Chapter 21: Feed me?

Gu Jingyao’s long fingers lightly tapped the table beside him, asking with interest, “Moran, can I interpret this as jealousy?”

Lin Moran chuckled, “Jealous of what? Considering our long acquaintance, I hope you’ll have a fulfilling life.”

“Life is short; don’t leave regrets.”

“If you’re too embarrassed to be with her, I’ll play matchmaker for you.”

Gu Jingyao’s eyes suddenly darkened, his composure shattering. He gritted his teeth, “Lin Moran, you’re infuriating!”

Lin Moran looked at him calmly.

This man was still pretending.  She knew he was secretly pleased by her words, but he had to pretend to be angry in front of her.

“Gu Jingyao, let’s not argue. Let’s talk calmly.”

Lin Moran kindly poured him a glass of water.

All those years, thinking about his sacrifice had broken her heart.

Later, discovering his heart belonged to Xu Jingya, shattered her heart completely.

Once, her emotions were completely controlled by him crying, hurting, regretting, hating.

She thought she meant nothing to him.

Unexpectedly, a few words from her had broken through his defenses.

This surprised her.

“Our marriage is difficult for outsiders to understand. You fought for the country, almost losing your life; I struggled to maintain our home, enduring everything.”

“I know divorce is shameful and will affect your career. I’ll take all the blame. It’s not you wanting a divorce, it’s me. The responsibility lies with me, not you. This way, no matter who causes trouble, it won’t affect your future.”

Gu Jingyao’s eyes darkened further, his emotions tense. He stared at her motionlessly. After a long time, he uttered two words, “Then what?”

“Then you can get what you want. You can be with your beloved, live happily ever after… Isn’t the meaning of life to have the person you love by your side?  This is what you fought for, and I’m sincerely helping you achieve it…”

“Heh… Comrade Lin is so generous, a rare confidante indeed.” Gu Jingyao suddenly laughed, but his eyes were cold, his mouth cold, everything cold.

“Comrade Lin, you’re so considerate, pour me another glass of water.”

Gu Jingyao said coldly.

Lin Moran glanced at him and poured him a glass of warm water.

He had amazing control.  While they were having such a serious conversation, he was still ordering her around.

“Comrade Lin, you consider everything for me. I’m tired; can you feed me?”

Gu Jingyao looked at her, his eyes slightly raised and deep.

Lin Moran paused, surprise flashing in her beautiful eyes. This man was shameless, daring to make such a request.

The next second, she felt her wrist being grasped.

Gu Jingyao grabbed her wrist, holding her hand, bringing the enamel cup to his lips.

His grip was strong, giving her no chance to struggle.

During the process, she felt like a water dispenser, her gaze following his, her hand lifting with his.

“Comrade Lin, you’re truly dedicated.”

After taking a sip of water, Gu Jingyao looked at her with a slight smile in his eyes.

Then Lin Moran felt her hand wet; his lips touched the back of her hand holding the enamel cup.

A light touch, very quick.

So quick that Lin Moran’s heart beat uncontrollably, slightly dazed, unable to tell if it was intentional or accidental.

“Comrade Lin Moran, I’ll say it again, unless you find someone you absolutely must marry, I will not divorce. Shen Haoyang, don’t even think about it.”

Gu Jingyao released Lin Moran’s hand, his voice low and firm.

“Gu Jingyao, are you playing with me?”

Lin Moran said angrily.

All her efforts were wasted; he hadn’t listened to a word.

“I’m protecting you.”

“It’s not early; I’m going to work.”

“Who needs your protection?”

Gu Jingyao paused his hand on the doorknob, slowly turning around, his gaze fixed on Lin Moran.

Lin Moran fell silent. The hand he had just kissed was still wet.

This guy was acting crazy today. She couldn’t provoke him; who knew what he would do next?

“Mom…”

A soft, childish voice interrupted them.

Gu Quanzhe climbed up from the bed, his eyes blurry, looking at Lin Moran, then at Gu Jingyao.

Gu Quanzhe couldn’t believe it, rubbing his eyes. Gu Jingyao was really in the room.

How was that possible?

Gu Quanzhe lay back down, muttering, “Quanbao was dreaming, Quanbao just woke up.”

Lin Moran.

Gu Jingyao.

Neither of them spoke, but both subconsciously lowered their voices.

After Gu Jingyao went to work, the aunties in the courtyard who hadn’t gone to work yet stopped Lin Moran, giving her a long lecture.

“Comrade Lin, live a good life.”

“When Comrade Gu comes back, Zhezhe is much happier.”

“Think about it, it’s hard to raise a child alone. It’s much better to have someone help share the burden.”

Lin Moran listened quietly. She wanted to ask, it’s good to have someone share the burden, but what if that person has someone else in their heart, can you tolerate it?

Of course, she couldn’t ask.

If she did, everyone would think she was being unreasonable.

Gu Jingyao could enter her room in the morning, but it didn’t mean he could at night.

Lin Moran spent the day thinking about how to get Gu Jingyao out again, while Gu Quanzhe was excited.

Grandma said his father wasn’t neglecting them; his father slept outside their house every night.

Gu Quanzhe felt regretful; his father had been outside his room for so long, and he hadn’t noticed.

Although he was angry about the last incident, seeing his father’s sincerity in returning home, he felt he could forgive him.

He wanted to build a good relationship with his father.

He wanted to be like Pang Hu (presumably a friend or character), hanging out with his father whenever he wanted.

It looked very majestic.

His father had been back for so long, and he hadn’t hung out with his father once.

In the evening, Gu Quanzhe went home early and waited for Lin Moran outside the house.

Lin Moran returned early.

First, she had been returning late these days, spending little time with Gu Quanzhe.

Second, she wanted to give Gu Quanzhe some good food to improve his health.

Better health would help him endure the surgery.

Gu Quanzhe was picky, but today he cooperated and ate the soup she made.

Although it was only half a bowl of pork rib and yam soup, it was better than nothing.

After dinner, it was bath time.

After the bath, Lin Moran told him a story.

Gu Quanzhe listened while paying attention to the outside.

Didn’t Grandma say his father would come back every day?

Why hadn’t he come back yet?

He was so sleepy, he was about to fall asleep.

After waiting for a while, Gu Jingyao still didn’t come back.

Gu Quanzhe got angry, pulling up his thin blanket, “I’m going to sleep.”

Lin Moran couldn’t help but laugh. Why was he suddenly angry?

“Zhezhe, Mom’s treasure, what’s wrong?”

“So sleepy, I can’t sleep. So sleepy, I’m going to sleep.”

Gu Quanzhe clenched his fists. He wanted to sleep, to sleep well.

Mom said that if he got better, after the surgery, he could jump and play like other children, climb trees, climb mountains, and learn martial arts.

He had to get better, then learn martial arts. After learning martial arts, he would keep his father by his side. If his father disobeyed and ran away, he would beat him up.

Gu Jingyao, who was dealing with the last document in the office, inexplicably sneezed. Was someone thinking of him?

Gu Jingyao tidied up, rested his hands behind his head, tilted his head, and his mood seemed a little better.

He packed his backpack in the office, put it on, and went home.