Chapter 43: The Truth Is Harsher Than You Think

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

Gu Ci and Zhou Jinjin’s friendship was forged through a fight. When she was eight years old, Zhou Jinjin transferred to Gu Ci and Gu Chuyun’s class. At that time, Gu Ci was a victim of school violence and was isolated by Gu Chuyun, leaving her with no friends.

Zhou Jinjin also found it difficult to fit in with the young ladies in the socialite circle, making them both outcasts. Once, Gu Chuyun, Qiao Yamei, and Zhang Xin locked Gu Ci in the toilet and splashed water on her. However, Gu Ci fought back and proved to be stronger than them. Qiao Yamei tried to call the teacher for help, but Zhou Jinjin, who was watching, intervened and even helped Gu Ci close the door.

From that moment, the isolation of one person turned into the isolation of two. Throughout elementary school, middle school, and high school, Gu Ci and Zhou Jinjin were inseparable. Gu Ci was cold and taciturn, while Zhou Jinjin was fiery and talkative. Despite their contrasting personalities, they understood and protected each other.

There was only one person that Zhou Jinjin had a crush on, Lu Zhiyuan, and it became their shared secret. No matter how much attention Zhou Jinjin received, Gu Ci never felt left out. She stood by Zhou Jinjin’s side, accompanying her in the pursuit of Lu Zhiyuan. While Zhou Jinjin stood in the spotlight, brandishing her metaphorical spear and cannon, shouting and cheering for Lu Zhiyuan, Gu Ci calmly sat by her side, focusing on her studies and remaining passionate like fire. Their differences made them stand out, but their friendship remained steadfast.

“Why are you staying at my husband’s house?” Zhou Jinjin confronted Gu Ci, her voice filled with confusion and a hint of annoyance. Gu Ci felt a pang of discomfort, rubbing the space between her eyebrows as her expression shifted subtly. “Can you please not call him ‘hubby’?”

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He may be your fake husband, but he’s my real husband.

“Why? I’ve been calling him my hubby for the longest time, and you’ve never had a problem with it.”

Gu Ci’s teeth clenched, and she took a deep breath, deciding to address the situation head-on. “What if I’m actually falling in love with him?”

Zhou Jinjin’s mouth dropped open in shock as if she could swallow an egg whole. Memories of the days when Gu Ci accompanied her to sit in the stands, doing test papers while she competed with Lu Zhiyuan, flooded her mind. It felt as if her entire being was being torn apart.

Gu Ci had always harbored a deep dislike for Lu Zhiyuan, and it pained her that her best friend couldn’t share a husband with her. She wanted to make Zhou Jinjin understand her feelings.

“You… I…” Zhou Jinjin and Gu Ci stared at each other, their words tumbling out incoherently. “You actually want to snatch my husband?”

“I’m pursuing him,” Gu Ci clarified, gently rubbing Zhou Jinjin’s face to offer her a warning.

“You’ve finally been persuaded by me. You know how amazing and charming he is…” Zhou Jinjin’s excitement got the better of her as she unconsciously began extolling Lu Zhiyuan’s virtues. But then her expression changed once again. “If you like him, then you like him. However, you can only share this kind of husband, not monopolize him. Don’t be too ambitious.”

“I already confessed my feelings to Lu Zhiyuan,” Gu Ci revealed.

Zhou Jinjin took a deep breath, her eyes shining. “And then?”

“I got rejected,” Gu Ci admitted.

“Ahh…” Zhou Jinjin burst into laughter. “I can’t even compete with someone as beautiful as you. If you’re not his type, then you’re not. Ah, I’m just being silly. How could I have misunderstood my husband like this?”

Gu Ci looked at Zhou Jinjin’s emotional rollercoaster with a complex expression on her face.

Zhou Jinjin scrutinized her with a critical gaze, and the fragile boat of their friendship teetered on the edge. “He’s the dream guy of countless girls. The Global Sports Center he founded is the most successful company in the world. His Dynasty team has won the world championship for four consecutive years, and he himself has claimed the championship three times in a row. He’s so handsome that no one is worthy of him, not even my best friend.”

