wen, you have also taken psychology courses. I would like to ask, do you often suppress your feelings for too long and have delusions?"

Wen Wan thought he had already signed the document and was about to open the file bag when he suddenly said, "I would like to speak with you privately"

Divorced and unemployed, she cannot bear such severe consequences

Wen Wan recognized the sound as familiar, and as she approached, her lips twitched in surprise. Sitting on the sofa, calmly reading a newspaper, was none other than He Chen. However, they had clearly parted ways just last night.

Wen Wan, however, does not understand that while she is willing to stay with her mother, it does not necessarily mean that her mother feels the same way.

He Chen took another cigarette and put it in his mouth, turned to leave, but suddenly seemed to remember something and looked thoughtfully towards the end of the corridor. That woman, has she been gone for a long time?

She also wants to know what else Gu Mingchen has to say, as the matter of divorce is not detrimental to him, and he should not resort to tricks

Troublesome. He Chen had never been in such a predicament before. Coincidentally, he was in a bad mood today, and his actions were quite rough, directly stripping her disheveled dress off. To be honest, the process was rather difficult to endure; this woman maintained her figure quite well, and even he couldn't help but entertain some improper thoughts.

This act, which is akin to venting frustration, is probably the only outlet he has for expressing himself

The door of the compartment behind was opened by someone, and Ajue walked out steadily. He extinguished the remaining half of the cigarette in his hand, and then asked expressionlessly, "Did you say it?"

Wen Wan let out a sigh and, unable to help herself, reached out to tousle his dark hair, saying, "It's alright, I actually don't like that person either"

When He Chen was taking a bath, he couldn't help but think that this was the first time in his life that he had served someone, especially a woman, and she was a married woman he had only recently met, and her looks were quite ordinary!

Xiao Xiao rolled her eyes and simply ignored her: "I am going to dance"

He Tingyan suddenly reached out and snatched the photo back, taking the book along with it. Even though it was just a brief moment, Wen Wan clearly saw who was in the photo—He Chen and another man

Xiao Xiao noticed that her expression was not good, and feeling distressed, she gently squeezed her palm. Discovering it was cold, she held it tightly in her own hand: "Don't think about it anymore, it's all in the past. One must look forward; aren't you doing well now? Moreover, it will only get better. Without Gu Mingchen, you will definitely be happier."

Wen Wan pressed her lips together and nodded again

He Chen watched her swaying figure disappear around the corner of the corridor, and only then did he slowly exhale a puff of smoke

On the day Grandma passed away, Wen Wan returned from school with her backpack. From a distance, she saw a crowd gathered at the gate of the courtyard. Peering through the crowd, she saw Grandma lying in the center of the yard, straight and still, her face frighteningly pale, just like her father that night

Meng Yunjie tightly clenched her fist: "He Chen! I am your father's current legal wife. How dare you...!" How dare you take those kinds of photos to threaten her!

Wen Wan could not tolerate his sarcastic and insinuating tone, but she could not recall what happened last night, so she could only tentatively ask: "Did I cause you any trouble?"

Wen Wan adjusted her emotions before raising her head, smiling sincerely at Xiao Xiao: "I understand. What I want now is to at least ensure that He Tingyan can live well. It is too cruel for a child to be so cautious."

Xiao Xiao cursed inwardly without even looking at him: "Strange, this is Xiao Wan's house, how do you have a key?"

"So you were teased by the third son of the He family?" Xiao Xiao asked calmly, but her small face flushed slightly with excitement. She straightened her posture and looked at Wen Wan with bright eyes, "He said to wait for you to teach him a lesson, how do you plan to teach him? Hmm?"

At this moment, Wen Wan seems to lack any sense of crisis; that originally narrow and short skirt has long slid down to the roots of her thighs, and if He Chen were to look closely, the beautiful spring scenery would be almost fully revealed

He called A Jue, and soon the hotel management arrived to resolve the issue. However, when he returned, he found that the instigator was already wrapped up in the blanket, sleeping soundly.

Wen Wan's face turned pale upon hearing this, as she had no recollection of these matters at all

Wen Wan heard that it was Uncle Chen, who had swapped shifts with her father, that had died. However, given their good relationship, how could her father possibly have killed him? The matter had not yet been further confirmed, and soon, news came from the detention center that her father had committed suicide

During the event, some people approached to engage in conversation. Perhaps due to preconceived notions, Wen Wan always felt that their gazes were rather inappropriate. After exchanging a few words, the conversation eventually fell flat. It is understandable that she has difficulties in interacting with the opposite sex.

