Gu Nantian continued removing the nuts' shells while staring at her…
Actually, sleepwalking was not real. Last night, he went into Xu Zhiyin's room on purpose. He knew when she tried to chase him out of her room but he remained. As for sleepwalking, of course it was an excuse to coax her but never had he expected her to believe… she was so easy to deceive.
Gu Nantian looked at her. She was admiring the fishes while eating the nuts. It was rare to see Xu Zhiyin so free because these few days, she had locked herself up in her office researching his case.
He did not actually need a doctor. He just needed her by his side. Telling her he needed a doctor was his excuse to keep her here.
Gu Nantian stared at her and couldn't help but laugh…
He didn't understand why he liked Xu Zhiyin so much that he couldn't live without her.
Just then, Xu Zhiyin's phone rang.
She took out the phone and answered the call.
"Is that Zhiyin?" It was a familiar and gentle voice.
Xu Zhiyin was slightly taken aback and immediately responded carefully, "Mother?"
It was not Madam Xu. In this world, there was another person whom she calls 'mother'. This person was Ji Liunian's mother, her former-mother-in-law.
The Ji family was a rich family. All their family members were elites. Ji Liunian's mother had her own career and the whole family rarely gets together.
The reason Madam Ji called her would probably be something related to their divorce.
Xu Zhiyin's guess just arose when she heard Madam Ji inviting her, "Your father and I just came home after running some errands these two days. Let's have dinner together! Our family has not seen one another in quite some time…"
When Xu Zhiyin first married Ji Liunian, Madam Ji didn't like her because she was not as pretty, outstanding and eloquent as Chuxia.
After these few years of hard work, Madam Ji began to like Xu Zhiyin more and more.
Otherwise, she wouldn't talk to Xu Zhiyin in a gentle manner like now.
Xu Zhiyin heard her and replied, "Mother, I'm busy these few days and can't come home to accompany you."
Although she didn't want to decline Madam Ji, she knew her current status. She should never have any more involvement with Ji Liunian.
Madam Ji asked, "Are you that busy till you have no time for dinner?"
"I've divorced Liunian. So, I can't go to Ji Residence in future. Thank you for taking care of me these few years…" Xu Zhiyin was trying hard to suppress her sadness. She actually didn't wish to divorce.
However, she had self-awareness and didn't want to burden everyone.
"Silly girl." Madam Ji could sense her suppressed emotions and interrupted her, "Do you mean after you and Liunian divorced, you're not part of our family anymore? I've seen you grow up since young. Even if both of you have divorced, you are still our family. You must come tonight. Dinner will be at 7 pm. Come earlier, don't be late."
Then, Madam Ji ended the call.
Xu Zhiyin held on to her phone and spaced out for several seconds.
What should she do?
Could she just ignore Madam Ji? That was not possible.
She had divorced Ji Liunian but the Xu family was still dependent on the Ji family.
Her parents' business still needed the Ji family's support.
Moreover, Madam Ji treated her well and she couldn't decline.
Hence, she had to attend this dinner.
Although she knew she would most probably meet Ji Liunian there…
Gu Nantian's gaze remained on Xu Zhiyin.
Xu Zhiyin raised her head and announced, "I'm going home to have family dinner tonight. So, I'll have to leave for a while."
She knew if she did not tell Gu Nantian, he would not allow her to leave.
Gu Nantian came closer to her with his hand on the railing. From far, it looked like he was holding her in his embrace although they were standing close to one another.
He liked to tease Xu Zhiyin whether he was free or busy and couldn't stop.
Upon hearing Xu Zhiyin's reply, his eyes lit up. "If you think carefully, you would know that…"
When Xu Zhiyin thought he would agree, he added slowly, "I won't agree!"
Zhiyin was speechless. How could this man decline in such a bold manner?
Xu Zhiyin continued, "This is important to me. Even if you're my patient and even if I've promised the director to be the doctor in charge of your case, I still have my own freedom."
Xu Zhiyin had been hiding in Gu Mansion these two days and had been putting her focus on her work as she hated to return to reality and to face the existing problems.
However, she didn't want to make an excuse to decline Madam Ji.
Gu Nantian nodded, "Since it's an important matter to you, alright! As long as you give me a kiss, you'll have one hour of free time."
Why did she feel like she had sold herself to him and what she did was no longer within her control?
Xu Zhiyin turned around, "How can I kiss you?"
They were not lovers. She had accepted him teasing her all the time but he wanted her to kiss him?
No way!
Gu Nantian replied, "If you think you can't, then I can't help you."
Xu Zhiyin didn't believe him. "You really won't allow me to leave?"
"Tell me, who are you seeing?" Gu Nantian was not as harsh as she had imagined.
"It's my freedom to see anyone. I don't have to tell you!" If he were to know she was meeting Ji Liunian's mother, she couldn't imagine what he would say.
Anyway, Gu Nantian was now very jealous. She was not related to him but he had regarded her as his belonging.
"Then, all the more reason you can't go out."
Xu Zhiyin sighed. "I'm going to see my mother, alright?"
"Alright, bring me along! I saw her in the hospital that day but had no chance to say hi to her. Till today, I still regret it." Gu Nantian was a person who did not like to greet strangers and furthermore, Madam Xu was furious that day, so he did not greet her.
Him saying this caused her brain to summon images of Gu Nantian calling her mother 'mother'."
If Madam Xu were to know her daughter was working for Gu Nantian and was mistaken by Gu Nantian as his wife, she might faint.
She looked at Gu Nantian. "If you see my mother next time, please don't say hello."
"Why?" Gu Nantian had treated Xu Zhiyin as his family member! He felt it would be rude not to greet her family members.
Xu Zhiyin warned, "If you don't listen to me, I'll not talk to you again."
Although Gu Nantian was powerful, her mother with her existing personality, would not want her to have any relationship with Gu Nantian.
So, Xu Zhiyin didn't want Gu Nantian to stir up trouble.