Chapter 9: The Fall Su Nian pressed her lips into a thin line, her nails digging into her palms as the blood in her veins seemed to freeze. She had never imagined Gu Yichen would bring Shen Wanrou home! This villa, from the color of the curtains to the arrangement of the furniture, had all been meticulously designed by her. This was her home, crafted with every ounce of her heart and soul.

"Where's Nian Nian?"

Shen Wanrou's voice was soft, tinged with disappointment and grievance.

"Nian Nian has always held a grudge against me. I'm afraid she'll be upset that I came to your house."

Gu Yichen frowned slightly and turned to the servants.

"Where is Su Nian?"

"What does she have to be upset about?"

Gu Ziyan cut in loudly.

"She dared to slap my brother; she's acting so arrogantly. Sister Wanrou, you're just too easy to bully. In my opinion, you and my brother are a perfect match, truly made for each other!"

The servants stood dumbfounded.

"Don't speak nonsense," Gu Yichen said coldly, casting a sharp glance.

Shen Wanrou's expression stiffened momentarily before she quickly masked it with a bright smile.

"Ziyan, don't talk nonsense. Yichen and I are just friends."

As if sensing something, she slowly lifted her gaze. At the top of the stairs, Su Nian stood silently, wearing a bathrobe, clearly having just stepped out of the shower. Gu Ziyan also looked up, meeting Su Nian's cold, piercing eyes. Startled, she asked defensively, "Hiding there without saying a word—who are you trying to scare?"

"Miss Shen, who gave you permission to enter?"

Su Nian's voice was stiff. Her hand gripped the railing so tightly that her knuckles turned stark white. It took all her strength to maintain her composure and rationality. Shen Wanrou hurriedly explained, "Nian Nian, I was frightened, so I came…"

"If you were frightened, you could have gone to the hospital!" Su Nian interrupted mercilessly.

Her hollow eyes stared blankly as she asked softly, "You're not homeless. Knowing full well you aren't welcome here, why did you shamelessly come to my house?"

Shen Wanrou was speechless, stammering, "I'm sorry. I… I'll leave immediately…"

She grabbed her bag, looking deeply embarrassed, and hurried toward the door. But Gu Yichen stopped her. He fixed his gaze on Su Nian.

"I brought her here."

"Su Nian, know your limits."

His tone grew harsher, clearly impatient.

"Don't think that just because you're my wife in name, you can interfere with my personal life!"

Gu Ziyan spoke arrogantly, "Exactly! Who my brother chooses to befriend or bring home is none of your business. Su Nian, you should have some self-awareness."

Su Nian lowered her eyes. The rosy glow that had colored her face after the shower faded, leaving her pale once more. Her voice sounded ethereal, as if drifting from another world, "Gu Yichen, I've never understood: why do you hate me so much yet care so deeply for Shen Wanrou? What exactly did I do wrong?"

Shen Wanrou's pupils contracted slightly, her voice laced with urgency.

"Yichen, I'm sorry for causing you trouble. I'll head home now. You and Nian Nian should talk properly."

But after taking just two steps, she stumbled, nearly falling.

"How can you go home like this?"

Gu Yichen instinctively steadied Shen Wanrou.

"I'll drive you home first."

"But…"

Shen Wanrou hesitated, glancing at Su Nian.

"What about Nian Nian? She was frightened earlier too."

She forced a relaxed smile, gentle and considerate.

"I'm fine. You should stay here and keep Nian Nian company."

Gu Yichen fell silent for a moment. Glancing sideways at Su Nian, he said something that made Shen Wanrou's complexion change slightly: "Very well. Ziyan, you accompany Wanrou home first."

Gu Ziyan looked up, shot an angry glare at Su Nian, and nodded reluctantly. The atmosphere had begun to ease slightly, but seeing Shen Wanrou's troubled expression, Gu Yichen added warmly, "Wanrou, I'll come see you later."

