It was clear that he intended to bare his heart to her tonight.
Eleven feigned ignorance and laughed awkwardly, "What... itâs just a story about an ex-girlfriend. Youâre making it sound like itâs some epic legend. You have an ex-girlfriend, and I have an ex-boyfriend. Whatâs the big deal?"
Despite the playful atmosphere at the moment, she knew that the moment he started talking about it, the mood would become more somber.
At this point, she was acting superbly, and Gu Liancheng really thought she hadnât a clue. He chuckled and affectionately patted her head, laughing, "Yes, you did have an ex-boyfriend. You are quite impressive."
Seeing his cheeky expression, Eleven burst out laughing. Gu Liancheng continued, "Because of your ex-boyfriendâs existence, I was constantly on guard, afraid he would suddenly act to reignite your old feelings, and steal my hard-won wife."
Eleven looked up at him and said, "Why would you want a wife who can be stolen so easily?"
Gu Liancheng responded with a remark that was as annoyingly saccharine as ever: "To treasure her!"
"Eh...." Eleven shivered unexpectedly, "Thatâs so cheesy!"
Even so, they both looked at each other and laughed.
Who cares about being cheesy? They were just a normal couple in love, their sweetness inconveniencing no one. At most, it might deal a ten-thousand-point critical hit to the singles out there.
A housemaid was tidying up Gu Lianchengâs study when they walked in. She paused in suprise, "Sir, youâre back so late? Are you hungry? Do you want me to fix you something?"
"No need, you can go to bed now."
"Alright!"
She saw the two were about to enter the study. Even though she didnât quite understand why they would go to the study at this late hour, she didnât question it. She promptly left the room, closing the door behind her out of habit.
Standing here in the study, Elevenâs suspicions were confirmedâshe knew exactly what he wanted to talk about.
They moved to the balcony of the study, and she sat in his lap in the egg-shaped chair. His forehead rested against her shoulder as he began to talk about his past with Wen Qianxi.
The story was almost exactly the same as what Jin Xiangnan and Wen Qianxi had told her. But hearing it from his perspective brought new depth to it: It made her feel more tender towards him, more helpless. A few times, she couldnât hold back her tears. She gently hugged his neck, offering mutual consolation.
As he began talking about his childhood, he didnât look up at her, but held her and asked instead, "So now, knowing all this, do you feel like running away? Knowing that even as a child, my hands were stained with blood?"
Eleven shook her head resolutely, "No... my dear, Iâm glad youâre not the person you once were. Youâve become so strong, no one can bully you anymore."
"Who said no one can? Danger lurks at every corner. One misstep and we could tumble down a cliff. Take Gu Tianyu, for example. Keep your distance from him in the future. If you owe him any favors, Iâll repay them."
"Mmm..." Eleven held him tight, thinking, "If only I had Feiâerâs skills. That way, Iâd always stand by your side to strengthen you."
"Hey," Gu Liancheng pinched her nose, chuckling, "So if you donât have Ye Feiâs skills, you wonât stand by my side?"
"I will, I will."
The two of them laughed again.
When he started talking about how he first met Wen Qianxi, his tone was more nonchalant.
"Have you ever hated her?" Eleven asked.