After Time Traveling, I was Forced to Marry a Wealthy Family

Mu Ci was a very traditional person. Even though he had been with Ji Yunshu for three years, their physical interactions were limited to hand-holding, occasional hugs, and rare kisses. However, at twenty-three years old, Mu Ci couldn’t feign ignorance about what had happened.

His memories were fragmented. Ji Yunshu’s face, Gu Huai’s voice, the deep-seated pain, and unfamiliar pleasure were all as hazy as sunlight beneath the sea.

Gu Huai had already prepared his words and regretfully set aside the book he was reading.

“I’m sorry, Mu Ci. You were drunk last night, and the result was… But don’t worry, I will never abandon you; I will take responsibility for you.”

Before Mu Ci could fully grasp the shock, he shifted his body, and the pain in his lower body caused his delicate brows to furrow.

His voice, hoarse from the previous night, said, “I was drunk, and you… did this to me.”

“I was drunk too!” Gu Huai quickly confessed his innocence, trying to distance himself from the situation. “You know, after drinking, it’s difficult to control one’s impulses.”

“You…” Mu Ci’s face paled, nearly devoid of color in the morning light. He believed Gu Huai was lying, and his throat moved as if he wanted to voice a complaint, but in the end, he remained silent.

Instead, he rolled over and got out of bed. “I’m going to take a shower.”

The moment his feet touched the ground, his body nearly gave way, but Gu Huai swiftly embraced him around the waist and gently laid him back on the bed.

“No need to shower. After you fell asleep last night, I already took care of everything.”

Mu Ci’s eyes snapped open. “You said you were drunk too last night!”

“…” Gu Huai hesitated, then quickly explained, “I woke up later, after you had fallen asleep. Alcohol is metabolized quickly. I felt guilty about it and rushed to help you shower and apply medicine.”

Gu Huai’s words were partially true and partially false. He was completely sober throughout the night but genuinely felt remorse for his actions. In a moment of anger and jealousy, he had been rough with Mu Ci, causing injuries to his back.

Gu Huai carefully cleaned and treated Mu Ci due to this guilt.

Mu Ci lay on the bed, his light brown eyes still somewhat dazed. He stared at the high ceiling and whispered softly, “Gu Huai, did you really not lie to me?”

He looked particularly helpless and pitiful, while Gu Huai also felt pitiful for him. Gu Huai’s heart ached, and he leaned in to kiss him, but Mu Ci turned his head to avoid it.

“We’re not drunk now; don’t do this again.”

Regarding what happened last night… Mu Ci took a deep breath and gathered his strength to continue, “I don’t care about the reasons; let’s just pretend it never happened. I’ll move out after I find a job in a few days.”

Gu Huai’s heart sank, “Do you really feel nothing for me at all?”

Mu Ci didn’t even look at him, merely shaking his head, “No.”

Gu Huai took a deep breath, controlled his intense emotions, and tucked Mu Ci into bed. “Alright, rest for now. We’ll discuss finding a job later.”

Gu Huai got dressed and rose from the bed. As he was about to leave, he gripped the door frame, turned around, and said, “I’ve only seen you cry twice. The first time was because of Ji Yunshu. You said it wasn’t because of him, but I knew it was. The second time was because of me. Mu Ci, from now on, every time you shed tears, it can only be because of me.”

His voice was so hushed, nearly inaudible, to the point that if Mu Ci had heard it clearly, he might have run away immediately. However, he didn’t catch it; he laid quietly on the bed, staring at the rugged sycamore branches outside the window.

The door closed gently. Only then did Mu Ci notice the ring on his ring finger. He sighed, took it off, and placed it on the bedside table.

Fifteen minutes later, a maid knocked on the door and brought breakfast in. Gu Huai did not reappear, likely because he understood he was not welcome by Mu Ci at the moment.

Mu Ci lingered in bed for a while, then finally got dressed, rose, and slowly began to eat breakfast.

In the morning, he went to Bai Ling and requested the phone number of the fashion designer from their previous encounter.

Bai Ling eyed him with suspicion. The conspicuous hickey on Mu Ci’s neck was so vivid it practically screamed at him.

“Why do you want his number?”

“The clothes I have are really uncomfortable at the shoulders,” Mu Ci replied without altering his expression. “I want to ask him to make adjustments.”

“Ah, I see,” Bai Ling didn’t press any further and readily provided him with the number.

“That guy’s name is Chen Jie. He also goes by Jason. He’s the Gu family’s personal stylist. If you have any clothing-related queries, just get in touch with him.”

Mu Ci nodded and murmured his thanks.

Returning to his room, Mu Ci dialed Chen Jie’s number. After a few beeps, the call finally connected, but the background noise was considerable, with lively music and human voices.

“This is Jason, who’s this?”

Mu Ci paced to the window and whispered, “Hello, Mr. Chen, it’s Mu Ci.”

Chen Jie clearly remembered Mu Ci, “Mr. Mu? Please hold on.”

Following a series of footsteps, the noisy background gradually receded. Chen Jie’s voice emerged clearly from the phone, radiating with cheerful obsequiousness.

“Mr. Mu, how may I assist you?”

Mu Ci, fidgeting with the hem of his clothes, whispered, “I checked online about the graphic modeling opportunity you mentioned last time. I’m really interested in this job. Do you still have any openings?”

Chen Jie owned his own studio and held a small managerial position. However, the studio was affiliated with Hanhai Enterprise, so he wasn’t free to make decisions independently. He responded cautiously, “You’re welcome to join us, of course. I’d be delighted. But what about Young Master Gu? Has he given his consent?”

Mu Ci furrowed his brows with annoyance and pressed his thin lips together. “I have nothing to do with him, so why would I need his approval?”

Chen Jie chuckled, although he knew better than to mention it aloud. ‘Anyone with a discerning eye could tell that you’re Young Master Gu’s companion. If your partner wants to find a job, how could it be done without the sponsor’s consent?’

But Chen Jie held his tongue. He might be just a kept lover, but he was pampered. Annoying Young Master Gu could jeopardize his job, so he refrained from making any remarks.

“That’s correct, Mr. Mu,” Chen Jie responded differently. “My studio is, in fact, funded by Young Master Gu. If you want to join, you should at least consult him.”

Mu Ci stayed silent for a moment and then added, “He agreed. Gu Huai is aware that I’m planning to look for a job.”

“Oh, that’s convenient,” Chen Jie sighed in relief and chuckled. “I’ve always believed you have the potential and just need some training. Don’t worry; I’ll provide you with a formal model’s salary.”

Mu Ci agreed a few times and then inquired with concern, “What about accommodations and meals?”

“Lodging and meals are included!” Chen Jie didn’t want this attractive prospect to slip away, so he hurriedly added, “You can stay in a single dorm without any concerns.” Chen Jie paused for a moment before asking, “But won’t you be living with Young Master Gu, right?”

“Well, I plan to move out once I find a job,” Mu Ci recalled the conversation with Gu Huai and spoke somewhat uncertainly. “He said yes…”

Chen Jie wondered if this young lover had a conflict with the head of the Gu family. However, he didn’t show any change in his tone. “That’s fine. When do you intend to start?”

“Tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow? So soon?” Chen Jie was taken aback.

Mu Ci held onto the phone tightly and confirmed without hesitation, “I’m leaving here tomorrow.” He was on the verge of parting ways; he was about to leave.