The taxi ride back was as silent as the one there, neither of them inclined to speak to the other, both gazing out their respective windows.
Di Mingjue’s heart churned with resentment, determined to return the displeasure he felt tenfold.
“Sir, we’ve arrived,” the driver said, glancing back at the two passengers in the rear seat.
They had entered the taxi together, yet remained utterly silent, as if they were strangers sharing a ride.
Di Mingjue paid the fare and exited the car first. Even before the taxi had fully stopped, he spotted Ye Ziyu on a stone bench. As he walked towards her, he shed his jacket and draped it over her shoulders.
“You’re back? How is Mr. Gu? Have they figured out what’s causing his headaches?” Ye Ziyu rose from the bench, her words clearly betraying her concern for Gu Xiuyu.
As her husband, wouldn’t she inquire first about why he had appeared in Haishi, and when he had arrived?
Di Mingjue placed a hand on her shoulder, reminding her, “Your clothes are about to fall. Didn’t I tell you to go back to your room and rest?”
Upon seeing Gu Xiuyu, Ye Ziyu quickly pulled away from Di Mingjue’s embrace. “Are you still in pain?”
“I’m fine, much better,” Gu Xiuyu replied weakly.
Ye Ziyu, knowledgeable in traditional Chinese medicine, could discern from his tone and expression that Gu Xiuyu’s condition was not as he claimed.
“Let me help you upstairs. Rest for the night and see how you feel. If it’s still bad tomorrow, we’ll have you admitted to the hospital,” Ye Ziyu said, supporting Gu Xiuyu by the arm. They then walked past Di Mingjue and entered the hotel.
Whether it was guilt or genuine concern, shouldn’t such intimate gestures be his role? Di Mingjue watched them disappear into the hotel lobby, then quickly followed, suppressing his jealousy.
“I’ll take him,” he said, taking Gu Xiuyu from Ye Ziyu’s grasp and heading directly for the elevator.
Ye Ziyu paused for a moment before entering the elevator and pressing the floor number.
“You’re staying on the same floor?” Di Mingjue asked, looking at the rising numbers.
“Mm,” Ye Ziyu nodded.
The elevator arrived at the presidential suite on the top floor. Ye Ziyu led Di Mingjue clearly to the doorway of Gu Xiuyu’s room.
“You must have been quite shaken today too. Get some rest early, and don’t worry about me,” Gu Xiuyu said to Ye Ziyu at the room’s entrance.
Glancing at the bandage on his head, Ye Ziyu reminded him, “Your wound cannot get wet. Call us if you need anything. My room is next door.”
Indeed, it was next door, just separated by a single wall!
Di Mingjue watched them exchange pleasantries, their conversation seemingly endless. With growing displeasure, he put his arm around Ye Ziyu’s waist and pulled her aside. “Rest well, Mr. Gu!”
*Bang* The door was slammed shut.
With Gu Xiuyu gone, Ye Ziyu finally remembered to question Di Mingjue.
“Why are you here?”
And how did he know which hotel she was staying at?
Di Mingjue looked at her lips, which had been talking to Gu Xiuyu and showing him concern all day. A gnawing ache, like a cat scratching, spread through his heart.
“What’s wrong? Are you not feeling well?” Ye Ziyu raised her hand, but before she could touch Di Mingjue’s forehead, her wrist was seized by him. A sharp pain shot through her, causing her to gasp. “What is wrong with you!”
His response was his lips pressing against hers.
His lips tore at hers with fierce intensity. Di Mingjue’s body forced Ye Ziyu onto the bed. There was no tenderness as before; Ye Ziyu was pushed down, her head hitting the pillow. She felt disoriented, taking a long moment to regain her senses.
“Let go of me!” Ye Ziyu struggled, trying to break free from his touch.
If she could help Gu Xiuyu so readily, why couldn’t she be intimate with him, her husband?
Jealousy transformed Di Mingjue into an unbridled wolf. He unbuckled his belt and used it to bind Ye Ziyu’s wrists.
Ye Ziyu met his bloodshot eyes, watching as Di Mingjue raised her bound hands above her head.