Chapter 14: She's Just a Scrap Collector

I don't know how we ended up holding each other; his embrace is really comfortable, and she wants to hold him a little longer.

But she was afraid that the repeated ringing would wake him up.

She reached for her phone, and the caller ID showed "Yu Ke".

"Yu Ke, what's wrong?" she asked softly after answering the call.

"Chu Liuli, why didn't you come to school yesterday?! I called you but you didn't answer!!"

"Yu Ke, I..."

Before she could finish, he snatched her phone and hung up.

"Really annoying." He said those two words lightly, furrowing his brow.

"Hey, you..."

She still wanted to argue with him about him casually hanging up her call, but when he opened his eyes and looked at her, she immediately dared not speak.

"What's wrong?"

"You... when did you wake up?"

How come Chu Liuli becomes so timid in front of him?

"Just woke up."

She didn't expect him to answer her question; her forehead pressed against his fair neck, she didn't dare breathe.

"Oh!" she replied casually, preparing to get up.

"Don't move." He closed his eyes again, "I haven't slept well yet."

"I've slept enough; I'll get up first, you keep sleeping."

"I said, don't move."

"I still have class today." She muttered softly, "Can't I skip school just because I married you?"

"If you don't want to go, you don't have to."

"I do want to go! Cheng Li and Yu Ke must be really worried about me."

"You want to see him?"

Hearing the name Cheng Li, his mood instantly soured.

"Of course I want to see them!"

"I've taken leave for you; you're not allowed to go out today."

He wouldn't let her get up, yet he got up himself—how did she make him unhappy again?

She had just opened her phone when Cheng Li called her.

"Chu Liuli, why didn't you come yesterday? I called all day and no one answered, and no one replied to my messages!!"

From the other end came Cheng Li's irritable tone.

"My phone broke! Cheng Li, is it really necessary to get this angry?!" She made up an excuse.

"I'm just worried about you!"

"I'm not a child!"

The two of them actually started arguing over the phone.

"When are you coming to school today?"

"I'm not going today."

Gu Die won't let her go, so she still can't go.

But why does she have to obey her? Unless he also listens to her, that wouldn't be fair!

"Why?"

"I misspoke earlier; I meant you wait for me, I'll go to school in a bit!"

"Come quickly!"

"Should I fly over?!"

After joking, she hastily hung up; taking advantage of him still not being done washing, it was the perfect chance to sneak out—no, to go out openly.

"Young Mistress, you're awake."

"Aunt Lin, I have something to do, so I'm leaving first!"

"Young Mistress, you haven't changed your clothes yet!"

She almost forgot, wanting to go out in just his short-sleeve shirt, which she had been wearing as pajamas these past few days.

Liuli only spent two minutes in the first-floor wardrobe before coming out; she dared not waste another minute, or else he would arrive.

"Where are you going?"

Just as she reached the doorway, he was already standing on the upstairs hallway.

"I'm going out for a walk."

"I'll go with you."

"No, thanks?"

"How come? Are you not just going for a walk?"

His long legs carried him to her side in just a few steps.

"I'm really just going for a walk!"

"Chu Liuli, look into my eyes and say it again."

She looked into his eyes—cold brown pupils—and for a moment didn't know what to say.

"I won't let you go out."

"On what grounds? You cured my grandmother's illness, I married you, but you can't also restrict my freedom, can you?"

You rest at home today, and go again tomorrow.

There's still class at school.

I said you're not allowed to go.

He hoisted her up and rushed straight to the second floor.

Gu Die, put me down!

"I'll have Lin āyí bring the food over in a bit; you rest at home today and go to school tomorrow." He placed her on the bed, his movements gentle, his tone tender.

Is this really him?

"Be obedient." He said, lightly kissing her forehead.

Okay.

How did she agree? She even said 'okay'? With his doting tone, she couldn't refuse!

He smiled slightly, went downstairs to have Lin āyí prepare the meal.

How come he's so gentle today? Gu Die actually has this side too!

Which one is really him? She really can't figure it out.

She realized she hadn't brushed her teeth or washed her face, so she went to wash up.

After washing up, bored, she went downstairs again, searching for a while but didn't see his trace.

"Lin āyí, where is Gu Die?"

Young Master Gu has something to attend to; before leaving, he didn't forget to tell you to have chicken soup to nourish your body.

He left? Her focus was entirely on the first part of the sentence.

Yes, Young Mistress, I've never seen Young Master be this good to someone before; last night when you had a fever, he stayed by your bedside until your fever broke before sleeping, and this morning he went out again busy.

Did she have a fever again last night?

Young Mistress, Young Master has a bad temper; please be more tolerant. He grew up without a mother, and no one taught him what love is.

Lin āyí said, sighing.

He grew up without a mother? No wonder she's never seen one.