Su Nian suddenly felt like laughing. Was Gu Yichen planning to deal with her first, then rush off to the next round to comfort Shen Wanrou's startled heart? How busy he was! Su Nian's shoulders trembled slightly as she laughed silently, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Get out!"

Her voice was hoarse, the smile on her face gradually turning mocking as she screamed hysterically, 'Get out, all of you!'

'Who do you think you'

re talking to?

' Gu Ziyan snapped. '

This is the Gu family home; what right does an outsider like you have to boss us around?

' Since childhood, everyone had doted on her. Who would ever dare tell her to get out? An outsider? Su Nian laughed bitterly, her fury slowly draining away. Perhaps this truly was her status within the Gu household. Gu Yichen glanced at Gu Ziyan, his tone displeased. '

Watch your words.

' Shen Wanrou, appearing deeply anxious, pulled Gu Ziyan back and gently chided her, '

Ziyan, say less. Nian Nian, don't be angry; we'll leave immediately!

' '

Sister Wanrou, she just told us to get out!

' Gu Ziyan grew even more furious, directing her anger straight at Gu Yichen. '

Brother, aren't you going to say anything to Su Nian? Sister Wanrou rarely visits our home; won't you even stand up for her?

' '

I'm fine…

' Shen Wanrou forced a smile. Gu Yichen turned his gaze to Su Nian, his sword-like brows slightly furrowed. '

I've already reserved a table to make up for our wedding anniversary. How much longer are you going to make a scene? Wanrou is our guest; as the hostess, where is your basic hospitality?

' As if hearing something absurdly funny, Su Nian tilted her head, two small dimples appearing on her cheeks, looking as endearing as a fluffy little white bear. The corner of her mouth lifted in a smile filled with helplessness and despair. '

Gu Yichen, why won't you agree to a divorce? Why can't you just let me go?

' Gu Yichen'

s heartbeat skipped a beat.

'Get some rest,' he said, softening his tone as if afraid of provoking Su Nian further.

'Let'

s go.

' Gu Ziyan stamped her foot. '

Brother!

' But one cold glance from Gu Yichen silenced her instantly. Su Nian closed her eyes, slumping down dejectedly until she was sitting at the top of the stairs. '

Madam?

' A maid approached to ask, but Su Nian dismissed them all. '

Everyone, leave.

' She only wanted to be alone in silence, unwilling to let anyone witness her misery and humiliation. Su Nian sat there for over an hour until her legs went numb and her eyes swelled like walnuts. When she finally stood up, her legs gave way, and she tumbled down the stairs. A series of heavy thuds echoed. Su Nian'

s face turned deathly pale; drops of blood fell onto the carpet, staining a patch crimson.

'Is anyone there?'

Su Nian's voice was faint. But the maids were all outside; she had ordered them out. Su Nian looked at her phone, which had been flung aside. Enduring excruciating pain, she laboriously dragged her body, inch by inch, until she finally reached the device. The screen was cracked, but it still worked. Su Nian hastily opened her call log and randomly dialed a number. The screen displayed the contact name: 'Husband.'

Su Nian froze. Her call history was dominated by calls to Gu Yichen, almost all initiated by her. Their year of marriage had been nothing but a one-woman monologue.

'Hello?' But the person who answered was Shen Wanrou.

Su Nian fell silent for a second. Driven by the instinct for survival, she was about to speak when she heard Gu Yichen's voice in the background: 'Whose call is that?'

Warmth surged to her eyes, and an inexplicable sense of grievance flooded her heart. The word 'Husband'

was on the tip of her tongue.

'I don'

t know; there's no contact name saved, ' Shen Wanrou replied with a laugh, her voice coming through the phone. Su Nian'

s ears rang, her mind going blank. After a long pause, her trembling fingers finally pressed the end-call button. Who should she call? In her daze, Su Nian thought of Tang Shi, but accidentally brushed the screen, dialing another number instead. It was a number without any saved name. Before the call could connect, Su Nian had already lost consciousness.