Night Fire Lingering

Wen Muzhi's smile froze instantly, and he looked at Wen Yonghai in shock and confusion: "Dad, what are you talking about?"

Wen Yan frowned slightly.

She was in a daze the night of the accident and didn't remember what happened during the few minutes when Wen Muzhi was injured, but she was certain that she hadn't slept at all.

Because it was she who dialed the emergency number, and it was she who put Wen Muzhi in the ambulance!

Wen Yonghai sighed and advised with a disappointed look, "Muzhi, you were clearly the one who got hurt back then. You should admit your mistake!"

Wen Muzhi was filled with disbelief. She realized that Wen Yonghai had deliberately said that to protect Wen Yan. She wanted to laugh, but she couldn't. Tears welled up uncontrollably before she could laugh.

She looked at the man she had called "Dad" for twenty years. He had once loved her so much, favored her, and believed her no matter what she said, even when he criticized Wen Yan.

And now, for Wen Yan's sake, he's slandering her!

Wen Yonghai's fatherly love was nothing more than that; he was always a selfish businessman who put profit first!

"Alright! You unfilial daughter, come back with me right now, don't embarrass yourself here!" Wen Yonghai was afraid of angering Gu Yanci and Jiang Huaixu, so he grabbed Wen Muzhi and quickly left the scene.

Mingzhu sat in the audience, indignant but helpless.

She thought this was her chance to turn things around, but she ended up becoming a clown just like Wen Muzhi.

She knew even more that after today, her family would be threatened by Gu Yanci to keep a close watch on her and prevent her from ever appearing in front of Wen Yan again!

No one questioned her anymore; only hundreds of pairs of eyes, some shocked and some sympathetic, looked at Wen Yan.

I was framed for years, schemed against, and locked up in a mental hospital... all of this is too painful to recall!

How did Wen Yan manage to get through it all?

"Wen Yan, let's go!" Gu Jinzhi happily took Wen Yan's hand. "Let's have a good celebration! It's your treat!"

Wen Yan glanced back and saw Gu Yanci and Jiang Huaixu looking at each other. The two of them were no longer at odds as before, as if they had temporarily reached a truce, as if everything today was a result of their cooperation.

"Are you waiting for my brother? Or for that handsome senior?" Gu Jinzhi asked softly.

"No, I'm poor, I can't afford to feed a third person."

"..." Why do all these people like to pretend to be poor?

When Wen Yan came out, she realized that it wasn't Wen Yonghai who was taking Wen Muzhi away, but rather two bodyguards from the Gu family who were "escorting" Wen Muzhi away.

When Wen Muzhi saw Wen Yan, he said as if under a spell, "Wen Yan, what good is it if you win against me today? You'll never know the truth about that night! You'll live your whole life in self-doubt!"

Wen Yan smiled knowingly: "I already know the answer—it wasn't me!"

—She didn't do it.

If she had truly hurt Wen Muzhi back then, Wen Muzhi wouldn't have gone to such lengths to deliberately provoke her, as if he were afraid she wouldn't feel guilty!

The shadow and guilt that had lingered in her heart for so many years finally vanished. She no longer had to bear the guilt of maliciously hurting others and the self-blame, nor did she have to worry about being condemned by everyone.

She no longer has to worry about having another 'mental breakdown' one day and hurting innocent people.

She has finally been given a new lease on life!

And this rebirth is all thanks to Gu Yanci!

……

In the crowd, someone finally realized why Gu Yanci's face looked so familiar.

"Wasn't that Wen Yan's kept man? The one who was photographed at school before!"

"What pretty boy? He looks like a high-ranking executive at some company!"

"That can't be right, it seems like he's driving a Volkswagen. Which high-ranking executive drives a Volkswagen?"

"They're probably elders in the family. Didn't you see that Wen Yan's father came with them?"

"It can't be her husband, who would get married at such a young age!"

……

As Gu Yanci walked out under the guidance of the school staff, he heard these words and had a momentary urge to explain: I am Wen Yan's husband.

But he can't.

The little girl will get angry.

-

A Michelin-starred restaurant.

Gu Jinzhi had just sat down when she suddenly remembered something and asked slyly, "Wen Yan, do you remember, you owe me a favor?"

"Hmm, what do you want?"

