Chapter 6: Didn’t You Pick Up the Ring?

“You used to finish work by nine at the latest. Why are you only getting home at ten now?”

Wen Zhixian responded, “A friend came by the shop, and we chatted for a while.”

Gu Yuchen finally felt at ease—she had calmed down.

A smile appeared on his face. He knew Zhixian loved him and had always loved him. Even when they argued, it never lasted long. Besides, she knew her limits—just a little drama was enough.

He pointed to her apartment building. “Let’s not stand here and talk. Why don’t we go up to your place?”

They were about to get married anyway, and he was planning on getting the marriage certificate in the next few days. After that, there would be no need for such formalities.

Wen Zhixian glanced up at the building where he pointed, looked for a few seconds, then turned her gaze back to Gu Yuchen. “Forget it. Having a man in my home this late at night makes me uncomfortable.”

Gu Yuchen was taken aback. Since when had she started seeing him as an untrustworthy man?

“We’re about to get married. What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I already told you last time—I don’t want to marry you. Besides, didn’t you throw the ring in the trash? Since that’s how it is, what’s the point of you being here today?” she countered.

Gu Yuchen’s lips parted slightly, his brows furrowed. “You didn’t pick up the ring?”

“You threw it away. Why would I pick it up?” How ridiculous.

She was starting to feel tired. “If there’s nothing else, I’m heading back.”

As she was about to leave, Gu Yuchen grabbed her wrist tightly, his gaze darkening. “A little drama adds flavor, but too much and it becomes pointless.”

His grip was strong, to the point where it felt like he was crushing her bones. Struggling, she said, “Let go of me.”

Gu Yuchen stared at her intensely, not easing his grip.

She raised her left hand to slap him across the face, but he reacted quickly, stepping back just in time. Her nails only grazed his face.

Gu Yuchen’s expression turned menacing. “Did you just try to hit me?”

She let out a cold laugh. “I didn’t even land the hit, did I? But last time, you actually slapped me. Do you really think we can still be together after all this?”

“Why do you keep harping on about that? Didn’t you break my cup first?”

Wen Zhixian was at a loss for words. She felt utterly disappointed in Gu Yuchen, unable to say anything. It was both laughable and sad to think about who she had been in love with all this time.

Finally, she asked, “Do you really not understand?”

Seeing the disappointment in her eyes, Gu Yuchen felt a brief moment of panic.

“I don’t want to talk to you anymore. Get lost. Don’t ever show up in front of me again. If you’re so nostalgic, go and pine for your ex. Oh, wait, not your ex, but your ex-ex. I’m your ex now.”

With that, she went back home and lay in bed, the room eerily silent.

For the first time, she had nothing to say to Gu Yuchen—not even the desire to argue with him.

Did he really not understand? Of course, he did. She knew him well. The things he said were like bargaining chips in a negotiation, deliberately avoiding the important issues while magnifying trivial ones. He was, without a doubt, a skilled businessman.

He knew where he went wrong; he just refused to admit it. He was waiting for her to back down first so that he could bring it up later. But this time, he was wrong. Laying a hand on her was her bottom line, and no matter what he did after that, it was all in vain.

Standing by the window, she looked out at the suffocating darkness of the night. Thankfully, the moon was hanging high, and although it didn’t illuminate much, her heart didn’t feel as heavy.

–

She didn’t go to the coffee shop in the morning. After a sleepless night, she didn’t wake up until ten, and it was the ringing phone that finally pulled her out of bed.

Groggily, she reached for her phone, squinting as she answered in a hoarse voice, “Hello?”

“You’re still not awake?”

It was a call from Qin Zhaoli.

Wen Zhixian rolled over, “I just woke up.”

“I heard you’ve been at the café early every morning these past few days, busy all day long. I didn’t see you at the shop today.”

“Oh, I slept in today, so I didn’t go,” she said, staring at the ceiling as she brushed the messy strands of hair from her face.

Qin Zhaoli suspected she was feeling down, probably because of that scumbag Gu Yuchen. Not wanting to address it directly, he hinted, “Do you want me to come over and cook lunch for you?”

“No need.”

“Then let’s go out for lunch. Song Kairui just invested in a new restaurant. We can go there and mooch off him.”

He couldn’t just leave her alone to brood.

Wen Zhixian gave a soft “hmm,” “Alright, I’ll get up now.”

After hanging up, she got dressed, grabbed her car keys, and headed to the address Qin Zhaoli mentioned.

When she arrived, both Qin Zhaoli and Song Kairui were waiting for her at the entrance. She greeted them.

“Why did you wake up at ten? Didn’t sleep well last night?” Qin Zhaoli asked, looking at her.

She sighed, “I had trouble sleeping.”

Once they were seated in a private room, Song Kairui looked her over. “Did Yuchen visit you last night?”

Wen Zhixian nodded, rubbing her temples, “I get a headache just seeing him now. I don’t even want to talk to him. He acts like he doesn’t understand what I’m saying, even though I know he does—he just pretends not to.”

Song Kairui clicked his tongue, “He’s waiting for you to keep loving him.”

Qin Zhaoli frowned, “Don’t bother with him.”

After saying that, she examined Wen Zhixian’s face carefully. Song Kairui also leaned in for a closer look. “You seem fine now.”

Wen Zhixian touched her face, “The swelling’s gone, but…”

She moved her hand to her ear, “I still get occasional ringing. The doctor said I need to keep taking the medication, and it’ll get better over time.”

Hearing this, both of them paused, “Are you okay?”

“I’m much better than before.”

Qin Zhaoli cursed under her breath, “I should go slap him for you.”

“I tried to slap him last night but failed. I’ll try again next time,” she joked.

Song Kairui laughed helplessly, “Good luck with that.”

“Did you go to the doctor? Does your mom know?” he asked.

Wen Zhixian’s mother was a department head at the city’s top hospital. If she went there, her mom would definitely find out.

She shook her head, “I didn’t go to my mom’s hospital. I don’t want them to know.”

The three of them were childhood friends, with Song Kairui, Gu Yuchen, and Qin Zhaoli being two years older than her. Their families were close, often meeting up for meals or trips. She didn’t want her relationship with Gu Yuchen to affect the ties between their parents, especially since his parents had always liked her.

Qin Zhaoli remembered that their parents were having dinner together tonight, which explained why Uncle Wen and Aunt Shen were also there. It was clear Wen Zhixian hadn’t told them about the situation.

“What if your parents ask about you and Gu Yuchen?” Song Kairui asked.

Wen Zhixian, now hungry, started eating as soon as the food arrived. Hearing Song Kairui’s question, she paused, thought for a moment, then said, “I’ll deal with it when they ask.”