Chapter 5, Nowadays, Those Old Times

Gu Mingchen caressed the back of her hand, lowering his head with a bitter smile: "After Ji Yan's death, I couldn't face the reality, and I couldn't believe that she died because of you. I found that I couldn't bring myself to hate you; it wasn't just you that I couldn't face, but also this version of myself. Ji Yan's accident was because of me, yet I gradually fell in love with you."

This is mocking the fact that the two have not seen each other often; how could Gu Mingchen not understand?

The procedures were surprisingly smooth, and now the two of them truly have no connection. After exiting the hall, Wen Wan directly walked across the street. Gu Mingchen watched her, feeling a lump in his throat, and after a few moments, he silently turned away.

Gu Mingchen, tall and long-legged, caught up with her in just a few steps and grasped her slender shoulder with one hand: "Wen Wan, let's talk."

Wen Wan rarely cries, as if she was born with underdeveloped tear glands. Yet at this moment, a bitter substance slides past the corner of her eye, unstoppable, like a flood overflowing.

Gu Mingchen remained silent, tears gradually welled up in her eyes, quietly sliding past the corners of her lips

A charming smile would then appear on the boy's face, a smile that captivates the heart, which Wen Wan had never seen on his face before

"Do you think I lack women?" He Chen suddenly spoke, a refreshing breath lightly brushing against Wen Wan's cheek

Wen Wan, however, tossed and turned all night because of this. She had her own girlish thoughts and secrets that she could not share with others, and that secret was Gu Mingchen

They returned together to their grandmother's ancestral home in the countryside, and Gu Mingchen chose the cleanest and tidiest room first. Ji Yan and Wen Wan were of similar age, and a hint of youthful shyness was evident on their faces: "I, I will share a room with Wen Wan..."

Kitchen? I don't know if it's because of being unwell, but my reactions are always a beat slow. Wen Wan's mind went blank for a second, and then He Chen seemed to have found the answer himself, heading directly towards the kitchen.

Wen Wan took a deep breath, her face pale, and after a long while, she finally laughed and said: "What makes you think that I would love you for so many years? Do you really think that I... have no self-respect?"

Wen Wan lay on the bed, looking weak and listless, her lips dry and even peeling a bit, yet she shook her head and said: "I am a doctor, why go to the hospital"

The film being watched is an art house piece, with a storyline and dialogue that exude a sense of oppressive gloom. The visual style is somewhat dark, and throughout the entire process, the cinema is shrouded in dimness. Wen Wan is quite engrossed in it; she is patient and focused in whatever she does, thus she has not paid attention to Gu Mingchen's reactions.

Gu Mingchen looked at her carefully, perhaps trying to gauge the truth behind her words. After a moment, he let out a slight sigh of relief, yet it seemed as if there was more to his words: "Xiao Wan, no matter what the future holds, remember to never fall in love with He Chen. I do not want to—"

Wen Wan shook her head: "Our personalities are incompatible"

Wen Wan thought it was too dark in the cinema and accidentally bumped into something, but who would have known that after he grasped it, he never let go, and his fingertips gradually tightened, holding on with great strength

Wen Wan smiled somewhat sarcastically: "Yes, it was that time, and after that... I could no longer love you."

Wen Wan blinked and then heard him say: "Ting Yan is quite precocious; do not indulge him too much"

He Chen was also unsure if he was listening, and he frowned as he asked her in return: "Is it serious?"

Wen Wan took a breath and swallowed the tasteless food, then calmly told Xiao Xiao: "I went to handle the formalities with him yesterday"

Ji Yan immediately showed a look of fright, her hand instinctively grasping the hem of Gu Mingchen's clothing

After all, what happened yesterday probably made him extremely angry

This irrelevant conversation, lacking coherence, was difficult to follow, yet Wen Wan managed to understand it. Observing He Chen's face, which still bore little emotion, she tried to remain calm and said: "It's nothing."

Gu Mingchen frowned, feeling quite annoyed by her foolish expression: "Since there is nothing to do in Qingzhou, it would be better to return to the countryside with you. When the time comes for you to pay respects at the grave, just don't mind us."

"Enough is enough!" These four words were almost squeezed out from between her teeth. If her hands had not been restrained by He Chen, rendering her unable to move, she would have truly wanted to slap him.

At that time, she was still not attractive, remaining thin to the point where even the school uniform could not fit her. In contrast, Gu Mingchen was quite different; he was very popular among girls, sunny and handsome, and capable of anything.

"Get lost." Which woman is being stared at like this by a man, especially a rather good-looking man...? If she isn't even a little nervous, that would be truly bizarre

It just so happens that both men seem to be eager for a fight. He Chen still wears that half-smile, yet his gaze is cold enough to kill: "Isn't it somewhat irregular for you, the attending physician, to be absent while processing the discharge paperwork?"

