Volume One, Chapter Three: The Scorching Palm

At that time, she still cared for Jiang Wenhua, but after marrying Gu Qichuan, he had explicitly forbidden her from seeing Jiang Wenhua again, and they had argued over it. Back then, she thought it was a matter of Gu Qichuan’s pride as a man, unwilling for his wife to be close to another man.

Only now did she understand that his blatant display of possessiveness was misunderstood by her, trapped in her own emotions, as if he feared she would disgrace him. At the time, she was still in contact with Jiang Wenhua. Yesterday happened to be Jiang Wenhua’s birthday, and he had invited her—actually, Zhou Qianqian had asked him to invite her. She went happily, lying to Gu Qichuan that she was going on a field trip to City A.

When Gu Qichuan found out, he was furious. For the first time since their wedding, he arranged for bodyguards to be by her side. She was shocked and felt her freedom was being restricted, which naturally led to another quarrel. Gu Qichuan’s brows furrowed coldly, his eyes clouded with gloom. Seeing that she had no intention to explain, the jealousy and anger burning inside him nearly shattered his reason.

His icy fingers brushed her delicate earlobe, teeth clenched tightly. “Nothing to say? Giving up just like that?”

Zhou Xianyu snapped back to reality, her eyelashes fluttering anxiously, lips trembling as she struggled to explain. In fact, she had gone. The more nervous she felt, the more her abdomen ached. Suddenly weak, she clung to Gu Qichuan’s strong arm.

His expression changed immediately. He quickly lifted her up, frowning. “Where does it hurt?”

Gu Qichuan laid her on the bed, and she pressed her hand to her abdomen, realizing it might be a stomach ailment. At Jiang Wenhua’s birthday banquet, a group of his unruly friends had pressured her into drinking. She had only returned that morning and had slept through the afternoon.

She looked at Gu Qichuan nearby—his face stern but eyes full of concern and tension—and instinctively clung to him tighter, her heart racing. “Zhou Qianqian tricked me into going to Jiang Wenhua’s birthday… they all bullied me…”

Gu Qichuan was momentarily stunned, staring into her clear, glass-like eyes filled with a faint grievance. His Adam’s apple moved. “Who bullied you? Has he lived long enough?”

His voice was low and oppressive, intensifying the pressure. He had always pampered and indulged her—who would dare bully her?

Zhou Xianyu curled her lips in displeasure. “Yes, it was Zhou Qianqian. I misjudged Jiang Wenhua. He’s two-faced, cruel-hearted…”

Before she could finish, Gu Qichuan’s calloused fingertip pressed against her lips, then he lifted her up again, his voice exuding a dangerous depth. “Don’t mention him. I don’t like you mentioning him. Didn’t your stomach hurt just now? Go downstairs and see a doctor…”

His tone paused briefly, eyes narrowing. “If he dares to bully you… he will pay the price.”

Downstairs, Nurse Chen was a little anxious. She had noticed Gu Qichuan’s grim expression earlier and hurried up, worried they might quarrel. If that happened, it would be bad…

Hearing the noise, she quickly looked up and was startled to see Gu Qichuan carrying Zhou Xianyu down. “Madam, what’s wrong? You look so pale. Are you unwell?”

Gu Qichuan frowned as he looked at her slightly pale cheek. “She has stomach pain. Get her some stomach medicine.”

Earlier, Zhou Xianyu had told him not to call a doctor, saying stomach medicine would suffice, and he never argued with her.

Nurse Chen gasped and hurried to fetch the first aid kit, worrying aloud as she went, “Madam didn’t eat lunch. After the medicine, she needs to eat dinner quickly…”

Zhou Xianyu caught Gu Qichuan’s probing gaze, feeling a little guilty. He sat opposite her, tall and straight in a black shirt, his tie long gone, his slender, clean fingers lightly intertwined.

They had been married for a year with little time together. Whenever they met, he usually wore a composed, cold expression. It was rare to see him so emotionally unsettled as today.

“Didn’t you say you’d eat properly?” His voice broke the silence.

Zhou Xianyu pressed her lips tightly, unable to respond, always at a loss for words in front of him.

Thankfully, Nurse Chen returned, and Gu Qichuan took the medicine box from her hands, handing Zhou Xianyu the stomach medicine.

Her cool fingertips brushed against his warm palm, leaving a soft impression.

After taking the medicine, she sat slowly, holding a glass of water while Nurse Chen arranged the dishes nearby. Zhou Xianyu sipped the warm water leisurely, glancing sideways at Gu Qichuan standing on the balcony, talking on the phone.

He was tall and elegant, his waist hidden beneath the shirt solid and powerful, black eyes, thin lips, and a well-defined nose. He seemed like a divine masterpiece, flawlessly perfect.

Zhou Xianyu watched him, unknowingly finishing her glass. Nurse Chen brought her a bowl of soup, looking at her with affection. “Madam, does your stomach still hurt?”

Zhou Xianyu smiled faintly, eyes softening. “Not much anymore, Nurse Chen. It’s nothing.”

Nurse Chen sighed in relief. “That’s good, that’s good.”

Seeing Zhou Xianyu and Gu Qichuan’s unusually harmonious interaction today, she couldn’t help but feel moved. This was more like it—how could a married couple meet with coldness and barely speak?

In fact, Madam seemed different after her nap. Usually indifferent to Mr. Gu, today she even smiled at him.

Nurse Chen was delighted to see the young couple getting along well and was naturally happy for them.

Gu Qichuan returned from the balcony and met Zhou Xianyu’s bright, clear gaze. His brows lifted slightly, revealing no emotion. “Feeling better?”

Zhou Xianyu nodded gently.

He kept staring at her as if wanting to say something. She asked, “What is it?”

Gu Qichuan’s thin lips parted. “The land the Jiang family was bidding for has been very hot lately. I heard Jiang Wenhua is trying to secure it to stabilize his family’s position by buying it for the old master.”

Zhou Xianyu uttered a soft “Ah.” She wasn’t very interested and hadn’t paid much attention. She didn’t quite understand his meaning. “And then?”

Gu Qichuan looked at her seriously. “I outbid them. Right now, he’s probably furious.”

From the start, he hadn’t believed her half-hearted claim that she had seen Jiang Wenhua’s true nature. If she had no feelings for him, why would she attend his birthday party, even hiding it from him?

Yet… she still acted with a hint of hope. Perhaps the result would be the same as before—her disbelief and their quarrels—but he couldn’t help but test the waters.

Why… couldn’t it be him?

His eyes were deep and somber.

Zhou Xianyu’s eyes brightened and she smiled excitedly. “Really?”

She laughed as she imagined how furious Jiang Wenhua would be upon hearing the news. “He must be so mad. Oh my, this is hilarious…”

Gu Qichuan was slightly taken aback. His gaze fixed intently on her, voice quietly strained. “Why don’t you like him anymore?”

Zhou Xianyu lowered her eyes to her bowl, recalling some unpleasant memories. “Just… suddenly don’t like him. He’s not worth my affection, right?”

She looked up, caught by the obscure, unreadable look in his eyes, and paused.

In Gu Qichuan’s narrow eyes was a faintly unhealthy stubbornness. His thin lips curved slightly. “Yes, he doesn’t deserve it.”