LOVE FRAGMENTS

SHADOWS OF MISCOMMUNICATION

If Gu Antong were in charge of this project, there was no way it could be passed over to Si Yueyun.

Xie Jianchen left the painting box behind, wearing a secretive expression. He mentioned casually that the tea they had at the teahouse today was on the house. But Gu Antong had no interest in tea; she was simply staring at Si Zhenxuan, lost in thought.

"What's on your mind? Ready to head back?" Si Zhenxuan asked, playfully flicking Gu Antong's forehead before standing up.

Nervously, Gu Antong clutched his sleeve. "What should we do next?"

"Do you think I'm scheming again?" Si Zhenxuan glanced at her unexpectedly.

Gu Antong felt a wave of relief. She hadn’t wanted him to think she was trying to outsmart him. After all, she had been in the spotlight all day. But she had also wanted to help clear his name regarding Shen Zhou’s painting—a situation her old self would never have dared to address.

Si Zhenxuan said nothing further and led her outside. The moment the door opened, they were both taken aback.

Meng Mei, dressed in royal blue, stood outside, phone in hand, apparently making a call. Upon seeing them, she turned and smiled. "I hope I didn’t interrupt anything."

Gu Antong glanced at Si Zhenxuan, who sat at the table, his hand gripping the door handle. His aura was cold and distant, reminiscent of old times, though his hand trembled slightly.

Meng Mei had come intentionally, knowing full well that Si Zhenxuan was married. The implications were obvious.

"Go ahead. Talk," Gu Antong said coldly.

She had no right to stop this. Si Zhenxuan had made his choice, and he was free to live his life. Previously, she could have caused a scene while drunk. Now, she could do nothing. Especially after recent events, she feared Si Zhenxuan’s disapproval. Any improper behavior might result in her being thrown out immediately.

Gu Antong moved to a bamboo table by the window on the second floor and sat down. The noise from outside—the sound of rain on banana leaves, the rumble of distant thunder—filled her ears, leaving her heart hollow.

A waitress soon brought a pot of fine tea and a gold card, explaining that Xie Erye had arranged for VIP treatment whenever Miss Gu visited Chengdu.

Gu Antong accepted them, puzzled. She hadn’t spoken to the server. Left alone, her gaze instinctively flicked toward the closed door.

Si Zhenxuan probably hated her by now. And with Meng Mei present, he had no way out.

Though she hadn’t spent much time with him, Si Zhenxuan was important to her. She knew she had to find a way to hold onto him. She had agreed to stay with him instead of divorcing in a few months. But her thoughts were chaotic, with images from her dreams pressing against her mind and tightening her throat.

Her purpose was clear: she needed to understand why Si Zhenxuan had married her.

Was it to protect the Si family’s reputation, to secure a position within the Si enterprise, or out of genuine affection?

When she had left the ring, she had hoped he would pick it up. Her reasoning was simple: for the family to support this partnership, the son had to marry her.

Yet events had turned out differently than expected. Si Zhenxuan wasn’t the family’s biological son—he was adopted.

If his actions were purely for appearances, there was no need for him to maintain this charade for a year. He already had public recognition. So why the secretive behavior? But if there were deeper, more personal motives, was she willing to take the risk?

"Why should I take the blame?" Gu Antong whispered, tears welling up. If it weren’t for Si Zhenxuan, she would not feel so alienated.

And yet, he had misunderstood her, spending time in private with a gossiping girl without explaining anything to her.

Gu Antong’s face grew pale. She clutched her handbag and headed downstairs, fearing she might burst into the room if she lingered. But she couldn’t. That would make her no better than a loud-mouthed woman.

As she rushed down, she saw a familiar man standing by the door—Si Yueyun.

He seemed to be waiting. When he saw Gu Antong alone, his eyes brightened and he waved eagerly. Gu Antong frowned. She had barely acknowledged him, and there was no warmth in her gesture. Right now, he was among the last people she wanted to encounter, second only to Jiang Wen.

She almost turned away, but Si Yueyun approached and took her arm. "Antong, can we talk?"

"What’s there to talk about?" she asked coldly.

He smiled, stopping her. "Let’s not make things difficult for Xiaoqiu. Can’t we discuss our future calmly?"

Si Yueyun recalled a moment at the hotel when Gu Antong had been alluring—her long legs, slender waist, and seductive gaze. He had mocked her secretly for not recognizing her own appeal, but what she had shown now left him surprised.

She should have been his.

He regretted not seizing the chance when it first presented itself. Once in Si Zhenxuan’s hands, she had become a treasured possession.

Hearing the word "future," Gu Antong’s eyes widened. What future could she possibly have with him?

Cornered, she replied patiently, "You mean I’ve only been divorced a month. How can you suggest a future with your own sister-in-law?"

Si Yueyun smiled charmingly. "Antong, I know I hurt you at first. You married my elder brother for revenge, but you didn’t have to. Was marrying him really the best choice? Living under the same roof, seeing me occasionally will only bring more sorrow."

Gu Antong was taken aback. Did he really believe she had feelings for him?

She laughed coldly. "Si Yueyun, can you stop being so self-absorbed? I’m not interested. I find you repulsive."

"Repulsive?" he stepped closer, gesturing with confidence. "Every time I see the sadness and anger in your eyes when you look at me and Jiang Nuan, I don’t feel satisfied."

Gu Antong was speechless. Could anyone be this self-centered?

"You’re insufferable!" she struggled, but his grip was unexpectedly strong. She stumbled, pressed against the white wall behind her.

Teahouse patrons watched with curiosity but didn’t intervene.

Gu Antong’s face paled. "Listen, take your medication on time. Don’t seek attention here."

"My elder brother is no different from me!" Si Yueyun gestured toward the reddish-brown stairs. "I haven’t seen him with other women in the same room. Why repeat the same mistake?"

A light cough echoed from upstairs. Gu Antong glanced up and saw Si Zhenxuan and Meng Mei descending. Si Zhenxuan appeared unfazed; Meng Mei looked slightly surprised.

Gu Antong’s face flushed. She forcefully shook off Si Yueyun and staggered toward the exit.

She had never felt so humiliated, as if publicly slapped repeatedly. She wished she could disappear.

Si Yueyun’s words, echoing with judgment, felt like a cruel nightmare. Si Zhenxuan and Meng Mei stood as witnesses to her embarrassment.

She had always believed she could maintain composure in public, but reality proved that once emotions stirred, pretending calm was impossible.

At her wedding, she had commanded attention like a general. Here, she felt like a defeated soldier.

Suddenly, her skirt caught her ankle, causing her to stumble and fall.

Her jaw hit the floor, pain jolting through her. She gasped for breath, coming back to her senses.

It was noon on Yunhai Lane. Few people were around, but her fall drew attention. Gu Antong rubbed her elbow, reached for the jade pendant around her neck, and struggled to rise, nearly falling again. A hand caught her just in time.

"Thank you… thank you," she murmured softly, lowering her head. The hand holding her wrist didn’t release her.

Her body tensed. Even without looking, she recognized the slender, beautiful fingers.

Si Zhenxuan. Three words crossed her mind. Hurt flickered in her eyes. "Y-you need to let me go!"