Chapter 8: Guilt Su Nian's move was swift and utterly unexpected. Under the stunned gazes of Shen Wanrou and Gu Ziyan, Su Nian's hand swung down heavily.

"Slap!"

The crisp sound echoed through the air, which seemed to freeze instantly. She had used considerable force; her small hand stung fiercely. Gu Yichen's face tilted slightly, a red palm print gradually emerging on his pale skin. His gaze was terrifying.

"Su Nian!" Gu Yichen growled coldly.

When had he ever suffered such humiliation? Su Nian's eyes trembled slightly, rimmed with red, yet she stubbornly held his gaze. She tried desperately to remain calm, but her voice still carried a choke: "If you had agreed to divorce me this morning, I wouldn't have seen you holding Shen Wanrou, and you wouldn't have received this slap, would you?"

Knives seemed hidden in Gu Yichen's eyes, slicing one by one until Su Nian's face turned deathly pale.

"Wanrou was frightened; what's wrong with comforting her? Su Nian, where are your manners and upbringing? Where is the grace you should possess? All you know now is jealousy and squabbles; it's truly repulsive!"

Finally unable to hold back, tears flooded Su Nian's eyes. Her chest felt as though a hole had been torn open, bleeding profusely while icy wind blew straight inside. Gu Yichen's fingers paused slightly, his fist tightening. Had his words been too harsh? Just as he prepared to soften his tone, Shen Wanrou spoke, her soft voice laced with subtle reproach: "Nian-Nian, Yichen and I are truly just friends. But no matter how angry you are, you shouldn't have acted violently in public."

Her implication was clear as she glanced toward the entrance. Romantic Coast was originally a playground for high society, and now those gathered at the doorway watching the spectacle were all from this very circle. Gu Yichen frowned, his sharp gaze shooting out icily, causing the onlookers' expressions to become awkward before they quickly dispersed. Looking at Su Nian, her eyes brimming with tears, he felt somewhat headache-inducing. His tone softened slightly: "Su Nian, stop making a scene. Let's go home."

She had already slapped him; what more did she have to feel aggrieved about? Wasn't that enough?

Just then, Shen Yuxi returned after calling the police and saw Su Nian standing stubbornly, trembling slightly. Her complexion was excessively pale, tear stains clinging to her eyelashes. Shen Yuxi extended his hand; round candies lay in his palm. His voice carried a hint of warmth: "Mango flavor, just as you like."

"Thank you."

Su Nian stared in surprise for a moment before forcing a faint smile. She took the candy from his hand, unwrapped the paper, and placed it in her mouth. A sweet-and-sour taste spread across her tongue.

Suddenly, tears streamed down Su Nian's face. When she was eight years old, Gu Yichen had also given her candy, bringing her warmth and security. Yet sixteen years later, everything had changed except the people.

"Why are you crying?" Shen Yuhuan asked gently, lifting Su Nian's chin and softly wiping the tears from her face.

His movements were meticulous, filled with pity and tenderness. Su Nian froze, her large round eyes widening. Her expression was adorably blank, innocent and heartbreakingly cute. The scene was overwhelmingly picturesque. Watching this, Gu Yichen suddenly recalled the five-character text message Su Nian had sent him earlier: "On a date, do not disturb!"

His breath grew slightly restless. What right did Su Nian have to accuse him? He was merely gathering with friends, while she was out dating another man!

"Crying makes you less beautiful; smiling suits you better."

Shen Yuhuan blinked, deliberately pulling a bitter face with a mournful expression, though laughter danced in his eyes.

"Look, if you stay like this every day, does it look good?"

His antics were so comical that Su Nian broke into laughter through her tears, her eyes sparkling brightly.

"Let's go," she said, unwilling to stay another moment.

Shen Yuhuan nodded obediently, his smile blooming like wildflowers. He asked eagerly, as if offering a treasure: "Should we go fly kites or swim?"

Su Nian shook her head.

"I don't want to stay here."

She turned her gaze toward Gu Yichen, her heart trembling with a mixture of sourness and bitterness.

"The one who needs to leave isn't you."

Shen Yuxi calmly approached Gu Yichen and the other two, his features stern and his tone strictly formal.

"All three of you are witnesses. Please accompany me to the Public Security Bureau to give statements."

Disturbed by the chaos, Su Nian lost all desire to stay; she only wanted to rush home, find a secluded spot, and let her emotions out freely. Suppressing such feelings would only make her sick. As she turned to leave, her gaze accidentally fell upon the scene inside the changing room. Her pupils dilated sharply, and her small face turned even paler. A person had been disemboweled and hung on the wall, their blood long dried, clearly dead for quite some time. Beside the body, a black poppy flower had been drawn.

"The Judge!"

Su Nian recalled the news reports. Within police circles, "The Judge"

was infamous—the only criminal whose identity remained completely unknown, hailed as a genius criminologist.

"Don't look."

Shen Yuxi stepped in front of Su Nian, then glanced at Shen Yuhuan.

"Complete the entry-exit registration first, and then take them back."

Su Nian shook her head, her emotions stabilizing.

"If it really is 'The Judge,' I have nothing to fear since I've done nothing wrong."

Shen Wanrou's fingertips trembled slightly, a hint of evasion flickering in her eyes. She seemed cold, instinctively clinging tighter to Gu Yichen's arm.

"Wanrou?" Gu Yichen murmured gently.

Seeing her pale complexion, he comfortingly patted her shoulder.

"Don't be afraid; I'm here." Tang Shi blurted out,

"Could it be that Miss Shen is only afraid because she has something to hide?"

Bearing the pressure radiating from Gu Yichen, she spoke with animated confidence, "Only those with a clear conscience who abide by the law have no reason to fear 'The Judge'."

"I don't,"

Shen Wanrou steadied herself, maintaining her composure. * Upon arriving at the Gu residence, Shen Yuhuan stopped the car. Su Nian leaned against Tang Shi's shoulder, the normal rosy hue returning to her cheeks.

"Nian Nian, shall I stay with you?" Tang Shi asked, concerned.

Su Nian declined with a forced smile.

"I'd like to be alone for a while."

"Then if you feel unhappy and need someone to talk to, remember to call me," Shen Yuhuan said, his smile sweet and warm as a spring breeze.

"Don't cry secretly by yourself!"

He reached into his pocket, pulled out a piece of candy, and smiled until his eyes curved into crescents.

"Xixi and I gave you all our candies today."

"You both carry candy?"

Su Nian couldn't help but laugh. Shen Yuhuan laughed easily and naturally.

"When we were children, we found a single piece of candy. Xixi and I each took a lick, but the owner—a large, sturdy boy—came looking for it. We got beaten up, and the candy was gone too. After we earned some money, we made it a habit to give each other a piece of candy every day."

Su Nian was subtly moved. She instructed the driver to take Shen Yuhuan back, while Tang Shi would be picked up by the Tang family's driver. The three parted ways. Su Nian headed straight to the bathroom, lazily sinking into the bathtub, forcing herself not to think about anything. Only when her skin had wrinkled from soaking did she emerge. The noisy sounds from outside made her frown; they sounded somewhat familiar. Stunned for a moment, Su Nian felt as though sharp screams pierced her eardrums, causing intense pain. She opened the door and stood on the corridor, looking down toward the living room on the first floor. Gu Yichen had brought Shen Wanrou home. This was the marital home that belonged to her and him! Author's Note: Nian Nian: Moved heaven and earth; I'm finally about to take a fall! Scum Gu: Suddenly feeling a chill rising straight from the soles of my feet!