Chapter 3

I failed. Again. And again…

The last time I failed was when Gu Xuchen was taking a shower.

I tried to peek through the crack in the door, but he reacted lightning fast. With his wet hand, he grabbed the door and locked it in one smooth motion.

“Miss Ye, men and women should keep their distance.”

Gu Xuchen’s voice was very low.

“Ah, you don’t actually think I want to see you, do you?”

I started to lie through my teeth: “Sorry. I just thought I forgot to turn off the bathroom heater.”

Gu Xuchen didn’t say anything else, but I still remember how, when he came out after his shower, he wrapped his bathrobe tightly around himself, as if he was terrified that I, the pervert, might catch even a glimpse.

After that,

He even fixed the guest room’s bathroom heater and simply stopped coming to the master bedroom.

If there were chastity arches in modern times, I’d definitely build one for Gu Xuchen.

As the saying goes, setbacks only make me braver (my wicked intentions never die).

I decided not to miss any chance to interact with Gu Xuchen.

For example: breakfast.

Because it’s a fake marriage, Gu Xuchen and I only eat together if our schedules happen to match. If not, then forget it.

So far, we haven’t matched even once.

Determined, I set five or six alarms, determined to get up early and have breakfast with him no matter what.

But in reality, I just kept rolling around in bed, tirelessly turning off the alarms again and again.

What’s a man anyway…

Is he more important than my beauty sleep?

It was past eleven.

Yawning, knowing full well that Gu Xuchen wouldn’t be home at noon, I couldn’t be bothered to put on makeup and just went downstairs.

But then-

I’d barely taken a few steps when I was so startled I wanted to run away.

Gu’s mother was sitting elegantly on the sofa, looking at me with a hint of displeasure, sipping her tea, as if she hadn’t seen me at all, facing the direction of the kitchen.

I froze on the spot and glanced at the kitchen.

Gu Xuchen was busy chopping vegetables, completely focused.

“Just look at you. Of all the girls I picked for you, which one was worse than her?

You must be out of your mind, ignoring all those well-bred ladies and insisting on marrying her.

Look at the time. You bring a wife home, and you still have to cook your own hot meal.”

With that,

Gu’s mother looked at me in surprise, covering her mouth: “Oh, you’re awake. I’m pretty straightforward when I talk, don’t take it to heart.”

Me: …

My lips moved, but since she’s Gu Xuchen’s own mother, I didn’t know what to say for a moment.

After all,

When she first heard Gu Xuchen wanted to marry me, she absolutely refused, crying up a storm. In the end, Gu Xuchen and I just made things simple and didn’t even hold a wedding.

“Mom, you talk too much.”

Gu Xuchen’s tone was flat, as if stating the most obvious fact.

I felt a little awkward.

Suddenly, I realized Gu Xuchen is like this with everyone, even his own mother.

“I’m just thinking of you!”

Gu’s mother got anxious: “If you don’t set her straight now, you’ll be the one serving her in the future.”

Me: …

After saying that, Gu’s mother shot me a cold glare.

The atmosphere suddenly grew tense.

Gu Xuchen placed the soup bowl on the dining table, not even glancing at me, and said calmly:

“I didn’t marry her so she could cook for me.”

“Fine! Fine, you’re really something!”

Gu’s mother suddenly shouted.

I was so startled I trembled, completely unable to get a word in, nor did I dare to.

When I met Gu’s mother’s icy gaze,

I felt like I was about to freeze solid. Only after she left did I finally breathe a sigh of relief, steadying myself with a hand on the sofa.

“Sorry, she has a bit of a temper. Her voice is just loud.”

Gu Xuchen suddenly spoke up.

I smiled and hurriedly waved my hand: “Uh, no need to apologize, I’m fine. A loud voice just means she’s got good energy and is healthy!”

As soon as I finished,

Gu Xuchen’s hand, which was setting the tableware, paused slightly. Bathed in the daylight, he glanced at me, his expression unreadable.

Before I could react,

He pulled out a chair and said calmly, “You may take a seat, Miss Ye.”

Emmm.

Why do I suddenly feel so flattered…

“Uh…”

I froze for a moment, subconsciously wanting to walk over, but seeing how neat and tidy Gu Xuchen looked, I stopped in my tracks, cleared my throat, and smiled:

“Can you wait ten minutes for me?”

“Hm?”

Gu Xuchen was slightly taken aback.

Me: “I want to put on some makeup~”

Gu Xuchen: …

Ten minutes later.

I picked up my chopsticks, tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear, and said with a grin:

“Wow, this is delicious.”

Gu Xuchen’s voice was soft: “No talking while eating or sleeping.”

Me: …

“Oh.”

I was a little dejected and obediently responded.

I don’t know how much time passed before Gu Xuchen finally said in a low voice: “Thank you for the compliment.”

Hee hee.