You're trying to get my attention

Gu Wenze's brow twitched sharply, and he turned to look at the culprit behind him.

Qiao Hua still had no idea what had happened. "Why are you looking at me like that?" she asked in confusion.

Gu Wenze gritted his teeth. "You told the nanny I'd become a monk?"

Qiao Hua's heart skipped a beat as she looked at the embarrassed nanny.

She had only made an offhand remark last time. Who knew Gu Wenze would find out?

"Ma'am, you must have misheard," Qiao Hua said sheepishly. "I clearly said Mr. Gu needed to watch his blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol. That's why I asked you to make lighter meals."

She turned to Gu Wenze with an awkward smile. "You know how it is. At your age, those levels can easily get too high, so it's best to take precautions."

Gu Wenze smiled, but there was no warmth in his eyes. "At my age? Go on, then. How old do you think I am?"

Sensing the danger in the air, Qiao Hua felt her scalp prickle. She tried to brush it aside. "Oh, that's not the point. Let's eat."

Qiao Hua was about to get the bowls and chopsticks when a strong hand suddenly seized her wrist. Gu Wenze pulled her forward, and she lost her balance, crashing into his chest.

Gu Wenze slowly tightened his hand around her waist, his voice carrying a dangerous edge. "Qiao Hua, has it been so long since I touched you that you've forgotten how old I am?"

Goosebumps rose all over Qiao Hua. She instinctively leaned away, only for his grip to tighten.

"I'm warning you, don't try anything," she stammered. "If I kick you hard enough to cripple you, I won't take responsibility."

A faint chill seeped into Gu Wenze's deep eyes.

Ever since they had returned from the hospital, Qiao Hua seemed to resist his touch.

She used to go to every length to seduce me. Who is she putting on this virtuous-wife act for now?

That not entirely unfamiliar irritation rose within him again. His low voice sounded like both a reminder and a warning. "Don't forget your place. You're my wife, and fulfilling your marital responsibilities is your duty."

Buddy, the Qing dynasty is long gone. Who do you think you are, the emperor? Duty, my ass.

By that logic, your duty as my husband is to give me money. I haven't seen you throw tens of millions at me like the CEOs in novels.

Besides, I'm your wife when you want to sleep with me, but where's that awareness when you're all tangled up with your first love?

If you're really that desperate, go find Jiang Nan. Leave me alone, okay?

Qiao Hua forced a slight smile. "Sorry, I'm a germaphobe."

Gu Wenze's gaze darkened completely. "What do you mean?"

Qiao Hua shrugged. "Exactly what I said."

Isn't one person with AIDS in your family enough? Do you need another?

You might not be afraid of getting infected, but I am.

His mounting anger reached its breaking point. Gu Wenze abruptly tightened his hand around Qiao Hua's waist and lowered his head, crushing his lips against hers as though venting his rage.

The unexpected softness against her lips made Qiao Hua's eyes widen. She froze completely.

When she came to her senses, she opened her mouth and bit down hard. The strong taste of blood immediately spread through her mouth.

Pain shot through Gu Wenze, and he instinctively released her.

Qiao Hua seized the opportunity to wrench herself out of his arms. She scrubbed her lips hard, silently cursing him and eighteen generations of his ancestors.

That bastard just stole my first kiss!

Gu Wenze touched the split corner of his mouth with his knuckle. Bright blood stained his fingertip. He looked up, his voice icy as he gritted out, "You actually dared to bite me."

Still furious that Gu Wenze had forced a kiss on her, Qiao Hua had no patience for him. "I warned you not to try anything," she snapped.

Gu Wenze stared at her face, his breathing deepening. After a long silence, he suddenly said, "Qiao Hua, if you're trying to get my attention, then let me tell you-you've succeeded."

Qiao Hua stared at him. "Huh?"

Buddy, do you even know what you're saying?

"President Gu, please stop making everything about yourself," Qiao Hua said helplessly. "I'm not trying to get your attention, okay?"

If she wasn't deliberately trying to get my attention, then she must hate my touch.

The thought left Gu Wenze feeling painfully stifled.

The nanny had never seen the two of them like this. "President Gu, ma'am, are you still going to eat?" she asked shakily.

"Of course I am," Qiao Hua said, holding back her anger.

No matter what happened, she wasn't going to let herself go hungry.

As Qiao Hua sat down at the dining table, the cut at the corner of Gu Wenze's mouth throbbed. He told the nanny to bring the first-aid kit, then sat on the sofa with a dark expression to treat his wound.

