Chapter 11

Maybe it was because I got busy too, but my schedule became more and more in sync with Gu Xuchen’s.

2 a.m.

I was crouched in front of the fridge looking for ice cubes when footsteps sounded behind me. Tilting my head slightly, I saw a fair, slender hand open the fridge and take out a box of strawberries.

Holding the ice, I just wanted to leave quickly, but Gu Xuchen suddenly spoke:

“The ring, I’m not giving it back.”

I was stunned for a moment and turned back unconsciously. “Then you can pay me for it.”

Gu Xuchen leaned on the counter with one hand, slowly fiddling with the strawberries, and glanced at me:

“No.”

My mind buzzed, a little irritated. “I’ve sorted out all the bags and the car. As long as you give me back the ring, I’ll return them to you right away.”

Gu Xuchen: “I said, I’m not giving it back.”

“You-”

I clenched my hand, looking at his self-righteous expression, and couldn’t help but get angry:

“I’m already prepared to give everything back to you. What right do you have not to return it!”

Gu Xuchen: “If you’re not satisfied, you can sue me.”

Me: …

Grinding my molars, I really wanted to bite Gu Xuchen to death, but could only hold on with reason:

“Our marriage is fake. Keeping the ring is useless.”

“If it’s useless, why did you buy it?”

Gu Xuchen shot back directly.

Me: …

I was left speechless by him, seriously suspecting he just wanted to argue with me.

“Fine, don’t return it!”

Fuming, I turned to leave.

Gu Xuchen looked at me calmly, raised his eyes, and said in a flat voice:

“The fact that you were willing to buy it in the first place means you wanted to be with me. We’re already married. Since that’s the case, why don’t we give it a try? There’s nothing wrong with my body, I can have children.”

Me: …

I actually laughed in anger, stopped in my tracks, and looked at him coldly:

“Gu Xuchen, do you really think the only reason I got married was to have children?”

Gu Xuchen: “If you have any other requests, you can bring them up.”

I have to admit.

A businessman is a businessman. His tone, his expression, even every word he uttered, made me feel cold and detached, as if we were negotiating a business deal.

At that moment.

I couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh: “I don’t need a husband who thinks Everything is more important than me.”

I thought I could control my emotions.

But when I said the word Everything, it felt like my heart stopped beating, as if a wound already raw and bloody was being rubbed over and over with sandpaper.

The strawberries fell to the floor.

Gu Xuchen looked up at me, both hands on the counter, trying to say something.

But.

I didn’t want to hear a single word.

After that day, there was even less to say between Gu Xuchen and me, but he often passed by my door.

Every time I opened the door to pour coffee,

He was there.

When our eyes met, both of us were expressionless, as if only the faint sound of breathing could be heard, making the night feel even heavier.

If I had to use one word to describe every encounter, it would probably be “silent confrontation.”

…

My work was gradually picking up, and I threw myself into it wholeheartedly. Occasionally, I’d go to offline meetings for collaborations, treating them like afternoon tea appointments.

But.

I didn’t expect that when I rushed to the café with my portfolio, Gu Xuchen would be there too, discussing business with a middle-aged man.

“Ye Min?”

Senior An Yu waved at me with a smile.

I froze for two seconds, not expecting An Yu to be at the table right next to Gu Xuchen’s, and could only brace myself and sit down.

Maybe it was my imagination.

I felt like I’d been caught cheating, especially the moment Gu Xuchen’s gaze landed on me.

“If we weren’t from the same department, I wouldn’t have been able to get an appointment with you, busy bee.”

An Yu said with a smile.

Embarrassed, I put down my portfolio, straightened my back, chatted briefly with An Yu, and started discussing the licensing agreement.

But.

Awkwardly, I completely forgot that my design ID was also on the contract, and An Yu read it out loud:

“Chenchen Weimin? Does this name have any special meaning?”

What meaning could it have? It just means Gu Xuchen hasn’t married Ye Min yet…

I felt a bit helpless, did my best to ignore Gu Xuchen’s sidelong glance, and smiled:

“Just something I made up, no special meaning.”

At this moment.

I already regretted my unnecessary cleverness back then.

An Yu gave a gentle smile: “I’m glad to be working with you. Would you like to have dinner together tonight?”

I was taken aback, wanting to politely refuse, but just then, the sound of a chair scraping harshly against the floor came from beside me.

Gu Xuchen suddenly stood up and left.

His cool presence flared up for a moment, then vanished.

Maybe.

I should be glad that I’ve seen Gu Xuchen’s true colors. Now, it doesn’t hurt as much as before, and I won’t mistakenly think he’s jealous anymore.