The next morning, Jiang Tian felt that Gu Jinyan seemed very off. From the moment she got up, he kept finding fault with her, and in the morning, he didn’t make breakfast, leaving it to the housekeeper instead.
Sitting across the dining table, he immersed himself in reading a book without even glancing up.
Jiang Tian: …
If Gu Jinyan was currently playing the role of a sulking wife, then Jiang Tian thought, the award-winning actor’s acting skills are no joke.
But they were at home right now. Him acting like this only made Jiang Tian think of two words— mental case!
However, Jiang Tian wasn’t one to fawn over someone giving her the cold shoulder. Since Gu Jinyan clearly didn’t want to acknowledge her, she had no intention of being the first to ask what was wrong.
Jiang Tian remained quiet as a mouse.
Over on his side, Gu Jinyan was growing dissatisfied.
His eyes never actually landed on the all-English book in his hands; he kept glancing at Jiang Tian across the table. But upon realizing she didn’t care at all, Award-winning Actor Gu felt he had suffered a critical hit of 10,000 points.
Screech—
A sharp knife and fork pierced the fried egg, making a grating sound on the plate. But the woman opposite seemed not to hear, remaining expressionless. Gu Jinyan felt a fire burning in his heart.
Ignoring me like this… So she really doesn’t like an older man like me, and prefers pure-hearted young boys?
Hmph…
He stood up, cleared his plate without a word, and walked out.
After he left, Jiang Tian put down her chopsticks, frowned, and muttered quietly, “What a weirdo.”
Just as she finished the last mouthful of congee, the person who left returned.
With a cold face, he looked at her. “What are you still dawdling for? I made an appointment with Su Ling for eight this morning. We’ll be late in half an hour.”
Jiang Tian finally couldn’t hold back. She looked up and glared at Gu Jinyan. “Mr. Gu, do you have a problem? What’s with your mood swings this morning? If you’re unhappy about something, just say it outright, okay? I have no interest in putting up with your passive-aggressive behavior.”
Hearing this, Gu Jinyan’s anger flared.
“You don’t know what’s wrong with me?”
“I’m not a worm in your stomach, how would I know? Did I tarnish your reputation, announce we’ve split up, or sneak into the next room to beat you up in the middle of the night, making you wake up this morning with that dead-fish expression whenever you see me?”
Jiang Tian spoke without holding back.
What should have been a perfectly fine morning was completely soured by Gu Jinyan.
First, her morning routine was criticized.
Then, her hygiene habits were faulted.
And now, she was getting the cold treatment during breakfast.
She and Gu Jinyan were playing pretend fiancés, but that agreement didn’t stipulate she had to obey his every whim, did it?
The two seemed on the verge of a fight. The housekeepers tactfully stepped away. Gu Jinyan, in particular, was so furious he felt steam coming out of his ears. He strode over, standing before Jiang Tian. He was a head taller than her, and when he leaned down to glare at her, his aura was powerful.
“You dare try announcing it and see what happens? I know you’re itching inside, wishing this fake marriage would collapse so you can fly off with your pure-hearted young lover. But I’m warning you, Jiang Tian, we are still within the agreement period! You! Need! To! Behave!”
Gu Jinyan warned through clenched teeth.
“…”
Jiang Tian was dumbfounded.
After being stunned for a good while, she stared at him incredulously. “You… you must be joking? What pure-hearted young lover?”
Gu Jinyan sneered. “Your acting innocent is quite strong.”
Jiang Tian blinked her big eyes, suddenly remembering last night’s phone call with Cheng Fang. Then her beautiful eyes widened. “You eavesdropped on my call last night?”
“…”
Award-winning Actor Gu felt inexplicably guilty.
The powerful two-meter-eight aura from a moment ago shrank back to one meter eight.
“I was planning to bring you milk last night, and accidentally… you know…”
“Ha! Bring milk? Can you find a lamer excuse?” Jiang Tian curled her lips mockingly. “Besides, even if I had some pure-hearted young lover, it wouldn’t be Lu Xin. Lu Xin likes Sister Fangfang. Please direct your matchmaking efforts more accurately!”
