Chapter 120: I Love You
Shen Xi bit her lower lip. She knew exactly who was behind her but felt so awkward that she didn’t dare turn around.
Wang Lei, who was facing the man, felt like he had just been poured with a bucket of ice water. He stood frozen in place, unable to say a word.
He had seen this man before, the last time at the entrance of the KTV. That cold, sharp-featured face was impossible to forget.
And just now, this man had called Shen Xi "Wife"?
Everything instantly clicked in his mind. This must be Gu Hanling, Shen Xi’s husband.
Cursing Shi Jingyan a hundred times in his head, Wang Lei’s face twisted with jealousy. That whole "fat and ugly old man" thing? Complete bullsh—!
“Gu… M-Mr. Gu?” Wang Lei stammered, beads of cold sweat forming on his forehead. The man had clearly heard everything he just said. He was terrified that he’d be silenced on the spot.
Gu Hanling, dressed in a sleek black tailored suit, looked completely indifferent. His sharp gaze swept over Wang Lei like a blade before he walked straight to Shen Xi’s side.
Leaning down, he whispered in her ear, "We’ll settle this at home."
Shen Xi inwardly groaned, he's here to settle the score again, isn't he!
She had only said all that nonsense to shut Wang Lei up. How could she have known the main character himself was standing right there? Now she's really shot herself in the foot.
Awkwardly, she turned around and forced a smile, lifting the car keys in her hand.
“Uh… long time no see, big brother! I’m just gonna… go start the car.”
Gu Hanling’s eyes flicked to the car keys in her hand. His brow arched slightly as if he had just remembered something. Probably a car he had casually given her when they got married.
He spoke nonchalantly, “That junker isn’t worth keeping. I’ll buy—”
Shen Xi frowned slightly upon hearing this, and subconsciously tightened her grip on the keys in her hand. She interrupted Gu Hanling before he could finish.
"No, it was a gift from you and I'll treasure it."
Gu Hanling looked at her serious expression, he had a flicker of amusement in his eyes.
"Alright, I'll get someone to take it away later."
"Hm?"
Shen Xi was momentarily stunned by the man’s words. It seemed like he didn’t want her to drive herself.
Wang Lei, still standing awkwardly at the side, felt like a complete fool watching the interaction between the couple. He forced an embarrassed smile.
“Uh… Mr. Gu, Miss Shen… I mean, Mrs. Gu… I still have things to do, so I’ll head back inside first.”
"Mm."
Gu Hanling barely spared him a glance, replying with an indifferent hum. He wasn’t a particularly patient man, but he also wouldn’t dirty his hands in front of a woman.
Wang Lei, feeling like he had just been granted amnesty, hurriedly turned and walked away as fast as he could, almost like he was being chased by a wild beast.
Shen Xi couldn’t help but press her lips together, holding back a laugh as she watched his pathetic retreat.
Just then, a warm and powerful large hand suddenly grasped her small hand.
The sun was setting, casting long shadows as their figures intertwined in the golden light.
Shen Xi’s eyes widened slightly. It wasn’t the first time they’d held hands, but for some reason, this time… felt different. A strange tingling sensation, like an electric current, ran from her fingertips straight to her heart, leaving her momentarily dazed.
She turned her head and met his deep gaze.
For some reason, she felt her cheeks heat up. She quickly looked away, avoiding his eyes.
"Let’s go home."
Gu Hanling’s voice was calm yet firm, allowing no room for argument.
Shen Xi nodded obediently, letting him lead her toward the black car.
Her thoughts were a mess as she stole a glance at Gu Hanling’s profile.
Under the fading sunlight, his usually sharp features looked a little softer.
She silently questioned in her heart, ‘Is he just putting on an act for the Shen family? But… there’s no reason for that, right? Could it be…? No, that’s impossible… right?’
The two of them sat in the back seat, and the driver had already raised the partition, turning the space into a quiet, private cabin.
Shen Xi had already pulled her hand away from Gu Hanling’s palm, but she could still feel the lingering warmth on her skin, making her fingers tingle slightly.
Just as her thoughts were in a mess, she suddenly heard the man's deep, magnetic voice beside her.
"Xixi, I love you."
Shen Xi slowly turned her head, staring at Gu Hanling in a daze. For a moment, it felt like her heart had completely stopped. Her eyes were full of disbelief.
‘Wait… Did he just… confess to me?!!’
Gu Hanling also turned to face her, their eyes locking. There was something in his gaze, an emotion Shen Xi couldn’t quite decipher.
"The words you said earlier to that man about me loving you to death."
He let out a low chuckle.
"When did I ever say that, hmm?"
"Uh..."
Shen Xi’s face instantly turned bright red, the flush spreading all the way to the tips of her ears. She suddenly wished she could crawl under the car and disappear.
She had actually thought, for a second, that he was confessing to her. What an embarrassing misunderstanding!
Avoiding his gaze, she nervously fidgeted with her fingers, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I was just saying it casually… you know, to protect the Gu family’s reputation."
Gu Hanling smirked as he watched her flustered expression. He reached out, gently pinching her chin, forcing her to look at him.
"Just saying it casually? Madam, could it be… you actually wish I liked you?"
Shen Xi’s heart pounded wildly in her chest.
The real answer? She didn’t know.
But she definitely couldn’t say that, wouldn’t that indirectly imply that she had improper feelings for Gu Hanling?
She bit her lip and mumbled almost inaudibly,
"I'm… not worthy of that."
"Is that so? Next time, think carefully before answering."
Gu Hanling let out a soft chuckle, but his eyes darkened slightly. He released her chin and instead reached out to gently ruffle her black, silky hair.
Shen Xi felt like something had lightly scratched at her heart. An odd and ticklish sensation she couldn’t quite describe.
Logically, he should have just let it go, so why did he say that? What did he mean?
She stole a glance at Gu Hanling, only to find him resting with his eyes closed, as if she had imagined the whole thing.
The car slowly drove into the Gu family villa. As soon as they stepped out, Butler Wang quickly walked up to them, his face full of joy.
"Madam, you’re finally back! Sir has been..."
Halfway through his sentence, he caught sight of Gu Hanling’s subtle gaze and immediately changed his words.
"Sir and I have been doing just fine lately, haha."
"Uh... that’s good to hear."
Shen Xi replied with a smile, but she couldn't shake the feeling that Butler Wang was acting a little strange too.
Back in the bedroom, after taking a shower, Shen Xi wrapped herself in a towel and stood in front of the bathroom mirror, her fingertips unconsciously lightly touching the water mist condensed on the mirror surface as her thoughts drifted.
"What exactly did Big Brother mean?"
She glanced at her reflection, her delicate features and graceful figure staring back at her. Suddenly, a bold idea took root in her mind.
Stepping out of the bathroom, she rummaged through her wardrobe for a long time, and pulled out a black lace slip dress that had never been worn, the price tag still attached.
As she put it on, the cool silk fabric pressed against her skin, making her shiver slightly.
In the mirror, the contrast between her innocent face and the seductive outfit was striking.
The black nightdress made her skin appear even whiter, with only two crossed ribbons on her back, the hem of the dress only enough to cover half of her thighs, leaving much of her skin exposed.
"Shen Xi, have you lost your mind?"
By the standards of her past life's male perspective, this outfit could definitely be considered top-tier battle armor, but still… wasn’t this a bit too much?
"But… just a little test? Just this once, it should be fine… right?"