C23 The Nightmare Two Years ago

In the pitch-black room, visibility was nil; she couldn't see her own fingers before her eyes.

Hot...

So hot...

It felt as if she were on the brink of exploding...

Amidst her struggles and moans, Su Kexin suddenly felt a heaviness settle over her, her skin making contact with something refreshingly cool.

Desperate for that cool relief, Su Kexin reached out to embrace it, but unexpectedly, she heard the heavy breathing of a man.

No!

Her foggy consciousness sharpened slightly as she tried to push the figure off her, but it was too late.

A searing pain ripped through her from below, eliciting a piercing scream from her lips.

What followed was an onslaught of aggression, relentless and overwhelming, wave after crashing wave.

Pain, hatred, and shame threatened to engulf Su Kexin completely. She wanted to fight back, but was powerless, left only to endure...

After an eternity of darkness and agony, the scene around her abruptly shifted.

A tempest raged, with lightning flashing and thunder roaring.

Dragging her bruised body, Su Kexin clutched her torn clothes tightly around her and stumbled through the downpour, her cell phone gripped firmly in hand. She dialed a number over and over, bordering on hysteria.

Han...

Han, where are you?

I'm terrified. Please, come save me...

But no matter how many times she called, the only response was the icy voice of a woman.

"Sorry, the number you have dialed is out of service. Please try again later."

At last, Su Kexin's strength gave out, and she collapsed in the rain...

...

Watching Su Kexin sweat profusely in bed, Gu Chi's brows knitted together in concern. He turned to the doctor administering the IV and asked, "Is she truly okay?"

"Rest assured, Mr. Gu. The Young Madam is simply suffering from a cold and fever. She's likely in the throes of a nightmare right now."

Gu Chi's expression eased somewhat.

Once the doctor had exited the room, Gu Chi's gaze returned to the ashen-faced Su Kexin on the bed. He was about to check her forehead when, unexpectedly, she began to shiver.

"Su Kexin?" Gu Chi's frown deepened. "Are you okay?"

Su Kexin was still not awake. Her pale, parched lips parted slightly, as if whispering something.

Gu Chi's concern grew. Leaning in closer, he finally made out the words Su Kexin was murmuring.

"Han... save me... where are you... Han... don't you believe me..."

Han?

Gu Chi sat up straight, a shadow crossing his eyes.

Clearly, it was a man's name.

He observed Su Kexin on the bed; her complexion was pallid and frail, yet the inherent softness in her features, particularly the quiver of her lashes, betrayed a vulnerability Gu Chi had never witnessed in her before.

He mulled over this revelation.

On reflection, ever since he had met her, she had maintained a guarded and aloof demeanor. She had never shown any hint of dependency, let alone considered leaning on him.

Yet, in her slumber, her longing and reliance on the man named "Han" were palpable.

Gu Chi had previously tasked Yang Zuo with delving into Su Kexin's history. He valued efficiency, so the details of her life were condensed into brief summaries.

He was aware, for instance, that she had once been entangled in an intense first love. However, following a certain incident two years prior, that relationship had ended. He hadn't inquired about the name or the background of her first love, but now it seemed likely that Han was that very person.

This thought brought an inexplicable sense of irritation to Gu Chi.

Just then, Su Kexin's eyes fluttered open.

Gu Chi shelved his thoughts and leaned in, concern etching his features. "Are you okay?"

Blinking, Su Kexin took a moment to register that she was in a room at the villa, an IV drip attached to her arm.

"Did you bring me back here?" she asked, her voice hoarse.

"Mhm," Gu Chi responded succinctly, reaching for a cup of hot water on the nightstand and offering it to her.

"Thank you," she murmured, sipping the water carefully.

As Su Kexin's demeanor reverted to its usual reserve and formality, Gu Chi's irritation deepened without reason.

"Su Kexin," he said abruptly, "who is Han?"

"Cough, cough, cough!"

Caught off guard by his question, Su Kexin choked on the water, descending into a fit of coughing.

"Take it easy." Gu Chi's voice was calm, a stark contrast to her disarray as he gently patted her back.

Looking up in a fluster, Su Kexin met Gu Chi's gaze. His eyes, soft and concerned, rested on her reddened chin.

It was blindingly bright.

Gu Chi swiftly retrieved an ointment from the medical kit on the nightstand, squeezing it onto his hand before gently applying it to Su Kexin's swollen chin.

The cool touch on her chin made Su Kexin wary as she watched Gu Chi, her voice tinged with hesitation, "How did you know about Han?"

"You called out his name in your sleep."

Su Kexin paused, the memory of her dream about events from two years ago surfacing in her mind.

Her gaze involuntarily dimmed. Before she could formulate a response, Gu Chi spoke up once more, his voice calm but firm.

"Su Kexin, your past doesn't concern me. What I want you to understand is that you're my wife now, and I do not take kindly to my woman calling out another man's name."

Despite the chill in his tone, Su Kexin felt an overwhelming pressure when he spoke.

Especially those deep, dark eyes that seemed tranquil yet unreadable, hiding emotions she couldn't fathom.

After finishing with the ointment, Su Kexin averted her gaze and murmured a soft "Thank you."

"There's no need," Gu Chi replied coolly as he tidied away the ointment. "I dislike seeing marks of another on you."

Su Kexin tensed once more.

She hadn't uttered a word, yet it seemed Gu Chi understood everything.

The chill of the ointment on her chin was a stark reminder of how much more commanding and enigmatic Gu Chi was than she had ever imagined.

"I understand," she acknowledged quietly, noticing the sweat in her palms. Su Kexin simply nodded, unable to meet his gaze.

"Get some rest," Gu Chi said as he maneuvered his wheelchair. "I'll be in the guest room tonight."

Without waiting for her response, he left the room.

Alone in the room, Su Kexin lay amidst the soft bedding, sleep eluding her.

The following day, after receiving an IV drip, Su Kexin felt revitalized and decided to head to work. As she began to gather her things, she noticed her usual bag was missing, replaced by a designer handbag.

"Mrs. Wang," she called out, just as she noticed Mrs. Wang coming up to gather some items. "Where's my bag?"

"Young Madam, your bag was ruined by yesterday's rain. This is a new one that Mr. Gu had someone purchase for you," Mrs. Wang informed her.

Su Kexin found herself in a quandary.

She recognized the bag Gu Chi had selected for her—a Chanel, a brand that could easily cost tens of thousands. It was far beyond what she could afford on her salary. But since her own bag was gone, and she had no alternative, she reluctantly accepted the luxurious replacement.

After breakfast, as Su Kexin was about to use her phone to hail a ride, Gu Chi spoke up. "You're still recovering. Let me drive you to work today."

"There's no need," Su Kexin replied, her voice tinged with panic. "I can manage on my own..."

But Gu Chi was already maneuvering his wheelchair toward the door, leaving no room for discussion.

Feeling defeated, Su Kexin could only follow him to the car, her head cocked to one side.

Luckily for her, Gu Chi's workday began earlier than hers. By the time the Bentley pulled up to her office, the area was still quiet. After a swift "goodbye," she hurried out of the vehicle.

Watching her retreat, Gu Chi's gaze grew heavy.

What was this reaction? Was she really that concerned about others discovering their relationship?

In her haste to leave, Su Kexin was completely oblivious to the two intense stares fixed upon her.