You Owe Me, My Love

Chapter 377 You Have My Permission

Wu Nian stared at him in shock and could not believe that such words would come out of his mouth. She was puzzled why he would say such a thing.

“I think you may have misunderstood, and I apologize for any behavior that caused this misunderstanding. All this while, I've never had any improper thoughts or, you know, weird desires about you. I just wanted a job that seems challenging. That's all.” Wu Nian explained anxiously.

Gu Mingchen lifted her chin and brushed her lips softly with his thumb. “I don't care about what happened before. But from now onwards, you can imagine all you want.”

Upon that, Wu Nian's heart thumped wildly in her chest. She scrutinized Gu Mingchen'’s face, trying to identify his real intention.

His tone was not frivolous at all, nor did he have any trace of lust in his eyes. On the contrary, there was a hint of anger lingering in those darkened eyes.

Is he testing me?

“I have a boyfriend.” Wu Nian tried to push him away.

Regardless, Gu Mingchen continued to provoke, “Isn't two-timing a habit of yours?”

“What?” Wu Nian couldn't understand what Gu Mingchen meant.

“It's nothing.” Gu Mingchen got up and sat back in his seat while locking his intense gaze on her. Under his stare, Wu Nian was feeling even more anxious now. “I'll go check on Aaron.”

With that, she rushed to the door.

"As far as I know, Aaron has a fiancée in Ustrana, and they're still together. You're too dumb to not know that,” Gu Mingchen murmured coldly.

Wu Nian froze as she felt a blow to her heart.

She was aware that Aaron was not a particularly loyal person. It was only when she hung out with him a couple of times did she realize this.

The fiancée that Gu Mingchen mentioned must be the one Aaron spoke of earlier, whom he met through an arranged marriage.

However, even after learning this news, she was not upset. As a matter of fact, she even felt kind of relieved.

Maybe it was because of that, she felt like they finally broke even.

“I know what I'm doing. But I think you're the one who doesn't know what you're doing!” Wu Nian opened the door and stepped outside. After she came out of the room, she leaned against the wall and stared blankly into space.

"Are you waiting for me?” She did not realize it when Aaron appeared in front of her just then. “Yeah.” Wu Nian gave a short reply. She calmed herself down and grabbed the bag of supplies from Aaron's hand. After that, Aaron followed Wu Nian into the room.

Gu Mingchen was still on the couch after she left the room. The man emanated an icy cold aura, which would usually scare off people who tried to get close to him.

The bitterness in her heart had not yet subsided, but still, she walked over and squatted down in front of Gu Mingchen. “Theres no need for you to help me with the bandage since I can do it myself. Besides, your arm is injured as well, so you should probably leave now.”

"Why don't I do it instead?” Aaron asked politely.

However, Gu Mingchen rejected him, “It's fine. By the way, send my regards to Lisa for me.”

Aaron froze for a while at his remark and responded, “Have a good rest then.”

He held Wu Nian's hand, and they left Gu Mingchen’s room.

As soon as they left, Gu Mingchen threw the things that Aaron bought to the floor.

I can't speak bluntly as I'm afraid she will run away. And I can't hug her and kiss her, yet I have to watch her leave with another man. This is killing me.

Meanwhile, Wu Nian had followed Aaron into the elevator, and he remained quiet the entire time. From the way Gu Mingchen said it, she knew Lisa must be Aaron's fiancée.

“I have thought about it for quite a while, and I didn't know whether I should mention it to you.” Wu Nian decided to break the silence.

Aaron looked at Wu Nian and spoke meekly, “I was thinking about the same thing. Anyway, ladies first, so please go ahead.”

“I could continue to play dumb if I want the plan to go on smoothly. Yet my conscience won't allow me to do so anymore. I've not only used you but also hurt Lisa in the process. So I..."

“Lisa was the one I told you before — the one my parents introduced. We're engaged, but we both feel that we're not fit for each other. However, our marriage is related to two large families, so that's why we're delaying it.

“I will go back to deal with it and come back to you. Would you please give me a chance? I know that I shouldn't have lied, and perhaps, it is my fault to deliberately ignore the fact that Lisa is, in fact, my fiancée. But I am serious about you, about us,” Aaron explained in advance.

Wu Nian turned away as her mind was in a mess. “I don't blame you because I'm not innocent either. Aaron, don't be rash and don't be fooled by the illusion in front of you. You should consider carefully what you want. People say time would heal the deepest wounds, but I don't think my heart may ever heal at all...”

"Well, lucky you, because my greatest strength just so happened to be patience.”

"But what if it takes a lifetime? I'm afraid I no longer have the courage to love again.” Wu Nian was truly concerned about this.

She was afraid that others would sacrifice meaninglessly for her. If she could never bring herself to love Aaron and yet affect Aaron and Lisa's marriage, she would definitely blame herself for a long time.

But at the same time, she also worried that if she rejected Aaron, he would refuse to help Liu Yan escape.

We are constantly battling with ourselves, unable to resolve it or get out. We can only keep trying and searching in this life, not knowing if our decisions or outcome is right.

“Even If I fail to make you fall in love with me after a lifetime, at least my life will be meaningful.” Aaron held her shoulders and pulled her into his arms. “Wu Nian, you have been bearing too much burden. Sometimes, you don't have to worry so much.”

Wu Nian lowered her head to hide the tears in her eyes.

It was all because she had gone through too much. If she could go back in time, she would choose not to drag anyone down.

Ding!

Right then, the sound of the elevator door opening interrupted their conversation.

“I booked an extra room earlier when I passed by the front desk. It's already late, and your arm's injured. Initially, I wanted to send you back, but I know you will reject the offer. But I am worried about you driving back alone. If you don't mind, you can stay here tonight. We will be in separate rooms anyway, so you should feel more comfortable.” Aaron helped her to open the room door and inserted the room card into the wall slot.

“Thank you.” Wu Nian uttered.

“I will go back to Ustrana tomorrow to deal with Lisa's matter. Will you accompany me back to Ustrana? Grandma may want to see you.” Aaron proposed softly, without any confidence.

Wu Nian shook her head. “I need to help Liu Yan get this deal before she could take her children to Ustrana.”

Aaron smiled. “I envy her so much. You have sacrificed a lot for her.”

“That's because you don't know what she had done for me. Everything started because of me and should be ended by me.” Wu Nian murmured guiltily.

“Baby,” Aaron hugged Wu Nian’s waist and said, “You should be happier, and you deserve all the happiness in the world. My heart aches to see you this way.”

Wu Nian raised the corners of her mouth, forcing a smile on her face. However, there was clearly no joy within her. Even so, Aaron was even more drawn towards her as he gazed at her fondly.

“I will marry you,” Aaron promised and then added, “that is — as long as you agree.”

Before Wu Nian could respond, they heard the hotel's alarm bell beeping promptly.

She looked at Aaron, disturbed. “Is that a fire alarm?”

The second she finished her question, they saw Gu Mingchen appearing from the safety exit.