"This isn't something that can be explained in just a few words. Suffice it to say, it wasn't a hasty decision—as I told you last night."
He clearly had no desire to elaborate, yet she clearly wanted answers.
"Beibei, you barely knew each other before rushing into marriage. How is that not impulsive?"
Long Yubei was silent for a few moments, a trace of confusion darkening his deep-set eyes.
"I have never been a reckless man. Our marriage may appear impulsive, but it wasn't. It was a decision I made with full consideration."
He Meiwei said nothing more. The matter was settled. Nothing she said now could change a thing.
But the image of the woman standing so joyfully by his side stirred bitter resentment in her gaze.
Silence thickened in the room.
Long Yubei pulled out his phone and sent a message to Gu Lili. A reply came almost instantly.
Just as he was about to respond, he heard He Meiwei's voice beside him.
"Beibei…"
He looked up. "Hmm?"
"Please… you must help me. I want to live."
"I will help you."
At that moment, Gu Lili entered the room. "Help her if you must—but if she dares to cause trouble or play any more games, then that's where I draw the line. And another thing… that 'Beibei'—I never want to hear it again. Call him by his name or as Mr. Long. Is that clear?"
He Meiwei frowned. "I'll call him whatever I want."
"Well then, I'm afraid the donor search will have to be called off." Gu Lili turned to Long Yubei. "Don't you agree?"
"I'll follow your lead."
He Meiwei: "…"
"Make a choice," Gu Lili said coolly. "Do you want our help, or not?"
Biting her lip, He Meiwei finally lowered her once-proud head. "I choose help."
"Then don't let me hear that word again. And do remember—he's my husband. If you plan to covet him, I'm sorry to tell you, I don't take kindly to rivals."
Watching her firm stance, a subtle smile tugged at the corners of Long Yubei's lips.
On their way back, the couple walked hand in hand.
Gu Lili looked up at him. "You may not love me now, but one day you will."
Taken aback by her sudden declaration, Long Yubei asked, "And what if that day never comes?"
"It will," she replied with unshakable confidence, as though her certainty had drifted from some celestial realm. She patted her chest. "A woman like me is one of a kind. Not loving me would be your loss. In fact, I have a feeling you'll fall for me so deeply you won't be able to live without me."
"I managed just fine for the first twenty-five years of my life without you."
"That's only because you hadn't tasted me yet," she said smugly. "I'm addictive. Once you've had me, there's no going back. So when I'm not around, you'd better keep your hands—and your words—to yourself. No other woman is allowed to take advantage of you, not even verbally."
"Got it, little Miss Housekeeper."
The more time Gu Lili spent with him, the more she realized that although he often seemed cold and aloof, he was, in truth, rather gentle.
She had a home now—and she cared deeply about it.
Not only did she want to strengthen its foundations, she was ready to defend it from all threats.
"Why did you call me out here?" Long Fengxi asked, eyeing the man across from her.
"What are your plans now that you've returned?"
"I only came back for my brother's wedding. Now that it's over, I'm still debating whether to stay or leave."
No sooner had she spoken than Shen Congmo responded, firm and irrefutable,
"Stay."