Irresistibly Drawn (Love After Marriage)

When they returned home, the large lights in the yard were already off, leaving only the porch light to guide them.

Hearing the sound, Jiang Hua emerged from the house.

“Back already? Quite early.”

“Yeah.”

Jiang Qingyu felt a mix of emotions seeing her mother, knowing that Gu Yunyi had mentioned earlier that her mother was aware of their “engagement” all along. All those days, her mother knew she and Gu Yunyi were supposedly “betrothed.”

It explained why her mother insisted on hospitality, letting her trouble Gu Yunyi to take her places. All part of her mother’s plan, while she herself was clueless.

“I’m tired, heading to my room.”

The sound of water running in the bathroom echoed, and Jiang Hua, slightly puzzled, glanced at Gu Yunyi, who had already explained the unusual situation.

“I told Qingyu.”

Half an hour earlier-

After Gu Yunyi proposed, Jiang Qingyu was left stunned.

She remained in his embrace, unmoving, even forgetting to lower her head, simply staring at him. His gaze shifted from deep to tender, then to intense desire.

She became the object of his desire, the prey he was determined to capture.

Warmth touched her forehead, and at the last moment, her flickering eyes made him pause.

The kiss ended, leaving Jiang Qingyu drained, leaning weakly against Gu Yunyi.

“Is it okay?”

He gently patted her back, her head spinning, the kiss like a strong drink, leaving her in a daze even after his lips had parted.

“So soon?”

Jiang Hua thought he would wait until they reached Jing City.

Gu Yunyi pulled his thoughts back, responding calmly.

Originally, he planned to speak the night before leaving, but today was an unexpected turn. The inner tiger only awakens when threatened.

“Better to say it in Nan City; in Jing City, she might feel uncomfortable.”

Their conversation halted as the door opened, Jiang Hua feeling a bit guilty, picking up a broom to sweep. Jiang Qingyu said nothing, heading straight to her room.

“Is she angry?”

“No.”

Gu Yunyi hung up his coat. “Just a bit shy.”

“That’s good. Are you sure you’re leaving on Wednesday?”

“Yes, it’s set. Tickets are booked. Are you really not coming with us?”

Jiang Hua shook her head.

“I want to leave in style.”

Jiang Hua’s words dampened Gu Yunyi’s mood. He understood now what his grandfather meant; Jiang Hua was stubborn, like her father, and Qingyu likely inherited her mother’s and grandfather’s temperament.

Otherwise, why wouldn’t she see him now?

“Qingyu.”

It was her mother.

Jiang Qingyu put away her drawings, replacing them with a fashion magazine. Jiang Hua didn’t glance at her desk but sat on the bed, taking her daughter’s hand.

“When you were born, you were so small. I worried about how you’d grow up, and now, in the blink of an eye, you’re of marrying age.”

“Mom-”

“Qingyu.” Jiang Hua looked at her, her gentle gaze probing her heart.

“Do you like Yunyi?”

“I don’t know…”

Jiang Hua nodded, rephrasing.

“Then you don’t like him. Tomorrow, I’ll have him leave, never to appear in your life again.”

“Mom.”

Jiang Hua had already stood up, opening the door. Jiang Qingyu called out, forgetting her nervousness. Her mother smiled faintly, turning back with a calm expression.

“Yunyi is a good boy. Your grandfather and I wouldn’t misjudge, nor harm our daughter.”

“If you choose to give up, the warmth and excitement he offers will stop here.”

This time, Jiang Hua truly left, having said much, but the last two sentences lingered in Jiang Qingyu’s mind.

Her mother and grandfather wouldn’t harm her, and Gu Yunyi’s care had quietly become an addiction.

The rainwater finally fell into the small puddles on the ground, the blue stone bricks soaked for years, forming a small pit.

Jiang Qingyu lay on her bed, sketching. Without sunlight, having skipped lunch, the sounds outside pulled her from focus, rubbing her eyes as afternoon arrived.

Her mother was out, having lunch and tea with friends. She hadn’t seen Gu Yunyi smoking outside, meaning he wasn’t around either.

Perfect, she could get some fresh air. After last night, her mind was a mess, seemingly focused on drawing, yet producing nothing useful.

Gu Yunyi was gentle, kind to everyone, an excellent person in every way, yet there seemed to be a distance between them.

Born with excellence, could she, a mere nobody, be his match?

But to reject him-

Recalling the riverside last night, she couldn’t bring herself to refuse.

The jelly she bought yesterday was on the kitchen shelf, but she couldn’t find it.

“Looking for this?”

Gu Yunyi’s sudden voice startled her.

She was just thinking about him, feeling caught. The large cup of jelly was in his hand, half-eaten, his cheeks puffed, seemingly enjoying the taste.

“I finished it, I’ll replace it.”

Gu Yunyi liked jelly.