Life went on, but Gu Nianyi and Lu Jin’an suddenly grew distant.
It might have been because of that unexpected kiss.
It might have been the shock of death.
An invisible chasm stretched between them.
Lu Jin’an understood that Gu Nianyi wasn’t heartless. She needed time to process it all, so he gave her that time.
A week after the incident, Xie Yunting called Lu Jin’an out for drinks early one morning.
At his own home.
The man had been wallowing in melancholy lately, and Lu Jin’an had no choice but to go.
He found Xie Yunting sitting alone at the bar counter, a bottle of liquor already open.
Lu Jin’an shrugged off his coat, tossed it onto the sofa, and rolled up his sleeves. “President Xie, ditching the workaholic routine to follow the trend and drown your sorrows at home?”
Xie Yunting slid a glass of liquor his way. “Have a drink.”
“No thanks. Spill it.”
Lu Jin’an had other things to do and turned down the drink.
Xie Yunting just drank in silence. From behind, he looked even more desolate.
“If you’re not talking, I’m out. Got stuff to handle.” Lu Jin’an made a move to leave.
Xie Yunting finally glanced up at him. “Where you off to?”
He’d checked in advance—Lu Jin’an was on leave, which was why he’d scheduled this.
Lu Jin’an’s dark eyes flicked toward the window as he drawled, “Chasing my wife.”
Xie Yunting thought he’d misheard. “Wait, you’re already married. What do you mean, chasing?”
Lu Jin’an lowered his gaze, his tone utterly serious. “Being married isn’t the same as dating. She deserves everything other people get—from meeting to falling in love, not a single step skipped.”
It was a decision he’d mulled over deeply these past days, especially after seeing what Xu Wenyan had done.
Other guys quietly poured in so much effort, but he—a legal husband—had done nothing.
More importantly, he wanted to treat her well. He wanted to give her everything.
Xie Yunting knocked back a glass. “You sure it’s like, not pity or sympathy?”
He was a bit drunk, but still clear-headed.
Lu Jin’an leaned against the bar, propping his right leg up. “And you? With Ming Yue—which is it?”
He tossed the question right back, smooth as silk.
Xie Yunting pondered for a few seconds, eyes downcast. “It’s like.”
“I want to marry her.”
No point hiding it from Lu Jin’an. Saying one thing and meaning another wasn’t his style.
Lu Jin’an rubbed the phone in his pocket, answering the earlier question. “I know whether it’s like or sympathy for her.”
At first, he’d treated her like a wife—mutual respect, nothing more. He hadn’t really put her in his heart.
She had no ulterior motives either. Him not coming home, working overtime—she never nagged or complained. They could live like that forever. It was fine.
It suited him perfectly.
Then, on the trip back to her hometown, he didn’t get it. Why shoulder it all alone? Why be so conflicted?
If she was unhappy, why not just cut ties with her parents?
Through their time together, he gradually understood. She craved love, yearned for family.
Li Huiling dangled an on-again, off-again thread, blocking the clean break she deserved.
He started paying too much attention to her—every smile, every move tugged at him.
Gu Nianyi had slipped into his heart without him noticing.
Like how summer sneaks up—you don’t know exactly when it arrives until it’s here.
He hated her growing distant, ached at her withdrawal.
His heart hurt seeing her shield him, hurt knowing she’d had surgery alone.
Later, jealousy over Xu Wenyan sealed it. He knew he’d fallen hard.
Xie Yunting’s voice dropped low. “Ming Yue wants to quit. End things.”
Lu Jin’an wasn’t surprised. “Can’t stand dragging it out anymore, huh? That ring’s gathering dust.”
Everyone had their unspeakable burdens.
Xie Yunting shook his head. “She won’t.”
The ring sat on the bar, gleaming brilliantly, waiting for its owner—who wanted nothing to do with it.
Lu Jin’an clapped his shoulder. “Let her go. Forced love isn’t sweet.”
Letting go wasn’t that easy. Xie Yunting lifted his eyes. “What if Gu Nianyi wanted a divorce?”
“She wouldn’t.”
Lu Jin’an dodged the question outright. He couldn’t even entertain the thought.
He knew damn well he wouldn’t let her go.
Xie Yunting spread his hands. “See? You get it. Letting go’s no picnic.”
