She couldn't help but pinch her own cheek. It hurt, and only then did she realize it wasn't a dream.
But today, he was so gentle it felt unreal.
Gu Yunting found her silly action amusing and asked, "What are you doing acting foolish?"
"Nothing, I just felt a bit disoriented, so I pinched myself to wake up," Ye Wan explained, a little embarrassed.
Gu Yunting looked at her small, almost emaciated face, feeling how light she was in his arms. He regretted even more how he had treated her in the past, but if he hadn't, how would she have willingly returned to his side?
A lavish dinner was prepared in the dining room. For the first time, Ye Wan didn't comment on the wastefulness. Gu Yunting held Ye Wan the entire time, and the two were so entwined, like conjoined twins, that even the butler and Sun Ma blushed.
Ye Wan was also embarrassed, but the man absolutely refused to let her down, insisting on holding her while she ate. After their separation, Gu Yunting was even more certain that he would never give her another chance to escape him.
Looking at the girl's eager, cat-like expression as she eyed the delicacies before her, he felt that she hadn't changed at all. She was still that pitiable child of seven or eight who needed love.
As Gu Yunting fed the woman in his arms, Ye Wan also summoned the courage to feed him. They sweetly fed each other, creating a warm and romantic scene.
Sun Ma was so moved she was almost in tears. The young master and Ye Wan had finally found their happily ever after.
The butler was also surprised, never having expected the young master to dote on a girl so intensely.
After they had eaten their fill, Gu Yunting carried her upstairs. Ye Wan's belongings had already been moved. She didn't have much, just some books, her laptop, and a few casual clothes.
The room was well-heated, and Ye Wan, dressed warmly, had a fine sheen of sweat on her fair little nose. It was too hot for her, so she took off her socks and changed into a cooler nightgown.
Gu Yunting emerged from the bathroom to see this scene. Ye Wan, in a silk nightgown, was lying on his dark gray duvet, her legs bent upwards, her fair little feet dangling, bringing life to the otherwise somber large bed.
"You're done with your wash, I'll go then." Ye Wan sat up, got out of bed, put on her slippers, and went to wash.
Gu Yunting found it hard to believe. It seemed that ever since he had saved her younger brother, her attitude towards him had changed significantly. Even when they were together before, things were awkward, but since her return this time, she… seemed… very much at ease with their current relationship… and very comfortable.
What he didn't know was that Ye Wan had begun to see herself in the role of his wife. She had always wanted to be a good wife, even if it was a marriage of convenience, even if he had someone else in his heart. Since she was married to him, as long as they were husband and wife for one day, she would be his wife for that day and fulfill her marital obligations.
When Ye Wan came out, Gu Yunting was on his laptop, handling work. She walked over and stood behind him, watching him. The man's gaze shifted from the computer screen to the young girl's face.
"Today is New Year's Day, a holiday. Rest tonight and don't overwork yourself." Ye Wan felt that a qualified good wife should advise her husband to take care of his health.
"Okay!" Gu Yunting closed his laptop without hesitation, got up, came over, and swept her into his arms, heading towards the large bed behind them.
Ye Wan, "..."
She told him to rest, not to roll around in bed with her!
She just wanted him to rest...
Just as Ye Wan was about to express her thoughts, the man suddenly got up and left. He found some ointment and returned to the bedside, taking her small ankle in his hand, intending to apply medicine to the chilblains on her feet.