He Chenmo remained silent, simply listening to her speak, but for some inexplicable reason, it caused Meng Yunjie to be unable to continue. She stomped her foot in frustration and ultimately followed A Jue out.

He hesitated suddenly at the moment he stood up, realizing that she was Ting Yan's attending physician, and that recently, Ting Yan seemed to have started to accept her a little...

Mr. A raised his hand and interrupted her, saying, "Madam, please."

The two people were indeed too close to each other, their breaths mingling, and the faint scent of her body lingered at the tip of his nose. At this time, in this place, on such a night, everything seemed to take on a somewhat unsettling quality.

He Chen did not understand how he impulsively brought back such a huge trouble. He never expected that the previously aloof and composed female doctor in the hospital would turn into an absolute neurotic after getting drunk

The second day after Wen Wan was awakened by a headache from a hangover. Upon opening her eyes, she saw a large expanse of floor-to-ceiling windows, with fine golden light seeping in through the gaps of the not-so-tight curtains. She stared at the room for quite a while but could not recall where she was. Her memories of the previous night were fragmented, but she could not remember anything after drinking too much, as if it had all gone blank.

Wen Wan thought for a moment that her life was indeed somewhat dull and uninteresting, but this way of living was not what she preferred

He was sweating profusely because of this woman, with one hand starting to unbutton his shirt and the other hand picking up his phone to call A-Jue: "Bring me some stomach medicine."

Wen Wan frowned in doubt, looking incredulous: "Isn't it that you want to assault me?"

The woman looked incredulously at the almost gentlemanly man, as if everything humiliating that had just occurred in the private room was merely her illusion. She tightly clutched her handbag, her lips bitten until they were swollen: "You all—"

He Chenqi smiled: "You are indeed not being polite." He turned sideways to place his watch on the bedside, and when he turned around, he suddenly saw that the woman had sat up again at some point, her eyes slightly squinting as she looked at him.

Although somewhat impulsive, it is quite satisfying

This tone is truly infuriating, and Wen Wan gritted her teeth in anger, yet she still had to force a smile on her face: "Mr. He truly loves to joke."

Before heading to the bathroom, He Chen turned back to glance at the woman on the bed, walked over and patted her cheek, pretending to be fierce as he said: "If you dare to vomit on the bed, just wait and see how I deal with you"

In He Chen's eyes, it seems even more interesting.

After flipping through a few pages, a photo suddenly fell out from the middle. The photo was taken many years ago, with a faded color and even a hint of aging. Strangely, the face of a person in the photo was pierced with several small holes, as small as needle tips.

Wen Wan recalled her life in the Gu family, and naturally thought of Gu Mingchen. It was as if her mind had instantly crashed, unable to continue no matter what.

Wen Wan slightly turned her head, paused for a moment, and cautiously probed: "Such men are the worst, only bullying children... Ting Yan, don't be afraid, I will protect you in the future and teach him a lesson for you"

She actually doesn't quite understand what is so enjoyable about this place. The music is loud, and everywhere there are men and women speaking loudly and behaving ambiguously. Aside from drinking, Wen Wan hardly participates in any of the games proposed by Xiao Xiao.

Everyone in the world knows, yet he alone remains oblivious

Wen Wan's face flushed unnaturally, and at this moment, she was only wearing form-fitting clothing, her long hair cascading over her shoulders in a way that seemed to both conceal and reveal. This sight made the small flame that had just ignited within He Chen's body flare up a little more. When she spoke again, her voice was soft and delicate, quite different from her usual tone: "Why are you taking off my clothes?"

It has been only a month and a half since her father was buried, and now even her dearest mother has abandoned her

When Gu Mingchen looked up, he happened to see Wen Wan staring at him with a somewhat strange expression in her eyes

At the age of sixteen, Wen Wan's fate finally took a turn, as someone from the Gu family arrived

Gu Mingchen had never listened so attentively to Wen Wan before, and as he heard her light and carefree tone, along with her relaxed expression, a certain part of his chest suddenly... convulsed wildly.

At that time, she was still young and truly did not understand what killing was all about. She only remembered that night was the liveliest New Year's Eve of the year, with heavy snowflakes drifting outside the window. However, her father insisted on going out to drive. He was a taxi driver, always honest and diligent, and even on New Year's Eve, he wanted to take advantage of the last day to earn a little more.

