You Owe Me, My Love

Chapter 378 Good Morning

“Follow me. The fifteenth floor is on fire,” Gu Mingchen uttered lowly as he swept a displeased gaze over the duo before turning away.

Wu Nian felt a rush of puzzlement when he gave her the cold shoulder.

Did he come all the way up here to inform them? When did Gu Mingchen become such an amiable person?

Wu Nian turned to Aaron with a bewildered gaze.

The man gave her a warm smile in response. “Although the fire is spreading upwards, the thirteenth floor might be affected as well. I figure that it will cause a commotion tonight. Why don't we change hotels?”

"You haven't slept for two days. It sounds like a good idea.” Wu Nian nodded in agreement. “I'll help you pack your luggage. You should get a good rest.”

“It's fine. I can organize things myself. Why don’t you wait for me in the lobby?” Aaron replied gently.

Wu Nian did not wish to burden others if the fire were to spread. She quickly entered the corridor, and she soon noticed Gu Mingchen lurking around the corner. He looked livid. His bright eyes looked enraged, whilst his lips were pinched into a straight line.

I should have a proper conversation with him when I have the chance.

The full brunt of his rage seemed to be directed towards her. Under his scrutiny, Wu Nian felt a feeling of unease blossom in her heart.

She began to head downstairs, but Gu Mingchen clutched her arm in a firm grasp.

“I'll send you home,” the man said darkly when they had descended to the fifth floor.

Wu Nian rejected his offer politely. “It's alright.”

Her answer seemed to snap something within him. Gu Mingchen glared at her with a sharp gaze. “I insist on sending you back,” he retorted.

She felt her temper flare upon his remark. “Mr. Gu, don’t you think you're acting like a tyrant? I have my own free will to do as I please,” she said curtly and shrugged his hand off her arm.

Gu Mingchen sidled closer as he noted her flushed face filled with anger. A flicker of anguish and pain flashed across his dark eyes when he saw her expression.

Wu Nian felt entranced by his gaze.

“Didn’t you study psychology? You should be able to put yourself in my shoes. How do you think you'd feel if you were in my position?” Gu Mingchen murmured. His bright stare remained fixated intently on her.

“What do you mean?” Wu Nian spluttered in a moment of panic as she looked at him hesitantly. “Are you playing dumb? You are an intelligent person. I'm sure you understand what I mean perfectly.” He let out a bitter laugh.

Wu Nian felt a feeling of unease settle in her gut as she tried to brace herself. “Mr. Gu, please stop beating around the bush. If you think I want me to understand your implications, you should just cut straight to the chase.”

The haze of rage in Gu Mingchen's eyes seemed to thicken when he caught sight of her stoic gaze. "What if I told you I like you? Would you run away from me?” he asked.

Wu Nian jolted in shock when she heard his confession as their gazes locked. Gu Mingchen likes Wu Nian? Should I be feeling delighted or sad?

She struggled to make a decision, feeling her cheeks flush warmly.

Although the man had feelings for Wu Nian, she was sure that his affection wouldn't last. Ultimately, Gu Mingchen would find his perfect partner. If he falls for another woman, I should be happy for him!

“I'm sorry, but I have a boyfriend. I'm sure I'm not the type Mr. Gu fancies. If you cannot change your feelings towards me, I will shift my own behavior and morals,” Wu Nian replied coolly.

“I can't believe you were naive enough to trust me. It's good to be straightforward, however, you shouldn't waste your breath on such insignificant things.” Gu Mingchen’s tone was light despite the way his eyes were clouding over like a dark storm. The man then let out a curt chuckle.

“I don't need your judgment to determine my mistakes. Do you think you have the right to interfere with other's lives as you please? You should refrain from running your mouth so recklessly,” Wu Nian snapped in anger.

Gu Mingchen remained silent at her outburst as he looked at her with a solemn stare.

She detested when he acted in such an aloof manner. Although she could not decipher his stony expression, he could still read her mood like it was an open book.

Disgruntled, she decided to end the conversation and descended the stairs.

