Chapter 34: A Rational Conversation Part 2

Ming Li found it almost funny, her lips curling slightly until she heard Gu Qingshuang say, “Because I don’t know what the problem is between us.”

Ming Li raised her eyelids and stared at her. Gu Qingshuang was genuinely trying to solve the issue. She had sensed the change in their dynamic—the “magnetic fields” were no longer in sync because Ming Li had stopped making concessions.

This made Gu Qingshuang feel insecure.

Ming Li knew that Gu Qingshuang loved a static, unchanging life; she even preferred the incense in her room to always be the same scent.

But Ming Li couldn’t go back to the way things were. Her internal exhaustion, anxiety, and fear had caused her to go temporarily deaf once. She was terrified of one day losing her hearing for real, so she was fighting to change her circumstances.

Especially after Gu Qingshuang had done something so difficult to accept.

To put it another way, she was saving herself, and Gu Qingshuang had simply provided the stage for it. But this performance made Gu Qingshuang uncomfortable.

Since Gu Qingshuang had made her stance clear, Ming Li stopped avoiding her. She let out a soft sigh and said, “Mingyue is still in the shower. She’ll cry if she comes out and can’t find me. I’ll talk to you after I get her to sleep.”

Gu Qingshuang paused. “The study or the bedroom?”

“The study,” Ming Li replied.

Since this was just a contract, they might as well keep it professional. She would try her best to be rational and calm, stripping away all emotion.

After her bath, Mingyue emerged wrapped in a large towel. Since there were no children’s clothes in the house, Ming Li put one of her old T-shirts on her to use as a nightgown.

It was getting late, so Ming Li tucked Mingyue into bed and prepared to tell her a story.

As soon as she hit the mattress, Mingyue asked, “Where’s your wife? Isn’t she sleeping with us?”

“She’s resting in the other room,” Ming Li replied.

“Did you guys have a fight?”

“No. Why would you ask that?”

“The vibe between you two is weird. That’s not what people in love are like.”

“You know about being in love?”

“…”

Mingyue turned her head away huffily, only to turn back a moment later. “I haven’t done it myself, but I’ve seen others do it!”

Ming Li laughed. “And who have you seen?”

“On TV.” Mingyue gestured seriously: They hold hands, hug, kiss, and sleep together.

Ming Li: “…”

She had thought Mingyue only watched Paw Patrol.

Mingyue explained that Ming Xi thought she liked that show, so that’s what she watched with her. In reality, she usually spent her time on her iPad watching idol dramas.

Ming Li didn’t know how she had ended up discussing this with an eight-year-old. The conversation had veered completely off track. She quickly urged Mingyue to sleep to change the subject.

Mingyue shook her head. “I’m not sleepy yet. And I can sleep by myself tonight.”

Given that they were in a strange place, Ming Li was surprised. “You aren’t scared?”

“Can I have a stuffed animal? I’ll sleep with it,” Mingyue gestured. You should go sleep with your wife.

Ming Li: “…?”

Ming Li had no idea what went on in that little head of hers, but it felt like she was being given a lesson in romance.

Ming Li quickly called for a timeout. Since Gu Qingshuang was waiting and Mingyue insisted she wasn’t afraid, Ming Li handed over her iPad and went to the study.

***

Gu Qingshuang was looking through a miscellaneous book—a romance novel she’d found on the corner of a shelf.

She had no idea how such a strange thing had ended up in her collection, but since it was a blind spot in her knowledge, she decided to flip through it.

It happened to be a Girls’ Love novel about two childhood friends. They grew up together, and one night, after drinking together, they kissed, and their feelings shifted.

Gu Qingshuang was reading the novel as if she were researching a thesis. When Ming Li walked in, she assumed she was working.

She saw Gu Qingshuang fold the corner of the page to mark her place before closing the book. The bright green cover depicted two girls holding hands, with the title Girl, You Are My Sugar in bold letters.

It looked… very old-fashioned.

Ming Li’s lip twitched at the title, but she sat down calmly across from Gu Qingshuang. “Let’s talk.”

There was no atmosphere—just a blunt, direct opening that left Gu Qingshuang stunned for a few seconds. Her mind was still stuck on the novel she’d just been reading.

After a moment, Gu Qingshuang said, “I feel like our state of mind lately has been all wrong. When we speak, it’s easy for emotions to escalate, and we end up resolving nothing while I upset you for no reason.”

As she spoke, she produced two sheets of paper and handed Ming Li a pen. “So, it’s better to write it down. Any grievances or thoughts you have about me, and what you want me to do in the future. That includes the follow-up for the situation with Shen Chang and Ming Xi—I will do my best to meet your requirements.”

Gu Qingshuang’s voice was calm, but Ming Li detected a hint of weariness.

What had Gu Qingshuang gone through in just two short days?

Ming Li didn’t ask. She simply twirled the pen. “And what is your goal?”

“To solve the problem and return to the starting point,” Gu Qingshuang said.

Ming Li asked, “Which starting point? When we first got married, or… before Shen Lideng returned to the country?”

Ming Li hesitated to mention Shen Lideng’s name, but she felt that woman was an unavoidable presence in their relationship. Without addressing her, they could never reach the state Gu Qingshuang desired.

The moment the name was spoken, the atmosphere in the study turned heavy.

Gu Qingshuang said in a low voice, “You know about Shen Lideng?”

Ming Li shrugged. “I know some things. More importantly, she’s Shen Chang’s sister.”

“I will go over her head to handle the Shen Chang situation,” Gu Qingshuang said. “You can rest assured on that.”

“But what about between you and her?” Ming Li asked.

Gu Qingshuang frowned slightly, seemingly not understanding the question. Her relationship with Shen Lideng had ended long ago. The moment Shen Lideng chose Paris over staying to marry her, she had felt a sense of freedom like never before.

Why did Ming Li make it sound like there was still something between them?

“There is nothing between Shen Lideng and me.” Gu Qingshuang tried to explain, using a different angle to help Ming Li understand. “It’s like you and Zhu Hanxing; when you encounter difficulties, you help each other out.”

Ming Li: “…”

Her expression instantly darkened.

Gu Qingshuang continued in her neutral tone, “While I don’t have any difficulties that require her help, her situation is unique. When she encounters problems domestically, she seeks my assistance. For certain reasons, I help her, but it isn’t love. You can be at ease; I haven’t breached our contract.”

Ming Li said coldly, “Zhu Hanxing and I never dated.”

After a pause, she realized Gu Qingshuang might not understand the sting of her words, so she twisted the knife. “You say it’s not love, but you help her. Yet I’m the one you’re married to, and you wouldn’t help me.”