Huh?
Likes Cheng Fang?
Gu Jinyan was momentarily stunned.
The remaining one-meter-eight aura was now almost gone.
His handsome face stiffened awkwardly, looking somewhat uncomfortable.
He reached up and wiped his face, reverting to the aloof, photogenic award-winning actor look.
It was as if the flustered expression from moments ago had never existed, as if it were all just an illusion.
He straightened his shirt collar, lifted his head, and his thin lips parted slightly. “Oh, so are they together? I’ll find some time to send a gift to congratulate them.”
“…”
Hah! Hah!
Jiang Tian felt like laughing angrily.
Crossing her arms, she looked at the man: her beautiful eyes met Gu Jinyan’s directly.
It seemed she could see right into the person’s heart.
Jiang Tian grinned and asked, “Mr. Gu, were you just… jealous? You thought Lu Xin and I had something going on, so you were jealous?”
Gu Jinyan: …
He felt inexplicably guilty for a moment.
But relying on the award-winning actor’s excellent composure, he promptly composed his expression and pushed past Jiang Tian, who was blocking his way. “You’re overthinking it! I was merely reminding you, out of contractual spirit, not to tarnish my reputation. Also, don’t have any… exciting dreams at night; it affects my sleep!”
With that, the award-winning actor left with a proud look.
Watching the man’s upright back, Jiang Tian rolled her eyes in exasperation.
“Pfft!”
She went upstairs to get her jacket and followed him out.
·
Li Xia sat in the driver’s seat, trembling.
The two in the back were like ice and fire.
Brother Gu had a slight smile on his lips, seemingly in a pretty good mood?
But Sister Jiang’s face was livid, and she kept rolling her eyes one after another.
What exactly was going on with these two…
Li Xia was curious but didn’t dare gossip. He could only drive them nervously to their destination.
·
Gu Jinyan and Su Ling had arranged to meet directly at the latter’s office.
Which was also the site of the “Romantic Married Life” program team.
Jiang Tian wasn’t visiting the Southern City TV station for the first time; she knew the way well.
And if she remembered correctly, this kitchen and home variety show should be on the 13th floor, Section C.
Just as she was about to head towards the elevators, her hand was suddenly grabbed.
Looking up at the hand’s owner, Gu Jinyan, Jiang Tian: ???
Gu Jinyan curved his lips into a smile, leaning close to her ear to whisper, “We are, after all, under the public eye right now.”
So they had to pretend to be the affectionate engaged couple, right?
For the first time, Jiang Tian felt this three-month pretending agreement was utterly crap.
She hadn’t even recovered from the anger she felt half an hour ago, and now she had to force herself to act like a fake couple with Gu Jinyan?
But compared to her stiffness, the man beside her was naturally familiar, holding her hand carefully, guiding her into the elevator, with a faint, happy smile on his lips.
It made the female staff at the TV station who were already at work desperately suppress their urge to scream.
Some couldn’t help but take out their phones to take pictures of the two.
“Oh my god, it really is the award-winning actor and his fiancée!”
“Their relationship looks so good! The award-winning actor held her hand the whole time, protecting her… I’ve never seen him be so attentive to any other woman.”
“Ahhh… It’s really not fake sugar like people say online. This couple is genuinely sweet!”
Jiang Tian, hearing the discussions: Pfft!
When the elevator doors closed, Jiang Tian pulled her hand away with disgust and couldn’t resist a sarcastic remark. “An award-winning actor is truly an award-winning actor. This acting skill is something others can only envy.”
“So I won awards, I’m an award-winning actor, and you’re still a small newcomer. But it’s fine, your husband is here. Feel free to ask any questions in the future; I can teach you everything…” Gu Jinyan curved his lips.
Jiang Tian: …
Winning awards was Jiang Tian’s obsession across two lifetimes!
But some people just had to step on her sore spot.
Angry!
Super angry!
Felt like exploding!
Gu Jinyan!
You’ve successfully pissed me off!