Qin He felt like a caught rabbit.
Button by button, they were "unfastened." She lowered her head, witnessing the entire process, her teeth grinding in anger.
This man, usually so aloof, actually had such a lecherous side!
Beneath Qin He's denim jacket was a simple white camisole.
Gu Qichen's eyes were deep and dark as his fingertip hooked onto the strap—
Qin He gradually succumbed to Gu Qichen's tenderness and attentiveness. He was unhurried, occasionally lifting his incredibly handsome face, his voice slightly hoarse as he spoke into her ear.
Until the last piece of clothing fell to the bedside.
The dream conjured by the big bad wolf completely vanished. After all, the big bad wolf had already dazed the little white rabbit, stripping away all her defenses.
It was time for the main course. To endure any longer might make his little wife think he needed some restorative soup.
Qin He paid a "painful" price, her pleas for mercy fragmented.
Finally, when the man mercifully let her go, she heard Gu Qichen laugh softly in her ear.
"My stamina isn't that great, you've truly suffered. I'll definitely drink more restorative soup when we get back."
Qin He gritted her teeth, once again discovering this man's sly side.
"Don't drink it, or you'll kill someone!"
Gu Qichen's lips curved into a smile as he looked down at the already sleeping Qin He.
He picked her up and took her to the bathroom, cleaned her, and changed her into clean pajamas.
Afterward, he held her close.
The person he had long searched for had finally returned, and his prolonged rage and anxiety were soothed in that moment.
Gu Qichen held Qin He, his expression gradually turning stern.
Shen Yizong, even if Qin He wasn't injured, he would still find him and make him disappear from this world!
The next day.
At ten in the morning, Qin He woke up feeling sore all over.
Gu Qichen was no longer by her side. Qin He was startled when she saw the time. She had arranged to leave with Lu Mingxi yesterday evening.
But it was already long past the agreed-upon six o'clock.
Qin He hurried downstairs and bumped into Yu Jing in the living room.
"Yu Jing, where is Gu Qichen?"
Yu Jing smiled and said, "Mr. Gu went to buy you clothes. He said he didn't want to disturb your sleep, so he even changed the flight to this afternoon."
Qin He nodded and asked, "Where is Lu Mingxi?"
Yu Jing looked at Qin He with a hint of surprise. "Young Master Lu just left. Did you need him for something?"
Qin He's brow furrowed. "Where did he go?"
"He probably went back to China. Now that you've been found, he must be returning."
Qin He turned and strode towards the door. "How long has he been gone?"
"Only a few minutes. I saw Young Master Lu when I came from the main gate."
Qin He rushed to the main gate and, seeing the empty road, fell silent.
Lu Mingxi must have thought she stood him up. But Qin He's heart trembled. Based on the time Shen Yizong had injected her before, "Ice Sea" would soon flare up.
Did she want to show Gu Qichen that side of herself? That pathetic appearance?
Qin He bit her lower lip and stood there for a long time.
Yu Jing, standing nearby, suggested, "Miss Qin, why don't we call Young Master Lu?"
Qin He shook her head. "You go back first. I need to calm down here."
Bodyguards were stationed on the two streets surrounding the villa. Yu Jing nodded and returned to the villa.
Qin He waited until Yu Jing left before taking out her phone and dialing Lu Mingxi's number.
The call kept ringing with a busy tone, but no one answered.
Just as Qin He was about to despair, a voice sounded from beside her.
"I thought you had changed your mind."
Qin He turned her head and found Lu Mingxi standing by the wall near the gate, looking at her intently.
"I'm sorry, I overslept yesterday," Qin He hurried over.
Lu Mingxi's gaze swept over the red marks on Qin He's neck, and his eyes darkened slightly.
"It's alright. Since you're here, let's go."
A car pulled out from the side, and Qin He and Lu Mingxi got in.
Last night, when she decided to leave, her plan was to leave a note for Gu Qichen. But she had overslept today and didn't have time to leave a word.
Although there were bodyguards around the villa, they all knew Lu Mingxi was one of their own.
They were guarding against outsiders, but no one expected Lu Mingxi to take Qin He away.
As they drove out of the street, Qin He simply bent down slightly and avoided everyone's gaze.
Lu Mingxi drove her all the way to the airport in Kunming.
The originally long convoy gradually reduced in number, car by car.
Qin He turned to look.
Lu Mingxi smiled, "Our entire convoy was too conspicuous. To avoid being discovered by Shen Yizong, we're boarding separately."
Qin He nodded. Their timing was perfect; they arrived at the airport just as boarding was about to begin.
She couldn't make calls on the plane, so Qin He frowned and quickly drafted a message to Gu Qichen.
Qin He typed: [Gu Qichen, actually, when I was with Shen Yizong, he injected me with something called Ice Sea...]
Qin He didn't want Gu Qichen to see her in such a state, but she also didn't want to deceive or hide it from him.
She explained the matter of Shen Yizong and Ice Sea in detail, and Qin He continued to type.
[Lu Mingxi knows some reputable institutions. I'm going there for withdrawal treatment. Don't worry, I'll be back in about three months, and then I'll be reunited with you and Lele.]
Qin He pursed her lips. [Don't come to see me. I don't want you to see me at my most pathetic.]
Because, at that time, she herself wouldn't want to face herself.
After sending the message, Qin He boarded the plane.
Her phone rang. An air hostess passing by smiled politely. "Miss, please turn off your phone."
Qin He had no choice but to hang up and turn off her phone.
She took a deep breath. Yesterday, she had already checked online; the withdrawal period varied in different countries.
However, the most painful days were the first five, then around thirty days, and ninety days was considered successful.
As the plane began to taxi, Qin He's fingers trembled.
Her brow furrowed, a feeling of weakness washed over her, and pain began to creep in.
It was almost time.
Lu Mingxi, sitting beside her, noticed her discomfort.
"Qin He, what's wrong?"
Qin He clenched her fist and gritted her teeth. "How long is the flight from Kunming to Country M?"
Lu Mingxi frowned. "Twenty hours."
Qin He's vision swam. "I might not be able to last that long. What should I do?"
If she had an episode on the plane, it would be easily noticed by the surrounding passengers. By then, forget about reaching Country M.
She might be deported directly from the airport!
Her voice became slurred, and she quickly made a decision. "Lu Mingxi, knock me out."