The two of them were pinned down hard by a pair of sisters.
Meanwhile, at work, Gu Nianyi received a bouquet.
An orange arrangement of sunflowers, champagne roses, and white balloon flowers.
It complemented the autumn light outside the window perfectly.
Warm, reassuring hues.
Shen Lingyun leaned in, gossiping. “From your hubby? Yi Yi, is it your birthday?”
Gu Nianyi shook her head slightly. “Dunno. Let me check.”
The card was tucked among the blooms, in handwriting she knew well.
“Hope you’re happy—today, tomorrow, every day.”
Bold and lush strokes, flowing like clouds and water.
Unmistakably Lu Jin’an’s.
Gu Nianyi was puzzled too. Out of the blue, Lu Jin’an sending flowers—like he wanted her to cheer up.
Lately, she’d buried herself in work—reports, bids, the works.
Busy as hell, she’d neglected him.
Gu Nianyi hadn’t driven today; Lu Jin’an said he’d pick her up.
Night fell, darkness coming earlier and earlier. She packed up to head home, the orange bouquet cradled in her arms. Her fingers brushed the petals, a breeze lifting them gently.
The flowers were gorgeous, the streetlights warm.
Lu Jin’an waited outside the car, just like before.
Gu Nianyi walked straight to the eye-catching car and man.
She slid into the passenger seat and asked directly, “Dr. Lu, what made you send me flowers?”
“Want you to be happy.”
Gu Nianyi tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, feeling the chill autumn wind. She stared into the rearview mirror. “Dr. Lu, you don’t need to worry about me. I’m just a little down—I’ll be fine soon.”
“I was never into him.”
The last part was to clear the air—she didn’t want Lu Jin’an misunderstanding. They were married now; better to sort out any confusion right away.
Even if their feelings weren’t deep.
Besides, if a little thing like that made her fall for Xu Wenyan, her affections would be too cheap.
“I know.” Lu Jin’an stared at the back of her head, thoughtful.
He got it—Gu Nianyi couldn’t just pretend nothing happened. She was the loyal type.
That night, kissing her had been selfish. He wanted her to remember the day not just for Xu Wenyan, but for him too.
The car eased onto the main road, the old city’s lively scents filling the air.
Lu Jin’an kept his eyes ahead. “Wanna go out this weekend? Hike, see the maples.”
Gu Nianyi thought for two seconds. “Sure.”
She needed to get out, didn’t want to stay cooped up at home. People got stale that way.
Lu Jin’an said they’d spend the night on the mountain, catch sunrise and sunset. Packing fell to him this time.
Their destination: Poolstream Mountain, on the southern edge of South City.
A flat clearing at the top for watching the sunrise and camping.
Gear had been hauled up by vehicles ahead of time. The path from base to summit? All on foot.
At the foot of the mountain, they found they weren’t alone.
“Dr. Lu, why so many people?”
He hadn’t told her it was a hospital team-building trip. She knew a few from surgery, but the rest were strangers.
But everyone seemed to know Lu Jin’an.
Passersby sized her up curiously—no malice.
Lu Jin’an kept Gu Nianyi behind him. “Stick close. If you don’t wanna hang with the crowd, I’ll find us a spot.”
He’d brought her to unwind, soak in nature.
Gu Nianyi shook her head. “It’s fine. More people, more fun.”
The group leader gave quick instructions—stay safe, don’t lag behind—then everyone split off toward the summit.
Gu Nianyi noticed others had brought family too, even a few kids.
She relaxed a bit.
Zhou Ziyu tagged along with Lu Jin’an and Gu Nianyi. He didn’t mind being a third wheel.
The couple rocked black-and-white outfits; his gray balanced it out.
Zhou Ziyu reached for Lu Jin’an’s backpack. “Gimme some snacks.”
Lu Jin’an lifted an arm, switching the bag. “All for my wife. Get your own if you want some.”
Zhou Ziyu: “Dr. Lu, you…”
He was speechless. Gu Nianyi’s appetite was tiny—could she even finish all that?
“I can’t eat this much.” Gu Nianyi called back from ahead, having overheard.
Zhou Ziyu smirked. “See? Even Sister-in-Law says she can’t finish it.”
