Chapter 11: Returning Home

Caught in a moment of weakness, Gu Sheng pressed her lips together. Feeling awkward, she turned her head slightly and wiped away her tears in secret, remaining silent.

But He Wenzhou, as sharp as ever, spoke with his usual harshness. She glanced at the phone screen that had been hit by a tissue and thought his words were not entirely unfounded.

Her father had been dead for ten years.

Indeed, she was a crybaby.

Yet, in the dead of night, Gu Sheng hadn’t expected to run into He Wenzhou again and was startled by his sudden appearance.

She looked up at him.

He Wenzhou seemed to have just finished showering; a faint scent of minty shower gel lingered around him. His hair was tousled slightly, and he wore a deep navy silk pajama that draped elegantly, the collar loose enough to reveal his delicate collarbones. Despite the chilly late autumn air, he hadn’t forgotten to throw on a thick coat when coming out.

Simply standing there, he exuded a relaxed, homey ease, like a natural model effortlessly carrying whatever he wore.

If it weren’t for the incongruous cotton slippers on his feet, he might have come across as a charmingly mischievous man.

Gu Sheng’s eyes flickered.

Judging by his demeanor, He Wenzhou intended to sleep but had suddenly appeared here. He hugged his shoulders, looking down. Against the dim yellow light above, his sharply chiseled jawline seemed softened in an inexplicable way.

If he remained silent...

“What foolishness are you up to?” After staring at her tear-streaked, disheveled state for a while, He Wenzhou frowned impatiently, unable to hide his disdain. “What, did you forget me because you cried too much? Trying to deny your debts?”

Once again, it was about money.

Gu Sheng fully sensed the depth of He Wenzhou’s selfishness; his love for money was no mere rumor.

Well, that was fine.

After all, who these days could honestly say they don’t care about money?

That would be nonsense.

She avoided his gaze, sniffled, and said softly, “He Lu, why are you here so late at night?”

What a coincidence.

They’d met three times in one day.

He Wenzhou’s brow twitched slightly at her question. His tone was indifferent. “Headache. Came down to buy some water.”

“Is your water cut off at home?”

How did he manage to shower then?

After that, a heavy silence settled between them.

Gu Sheng looked up, confused, locking eyes with him, only to see impatience burning in his gaze.

Silence spoke louder than words, as if his eyes scolded her for meddling foolishly.

Her ears warmed under his cold stare.

She realized she had spoken out of turn.

Lowering her head, biting her lip, she caught sight of his knuckles tapping the table in a half-formed fist.

“What about you? What time is it and you still haven’t left?” He Wenzhou asked. “What, did I scold you a few times and you’re planning to assassinate me?”

Mentioning that made Gu Sheng’s heart ache. She forced a smile, “No, He Lu, I called a car and I’m just waiting.”

He Wenzhou raised an eyebrow. “I remember the Zhao family lives quite far east and west from here. Will your idiot money last?”

She felt the latter part was more an insult than a question.

Her mouth opened, dry and hesitant. “It’s enough…”

At that, his expression darkened, a cryptic smile curling his lips. “Only Gu Lu could spend idiot money like it’s twenty-five thousand.”

Without another glance, he turned away, irritated by her verbosity. The corner of his coat swung lightly, briefly brushing against her right leg before drifting away.

A fleeting touch, then separation.

Unfeeling.

He Wenzhou came and went like the wind. After the mockery, Gu Sheng remained seated in the corner. The quiet world enveloped her again, and she bowed her head as the twisting, aching pain crept back into her heart.

She was so tired.

How long had it been?

Gu Sheng felt dazed, as if she had returned to prison, spending sleepless nights mingling with others, haunted by nightmares that wrapped around her like chains. Her drooping eyes trembled uncontrollably. Even the sudden electronic chime of “Welcome” in the convenience store failed to rouse her.

When a tall figure approached the corner, her half-closed eyes were suddenly jolted awake by a heavy bump on her head. Startled, she opened her eyes and met the cold, damp stare of the man.

“He Wenzhou?”

He had left but then returned?

Snapping back from her nightmare to reality, Gu Sheng sighed in relief. “He Lu, are you here to buy water again?”

Yet he stood empty-handed, looking down on her and urging, “Are you leaving or not?”

Was that so important?

Gu Sheng found He Wenzhou unusually talkative. Clutching the edge of her clothes, she lied without expression, “I’m going. The car will be here soon.”

“Don’t lie to me,” He Wenzhou’s cold face hardened as he commanded, “Tell the truth.”

Under his questioning, Gu Sheng bit her lip, cheeks burning with shame. “I have nowhere to go…”

She paused, then explained with difficulty, “I’m only staying one night. I’ll leave tomorrow morning.”

It wasn’t possible to stay here forever.

One had to find a way out in life.

Seeing her bow her head, utterly abandoned, He Wenzhou’s eyes flickered with a sharp light, and he suddenly smiled, “No way. Zhao Qinglang is that heartless? Kicked you out right after having a son? Looks like your childhood sweetheart bond isn’t worth much.”

Gu Sheng felt the tone at the end was mocking.

But she racked her brain and couldn’t think of any past grudges or entanglements between He Wenzhou and Zhao Qinglang.

Perhaps new developments had occurred during her year in prison.

“No,” she finally burst out after holding it in all night, feeling an urge to confide. “I just don’t want to go back.”

He Wenzhou said nothing.

After a while, he raised his brow and glanced out at the dim night. The surroundings were quiet, nearly deserted.

“The neighborhood’s been unsafe lately,” He Wenzhou suddenly warned. “This place will close soon.”

Gu Sheng was momentarily stunned. She shifted slightly to look forward. The clerk behind the counter was dozing off, playing on her phone—hardly a sign of closing time.

She pointed to the banner above: “Isn’t this open 24 hours?”

He Wenzhou’s expression darkened sharply. “If you’re so smart, who do you think lives here, you or me?”

His mood was unpredictable. Gu Sheng bit her lip and shrank into her chair, silent.

After all, He Wenzhou was the creditor. Creditors were bigger than heaven. She was poor and discouraged; better to endure quietly.

After a while.

“Let’s go.”

In the silence, He Wenzhou suddenly spoke. Gu Sheng rubbed her aching right leg and responded uncertainly, “Hmm?”

He Wenzhou gave her a flat look. “To my place.”

The words struck her like a shock. She looked up incredulously. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of the nearby shelf, where rows of neatly arranged condoms were displayed.

Closest to He Wenzhou’s left hand was the largest pack, labeled “Spiral Lemon Flavor,” matching perfectly with a colorful corner peeking out from his coat pocket.

The two coincided just right.