The abandoned daughter of the Lu family turns around and marries a celibate tycoon.

"Are you angry?" he asked, his voice a little hoarse.

"No." Lu Xiran turned her head away.

"...Are you hungry?" he asked, adopting an awkward opening line.

"no."

"Then why did you say you wanted to go get a late-night snack?" He recalled the scene in the garage, and a pang of sadness welled up in his heart again.

"I want to eat it," she replied briefly.

"What do you want to eat?" He suppressed the uncomfortable feeling in his heart and softened his voice. "I'll take you there."

"I don't want to go with you." Lu Xiran raised her eyes and retorted directly, her eyes showing stubbornness as well as lingering hurt.

The air froze again.

"Goodnight." Lu Xiran lowered her eyelashes, preparing to close the door.

The instant she moved, Gu Yanshen almost instinctively reached out and gently pulled her into his arms. The embrace was warm and firm, carrying his unique, cool scent. "You're clearly angry," his voice fell on the top of her head, carrying a hint of barely perceptible helplessness and frustration.

The moment he embraced her, Lu Xiran's pent-up grievances burst forth like a dam breaking, and a warm tear silently slid down, soaking his silk pajamas and leaving a small, dark stain.

Gu Yanshen's body visibly stiffened.

He instinctively cupped her face in his hands, his movements a little hasty. The moment his fingertips touched her damp cheeks, the warm moisture seemed to carry a tiny electric current, striking the softest part of his heart and making him catch his breath.

He has absolutely no ability to comfort people.

The ruthlessness of the business world and the ease of negotiation at the negotiating table all fail at this moment.

He could only clumsily wipe the tear stains on her face with his thumb, again and again, his movements stiff and awkward, yet he used the lightest touch, as if he were touching some fragile treasure.

Looking at her red eyes, her slightly trembling, bloodless lips, and her long, wet eyelashes that kept brimming with tears, Gu Yanshen felt all the churning anger, the stifling bitterness, and even the annoying comparisons he had made with Xie Si'an in his mind were washed away by the torrent of tears, leaving only a primal, direct impulse—to get closer to her, to stop the crying that was making his heart race, to confirm that she was still within his reach.

He lowered his head and kissed her urgently, even somewhat hastily.

This kiss was haphazard, unlike his usual effortless and authoritative one, which carried an air of dominance or teasing. It was reckless and awkward, the taste on his tongue a salty, bitter ache, more like a helpless attempt at comfort and an clumsy confirmation.

Instead of being comforted, the person in his arms cried even harder, the salty taste spreading between their tightly intertwined lips, carrying a silent accusation.

Gu Yanshen was startled awake by the strong, salty smell, as if burned by something, he trembled slightly and pulled back a little. His fingertips still lingered on her wet cheek, caressing her delicate yet cold skin, his chest tight with a choking sensation. He wanted to say, "Don't cry," he wanted to say, "It's my fault," but the words that came out were a low, hoarse question, carrying a hurt and confusion he himself was unaware of:

"Is kissing you... such a hardship?"

Lu Xiran stubbornly turned her head away, refusing to look at him or speak, only the tears that kept falling betraying the turmoil in her heart.

What did he take her for? A pastime to kill time, or a tool to prove his charm? That "Zhihe" could make him drop everything with just one phone call, yet now he's doing this to her…

"Heh." Gu Yanshen looked at her evasive posture, and the anger and inexplicable panic that he had been suppressing surged up again, burning away the last shred of his rationality. Words slipped out without thinking, "So, all you're thinking about is going out for a late-night snack with Xie Si'an? Because he publicly declared his love for you, now even my kiss is unbearable for you, is that it?"

"What does this have to do with Brother Si'an?" Lu Xiran suddenly turned around, staring at him with teary eyes.

"How can it be unrelated?" Gu Yanshen took a step back, creating distance as if to shield himself from the sharp pain in his heart. His words, however, were even more hurtful: "You ran into trouble back in the country, used me, Gu Yanshen, as a shield, and now that the crisis is over, you can't wait to elope with your childhood sweetheart?"

He paused, as if grasping at the last straw, and then stabbing himself in the heart again: "Lu Xiran, don't forget what you promised Grandma, and don't forget, we're getting married in fifteen days!"

He's always like this; the more flustered and confused he is, the more insincere he becomes, arming himself in the most hurtful way and also wounding the other person.

"I haven't forgotten!" Lu Xiran's voice trembled with tears. "You don't need to remind me again and again that this is just a contract! It's just that the contract doesn't stipulate that we have to have physical contact! I will control myself, and please... control yourself too!"

"Fine! Very well!" Gu Yanshen was completely enraged by her words. His chest heaved violently, and his eyes were filled with icy anger. "Then you better remember what I said today! In the future, don't always try to unbutton my clothes, and don't ever come up to kiss me first!"

These words were like a poisoned knife, wounding not only her but also himself. Lu Xiran trembled with anger, tears streaming down her face. Unable to utter another word, she abruptly turned and slammed the door shut with a loud bang.

Gu Yanshen stood there, facing the tightly closed door, his chest heaving rapidly, his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

He clearly... he clearly didn't mean to say these things.

Back in his cold, empty room, he couldn't sleep all night.

Separated by a wall, Lu Xiran sat on the bed, hugging her knees, her tears soaking her pillow.

Before dawn, Lu Xiran went to Yunyuji with an insulated bag. Inside was yam and millet porridge that Lu Fen had cooked early in the morning, and a small jar of pork floss that she had personally stir-fried, specially for the stomach.

At 7:30, Lu Xiran arrived at Kangning International. Not wanting to disturb Ling Xue's rest, she handed breakfast to the nurse at the nurses' station, saying softly, "Please give it to Miss Ling when she wakes up. It was specially prepared by Yunyuji. If she wants anything else, please let me know."

The nurse smiled and agreed.

However, when breakfast was delivered to the luxurious yet cold hospital room, Ling Xue merely glanced at it lazily, a faint, disdainful smile playing on her lips. She didn't even open it, simply gesturing with her chin to her assistant beside her: "Throw it away."

The assistant was already used to it.

He silently picked up the bag and walked to the trash can in the corner.

"Wait a minute," Ling Xue suddenly called out to her, "Did you send her the address for lunch?"

"Yes, Sister Xue. It's located in the eastern suburbs film and television base. Even without traffic, it takes almost two hours one way to get there from Yunyuji, and at least four hours round trip."

Ling Xue smiled with satisfaction, "Yes, that's good."

She could imagine Lu Xiran running around the city and suburbs this month, carrying lunchboxes, and the resentment she felt because of Gu Yanshen seemed to dissipate a little.

Her gaze fell once again on the silent phone screen. Gu Yanshen's chat window remained on the message she had sent last night, a message tinged with probing and grievance, seemingly unresponsive.

How could he be so heartless to her?

Could it be... that he really has feelings for Lu Xiran?

She won't allow it!