CHAPTER 16:Screwed

Heart-to-heart?

Wen Heng’s expression was extremely complicated.

So “physical heart-to-heart” meant… literally pressing their chests together?

The system helpfully added: “This pain relief lasts 3 seconds.”

Only three seconds of contact.

But.

…How was he supposed to do that?

From the first time he experienced the pain until now, Wen Heng had done everything possible to keep it from Gu Sheng. He had tried proposing a collaboration, but that fell through. And in all these episodes, even when he had to stop the pain, he made sure she didn’t notice anything.

But this time, the difficulty level was clearly… a lot higher.

Much higher.

“This system was generated based on your will as the main character. It is here to inform, remind, and under your guidance, explore new possibilities. This time’s pain relief requirement is part of that. Good luck!”

And with that, the system went silent.

Leaving Wen Heng standing there in deep thought.

…

The next day.

Gu Sheng noticed something off about Wen Heng.

His expression seemed conflicted—like he wanted to say something, was clearly in pain, but also confused.

Gu Sheng suspected that this round’s “knife to the heart” really did hurt. Wen Heng had a scheduled appearance in the next city, but he ended up delaying it due to “physical discomfort.”

—This was when Gu Sheng’s foresight really shone. If she’d agreed to work with him when he brought it up before, she’d have definitely ended up as his personal blood bag, following a top celeb around everywhere.

She happened to overhear Wen Heng’s call with Chang Yan and thought: His health might be fine for now, but “physical discomfort” was going to be the norm.

—Well, not exactly eternal. Only 99 times.

Chang Yan, ever the worrier, wanted Wen Heng to go to the hospital again. “You can’t keep going on like this. What exactly is wrong with you?”

…Pretty much everything.

Wen Heng glanced at Gu Sheng with that same conflicted look, then told Chang Yan, “I’ll take care of it.”

And then hung up.

The spacious living room fell silent again. Gu Sheng casually turned on the TV.

Chang Yan was a decent person. During the filming of The Four Laws of Happiness, all the work offers for Gu Sheng that he received were passed on to her directly. He didn’t hold anything back just because she wasn’t officially his artist yet, nor did he reassign them to others under his management.

Of course, Gu Sheng wasn’t idle either. She had done plenty of research at home. If she wanted to make it in the industry, having an agency was indeed essential. Du Yanzhi’s company was quite big, with a number of well-known entertainers under its wing, including Du Yanzhi himself. Their idol division was also doing well—new-generation idols like Yu Shanbei and Lu Yiyi were all fairly popular. In other words, their company had a well-rounded development direction.

By comparison, Wen Heng’s Unwen Studio focused primarily on investing in and producing film and television projects. It didn’t quite align with her past development trajectory, but it was exactly the direction she had always wanted to pursue.

What actor doesn’t want to make it in the film industry? Before she transmigrated here, her first lead movie had just hit theaters. She didn’t even get to see the year-end awards season before landing in this world. It was a regret.

Before making any real decisions, she was definitely going to think things through carefully.

As for the person under the same roof… he was probably in pain.

Right now, Wen Heng was clutching his chest, staring at the TV, deep in thought.

After a while, the ultra-HD, oversized screen started playing a nostalgic folk song:
“Hold me, hold me…”

Wen Heng visibly jolted, something clearly stirred in him. His expression grew contemplative.

Gu Sheng, catching a bit of the song, commented, “What era is that song from?”

She casually changed the channel. The new show had a cheerful host, with upbeat pop music playing in the background:

“You’re always hopelessly delusional! Hopelessly delusional—”

Wen Heng: “…”

Wen Heng supported himself against the wall and left the living room.

–

The next day was Wen Heng’s father’s birthday banquet, held at the Wen family estate.

No one from the Gu family managed Gu Sheng. After the two families’ arranged marriage, her parents and older brothers had been busy expanding the family business and rarely paid attention to the original Gu Sheng’s love-obsessed self. Even if they did ask, they’d only end up upset. For this birthday banquet, the Gu family sent a lavish gift in the name of business but couldn’t return in person due to ongoing projects. So only Gu Sheng would be attending.

Right before she left, she even received a stern text from her family telling her not to cause trouble—proof of just how deeply the original Gu Sheng’s arrogant and unruly image had taken root.