As Wen Wan walked out, she felt a prickling sensation on her back, as if being pursued. It seemed that the man was truly infuriated this time, but recalling his previous actions, she felt a sense of relief.

She has experienced stomach pain from hunger since childhood, faced punishment from her aunt for making mistakes, and endured a sprained ankle from a classmate's prank, forcing herself to walk home. Yet, all these pains pale in comparison to this moment

Gu Mingchen walked over and embraced Zhou Erlan, speaking very seriously: "Xiao Wan is so lonely by herself, and I have nothing to do at home. I can just help Dad take a look at Uncle Wen."

He Chen reached out and pinched her chin, leaning in a few inches with a playful demeanor: "What were you about to say just now? I'll give you another chance. If you don't speak, I won't mind using some methods to make you talk."

Wen Wan glanced at He Chen with a headache and said, "The discharge procedures for Ting Yan will be handled by a designated person. I have other matters to attend to, so I will leave first"

Uncertain how much time had passed, her hand holding the popcorn box was suddenly grasped by someone.

Gu Mingchen's hands were very cool, and their texture was unlike He Chen's. He had not experienced much hardship since childhood and had never even entered a kitchen, so his fingers were long and smooth, lacking any rough texture. He seemed to be merely testing at first, but after a few minutes, he directly set the box she was holding aside and intertwined his fingers with hers.

Xiao Xiao curled her lips and said, "Your mother-in-law always feels that this matter is not over yet"

The young boy, with limited experience, clearly could not answer these two "whys". After hesitating for a long time without providing a satisfactory explanation, he could only reach out and pull the person into his embrace, soothingly saying: "It's just a movie, you silly little thing."

Xiao Xiao reached out to check her temperature, and her brows remained furrowed: "The fever is quite severe, we should go to the hospital. If it drags on and she ends up becoming an idiot, what are we going to do?"

It was as if some unspeakable secret had been uncovered; she abruptly brushed his hand away and took a large step back. The carriage swayed violently with her intense movement, yet Gu Mingchen gazed at her steadily.

It is better to avoid such a man with a rational mindset

When she looked up again, Gu Mingchen had already taken Ji Yan and walked away

"If you dare to provoke me, you must always have the courage; what is there to fear now?" He Chen's words revealed no discernible emotion, his tone was indifferent, leaving Wen Wan unable to ascertain whether this man had come to settle scores with her.

Wen Wan ignored him, gritting her teeth as she pried his hand open. Gu Mingchen used his other hand to stop her, his tone no longer as urgent as before: "Haven't we wasted too much time because of the past? Can't we talk calmly now?"

Seeing that she was silent, Xiao Xiao did not think much of it and sat down in front of her: "Open your mouth."

Wen Wan found some fever-reducing medicine for herself and sent a WeChat message to Xiao Xiao. Just as it was time to get off work at noon, that girl rushed over in a flurry: "What happened? Is it serious? Let's go to the hospital and have a look"

Wen Wan turned over directly, facing away from her: "You are going to be late for work."

His cool fingers gently brushed against her soft lips, and he tapped the corner of her mouth, saying, "The taste here, I still quite miss it"

Wen Wan dreamed last night, dreaming of Gu Mingchen in his youth, as well as dreaming of himself at that time

Wen Wan reached out to pull him and walked directly inside: "Let's sit at the blue one."

Gu Mingchen slowly knelt down and reached out to firmly grasp her hands: "You haven't called me brother in a long time"

Gu Mingchen also smiled and said, "Yes, what happened today?" As he spoke, he pressed the accelerator, and the car sped away.

I remember you said when you were young that if you kiss when the Ferris wheel reaches the highest point, the two of you can be together in the next life. Gu Mingchen said as he leaned closer, his lips getting closer to Wen Wan's.

Xiao Xiao pondered the strange expressions on the faces of the two people beside her, sensing that the atmosphere was somewhat off. She glanced down at the time and couldn't help but exclaim in shock: "Oh no, I'm late!"

In the dim light, observing her reaction, Wen Wan kept her gaze fixed on the movie screen and did not withdraw her hand, which caused Gu Mingchen to tighten his grip slightly, as if he intended to hold onto that hand without letting go.

Wen Wan lowered her head, the color drained completely from her face

He Chen nodded slightly, seemingly indifferent, merely raising his chin slightly to look at her, without saying a word

"Shut up." She had just started speaking when Gu Mingchen interrupted her, gritting his teeth. His expression was dark and foreboding, appearing extremely frightening.