Wen Yan naturally remembered that last time she was far away in Los Angeles, she asked Gu Jinzhi to take care of Luo Beiqing.

Gu Jinzhi rubbed her hands together: "I want to give this meal to my brother!... Is that okay?"

The last three words sounded particularly weak.

Gu Jinzhi looked at Wen Yan cautiously, worried about getting beaten up.

"Oh, I... I was worried he wouldn't eat dinner. He already has a sensitive stomach, and besides—"

"it is good."

Gu Jinzhi was still racking her brains for an excuse when Wen Yan agreed immediately. Happiness came too suddenly. She was stunned for two seconds before clapping her hands and cheering.

Gu Jinzhi immediately lowered her head and typed to Gu Yanci: [Brother, if you give me 10 followers, plus a new color of Dior Lady Dior, I'll immediately convince Wen Yan to have dinner with you, so you can enjoy some alone time!]

One minute later, Gu Yanci transferred 200,000 yuan.

"Yay!" Gu Jinzhi jumped up and gave Wen Yan a big hug. "My brother will be here in ten minutes! Wen Yan, you're my lucky charm! Mua!"

Before she finished speaking, Gu Jinzhi had already left the restaurant quickly. When she reached the restaurant entrance, she turned back and blew Wen Yan a kiss. Her joy was palpable, which made the surrounding waiters unable to help but glance at Wen Yan a few more times.

Wen Yan: "..."

Shame!

Gu Yanci arrived even faster than Gu Jinzhi had said, appearing at the restaurant entrance in five or six minutes.

His outstanding appearance attracted everyone's attention almost as soon as he appeared.

Perhaps because he had traveled so quickly, his meticulously styled hair became a bit messy, but instead of looking disheveled, it made him appear even more sharp and stern.

As the waiter was asking if they had made a reservation, he spotted Wen Yan sitting in the corner and strode over.

Wen Yan heard him say to the waiter who was following him, "I'm looking for my wife."

Gu Yanci stood by the dining table, looking down at Wen Yan because he was standing. He remained silent for a long time, his eyes deep, as if they held a thousand words.

Even though he was standing and she was sitting, Wen Yan's aura remained undiminished.

"Aren't you going to sit?" Wen Yan spoke first.

Gu Yanci then sat down opposite her, his gaze never leaving Wen Yan.

Although this was an opportunity that Gu Jinzhi had seized, Gu Yanci understood Wen Yan quite well. If Wen Yan hadn't agreed, no matter how much Gu Jinzhi threw a tantrum, it wouldn't have mattered.

Wen Yan called the waiter to bring the food, without saying anything extra, looking like she was planning to eat in peace.

Gu Yanci appeared calm on the surface, but inside he was filled with anxiety and unease.

The meal was tasteless and bland.

Until we returned to the Longyu Bay Villa.

Wen Yan walked to the bar, took a bottle of brandy, held it in her hand, and raised it slightly, asking Gu Yanci, "Want some?"

Without a word, the man walked back, took the wine from Wen Yan's hand, skillfully opened it with a bottle opener, poured it into his own glass and added ice, and then mixed a low-alcohol glass for Wen Yan.

"You look down on me?" Wen Yan didn't take the wine glass.

Gu Yanci said helplessly, "What am I going to do if you get drunk first? Hmm?"

Wen Yan: "..."

Indeed, her alcohol tolerance was nowhere near that of Gu Yanci.

Gu Yanci drank a cup first, then refilled his own cup.

"Is there anything you want to tell me?" Wen Yan asked the man opposite her, swirling her wine glass.

This was the first time Wen Yan had taken the initiative to communicate with him since the unpleasant incident that day.

Gu Yanci's fingertips traced the surface of his wine glass as he asked, "Is there anything you want to ask?"

Wen Yan gritted her teeth, then downed the entire can of wine in one gulp, finishing it off in one go. She was so fast that Gu Yanci couldn't stop her even if he tried.

"You want to drown your sorrows in alcohol?" Gu Yanci frowned. "To celebrate?"

"No." Wen Yan raised her eyes, staring straight at Gu Yanci, and said through gritted teeth, her answer seemingly unrelated to the question, "I'm wondering why you're mute!"

Gu Yanci was both amused and exasperated.

