Guests from all directions rushed out of the private rooms.
Seeing Xia Wanqing, they shouted, “Where’s the fire?”
Xia Wanqing smiled and kicked open the door to the neighboring private room. “There’s a fire inside!”
Bang! The door slammed into something.
Xia Wanqing focused and saw Gu Xing lying on the floor, holding Xia Yiyi in his arms. Their clothes were disheveled.
A swelling was forming on Gu Xing’s forehead, yet he still used his clothes to cover Xia Yiyi’s face.
“So that’s the fire they meant to put out.”
“Not gonna lie, that woman’s skin is pretty fair.”
“That man won’t even spend money—better come with me. I won’t let anyone see you.”
Mocking laughter rose all around. Xia Yiyi, hidden beneath his clothes, felt nothing but humiliation as tears streamed down her face.
Gu Xing’s mother opposed their marriage, so she had forced the situation. To avoid being seen at the hotel, she came up with this plan.
It was meant to make Gu Xing forever unforgettable, and also to provoke him.
Gu Xing felt like a monkey on display, terrified.
He quickly snapped out of it, got up, and shut the door.
Just as he finished dressing, the restaurant staff knocked, deliberately raising their voices: “Sir, this isn’t a hotel! Leave now, or we’ll call the police!”
Gu Xing’s face darkened as he opened the door.
The hallway was crowded with onlookers, laughing at the two covering their faces.
Some bold ones even reached out to grab them, wanting a closer look.
Terrified, Xia Yiyi screamed, “Gu… Brother!”
“Shut up!”
Gu Xing pushed through the crowd, head down, ignoring Xia Yiyi completely. His position was special—if the military found out about this misconduct, he could be dismissed.
Through her fingers, Xia Yiyi saw him run without looking back, her heart sinking.
Gu Xing was too irresponsible. She suddenly felt a pang of regret.
She shook her head.
Xia Yiyi, in her past life, Gu Xing had cherished you. He’s just too young now.
Once he matures, he’ll treat you as well as he did before.
When he becomes the richest man in the South Province, you’ll be the happiest woman in the world.
Thinking this, some of her fear and resentment eased.
Covering her face, she ran out amid the teasing laughter of the crowd.
But she didn’t get far—she was stopped by a “hat uncle.”
Someone pointed at her. “It’s her! We suspect she’s the young lady from the private room.”
“I’m not!” Xia Yiyi protested.
“Miss, please cooperate with our investigation!” Her wrist was restrained to prevent escape, and she was dragged toward the hat bureau.
Xia Yiyi’s face was exposed. Now everyone could see her.
She was mortified, wishing she could sink into the ground, catching only the sight of Gu Xing’s retreating back.
Xia Wanqing, smiling, went to the service counter to pay—today’s meal had been excellent.
In her past life, Xia Yiyi had orchestrated a “catching-in-the-act” scheme, causing her to be mocked from time to time.
Before she reached the counter, she saw Gu Huaichuan standing there with his back to her.
“Gu Huaichuan,” Xia Wanqing greeted with a smile, “what a coincidence! You’re here to eat too.”
The man tensed for a split second. When he turned, his face revealed no emotion. “Yes… quite a coincidence.”
He had witnessed the commotion.
Wanwan was unharmed. Did that mean she had truly let go of Gu Xing?
If one looked closely, Gu Huaichuan’s lips curled into a barely noticeable smile.
He handed money to the cashier. “Add this lady’s payment to mine.”
“Sir, you didn’t eat—” The cashier, perceptive, quickly switched tone, “Alright.”
“No need,” Xia Wanqing hastily refused. By the time she reached the register, the change had already been prepared. Smiling, she said, “Miss, you can settle it yourselves.”
Gu Huaichuan put the money away, glanced at Xia Wanqing seriously. “I need to speak with you.”
A bad premonition rose in Xia Wanqing. Forgetting about the payment, she followed Gu Huaichuan to a quieter spot.
