Chapter 2

After that, my interactions with Gu Xuchen became rare. The next time we met was entirely because my best friend claimed she wanted to introduce her younger brother to me.

I thought she was joking, introducing a brother who was still doing homework, just waiting for me to treat him to KFC.

But then-

When Gu Xuchen walked in, I almost choked on my juice.

Maybe the world really is that small. My best friend was quite pleased as she said, “My brother goes to the same university as you, though not the same department.”

Me: …

This time,

Gu Xuchen once again hit all my aesthetic preferences.

Still a white shirt, but his aura had matured. Broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and those long legs made it impossible to look away.

“Hey, isn’t he handsome?”

My best friend raised her eyebrows, looking quite proud.

I couldn’t say a word, because Gu Xuchen was already sitting across from me.

When he saw me, he paused for two seconds. His eyes were utterly calm, the epitome of indifference. “Hello.”

Me: …

Maybe it was his attitude that got to me.

When I got home, I told my best friend that I liked Gu Xuchen and asked her to help me win him over. So my best friend came up with a move-fake marriage.

It was truly absurd.

But Gu Xuchen agreed without hesitation, which puzzled me. I thought maybe he was a little interested in me.

However, the truth was that he was being pressured by his family and had no other choice.

I couldn’t help but get angry, tossing and turning, unable to figure out what exactly he didn’t like about me.

I was really mad.

In my mind, I already pictured myself triumphantly winning over Gu Xuchen… brandishing a little whip, defeating the evil dragon like a knight, howling at the sky…

But reality is always harsh compared to the ideal.

The marriage was fake, but the certificate was real.

Legally, we were husband and wife, but Gu Xuchen never showed any awareness of fulfilling marital duties.

Instead, he would control my actions with money at every turn. At first, I thought he was young, so I let him be, thinking he’d eventually run out of money for those things.

But-

The more I let him be, the more I realized he was ridiculously rich, even richer than the rumors at school had said…

As it turned out, he was also very enthusiastic about making money. Even at this hour, he was still working, often staying up late and sleeping in the study.

I felt extremely frustrated, but I couldn’t show it too obviously.

Otherwise, it would seem like I liked him too much…

After much hesitation,

I quickly went back to my room to shower, put on my favorite nightgown, and decided to play the role of a virtuous wife by bringing him a cup of hot milk in the study.

But-

As soon as I opened the door, Gu Xuchen lifted his chin slightly, signaling for me to leave.

I nodded, pointed at the milk, and walked toward him.

From the computer came the sound of employees reporting work, in a language I couldn’t understand-it must have been an international meeting.

Maybe it was the lighting.

Gu Xuchen’s thick eyelashes made his eyes look especially captivating. His focused expression was simply fatal to me.

Unconsciously,

A mischievous thought popped into my mind. I stretched out my foot and tapped his leg.

Gu Xuchen held the cup, his gaze sweeping over my face with indifference. His Adam’s apple bobbed slightly as he drank the milk unhurriedly.

The voices from the computer continued.

I looked at Gu Xuchen innocently, watching him until he finished the milk in one gulp, his lips pressed into a straight line.

Click.

With a tap of his finger, the meeting was paused.

I curled my lips, secretly delighted, just about to tease him a bit more, when he suddenly stepped hard on my slipper.

“Hey! What are you doing!”

I was startled, my toes curling in embarrassment.

Gu Xuchen looked up and stared at me. “Why did you rub your leg against mine?”

Me: ???

I gripped the edge of the desk, not expecting that not only did I fail to flirt with him, but his glance left me feeling even more embarrassed and indignant.

“You-”

“Hmm?”

Gu Xuchen glanced at me, his face serious, waiting for a reasonable explanation.

“My… foot… cramped.”

My lips twitched as I silently cursed him for being so dense, not understanding flirtation. I enunciated each word: “Can you give me back my slipper?”

The next second,

Gu Xuchen flicked his toe, swiftly and neatly kicking the slipper to my feet. “It’s getting late. Go to bed.”

Me: …

I was fuming, not wanting to say more. I put on my slipper and was about to leave, but when I reached the door, I couldn’t help glancing back at him.

“Miss Ye.”

“Hmm?”

I smiled at Gu Xuchen.

He propped his hand against his forehead, looking at the computer, as if he had expected me to pause. He said in a calm voice, “The bedroom is yours. The study is mine. Next time, please don’t come in without permission.”

Me: ???

My hand gripped the doorknob. His cold attitude made me feel like I was grinding my molars flat, but I could only smile and say, “Okay. I understand. Sorry to bother you.”

However-

As soon as the door closed,

The smile on my lips instantly froze.