The hotel lobby was packed with guests. “According to the footage from the surveillance cameras, a woman on the fifteenth floor triggered the smoke alarms because she set money on fire. Please remain calm. There's currently no existing fire hazard in the hotel,” the hotel manager explained with a smile, attempting to reassure the frantic guests.

Wu Nian headed outside to call Aaron and inform him about the situation. “The hotel manager explained that there was a woman who set fire to money on the fifteenth floor. There is no imminent danger. You don't have to come down anymore,” she told him over the phone.

"Okay, is the lift working now? I can meet you downstairs,” Aaron asked tenderly.

“It's alright. I'm going to head home now. I'm still worried about Liu Yan. Thank you for your offer, though,” Wu Nian declined politely.

"Alright then. I have a flight back to Ustrana at eight in the morning tomorrow. Since it's such an early flight, you don't have to send me off. I'll call you when I reach Ustrana. Remember to pick up the phone, alright? If you don't, I'm afraid I'll start to worry,” Aaron joked with a chuckle.

“You should sleep early tonight. Good night.”

"What should I do? I can't bear to wish you farewell,” Aaron remained on the call as he peered out the window to spot Wu Nian'’s tiny figure beneath the maple tree.

Instinctively, the woman tilted her head to the fourteenth floor and caught sight of Aaron. “The pain of our parting is nothing compared to the joy of meeting again,” she said.

"Goodnight. I'll watch as you leave,” Aaron stated with a cheerful grin.

“Goodnight.” At that, Wu Nian ended the call and headed to the parking lot. Quickly, she entered her car and sped off into the distance.

As she drove, everything that had occurred tonight kept resurfacing in her thoughts. More specifically, she was haunted by the incident that happened with Gu Mingchen in the hotel room. Additionally, her mind constantly wandered to the conversation that they had at the stairs.

The more she thought about it, Wu Nian couldn't help but realize that Gu Mingchen was acting strangely. His attitude and tone of voice were a stark contrast to his usual demeanor. It felt as if he had discovered that she was Bai Rong

Yet, he couldn't have possibly discovered her true identity. She'd replaced her appearance, name, and records. Wu Nian had even gone to great lengths to change her DNA.

Where on earth did I make a mistake?

As she was lost in her thoughts, Wu Nian belatedly realized that she'd already returned to the manor.

Initially, she had plans to visit Liu Yan. However, she was halted by the manor’s butler before she could enter.

“Ms. Liu and Mr. Shen are asleep right now,” the butler informed her with a warm smile. “It's best not to interrupt them if there are no pressing matters.”

Realization dawned upon Wu Nian. Shen Yiyan had an insatiable appetite whenever he visited Liu Yan.

Her heart sank in despair as she trudged towards the garden and gazed at the night sky.

Tonight, there was a bright moon and a sea of twinkling stars that hung in the sky. The moon and the stars seemed to keep each other company. It must be nice to have a partner by your side.

Her phone began to ring as she took a seat on the wooden bench by the lake.

She glanced at her screen and noticed an incoming call from Aaron. “Why aren't you asleep yet?” she asked the moment she answered his call.

“I was worried about you. Are you back home yet?” the man on the line asked gently. The tone of Aaron's voice was raspier and deeper than usual. He must be close to nodding off.

“I just reached home. I'm sorry for making you worry,” Wu Nian apologized.

“It's fine. You should sleep early tonight.”

Wu Nian's heart warmed when she heard Aaron's affectionate voice. “You too.”

That night, she fell into an uneasy slumber and woke up around eight twenty in the morning. Quickly, she brushed her teeth and headed to the gardens for a jog. From afar, she spotted Gu Mingchen's lone figure seated on the wooden bench by the lake.

He had also taken notice of her.

Immediately, Wu Nian had a strong desire to jog at a different location. Yet, he'd already noticed her. If she ignored him and left the garden, it'd looked like she was running away with her tail tucked between her legs.

“Good morning, Mr. Gu," she called out with a forceful wave as she jogged over.