But truth be told, based on her personality, the original owner would definitely have made a grand entrance on such an occasion. She would have piled on haute couture, luxury goods, and auction jewelry—head-to-toe sparkle, determined to be as high-profile as possible and make others uncomfortable just looking at her.

Gu Sheng opened the closet and finally picked a simple yet elegant dark red V-neck evening gown—after all, it wasn’t a red carpet, so comfort and beauty both mattered. The dress had a strong presence, pairing perfectly with her striking facial features. The V-neck design wasn’t too deep, just enough to reveal fair shoulders, a graceful neck, and a pair of delicate collarbones. The waist was tightly fitted, flowing down into a slit skirt, with slender legs peeking through faintly.

It had been a while since she wore a gown. Gu Sheng looked in the mirror and felt quite satisfied.

She stepped out of the room and, across the hallway, saw Wen Heng emerging as well.

His face looked pale, as if he hadn’t fully recovered from an illness.

But it didn’t take away from his beauty—if anything, it only heightened his uniquely fragile, refined aura. He wore a custom suit from the luxury brand he endorsed—just a simple black-and-white color combo, yet he looked like he could walk straight onto the red carpet.

He really was good-looking.

Wen Heng was also looking straight at her. The woman not far away had bold, striking features, but her gaze was calm—she seemed to light up the entire hallway. Something in his chest stirred slightly, inexplicably.

…And then, his heart hurt even more.

——“Please relieve the pain as soon as possible,” the system reminded at the right moment.

“…” Wen Heng clutched his chest, looked up at Gu Sheng, and said, “Let’s go.”

–

Since it was a private event, they were picked up by Wen Heng’s personal driver.

Out of courtesy, Gu Sheng asked if she should prepare a gift. Wen Heng waved her off.

He had already prepared gifts for the both of them. Gu Sheng was a little touched—until she caught a glimpse of the boxes being loaded into the trunk. The contents were high-end, sure, but the boxes were dusty from sitting around too long.

…Classic rich young master going home—truly perfunctory.

Still, his attitude did affect Gu Sheng as his wife. So she adjusted her mindset and went along to the banquet with ease.

The Wen family estate was massive, located in the outskirts of City A—a grand and luxurious villa.

Many from the elite circles had shown up. The older generation chatted about business deals, while the younger crowd mingled and talked.

“Vivi, you look stunning today!”

“Uncle Wen even complimented you just now. You’re definitely the most beautiful one here!”

Jiang Luwei was surrounded by several friends, all childhood companions from wealthy families. Jiang Luwei, along with people like Jiang Zheng and Tao Ziwen, had once been Wen Heng’s little entourage growing up, but ever since he entered the film industry, they’d only seen him on the big screen.

Still, they unanimously believed Jiang Luwei should have been the one to become Wen Heng’s wife.

Someone in the crowd suddenly brought up, “Do you think Gu Sheng will come?”

After just two episodes of that variety show, Gu Sheng’s popularity had already reached celebrity levels. Plus, her face was really…

“Wen Heng definitely won’t bring her. The internet might not know Gu Sheng, but we do. What if she causes a scene at the party?”

“True, hahaha—”

The laughter hadn’t even faded when the doors of the Wen family estate were opened by the butler.

Wen Heng and Gu Sheng stood at the entrance, instantly drawing every gaze in the room. Their arrival, like a pair of top-tier celebrities, instantly elevated the atmosphere of the entire event.

The height difference between them was perfect, and their features—both flawless—were strikingly well-matched.

Jiang Luwei’s expression shifted. She hadn’t expected Wen Heng to actually bring Gu Sheng with him.

But after a closer look, she noticed Wen Heng’s face didn’t look good—there was even a hint of gloom hanging over him. Jiang Luwei was convinced—Wen Heng definitely hadn’t brought Gu Sheng here willingly!

Her friends exchanged glances, reading the same signal in each other’s eyes: they had to help Luwei reclaim the spotlight today and make sure Gu Sheng knew her place.

Gu Sheng spotted that group of people as soon as she walked in.

But if the enemy doesn’t move, she doesn’t move either. Uncle Wen was still socializing with guests, and since they didn’t need to give birthday wishes right away, Gu Sheng just found a spot to sip her drink and nibble on some desserts.

