He was right, Lin Che thought. This was his house. She had no right to chase him out.
"Alright. If you put it like that, I can be the one to move out," Lin Che said sincerely.
Gu Jingze's complexion seemed to dim slightly. He stopped staring at her and fiddled with the documents in his hands. "If you do that, my family will definitely get suspicious. They'll wonder if there are problems with our relationship and they may even suspect that we're in a fake marriage. If we don't live together, they'll definitely intervene and make sure we live together. Wouldn't that be more troublesome?"
"..."
His reasoning makes sense , Lin Che thought. Naturally, she had not thought as much as he did, but if she really tried to think of other ways, she believed she was able to think of a good excuse.
"It's all because I'm afraid that your girlfriend will be angry. If you're with me all the time, she'll definitely brood over the matter. Imagine how much that will affect your relationship."
"That's enough." Gu Jingze stood up abruptly. There was something dark in his expression, one that intimidated Lin Che momentarily, leaving her momentarily speechless.
With the documents in his hand, he walked out. As he brushed past Lin Che, he said, "Just play your role as Mrs. Gu. What happens between me and other women is none of your business."
After Gu Jingze left with his things, Lin Che muttered to herself despondently, "Fine. It's all my fault for being so nosy. The goodness of a person is of no consequence to the ungrateful; since you can't understand my good will, I'll keep my hands off your matters from now on."
Soon after, Gu Jingze returned to the guest room. He put down his folder before holding onto the table in an attempt to calm himself down.
However, images of the earlier scene replayed in his mind and made him feel… irritated.
As he breathed in deeply, he heard his phone ringing. The screen indicated that it was Mo Huiling.
"Huiling, you're looking for me?"
"Yes, Jingze. Can you come over to my house for a bit? I'm alone and bored. I have something to talk to you about too."
Gu Jingze said, "Why? You have something to say to me?"
"Yes, I've wanted to say it for a long time. Come over. I want to tell you in person."
Mo Huiling sounded like she had something special to say. Gu Jingze could not guess what it was.
After being with Mo Huiling for so many years, he knew that she was a little petty. She was ultimately the young lady of a rich family and had been pampered from a young age. Although she was accomplished, had good manners, and was highly educated, she had a bit of a temper. He thought that it was normal and had always given in to her. So no matter how unyieldingly or casually she spoke to him, he was able to accept it.
Gu Jingze arrived at her house in no time.
Mo Huiling lived alone. Her apartment had an air of feminine elegance that always made him feel comfortable.
When Gu Jingze entered, he saw Mo Huiling seated in the living room. She was clearly awashed in melancholy as she sat there, looking a little withered and lonely.
Gu Jingze sighed before walking toward her.
"Huiling, why did you call me here?"
Mo Huiling raised her head to look at Gu Jingze before mumbling softly, "Jingze… I know that you had no say in the marriage and that it wasn't your own decision, but I still feel a little upset."
Naturally, Gu Jingze felt sympathetic, his heart softening when he saw her expression.
When Mo Huiling looked at Gu Jingze, the lines of worry on her face made her look extremely miserable and helpless. "I know I shouldn't feel upset and that I also shouldn't trouble you. But when I think about how you have another woman with you all the time, I just can't bear it…"
Gu Jingze looked at her and sighed, "I understand. It's my fault. I'm sorry for all of this, Huiling. I know that you're upset, but… I really had no choice but to accede to my family's demands. My grandfather plays his cards well; I can't make a single misstep."
Worried that Mo Huiling would feel pressured, Gu Jingze did not tell her that his family was using her as a threat.
"I know…" Mo Huiling raised her head, her eyes glistening. "I understand you and I'm willing to be by your side. I just hope that you can move out. Don't live with that woman. You have so many other properties. There's definitely somewhere you can live in. Let's live there together. I know that even so, we can't sleep on the same bed, but I just want to be by your side. I don't like that you're living with her."
Gu Jingze froze, never expecting Mo Huiling to make such a request.
It was a reasonable request and he understood her. Knowing that he was living with Lin Che was worrying in itself. He had not told Mo Huiling that he had slept with Lin Che because he thought that it would never happen again. That incident was an accident and he did not want to worry Mo Huiling even more. But alas, Mo Huiling was already worried.
No other woman would find his sudden marriage acceptable. Even if they had grown up together and trusted one another, he now had a wife.
Mo Huiling was a well-bred young lady who came from the atypical Mo family. They had instilled in her good etiquette and manners. Even if she did not marry him, she was definitely going to marry a man suitable for her and no one was going to treat her unfairly. However, she had already sacrificed her dignity for him.
But…
Gu Jingze said calmly, "I'll think about it."
When Mo Huiling heard this, disappointment instantly showed on her face.
That was all?
Gu Jingze said, "Huiling, I understand how you feel and I know that you feel uncomfortable. That's why I said that if you're unhappy, you can leave and find happiness elsewhere. But I have my own concerns. I'll think about it. But for now, I can't make a hasty decision."
But subconsciously, Gu Jingze did not like living together with any woman. After all, he was still ill. He felt uncomfortable even if it was Mo Huiling. As for Lin Che, he had no choice. He was trying hard to get used to her. But even if he had a choice, he had no intention to live with Mo Huiling.
When Mo Huiling heard his last line, she reluctantly broke into a smile, "You must keep your promise!"
As Gu Jingze left in the back of his car, he looked out the window with a grim expression.
Mo Huiling was the only girl who he had a close relationship with. It was specifically because they had been together for so many years that she tolerated the many symptoms of his illness. They could not hold hands, kiss, or do anything that lovers could do because the moment he touched her, he broke out in a rash. However, she continued to stay with him; he was greatly touched by this.
During the many years they had been together, he was happy. Without a doubt, he wanted to marry her.
However, he had suddenly slept with another woman…
When Gu Jingze walked into the house, there was an aroma wafting through the air.
It was nearly dawn, so the maids should have left long ago and returned to their chambers.
If that was so, then it could only be…
When he made a turn into the kitchen, he saw Lin Che seated at the bar counter. One of her legs was resting on another chair, as she leaned herself against her knee. Her long and slender legs were pale and soft, and her skin was smooth and flawless. She was wearing only a pair of pants and a white tank top. In front of her was a hot bowl from which the aroma was emanating. Evidently, she was eating supper.