While doing so, Gu Wenze looked up and noticed that Qiao Hua hadn't spared him so much as a glance. She held her chopsticks and ate intently, seemingly unconcerned about his injury.

He remembered an accident during their first year of marriage, when he had injured his head. Qiao Hua had bustled around his hospital room, changing his dressings and staying by his bedside all night without leaving him for a moment.

Yet now that he was hurt, Qiao Hua was completely indifferent.

Even Gu Wenze couldn't put a name to the feeling. An inexplicable anger burned in his chest, leaving him stifled and miserable.

After treating his wound, Gu Wenze joined her at the dining table. Hearing him approach, Qiao Hua looked up, gave him an indifferent glance, then lowered her head again.

A heavy atmosphere hung between them, broken only by the clink of bowls and chopsticks.

The meal at the Gu Residence had made Qiao Hua lower her guard, so she hadn't thought much about what she was eating. But she had overlooked one thing: although the nanny had deliberately prepared lighter dishes, they were still oily.

By the time Qiao Hua felt her stomach churn, it was too late. A wave of nausea rushed up her throat, and she couldn't stop herself from throwing up.

Hearing the noise, Gu Wenze looked at her and frowned. "What's wrong with you?"

Qiao Hua hadn't eaten much, so all she brought up was stomach acid. She pulled out a tissue and wiped her mouth, feigning composure. "Nothing."

Gu Wenze had a strange feeling, but he couldn't quite identify what was amiss.

His voice deepened. "Qiao Hua, you're not hiding something from me, are you?"

Qiao Hua picked up her chopsticks and continued eating, discreetly avoiding the oily dishes. "What could I possibly be hiding? It's just an upset stomach."

Gu Wenze remembered that Qiao Hua had also claimed an upset stomach when she went to the hospital for a checkup last time. An inexplicable irritation rose within him.

"If your stomach's bothering you, go to the hospital," Gu Wenze said heavily. "It's not as though we can't afford your treatment."

Only the ringing of a phone broke the oppressive atmosphere between them.

Qiao Hua glanced at the caller ID flashing on the screen and raised her eyebrows slightly.

Gu Wenze glanced at the screen, then suddenly paused as he reached for his phone.

Answer it. Your first love is calling. What are you waiting for?

Is Gu Wenze embarrassed because I'm here?

No way. He's never been the sort to have any shame.

"Miss Jiang is calling you. Aren't you going to answer?" Qiao Hua couldn't help asking.

Gu Wenze didn't understand his momentary hesitation. In the past, he had always answered Jiang Nan's calls immediately.

He quickly composed himself and answered.

Jiang Nan's soft, sweet voice came through the phone. "Wenze, are you coming over tonight?"

Gu Wenze automatically softened his voice. "What's wrong? Is your leg still bothering you?"

"Yes, a little." Jiang Nan hesitated. "It's so quiet over there. Where are you?"

Gu Wenze was silent for a moment. "I'm at home."

The other end of the line fell silent. After a long pause, Jiang Nan spoke in a strained voice, sounding even more fragile and pitiful. "If it's inconvenient, don't worry about it. I'll be fine on my own."

Qiao Hua suddenly raised her voice. "It's not inconvenient at all. President Gu will be right over."

Gu Wenze lifted his eyes to her. Perhaps she was imagining it, but his gaze seemed to hold displeasure at her overstepping.

"Miss Qiao is there too?" Jiang Nan asked, though she sounded anything but surprised. "Will she mind?" she added cautiously.

Since Jiang Nan had specifically mentioned her, how could Qiao Hua not answer? She cupped a hand beside her mouth and said loudly, "Don't worry. I don't mind at all."

Then she glanced at Gu Wenze and urged him, "Didn't you hear her? Hurry up and go."

Qiao Hua was generous and straightforward, with no sign that she was pretending.

With her being so understanding, Gu Wenze should have been satisfied. Instead, it felt as though a small hammer had struck his chest. He felt anything but relieved.

Gu Wenze put away his phone, pushed back his chair, and got up to leave with a dark expression.

Like an understanding buddy, Qiao Hua didn't forget to add, "If it gets too late, don't bother coming back. Just stay over there tonight."

Gu Wenze's steps faltered for an instant. A chill seemed to radiate from his back as he clenched his fists and walked out.

With only Qiao Hua left at the table, the nanny couldn't help speaking up. "Ma'am, forgive me for overstepping, but why did you send your husband away?"