She had just swallowed a bite when Jiang Luowei’s song “Unchanging Over the Years” began to play in the banquet hall.

Back on the show, the director had introduced the song—written from the perspective of a girl in love, with lyrics that said “unchanging over the years.” Gu Sheng didn’t need to think twice to know who Jiang Luowei wrote it for. Playing it now, in this setting, was clearly meant to provoke her, waiting for her to lose her temper and make a scene.

But Gu Sheng didn’t budge. It was like she’d gone deaf. She even casually gestured to Wen Heng to try some of the food.

Wen Heng’s face had gone pale. He was clutching his chest. “Thanks,” he said. “Can’t eat.”

The song looped again and again. Yet the person being confessed to, and his wife, remained completely unfazed. This made the other side visibly anxious.

Eventually, one of the Wen family’s longtime acquaintances came over to call Wen Heng away. He looked at Gu Sheng with a hint of hesitation: “I’ll be right back.”

Gu Sheng waved him off carelessly.

As soon as Wen Heng left, a group of people immediately surrounded her, crowding in with fake smiles.

“Oh, it’s the young Miss Gu!”

“Being a celebrity now really does change your mood!”

“Wen Shao looked awful just now sitting next to you—can’t you tell?”

Gu Sheng smiled.

No kidding.

That was level 8 pain. He’d been enduring it for two days. Of course he looked awful.

The fact that Wen Heng could still walk upright was already a testament to his willpower.

“Looks like you better make the most of the popularity boost from clinging to Wen Heng with that CP stuff. Otherwise—”

They spoke with that sarcastic, passive-aggressive tone, reminding Gu Sheng that she was just a contracted wife in a political marriage with Wen Heng, and that soon, she wouldn’t even have that title.

Jiang Luowei looked down at her from above, completely satisfied with the current dynamic—Gu Sheng all alone and isolated, while she stood in the spotlight, adored and surrounded. The contrast couldn’t be more stark.

Gu Sheng leisurely finished the dessert on her plate, wiped her mouth with poise, and looked directly at Jiang Luowei: “Miss Jiang, do you like Wen Heng?”

A sudden direct hit—she laid bare the unspoken truth known throughout the circle, dragging it right into the open.

Jiang Luowei froze for a second, then, not wanting to be outdone by a romantic rival, gritted her teeth and admitted, “So what if I do?”

Before Gu Sheng could respond, she continued: “Gu Sheng, you don’t actually think Wen Heng likes you, do you? Haven’t you ever wondered why someone like him—top of the charts—would go on that dating show with you? With your lack of popularity, the worse you looked on the show, the easier it was for him to break away from you. Get it?”

Gu Sheng thought, well, she’s not wrong about that part. In the original novel, that’s exactly how it went. When the original Gu Sheng was hated across the internet to the point that it affected both the Wen and Gu families’ businesses, Wen Heng finally had the excuse to ask for a divorce.

But Gu Sheng wasn’t here to rehash that plot. Sure, she and Wen Heng would eventually divorce—but she wasn’t about to let these petty sharks bully her in the meantime.

She cleared her throat: “But Jiang Luowei, I don’t believe you really like Wen Heng.”

Jiang Luowei inwardly sneered. See? Gu Sheng is losing it now.

More and more people were noticing the argument—it was exactly what Jiang Luowei wanted. Given Gu Sheng’s reputation in their circle, everyone would assume she was the one being petty and jealous, throwing a fit over being Wen Heng’s wife.

Wen Heng also noticed Gu Sheng surrounded by people. His brows furrowed, and he started striding toward them.

But the next second, he heard Gu Sheng suddenly say loudly: “If you like Wen Heng so much, then why did you punch him at the airport?”

Everyone: ???

With award-winning acting, Gu Sheng’s voice instantly turned tearful and aggrieved: “Do you know that punch almost knocked Wen Heng down?!”

Wen Heng, halfway across the hall: ???

The sudden twist left the whole banquet hall stunned.

It was one of Jiang Luowei’s friends who recovered first: “You’re lying! Weiwei would never—”

Gu Sheng cut in sharply, “Uncle Wen and Uncle Jiang both know about it!”

