When are you moving back into the master bedroom?

Qiao Hua knew nothing about the conversation between the two people downstairs. She had just returned to her room when Yan Yu called.

Yan Yu's warm, resonant voice came through the phone. "Qiao Hua, are you home?"

"President Yan, I'm home." Remembering what had happened earlier, Qiao Hua said apologetically, "I'm sorry. I was supposed to treat you to dinner, but we got interrupted."

Yan Yu was as understanding as ever. "It's all right. That wasn't something you could control."

His words only made Qiao Hua feel guiltier. She blinked and smiled. "I'll treat you again when I get the chance. I promise there won't be a third person."

Yan Yu laughed. "All right. I'll be waiting."

Next time, I'll have to find somewhere more out of the way for dinner, so Gu Wenze can't come ruin it again!

As she was considering this, she suddenly heard Yan Yu ask, "Qiao Hua, are you unhappy with him?"

The question pulled Qiao Hua out of her thoughts, and she instinctively dodged it. "What makes you think that?"

Yan Yu fell silent for a moment. "I saw your chat history this morning."

Qiao Hua paused slightly. Yan Yu continued, "Sorry, I didn't mean to. I happened to see it when you left your phone on the table."

Qiao Hua wasn't petty. Since Yan Yu had already seen it, there was no point in lying. "We're going through the divorce process."

Though Gu Wenze hadn't agreed to a divorce yet.

"So I was right." Yan Yu chuckled softly. "I don't know the full story, but you must have your reasons for doing this. I support you."

Qiao Hua was quite supportive of her own decision, too.

The original owner of her body probably wouldn't have supported it if she knew, though.

After all, she had loved Gu Wenze so much that even in death, she hadn't been able to let him go.

But Qiao Hua had no choice. She was the one living through the plot now. She couldn't just watch herself repeat the same mistakes and die all over again.

So she could only apologize to the original owner. She hoped the woman wouldn't blame her once she completed the mission.

Yan Yu suddenly murmured on the other end, "I really regret not saying it when we graduated. That was how he got his chance."

Qiao Hua hadn't heard him clearly. "Huh? What did you say?"

"Nothing." Coming back to himself, Yan Yu promptly changed the subject. "Get some rest. See you at the office tomorrow."

Qiao Hua gave a bewildered "okay" and stared at the ended call, feeling confused.

Just then, heavy knocking sounded at the door. Qiao Hua didn't need to guess who it was. She pretended not to hear and carried on with what she was doing.

The person outside seemed to have caught on to her little trick. The knocking grew louder, as though he wouldn't stop until she opened the door.

Unable to stand it any longer, Qiao Hua tossed her phone aside, went to the door, and yanked it open.

Gu Wenze stood outside with a dark expression. "Why did you take so long to open the door?"

"I didn't hear you," Qiao Hua said coolly. "Did you need something?"

There was no way Gu Wenze couldn't tell she was brushing him off. His tight jaw seemed to betray some emotion he was holding back. "What were you doing?"

Qiao Hua found this rather strange. Was Gu Wenze showing concern for her?

"President Gu, don't tell me you came looking for me just to ask about something this trivial?"

Her barbed attitude displeased Gu Wenze, but he still held his temper. His voice was low. "Why didn't you tell me you helped my mother?"

Qiao Hua didn't understand. "What did I help your mother with?"

To Gu Wenze, her reaction looked like she was playing dumb. His voice grew colder. "You're still trying to hide it from me?"

Qiao Hua was utterly baffled. When had she ever helped Weng Fenghua? As far as she remembered, she hadn't done any good deeds.

"President Gu, haven't you got the wrong person? I'm not that kindhearted." Leaning against the door, Qiao Hua smiled. "Being sweet and innocent is your Jiang Nan's role. You should go ask her instead."

Gu Wenze thought Qiao Hua was simply sulking over what had happened earlier. His gaze fell on her slightly swollen lips, and he could still recall the sensation of kissing her-soft and hot.

The heat inside him began stirring again, making his voice low and husky. After a moment, he said, "I can agree to let you keep your job."

Qiao Hua's brow twitched. Before she could speak, Gu Wenze added, "But I have one condition."

Qiao Hua had a feeling it wouldn't be anything good. "What condition?"

Gu Wenze enunciated every word. "From now on, you must keep your distance from that man."

Having expected him to say that, Qiao Hua replied lazily, "He's my boss. I have to report to him about my work. How am I supposed to keep my distance?"

Gu Wenze's voice grew stern. "Outside of work, you're not allowed to have any private contact with him."

"President Gu, isn't that a little unreasonable?" Qiao Hua sounded as though she was deliberately provoking him. "Yan Yu isn't just my boss. He's also my friend. Are you saying you want me to cut ties with him?"

Gu Wenze fixed his icy gaze on Qiao Hua. "That's exactly what I want!"

"Why should I?" Qiao Hua refused to accept it. "I don't interfere with your life. What gives you the right to restrict who I'm friends with?"

Gu Wenze's patience had already reached its limit that night. One spark would set him off, yet Qiao Hua remained oblivious and kept pushing his buttons. "If you don't agree, I don't mind resigning on your behalf."

That was an outright threat.

Qiao Hua thought of the melodramatic novels she used to read. Weren't the domineering CEOs in those stories all-powerful, able to make the heroine unemployable with a flick of their fingers?

She had no doubt that Gu Wenze could make it impossible for her to keep working, too.

The wise knew when to yield. Reluctant as she was, Qiao Hua changed her tune. "Fine. I agree."

Anyway, once she agreed, how she actually followed through was still up to her.

Gu Wenze's expression softened considerably. "Remember what you promised me. If I catch you associating with him again, you won't be going out to work anymore."

Qiao Hua pursed her lips. "Are you done? Can I get some rest now?"

As she moved to close the door, Gu Wenze braced a hand against it. Suddenly remembering what had happened in the car that day, Qiao Hua eyed him warily. "What are you trying to do?"

Gu Wenze's gaze settled on Qiao Hua's fair neck as he recalled its softness in the car. "When are you moving back?"

"Moving where?" Qiao Hua didn't catch on right away. "Aren't I already living in your house?"

"That's not what I meant." Gu Wenze's expression darkened. "I meant moving back into the master bedroom."

"Oh," Qiao Hua said. "There's no need to go to all that trouble, is there? I'll have to move out once we're divorced anyway."

Hearing Qiao Hua bring up divorce again, Gu Wenze's eyes filled with a bone-chilling coldness. "Qiao Hua, are you so eager to divorce me because of that man, Yan Yu?"