The man stood tall against the light, wearing only a thin black cashmere sweater and black trousers, which made his figure appear even more elongated. At that moment, Wen Wan suddenly felt a hint of warmth emanating from him

Gu Mingchen furrowed his brows, came to a halt, and displayed a somewhat pained expression on his face

Wen Wan looked at him calmly. In the countless times she had been tormented by Gu Mingchen, she had hoped to see this man in pain. However, now that she finally saw it, it was far from the sense of pleasure she had imagined.

Wen Wan silently gazed at him, the man who was usually indifferent and arrogant, now seemed to have a speech impediment, his words coming out in fits and starts, each sentence fragmented into countless pieces

"Who is it?" Wen Wan walked over and, upon seeing the expression on the visitor's face, felt a bit stiff. "What are you doing here—"

He Chen patiently listened to her until she finished speaking, then furrowed his brow. His face slowly leaned closer, his features drawing nearer to hers, and Wen Wan's fists gradually clenched tighter.

Gu Mingchen showed no embarrassment at all, directly pulling Ji Yan into his arms, and casually explained to Wen Wan: "Tomorrow is Yan Yan's birthday, and I want to spend some time alone with her, but you know Mom doesn't allow me to stay out overnight."

He Chen stood at the door, and upon hearing her voice, turned to look over. His gaze slowly swept over the nightgown she was wearing, finally resting on her pale face. After a few seconds, he said: "Ting Yan hasn't slept since he returned yesterday. I would like to ask you to go see him."

Some things, if left unspoken, can be treated as if they never happened for a lifetime, just like the extravagant secret crush that she had severed in her youth. At this moment, when Gu Mingchen exposed it with a single remark, Wen Wan felt utterly ashamed yet also filled with righteous indignation

A sound of water soon came from inside, and she hesitated as she walked to the kitchen door, seeing He Chen standing by the countertop.

How can it hurt so much

Wen Wan also did not know that the place Gu Mingchen mentioned earlier was a cinema, perhaps he wanted to make up for what he owed her in childhood? But isn't He Chen's demeanor a bit inexplicable? Even if they had kissed twice or even engaged in more intimate actions, it really doesn't matter, does it?

His voice was hoarse, and his breathing seemed somewhat irregular. Wen Wan pressed her lips together but said nothing.

Wen Wan looked at him with suspicion, while Gu Mingchen slightly tilted his head. At that moment, the sunlight was intense, making it difficult for her to see the expression on his face. She furrowed her brows and turned her face away: "What’s wrong with you today?"

He Chen did not rise, but gazed at her deeply, finally curling his lips into a smile: "Are you nervous?"

"What an attitude! When I was delivering takeout, she turned her back on me after eating." Xiao Xiao, furious, stood by the bed, hopping up and down, wanting to scold that girl a few more times when the doorbell suddenly rang

Even though she felt somewhat guilty, she glared at He Chen with resentment, and upon noticing the mockery in his eyes, she became even more furious: "What exactly do you want? I made it clear before that I have no interest in you."

Sitting in front of Wen Wan and Gu Mingchen is a young couple dressed like university students. The girl is wearing a lavender sweater, and her black hair accentuates her particularly pure appearance. At this moment, however, a few glistening tears are on her face: "Clearly the male lead has already fallen in love, so why can't they end up together in the end? The female lead loves him too, so why doesn't she accept him?"

The person on the bed clearly lacks the energy to speak; their lips moved slightly, but it was unclear what they were saying, and then they drowsily closed their eyes again

He Chen lowered his head and, with lingering thoughts, said: "You can pretend you didn't hear, let's continue."

This feeling of torment is not something she is experiencing for the first time. In the past, whenever Gu Mingchen gave her hope, he would ultimately cut it off mercilessly. Yet, like every foolish girl in love, whenever she is met with kindness from the other party, she cannot help but entertain extravagant fantasies.

Wen Wan was looked at by him in a perplexed manner: "What’s wrong?"

Wen Wan's entire body tensed up; she had little experience in matters of intimacy, but her ears were undoubtedly the most sensitive part of her body. Coupled with her fever and weakness, her body felt increasingly soft, rendering her somewhat immobile in his embrace

"Can you really not love me again?" Gu Mingchen suddenly asked, as Wen Wan felt both of her hands being painfully squeezed by him, with a layer of red marks already appearing on the back of her hands, all left by his excessive force.

Perhaps this time, Gu Mingchen truly wants to accompany her

Wen Wan nearly bit down on her white teeth; in a moment of desperation, she had no choice but to bite his chin hard with a flushed face. Her strength was infused with a hint of hatred, leaving no room for any semblance of compassion.

A desire for eternity can only ever be a desire.

