Chapter 19: Hubby, A-Yu is Tired

The more Ruan Yu thought about it, the more wronged she felt. She couldn’t just let it go.

Fuming, she stormed into Gu Yanzhi’s bedroom and pushed open the door. She saw him lounging against the headboard, looking lazy and relaxed, a pair of gold-rimmed glasses perched on his nose. He was flipping through a magazine idly, eyes scanning the pages. When he heard movement at the door, he looked up at her, gaze lingering on her for a few seconds before falling back to the magazine.

Ruan Yu: “…”

What was that supposed to mean? Got her and now doesn’t care? And it was so obvious—he wasn’t even trying to hide it. She muttered, “Heartless man.”

“What did A-Yu say?” Gu Yanzhi looked up again.

Ruan Yu averted her gaze. “Why aren’t you asleep yet?”

Gu Yanzhi set down the magazine and took off his glasses, revealing his deep, dark eyes. “I was waiting for A-Yu.”

His voice was soft.

“Waiting for me to do what?” Ruan Yu blinked, starting to doubt herself—maybe she misunderstood him?

“We’re legally married now. On our first night together, you made your husband sleep alone. Doesn’t your heart ache, little one?” Gu Yanzhi got up, walked over, and effortlessly scooped the stunned girl into his arms, placing her on the bed.

“But you knew I was in the bedroom,” she said, puzzled. “Why didn’t you come to find me?”

Her clear eyes blinked as she looked at him.

“I was waiting for the little white rabbit to come to me,” he said. “And see? You came.”

His eyes were gentle and smiling. Over the past few days, he had noticed how clingy the little thing got when she slept—she could only fall asleep if she was cuddled up to him. If there was even a little space between them, she’d unconsciously scoot over. So he was sure she’d come on her own.

Even if she didn’t, he would’ve gone to get her. This silly girl thought locking the door was enough, but he had several spare keys.

Ruan Yu gave him an annoyed look. It was only then that she realized she’d been played. She got up to leave. “I’m going back to sleep.”

As soon as she stood up, Gu Yanzhi grabbed her wrist and yanked her back onto the bed. He leaned over her, lips curling into a charming smile. “You came all this way and still want to leave? Dinner was delicious tonight. I have to do something to show my appreciation for all your effort.”

At that moment, Ruan Yu finally understood the saying “hoisted with her own petard.” She was the perfect example.

Pouting, she looked at Gu Yanzhi and whined softly, “Hubby, A-Yu is tired.”

Her little face was scrunched up in grievance, and Gu Yanzhi’s heart melted. “I’ll be gentle, okay?”

He patiently coaxed her, his eyes full of restraint as he suppressed the fire burning inside. This little thing was truly irresistible to him.

His gaze was full of tenderness and indulgence, like a spell, and Ruan Yu couldn’t help but fall under it. Blushing, she nodded in agreement.

Originally, Gu Yanzhi had planned to let her off the hook that night. But when he saw the sweet little woman beneath him, he couldn’t help himself.

He drowned slowly in her eyes, full of affection.

He kissed her lips—deeply, gently—not like the passion of the previous night.

The bedroom was filled with a hazy, romantic atmosphere, and the temperature gradually rose—

That night, Gu Yanzhi didn’t keep waking her, nor was he as intense as the night before. He restrained his true desires, keeping the beast inside from breaking free.

By eleven, he filled the bathtub with water, then carried the limp Ruan Yu into the bathroom and placed her in the tub.

She felt a little shy and tried to get him to leave.

Seeing how sleepy she looked, he was afraid she’d fall asleep and drown, so he closed the door and waited outside. When she finished and got dressed, he picked up the drowsy girl and brought her back to bed.

Gu Yanzhi gently tucked her in, then lay down beside her.

Ruan Yu instinctively snuggled into his arms, breathing in his cool, clean scent before falling sound asleep.

Within minutes, Gu Yanzhi noticed that the little thing beside him was fast asleep, still clinging to him tightly like a kitten afraid of being abandoned.

He kissed her forehead. “Good night, wife.”

A sweet smile spread across his lips as he reached up to turn off the warm bedside lamp and lay back down beside her.

A night of sweet dreams.

At 9 a.m., the warm spring sunlight streamed through the curtains, casting light on the sleeping girl’s fair face. The brightness made her stir, like a princess from a fairy tale.

Her hair was slightly tousled, but it didn’t diminish her beauty. She propped herself up, stretched, and noticed that the soreness from the previous day was gone—her waist didn’t hurt anymore either.

Thinking of Gu Yanzhi’s gentleness last night, how careful he was not to hurt her—

A sweet smile played on Ruan Yu’s lips.

During breakfast, Mu Luoxi called. It was her mother’s birthday and she invited Ruan Yu to come celebrate. Ruan Yu couldn’t say no, so she agreed.

But she had forgotten one thing: she was technically still under house arrest.

Still, Auntie Mu had always been kind to her and really liked her. Not going felt wrong.

She originally planned to call Gu Yanzhi to let him know. If he was reasonable, he’d probably let her go. But seeing the time, he was probably in a meeting. She didn’t want to disturb him and figured she’d just explain after coming back.

She went upstairs to change clothes. When she left the house, no one stopped her—perhaps Gu Yanzhi had silently approved.

The corners of her lips curled into a lovely smile.

Since Auntie Mu wasn’t in the best health, Ruan Yu stopped by the mall and bought some health supplements and medicinal foods before heading to Mu Luoxi’s apartment complex.

It was one of the older neighborhoods, each building six stories tall. Mu Luoxi lived on the third floor, but there was a gate, and Ruan Yu couldn’t get in.

When she arrived, she called Mu Luoxi to come open the gate.

“A-Yu, your President Gu let you out?” Mu Luoxi asked. She had forgotten about that when she called, only remembering after Ruan Yu was already downstairs.

“Sort of,” Ruan Yu teased. “What, Luoxi? You hoping I get locked up forever?”

“No way,” Mu Luoxi said quickly. “If I had a boyfriend as rich, handsome, and devoted as your President Gu, I’d be happy to be a pampered canary for life.”

She took the gift bags from Ruan Yu and scolded, “Coming home and still bringing gifts? That makes it too formal.”

“They’re for Auntie,” Ruan Yu replied. “Not for you.”

When she heard Mu Luoxi say “coming home,” a warm feeling rose in Ruan Yu’s heart.

They entered the apartment—a modest two-bedroom unit, not as luxurious as a villa but clean and cozy.

As soon as they walked in, Mu Xueqin greeted them happily. When she saw Ruan Yu, her face lit up. “A-Yu’s here! It’s been a while—I’ve missed you.”

Ruan Yu didn’t want to mention she had been kept at home, so she smiled lightly and said, “I missed you too, Auntie. I’ve just been caught up with some things and couldn’t come visit.”