Chapter 13: Trying to Like You
989 Words
A melodious ringtone broke the silence. Ye Qinru glanced at her phone, saw it was Gu Shenyan calling, and answered quietly, "What's up? I'm in the library."
"Are you done? I'll pick you up. I want you to meet some friends tonight."
Gu Shenyan leaned back in his chair, his mood relaxed.
"Who are we meeting?"
This was the first time Gu Shenyan had ever invited Ye Qinru to meet his friends, so she was naturally curious.
"You'll see when you get there."
He chuckled. "I'll be at our usual spot outside the school. I'll wait for you."
"Alright, I'm coming out now."
Ye Qinru packed her books into her bag and turned to Lin Xiaoya. "Xiaoya, I have to go."
"Abandoning me again?"
Lin Xiaoya pretended to be hurt, and Ye Qinru playfully tapped her forehead. "I'll make it up to you. Sushi at that place by the school tomorrow, my treat."
"Deal!"
Lin Xiaoya smiled and nodded. She noticed Wang Yuanshen entering the library and nudged Ye Qinru. "You might want to leave through the side door. Wang Yuanshen just came in."
"Got it."
Ye Qinru grabbed her bag and quickly headed out the side exit.
Wang Yuanshen had seen her and was about to call out when Lin Xiaoya waved at him, "Hey, senior, there's a spot here!"
"Oh, okay."
Wang Yuanshen hesitated for a moment, then sat down next to Lin Xiaoya, watching Ye Qinru disappear from sight.
"Senior, I'm leaving too. Enjoy your studying."
Lin Xiaoya gathered her books and left. Without Ye Qinru, she didn't feel like staying.
She wasn't much of a reader, only staying to keep Ye Qinru company.
"Xiaoya, wait. I wanted to ask you something."
Wang Yuanshen stopped her. She turned around, "What is it?"
"Why hasn't Qinru been coming to class lately?"
He was curious, but Lin Xiaoya wasn’t inclined to divulge much. "That's her personal business. I don't know either. Anything else?"
"No."
Wang Yuanshen shook his head, realizing he wouldn't get answers from Lin Xiaoya.
"Senior, you're a great guy. There will be a girl perfect for you. Don't waste your feelings on Qinru. She won't reciprocate."
Lin Xiaoya tried to advise him kindly, but he wasn't having it. "That's my concern, not yours."
"Alright, forget I said anything."
Lin Xiaoya shrugged and left. She felt pity for Wang Yuanshen’s unrequited affection.
Wang Yuanshen's clenched fists slowly relaxed, his face cold.
He liked Ye Qinru, and nothing anyone said would change that. Not Li Shishi, not Lin Xiaoya.
No matter how Ye Qinru felt, it wouldn't stop him from loving her.
...
Gu Shenyan leaned against his car, smoking. He only smoked when he was idle.
Hearing footsteps, he looked up and saw Ye Qinru running towards him. He flicked his cigarette into the trash can.
"I saw that. You were smoking again."
Ye Qinru reached him, catching the faint scent of tobacco on him.
"I only had a few puffs."
He smiled, opening the car door. "Get in."
Ye Qinru ducked into the passenger seat, buckling her seatbelt. "Why the sudden urge to introduce me to your friends?"
"It's not sudden."
Gu Shenyan started the car and glanced at her. "They know about our marriage and insisted on meeting you."
"Oh."
Ye Qinru felt a bit nervous. "Do I look okay for this? I don't want to embarrass you."
"You look perfect just the way you are."
He replied casually, making Ye Qinru nod. "I hope I don't let you down."
"Heh..."
Gu Shenyan chuckled, ruffling her hair. "Silly girl, don’t worry. They’re my childhood friends. They won't give you a hard time."
His affectionate gesture made her blush as she fixed her hair.
"Gu Shenyan, I've been reading a lot about psychology. I have some ideas for your treatment. You need to cooperate."
"Alright."
He nodded, driving while listening. "Tell me your plan."
"First, you need to redirect your attraction from men to women."
Ye Qinru spoke earnestly, "I don't mean to criticize, but your attraction to men is based on certain qualities, right?"
Gu Shenyan gave her a noncommittal glance.
"Women possess those qualities too. You need to discover what attracts you to women, and gradually shift your mindset."
Ye Qinru felt her analysis was sound. "What do you think, Gu Shenyan?"
"I think you should call me 'husband.' My friends are sharp; if you call me by my full name, they'll tease us."
He changed the topic on purpose.
"Are you even listening?"
She was annoyed, and he nodded. "I heard you. You want me to learn to like women. Well, I’m trying to like you right now."
His straightforward response stunned her. "I'm your doctor. You can't try to like me."
"Why not? You’re a woman, and my wife."
He was matter-of-fact. "If you cure me, our problems disappear. Isn't that ideal?"
Ye Qinru bit her lip, lowering her eyes. "But what happened to me is a hurdle I can't get over."
Gu Shenyan sighed inwardly, holding her hand. "You're trying to treat me, and in the process, you’re healing yourself, aren’t you?"
"I don't know."
She shook her head, feeling like a doctor unable to diagnose her own illness.
"Darling, the past is behind you. Don't dwell on it."
Seeing her struggle, Gu Shenyan couldn’t bring himself to reveal the truth about that night.
"I'll try to forget."
Ye Qinru's voice softened as she stared out the window at the passing streetlights.
Could she really forget that night? It was a lifetime's worth of shame.
Gu Shenyan glanced at her silence, his brow furrowing.
He never thought he’d find himself in such a dilemma over a woman.
Yet, he was glad he hadn’t refused the family’s marriage arrangement. He was even more grateful that Ye Qinru was his wife, giving him a chance to make things right.
Take it slow, he thought. One day, Ye Qinru would open her heart.
- Writer