He Chen stopped his movements, and the expression on his face was so cold that Wen Wan did not dare to look at him. She could feel the man's breathing becoming heavier, and with a slight glance, she could see the veins on the back of his hand gripping the armrest clearly visible.

Wen Wan left early yesterday without completing the discharge procedures for that child, and the two of them didn't even have a proper farewell. She felt a bit apologetic in her heart, and now hearing He Chen say this, she felt even more uneasy: "Are you two in a quarrel?"

Wen Wan sat up with her help, leaning against the headboard, and even smiled at her: "Well, not eating slows down recovery; I need to get back to work early."

The man's hand resting on her shoulder trembled violently, and Wen Wan slowly pushed him away: "We are no longer children; love is not that important to me. Just like I have decided not to love you, yet I would still choose to marry you for the sake of survival."

Wen Wan took it herself, but as soon as she took a bite, she frowned.

Gu Mingchen gazed at the Ferris wheel, lost in thought, perhaps reminiscing about Ji Yan

Gu Mingchen rarely cast his gaze upon her, unless he had a need.

Gu Mingchen always speaks to Ji Yan with exceptional patience, his tone gentle as if he is afraid of scaring her: "There will be mice here at night, are you not afraid?"

He Chen's performance today will only further prove what she has been thinking in her heart: this man merely regards her as an amusing plaything. As long as he is still interested, he can treat her so recklessly; however, when he loses interest one day, her fate is likely beyond what she can imagine at this moment

On the second day of Wen Wan's absence from work, she unexpectedly developed a fever reaching 39 degrees Celsius. She has always had good health and rarely falls ill throughout the year. Since childhood, she has repeatedly warned herself that she must not get sick, as she cannot afford to be ill; there would be no one like her father to stay by her bedside and take care of her all night long.

I discovered it too late, I am sorry. He whispered this sentence, which seemed both true and false, and Wen Wan doubted whether she was hallucinating, but the next second she still rationally reached out to stop him

Few people know her family's address. Apart from Xiao Xiao, Wen Wan really couldn't think of who else it could be. She took a sweater and draped it over herself, and since she hadn't heard any conversation in the living room, she curiously walked out, only to see Xiao Xiao's back blocking the entrance.

The car drove directly to the cinema, and Wen Wan stood at the entrance, feeling somewhat dazed. In her childhood, she went to the movies with her parents, back when the equipment was quite old, and many people would sit in one room, with vendors selling peanuts and sunflower seeds at the entrance. Now, everything is different; the surroundings are filled with young couples, snuggling together, unsure of which film to choose, yet their words are overflowing with happiness.

Xiao Xiao stared wide-eyed, sighed as if suddenly realizing something, and then shot her a glance filled with a mix of anger and disappointment: "No wonder you would have a fever for no reason."

He spoke while taking out two movie tickets from his coat pocket, and provocatively waved them.

Wen Wan felt uneasy under his gaze, always sensing that whenever the two of them were alone together, there was a feeling of being violated. She cautiously took a step back. He Chen observed all her subtle movements, and just as she was about to retreat further, he reached out his arm and directly grasped her wrist.

Wen Wan walked over and, despite her reluctance, politely said: "I am not feeling well today, let's visit Ting Yan tomorrow, you go ahead first"

He Chen began to take off his coat, and Wen Wan was startled, jumping up from the sofa: "What are you doing?"

He Chen's expression changed immediately, and he quickly withdrew from her.

Xiao Xiao, in doubt, pressed her hand against her face and murmured to herself, "Is that so?"

At this moment, it was still early, and Gu Mingchen directly took Wen Wan to the parking lot. She did not ask where they were going, but silently followed in his footsteps.

Gu Mingchen stood at the door, thoughtfully glancing at the two individuals in the room, whose expressions varied. Naturally, their faces did not look particularly pleasant, yet he remained calm as he turned to Wen Wan and asked, "Can we leave now?"

Wen Wan was once again forcefully kissed by this man, her entire face burning with embarrassment. Fortunately, someone gently knocked on the office door, causing both of them to stop simultaneously. Wen Wan bit her lip and glared at the man in front of her, while He Chen wore a teasing expression and refused to get up.

Before the words "let's go" could be spoken, He Chen had already taken the lead in speaking: "Aren't you going to make me a cup of tea?"

"I already said she is still unwell," Xiao Xiao added with dissatisfaction

The two of them are going to the Civil Affairs Bureau today, and last night, Gu Mingchen suddenly suggested going to a place first, so the time was moved up. Wen Wan almost forgot about this matter; fortunately, he didn't catch her in the awkward situation just now, otherwise, it would have been truly embarrassing.

