"It's precisely because we haven't seen each other for so many years that we must truly talk."
Long Fengxi stepped inside, shutting the door behind her and leaving the other woman standing outside. She exhaled deeply.
Turning toward the mirror, she slipped off her clothes. Bare-skinned, she examined the red marks scattered across her body—and the corners of her lips curved upward in quiet satisfaction.
After dinner, Gu Lili began her yoga routine on the bedroom floor, following a course on her tablet, practicing with focused determination.
Long Yubei noticed her awkward pose and crouched beside her. "What's gotten into you? Why the sudden interest in yoga?"
"They say yoga improves flexibility," she said with a mischievous wink. "I figured, if I want to capture your heart, I should first make sure your body can't live without mine. Husband, I've made a decision."
"Oh?" he asked, amused. "And what decision is that?"
"It's a secret. I'm not telling you yet."
He stood and shoved his hands into his pockets. "Just don't let this be one of your three-minute enthusiasms."
"It won't be. I'm determined to stick with it."
Watching her strike a comically strained pose with grit and gusto, he couldn't help but laugh. He flopped onto the bed, picked up a book, and lazily flipped through it, offering a casual, "Good luck."
Drenched in sweat by the end of her session, Gu Lili headed to the bathroom for a shower—only to find Long Yubei slipping in behind her.
"I knew you were waiting for me to shower, just to sneak in some mischief."
"You know me too well, Lili." He grinned. "As your husband, it's my sacred duty to wash your darling bits—gotta keep them clean for use."
She snorted, "Shut up."
Long Yubei pressed a hand to the back of her head, tilting it toward him as he playfully nipped her lips.
The water cascaded from above as the young couple reveled in each other—until the doorbell rang.
He ignored it entirely, as if he hadn't heard.
Gu Lili, having finished her shower first, wrapped herself in a towel and stepped out. Hearing the doorbell persist, she called out, "What is it?"
Tang Qingli stood just outside. "Madam, the woman surnamed He has come again. She asked to see the Young Master. I initially had her wait at the main gate, but when she learned he was home, she insisted she's his ex-girlfriend. I let her into the courtyard, but not the house."
"Have her wait in the living room—I'll let your Young Master know."
"Yes, ma'am."
She couldn't very well leave the woman standing outside. Still, she wondered what the purpose of this visit could be.
Opening the bathroom door, she said, "Darling, your ex is here—waiting for you in the living room."
Long Yubei immediately grabbed a towel and wrapped it around himself, storming out with a thunderous expression.
"I'll go down and greet her first," she called after him.
"Stop," he barked. "You don't need to. I'll go alone."
"Why?" she raised a brow. "Afraid I'll interrupt your little trip down memory lane? Or are you thinking of rekindling an old flame?"
"I'm married to you, what would I want with an old flame? She must have something she needs. If you're there, she won't speak freely. I just want to see what she's here for."
Gu Lili gave a soft hum and flopped back onto the bed. "Fine."
But her bright, curious eyes stayed fixed on his face, noting the storm cloud in his expression. The moment he changed and headed downstairs, Gu Lili quietly followed.
Creeping to the stairwell, she crouched and peered down toward the living room.
And the moment she laid eyes on He Meiwei, her entire body stiffened as if struck by lightning.
Wasn't that Gu Xichen's girlfriend?
She was his ex?
Panicked, she dashed back into the bedroom, snatched up her phone, and began recording the scene from afar.