Wen Wan widened her eyes and hurriedly waved her hands to deny, saying: "He signed as soon as I finished speaking, didn't say a word to me, and left, looking quite angry."

However, at this moment, the reality is even more dire than these circumstances.

This bastard actually leaned slightly forward in a gentlemanly manner while speaking, as if accommodating her height, a warm breath wafting into her ear, causing Wen Wan's face to flush with anger.

Wen Wan squinted at him, remaining silent, yet her vigilance was quite high as she raised her hand to push him away a bit. He Chen frowned, and they remained in a stalemate for quite a while, before he reached out to check her body, confirming that she was not carrying a phone.

Gu Mingchen looked at the woman in front of him. He wanted to ask her, during the past two years when he had ignored, neglected, and even humiliated her, did she not feel anything at all? Did it not make her sad, did it not hurt?

Looking into her eyes, playful yet teasing

As Wen Wan hesitated whether to greet him, he was the first to notice her. He Shen seemed somewhat unaccustomed to her attire, frowning as he glanced at her a couple of times, and then slightly squinting his eyes: "What a coincidence"

When Gu Mingchen looked over, his eyes were frighteningly red. He glared fiercely at Wen Wan and squeezed out each word from his lips: "Dad really forced her to leave because he wanted me to marry you, there is no other reason?"

Gu Mingchen could not listen at all, his eyes bloodshot and red, the fingers gripping her shoulder continuously tightened.

He Chen walked over, and surprisingly did not cause any trouble for Wen Wan, instead speaking directly to He Tingyan: "It seems like you are in a good mood today? Coincidentally, Aunt Liu has made the chicken soup you love to drink."

Gu Mingchen, however, seemed not to have heard what she said, gazing deeply at her: "So the real reason my dad doesn't allow me to marry her is this? And not because of you..."

The family's savings have all been taken away by my mother. My grandmother relies on doing odd jobs to support her schooling. The six-year-old child is dressed very thinly and eats only sporadically. My grandmother has a bad temper and often inexplicably hits and scolds her. Sometimes she even uses very harsh words to insult her, cursing her mother, calling her a debt collector, and even doubting that she is the child of a man from the streets.

... ...

Wake up," he said, as he reached out to pinch the back of her neck, forcing her to struggle to open her eyes and look at him

She is truly grateful that heaven has been kind to her, at least bestowing upon her such a wonderful sister.

Sister Liu has been simmering all day, serve it hot

The one whose face was scarred is naturally He Chen, while the other who bears a striking resemblance to him, perhaps, is the late He Feng

Wen Wan was taken aback by what he said: "What does it mean?"

His gaze tightly captured every subtle change in Wen Wan's expression. This woman had lived with him for twelve years, yet even today, it seemed he had never truly seen her. Beneath her seemingly delicate exterior, what kind of ironclad heart lay hidden within her

Just after taking a shower, A Jue happened to deliver medicine. Thinking it was for He Chen's stomach ailment, he even specially bought some warm rice porridge. However, when he clearly saw who the woman on the bed was, his expression suddenly became extremely subtle

Wen Wan turned around in confusion and happened to see He Chen leaning against the door.

Xiao Xiao glared at her somewhat unhappily and said, "What joy is there in living like this?"

Recalling the smug look on He Chen's face yesterday, she still felt a surge of anger. At that moment, she was already certain that the man was just toying with her. Wen Wan was furious inside, but she maintained her composure on the outside. As she brushed past him, she deliberately bumped her shoulder hard against the man's side.

His hand was large and powerful, gripping her shoulder as if he were about to crush her to pieces: "Do you really take me for a fool? Then tell me what is going on! Tell me!"

Wen Wan looked at him pitifully, wrapping the strap around her finger little by little, as if afraid he would suddenly leave. After a few seconds, she softly squeezed out a few words: "I still want to drink water"

As soon as Xiao Xiao heard these words, she realized they were directed at her and immediately jumped up. She was shorter than Gu Mingchen, so she deliberately stood on her tiptoes and said, "What is there to be afraid of being overheard?"

Wen Wan looked at the scattered items on the ground, her expression showing no change. Gu Mingchen couldn't help but sneer: "You really knew all along."

Wen Wan cried, feeling particularly scared inside. She did not know what to do next, looking at the crowd in the yard, none of whom she recognized

Gu Mingchen stepped back in pain. He arranged for Wu Di to join the management company that Ji Yan once belonged to, gradually uncovering a scandal that had been buried for a long time. As the facts lay before him, he realized that he had misunderstood this woman for two whole years, yet she clearly knew the truth and said nothing!