But Wen Yan was willing to talk to him, so he was in a good mood and indulgently said, "Then you ask, and I'll answer."

"When did you start investigating Wen Muzhi?"

"After I returned to China."

That was a year after the incident. At that time, Gu Yanci had stabilized the European company and delivered a perfect performance, which was why Grandpa Gu allowed him to return to China.

"Did you know before that I wasn't the one who injured Wen Muzhi back then?"

"uncertain."

Wen Yan admitted that she hurt Wen Muzhi, and no one and no evidence could exonerate her.

"You've been taking care of Wen Muzhi all these years, just to find evidence?"

"Not at all."

"What else?"

Gu Yanci did not speak immediately.

A thought flashed through Wen Yan's mind, and she already had a guess.

She spoke slowly, gathering her thoughts as she spoke: "Because I might have really hurt Wen Muzhi, and your kindness to her made her think you loved her enough. In order to control you, she would keep the secret of me hurting her... right?"

By the end, Wen Yan herself found it unbelievable and inconceivable.

Gu Yanci looked at Wen Yan helplessly, admiring her intelligence while also regretting that she was too intelligent.

Often, not thinking about this step will make you much happier.

Wen Yan felt an unusual tightness and pain in her chest, as if she couldn't breathe.

She looked at Gu Yanci, wanting to blame him, but couldn't find the words.

After all, it was for her.

"Why won't you tell me? Gu Yanci, why won't you tell me anything?"

That's what made her suffer so much all these years.

She has wronged him so much over the years!

Seeing that her eyes were slightly moist with sadness, Gu Yanci leaned closer and touched her cheek unconsciously: "Zhizhi, these reasons are no longer important."

—Because he didn't want her to feel guilty, and he didn't want her to give him her affections out of gratitude for his "kindness".

What he wanted was her purest love.

A love for him that is independent of and unrelated to anyone else.

Wen Yan pushed his hand away, covering her eyes with her palm to suppress the soreness.

The matter isn't resolved yet; we must continue!

A few seconds later, she opened her eyes again, having calmed down once more.

Wen Yan asked again, "When did you and Senior Jiang start working together?"

"No."

There was no cooperation.

They were simply aligned on the same goal regarding Wen Yan, and were making things convenient for each other.

He investigated Wen Muzhi first, and by the time he went to the mental hospital, Jiang Huaixu had already modified the medical records. By the time Jiang Huaixu arrived at Wen Muzhi's location, all the clues were already in his hands.

Both of them were well aware of what bargaining chips the other held.

"Wen Zhizhi, it's impossible for me to cooperate with him," Gu Yanci stated solemnly.

"Why?" Wen Yan once again sensed Gu Yanci's intense hostility towards Jiang Huaixu.

Gu Yanci sneered, "Jiang Huaixu likes you, Wen Yan."

Wen Yan was glad that she had been enlightened a few days ago and realized this.

“Jiang Huaixu is not the only one who likes me.” Wen Yan calmly stated this fact, “Meng Shuo during my internship, Gu Jingxi from the past, and maybe even my classmates from school.”

It's not 'possible,' it's certain.

Wen Yan is a beautiful and academically gifted girl who was very popular at school. From her freshman to junior year, she received confessions of love almost every month.

Gu Yanci took a sip of wine, his eyes looking somewhat forlorn under the lamplight: "He's different."

"What's the difference?"

Gu Yanci pursed his thin lips and remained silent.

Wen Yan took a deep breath: "Gu Yanci, have you become mute again?"

She grew angrier the more she thought about it: "Just because of this ridiculous difference, you got so angry that you raped me after we had dinner together that day? Gu Yanci, you've really gone too far, you—"

"……sorry."

The man's sudden apology interrupted Wen Yan's accusations.

What she wanted most was an apology.

However, upon truly hearing those three words now, she felt incredibly wronged. All the emotions she had suppressed for so long surged into her eyes with tears in an instant, bursting forth like a dam breaking.

"Gu Yanci, you've really gone too far! You don't treat me like your wife at all!"

"No, Wen Yan, my wife will always be you..."

As Gu Yanci spoke, he tried to wipe away Wen Yan's tears, but he couldn't dry them at all. Instead, Wen Yan pushed him away in annoyance.