The movie has ended, and the conclusion is somewhat sorrowful

Gu Mingchen reached out to embrace her, but Wen Wan forcefully shook him off. Tears still lingered in her eyes, yet she stubbornly smiled: "You ask me why I still keep this necklace; I do it to remind myself that I can no longer indulge in desires for things that do not belong to me in this lifetime. Gu Mingchen, you once treated me so poorly, how can you still have the face to ask me why I cannot love you"

He Chen felt inexplicably angry as he watched Wen Wan standing behind Gu Mingchen. However, his temperament was quite the opposite of Gu Mingchen's; the more angry he became, the calmer he was: "If I remember correctly, in all the time I've known Dr. Wen, I've only seen Mr. Gu in person once."

Gu Mingchen's exquisite features were right in front of her, his deep black eyes gazing intently at her

Gu Mingchen closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, his gaze was cold: "You really are quite capable, knowing exactly how to make me hurt."

Xiao Xiao sat by the bed, looking at her, unable to resist reaching out to touch her head, and brought up the old topic again: "What is there to be sad about? At that time, Old Master Gu used both kindness and coercion to force you to marry that scoundrel; you should have refused. Gu thought you were better than Ji Yan, and if there had been a more suitable match, the Gu family would certainly not have considered you."

He spoke halfway and then paused, turning his head back to smile to himself: "I have been too meddlesome. In the past, I have deducted quite a few points from you for not treating you well. I hope to make up for all of that in the future. At least I am still your brother, right? I hope you have a good life ahead."

He still remembered the question posed by the young girl in the cinema earlier, and he too wanted to know the answer. However, this answer was something no one could provide him.

The only explanation is that she still has utilitarian value

Wen Wan's fingers tightly gripped the hem of her skirt as she lowered her head to look at the tips of her shoes, taking a long time to reply: "I understand."

"Do you like him?" Gu Mingchen said this with a piercing gaze, his eyes slightly narrowed, carrying a hint of scrutiny

Wen Wan took a deep breath after gaining her freedom, then quickly tidied her clothes and called out to the person outside the door: "Please come in"

Gu Mingchen bought her cola and popcorn, and Wen Wan looked at it, suddenly finding it somewhat amusing: "At my age, this is quite mismatched"

Wen Wan felt a bit awkward as He Chen kept looking at Xiao Xiao, his gaze quite focused, seemingly very interested in what she was saying. She hurriedly interrupted Xiao Xiao, pushing her out the door: "You really are going to be late—"

She bit the corner of the blanket, and could still hear Ji Yan's soft moans and Gu Mingchen's heavy breathing, intertwining and tearing at every nerve in her body. She clenched her palm tightly, repeatedly telling herself: Look clearly, this is reality, from now on, do not fantasize anymore

Xiao Xiao glanced at her watch again, still unwilling to give up: "Have you agreed? If it is suitable, I can help you arrange it another day"

She said: "I watched you and her fall in love all the way, I watched you do everything for her, and those humble pleas have long been crushed by you"

Zhou Erlan had no doubts and reminded him to take good care of Wen Wan on the way

The atmosphere felt somewhat off, and Wen Wan thought she should push him away. In a moment of hesitation, He Chen had already released her first and stood up.

Wen Wan had always been on guard, yet her strength was still no match; she was almost immediately taken into someone's embrace, enveloped by the scent emanating from him.

She pulled the blanket over her head, feeling an intense headache, as if a fire were burning, tormenting her heart, as if it were about to roast her heart to perfection

The weather is getting colder and colder now. Although it is early winter, the temperature in Qingzhou is very low in the morning, especially since today is a cloudy day. When Xiaoxiao came in, she brought in a chill with her. She tucked her hands into her pockets to warm them but still found it difficult to touch Wenwan. She merely lifted her chin and said: "Shall we eat something?"

She made an effort to regulate her breathing, and did not want to lose her temper in front of Gu Mingchen. She tidied up the somewhat disordered documents on the table, lowering her head in a concealing manner: "Oh, I'm fine now, we can go."

Just like the summer after the college entrance examination, Wen Wan returned home to pay respects at her father's grave

This is truly excessive, his voice possesses an indescribable charm, and Wen Wan's entire body stiffened and tensed up, her fingers gripping the leather chair beneath her tightly. When she finally realized that this person was teasing her, she felt a slight annoyance: "He Chen, you are harassing me!"

Wen Wan thought that it was not appropriate for the two to meet at this moment, so she could only make every effort to ease the atmosphere

I estimate I will truly go mad!

Wen Wan was tossing and turning in the torment of this extreme contrast between cold and heat, unable to sleep. However, the next day, when the driver took them to the station, she saw Ji Yan, who was also holding luggage, in the waiting room.

Wen Wan thought that she still needed to go to the Civil Affairs Bureau, gently rubbed her cheeks that had been pinched until sore, and then lifted her foot to follow along.

