Volume One, Chapter 15: Wounded and Heartbroken

Gu Qichuan coldly and sharply reprimanded, "Enough."

"Did you hear it with your own ears? Did any of you actually see my wife push her?" His gaze was as sharp as a hawk’s, scanning those around who accused Zhou Xianyu, his tone carrying an undeniable authority.

Zhou Lide’s lips twitched but no words came out. Indeed, no one had seen... that it was Zhou Xianyu who pushed her.

Yet, anyone with discernment who heard Zhou Qianqian’s words would naturally assume that Zhou Xianyu was the one who pushed, since only the two of them were upstairs.

Gu Qichuan put an arm around Zhou Xianyu’s shoulder, his lips parting slightly as if he could read minds. “Miss Zhou’s injury should be taken to the hospital as soon as possible. As for holding someone accountable...”

“Let them come.”

With that, he left, taking Zhou Xianyu with him.

Zhou Xianyu blinked, her clear eyes especially bright. Outside, Qin Tan stood by the car and quickly approached to open the door when he saw them come out.

It might have been a trick of the light, but the young master’s mood seemed less than pleasant. Qin Tan’s eyes behind his gold-rimmed glasses flickered uncertainly.

Gu Qichuan said in a low voice to Qin Tan, “Take her to the hospital.”

Zhou Xianyu glanced at the scratch on her arm and hurriedly said, “No need to go to the hospital, it’s such a hassle. The wound just looks bloody and scary, but it’s not really serious.”

Gu Qichuan frowned, then after a moment said, “Have Xu Chao come to the villa.”

Qin Tan was momentarily stunned but quickly responded. Only then did he notice the injury on madam’s arm through the rearview mirror.

Zhou Xianyu could tell that Gu Qichuan was restraining his anger because of her injury. He pressed his lips tightly, his broad hand gently holding her pale wrist, examining it closely.

Zhou Xianyu said, “It’s nothing... really, it just looks worse because of the blood. It’s not that painful.”

Gu Qichuan’s breath caught in his chest, his eyes raised slightly. “Not painful?”

Zhou Xianyu stubbornly replied, “Not painful...”

Before she could finish, seeing Gu Qichuan’s fixed gaze, her voice softened, “Just a little sore, I can bear it. Besides, Zhou Qianqian’s injury is much worse!”

She proudly lifted her chin, her eyes sparkling as if waiting for his praise.

Gu Qichuan’s narrow eyes darkened with gloom. Coldly, he said, “She doesn’t deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as you.”

Zhou Xianyu was only trying to lighten the mood, but Gu Qichuan was in no mood to follow her lead. Her delicate face puckered slightly as she sulkily turned away.

Gu Qichuan sighed and rubbed her head, his voice heavy with concern, “I don’t care about others. I only worry about whether you’re hurt.”

Zhou Xianyu’s mood instantly lifted. She complained, “Zhou Qianqian even tried to push me. If I hadn’t dodged quickly, I would have fallen... But it’s okay. I saw through her little trick—she thought the surveillance was out of order and tried to frame me...”

She hummed softly, a faint scent of gardenia drifting as she leaned close to Gu Qichuan, her dimples faintly visible like ripples on water.

Gu Qichuan frowned when he heard the first half of her sentence—he had already planned how to deal with Zhou Qianqian’s torment—but when he heard the latter half, his brows relaxed. He praised her, “Very clever. So that’s why you asked me to borrow Qin Tan yesterday.”

“How did Ayu know what she was up to?”

Zhou Xianyu’s eyes paused. She deliberately made a soft “ah” sound and frowned, feigning pain, “It didn’t hurt before, but now it does...”

Gu Qichuan knew she was changing the subject, but he truly worried about her wound. His eyes narrowed slightly as he urged Qin Tan, “Drive faster.”

—

Back at the villa, Madam Chen and Xu Chao were already waiting in the living room. Madam Chen’s face was full of worry; she brightened upon seeing them return. “Mr. Gu, Madam, you’re finally back.”

Zhou Xianyu immediately spotted Xu Chao, dressed in a white coat and carrying a medical kit.

He graduated from a prestigious university and worked for two or three years at the city’s central hospital before Gu Qichuan quickly poached him as their private doctor. Zhou Xianyu had known Xu Chao even before she married into the family.

Gu Qichuan pulled her to sit on the sofa, lifting her arm. “Have him take a look, be gentle.”

Xu Chao exclaimed, surprised at the scratches. “I thought this was from an animal, but looking closely, it seems like human scratches?”

Who dared be so reckless as to harm Madam Gu like this?

—

Zhou Xianyu said nothing. The alcohol sting from Xu Chao’s cotton swab was sharp. She had always been sensitive to pain since childhood. Earlier, she denied pain to avoid worrying Gu Qichuan.

Quietly clutching her skirt, she took a deep breath and exhaled gently. Tears welled in the corners of her eyes, but she lowered her gaze to hide it.

Gu Qichuan watched her closely, clearly seeing her holding back. He told Madam Chen to bring out the cheese cupcakes she made, then fed her with a small spoon. “You said you were hungry in the car just now. Eat a bit to fill your stomach.”

Zhou Xianyu inhaled the rich aroma of the cheesecake and swallowed, but felt embarrassed to eat the cake he fed her in front of everyone. She mumbled, “I—I’ll eat it later.”

Unexpectedly, Gu Qichuan’s spoon was already at her lips. She couldn’t resist, opening her mouth to take it. Her eyes brightened instantly.

Gu Qichuan’s gaze lingered on her soft, rosy tongue before quickly looking away, his Adam’s apple moving slightly.

After she finished the cake, Xu Chao finished cleaning her wound.

He advised both Gu Qichuan and Zhou Xianyu, “Madam’s wound should avoid water; getting it wet might cause infection and slow healing. Apply this ointment once a day before bed.”

Gu Qichuan listened attentively and discussed some dietary restrictions for her injury. Madam Chen also listened carefully, taking notes. Only Zhou Xianyu felt drowsy, half-closing her eyes while lying on the sofa.

After Xu Chao left, Zhou Xianyu’s phone rang quickly. She didn’t answer but checked WeChat and saw a message from Liu Zelan.

[Mom]: Xiaoyu! Mom really doesn’t understand how you could turn out like this! Do you know what you’ve done to Qianqian?! If you have any conscience, come to the hospital and apologize to her!

Zhou Xianyu curled her lips disinterestedly and recalled the miniature camera she had installed in the corridor.

She immediately got up from the sofa, eagerly running to Gu Qichuan. “Gu Qichuan, please ask Qin Tan to send me the footage from that camera. This is going to be interesting!”

Gu Qichuan looked into her sparkling eyes and sighed helplessly. “You should rest and heal properly now. Don’t jump around, or the wound will get worse…”

Zhou Xianyu’s face scrunched up, ready to argue, but Gu Qichuan quickly added, “I’ll have him get it for you.”

Only then did Zhou Xianyu smile. “Alright, alright, I won’t jump anymore...”