Volume One, Chapter 16: I Am Your Husband

“Uncle?”

Gu Li watched as he approached step by step, his face cold and expressionless, the whirlpool in his eyes seeming to engulf her. She shrank her neck, and as he came closer, she closed her eyes in fright, her voice trembling with tears. “I’m a patient now.”

Before she could endure his torment, the bed suddenly dipped. Opening her eyes, she saw Fu Yancheng lying beside her. Startled, she tried to turn over.

“Don’t move!” Fu Yancheng caught her, preventing her from falling. He closed his eyes and let out a low, cold snort. “Your uncle hasn’t slept for two days. He wants to rest a little.”

Hearing his sarcastic tone, Gu Li almost smiled, but then a sudden pain hit, and she hissed, “It hurts.”

“I’ll go get the doctor,” Fu Yancheng said, pulling back the covers as he turned to leave.

Gu Li grabbed the corner of his shirt, shaking her head. “I was just speaking casually.” After all, they were getting a divorce.

Fu Yancheng’s body stiffened. He frowned and looked back at her. Seeing her squinting fox-like eyes and the smile she gave him, his face darkened.

He reached out, gripping her jaw firmly, his voice stern and cold. “I am your husband!”

Gu Li wanted to retort but feared he might get rough, so she fell silent.

Outside the door, someone’s expression changed abruptly upon hearing those words. Clenching their fists, they walked away.

Fu Yancheng heard the faint footsteps and his expression softened. He gently lifted the covers and slipped back in.

Gu Li watched him lean against the pillow with his eyes closed. His thick, sharp brows, straight nose, and piercing eyes softened in sleep, long lashes casting a shadow, and his pale lips delicate and tender.

He was truly handsome. If he lived in ancient times, he would be a figure capable of toppling kingdoms. Only in sleep did he seem so peaceful.

He smelled pleasant now, no longer faintly of tobacco but with a subtle, fresh fragrance.

Gu Li recoiled slightly, keeping her distance. She turned over, weary, and closed her eyes.

Only when she breathed steadily did the person behind her slowly open his dark eyes. He watched her curled-up, fragile form—a posture revealing deep insecurity.

Gu Li, what exactly are you thinking?

When Gu Li woke, it was already early morning.

The person beside her had long since left. She realized last night was the best sleep she had had since being reborn.

Feeling hungry and thirsty, she reached for the glass on the bedside table, but her short arms couldn’t reach it. As she tried to move, a hand suddenly appeared, lifting the glass and placing it in front of her.

Looking up, she saw Lu Zhaobei’s face. Instantly, her expression turned cold. “What are you doing here?”

“I came to see you.” Lu Zhaobei smiled faintly when she didn’t respond and set the glass back. Despite her cold demeanor, he didn’t get angry and sat on the stool by the bed.

Gu Li turned her head, clenching her fists, unwilling to look at him. “Get out. I don’t want to see you!”

Last time, he nearly strangled her. And now, he dared to show up again.

Seeing her scornfully turn away, Lu Zhaobei suppressed his anger. Noticing her bandaged hand, some of his fury eased. He placed a bag on her bedside and said, “Your favorite steamed buns and soy milk.”

Gu Li glanced at the items on the table, then waved them away. With a loud crash, everything spilled to the floor. She scoffed, “Who cares about your things? Get lost!”

Seeing the buns scattered on the floor, Lu Zhaobei didn’t get angry. Instead, he smiled cruelly, looking at her hand. “Looks like you got stabbed and hurt your hand too. Still no lesson learned.”

Gu Li shot him a fierce glare. “Did you send someone to cause trouble and hurt me?”

“That’s too petty even for me,” Lu Zhaobei sneered. He stood and walked to the window, then turned back, speaking each word deliberately. “But Gu Li, you made Fu Yancheng blacklist me in Hanjing. Have you thought about my situation?”

“I didn’t make him do that,” Gu Li replied coldly, “but you nearly strangled me.”

Lu Zhaobei was skilled at pretense.

In her past life, he had her do all the work to maintain his reputation outside, care for his father-in-law, and when money was tight, forced her to struggle alone. The adopted children were her responsibility, and he beat and scolded her mercilessly until she nearly died from exhaustion.

This life, he nearly strangled her again. If possible, she wanted to stay far away from him, never to see him again.

He said nothing, nor denied it. He just looked at her with a sinister smile that chilled her to the bone.

Gu Li eyed him warily. “So what do you want now?”

“I want you to beg Fu Yancheng to lift the blacklist against me.”

“Don’t even think about it!” Gu Li refused without hesitation. She would never plead to Fu Yancheng for someone like him. They were about to divorce, and at this moment, she would not bow to him.

Lu Zhaobei seemed to anticipate her reply. He didn’t get angry but took out his phone and held it before her eyes with a crazed, triumphant grin.

“Look at this.”

Gu Li looked up to see the screen displaying an urn inscribed with her grandmother’s name—the very calligraphy her grandmother had written before passing.

Her eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at him. She leaned on the bed edge, nails digging painfully into her flesh, tears streaming down. Through gritted teeth, she hissed, “You… you actually dug up Grandma’s grave and took her ashes. Lu Zhaobei, you’re not human. Where did you take Grandma’s urn?”

“I knew you’d only get this upset for Grandma,” he sneered.

Lu Zhaobei saw her crying with tear-streaked cheeks—this was the first time he’d seen her like this. Though moved, he refused to soften.

“Come at me all you want. You have Fu Yancheng; you’re not afraid.”

Right to the point.

Indeed, no matter what they did to her, she was fearless. Nothing could threaten her.

Except for Grandma.

She hadn’t expected that after Grandma’s death, they would still disturb her peace.

“You’re worse than beasts, treating Grandma like this. Aren’t you afraid…”

“Do you think I’m scared of ghosts after all you’ve done to me?” Lu Zhaobei mocked.

“Now, I’m giving you two days. Have Fu Yancheng lift the blacklist and come to the place I told you to retrieve Grandma’s ashes. Otherwise, I’ll throw Grandma’s urn into the sea, never letting her rest in peace!”

Gu Li watched his ruthless expression, just as merciless as before.

“Don’t leave, Lu Zhaobei. Give me back Grandma. Don’t go!”

Bang!

Gu Li fell to the floor along with the blanket. She lay there, tears pouring down, her palms bleeding from digging her nails in, but she didn’t care.

She crawled toward the door, unable to focus on anything else. Only one thought consumed her: find Grandma’s urn.