Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Agreeing to the Arranged Marriage When Ruan Chutang went to pick up Gu Zechuan from a social gathering, she overheard the conversation inside and came to a sudden halt. "Zechuan, Chen Wan is back in the country. What about Ruan Chutang?" Gu Zechuan’s voice was indifferent. "What about her?" "Haven't you and Ruan Chutang been together for three years? Now that Chen Wan is back, who will you choose?" Through the crack in the door, Ruan Chutang saw Gu Zechuan light a cigarette. Amidst the swirling white smoke, he fell silent for a moment before speaking in a low, raspy voice. "I don't know. I don't want to hurt Ruan Chutang, but I can't let go of Chen Wan either." His friend sighed. "Chen Wan was your first love, your 'white moonlight.' That relationship back then was quite intense. It's normal that you can't forget her." Another friend cut in. "But come on, Ruan Chutang has been with you for three years, and she’s so beautiful. You still haven't moved on from Chen Wan?" Gu Zechuan rubbed his temples, his voice tinged with exhaustion. "Ruan Chutang is very beautiful. I pursued her in the first place because she shared a certain resemblance to Chen Wan. All these years, I've been searching for Chen Wan's shadow in her." "So you just found a substitute?" The friend sighed. "I’m starting to feel a bit sorry for Ruan Chutang." The other friend asked again, "Then when do you plan to break up with her?" Gu Zechuan lightly flicked the ash from his cigarette. "We'll see. Chutang is obedient and sensible; I’m actually a bit reluctant to let her go." A brotherly figure beside Gu Zechuan patted his shoulder. "Zechuan, you can't have your cake and eat it too. You need to think this through." "Hey, what’s the big deal? Just date them both," another friend said flippantly. "If you feel bad for Ruan Chutang, just buy her more gifts to coax her. Women are easy to appease." Gu Zechuan scoffed. "Do you think everyone is like you, dating three or four at once? I'm not that depraved." Outside the door, Ruan Chutang curled her lips in a self-deprecating smile and turned to leave. After exiting the restaurant, Ruan Chutang walked along the riverbank, reminiscing about every detail of her time with Gu Zechuan over the past few years. Three years of affection—she had thought their feelings were mutual. But as it turned out, she was merely a substitute for Gu Zechuan’s first love. Ruan Chutang stood by the river. To her left was the busy street filled with traffic; to her right were the endlessly flowing waters. Tears escaped the corners of her eyes. The fierce river wind whipped her hair about. Ruan Chutang made a decision. She took out her phone and dialed a number. "Hello, Dad. I agree to come home for the arranged marriage." The night made the dim yellow streetlights appear even gloomier, with small insects fluttering around the lamps. Ruan Chutang stood under a streetlight, gazing at the infinite night sky, her voice faint. "It's nothing. I've just had my fun and want to settle down and get married." "I was wrong before. I was immature and shouldn't have argued with you and run away from home. I've come to my senses now." "I'll return to Jiang City once I've settled everything here." ... Chutang walked alone outside for a long time, returning to the Jinghe Courtyard villa only after ten o'clock at night. The nanny, Aunt Zhang, saw Ruan Chutang return and handed her a bowl of stomach-soothing porridge. "Miss Ruan, you’re back. This is the porridge you brewed for the Master, right? I saw it had gone cold and just reheated it. I was about to take it up when you walked in. Why don't you bring it to him?" Ruan Chutang said nothing, took the porridge, and walked toward the upstairs bedroom. Pushing open the bedroom door, she found the desk empty. The computer screen was on, but Gu Zechuan was not there. The sound of splashing water came from the bathroom, and the light was on. Was he showering this early today? Ruan Chutang set down the porridge. The constant notification sounds from the computer's WeChat caught her attention. She moved the mouse and clicked on the window. It was a message from Chen Wan. [Zechuan, I'm back. I arrive at Haicheng Airport at 11:30 tonight. Can you come pick me up?] This message had been sent ten minutes ago. So he was showering to go pick up his "white moonlight" from the airport. [Zechuan, during the years we were apart, I missed you constantly. I couldn't forget you. I really regret breaking up with you to study abroad for my career.] [We were both too proud and didn't know how to