"I thought you had been crying so long because you were unwell, so I came to check on you. Now that you seem better, I shall take my leave. The surgery is imminent; rest well."
Seeing him about to leave, He Meiwei hurriedly rose and threw herself into his arms. Instinctively, Long Yubei caught her, preventing her from falling, as her entire weight leaned upon him. This intimate scene was observed through the door's windowpane by Gu Lili, who remained motionless, her gaze icy and unyielding.
Only when Long Yubei gently pressed He Meiwei back onto the bed did her expression soften.
Inwardly, she thought, What a cunning little vixen—indeed, she is a master of manipulation.
"Once again, let me make this clear: I am helping you out of pity, nothing more. Do not harbor any improper thoughts. After your surgery, I will arrange for someone to handle your medication and care. Beyond that, there is no reason for us to ever meet again."
"Long…"
"I'm leaving now. Get some rest."
Without granting her further opportunity to speak, he turned and exited.
Gu Lili swiftly slipped into another room, where startled patients and relatives watched her with surprise. She offered an awkward smile. "Wrong room, sorry about that."
When she emerged, Long Yubei had already disappeared into the distance.
She returned to He Meiwei's room, looked in upon the woman within, and knocked gently.
"Come in!" He Meiwei replied irritably.
Grasping the door handle, Gu Lili entered.
Upon seeing her, He Meiwei's expression shifted, her mind instantly alert.
"Oh, it's Miss Gu. May I ask what brings you here?"
"I am no longer a young maiden; please don't address me so. Call me Mrs. Long."
He Meiwei clenched her fists, nails digging into her palms, but maintained her smile. "No, I prefer Miss Gu—it sounds more natural to me."
"Well, your mouth is on your own face. Call me what you wish; I cannot stop you."
Gu Lili's eyes curved with a cold gleam. "I'm here to tell you plainly: my husband helps you only out of pity. Do not delude yourself into thinking you hold any place in his heart. Should I catch you deliberately throwing yourself at him again, I'm afraid things won't be so pleasant. The costs of your matching and surgery must be reimbursed, and I will not allow him to pay your subsequent medication fees. Consider this your final warning."
"You haven't spent my money, so why do you care so much?"
"My husband belongs to me entirely, and so does his money," Gu Lili said with a chilling smile. "Surely you understand such a simple truth?"
"He doesn't love you at all. You're just fooling yourself!" He Meiwei sneered. "You're nothing but a breeding machine for the Long family. And you think you're noble?"
"Regardless…" Gu Lili was unbothered, fully intent on provoking this shameless wretch, "I am his wife. Every day, it's me he embraces, holds, and kisses—not you. Stop dreaming, or I'll take back that talisman I gave you and let the spirits frighten you."
"You…" He Meiwei seethed, glaring fiercely. "Don't get cocky. I will win him back!"
"Is that so?" Gu Lili's eyes gleamed like frost. "Then let's see if you have the ability."
"Then we shall wait and see."
Gu Lili ignored her thereafter. On the way home from the hospital, her thoughts lingered on that vile woman. She would never ask Long Yubei to cancel the matching or the surgery—those were his decisions.
She would hold her husband's heart firmly.
Not a shred of affection would she allow to slip toward He Meiwei.