Gu Mingchen spoke up before Wen Wan: "President He really has time, every time I look for Xiaowan, I always happen to run into you"

Thus, such a Wen Wan and such a Gu Mingchen are destined to have no intersection.

This statement appears very official at first glance. The staff member glanced at Gu Mingchen, who was exuding an aura of dark energy, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly. This man looks inherently unsafe, with a pair of eyes that are nothing short of the legendary peach blossom eyes

Gu Mingchen glanced at He Chen, who at that moment had also gathered his thoughts, slowly turning around, his face already restored to a state of calmness.

As the evening grew late and her spirits waned, she settled into her seat. At that moment, the Ferris wheel had slowly reached its highest point, yet neither of them looked out at the scenery. The cramped space felt somewhat oppressive, and she once again lowered her gaze to her fingers, aimlessly picking at her nails.

"What are you thinking?" Gu Mingchen leaned down to help her fasten her seatbelt, but Wen Wan refused. A hint of displeasure flashed in the man's eyes, yet he did not show it. He simply said, "He Chen is not a good person, keep your distance from him."

Gu Mingchen forcefully cupped her face, his eyes filled with bloodshot veins: "How long are you going to pretend? Do you think that telling Xiao Xiao you don't love me means you truly don't love me? If you really don't love me, then what is this?"

Xiao Xiao was pouring out the white porridge she had brought, and upon hearing this, she glared at her: "I have never seen someone so rational while being ill. How desperate are you for money? Doesn't the Gu family still owe you a sum?"

Wen Wan also said nothing, merely eating in silence

After getting off the Ferris wheel, Wen Wan walked forward without looking back, her steps hurried and frantic, as if a man-eating monster were chasing her from behind

Wen Wan is not a fool; she simply does not wish to dwell on matters. The more one calculates, the more one ends up hurting oneself.

Wen Wan was already struggling to breathe, and her words made her chest feel even more suffocated. Unable to help herself, she rolled her eyes and said, "You must be doing this on purpose to annoy me, right?"

"Hush, it would not be good if someone hears us, be a little quieter." His breathing became heavier as he leaned in closer to her, then he punishingly bit her lip. He maintained a calm expression, but his dark eyes grew increasingly profound, gazing deeply at her as he intensified the kiss.

Wen Wan was bewildered by his series of actions; this man actually wasn't being lewd? Realizing her own thoughts, she scolded herself in her heart a thousand times. Could it be that she had become so accustomed to being harassed by this man that she had now blatantly turned into a masochist?

Wen Wan thought for a moment and nodded: "I have never been on it even once, so I do not know what the scenery looks like from above."

Gu Mingchen had been staring at her, and when Wen Wan turned around, their eyes met. The atmosphere suddenly became somber, and everything that had previously been glossed over shattered in an instant. The man's eyes were red, his thin lips pressed tightly together, and his elbows rested slightly on his knees, his gaze towards her filled with an extreme complexity.

Every summer vacation, Gu Jia would send someone to take her back to her hometown, partly to visit her uncle and aunt, but most importantly to pay respects at her father's grave. That time, she had just started a conversation with Zhou Erlan when Gu Mingchen suddenly interjected: "Mom, I want to accompany Xiaowan."

He reached out and firmly grasped her chin, the muscles in her cheeks slightly twitching, clearly infuriated: "Wen Wan, I truly wish I could kill you"

Gu Mingchen rested his arm on the steering wheel, looking at her with a blank expression

Wen Wan's corner of the eye darkened, she originally did not want to be alone with this man, wishing he would leave quickly, and had no intention of making him tea. She simply said: "I'm sorry, there is no hot water at home"

Gu Mingchen fell silent for a moment, glancing sideways at Wen Wan. Seeing her indifferent demeanor, he finally realized that she was not lying; she truly no longer loved him

"Where is it not fitting?" Gu Mingchen had his black coat draped over his arm, wearing only a gray knitted sweater, which seemed to lessen the sense of coldness and oppression. His tone had also softened considerably, "In my eyes, you are still that little girl from back then."

Wen Wan tightened her handbag, turned her head to look straight ahead, and replied clearly: "You still don't understand me? Knowing it is dangerous, I would avoid it. How could I possibly run into it."

Wen Wan smiled and shook her head

However, this time the fever was quite severe. I woke up several times in a daze, only to fall back asleep again. I could hear my phone ringing incessantly by my ear, but my eyelids were too heavy to open. Later, when I regained some awareness, I barely managed to prop up my weak body to call my workplace and request a leave of absence.