“Eat slow. She can.” Lu Jin’an quickened his pace to match Gu Nianyi’s.
Zhou Ziyu got it—Lu Jin’an just wouldn’t share.
“Not interested anyway. You two lovebirds have fun.”
He turned to play with a colleague’s kid.
The group reached Poolstream Mountain past noon. The sun hung southwest, sunlight spilling through the trees like golden gems scattered on earth.
Maples and ginkgos blanketed the slopes in orange and yellow, a vibrant oil painting come to life.
Just wind rustling leaves, birds calling.
And distant kids’ laughter.
Far from the city’s clamor, no worries in mind—Gu Nianyi hadn’t felt this relaxed in ages.
Distracted by the view, Gu Nianyi slipped, tumbling down a small slope.
Lu Jin’an yanked her back in time—but went down with her.
The man checked first: “You okay?”
Gu Nianyi shook her head. “I’m fine.”
She was cradled entirely in Lu Jin’an’s arms, her body pressing down on his as he bore all the pain.
“Dr. Lu, is your hand okay?”
They lay on the hillside. Lu Jin’an glanced down at her, arching a brow. “Worried?”
Gu Nianyi paused at his words, frowning lightly. “Of course I’m worried. Your hand is important—it holds the scalpel, saving lives.”
Even if it was just concern for his job, that was fine by him.
Lu Jin’an reassured her. “It’s nothing. Don’t worry.”
Fortunately, the slope wasn’t too steep, and neither of them was seriously hurt.
Gu Nianyi didn’t dare let her attention wander again. For the rest of the path, Lu Jin’an kept holding her hand.
As they stepped onto the final stair, Lu Jin’an said from behind her, “Congratulations, little Gu Nianyi—you’re the first from our family to reach the summit.”
“I’m not first.”
The others were already setting up tents.
“The first from our family.”
No wonder he’d switched places to follow behind her at the last step.
“Dr. Lu, you’re so childish.”
A long-absent smile bloomed on Gu Nianyi’s face.
Before long, the two of them worked together to pitch the tent.
Lu Jin’an went to find Zhou Ziyu. “Help me take care of this.”
The scrape was on his back, which he couldn’t reach himself—and he didn’t want Gu Nianyi to know. She’d only blame herself.
Zhou Ziyu examined the abrasion on his back: red, raw streaks across his entire back.
It looked awful. Truly awful. Incredibly awful.
“Hero saves the beauty, but you won’t even play the pity card? Dr. Lu, you’ve got a tough mouth on you.”
“Shouldn’t you be running to your wife right now? ‘Honey, it hurts so much. Honey, I’m dying here—kiss it better, hold me tight.'”
Zhou Ziyu teased him mercilessly.
Lu Jin’an shot him a cold glare. “Hurry up.”
Telling her would only add to her worries. No need for that.
Play the pity card? What kind of man did that make him?
The next morning, Lu Jin’an woke early to find the spot beside him empty. Gu Nianyi was gone.
He got up quickly and lifted the tent flap. There she sat alone on the grass.
Her silhouette was cool and solitary, blending into the morning mist.
A light breeze could scatter her away.
“Watching the sunrise alone?” Lu Jin’an sat down beside her.
“Yeah. Couldn’t sleep.”
Fortunately, the weather cooperated—it was a bright, sunny day.
They sat shoulder to shoulder, waiting for the sun to rise.
After some internal struggle, Gu Nianyi asked softly, “Dr. Lu, does it make me heartless if I don’t like him?”
She wasn’t sure who else to ask. Ming Yue would side with her unconditionally.
By comparison, Lu Jin’an seemed like an objective third party.
He glanced sideways at her. Her turmoil seeped into his heart. After a moment’s thought, he replied, “No. Everything he did, he kept from you. It was just an accident that it came out midway.”
If not for Xu Wenyan’s colleague, she never would have known.
If not for his surgery, she still wouldn’t have.
In the end, she’d been left to shoulder it all alone.
The world placed too many demands and shackles on women.
It demanded they be hardworking and kind.
It demanded unwavering loyalty.
It demanded independence, yet also virtue and grace.
People would say, “He likes you so much—why can’t you like him back?”
But why should she?
They were just ordinary people, after all.