—After all, it was the two families who teamed up to cover it up.

Right now, both the Wen and Jiang family elders were present. Everyone turned to look. Seeing the elders’ silence and grim expressions, they immediately realized that Gu Sheng was telling the truth.

Jiang Luowei’s friend, who had just tried to defend her, looked utterly defeated. “Weiwei, you… you actually…”

You hit Wen Heng?? Was it… hatred born from love??

Jiang Luowei hadn’t expected Gu Sheng to air that out in public. It was an instant social death.

Gu Sheng glanced at the approaching Wen Heng and, with one final flourish, ripped away the last shred of Jiang Luowei’s facade: “Wen Heng, Jiang Luowei likes you. Even though she punched you at the airport—and might even abuse you in the future—she still wants to wait for us to get divorced so she can be with you!”

Every word hit like a hammer, pointing out both the physical assault and the attempt to insert herself into someone else’s marriage. Jiang Luowei couldn’t talk her way out of it. She burst into tears, eyes brimming as she looked at Wen Heng.

Everyone in the banquet hall was watching.

Wen Heng’s temples throbbed. His heart felt like it was being stabbed repeatedly.

In full view of the crowd, Wen Heng took a deep breath and grabbed Gu Sheng’s hand.

“Miss Jiang,” he said, cold and clear, “please show some respect. Gu Sheng is my wife. We are not getting divorced.”

His expression was cold, his voice steady. The room exploded in shock.

Gu Sheng: ???

Now it was her turn to be dumbfounded.

The CP system screamed in her ear: “AHHHHHHHH I’M DYING FROM THE SHIP!!!!”

This was the first time the elite circle had ever seen Wen Heng make his stance clear—and they realized for the first time that Wen Heng actually protected Gu Sheng.

Jiang Luowei’s last thread of hope was shattered, both her pride and dignity crumbling. She couldn’t hold it together anymore and fled the hall, crying.

…

Once the whole mess was over, Gu Sheng finally snapped out of it, pulled back to reality by the system’s shrieking.

Wait, what? Who said they’re not getting divorced???

WHO SAID THAT???

That bastard was using her to fend off other women?! Then what about her future love life?!

—AHHHH she was about to explode!

Wen Heng glanced down and saw her dazed expression. Even though his chest still felt like it was being ripped open, the corners of his lips couldn’t help but curl up.

She was just stating a fact—was it really that touching?

Wen Heng stared closely at Gu Sheng.

In truth, the so-called connection between hearts was quite simple—just a hug would do.

But Wen Heng had never taken the initiative to get close to anyone.

Especially not to this woman in front of him… someone he used to dislike.

And yet now, whether because the pain had reached its peak or because of something else entirely, Wen Heng, almost as if possessed, reached out and pulled her into his arms, bending slightly.

The man’s suit was perfectly fitted, outlining a tall, lean figure with broad shoulders and a narrow waist. As he lowered his head, a few strands of black hair fell across his cool, pale forehead. With his eyes slightly downcast, his deep, lake-like pupils quietly focused on her, giving off an illusion of deep affection.

But Gu Sheng felt like a fire was burning inside her!

Rage made her immune to this man’s allure!

What now? This dog of a man still wanted to hug her?!

—Use me as a shield and now you want to relieve your pain with me?! In your dreams! Eat s**t!!

Gu Sheng didn’t hesitate. She stomped down hard with her heel.

Wen Heng instinctively stepped back, but accidentally stepped on Gu Sheng’s dress.

“!”

“!!”

The two of them struggled for two seconds—and then, amid startled gasps, fell together to the ground.

Wen Heng reflexively pulled Gu Sheng into his arms, cushioning her beneath him.

Then—“BANG!” A loud thud echoed.

At last, the two hearts pressed tightly against each other. Even through their chests, they could feel the intense thump-thump of each other’s heartbeats.

The air around them fell silent.

Gu Sheng groaned softly as she pushed herself up. Since she’d fallen on top of Wen Heng, she didn’t really feel any pain.

As for the man beneath her—he lay flat on the ground, eyes closed, looking dead.

—[Congratulations. 15th pain relief attempt: success.]

Wen Heng: …Thanks.

His heart was healed.

But the rest of him felt like it was falling apart.

---