LOVE FRAGMENTS

WHEN SILENCE BECOMES LOVE

"Sounds good, wonderful," Wei Yulan sighed with relief. "You two go enjoy yourselves outside. Don't worry about things at home."

Gu An Tong managed a faint smile and left the study with Si Zhenxuan.

Once they were alone in the room, she couldn't contain her curiosity any longer.

"Do you really want to go on a honeymoon?"

Si Zhenxuan glanced at her, then walked toward his private study—a quiet space where he often worked and rested. The curtains were open, revealing a lush bamboo grove outside, bathed in warm sunlight.

Mengmeng heard their voices and padded softly into the room. She circled around Gu An Tong’s feet affectionately.

Seeing the cat, Gu An Tong’s playful side surfaced. She knelt down, picked Mengmeng up, and sat nearby, waiting for Si Zhenxuan’s response.

Lately, she realized she had been acting differently, not quite like her usual self.

Si Zhenxuan opened his notebook, sat down, and rolled up his sleeves. Looking at her, he said calmly,

"After getting married, it’s only natural to have a honeymoon. They weren’t wrong about that."

"But aren’t you worried about what might happen at home while we’re gone for a month?" she asked.

"Are you worried about me?" he raised an eyebrow, slightly amused.

"You’re my husband, of course I’m concerned," Gu An Tong replied stiffly, her cheeks slightly flushed. She tried to hide her emotions by stroking Mengmeng’s fur.

"Antong," Si Zhenxuan said suddenly, "come and help me with this button."

He spoke evenly, without much expression.

Gu An Tong put the cat down, walked over, and leaned close to unfasten his cufflinks. Her movements were gentle and precise, her brows slightly furrowed in focus.

"You stayed up all night to wake me up that day, didn’t you?" Si Zhenxuan asked quietly.

"Why… how did you know?" she looked up in surprise, quickly denying it. "No, I didn’t."

Si Zhenxuan’s lips curved slightly, but he didn’t press further. After she had removed the cufflinks, he said softly,

"Please pack your bags and bring two dresses."

"What are the dresses for?"

"I’m planning our honeymoon in Chengdu. I have a few business meetings there, so we can combine business with pleasure," he replied in his usual calm tone.

Gu An Tong nodded, reassured by his consideration. As she stood, Si Zhenxuan placed a hand on her shoulder.

The uneasy feeling she had been carrying seemed to fade, replaced by the faint scent of tobacco and cologne from him.

She realized she had never been this close to Si Yueyun, even when they were engaged. Her back pressed against Si Zhenxuan’s chest made her heart skip.

He whispered near her ear,

"We’ll have a honeymoon suite."

"What?! You don’t mean… not that—"

Si Zhenxuan’s eyes flickered with amusement.

"Do you think the so-called ‘test’ was just a suggestion? If we sleep in separate rooms on our honeymoon, people might gossip."

"It’s none of their business what I do with you!" Gu An Tong retorted, slightly flustered.

"Because of who you are, and who I am," he said calmly. "Please pack your things. I still have work to handle."

Gu An Tong didn’t respond for a moment.

Marriage, she realized, was a gamble—and the wedding, an elaborate show. Only she knew how little her efforts met her family’s expectations.

With Gu Nianguang’s slow handling of company affairs and her aging parents, even Lu Qiyan’s assistance with Gu’s Rongwei Foreign Trade wasn’t enough to stop the Gu family’s decline.

So, she saw herself as a pawn in a larger game. Originally, she was meant to marry Si Yueyun—the Si family’s favored heir. But fate had turned, and she ended up with Si Zhenxuan instead.

Meanwhile, Jiang Nuan was scheming to win over Si’s parents during this so-called honeymoon, trying to present herself as the perfect future daughter-in-law.

Gu An Tong clenched her teeth.

She couldn’t let Jiang Nuan win. She had already lost her pride once—she wouldn’t lose again.

From his study, Si Zhenxuan caught a glimpse of her determined expression before turning to pack in the bedroom.

Moments later, Gu An Tong stood by the door, cheeks flushed, holding Si Zhenxuan’s underwear.

"Here, I’ve prepared some sets for you. I’d like to know your usual clothing preferences…"

"What do you think?" he asked without looking up.

Gu An Tong bit her lip. "What do you usually wear?"

"Isn’t that a wife’s job to know?" Si Zhenxuan replied, raising an eyebrow.

"Alright then…" she muttered and went back to packing.

Her suitcase was neatly organized—her dresses on one side, his clothes on the other. Despite the awkwardness, she couldn’t help noticing how strange it felt to share such intimacy with a man she barely knew.

She had also begun to notice his habits—his preference for formal wear, his precision, and his polished restraint. He was like a hidden blade—refined yet dangerous.

Gu An Tong had felt his coldness firsthand. He could strip away her confidence in private yet protect her fiercely in public.

What kind of woman would a man like Si Zhenxuan truly love?

Her hands froze mid-fold. A sudden thought crossed her mind—would she one day face a second divorce?

Chengdu was a city of mist and charm. Gu An Tong had visited many times before, as her family had deep ties there. After her father’s passing, however, she seldom returned.

Now, the thought of spending a honeymoon here felt bittersweet. Everyone dreamed of a perfect honeymoon—but with a marriage like hers, what could she really expect?

Their hotel in Chengdu was a luxurious, garden-style resort with ancient architecture. When she opened the window, she saw a tranquil Jiangnan-style garden, complete with flowing water and the distant glimmer of Chengdu’s South Lake.

For a moment, Gu An Tong truly felt the essence of a honeymoon.

It didn’t matter where they were—what mattered was who she was with. And despite everything, Si Zhenxuan’s thoughtfulness touched her.

Leaning against the window, she softly hummed Cai Qin’s “June Jasmine.”

"Choose a dress and come with me to the evening party," Si Zhenxuan said from behind her.

She turned, surprised. He had mentioned business meetings, and this reception must be one of them.

It was unexpected that he wanted her to accompany him.

Then, without hesitation, Si Zhenxuan began undressing in front of her.

"Where did you put my clothes?" he asked casually.

Caught off guard, Gu An Tong stammered,

"As soon as we arrived, I asked the hotel to send them for dry cleaning."

Though she didn’t know when he’d need them, she had handled it as any dutiful wife would.

Si Zhenxuan nodded approvingly.

"I’ll take a bath first. You can rest if you’re tired."

Gu An Tong froze as he removed his coat, revealing his lean, muscular upper body.

Her gaze flickered to the only large bed in the room, and her cheeks burned.

She turned quickly, muttering,

"I’m not tired. I’ll just sit here."

Si Zhenxuan gave her a brief look, then disappeared into the bathroom.

The sound of running water filled the room. But Gu An Tong’s thoughts were elsewhere—her mind replaying the sight of his well-defined physique.

Her face flushed as she turned toward the window, trying to collect herself.

He had said before that he couldn’t fulfill his husbandly duties—but right now, she wasn’t sure if she was ready to test that.

She knew what was expected of a wife… but she wasn’t sure what was expected of her heart.