Although she hadn't been working there long, she could tell that their relationship wasn't particularly good.

Gu Wenze had finally come home for dinner, only for Qiao Hua to send him to another woman.

And that woman was clearly up to no good. She was obviously trying to come between them.

Qiao Hua picked up her chopsticks again and ate calmly. "If a man's heart isn't here, there's no point forcing him to stay."

The nanny wanted to say more, but seeing Qiao Hua's unconcerned expression, she sighed helplessly and returned to the kitchen. She failed to notice the thoughtful look that entered Qiao Hua's eyes.

Still, Gu Wenze had made one good point. She needed to terminate her pregnancy as soon as possible.

If Gu Wenze found out, she certainly wouldn't be able to keep the child anyway, but it would bring plenty of unnecessary trouble.

Fortunately, tomorrow was Sunday, her company's one day off each week. She would finally have time for the induced abortion.

The early-summer evening breeze carried a stifling heat that swirled through the enclosed car. After leaving the villa, Gu Wenze didn't immediately head to Jiang Nan's place. He sat in his car, looking through the windshield at the villa's lit windows.

After a long while, he took out his phone and called his assistant. "Find out whether anything happened to Qiao Hua at the hospital on the first."

He couldn't shake the feeling that something had been off about Qiao Hua lately.

Fifteen minutes later, Jiang Nan heard the doorbell and went to answer it. The sight of Gu Wenze's split lip startled her. "What happened to your lip?"

"It's nothing," Gu Wenze said dismissively.

As though realizing something, Jiang Nan unconsciously bit her lip and lowered her voice. "Did Miss Qiao get angry because you were coming over?"

Jiang Nan grew anxious, seeming to speak without thinking. "She's so inconsiderate. No matter how angry she was, she shouldn't have hurt you. What will your employees think when they see you at work tomorrow?"

"It wasn't her fault," Gu Wenze abruptly interrupted.

For some reason, hearing Jiang Nan criticize Qiao Hua made him vaguely unhappy.

Perhaps it was because Jiang Nan had never spoken ill of anyone behind their back before.

The coldness in his voice stunned Jiang Nan. Seemingly sensing something, she clutched the hem of her skirt. "I'm sorry. I got carried away. Miss Qiao used to give you trouble all the time, so I thought she'd picked another fight with you."

She lowered her lashes, casting small shadows under the light, and the brightness in her eyes faded. Gu Wenze sighed and changed the subject. "Let me apply your medicine first."

"Okay."

Jiang Nan answered softly.

The mood quietly grew subdued. Jiang Nan didn't speak again until he had finished applying the medicine.

Gu Wenze put the medicine back and sighed softly. "There was a misunderstanding between us. It had nothing to do with you."

His explanation brought a faint gleam back to Jiang Nan's eyes. She looked up, carefully concealing her excitement as she feigned hesitation. "Wenze, have you ever considered divorcing her?"

Gu Wenze's hand abruptly froze in midair.

Jiang Nan lowered her voice. "I've heard about how Qiao Hua drugged you back then. You only married her because she threatened you. Your marriage was never founded on love."

Of course Gu Wenze had considered divorcing Qiao Hua, but she reacted violently every time he mentioned it. On several occasions, she had even attempted suicide.

Although Qiao Hua herself had brought up divorce recently, Gu Wenze hadn't taken it seriously.

As far as he was concerned, anyone might ask him for a divorce-anyone except Qiao Hua.

That woman must be plotting something again.

Gu Wenze didn't seem inclined to discuss it with Jiang Nan. "That's between her and me," he said evenly. "Don't overthink it. Get some rest."

Noticing his reluctance to talk, Jiang Nan was dissatisfied, but she remembered how he had become suspicious of her last time. Pushing further might backfire.

Jiang Nan wisely dropped the subject, though all sorts of thoughts churned in her mind.

It seemed she would have to take more drastic measures.

While the two of them harbored their own thoughts, Qiao Hua wasn't faring much better.

Perhaps because something was weighing on her mind, she suffered a rare bout of insomnia. She got up before her alarm went off, quickly got ready, and headed out.

But just as she reached downstairs, the doorbell rang, piercing the quiet of the early morning.

Qiao Hua's heart sank. Surely Gu Wenze hasn't come back this early? That would be terrible timing.

The doorbell kept ringing. Bracing herself, Qiao Hua went to answer it, only to find a disheveled Gu Junxing standing outside.