Chapter 8: A Hole in the Heart

“Sister-in-law, what are you talking about?” Wenran Gu rushed over, pulling Xiaofeng into her arms and squeezing him sharply.

Xiaofeng immediately burst into tears.

“Xiaofeng is only five years old, and he’s terrified of snakes. There’s no way he would put a snake in your bathroom,” Wenran said, wiping away her tears. “I understand you’re unhappy that my son and I live here, but you can’t slander us without evidence. If this gets out, how will Xiaofeng live with himself in the future?”

“Honey,” Xi Tang anxiously grabbed Gu Yu’s sleeve, “I’m telling the truth. He was making faces at me just now, even imitating a snake flicking its tongue. It was him who put the snake there.”

Gu Yu shook his head, clearly disapproving. “Wife, you don’t like them, but you don’t have to stoop to such tactics. Xiaofeng is still a child. How could he do something like that?”

“You don’t believe me?” Tang Xi felt a chill pierce her chest. Looking at the tall, handsome man before her, her heart ached painfully.

Gu Yu had once promised that even if the whole world abandoned her, he would stand by her against it all.

But now, he didn’t believe her. He said this was just her way to drive Wenran out.

Since when did Tang Xi resort to such tricks? She scorned the notion.

“Xiaofeng, Xiaofeng!” Wenran suddenly screamed. “Brother, Xiaofeng is crying because he’s choking!”

Gu Yu hurriedly scooped up Xiaofeng and strode outside.

At the doorway, the child who was supposedly choking suddenly opened his eyes and flashed Tang Xi a triumphant smile.

That gaze was just like the snake she had seen earlier, sending a shiver down her spine.

He was pretending—but Gu Yu believed him without a doubt, his entire being tense and anxious.

Soon, the room was empty except for Tang Xi, and the sudden silence made her notice a sharp sting in her shoulder.

She had fallen onto the bathtub earlier, bruising her right shoulder badly. Even a light touch caused searing pain.

But what truly hurt was not the bruise—it was the hollow aching inside her heart.

—

Tang Xi didn’t check the time when Gu Yu returned.

She only knew he wrapped his arms around her from behind, pressing a gentle, tender kiss to her neck.

She felt dazed—he was still the Gu Yu she knew, yet somehow not.

The next morning, Gu Yu left for the office early.

The servant saw her come downstairs and smiled, saying, “Madam, sir was up at four o’clock, making chicken soup and wontons for you. He spent three hours preparing them before heading to work.”

Chicken soup and wontons—her favorite Chinese breakfast, and the most time-consuming to prepare.

“Where’s Wenran? Isn’t she eating?” Tang Xi picked up her spoon, the broth clear and fragrant, the plump, snowy wontons inviting.

“Sir told me to bring the wontons upstairs after cooking. He said Miss Gu took care of young master Xiaofeng all night and must be exhausted.”

Before the soup even touched her lips, Tang Xi suddenly found it tasteless.

Did he wake up so early to make chicken soup and wontons for her—or for Wenran?

“If she’s not injured and can move, she can come down and eat. No need to send it upstairs,” Tang Xi frowned.

The servant, perceptive as always, noticed this was the first time the usually gentle lady showed displeasure.

As an onlooker, she indeed thought the master’s boundary with his sister and nephew was too lax. It was surprising the lady wasn’t angry.

Wenran came downstairs hungry, with Xiaofeng trailing obediently at her side.

Tang Xi looked at Wenran and suddenly her pupils contracted sharply, her face turning pale as paper.