Chapter 3: Who Do You Wish to Marry

By the time she returned home, it was already deep into the night.

Gu Fangyu was just about to close the door when someone pressed against her bedroom door. In the next moment, Gu Hanchen's tall figure appeared in the doorway. He entered her room as casually as if it were his own, closing the door behind him and leaning lazily against its side, his words laden with implication: "Still unwilling to let go?"

Her face stiffened slightly, and her fingers unconsciously tightened. "No," she replied.

She truly had nothing left to be unwilling about, yet it seemed everyone had already decided she could never get over what had happened with Xie Chenhao. No matter how many times she explained, not one of them believed her.

"Do you know why I asked you to apologize?" Gu Hanchen leaned forward slightly, towering over her as his gaze bore down.

Gu Fangyu instinctively tilted her head up, but faced with his oppressive presence, she couldn't help but shrink back. She knew all too well how terrifying this man could be.

Suddenly, he seized her chin and pinned her against the wall. "Can't let go, can you?"

Her face went pale as she shook her head in denial. "I haven't. I told you, if I wanted to fight for him, I would never have let go in the first place. Now your own sister is carrying Xie Chenhao's child—why would I want him?"

"So you can't accept her child, and that's why you tried to harm her today?" Blue veins stood out on Gu Hanchen's forehead as his face darkened.

Gu Fangyu realized that nothing she said would make a difference. She simply closed her eyes, stubbornly refusing to look at him.

This only served to ignite his fury; all warmth vanished from his face. "Look at me when I'm speaking to you!" he demanded.

He lowered his head, pressing a frenzied kiss upon her—brutal and merciless.

Gu Fangyu instinctively struggled against him. His forceful dominance only provoked her defiance. In a moment of desperation, she bit down hard on his lip. As pain shot through him, she managed to push him away and fled to the far side of the room.

Blood stained the corner of his mouth, making him look even more sinister beneath the dim lamp.

Gu Hanchen gave a cold, mocking laugh. He yanked open the buttons at his collar, exposing taut muscles across his abdomen. Every inch of him exuded masculine power—he seemed ready to pounce at any moment.

For all his beastly behavior, it was undeniable: a man like this, with power, wealth, looks, and talent, was bound to make women fall for him.

"I'm on my period," she said, standing by the window and watching him warily.

In that instant, Gu Fangyu felt profoundly grateful for the trace of blood she'd left in the car. No matter how much Gu Hanchen might want her, even he wouldn't cross that line.

Still, she could sense his simmering frustration. Her growing audacity needed to be reined in, and he was determined to warn her.

“Have I not told you to stay away from Gu Yao?” he asked.

Gu Fangyu let out a bitter laugh. “So, I’m supposed to just take it when she hits me? I’m meant to endure it until she’s satisfied, and only then am I allowed a reprieve—is that it?”

“Gu Fangyu, watch your tone.”

“I’m only stating facts. Or is it that you think this isn’t enough, that I should go out of my way to let Gu Yao beat me whenever she pleases, and beat me even when she doesn’t?”

His eyes narrowed, his breath growing heavier—a clear sign he was about to lose his temper again.

She shrank back, not daring to provoke him further. Gu Fangyu knew his methods too well. He never laid a hand on women, but with her, he had endless ways to torment her in bed.

She remembered her senior year at university, when her internship began. To escape his grasp, she took a job at a major company, sharing meals and lodgings with classmates, naively believing that as long as she stayed with them, he couldn’t get to her.

But she never expected he would track her down, have her resignation processed for her, and take her back—only to lock her away in his private residence.

She hadn’t been able to get out of bed for a week.

Gu Hanchen dropped his gaze, his brooding eyes drifting over her face. Just as she braced herself for another round of torment, he turned and left the room without a word.

For a moment, Gu Fangyu couldn’t believe it, but when she came to her senses, she realized her back was slick with cold sweat. Her knees gave out and she crumpled to the floor.

Very quickly, another thought struck her. She pressed a trembling hand to her abdomen.

Was it possible that a new life was already growing within her?

Panicked, she called Jiang Qi, begging her to find someone who could do a prenatal checkup.

She knew all too well how powerful Gu Hanchen was; sneaking anything past him would not be easy. Even if she assumed another identity, he might still find out. But for now, she couldn’t think of a better plan.

...

To avoid Gu Hanchen’s watchful gaze, she rose at dawn. But as soon as she came downstairs, she saw him sitting in the dining room, looking refreshed and composed. Her parents were there as well.

Gu Fangyu had no choice but to change direction and greet them. “Good morning, Dad, Mom, Brother.”

“Clear your schedule for this weekend,” her mother said as soon as she sat down.

Only then did she notice how strained her mother’s expression was. “Is something the matter?” she asked quietly.

Her mother, uncharacteristically gentle, replied, “Yao Yao and Chenhao’s future is already set. I know you feel wronged, but you and he were never meant to be. Yao Yao still holds a grudge, and you should try to be more understanding.”

Gu Fangyu frowned, beginning to sense her mother’s true intentions.

“I spoke to a few friends in our circle, and there happens to be a suitable candidate for you. You’ll meet him this weekend.”

A cold smile flickered in Gu Fangyu’s heart. How eager they were. Gu Yao had just been hospitalized, and already her mother was making plans to marry her off, terrified she’d get in the way of her real daughter’s marriage.

For some reason, she glanced instinctively at Gu Hanchen.

“There’s no need to look at your brother,” her mother caught her in the act. “Once your affairs are settled, it will be his turn.”

Gu Fangyu hadn’t expected her covert look to be caught so quickly.

Throughout it all, Gu Hanchen ate his breakfast in silence, not saying a word. Yet for some reason, Gu Fangyu could sense the shift in the atmosphere around him—it was as if the very air had thickened.

She bit her lips. “Mom, I’m still young. I want to focus on my career. I’m not ready to date just yet.”

“Fangyu,” her mother replied, her voice soft but edged with steel, “you’ve always been a sensible girl. You must know that because of you, Yao Yao and Chenhao’s relationship has never been stable. You know what you should do.”

So much for being sensible and obedient. The truth was, they just didn’t want her and Xie Chenhao to be together.

“I understand, Mom,” Gu Fangyu answered, bowing her head.

Her mother, satisfied, broke into a smile.

“Dad, Mom, Brother, I’ve finished breakfast. I’m heading to work.” She rose from her seat.

She had barely taken a few steps when footsteps sounded behind her, drawing closer.

To her surprise, Gu Hanchen had followed.

Gu Fangyu instinctively quickened her pace, but his long strides soon caught up.

“Get in the car. I’ll drive you.”

The driver opened the door, and Gu Hanchen got in first.

She hesitated, thinking of where she needed to go and what she had to do, her feet rooted to the ground.

His sharp gaze swept over her. “Fangyu, don’t make me repeat myself.”

Her resistance crumbled at once. There was nothing to gain by provoking him now.

Reluctantly, she pulled open the car door.

The slam echoed, all her pent-up frustration vented on the car.

Gu Hanchen glanced at her, snorted, and said, “What is it? Now that you’ve seen Yao Yao nearly lose her child, do you think you’re getting another chance? That’s why you dare to show this kind of attitude to me?”