Chapter Ten: Wounds Within

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Mu Lichen commanded, "That kind of place isn't suitable for you."

"Is it suitable for you then? Don't tell me you've never been there."

"I'm a man; you're different."

"Then tonight, I want to be a woman!"

Yin Guizhen continued to stare at the night outside the window, her pale face devoid of any expression, as if recounting someone else's decision. Who would believe that after five years of marriage, she was still a virgin? Every night, she had hoped Luo Yichen would come home, yet she was always left waiting alone until dawn.

Mu Lichen stared at her in disbelief and advised, "Guizhen, I don't know what’s going on between you two. But are you really going to degrade yourself like this for a man who doesn’t love you?"

She smiled bitterly, "Not for him, for myself!"

"Nonsense! I absolutely won’t let you act recklessly. I’m sending you home right now!"

"I’m already dead inside. Just let me do what I want!"

Mu Lichen was shocked by the word "dead," his mind went blank, and after a long while he said, "Don’t let your thoughts run wild!"

Silence filled the car. Mu Lichen’s mind raced, trying to figure out how to dissuade Guizhen from thinking about ending her life. He wanted to inform Luo Yichen of the situation. But unless Luo Yichen gave up Shang Qi, his concern would be poison to Guizhen. As for telling the Yin family—given her sudden divorce and their current turmoil—they wouldn’t have time for her.

Mu Lichen said again, "Guizhen, please don’t entertain such thoughts. Even if no one else cares about you, I will be by your side."

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Yin Guizhen’s heart was in turmoil. For some reason, she dared not meet Mu Lichen’s gaze. Since childhood, besides her father, Mu Lichen had been the one who spoiled her the most. Their bond was more than friendship; it was family.

Mu Lichen continued, "I’m worried about you..."

"Stop it! I don’t have the courage to face Yichen loving someone else."

"You have to be brave. If Shang Qi dares to take Luo Yichen away, then take him back. As far as I know, there’s nothing between them—you still have a chance."

Guizhen’s delicate face was clouded with sadness and unease. Her gaze toward Luo Yichen was different from Mu Lichen's; she cared not about what he had done with other women, but about how he felt toward that woman. The moment Luo Yichen had grabbed her fiercely, she was certain he truly loved Shang Qi. Her arm ached then, but her heart felt numb. If one day she really saw another woman by Luo Yichen’s side, she wouldn’t be able to live.

Mu Lichen said again, "Luo Yichen has been with so many women before—you didn’t care then. Why are you so particular this time?"

"Back then, he was just venting his anger. He probably didn’t even notice how those women looked. Shang Qi has a special charm that attracts him, maybe even he hasn’t realized it himself."

"Guizhen, don’t speculate so recklessly!"

"Enough, can we go to a bar?" Yin Guizhen closed her eyes painfully, waiting for the car to start.

After leaving the company, Luo Yichen drove alone at high speed. He parked by a large bridge and stood smoking, recalling how he met, knew, and fell in love with Shang Qi—it had always seemed like he was the only one invested.

This woman never clearly expressed anything to him, nor promised him anything. She just naturally accepted all his care and protection. He paved the way for her career, and she took it as a matter of course. The few kisses they shared were forced upon her when he could no longer restrain himself. How could she be so heartless, unmoved by any of it?

Perhaps it was Luo Yichen’s own fault? Years ago, he was also unwavering in his commitment to Yin Guizhen. The Luo and Yin families had always been the greatest rivals. Old Master Luo had never agreed to Luo Yichen marrying Yin Guizhen. Consequently, Luo Yichen went through a period of reckless living, embracing different women every night while his heart remained empty.

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Only when Old Master Luo fell critically ill did Luo Yichen suddenly wake up and return to the Luo family to reorganize things. This time, he had to personally battle the Yin family. Yin Guizhen’s brother, Yin Guinong, disliked business. The Yin family was sustained only by her father, Yin Shichang, who was old and weakening. At their weakest, a marriage alliance with the Luo family was proposed.

Luo Yichen defied opposition and finally married Yin Guizhen. However, on their wedding night, he discovered she had stolen his seal and secretly sold a piece of land to the Yin family. This was a significant blow to Luo Yichen. From then on, he began to drown himself in work rather than women. One such reckless period was enough; he didn’t want to keep falling into such degradation.

Luo Yichen couldn’t understand why the women he loved never took him seriously. Why was he only ever treated like a pawn? This time, he wouldn’t let Shang Qi off so easily. Even if she wanted to leave, she would have to repay him for all he had given over the years.

Inside Mu Lichen’s car, Yin Guizhen kept urging him to drive. Mu Lichen felt deeply oppressed and needed to vent as well, so he sped off! The car stopped at a well-known bar. Before he could park properly, Yin Guizhen got out and walked inside. Her head was about to explode; she needed alcohol to soothe her pain.

Because it was Christmas Eve, the bar was lively and crowded. Yin Guizhen sat at the bar and ordered a strong drink. The bartender noticed Mu Lichen rushing over and hesitated to serve her immediately. Mu Lichen was well acquainted with the bar owner and had business dealings here; naturally, the bartender dared not offend him. Judging by his expression, he didn’t want the beautiful woman before him to drink.

Yin Guizhen urged, "Where’s my drink?"

The bartender glanced at Mu Lichen, unsure how to respond. Guizhen noticed him watching Mu Lichen’s face and said, "Don’t play tricks!"

Mu Lichen looked innocent and said, "I didn’t say anything."

Then he told the bartender, "Bring the strongest drink you have—make it fruity."

The bartender smiled knowingly and prepared a light-flavored fruit wine, handing it to Yin Guizhen. She downed it in one gulp, appearing to drink juice. As soon as the wine touched her lips, she knew the bartender had tampered with it—there was no such sweet strong liquor in the world. But she didn’t reveal this and kept drinking glass after glass. Within twenty minutes, she had consumed over twenty drinks. Although the wine wasn’t strong, continuous drinking took its toll, and a flush of drunkenness began to spread across her face.