He Tingyan is not an ordinary child. Growing up in such a complicated family environment, he naturally would not be easily coaxed into speaking by Wen Wan. He simply looked at Wen Wan with a serious expression for a while, then shifted his gaze to the door and smoothly turned over to lie down.

"You should be grateful that it is me you encountered today," he said through clenched teeth, simultaneously removing the watch from her wrist.

Regardless, leaving this bastard is a joyful matter. It was one thing to treat you like a maid when we were young, but even after marriage, he continued to bully you. Let him go to hell from now on. Xiao Xiao pouted, flipping through the divorce agreement several times, as if to verify its authenticity.

Wen Wan did not respond, and it seems she has fallen asleep again

He was indeed kept awake all night and did not get any good sleep

Wen Wan remembers that before her father left, he gently stroked her small face with his rough palm and said to her with a smile: "Xiao Wan, be good, help your mother make dumplings at home, and your father will be back soon to accompany you all"

He Chen glanced at her, his tone still somewhat polite: "This child often throws tantrums and refuses to eat; how can her health improve like this? Doctor Wen surely doesn't think there is poison involved, does he?"

Gu Mingchen's gaze darkened slightly in an instant, and the fingers hanging at his side slowly clenched into a fist

Xiao Xiao was having a great time, occasionally waving at her.

He Chen tossed the medicine box into his hand while drying his hair and said, "Give this to her."

Wen Wan has become even less talkative, and the life of relying on others still leaves her with a severe lack of security. She has turned into a strange and cold person. However cold her heart may be, she has never openly defied anyone; she fears being abandoned and disliked, instinctively wanting to please and accommodate others

Wen Wan was choked up; no matter how much she doubted He Chen, she absolutely could not speak definitively. Just as she was about to argue, He Chen suddenly said: "Under normal circumstances, if this soup were poisoned, why would I personally deliver it? However, Doctor Wen has a rather deep-seated prejudice against me, probably thinking that my intelligence is only this much."

Wen Wan sat alone at the table drinking, while Xiao Xiao glided into the dance floor, truly in her element. With her naturally good figure, her twisting movements were quite alluring, and it wasn't long before several men gathered around her.

Wen Wan's voice was very soft, probably because she was truly unwell. He Chen had to lean in closer to hear clearly, and upon staring at the area she was covering, he gritted his teeth and said: "That, is, the stomach!"

Wen Wan groggily opened her eyes and stared at the face that was so close to her for quite a while, yet she still could not recognize who he was

Wen Wan was forced to lean back a little by him, awkwardly smiling and shaking her head: "No need to be polite"

Wen Wan gradually understood the dirty words in her grandmother's speech, becoming even more silent. In fact, no one spoke to her at all, and even Dong Dong disliked her very much

Ultimately, his misunderstanding is of no importance to her

He Chen was taken aback, as the woman in his arms half-closed her eyes, her soft pink lips slowly moving away from the lines of his palm, then finding the rim of the glass. She slightly tilted her head back, her eyes looking at him with confusion: "Thirsty—"

Wen Wan is very perceptive and, after rolling her eyes, continued, "He is not handsome at all, and he pales in comparison to your father"

He Chen's pair of eyes coldly and quietly gazed at her, and he said in a low voice: "I only asked Miss Meng for a favor. Now that I have obtained the answer I wanted, Miss Meng's photos will naturally not be seen by anyone, so rest assured"

Wen Wan began to cough violently after being choked, most of the water splashed onto He Chen's bathrobe

Wen Wan knew that Gu Mingchen must be very upset. Having come to the Gu family at the age of sixteen, she had long since grasped the nature of this man. Not to mention that Ji Yan was the woman he loved the most, even if a toy that once belonged to him was touched and defiled by someone else, he would still go mad with anger for several days.

After searching the room thoroughly without finding her clothes, she had no choice but to tear off the bedsheet to wrap around her body. She opened the door and peeked outside. There was a man sitting on the sofa, but she could only see his neat short hair and broad shoulders, making it difficult to confirm his appearance

Wen Wan nodded slightly, hesitated for a few seconds, and finally asked him: "... um, where is the restroom?"

She was hesitating whether to just walk out when the man suddenly spoke: "You are going to be late for work."

