Gu Yanze’s grip was tight, but in the end, he thought—perhaps a harsh lesson would do Lingyuan good. Even if she couldn’t learn, at least the Gu family could support her for a lifetime. In his eyes, there was no more warmth.
Just then, his father’s urgent shout echoed in the distance:
“Wantang is bleeding! She could lose the baby! Get to the hospital, now!”
Gu Yanze hesitated only a moment before ordering the guards to save Lingyuan, but to keep her under strict watch and never let her out of their sight. Then he rushed away.
The guards looked at each other, feeling the heat of the burning garden, but no one dared disobey.
The herb garden was now nothing but ashes. Lingyuan, her arm burned, searched desperately through the ruins. At last, she found the last, withered Swallowflower—her father’s life-saving medicine, the only one left. She cradled it to her chest, refusing to let it be destroyed.
But just as she tried to escape, a burning beam crashed down, blocking her path. Coughing violently, she realized she had no way out. All she could do was watch as the flames crept closer.
Was she really going to die at Gu Yanze’s hands again in this life?
Grandpa, I’m sorry I can’t come home.
Dad, Mom, I hope you’re well…
Tears streamed down her face as she collapsed in despair, waiting for the end.
Suddenly, someone burst through the flames—a figure like a god descending. He wrapped her in a coat and gently lifted her up. All Lingyuan could see was the clarity and strength in his eyes.
The thick smoke didn’t clear until the middle of the night. When the next shift of guards finally arrived, the garden was a ruin, and Lingyuan was nowhere to be found. Panic spread—had she perished in the fire?
At the hospital, Gu Yanze was at Su Wantang’s bedside when he suddenly felt a strange emptiness, as if something important had slipped away. He thought of Lingyuan’s desperate dash into the flames, and for a moment, unease gnawed at him. He reached for his phone to call the guards, but Su Wantang’s weak cough drew his attention back.
“Aze, is our baby okay?” she asked, tears glimmering in her eyes.
Gu Yanze’s voice trembled as he stroked her hair. “Don’t worry, everything’s fine.”
Gu’s father snorted in anger. “If we hadn’t gotten her to the hospital in time, something terrible could have happened. I can’t believe Lingyuan would put something in the soup!”
“She’s ungrateful! After all we’ve done for her, she’s nothing but a wolf in sheep’s clothing!”
“Aze, when you get home, you must teach her a lesson! Don’t let her get away with this!”
Gu Yanze nodded, and seeing Su Wantang’s frail appearance, any lingering concern for Lingyuan vanished. She’d gone too far—destroying her own garden, harming a child. He blamed himself for having spoiled her into this state. Burning the herb garden would surely teach her a lesson.
“Aze, I’m scared… even though we’re getting married soon…” Su Wantang leaned on his shoulder, tears falling.
Gu Yanze gently wiped her tears and promised, “It’s all right. We’ll get married in two weeks.”
He held her tighter, a cold glint in his eyes. If Lingyuan dared cause trouble at the wedding, he would make sure she suffered.
Two weeks later, the Gu family’s mansion was ablaze with the splendor of the wedding. Despite the rushed preparations, every detail was extravagant, leaving the guests in awe.
Media and reporters crowded the estate, broadcasting the event nationwide. Online, viewers marveled:
“Even the tableware is custom-made, engraved with Gu Yanze and Su Wantang’s initials!”
“All the roses were flown in! The bridesmaids’ gifts are all luxury brands—this is insane!”
“President Gu really loves Teacher Su. What a fairy-tale couple!”
But Gu Yanze paid no attention to the livestream or the guests. He was searching everywhere for Lingyuan. Among the sea of celebrities and socialites, she was nowhere to be found. He hadn’t seen her once, nor had he received any news.
He questioned the guards—they had rescued her from the fire, but then she vanished.
He stared at his phone, his finger hovering over Lingyuan’s name for a long time before finally calling.
“We’re sorry, the number you have dialed is unavailable…”
Frustrated, he hung up, his chest heaving with anger.
Fine, disappear if you want. But if you dare ruin Su Wantang’s happiness again, I’ll make you pay—even if it’s at my own wedding!
He ordered all security to be on high alert. If Lingyuan appeared, he wanted to be notified immediately. Whether as her uncle or as a man, he would not allow her to act out in front of him again.
As the music swelled, Su Wantang, dressed in a traditional wedding gown, took center stage. She danced gracefully, drawing out the ceremony.
Gu Yanze grew more and more agitated, his attention fixed not on his bride, but on the doors—always watching, always waiting for Lingyuan to appear.
“Aze, will you dance with me?” Su Wantang reached for his hand, pulling him back to the present. He took her hand mechanically, following her lead as the music played.
Chapter 07
*