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

That "Uncle" felt like it traveled half a year, stirring up a storm in Gu Yanshen's heart.

"...Is he...alright?"

Gu Yanshen's heart clenched, and he immediately lowered his eyes.

He dared not look at Lin Chen.

He was afraid of seeing his own disheveled state in Lin Chen's eyes.

Lin Chen carefully considered his words before speaking.

"No……"

He paused.

"...Is it still the same?"

There was silence on the other end.

Gu Yanshen's breath caught in the silence, hovering in mid-air.

Then she spoke, her voice soft, as if she had considered it for a long time, or as if she had finally couldn't help but say it:

"His stomach has always been weak... I..."

She stopped.

Gu Yanshen felt as if his heart was being squeezed tightly.

The silence on the other end of the phone continued.

Perhaps she felt she had no right to interfere anymore.

Perhaps, she simply didn't want to get involved anymore.

Then she changed the subject.

"Uncle, are you coming home for dinner tonight?"

The sound has returned to calm.

That momentary loss of composure, just now, has never happened before.

Gu Yanshen closed his eyes.

He knows.

She's always been like this—she hides her sadness no matter how sad she is, and she smiles and says "it's okay" no matter how wronged she feels.

Lin Chen's voice rang out: "You eat first, don't wait for me."

"Okay," she said. "Then I'll go find Aunt Lu and the others."

Should I come pick you up?

"Need not."

The phone hangs up.

The office fell silent again.

Gu Yanshen stared at the phone as if he were staring at a world he could never return to.

Even if he stabbed her in the heart.

Even if every word he said was laced with poison.

She still remembered that he had a bad stomach.

She still... cared about him.

Gu Yanshen raised his hand and covered his face.

No place to be self-contained.

"...Why won't you keep up with our agreement and report on her whereabouts?"

His voice was muffled, leaking out from between his fingers.

Lin Chen looked at him.

Looking at this man who has lived his life like an isolated island.

"Gu Yanshen," Lin Chen's voice was calm, yet like a knife, "If you've decided to let go, you should really let go."

Gu Yanshen did not move.

"What kind of behavior is this—trying to monitor her while simultaneously pushing her away," Lin Chen said, emphasizing each word, "is it really what?"

Gu Yanshen's fingers trembled slightly.

"Didn't you say it was fine as long as she was safe?" Lin Chen looked at him, unwavering. "Then play your own script to the end."

He paused.

"Especially the engagement scene three days later."

------

Lu Xiran spends every day with Jin Qiqi.

It's been forty weeks, but there's still no sign of the little one starting labor.

"Ranran," Jin Qiqi slumped on the sofa, rubbing her round belly with a mournful expression, "Do you think my belly is too comfortable, and he doesn't want to come out?"

Lu Xiran was peeling an apple when she heard this, looked up at her, and couldn't help but smile.

Yes, that's right.

"You're still laughing!" Jin Qiqi grabbed a cushion and threw it, but unfortunately, she missed and it landed softly at Lu Xiran's feet. "I was so worried!"

Lu Xiran handed her the peeled apple, then bent down to pick up the cushion and put it back on the sofa.

"What's the rush?" her voice was gentle and soft. "It will come out when it's time."

Just then, Lian Bichen brought in the soup. "Ranran, Qiqi's mother said she'll be here in half an hour, so could you please stay with her for a while?" Her tone was gentle. "We need to get ready to go to the hotel."

Lu Xiran was stunned for a moment.

hotel.

Today's hotel.

She lowered her eyelashes and nodded.

"it is good."

Jin Qiqi looked at Lu Xiran's dejected expression.

She knows everything.

I know how many times Lu Xiran checked her phone this morning, how empty her eyes were when she looked at those trending photos, and how her eyelashes would tremble slightly every time she heard the word "Gu".

But she dared not say anything.

Around 11 o'clock, Lu Xiran's phone rang.

It was Lian Bicen.

"Ranran," the voice on the other end sounded a little anxious, "I left the gift for the newlyweds in their room and forgot to bring it over. Could you please run errands for me and bring it over?"

Lu Xiran held her phone and remained silent for two seconds.

She wanted to refuse.

She knew she shouldn't go.

but--

She had looked at those photos on the trending topics countless times this morning.

She read every single trending topic.

Each word is like a needle.

But she still couldn't help it.

Again and again.

It's like self-torture.

At this moment, Lian Bichen's call felt like an invitation she shouldn't have accepted.

But she still heard herself say:

"it is good."

The phone hangs up.

"Ranran," Jin Qiqi's voice was hesitant and filled with concern, "you... just happened to be there to deliver the things to Mom. My mom will be there in ten minutes, don't worry."

Lu Xiran nodded.

"it is good."

Lu Xiran arrived at the agreed-upon second-floor lobby.

Lian Bichen hasn't arrived yet.

Her gaze unconsciously drifted toward the half-open door.

She knew she shouldn't go in.

she knows.

But my feet still went in uncontrollably.

Behind the door is a small viewing platform, hidden in a secluded location, yet offering a panoramic view of the entire hall.

Lu Xiran stood there.

She saw it through the gap in the railing.

Two people stood in the center of the crowd.

Song Zhihe wore a champagne-colored long dress, its fabric embroidered with intricate patterns of tiny pearls and silver thread. As she moved, the patterns shimmered like flowing moonlight on the hem of her skirt. Her hair was styled high, revealing her slender swan neck, and diamond earrings dangled from her ears, reflecting the soft light. Standing in the crowd, she smiled gently, like a carefully nurtured rose—refined, graceful, and breathtakingly beautiful.

Standing beside her was Gu Yanshen.

He wore a well-tailored black suit, his posture upright and sturdy. His hair was meticulously combed, revealing a sharply defined profile. A standard smile graced his face—

polite.

alienation.

Impeccable.

She remembered standing in that spot a year ago. He looked down at her, his eyes shining.

Now that light shines on others.

Lu Xiran lowered her eyes.

She should go.

But before she could turn around...

—A sharp pain suddenly shot through my arm.

The scene before my eyes began to blur, my body went limp, and I fell into a pair of waiting hands.

At the same time.

in the hall.

Gu Yanshen was holding a glass of champagne, listening to everyone's endless flattery.

He wore a polite smile, but his heart was as empty as a dry well.

Everything is going according to plan.

At the engagement banquet, Song Zhihe, the media's cameras, and everyone's eyes were all watching him, witnessing this "marriage of the century."

Just then, my phone vibrated.

He glanced down at it.

Unknown number.

Not many people know his private phone number.

He didn't want to accept it.

But that number kept ringing.

a bit.

Two times.

Three times.

It's like there's something I absolutely have to say.

Gu Yanshen walked to the side and pressed the answer button.

He didn't speak.

There was a two-second silence on the other end.

Then a voice came.

"Gu Yanshen," the man said, enunciating each word clearly, "Lu Xiran is in my hands."