Isn't first love such a lovely feeling?

It's in those everyday moments that you find sheer magic. The way they run their hand through their hair, lost in their thoughts as they stare into the distance, or tilt their head slightly as they ponder.

Every word they say becomes etched into your memory, every smile they share feels like a ray of sunshine warming your soul. You find yourself cherishing every moment spent together, wishing time would slow down just so you can savor the sweetness of their presence a little longer.

It's the purest form of affection, untainted by past heartaches or fears of the future.

"Of couse, Gu Zhiyan is teaming with us!" Hou Xiran's voice rang out as she clung tightly to Gu Zhiyan's arm.

Gu Zhiyan offered no resistance, allowing himself to be pulled along by her across the sunny courtyard.

"Just give it up. She's Gu Zhiyan's repellant," a defeated voice echoed from a distance, drawing nods from the surrounding players.

"Xiran, just stop monopolizing Zhiyan! You keep winning because of him," a female voice chimed in.

Hou Xiran gracefully turned her head and shot her a glare. "Shut up, Qingying. Just get better," she retorted.

Suddenly, a thwack landed on the back of Hou Xiran's head, causing her to flinch. Whirling around angrily, she came face to face with their teacher who glared at her with disapproving gaze.

"Hou Xiran, when will you ever learn?" the teacher scolded.

"What did I do?" Hou Xiran complained. 

The teacher let out a weary sigh. "I've heard you ranked second from the last. If you don't want to fail this subject too, you should behave," he said.

Hou Xiran pouted and rolled her eyes. "Why am I always the only one scolded?" she murmured. She raised her head, only to see that Gu Zhiyan had been watching her.

"Xiran, you should listen to the teachers," he said softly and gave Hou Xiran a gentle pat on the head.

Hou Xiran's gaze lingered on Gu Zhiyan, her heart pounding in her chest as her face flushed red. In that moment, it felt like the world around them faded into the background, leaving only the two of them in their own private dimension.

In the quiet connection shared through their gazes, she sought comfort. Maybe, in time, he would come to cherish her just as deeply as she cherished him.

"Madam, the car is ready," a voice gently pulled Hou Xiran back to the present.

Hou Xiran raised her head, taking in the details of her home with an emotionless gaze. "Why am I remembering that now?" she thought.

Hou Xiran descended the grand staircase, her long black hair cascading down her back like waves. She wore a black dress that hugged her slender frame, complemented by a tailored black coat draped over her shoulders. 

"Make sure I don't return to a dusty house again," Hou Xiran stated firmly as she reached the ground floor.

The maids that lined up near the stairs bowed in unison. "Yes, madam," they replied, their eyes downcast as Hou Xiran passed.

The mansion was spacious yet everything was minimalist and monochromatic. It was as if its emptiness mirrored the loneliness of its mistress. 

As the door closed behind Hou Xiran, the maids exchanged worried glances.

"The madam looks unwell," one of them murmured.

Another maid frowned. "The master didn't even come home on their anniversary. No wonder she's upset," she remarked. "She cooked so much, too."

A third maid sighed and shook her head. "This mansion doesn't feel like a home for a married couple," she whispered.

Inside the car, Hou Xiran's phone buzzed with a notification just as the car began to move. She unlocked her phone to find a message from her mother-in-law.

[ Mother-in-law Ningyi: My dear, how was last night?? ]

Hou Xiran stole a glance at the faint cut on her thumb, a souvenir from her attempt at cooking something new. It was supposed to be a special gesture for their second anniversary, something even her mother-in-law helped her patiently. Unfortunately, all her efforts had been in vain again.

[ Mother, Zhiyan did not come home. But thank you for your support. ]

[ Mother-in-law Ningyi: What???? Where are you now????? ]

[ I'm heading to his office. ]

[ Mother-in-law Ningyi: Good!!! After you are done, let's go buy grocery together. No man from the Gu Family can resist good food. You just have to keep trying. ]

[ Thank you, Mother. ]

[ Mother-in-law Ningyi: Texting hurts my fingers. Call me when you are done, okay??? ]

[ Understood. ]

Sent.

Hou Xiran stared at her phone, her eyes lingering on the messages before she turned off the screen. She turned her attention to the window, her gaze unfocused as the world outside rushed by in a blur.

"Just keep trying," she murmured softly.

Hou Xiran's hallow expression wavered slightly as she rested a hand on her belly. "Please stay strong," she murmured silently.

Before long, the car pulled up in front of a towering building. The driver hurried to open the door, and the guards and employees alike greeted her with deference as she stepped out.

"Good afternoon, Mrs. Gu," they murmured, casting admiring glances her way. "An actress? No, that's Mr. Gu's wife. What? Really? Yeah, but she's a socialite. Don't you follow her Weistagram?"

As Hou Xiran made her way towards the elevator, the employees instinctively turned their heads and bowed in respect. Among them, there was a subtle yet noticeable movement as they silently urged each other to clear a path for the CEO's wife.

As the crowd dispersed, one figure remained, holding cups of coffee bought from outside. It was He Jinghao, her husband's trusted secretary and, perhaps, his closest friend.

"Huh, Xiran?" He Jinghao murmured, raising his brows.

Hou Xiran barely acknowledged him before turning her attention to the elevator door and coming to a halt. "Why are you so surprised?" she asked.

"N-nothing. Shall we go together?" He Jinghao offered nervously.

Hou Xiran remained silent, her arms crossed, as the elevator soon opened. The other occupants quickly exited, leaving only the two of them to ride.

"It's rare to see you here," He Jinghao said with a polite smile as the elevator closed.

Hou Xiran's expression remained impassive as she stared at the closed doors. "My husband did not come home for our anniversary. I am here to see if he is cheating," she replied.

He Jinghao smiled nervously. "He'd never do such a thing," he reassured her. "If anything like that were to happen, I'd be the first to let you know."

Hou Xiran scoffed softly as she glanced to the floor. "I wonder," she replied.

The door chimed softly with each passing floor, but no one dared to enter the elevator. Hou Xiran and He Jinghao stood in silence, the air heavy with unspoken words and tension.

After a few moments of uncomfortable stillness, Hou Xiran hesitantly broke the silence. "He Jinghao," she began, her voice surprisingly weak. "Do you think he hates me?"

He Jinghao glanced to the ceiling and sighed. "Hmm. Not at all," he said. "I don't believe Gu Zhiyan would have married you if he didn't want to."