The sky had already grown dark, and Wen Wan could only visit her father the next day. The nights in the countryside were very quiet, unlike the bustling noise of the city, so while sleeping in the adjacent room, she could clearly hear the vibrant sounds of spring just a wall away

The two men were always on edge during their meetings, and this time was no exception. The temperature in the office dropped suddenly, and there was a faint chill in the air.

Gu Mingchen rarely fell silent, perhaps recalling many past events after she mentioned them. The two checked their tickets and entered the venue. Wen Wan did not ask Gu Mingchen why he had purchased couple seats; she simply sat down with him and quietly waited for the movie to start

When she heard the last two words, her heart trembled violently, and she awkwardly raised her head, her mind in a chaotic state, unsure of what to say. In the end, she merely nodded numbly and said, "Oh"

Wen Wan seemed to somewhat understand his meaning, yet also seemed a bit confused. However, at this moment, the man was too close to her, so close that she could see his long, thick eyelashes. She could only nod quickly.

Wen Wan's fist halted in mid-air, and she stared blankly at the man above her. The light in the room was dim and hazy, yet she could see that his eyes were exceptionally bright. Being too close made it impossible to focus her gaze, and she could not discern the true emotions on his face.

Wen Wan did not expect him to use such a method to force her to submit, the key is how to say those words? As she saw He Chen approaching her even closer, all the blood in her body rushed to her face, and she could only hurriedly say: "Someone wants me to help introduce you to a matchmaker—"

Indeed, it is easier to change the landscape than to alter one's nature! She even contemplated that if this man continued to act recklessly, she would immediately use the scissors under the table to eliminate the threat to the public, after all, it would be self-defense

Gu Mingchen reached out and pulled the necklace from Wen Wan's neck. In fact, it was not a particularly valuable item, and it even showed slight discoloration. It was early winter, and the chain still carried her body warmth.

Wen Wan looked at him in shock

He did not look at her while speaking, so it was impossible to discern his expression at that moment; she could only listen awkwardly as he continued: "I thought we would spend this lifetime together, atoning in hell. But now you are leaving, and I cannot bear it—"

Gu Mingchen directly pushed her away and walked forward without looking back

"You don't have an appetite, do you? If not, then perhaps you shouldn't eat." Xiao Xiao felt distressed just looking at her

Wen Wan took a deep breath, forcing out a strained smile: "When have you ever put in effort on me for no reason? What do you want me to do for you today after all this?"

Wen Wan did not know what he was thinking. Only when he furrowed his brows and looked over did she seem to come to her senses: "Oh."

Gu Mingchen looked at her reddened eyes, and a pain that was difficult to describe arose in his heart

What are you laughing at?" Gu Mingchen frowned, looking at her with an unhappy expression

He Chen did not stop his actions upon hearing her words; he took off his coat and neatly placed it on the sofa. Only then did he put his hands in his pockets and look at her with a half-smile, asking, "Where is the kitchen?"

She took a deep breath and calmly looked back at him: "Do you remember the year after the college entrance examination when you accompanied me home to pay respects at the grave?"

Wen Wan looked up at the still enormous Ferris wheel from years ago, suddenly feeling that today's sunlight was particularly glaring. She slowly lowered her head and gazed at her toes.

Zhou Erlan looked at him strangely, and even Wen Wan was extremely surprised

He slowly retracted the hand that was resting by his side, yet a slight smile appeared at the corner of his lips: "That won't delay Doctor Wen."

Wen Wan nodded perfunctorily and said, "Let's talk about it later"

"Wasn't it quite impressive yesterday?" The man's lips were cool as they brushed against her ear, whispering a few words in a hushed tone, his breath carrying a warm heat that sent shivers down her spine, gently caressing the skin behind her ear and drifting in delicate wisps towards her cochlea

She looked at the porridge in her hand, feeling increasingly bored, and simply set the bowl aside: "I know, I have repaid what I owed to the Gu family, and now I feel quite relaxed"

It feels as if the pain is in the heart, not in the layer of flesh.

Gu Mingchen looked at her, his gaze gradually turning cold

Xiao Xiao rushed into the room to grab her coat. As she came out, she cast a thoughtful glance at He Chen, and finally nudged Wen Wan meaningfully with her arm: "I was serious just now. Our magazine's new director, I was even willing to introduce him to you myself, far better than Gu Mingchen. Don't you like that kind of fair skin and handsome appearance..."

Just as she was about to throw a punch at the man, she suddenly felt a cool forehead pressed against her own, followed by a deep, pleasant male voice, almost like a murmur: "Still not behaving after burning like this"

He Chen looked at the two movie tickets, which surprisingly were for a couple's seat. When he glanced at Wen Wan again, his gaze was even sharper, like a keen dagger.

