From the moment He Meiwei disregarded her own boyfriend Gu Xichen and sought out Long Yubei, Gu Lili had an uneasy suspicion that He Meiwei would not relent so easily.
As expected.
Upon returning home, Long Yubei stood by the living room doorway. "Where have you been?"
"To the hospital."
She was candid about her whereabouts.
"I just got back."
"I know." Gu Lili stepped past him into the room; Long Yubei followed behind. "You know?"
"Because I only entered after you left her ward." She walked to the table, poured herself a cup of tea, and drank it down in one gulp.
"What did you do there?"
"Just to witness her true colors." She set the cup down heavily, her gaze serious as she met his eyes. "Long Yubei, she made it perfectly clear—she won't let you go easily. She intends to fight me for you. You're quite the coveted prize."
Long Yubei chuckled hoarsely. "I've always been quite sought-after."
"Hmph." She turned and headed upstairs, Long Yubei close behind.
"What now?"
"Once the surgery is over, you must never see her again. As for any future medical expenses, she must fend for herself. You are not to intervene."
"She doesn't have much money; long-term medical costs are a significant burden."
Gu Lili paused mid-step and glanced back at him. "Well then, that's unfortunate. You're facing a choice: either assist her further, or choose me."
"Wife, these two aren't necessarily mutually exclusive."
"They are!" She snapped, exasperated. "They absolutely conflict. Tonight, don't sleep with me. You can take the guest room!"
"…"
Gu Lili returned to the bedroom and locked him out. Left outside, Long Yubei muttered, "If she doesn't know when to stop, I won't help with her medical fees anymore."
No reply came from within.
"Lili…"
"…"
"Who was it just a few hours ago who wrote me that love letter and now has kicked me out…"
"…"
After lingering at the door for some time, he activated the fingerprint override lock.
All the doors in their home possessed this feature—his fingerprint alone could force entry.
Gu Lili had just finished her shower.
She glanced at him but offered no response.
Then, before him, she discarded the towel wrapped around her body.
Naked, when Long Yubei moved closer, she pushed him away forcefully. "Go away."
"Lili, let's talk calmly."
"I don't want to say a single word to you right now."
"…" He sat on the edge of the bed. "I truly have no feelings for her anymore. I'm only trying to help out of kindness, nothing more. So you need not worry about that."
"After the surgery, you must not see her again. You must not cover her medical expenses any longer. If you fail to keep this promise, don't expect to sleep with me. Long Yubei, even though she broke up with you because of her illness, it was never your fault. She only sought comfort in you. Helping her was already an act of grace. What, do you intend to be responsible for her for life? It's unnecessary. I believe she's scheming against you now—what a drama this is! So long after the breakup, she neglects her own boyfriend but still wants a second chance with you? How absurd."
In the end, Long Yubei acquiesced. Compared to all this, he could not tolerate being denied his place beside her at night.
"If you fail to keep your word, I will make sure you suffer."
"How exactly do you plan to make me suffer?" he pressed.
She smiled slyly, withholding the details. "If you want to find out, just wait and see."