bow our heads. I know you still have a place for me in your heart, right?] [Zechuan, I've had a few boyfriends these past few years, but we always broke up quickly. Dating them always felt like something was missing. It was only later that I realized, the one I've loved all along is you.] [I didn't dare come back to Haicheng before because I was afraid you still hated me and wouldn't want to see me. I was afraid to see another woman by your side, afraid you didn't love me anymore.] [I was wrong back then, Zechuan. Can you forgive me?] Ruan Chutang watched in silence, her heart feeling heavy. Just as she was about to close the dialogue box and turn away, she saw Gu Zechuan reply. [Chen Wan, I only want to ask one thing: do you still love me?] He had WeChat open on his computer, yet he was using his phone to reply while in the shower. Ruan Chutang's heart trembled slightly. Gu Zechuan was busy with work every day and often didn't have time to reply to her messages. She had grown used to it. To avoid disturbing his work, she rarely messaged him anymore. Yet, Gu Zechuan made time to reply to Chen Wan even while showering. The difference between love and its absence was far too obvious. On the other end, Chen Wan replied almost instantly. [I love you. I only love you.] [Fine. I'll come get you.] At this moment, she felt as if her three-year relationship was a joke. Ruan Chutang silently closed the dialogue box and put the mouse back in its place, acting as if nothing had happened. She went downstairs to the kitchen, served herself a bowl of the stomach-soothing porridge, and ate it spoonful by spoonful. Gu Zechuan had a bad stomach, and she had specifically learned how to make this porridge for him. She would soak lily bulbs, Job's tears, and red beans in advance, add them to boiling water with millet, and simmer them over a low flame. When it was nearly done, she would add fresh yam cut into small pieces. This porridge was time-consuming and laborious to make, but because he said he "liked" it, she had made it for him for two years. After finishing the bowl, Gu Zechuan came downstairs. He had showered and dried his hair, changing into clean, fresh clothes. "Where did you go? I didn't see you when I got out." Ruan Chutang responded quietly, "I went out for a walk." Gu Zechuan walked toward the door. "I have something to take care of and need to head out. If you're tired, go to sleep first. Don't wait up for me." Ruan Chutang lowered her eyes and gave a soft "Mm." "Are you coming back tonight?" she asked. Gu Zechuan paused while putting on his shoes. After a few seconds of silence, he replied, "There's an urgent matter at the company. If it's too late by the time I'm finished, I probably won't come back." "Oh, okay." The girl didn't argue or make a scene. Ruan Chutang had always been very sensible. Gu Zechuan didn't think much of it. After changing his shoes, he left without looking back. Ruan Chutang went upstairs and pushed open the door to Gu Zechuan's bedroom. The bowl of porridge by the computer was indeed untouched. On WeChat, her arranged marriage partner, Jiang Shixu, sent a message. Jiang Shixu: [Tangtang, when do you plan to come back to Jiang City?] In Ruan Chutang's eyes, Jiang Shixu was the kind older brother next door who treated her well. When he called her "Tangtang," she didn't feel it was an intimate nickname for a fiancé, but more like a brother's term of endearment for a sister. [Once I've settled things here.] Jiang Shixu: [Alright. Let me know anytime if you need help with anything.] [Mm. Thank you, Brother Shixu.] Jiang Shixu: [Get some rest. Goodnight.] That night, Gu Zechuan did not return. The next morning, Ruan Chutang was awakened by the ringing of her phone. "Hello?" "Chutang, it's my birthday the day after tomorrow. Remember to come to my party!" Ruan Chutang pulled the phone away and looked at the contact name with bleary eyes. Su Qiuyi—a friend from Gu Zechuan's social circle who got along quite well with her. "Sure. Send me the location." After hanging up, Ruan Chutang got up and got ready to go out. She went to the mall to pick out a gift for Su Qiuyi. It was the latest necklace from a well-known brand, one that suited Su Qiuyi’s style perfectly. ... On Su Qiuyi's birthday, Ruan Chutang arrived at the venue early. "Qiuyi, happy birthday." She handed over the gift. Su Qiuyi took the gift and thanked her politely. While they were exchanging pleasantries, Gu Zechuan arrived late, walking arm-in-arm with a woman she didn't recognize. The moment their eyes met, Gu Zechuan froze. "Chutang, what are you doing here?"