"From now on, I will no longer act in haste."
"Come home," Long Yubei said through clenched lips. "Grandmother wants you at the old residence for dinner tonight."
So that was why he had come...
"You go on ahead. I'll return this afternoon after I've eaten." Without sparing him another glance, she turned and walked back inside.
The cigarette slipped from Long Yubei's fingers and fell to the ground. Her every word struck like a dagger to his heart.
But Gu Lili gave no thought to his feelings. She returned to the table and resumed her meal.
Su Changzhi asked, "He came to fetch you?"
"Mhm," she nodded, eyes cast down. "I want a child—he doesn't. More precisely, he doesn't want one with me. He says he's not considering children for the next few years, but I think it's just an excuse. He's probably hoping that once he's tired of me, he can kick me out cleanly, with no entanglements. I understand what he means. I've prepared myself. If this marriage can go on, so be it. If not, I won't force it."
"Fortunately, you are a woman of resolve," Su Changzhi replied. "Those with a firm heart never regret their choices. Walk your path with clarity—leave the rest to fate."
Gu Lili offered a soft smile. "While I'm gone, feel free to stay here. The house has everything you might need, but you'll have to fend for yourself."
"No problem. Once the pills are ready, I'll give you a call."
She nodded. "Alright."
After lunch, Gu Lili returned to Qinyuan. Seeing her arrive, Tang Qingli immediately tried to plead his young master's case. "Young Madam, while you were gone, Young Master couldn't sleep a wink. He thought of you constantly."
She didn't believe a word. "Impossible. Without me at home, he's probably been enjoying himself even more."
"He can't enjoy anything without you," Tang Qingli chuckled behind a hand. "These past few days, he's been terrifying—like a man possessed."
"Why didn't he eat you alive, then?"
"I'm too big a bite to swallow," he joked. "But really, Young Madam, don't stay angry with him. That's just how he is. You should give him a good beating—it'd fix him right up."
Gu Lili let out a rare laugh. "That's not a bad idea. But his skills aren't inferior to mine. If we really fought, I might not win."
"If you want to teach him a lesson, I can have Changtai slip some muscle-weakening powder into his meal—he'll be as meek as a kitten."
"Enough. Don't drag Changtai into this. If your young master catches wind of your scheme, you'll be punished for sure. Let's just behave. I'm fine."
She hurried upstairs, took a long, satisfying shower, and slipped into a camisole dress for a well-earned afternoon nap.
When she awoke, to her surprise, Long Yubei was lying beside her, propped on one elbow, silently watching her.
"What time is it?"
"Three o'clock."
"Shouldn't you be at the office at this hour?" she sat up slowly. "Why are you here?"
Long Yubei pulled her into his arms. "Qingli called and said you'd returned."
Gu Lili didn't resist. "Didn't we already speak earlier? I said I'd be back this afternoon."
"I know, but when he told me you were home, I still had to come. Lili, let's make peace."
She looked up. "You're asking for reconciliation?"
He bowed his proud head. "Yes."
"Alright," she agreed. Though she disliked the tension between them, reconciliation did not mean she had forgotten. The cause of their silent standoff would remain a warning.
Hearing the edge in her voice soften, he held her tighter. "That man—what's your connection with him? He died and somehow came back to life. Was that your doing?"
So, he had looked into it.
"His name is Su Changzhi. It was merely a case of borrowing a body to return."