Although she doesn't even know who her own parents are, fortunately she met her grandmother, who taught her to love others.

But Gu Die only has a strict father, who forces him to do things he doesn't want to do.

Lin āyí, thank you for your care for him all these years; I know he has a bad temper, so I'll reluctantly tolerate him.

She joked, patting her chest to make a promise, making Lin āyí laugh.

"Lin āyí, I won't eat the meal for now; I'll go see your Young Master."

Seeing Lin āyí laugh so happily, she interjected.

Okay, go quickly!

As expected, Lin āyí agreed to her.

After she left, Lin āyí realized that Young Master, before leaving, had instructed that Young Mistress's body is weak; she definitely cannot go out today.

Now we're really done for.

Arriving at school, she saw Cheng Li and Yu Ke, and she was happy like a little child.

"You finally came!" Yu Ke ran to her side and grabbed her hand.

"It's only been a day since we last saw each other!" she laughed.

You don't understand, a day apart feels like three autumns.

"Liuli, what did you do yesterday?" Cheng Li asked.

"I went to see my grandmother yesterday." She couldn't let them know Gu Die had abandoned her on the roadside, causing her to get soaked in the rain and develop a fever.

How is your grandmother doing now?

She's doing well, now resting peacefully in the hospital; no need to worry.

Then I'll visit her another day.

Okay.

"Is it the private hospital of the Gu Family?" Yu Ke asked; if it is the Gu Family's private hospital, then Liuli still holds some status in Young Master Gu's heart.

Although the Gu Family's private hospital is large, only members of the Gu Family can go there for treatment.

How do you know?

Really? Liuli, I didn't expect Young Master Gu to be so good to you!

This is the condition of her marriage to him, to treat her grandmother's illness.

"The Gu Family's private hospital isn't something just anyone can enter!" Yu Ke continued.

Alright, Yu Ke, don't say more.

Seeing Yu Ke's raised-eyebrow expression, she couldn't help but laugh.

Liuli, just how is that person treating you?

Pretty good! Cheng Li, I really think he's decent, which is why I married him; I'm smart enough not to marry someone who doesn't love me.

Liuli feigned happiness, saying, while Cheng Li patted her head.

Alright, let's go into the classroom.

She linked her left arm with Cheng Li and her right arm with Yu Ke, pulling them into the classroom.

At this moment, everything was within Gu Die's grasp.

After finishing his work at the company, he hurried back home to keep her company.

But when Lin āyí said she had gone to school, he rushed over in a panic.

The scene of Cheng Li just now patting her head still flashed in his mind.

She hasn't seen Cheng Li for just a day, and she already misses him like this? She even sneaked out.

Liuli and they had just found a seat in the classroom and sat down when Gu Die walked in.

"How did he come?" Liuli panicked.

Seeing him walk over, she thought she was doomed; he had said he couldn't come to school today, yet she had sneaked out.

Fortunately, he only sat in the row in front of them.

She wanted to greet him, but he didn't even glance at her.

"Liuli, did you guys have a fight?"

Yu Ke asked softly.

"No, he's just like that aloof, right?" Liuli laughed embarrassedly.

"Is he like that with you too?" Yu Ke asked again.

"He's just like that." Liuli didn't know what to say.

Seeing Chu Liuli want to greet Young Master Gu, but Young Master Gu ignoring her, everyone in the classroom burst out laughing.

"Shut up." Cheng Li said in one sentence, and the classroom fell silent.

"Young Master Gu, you haven't heard, have you? Chu Liuli's family is poor; her tuition and her grandmother's medical expenses are all paid by Cheng Li." A bold girl walked over and sat down beside Gu Die.

"A woman like her, who's playing both sides, isn't worthy of you!"

"You'd better shut up soon." Yu Ke glared at the girl.

Liuli tugged at her clothes, telling her not to worry about this.

Let her talk if she wants; she's used to hearing such things.

"What, she dares to do it but won't let people talk about it?" Seeing Liuli not wanting to cause trouble, the girl became even more arrogant.

"You don't even know, Chu Liuli used to be a trash picker!" The girl spoke louder, "If it weren't for her hooking up with Cheng Li, she might still be a trash picker now!"

Everyone who heard it sighed.

A trash picker actually climbed into the Cheng family and even married the Gu Family Young Master.

"If you say another word, you won't be able to leave this classroom." Cheng Li had long been unable to hold back, his eyes flashing with anger.

The girl then said nothing more.

Anyway, everyone heard it, and the uproar was exactly what she wanted; her goal had been achieved.

After that, Chu Liuli was left to her own devices.

What she said wasn't wrong; she really used to be a trash picker, and there's nothing to explain.

And Gu Die didn't say a word in her defense.

"You two shouldn't be angry; there's nothing to be angry about this, and besides, she's stating the fact." She comforted Cheng Li and Yu Ke.