Ming Li wanted to say that her birthday wasn’t actually today, but she figured the fact that Gu Qingshuang remembered the general timing was already quite an achievement. She couldn’t bring herself to be nitpicky.
Opening the velvet box, Ming Li saw a diamond necklace. The blue diamond looked like the deep ocean—mysterious and beautiful. It was clearly very valuable. Gu Qingshuang had even deliberately discarded the gift bag and receipt, likely fearing Ming Li would see the price.
It was a thoughtful gesture, in its own way.
Ming Li closed the lid and said softly, “Thank you.”
She didn’t show excessive delight, but she smiled politely.
Gu Qingshuang felt a bit anxious. She rarely gave gifts; usually, the recipient just told her what they wanted, and she paid for it. This necklace was different. She had gone to the mall specifically to pick it after work. The clerk had pushed a white pearl necklace, but she felt that didn’t suit Ming Li.
Ming Li suited blue—the color of a mysterious ocean. Calm on the surface, but with turbulent currents within. Currents that Gu Qingshuang had yet to step into.
Before she had left the mall, the rain had started. She had heard someone mention a bakery was good and that a new milk tea shop had opened nearby. People said rainy days were perfect for milk tea. On a whim, she had bought some.
But on her way back, she had spotted two stray cats huddled in a corner outside the courtyard, seemingly on their last legs. Gu Qingshuang had slammed on the brakes and jumped out to help. The sudden stop caused the milk tea on the passenger seat to fly onto the floor mat, splashing everywhere.
…It was a rather embarrassing story.
The milk tea was ruined. Gu Qingshuang had wanted to offer something extra to smooth things over, but she didn’t know what else to give. The bread was in the downstairs fridge, destined for breakfast. If she asked the maid to bring it up now, Ming Li would surely think she had lost her mind.
She strangled that dangerous thought in its cradle.
Since Ming Li didn’t show explicit joy over the carefully chosen gift, Gu Qingshuang felt a twinge of discomfort, though she couldn’t say why. Logically, as long as the gift was delivered and the intent was clear, it should be enough. For her, this was just a way to settle the “debt” of the beads Ming Li had given her.
So why did she care if Ming Li liked it?
Gu Qingshuang frowned. Lately, her concern for Ming Li was starting to overstep the boundaries of their contract. After a moment’s thought, she decided it must be guilt over the fact that her illness had caused Ming Li to miss an important performance.
Gu Qingshuang pursed her lips and asked, “If you don’t like it much, you can pick something else. I’ll buy it for you.”
Ming Li had no idea how she had reached that conclusion. “I like it very much,” she said, offering another smile and a second thank you. Then, she urged her again: “Go on, shower. Careful you don’t catch a cold.”
Gu Qingshuang looked at her suspiciously, sensing something was still off, but before she could think further, she was pushed into the bathroom.
Only when she was alone did Ming Li let out a quiet breath. She reopened the red velvet box. The blue diamond glittered under the lights like a rolling wave.
In three years of marriage, this was the first gift Gu Qingshuang had ever given her.
If only she had given it tomorrow. Then, the date Ming Li had so carefully chosen for their wedding would have felt worthwhile.
Because tomorrow wasn’t just Ming Li’s birthday. It was also their wedding anniversary. They had been married for exactly three years.
Ming Li didn’t receive Gu Fei’s reply until she woke up the next morning.
She had slept reasonably well. Gu Qingshuang was still asleep when she got up, her brow furrowed as if caught in a nightmare. Ming Li gently reached out to smooth the wrinkles on her forehead before tiptoeing out of bed.
After a quick wash in the bathroom, she prepared to go to the guest room to do her makeup. Unexpectedly, Gu Qingshuang woke up. She sat up, stretched, and said tonelessly, “Just do it in the room.”
This woman always looked cold and composed, even upon waking; there was never a hint of grogginess. Ming Li glanced at her and sat at the vanity to start her makeup.
Gu Qingshuang pressed the remote, and the electric curtains slid open, letting the sunlight in. She watched Ming Li for a moment, her gaze lingering on Ming Li’s neck for a few seconds before turning to the window.
The torrential rain of the previous night had nearly turned her into a drowned rat, but now the sun was shining brightly—though it lacked the intensity of summer. The light held the solemnity of autumn.
Ming Li finished her makeup quickly. Gu Qingshuang, despite waking up later, finished at almost the same time. She didn’t wear much—at most some primer and cushion foundation, with a light lipstick. Since she was going to the hospital, it was better to look natural.
When she was done, she noticed Ming Li’s neck was still bare. The slender, white “swan neck” looked empty without an accessory.
Noticing the look, Ming Li hesitated. “What is it? Is my makeup wrong?”
“No,” Gu Qingshuang said, shaking her head and saying nothing more.
Ming Li noticed that Gu Qingshuang’s lipstick had bled slightly because she had pursed her lips too hard. She pointed to her own lips, gesturing for Gu Qingshuang to wipe it.
Gu Qingshuang blinked. “Hmm?”
Her expression was startled, but she seemed to think Ming Li was asking for a kiss.
Ming Li thought she didn’t understand and tapped the corner of her own mouth again. “Right here.”
The next second, Gu Qingshuang leaned in—hesitantly, but with precision—and kissed her.
Ming Li was stunned.
“No,” Ming Li said, biting her lip. “It was your…”
Gu Qingshuang stared at her, dazed.
Ming Li pushed through the embarrassment. “Your lipstick is smudged.”
Gu Qingshuang: “…”
Visibly, Gu Qingshuang began to overheat. From her ears to her neck, every patch of exposed skin turned crimson. Ming Li sighed, pulled a tissue, and wiped the smudge away. Seeing the mismatch of colors from where their lipsticks had met, Ming Li reached out to blend it with her finger.
Gu Qingshuang gave a low cough and took a half-step back. “I can… press my lips together.” Her voice was suddenly a bit strained.
Ming Li was also embarrassed, looking away as her eyes darted around. “Oh.”
The atmosphere in the room turned bizarre—a strange, indescribable intimacy. Gu Qingshuang was the first to speak. “Are you ready?”
“Yes,” Ming Li answered, trying to calm her heart and cool her burning ears.
Gu Qingshuang hated the flustered state she was in. It was just a misunderstanding. Kissing wasn’t new. They had done far more intimate things. It was just a brief, clothed peck.
She tried to comfort herself, but her heart refused to settle. Using the lingering emotion, she asked, “What about the necklace? Aren’t you wearing it?”
![The Female Lead Wants Me to Take My Medicine [Quick Transmigration]](https://i0.wp.com/dobytranslations.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/16582110617.png?resize=151,215 "The Female Lead Wants Me to Take My Medicine [Quick Transmigration]")