A-Jue nodded slightly, took off the white gloves in his hand, and put them into his pocket: "The master is also aware of the incident where the goods were stolen last time; it was all tacitly approved by him."

He Chen slowly raised his head to look at him. A Jue cleared his throat, still expressionless: "It is twelve o'clock, time to get off work"

He suppressed his discomfort, cleared his throat, yet still spoke in a somewhat low and hoarse voice: "Ji Yan... why did you leave in the end?"

Wen Wan was taken back to the countryside by her grandmother, who was an eccentric old woman, living alone, silent, and quite fierce

He Chen looked at her for a while, his hands hanging at his side opening and closing. Finally, he leaned down and pinched her chin hard, his strength not at all gentlemanly: "You are truly the first one to dare to command me like this"

What she did not expect was that the man was indeed quite perverse; just as she was about to step out of the hospital room, she suddenly heard his deep, pleasant laughter, as if he were immensely pleased.

Wen Wan has been staying in the hospital for the next few days and hasn't returned home much. That home is only hers, and there is no one to explain her absence to. Gu Mingchen has not been in touch since that day. She wanted to take the initiative to inquire about the divorce agreement, but her calls went unanswered.

These two individuals have never gotten along well; they always end up arguing whenever they meet. Xiao Xiao particularly dislikes Gu Mingchen. As for Gu Mingchen, it goes without saying that he despises anyone associated with Tong Wenwan.

Who knows, Wen Wan stared at him with her dark eyes for a few seconds, then suddenly leaned into his embrace and fell silent

Indeed

He believed that it was his father who used underhanded means to drive Ji Yan away, leading to her death in the air disaster. He even blamed all of this on Wen Wan, whom his parents favored. He deceived himself into thinking that it was Wen Wan's cunning and her ability to please their parents that had fooled them into choosing her as the daughter-in-law of the Gu family.

On that warm evening, she sat on the ground, hugging her knees and keeping a distance from her father. The pale-faced man seemed somewhat unfamiliar to her, and she could not bring herself to believe that he was her father. After sitting for a while, she quietly moved closer and cautiously touched her father's little finger with her own. It was no longer the warmth she was accustomed to, but rather cold, chilling to the bone.

Where?" He Chen shook his head and casually walked to her side, "Doctor Wen said I have a fierce appearance, how could I possibly be someone who understands humor.

"What do you understand?" Wen Wan furrowed her brow in confusion

Wen Wan remained silent, having not thought about the past for many years. Recently, as she looked at that half-grown child, the memories suddenly became exceptionally clear.

Gu Mingchen's temples were throbbing with veins, and he suddenly stood up, striding towards her before Wen Wan could clearly see what was happening.

Wen Wan stood behind her uncle, secretly watching him. The gentle man slowly approached and reached out his broad hand to stroke the top of her head: "Xiao Wan, I am Uncle Gu, do you remember me?"

A-Jue left without a second thought, completely disregarding how unpleasant He Chen's expression was.

Xiao Xiao just blinked mysteriously, stood up, and pulled her hands forcefully into the room: "Come on, come on, now that you are single again, we must celebrate properly. Tonight, I will show you the exciting nightlife of single women!"

She is in great need of love, needing someone who can talk to her, even if it is just to smile at her

She did not know what Gu Mingchen was playing at again, and it seemed unlikely that he was deliberately stalling for time; this man should be the one most eager to get a divorce.

What should I do

After glancing at the medicine box in his hand, He Chen still got up to pour a cup of warm water

He was unable to speak of the sinking law, and there he was, stripped bare and treated as a rapist, which was truly the first time in his thirty-five years of life. The manager, who had just arrived and did not know him at all, was shouting about calling the police

Wen Wan could tell from his tone that he had already investigated the matter thoroughly, and denying it further would be pointless: "Uncle Gu is worried that you might be upset"

He Tingyan revealed a slight smile at the corner of his mouth, rare yet still captured by Wen Wan. He quietly leaned a little closer to Wen Wan, tilting his head up, seemingly looking forward to her continuing to speak.

However, Wen Wan was never able to wait for her father to return, that man who was honest and kind in her memories, was taken into custody on New Year's Eve on charges of intentional homicide

Xiao Xiao noticed that ever since Gu Mingchen left, her smile had been somewhat forced, and her gaze seemed a bit unfocused. Unable to help herself, she widened her eyes and poked Wen Wan's shoulder, asking, "You two in the study... wouldn't anything happen that I don't know about?"