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

Having spoken, Gu Huai turned to look at Mu Ci, meeting his eyes through the glass window. Gu Huai abruptly stood up, opened the door, and rushed in. He knelt halfway in front of the window, holding Mu Ci’s hand, overjoyed.

“You’re awake. Do you feel uncomfortable? Are you still in pain? Are you hungry? Do you want to eat?”

Mu Ci coughed twice and gently withdrew his hand. He unbuttoned the hospital gown, examining his chest, tightly wrapped with white cloth strips.

Jiang Wenjing, clad in a white coat, emerged, holding up the X-ray film, and said calmly, “This elastic band is to aid your healing. The fracture isn’t severe; it will take some time to heal.”

Mu Ci nodded, saying, “Thank you, doctor.”

Gu Huai felt entirely ignored by the two, a discomfort settling in. He refrained from pushing Mu Ci’s hand further and simply tucked him into the quilt, apologizing softly, “Mu Ci, I’m sorry. I really didn’t mean to hit you.”

Mu Ci didn’t respond, just casting a brief, cold glance. Exhausted and in pain, he lacked the strength to express even a hint of hatred or disgust. This gaze resembled that of a stranger.

Gu Huai found it difficult to endure this distant demeanor. A solid and invisible wall seemed to stand between them.

Recalling Bai Ling’s words about thousands of gaps between them, Gu Huai now saw the truth. Regardless of age, he was willing to take a hundred or a thousand steps toward Mu Ci, but Mu Ci kept retreating, far beyond reach.

Feeling powerless for the first time, Gu Huai fell silent. There was nothing more he could do. No way forward.

Mu Ci, turning his head again, seemed to want to say something. Gu Huai, becoming hopeful, moved closer and asked softly, “What’s wrong?”

Unexpectedly, Mu Ci smiled coldly, his voice emotionless. “Do you want to know where my old wounds came from?”

Gu Huai was momentarily stunned. “How did it happen?”

Mu Ci closed his eyes, gaze fixed on the pale hospital ceiling. The walls were pale, and Mu Ci’s face, too, was bloodless. He spoke softly and seemingly casually, “A year ago, I encountered an assassin outside and shielded Ji Yunshu from the knife.”

Gu Huai’s hands clenched.

Without looking at him, Mu Ci continued, “When the assassin approached with his drawn sword, I instinctively pushed Ji Yunshu away and took the blow for him without a second thought. It’s ironic, as a master, having to shield my bodyguard from a sword.”

“Stop talking.” Veins sprouted on the back of Gu Huai’s hands. He struggled to suppress the surge of emotions—jealousy, anger, embarrassment—all stirred up by Mu Ci’s words. The desire to dismantle Ji Yunshu bit by bit with a knife overwhelmed him, scattering the ashes in front of Mu Ci!

Mu Ci’s heart ached too. Mentioning the traitor always brought unbearable pain. Yet, he still wanted to talk about it because Gu Huai’s misery seemed even more unbearable.

“But I am willing.” Mu Ci initially aimed to provoke Gu Huai, seeking a selfish revenge that would harm them both. However, he couldn’t help but choke up in the end. “At that time, I was really willing to block the knife…”

“I told you to stop talking!!” A surge of strong anger rushed to Gu Huai’s forehead. He grabbed Mu Ci, kissing him roughly and biting his lips in revenge. Blood instantly spread in Mu Ci’s mouth.

“Um…” Mu Ci’s chest was pressed, and he cried out in pain, weakly pushing against Gu Huai’s arm.

“Young Master Gu.” Jiang Wenjing intervened, “His injury is not healed yet.”

This brief statement pulled Gu Huai back from the brink of rage. He quickly released Mu Ci, who was already frowning in pain due to the pressure on his injury. There was a little blood on his lips, giving him a pitiful look.

Gu Huai’s heart ached as he carefully helped Mu Ci lie down. Lowering his head, he kissed Mu Ci’s cheek. “I’m sorry. Please don’t talk about Ji Yunshu in front of me. I’m afraid I won’t be able to control it and hurt you again.”

His tone was soft, almost pleading.

Mu Ci gazed at him intensely for a while, then suddenly smiled coldly. He spoke casually, as if sharing a joke. “You know, you and Ji Yunshu actually look quite similar.”

“Don’t think of me as him!” Gu Huai raised his eyes, defensive like a lion protecting its territory, his terrifying aura emerging.

Mu Ci, rarely intimidated, sneered. “Stop dreaming, Gu Huai. You are not qualified to be his substitute. At least he never hits anyone when he’s angry, never threatens or coerces me. I will never block a knife for you.”

Gu Huai froze for a moment. Mu Ci’s words were like a thousand iron wires slowly inserted into his heart, stirring slowly, the bloody pieces covered with pain.

Jiang Wenjing, observing Gu Huai’s back, felt a twinge of pity for the first time.

Mu Ci looked at him warily, expecting the usual outburst of anger from Gu Huai. However, Gu Huai just held his hand and whispered, “I know.”

“I always knew.” Gu Huai stayed by Mu Ci’s bedside all night, his voice a bit hoarse. He seemed to want to say something, but ultimately remained silent.

Finally, Gu Huai stood up under Mu Ci’s curious gaze and softly said, “You can rest. I’m leaving.”

Gu Huai left, closing the door gently as if afraid any noise would disturb Mu Ci.

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Jiang Wenjing stared at the door for a while, then turned around and asked, “Do you really like him that much, and that Ji Yunshu?”

Unexpectedly, Mu Ci slowly shook his head. Jiang Wenjing was stunned, about to inquire further, but Mu Ci hid under the quilt and fell asleep.

Having given the recording to Gu Huai earlier, Mu Ci no longer trusted Jiang Wenjing. As for whether he liked Ji Yunshu, Mu Ci had once loved him. However, the moment the ugly truth emerged, Mu Ci’s love for Ji Yunshu came to an end.

Mu Ci’s emotions were distinct—when he loved, he could sacrifice himself; when he disliked, he could walk away without looking back. Easily hurt, he held grudges for a lifetime, whether it’s Ji Yunshu or Gu Huai.

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Gu Huai was largely a free and unrestrained individual. On one hand, he acted without constraints, treating others recklessly. On the other, he maintained tight emotional control, seemingly flawless. However, when it came to Mu Ci, his emotions easily slipped out of control.

Mu Ci consistently elicited a sense of chaos in him, causing frequent restlessness and anger in Gu Huai.

This wasn’t always the case. Gu Huai used to be indifferent to the comings and goings of his beloved. He only had eyes for Mu Ci. Despite not desiring him openly, he found himself unable to let go.

Not just Mu Ci, even Gu Huai, who once scorned such behavior, never anticipated the transformation—he became the one infatuated.