Gu Yechen had already been waiting there for over two hours.
Earlier today, Li Qianqian had argued with him, even bluntly implying that there was something improper between him and Cheng Zi, saying he was only after the Li family’s power and wealth…
Gu Yechen had been wrongly accused for no reason. He felt stifled and wronged, and anger built up inside him.
Li Qianqian claimed that Cheng Zi herself had said it.
Out of spite, Gu Yechen came over.
He waited and waited until his anger had almost completely cooled.
In his mind, he began comparing Li Qianqian and Cheng Zi.
Cheng Zi had always been obedient to him—she never raised her voice, never argued with him…
But Li Qianqian had changed. From being gentle and considerate two years ago, she had become unreasonable.
Gu Yechen suddenly thought of the figure he had seen at the clothing factory gate that day.
No matter what, he did not believe Cheng Zi could possibly fall in love with her nominal husband. He was very clear about how important he was to her.
But right now, the scene before him…
Gu Yechen’s gaze flickered, a trace of hurt inexplicably rising within him. He pressed his lips tightly together, his figure swallowed by the night, giving him a slightly shattered, fragile appearance.
Yet he still refused to think in that direction. Instead, he recalled what his mother had said.
“Could it be that what Sister Li said is true? Has she become this seriously ill?” Gu Yechen murmured.
The “Sister Li” he referred to was the neurologist who had examined Cheng Zi that day.
This Dr. Li was a friend of the Gu family’s eldest sister-in-law and had once met Cheng Zi before.
The girl was beautiful, and she often heard the eldest sister-in-law mention her, so Dr. Li had a fairly deep impression of her.
She also knew very clearly about Cheng Zi and Gu Yechen’s situation.
After Cheng Zi went to the hospital for a check-up, Dr. Li told the eldest sister-in-law about it the next day.
But what was originally just a simple medical visit became distorted after passing through several mouths in the Gu family.
By the time it reached Gu Yechen, it had become something entirely different.
Mrs. Gu said at the dinner table that night, “That Cheng Zi seemed like a pretty good girl, but I didn’t expect her health to be so poor. Good thing you didn’t choose her. Qianqian is much better for bearing children.”
Gu Yechen hadn’t understood at first and kept asking for clarification.
But after hearing the explanation, his heart sank…
Mrs. Gu insisted that Cheng Zi must have been emotionally triggered—she learned he was getting married, and the shock caused her illness.
Gu Yechen naturally believed it.
After his engagement announcement went out, Cheng Zi neither cried nor made a scene, and she didn’t even come to look for him—that alone was abnormal.
So she must have been ill!
Gu Yechen stood under the tree for a long while before silently leaving.
When he passed the gate guard, the old man even stopped him to ask a few questions.
Gu Yechen didn’t think much and simply said he came to find a friend—he said he was looking for Cheng Zi…
The next day, the gate guard casually mentioned it to the neighborhood aunties and elders.
And as it spread, the story became more and more distorted.
…
Meanwhile, Cheng Zi had no idea Gu Yechen had come. If she had known, she would have definitely put on a performance for him.
Right now, she was acting like a boss, directing Xie Ci around—telling him to pour water, cut fruit, and so on.
“I bought a lot of fruit in the fridge. Pick some and make a fruit platter. I think it’ll improve my mood.”
Her bad mood had already been completely swept away by Xie Ci’s gentle tone.
“The hot water is ready.”
“Can you carry it over?”
“No.”
Xie Ci’s ears turned red. A trace of helplessness flashed in his eyes as he turned back into the kitchen. “I’ll go cut the fruit.”
“Alright then~”
They took turns doing things. After Xie Ci finished bathing, he still had to go to the hospital to keep vigil, and it was already getting late.
As soon as he entered the bathroom, Cheng Zi took out the new clothes she had made for him.
Two shirts, two short-sleeve tops, and two casual pants. The designs were simple, but the tailoring was exquisitely refined—something this era had never seen before.
It was her first time making clothes for a man, so saying she wasn’t nervous would be a lie.
Her eyes carried an expectation even she hadn’t noticed.
“Hubby, don’t put on clothes yet—just come out directly.”
Bang.
A sound came from the bathroom—something dropped.
Cheng Zi blinked, realizing she had said something wrong, and quickly corrected herself.
“I made you new clothes. Take off the old ones and leave them there. I’ll wash them later.”
After a long pause, a deep “Mm” came from inside.
He’s shy?
She had found it funny at first, but when he actually came out shirtless, she couldn’t laugh anymore—her eyes simply couldn’t move away.
This… is basically a manhua (Korean webtoon) male lead body!
She swallowed.
Xie Ci frowned slightly, his ears red.
“Which one should I wear?”
“Wear the black shirt with the dark grey casual pants, and your cloth shoes.”
“Alright.”
He dressed quickly, slightly embarrassed, turning his back to her while changing.
So this is a boyfriend’s back?
Perfect muscle lines—each section clearly defined.
“Does it fit? I’ve already washed them, don’t worry.”
He didn’t turn around. Cheng Zi watched openly, but unfortunately, he finished putting them on quickly.
When he turned back and saw her expression, he frowned slightly again in discomfort.
“It fits perfectly.”
“Tsk tsk, looks great. Xie Ci, you’re really a natural clothes hanger.”
She rested her chin on her hand, praising him without the slightest hesitation.
“Mm. Rest early. I’m leaving.”
“Already going?”
He lowered his gaze, long legs stepping out without hesitation. Only at the door did he glance back deeply at her.
“Good work. Rest early.”
“Oh? Okay.”
“Lock the door.”
Cheng Zi finally reacted and went to send him off. Watching his tall figure ride away on the bicycle until it disappeared, she couldn’t help but smile.
“Not bad.”
The next day.
Cheng Zi got up early and brought the unfinished dress prototype to the factory.
It was still her holiday, so she didn’t have to come, but she needed materials and wanted to use the factory’s better supplies while also submitting her design draft.
Not long after sitting down in the office, Sister Zheng handed her a bottle of Jianlibao soda.
“Xiao Zi, here. My Baozhu bought it for you.”
A smile appeared in Cheng Zi’s peach-blossom eyes.
“Alright, thank you Auntie Zheng. Please thank Baozhu for me.”
They were both polite in a mutually understood way, each with their own intentions.
Sister Zheng was clearly trying to curry favor, even using her daughter’s name as an excuse.
“Xiao Zi, about the 3,000 yuan… I discussed it with my family. My husband agreed. So you see…”
Her voice lowered, eyes cautiously glancing toward the door.
Cheng Zi leaned in slightly as well.
“Sister, that’s the amount. If there’s no problem, I’ll submit the report next month and transfer this position to Baozhu.”
Sister Zheng immediately beamed with joy.
“Alright, alright, it’s settled then.”
“Yes.”
“Just… I had to borrow money from relatives. You can’t go back on your word later.”
Cheng Zi picked up her skirt hem and skillfully threaded the sewing machine.
“One word is a promise.”
Sister Zheng finally let out a long breath.
As for whether Cheng Zi was actually doing her job properly, she didn’t say a single word more.
That’s right—Cheng Zi never intended to quit her job.
She planned to sell it.
Recently, she had already noticed something off between Factory Director Zhang and Li Qianqian.
This place was no longer safe to stay in.
A good position allows a person to shine.
A position trying to trap you should be abandoned in time.