C22 You Think That I Still Have Feelings for You??

Su Kexin's eyes bulged as she stared at Gu Yihan in utter disbelief.

Gu Yihan, watching her incredulous face, felt an inexplicable surge of annoyance.

How could she still feign ignorance at a time like this?

He stood up and approached Su Kexin once more, seizing her chin firmly. The contempt and scorn in his gaze intensified, "Su Kexin, do you really think I, Gu Yihan, could harbor any feelings for a woman who trades her body for money?"

Struck as if by lightning, Su Kexin's face drained of color.

"You... you're aware of what happened two years ago?" Her lips quivered as she barely managed to speak.

"Heh." Gu Yihan felt an unexplained stab of pain in his heart, seeing that Su Kexin didn't immediately deny it.

Damn it, Gu Yihan, were you still holding out hope? The incident from two years ago was irrefutable proof; what luck could you possibly be clinging to?

With this thought, his grip on Su Kexin's chin grew tighter, his voice colder, "Yes, I know, and I've known for two years. Su Kexin, I really owe you thanks. It's because I discovered that the woman I had loved and doted on for three years was such filth that I finally resolved to go study in America."

The last vestige of color vanished from Su Kexin's face.

For two long years... She had often wondered why, at her most vulnerable, when she needed Gu Yihan the most, he had chosen to go abroad.

And now, she finally understood.

It was all because of that incident.

Yet, she found it odd. Gu Yihan had left for abroad before the incident had blown up. Could it be that he knew about it beforehand?

But how could that be possible...

Now was clearly not the time to delve into these questions. Su Kexin's face was ashen from the pressure on her chin, but she still managed to struggle, "Gu Yihan, the incident from two years ago was a misunderstanding, I—"

"Misunderstanding?" Su Kexin's words only fueled Gu Yihan's rage. His voice rose sharply, his grip on her chin tightening, causing her entire face to contort in pain. "What misunderstanding? It seems to me you're just regretting your choices because the penniless boy from two years ago is now successful and the chief editor. Now you come to me claiming it was all a misunderstanding?"

As he spoke, a crimson fury flashed in Gu Yihan's eyes. He seized Su Kexin's face, pulling her toward him, "Su Kexin, let me make one thing clear: the Gu Yihan you're dealing with now isn't so easily deceived!"

Su Kexin stared at the once-familiar face now twisted with resentment and malice, feeling a mix of shock and heartache.

She wanted to offer an explanation, but the words died on her lips.

What was there to explain, anyway?

If Gu Yihan had truly believed her, wouldn't he have asked for her side of the story before walking away all those years ago? Deep down, he had already pegged her as a materialistic woman, willing to sell herself for money.

And even if he accepted her explanation now, what difference would it make?

She was no longer the Su Kexin of the past; married and changed, there was no turning back...

With this realization, Su Kexin fought back the tears welling up in her eyes, took a deep breath, and looked up resolutely.

"Gu Yihan," she began softly, her voice steady and devoid of emotion, "you're right about the past—it's exactly as you believe. But you're mistaken about one thing: I have no interest in what happens between us now. Whether you're the chief editor or the CEO, it has nothing to do with me, Su Kexin."

No sooner had the words left her mouth than she felt Gu Yihan's grip on her chin tighten.

But just as quickly, he released her.

Stumbling, Su Kexin braced herself against the wall to stay upright. Looking up, she met Gu Yihan's icy gaze, the contempt and revulsion in his eyes cutting her to the core.

Yet, pain was preferable to unresolved entanglements.

With that thought, she swallowed the lump in her throat and said hastily, "If there's nothing else, Chief Editor, I'll take my leave."

Without another glance at Gu Yihan, she hurried out of the office.

Su Kexin dashed from the magazine's building to find a downpour awaiting her outside. In a stroke of bad luck, she had left her umbrella back in the office.

But she didn't have the courage to retrieve it, not even with the knowledge that Gu Yihan might still be there. She simply didn't have the strength to face him again.

She was so vulnerable.

As Su Kexin watched the relentless rain, she had hoped to hail a taxi, but it was rush hour, and the downpour made it impossible. The taxi app was no help either. With no other choice, she clenched her jaw, used her bag as a makeshift umbrella, and dashed for the subway station.

After a soggy subway ride, she emerged, half-wishing the rain had ceased, but the heavens seemed intent on her misery—it was still pouring. Unable to catch a taxi, Su Kexin stood beside the subway station, waiting in vain.

She recalled a stormy night two years ago when she lost her most treasured possession...

And then she lost Gu Yihan, the man she believed would stand by her side forever.

The despair from that night crept over her once numb heart like a sticky, slithering creature.

Overwhelmed, Su Kexin wrapped her arms around herself, crouched down, and curled into a ball.

So cold...

Bitterly cold...

Her body shook with chills, mirroring that night two years past...

As memories and emotions threatened to engulf her, a wheelchair appeared before her, with a pair of long, straight legs resting upon it.

Startled, Su Kexin struggled to lift her head and saw Gu Chi before her, with Yang Zuo at his side, holding an umbrella.

The heavy rain blurred his striking features, but his presence was as commanding as ever. Even seated, he seemed like a deity, eclipsing all the gloom in Su Kexin's heart.

Her eyelashes quivered.

Gu Chi?

"What are you doing here?" Gu Chi asked, looking down at Su Kexin crouched on the ground. His voice carried an unexpected edge of anger. "Have you been out in the rain?"

That snapped Su Kexin back to reality.

In a panic, she tried to stand, but as she did, her world went dark, and she collapsed.

Gu Chi, momentarily taken aback, quickly steadied her in his arms.

Noticing the feverish heat of her body, his expression grew stern. His gaze fell upon the reddened mark above Su Kexin's chin—a remnant of Gu Yihan's touch—and his dark pupils narrowed imperceptibly.

"Let's head back." Gu Chi's expression shifted momentarily before he swiftly returned to his usual detached demeanor. In a soft tone, he held Su Kexin close and glided toward the sleek black Bentley parked nearby.

Gu Chi's car was tucked away in a secluded spot next to the subway station. With the combined weight of both Su Kexin and himself, the wheelchair couldn't glide as effortlessly as it once did.

"Mr. Gu," Yang Zuo interjected, unable to contain himself, "Allow me to assist."

"There's no need," Gu Chi responded coolly. He simply shifted Su Kexin in his embrace, then cradled her in his arms. Rising from the wheelchair, he strode into the vehicle with her.