Chapter 138/139: He Doesn’t Like Me

Lu Yao was shocked. "How could this happen?"

Xia Yangyang sighed, turning over. "He doesn't like me; I'm just a band-aid."

Lu Yao guessed the situation. In every Cinderella story, there's a princess perfectly suited to the prince. Seeing Xia Yangyang's distress, she didn't press further.

Xia Yangyang's phone rang—it was Gu Qichen. She hesitated before answering.

His deep, magnetic voice filled the line. "Why haven't you come back yet?"

"I'm not coming back," Xia Yangyang replied. "I have an early assignment tomorrow."

Gu Qichen's tone was light and indifferent. "You promised to come home tonight."

"When did I promise that?"

"Hmm?" His tone rose. "Need a reminder?"

Xia Yangyang blushed. Of course, she remembered. "I don't want to go back," she mumbled.

"Should I pick you up?"

"No!"

"Then be here within half an hour."

He hung up. Annoyed, Xia Yangyang got up and put on her shoes.

"Yangyang, where are you going so late?" Lu Yao asked.

Xia Yangyang sighed. "To beat up an old man."

Lu Yao remained silent.

Of course, Xia Yangyang wouldn't dare to actually beat up Gu Qichen. She obediently went to Maple Villa, its lights ablaze. As she climbed the stairs, someone grabbed her arm. She was spun around and pushed against the wall. A torrent of kisses followed.

The familiar taste left Xia Yangyang breathless. Before her stood a devilishly handsome face. People said Gu Qichen was cold and aloof, his icy gaze enough to quicken any heart. But in his passion, he was even more captivating.

One hand on the wall, the other on her neck, he held her captive in a domineering yet tender embrace. His kissing was expert; Xia Yangyang, a novice, was quickly overwhelmed, dazed and confused. Finally, he carried her sideways, pushing open the bedroom door with his foot.

When her back hit the bed, Xia Yangyang snapped back to reality. She pushed him away.

"It's so late," he complained resentfully. "Why can't you let me kiss you?"

"Gu Qichen," Xia Yangyang said, "if you need to satisfy your biological needs, find someone else. Don't come to me."

She was angry. Was she merely a tool for his desires? He hadn't spoken a word upon arriving home, and this was his first action.

Gu Qichen's face darkened. "Find someone else? Xia Yangyang, what are you saying?"

"I'm speaking plainly, Gu Qichen," she retorted sharply. "I don't understand men's minds, but as far as I'm concerned, many things can't be solved by spending a night together. It's better to keep our distance now, to avoid awkwardness later."

Gu Qichen sat up straight. The lust in his eyes faded, replaced by bottomless coldness. "Is Chen Yu really that good? Are you determined to divorce me?"

Xia Yangyang was stunned. The topic shift was abrupt. This had nothing to do with Chen Yu. Gu Qichen was deflecting the issue, as always.