Lu Jin’an’s gaze deepened. “Your happiness is what he wants to see most.”
“Look—the sun’s rising again.”
Gu Nianyi murmured, “Yeah.”
Compared to him, they were the lucky ones, the protected ones.
Because of people like him, they could live in peace.
Watching the sun rise and set, day after day.
Lu Jin’an’s lips pressed into a straight line as he said meaningfully, “Gu Nianyi, be happy. Look forward.”
And see him, too.
A brilliant dawn light broke in the east. As the sun leaped over the horizon, its rays bathed the earth, smoothing everything away.
The sunlight followed his words, shining into her heart.
It banished the shadows within.
“Mm. I will, Dr. Lu.”
After a brief hesitation, Lu Jin’an pulled Gu Nianyi into his arms. “If it hurts, just cry it out. You’ve got me.”
Gu Nianyi tentatively wrapped her arms around his waist.
She buried her face in his chest and sobbed loudly.
Lu Jin’an held her trembling shoulders, thinking: Let her vent. Once it’s out, she’ll be okay.
Her muffled sobs sank into his heart.
Dragging him down with them.
It hurt him, seeing her cry over another man.
When Gu Nianyi finally cried herself out, she felt a long-lost sense of security. “Dr. Lu, you’re so good. A really good person.”
He’d just been friend-zoned.
Gu Nianyi lifted her head. Her eyes were like a little rabbit’s, red-rimmed and brimming with morning dew.
Having soaked his shirt with her tears, she started to pull away—but Lu Jin’an wouldn’t let go.
He held her back firmly, preventing her escape, and leaned down to press a gentle kiss to her forehead.
He kissed away her tears, one by one.
His lips pursed. The tears were so salty, so bitter. “Gu Nianyi, this is the last time.”
The last time he’d allow her to cry over someone else.
His voice was slightly hoarse, rough with emotion.
“Huh?”
Gu Nianyi’s brain was a beat slow, her mouth slightly agape. She didn’t grasp what he meant by “the last time.”
Lu Jin’an ruffled her hair. “Too much crying is bad for your eyes.”
He ached for her—and his own heart ached too.
Gu Nianyi stood up, her tone formal. “Got it. I’ll follow Dr. Lu’s medical advice to the letter.”
After the team-building trip, another rumor spread through the hospital: Dr. Lu had argued with his wife while hiking.
Someone had heard her crying pitifully at dawn.
More than one person, in fact.
Upon hearing the gossip, Lu Jin’an made the first personal Moments post of his life.
“No fighting.”
The photo was a side profile of Gu Nianyi watching the sunrise.
Serene and beautiful—the photographer had put heart into it.
With the person involved debunking it online, complete with his own photo, the post’s credibility soared.
This wasn’t a fight; it screamed head-over-heels in love.
Gu Nianyi saw his Moments—and especially her photo—and her ears burned. 【Dr. Lu, did something happen?】
Lu Jin’an: 【Nothing much. Just some rumors.】
Gu Nianyi: 【Should I post too?】
If it meant showing off their relationship to shut down the rumors, she’d play along.
Lu Jin’an: 【Up to you. But it’d be best if you did.】
A moment later, Lu Jin’an saw Gu Nianyi’s new post.
It was the flowers he’d given her.
Her skin was thin, so she just added a heart emoji.
Lu Jin’an commented first.
【From now on, you’ll be twice as happy.】
Lu Jinxuan chimed in below: 【Joy for all! Big bro’s finally wised up!!!】
Gu Nianyi couldn’t bear to burst her bubble. It was all for the act, after all.
Lu Jin’an left Moments and messaged Lu Jinxuan: 【Take your sister-in-law out more lately. I’ll cover all expenses.】
He attached a transfer of 99,999 yuan.
Lu Jinxuan: 【Bro, you’re my real bro. I’ll take great care of sis-in-law.】
Lu Jin’an stressed: 【No shady places.】
Did he have mind-reading powers? He knew her too well.
Lu Jinxuan patted her chest: 【Relax, I’ve got this.】
Her brother must have fought with his wife. Time to make him sweat a little.
The next second, she booked spots at her usual haunts ahead of time.
Drinking, fruit platters—pure fun, totally proper.
She ignored the fact that she’d ordered male models.
What a genius she was.