As they walked, the cashier whispered to a colleague, “This young lady is lucky—her boyfriend is handsome and generous.”
“Yeah, unlike the two upstairs in the private room, they wouldn’t even pay for the room. Not afraid of being caught either.”
…
Gu Huaichuan led her toward the Xia residence, remaining silent the entire way.
Xia Wanqing followed quietly, stepping in his shadow.
His tall frame, with the sun shining from the front, completely enveloped her, keeping her cool.
She didn’t know what he wanted to say. His expression was grave—something important must have happened.
Could it be a change regarding their marriage?
Suddenly, Xia Wanqing bumped into a wall—later realizing it was Gu Huaichuan’s chest.
So broad!
She had been lost in thought and hadn’t noticed when he stopped.
“Xia Wanqing, I’ll leave the day after tomorrow.”
She looked up, seeing Gu Huaichuan’s serious expression. “There’s an emergency mission I must return for. My ticket is already booked.”
She remembered.
It was during this mission that Gu Huaichuan was injured. She recalled he had brain trauma, which later became infected, causing meningitis, and leaving him in a vegetative state.
Gu Xing had mentioned that a fellow soldier had said if medicine was administered immediately, the damage wouldn’t have been so severe.
She had medicine in her space. If he carried it with him, maybe his fate could be altered.
He was only 28—so young to die.
So pitiful.
Xia Wanqing looked at Gu Huaichuan sympathetically.
“When’s the train?”
“Noon, eleven o’clock.”
His hand tightened slightly.
She saw the reluctant look in his eyes.
Xia Wanqing calculated. “Then we’ll get our marriage certificate in the morning.”
Gu Huaichuan’s breath hitched. A faint smile appeared around his eyes, and he exhaled slowly. “Alright.”
After she said a few words, he suddenly placed something in her hand.
She looked down. It was a bank passbook.
“This is?” Xia Wanqing asked, puzzled.
“Since we’re getting married, you’ll manage the money. This is all I have now, and I’ll give you all future earnings too.”
Handing her the money even before marriage made Xia Wanqing uneasy. She wanted to return the passbook, but Gu Huaichuan had already left.
She could only store it in her space for safekeeping.
Looking at his retreating back, he seemed almost clumsy walking, moving both hands and feet together.
Broad shoulders, narrow waist, chest muscles just right. Unlike Gu Xing, he might actually be competent.
Xia Wanqing shook her head, banishing any inappropriate thoughts.
The priority now was handling the people in the house.
The sun was warm, brightening her heart.
Gu Huaichuan truly seemed unsteady on his feet.
He felt today’s path was different, as if made of clouds, making him feel weightless.
Xia Wanqing entered the courtyard but stayed in the shadows.
After ensuring it was safe, she took out binoculars from her space.
Inside the house, Xia Jianye opened her handbag—empty.
Disdainfully, he tossed it aside, opened the yam cake box, shook it—the contents were gone.
“Husband, could there be a hidden compartment?”
“Bring scissors.” Xia Jianye cut open the bag, turning it into strips of cloth. Still nothing.
“Husband, maybe it’s not in the house?”
“I saw her leave empty-handed. Such valuables wouldn’t be outside. Must be hidden inside. Search quickly.”
“Why does Xia Wanqing only have so few clothes?”
Xia Jianye remembered Xia Yiyi’s wardrobe had many skirts.
“Maybe she doesn’t care for dressing up,” Zhou Huiping admitted nervously.
Xia Jianye lifted the mattress. “Is Jiayao watching outside?”
Mentioning Xia Jiayao made Zhou Huiping’s heart race.
To hide her reaction, she turned her back to Xia Jianye. “Don’t worry. When Xia Wanqing returns, he’ll cry immediately.”
Xia Jianye couldn’t see clearly, but Xia Wanqing observed everything.
Zhou Huiping’s reaction confirmed her suspicions.
But who was Zhou Huiping’s lover?