A matter between husband and wife

The smile had yet to fade from Qiao Hua's face when she spotted Gu Wenze at the restaurant entrance. Dressed in a dark suit, his tall, straight figure exuded an air of refined privilege as he approached them, his expression blank.

Qiao Hua couldn't help frowning.

What was Gu Wenze doing here?

Gu Wenze stopped in front of them. His warning gaze swept over Qiao Hua's face before settling on Yan Yu.

Yan Yu gave Qiao Hua a puzzled look. "And this is?"

Qiao Hua was reluctant to admit her relationship with Gu Wenze. While she hesitated over how to introduce him, Gu Wenze suddenly spoke. "I'm her husband."

At the word "husband," Yan Yu's brow shifted, and his gaze grew more searching as he looked at Gu Wenze.

"What are you doing here?" Qiao Hua was somewhat surprised to see him.

"Business dinner," Gu Wenze said tersely.

Qiao Hua pursed her lips.

What rotten luck. She couldn't even have a meal at a restaurant without running into Gu Wenze.

Yan Yu stepped forward and offered his hand. "Hello. I'm Qiao Hua's friend and boss, Yan Yu."

At the word "friend," Gu Wenze's gaze darkened. He kept both hands in his pockets, apparently having no intention of shaking Yan Yu's hand. "Gu Wenze."

Hearing that name gave Yan Yu pause.

There was probably no one in the business world who hadn't heard of Gu Wenze.

Yan Yu showed no embarrassment and naturally withdrew his hand. "I'd heard that Qiao Hua's husband was someone important. I finally get to meet you today."

It sounded like a compliment, but Gu Wenze heard something else beneath it.

Gu Wenze's gaze moved between Qiao Hua and Yan Yu, his tone flat. "What are you two doing?"

Qiao Hua thought he was asking a question he already knew the answer to. He had clearly heard her say on the phone that she was going out to eat with her boss.

"Don't you have eyes?" Qiao Hua snapped. "Why ask when it's so obvious?"

Her cold tone made Gu Wenze frown slightly. He turned to Yan Yu and said in a low voice, "You just said you're Qiao Hua's boss. Does that mean she's working at your company now?"

Yan Yu didn't deny it. "Yes."

Gu Wenze's gaze darkened further.

Qiao Hua had never mentioned this to him.

Qiao Hua interrupted their conversation. "My friend and I are going to get back to our meal. If you're meeting someone, you should go."

As though he hadn't noticed her attempt to dismiss him, Gu Wenze said without a change in expression, "My business partner just messaged me. Something came up, so he canceled."

There probably wasn't any business partner to begin with, Qiao Hua grumbled inwardly.

She had no idea what Gu Wenze was up to, coming all the way to the restaurant where they were eating. Was he just trying to make his presence felt?

Noticing the tension between them, Yan Yu said politely, "If you don't mind, Mr. Gu, why not join us?"

Qiao Hua had no desire to share a table with Gu Wenze and hurried to say, "Mr. Gu isn't used to this kind of food. He should go home to eat."

No sooner had she finished than Gu Wenze said, "Sure."

Qiao Hua was speechless.

The table was so quiet that only the clink of bowls and chopsticks could be heard. Ever since Gu Wenze's arrival, the relaxed atmosphere had vanished.

"Qiao Hua, your favorite shrimp."

Yan Yu's gentle voice broke the silence. Qiao Hua came back to herself and saw a peeled shrimp in her bowl.

Across from her, Gu Wenze's expression darkened at the sight.

Qiao Hua felt a little awkward. "You really don't have to. I can do it myself."

Yan Yu gently stopped her hand and smiled. "Back in college, you used to order me to peel shrimp for you every time we ate in the cafeteria. Have you forgotten?"

Qiao Hua gave an awkward smile.

She genuinely didn't remember. After all, she wasn't the original owner of this body.

Fortunately, Yan Yu didn't press the matter. "Go ahead and eat. Don't feel bad about it. I'll peel them for you."

His partially rolled-up sleeves revealed strong forearms. With his long fingers, he picked up a shrimp from the plate and deftly removed its shell, finishing in seconds.

Clack! Gu Wenze slammed down his chopsticks and rose from the table, hostility radiating from him.

At the sound, Qiao Hua looked up at him in confusion, her gaze a little dazed. "What's wrong?"

Unreadable emotions churned in Gu Wenze's dark eyes. "The nanny said dinner's ready. We're going home."

"Go ahead without me," Qiao Hua said casually. "I'm eating here with President Yan."

Somehow, those words enraged Gu Wenze. He strode around the table, snatched up Qiao Hua's phone, and hauled her to her feet to leave.

Qiao Hua stumbled, nearly losing her balance. "Hey, I'm not full yet!" she protested angrily.

Gu Wenze ignored her and dragged her toward the exit.

Just then, a tall figure stepped in, blocking their path. "President Gu, please let her go," Yan Yu said in a low voice.

Gu Wenze narrowed his eyes. "This is a matter between husband and wife. Surely it's none of your business, President Yan?"

The words "husband and wife" made Yan Yu stiffen for a moment. Taking advantage of that pause, Gu Wenze pulled Qiao Hua out of the restaurant.

Unable to break free, Qiao Hua inwardly cursed Gu Wenze and eighteen generations of his ancestors. She could only turn back and give Yan Yu an awkward smile. "Sorry, President Yan. I'll treat you to dinner another time!"

Yan Yu forced a smile. After their figures disappeared through the restaurant entrance, the corners of his mouth slowly fell, his smile giving way to disappointment.

Once outside the restaurant, Gu Wenze flung Qiao Hua against the front of the car. His tall frame loomed over her like an enormous black net.

"Why didn't you tell me you were working at your friend's company?"

Gu Wenze's expression was icy, as though he were struggling to hold something back.

Qiao Hua looked utterly baffled. "Why should I tell you? Besides, you never asked."

"That's because I didn't know you were working at your friend's company," Gu Wenze said frostily.

Gu Wenze wasn't blind. That man was clearly interested in Qiao Hua.

Perhaps hiring her had been deliberate, too.

"What's wrong with working at his company? We're just friends." Qiao Hua was unconcerned. "Besides, I got in on my own merits."

A mocking smile flickered across Gu Wenze's lips. "On your own merits? Qiao Hua, don't you know what you're actually capable of?"

Arguing was one thing, but personal attacks were going too far.

Qiao Hua shook off Gu Wenze's hand. "I may not be as capable as your precious Jiang Nan, but I didn't steal or rob anyone. I passed the interview on my own merits. What right do you have to doubt me?"

Gu Wenze's eyes turned cold. "Then tell me why you happened to apply to his company, and why you just happened to get hired."

"How should I know?" Qiao Hua pursed her lips. "When I applied, I had no idea it was his company."

At that, Gu Wenze's expression softened a little.

Could it really have been a coincidence?

Yet the thought of Yan Yu's attentiveness toward Qiao Hua left Gu Wenze deeply displeased. Unwilling to examine the reason for his unusual behavior today, he said coldly, "In that case, go to him tomorrow and resign. Tell him you're quitting."