Gu Xichen paused briefly before continuing, "A man like Long Yubei—he can play the game, but if you play it with him, you're bound to lose. The power lies in his hands, and he holds the right to end it at any moment. Don't assume that marrying you means he's truly committed. That so-called ceremony is merely a change in form, not in essence. If he wants to end things, a divorce agreement is all it takes—just like that. Yes, there's a chance he might fall in love with you one day, but it's equally possible that the game will be over before that ever happens."
Gu Lili fell silent. The phone line was suddenly filled with stillness.
Sensing the ache in her heart, Gu Xichen softened his tone. "It's not like no one wants you. Don't worry—if you divorce him in the morning, I'll marry you by nightfall."
"Who said I was worried?!" she snapped back instantly. "I'm not! I'm hanging up. I'm going to sleep."
Before Gu Xichen could respond, the call was already cut.
Gu Lili set her phone on the table, buried her head in her arms, and willed herself not to think—just to sleep, if only for a while.
When Long Yubei returned, he found the bedroom door locked from the inside.
He didn't force his way in, choosing instead to sleep in the guest room.
So, when Gu Lili woke the next morning, she knew—he hadn't come back to their bed.
She also knew he had the means to override the lock. Which meant he had chosen not to return all night?
Over this?
Fury flared within her. By the time she got out of bed, it was already burning inside her.
Without so much as a glance in the mirror, she grabbed her bag and went straight downstairs.
Long Yubei was seated in the side hall having breakfast. He caught a glimpse of her leaving as the door opened.
By the time he stepped outside, she was already gone.
Gu Lili had breakfast in the city, then drove straight back to Mount Xiliang.
She switched off her phone, locked the gates behind her, and decided to stay there for a while.
Early the next morning, Liang He's van pulled up outside the agency.
Shi Xiaotian followed close behind as they walked into President Su's office—only to discover Sun Qianqian already seated inside.
Liang He's expression was impassive as he took the seat beside her and looked directly at President Su. "I assume you called me here for questioning? I saw this morning's headlines, but they have nothing to do with me."
"It wasn't you who leaked the information?" President Su asked. "The hotel incident between Qianqian and Producer Zhou—other than you and your agent, no one else knew. How did it make the news?"
"President Su, you know my character. Isn't it more likely that the ever-notorious Producer Zhou leaked it himself?"
"That's certainly possible. I'm only asking—you're not under suspicion."
No sooner had President Su finished speaking than Sun Qianqian shot a glare at Liang He. "It was most likely you who leaked it on purpose. You've had a crush on me for ages, haven't you? I never returned your feelings, and when you found out about me and Producer Zhou, you were furious. You've been holding a grudge ever since. Am I wrong?"
"I had a crush on you?" he scoffed. "Don't flatter yourself. I only ever looked out for you because we're under the same company. You really think you're some prized blossom? You're more like withered branches and rotting leaves—far less attractive than my agent, if I'm being honest."
"You're lying!"
"I am not." His pride would never allow him to betray the remnants of feelings he once buried.
"Enough, enough," President Su interjected, waving a hand to silence them. "Not another word. No one is to mention this again. I've already arranged for the matter to be handled. Liang, after you barged into the hotel that night, Producer Zhou cut off all contact with Qianqian. The leading role went up in smoke."