Volume One, Chapter Six: Visiting Him at the Company

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The steam swirled thickly in the air, and he noticed her gaze. He lazily lifted his eyes and fixed them on her, asking, "Awake? Is your stomach still uncomfortable?"

Zhou Xianyu shook her head, curious. "Why didn't you go to the company today?"

He usually worked like a man possessed, going to the office every day without fail—even on holidays. The thriving success of Gu Corporation was all thanks to him.

Gu Qichuan set down his coffee and joined her at the dining table casually. "It's the weekend. The company’s not busy."

In truth, during the early days of their marriage, he often stayed home. Perhaps she hadn’t noticed that whenever he was home, she was always tense.

She would often leave right after breakfast or stay in her studio alone. More often, she’d say she was going out to paint and gather inspiration, then disappear to another city for weeks on end.

Later, he realized that if he went to work, he could come home in time for dinner, and because he wasn’t home long, she wouldn’t avoid him so much. So, he started going to the office more regularly.

Having a proper dinner with her was far better than rarely seeing her at all.

Housekeeper Chen brought over some porridge, golden toasted bread slices, and pastries, smiling warmly. "Madam is awake. Mr. Gu is waiting to have breakfast with you. Try this porridge—it’s delicious."

Zhou Xianyu paused for a moment, glanced at Gu Qichuan, who remained calm and composed, though his movements were a bit slower than usual. She suddenly felt like smiling.

"Thank you, Housekeeper Chen. It’s very good!" She bit into a piece of bread smeared with strawberry jam, its sweet taste lifting her spirits slightly.

Gu Qichuan sipped his porridge, his dark eyes lowered. Hearing her voice laced with a smile, his gaze couldn’t help but rest on her. Seeing her questioning look, he hesitated and then offered a casual excuse.

"Lin Yue has returned from abroad. The Lin family said they’re holding a welcome banquet. You… want to go?"

Zhou Xianyu froze; her complexion suddenly paled. Mentioning the Lin family’s banquet, she finally recalled what was about to happen...

In her dream, at that banquet, Zhou Qianqian cruelly betrayed her, causing her to fall down the stairs and fracture her right hand.

For an artist, her hands were her pride; injury to them was a catastrophe beyond measure.

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Meanwhile, Zhou Qianqian merely clutched her chest, shedding tears with an air of innocence, drawing everyone’s concern and making them forget the one sprawled on the ground. No one believed Zhou Qianqian had caused the fall.

Seeing Zhou Xianyu’s sudden pallor, Gu Qichuan thought her stomach pain had flared up again, his eyes full of worry. "What’s wrong? Is your stomach hurting again? Housekeeper Chen…"

Zhou Xianyu shook her head, coming back to herself. "No, no need to call Housekeeper Chen. I just thought of something."

Gu Qichuan’s brow twitched slightly. After watching her carefully and confirming she was alright, he said, "If you don’t want to go, it’s okay."

But Zhou Xianyu pressed her lips together, her tone firm and determined. "No, I have to go..."

His black eyes were calm and profound. "Alright."

...

In the afternoon, Gu Qichuan went to the company again for an important meeting. Before leaving, he asked if she wanted to go out for dinner.

Zhou Xianyu was indifferent but secretly liked going out more. Recently, though, her mood had been poor, making everything seem meaningless.

In the large, artistically infused room, Zhou Xianyu sat on the carpet before her easel. She wore a dark dress to avoid staining it with paint.

Outside the floor-to-ceiling window, sunlight poured in, and the flowers and plants in the yard swayed gently in the breeze. Various painting tools were scattered on the carpet, and the studio was filled with the scent of paint.

Her long black hair lay obediently on her shoulders, and delicate pale cheeks were smeared with paint—though she was oblivious, focused intently on the canvas before her.

Since injuring her hand in the dream, her emotions had been volatile. Every time she faced the easel, tears would threaten to fall. She locked herself in the studio, practicing painting with her left hand.

But unfamiliarity and restlessness made a mess of the studio, with paint splattered everywhere, including on herself. At that time, it seemed she could only smell the strong odor of paint.

Lost in sorrow, she often forgot time, sometimes staying in the studio all night. Eventually, she’d fall asleep in a daze and wake up in the soft comfort of her bed the next day.

Then the studio would be spotless again, as if she had returned to her former self.

Zhou Xianyu’s gaze grew distant. Looking back, during her breakdown, it was Gu Qichuan who silently stayed by her side, supporting her and telling her not to be afraid. He promised to find the best medical team to heal her hand.

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Yet, lost in the injustice Zhou Qianqian inflicted, she wallowed in her despair, blind to his efforts.

Her brush paused, and on a whim, she took out her phone to open the chat records with Gu Qichuan.

They rarely messaged; most of the messages were from him. Sometimes, if he didn’t return for dinner, he would send a note.

She sometimes replied; other times, when absorbed in painting, she didn’t. Afterwards, if too much time passed, the messages were left unanswered.

Zhou Xianyu fell silent, suddenly unable to continue painting. Her mind was too cluttered; it wasn’t the moment to pick up the brush.

She tidied up her tools and left the studio. In the living room, Housekeeper Chen was cleaning. Seeing Zhou Xianyu, she smiled brightly. "Madam, I just made some pastries. See if you have an appetite."

Zhou Xianyu felt a bit hungry, her eyes smiling warmly. "Sure."

Housekeeper Chen was an excellent cook. The baked treats were fragrant and tender, with a cheesy, sticky aroma that sparked one’s appetite. Zhou Xianyu ate several in one go.

"So delicious," she said thoughtfully, hesitating. "Housekeeper Chen, could you pack some for me? I want to bring them to the company for… him…"

Before she finished, Housekeeper Chen’s eyes lit up. She quickly began packing the pastries into boxes. "Madam, of course! Mr. Gu works so hard; he should eat something sweet. Oh, and I should notify Xiao Li to come and drive you…"

Zhou Xianyu watched Housekeeper Chen bustling about with amusement. Her fingers twitched—it seemed this was the first time since their marriage that she was going to his company to see him.

———

The skyscrapers of Gu Corporation gleamed under the sun, their glass windows sparkling. The bustling street was filled with ceaseless traffic and noise.

At the reception desk, a young woman with delicate makeup smiled politely at every visitor, taking a sip of water when no one was around.

Suddenly, she looked up to see a graceful and beautiful woman enter. Her flawless fair skin was smooth and delicate, her lips red and lush, her figure tall and elegant.