There were not many people at the divorce office. After Gu Mingchen sat down, he maintained a cold expression and did not speak. The staff conducted a brief inquiry and, as a matter of routine, attempted to persuade them a couple of times: "Would you both like to reconsider? I see that you don't seem to have any major conflicts."

She uneasily raised her head and happened to catch sight of a pair of slightly cold, gloomy eyes. Before she could say anything, He Chen suddenly let out a low laugh, "Doctor Wen, speaking of which... I was thinking about you all night last night"

She did not want to see these two quarrel any longer. Gu Mingchen was used to having things go his way, and all his emotions were clearly written on his face. Last time, He Chen had the upper hand, and this time it was impossible for him to suffer a loss again. However, He Chen was not someone to be easily provoked, and besides, her earlier remark had probably angered him again

This time they went to the amusement park. Wen Wan remembered the only time Gu Mingchen said he would take her to the amusement park was actually a ruse to deceive Zhou Erlan in her name, bringing Ji Yan along to have fun instead. ... Ji Yan was so happy at that time. Wen Wan stood at the base of the Ferris wheel, watching her dance with excitement, and in the end, she leaned into Gu Mingchen's arms, who looked at her with a face full of affection ...

Xiao Xiao rolled her eyes, finally having the time to take off her coat: "Is it the same? You have a fever now."

She immediately slapped her forehead, truly confused by the fever

Gu Mingchen's eyes changed rapidly, and finally he slightly curled the corners of his lips, revealing an extremely unpleasant smile: "It is understandable that you don't believe me; I was a jerk in the past. But Xiaowan, don't say in the next life, I can't bear to let you go in this life either. What should I do?"

Wen Wan suddenly turned around, her face already streaming with tears

As for Gu Mingchen, do you really think he hasn't noticed what you've been thinking all these years? The two of you are together every day, and even I, an outsider, can see it. Yet he still takes advantage of you... Ultimately, there isn't a good person in this family. Every time Xiao Xiao talks about the Gu family, she is filled with anger and spares no feelings, saying all sorts of harsh words.

Xiao Xiao couldn't help but laugh out loud: "Hey, let me introduce you to someone."

Gu Mingchen's expression gradually changed, his eyes widening in an instant as if he recalled something

Wen Wan murmured softly: "I also thought it was too absurd just now, so I didn't dare to ask. I am prepared to tell them—"

Wen Wan's heart began to beat violently, and the surroundings were so quiet that it seemed nothing could be heard, leaving only Gu Mingchen's words, resonating profoundly.

Gu Mingchen had not spoken since he sat on the Ferris wheel, while Wen Wan was quite happy, leaning against the glass to admire the distant scenery. She usually wasn't very talkative, but at this moment, she was chattering away: "You can see Fengling Mountain and also Nanhu, brother, look, look—"

He appeared somewhat unable to maintain his composure, yet he still smiled appropriately, pulling Wen Wan closer to him with one hand: "I have indeed been too busy in the past and neglected her, but I will definitely make more time to make it up to her in the future. Today, we are planning to watch a movie together. Mr. He, would you like to join us?"

"Do you want to sit?" Gu Mingchen reached out to stroke her black hair, seemingly oblivious to her reaction

Wen Wan stared at him, and He Chen moved closer. In the end, he actually bypassed the desk and leaned down, placing his hands on either side of her chair. His expression was peculiar, as if he had something to say but found it difficult to speak.

After much effort in sending this deity away, Wen Wan felt a headache at the sight of another deity standing at the entrance. She kept a wary eye, leaving the door wide open and not daring to close it. When she turned around, she was surprised to find He Chen had already entered the house uninvited, sitting on her sofa and taking a keen interest in the arrangement of her home.

Wen Wan felt uncomfortable under his gaze and took her bag, preparing to leave: "I have already requested leave from the director. If you have matters to attend to, you can find someone else to resolve them. This is my personal time now"

Wen Wan stared at the subtle changes on his face, her heart completely chilled. Others may not understand, but did Gu Mingchen not know? How could he possibly treat her well, how could he afford to waste time on her

Gu Mingchen, however, was lost in thought until the crowd dispersed, and only then did he slowly rise and say: "Let's go"

"Could you please stop cursing me?" Wen Wan struggled to open her eyes, grasped her hand and pulled it down, "It's already withdrawn; your hand is just too cold."

Wen Wan sighed and said: "So in your eyes, I am still very ugly and unsophisticated, right?"

Seeing that neither of them had any intention of reconciling, she took the book prepared for stamping. In the end, seemingly unwilling to give up, she asked Gu Mingchen: "Sir, do you have anything you would like to say?"

Wen Wan pressed her lips together and ultimately chose not to continue speaking

The staff let out a sigh, took the maroon notebook, and directly stamped it.