Chapter 17: Trust The moment the words left his lips, Gu Yichen pressed them tightly together, a flicker of regret crossing his face. He had already decided not to pursue the matter of that snowy night on Qixia Mountain; bringing it up only proved he cared—cared that Su Nian had abandoned him, cared about her coldness toward him. Su Nian stood stunned, asking in disbelief, "You thought I abandoned you that night and fled alone?"

Her eyes seemed veiled in mist, shimmering with faint, trembling light.

"Wasn't that what happened?"

Gu Yichen's heart suddenly tightened.

"I saw it with my own eyes—you took our last bit of food and walked away without looking back, never returning! I waited for you all night in the blizzard. Do you have any idea what that felt like?"

Su Nian's lips trembled as she stared at him blankly, murmuring, "No… When I left, I clearly told you…"

That night, Gu Yichen had developed a high fever, too weak to move. With no signal on either of their phones, she had no choice but to leave him behind to seek help. Before departing, she had crouched before him and explained her decision. She thought he had heard her, since he had softly uttered an "mm,"

yet he had only seen her retreating figure and assumed she had abandoned him? After hearing Su Nian's explanation, Gu Yichen remained half-convinced, his voice low and heavy as he asked, "Then why didn't you return? Why didn't you explain the situation afterward?"

Had he misunderstood? Gu Yichen clenched his fists. Thinking of how he had neglected Su Nian over the years, even causing her pain, a bitter ache surged within him.

"I fell into a trap and got scratched up,"

Su Nian said, pursing her lips slightly, a thread of sour grievance spreading through her heart.

"Once I learned from Mom that you were rescued, I felt relieved. I planned to find you again after I recovered."

That night had been pitch black. In her hurry to find help, she had fallen into a hunter's pit, scraping her face and hands. After climbing out, she stumbled for several more hours before finally managing to flag down a few vehicles. By then, her vision had blurred. Just before losing consciousness, she had given them an approximate location, repeatedly begging them to rescue Gu Yichen. Could it truly be a misunderstanding? Yet Su Nian's expression didn't seem fake. Gu Yichen's emotions stirred slightly. Recalling that night once more, his voice turned colder and harder.

"Su Nian, if Wanrou hadn't saved me, I might have died. But Wanrou never told me it was you who called for help."

"You're saying… Shen Wanrou saved you?!"

Su Nian was dumbfounded. She had never imagined Shen Wanrou would be in that vehicle! Facing Su Nian's sudden agitation, Gu Yichen's gaze flickered lightly.

"Yes. Early the next morning, Wanrou happened to pass by and took me to a nearby hospital."

From that moment on, Su Nian's actions became a thorn lodged deep in his heart. Gradually, he drew closer to Shen Wanrou while deliberately distancing himself from Su Nian.

"I see now!"

Su Nian lifted the corners of her lips with a touch of self-mockery.

"I think I finally understand why you've always disliked me yet treated Shen Wanrou so well. She's truly deep in scheming—it's quite an eye-opener!"

Gu Yichen's pupils constricted. His face grew cold as he demanded, "What do you mean?"

"If I hadn't revealed your location, how could Shen Wanrou possibly have known where you were? She concealed my involvement and claimed all the credit for herself."

A mocking smile played on Su Nian's lips as she fixed her gaze steadily on Gu Yichen.

"And you believed her, but not me, is that right?"

She knew she shouldn't expect anything, yet a sliver of hope still lingered in her heart—that Gu Yichen might believe her, might believe in the sincerity of her feelings for him back then. Gu Yichen's gaze darkened. He had known Shen Wanrou for four years. In his memory, she was gentle, considerate, noble, and elegant. How could she possibly resort to such schemes? In contrast, before Su Xingye disappeared, Su Nian had been spoiled by that man into becoming willful and arrogant, occasionally playing clever tricks or lying to gain favor. They faced each other in silence for a while. Gu Yichen's silence had already spoken his answer.The light in Su Nian's eyes dimmed gradually, her nose tingling with acidity.

"I was foolish, and you were blind; we were both played by Shen Wanrou."

She closed her eyes, suppressing that surge of bitter heat.

"You may take your leave now. I'm dizzy and need to rest."

Gu Yichen frowned slightly, visibly displeased.

Just then, Dr. Bai entered; seizing the opportunity, Gu Yichen stood up and walked out.

"Wanrou,"

Gu Yichen called Shen Wanrou, hesitating for a moment before continuing,

"Four years ago, when we first met…"

His voice faltered. How could he doubt Shen Wanrou over just a few words from Su Nian? He knew her character well enough. On the other end of the line, Shen Wanrou asked with a bright smile, "You still remember? Fortunately, I happened to drive past that mountain road back then; otherwise, I wouldn't have encountered you."

Her gentle voice, even through the screen, remained soothing to both mind and body. Gu Yichen drifted into reminiscence, his expression unconsciously softening. Back then, he had been so cold that his consciousness blurred, teetering on the brink of despair, when Shen Wanrou appeared. Dispelling his stray thoughts, his voice grew heavier.

"Su Nian said she flagged down your car, told you my location, and begged you to save me."

After two seconds of silence, Shen Wanrou seemed momentarily stunned.

"What does Nian Nian mean? Is she implying I stole her credit? Does she intend to falsely accuse me? My bodyguards and manager were there at the time; they can all testify."

Her tone carried a hint of grievance as she asked, "Yichen, do you believe Nian Nian?"

"No,"

Gu Yichen reassured her immediately.

"Of course I believe you."

They had known each other for four years. In his memory, Shen Wanrou had always been obedient and sensible, often advising him to treat Su Nian kindly, never speaking ill of her. ※ "Madam, please rest well and maintain a positive mindset,"

Dr. Bai instructed after dressing Su Nian's wounds.

"Try not to take Mr. Gu's words too much to heart."

Su Nian tilted her head, her gaze utterly calm.

"Do you believe me?"

"Yes."

Dr. Bai lowered his eyes, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly as he replied with a single, firm word. He had actually arrived at the door earlier but deemed it inappropriate to enter while witnessing the couple arguing. A flicker of emotion crossed Su Nian's face. Bai Xiao, the Gu family's private physician, was someone she had rarely interacted with. Yet unexpectedly, even this unfamiliar person believed her, whereas her own husband, Gu Yichen, begrudged her even a shred of trust.

"Thank you," Su Nian said sincerely.

Within the Gu household, it was rare to find anyone willing to believe in her. Bai Xiao nodded with a smile, packed his medical kit, and opened the door to leave. Just as he was closing it, however, he paused.

"Miss Su, get a divorce. I recall you used to be quite lively. Mr. Gu isn't worth your affection."

Su Nian's gaze trembled slightly. As Bai Xiao turned away after shutting the door, he spotted Gu Yichen standing at the far end of the corridor, clutching his phone, his eyes fixed on Bai Xiao with an icy chill. Su Nian closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Then she dialed Shen Yuhuan's number.

"Help me get a divorce. I don't want to wait any longer."

Author's Note: Nian Nian: Isn't a little wolf-dog exciting? Isn't a little milk-dog adorable? Why cling to a scumbag? Scumbag Gu (fuming): Why is the whole world advising divorce?