Chapter 163: The Cuckold Storm (Part I)

For the casting of her new drama, Gu Yan constantly traveled back and forth between Hangzhou and Hengdian. As the screenwriter, her presence was required at both the preliminary rounds and the grand finale. It came as no surprise that the preliminary rounds were such a resounding success.

"Cheers!!" Inside the minimalist yet elegant private dining room sat a gathering of remarkable individuals.

"I must propose a separate toast to our most accomplished Gu. Bottoms up!" Cai Mei said boldly, raising her glass.

"To our reunion," Gu Yan gestured with her glass before downing it in one go.

Limin, seated beside them, eyed Gu Yan thoughtfully. He could never have imagined that the "Gu" Mei often spoke of was actually the acclaimed playwright Alisa. Although the woman before him was smiling warmly, she emitted an air of aloof and icy detachment.

"Cai Mei, I'll toast you as well. May all lovers in the world finally be united!" Cai Mei let her gaze linger playfully between Zheng Yingqi and Gu Yan before draining her glass with a smile. The welcome banquet went smoothly, and during the gathering, Gu Yan spoke only two words to Limin: Cherish blessings.

The next day, Gu Yan took Cai Mei and returned to Hengdian. Before leaving, she promised that the male lead role would definitely go to Limin. It was not a matter of Gu Yan playing favorites; that was simply reality. Connections will always remain a crucial part of strength.

Upon returning to her familiar hometown, Cai Mei chose to visit the hospital first.

The hospital room was quiet, save for the steady beep of the electrocardiogram. Having not seen her in days, Gu Yan felt the girl on the hospital bed looked even more emaciated. Cai Mei's lips trembled with sorrow, and tears streamed down her face continuously.

"Great Immortal... Great Immortal... Pretty Mei is here... Great Immortal... Pretty Mei doesn't want Limin anymore, Pretty Mei is back. And Gu, too, Gu doesn't want Shen Hong anymore. Wake up, please. It's been so many years, don't let Jiang Yunkai torture you anymore, and don't make us look down on you. I know you can hear me. Wake up... please wake up..."

Unable to bear watching Cai Mei cry into a sobbing mess, Gu Yan turned away as a single tear slipped down her cheek. What Gu Yan did not know, however, was that the moment she turned around, a single tear also welled from the corner of the hospitalized girl's eye.

In the end, Cai Mei decided to stay at the hospital. She said, "Yan, just like you, I have no home to return to. Let me stay and take care of the Great Immortal." Back at the hotel, Gu Yan collapsed onto the bed and fell fast asleep. With how hectic and relentless her schedule had been lately, it was no wonder she was so exhausted.

"Damn woman, you came back from Hangzhou and didn't even come to see me. Do you have any idea how much I missed you?" Wei Hao said as he walked in. Upon entering the room and seeing Gu Yan fast asleep, his voice noticeably lost its bravado. "Fine, I'll forgive you this once." With that, he gently stroked Gu Yan's face.

"Dad... Mom..." A tear fell from the corner of the sleeping woman's eye.

Sitting by the bedside, Wei Hao felt as though his heart had been struck. He had seen Gu Yan when she was unreasonable and wild; he had seen her brimming with literary talent; he had seen her aloof and detached; and he had even seen her burst into loud sobs. But he had never seen her looking so fragile and helpless. At that moment, he suddenly realized that after three years together, he had never truly understood her at all. He should have realized it sooner: upon returning to the hometown where she grew up, she had seen her friends, yet she alone had never visited her closest family.

Suddenly, Wei Hao felt a pang of heartache for this woman a few years older than him, wondering how much hardship and how many tears she must have endured.