Zhou Jinjin grew furious. “Ah, this is unbearable. My best friend wants to pursue my husband. If she actually does, how can I still be your friend? I don’t like you at all now. I believe our friendship has reached its end.”

“Can’t you just be just a fangirl?” Gu Ci questioned.

“What should I? Did I spend money to chase his competitions all over the world just to support him?” Zhou Jinjin coldly snorted. “Of course, I want to indulge in fantasies.”

“Actually, you can see me from a different perspective,” Gu Ci suggested.

“For example?” Zhou Jinjin inquired.

“As a mother-in-law looking at her daughter-in-law, what do you think?” Gu Ci proposed.

“Heh, throughout history, mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law have been natural enemies,” Zhou Jinjin replied.

“Silent best friends might be the best state to maintain,” Gu Ci thought to herself.

Zhou Jinjin was left speechless.

She snorted. “Lu Zhiyuan is not someone easy to win over.”

“I know. That’s why I’m asking you to share all your experiences with Lu Zhiyuan with me,” Gu Ci replied. “I’m quite curious about what he’s like during the night matches.”

“Are you not curious about him during the day?” Zhou Jinjin questioned.

Gu Ci raised an eyebrow, smiling mischievously without uttering a word. She playfully pinched her own face. “It seems you’re feeling better. I’ll come to your house tomorrow and accompany you to the Zhou family’s residence.”

Gu Ci stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for the top floor. The elevator had iris recognition technology, and both the 78th and 77th floors required iris recognition and fingerprint verification. Gu Ci looked up at the surveillance camera and smiled.

As she exited the elevator, she found the layout of the 8th floor to be the same as the 77th floor. Standing at the entrance, Gu Ci hesitated. Numerous images flashed through her mind, reflecting moments from her past life and her current one. The confusion and doubts that had been hidden in her heart for so long seemed to have a faint answer. It felt like as long as she courageously moved forward, she would eventually find that answer.

In her previous life, Lu Zhiyuan had asked her a question repeatedly, three times.

Lu Zhiyuan asked, “Do you think I’m more charming at night or during the day?”

Every time Gu Ci answered, it was night. But now, her heart ached. She had been teasing Lu Zhiyuan, deliberately giving the opposite answer because she knew what he wanted to hear. It had been a habit of theirs since they were young, always playfully contradicting each other. Lu Zhiyuan had pretended as if it didn’t affect him, but how hurt must he have been? Gu Ci’s hand instinctively rose and slapped her own face, turning it red.

Time couldn’t be reversed. Regrets were already set in stone. Gu Ci’s confusion deepened, but they didn’t have split personalities. Lu Zhiyuan had fragments of memories from their time together.

Why was all of this happening? How could he appear on the balcony of the Lu family’s mansion in an instant, coming from the Global Sports Center?

Gu Ci gazed at the long hallway at the entrance, a quiet and eerie silence enveloping it. It felt like a prison trapping her emotions, both her sadness and joy. She longed to see him, yet she feared the encounter.

Turning around, Gu Ci headed back to the elevator and descended to the lower floors. She was in a daze, memories replaying in her mind incessantly. Amidst it all, she came to a realization that left her feeling adrift.

Deep down, she was certain they were the same person, but what if they weren’t?

When Gu Ziyu saw Gu Ci, his expression subtly changed. He quickly grabbed her and sat her down beside him. His cold hand gently caressed her face as he looked at her with a sinister gaze. “Mom, who hurt you?”

“I can handle it myself,” Gu Ci replied, looking at Ziyu with confusion and managing to muster a smile. “I finally understand who you resemble.” “Mom?” Gu Ci’s words puzzled Gu Ziyu.

Gu Ci snapped back to reality. “I’m fine. I was just lost in thought for a moment. Ziyu, Mommy is a little tired and wants to go to bed.”

“Okay, good night, Mom.”

“Goodnight, my dear. Mommy loves you!” Gu Ci kissed Gu Ziyu, a gesture she repeated every night. Despite being accustomed to it, his ears still turned red, and he remained shy.

Gu Ci found herself struggling with insomnia. She tossed and turned, unable to find sleep. Upstairs, Lu Zhiyuan also wrestled with insomnia.

Standing on the balcony, clad in black, Lu Zhiyuan gazed at the night sky. The moonlight cast a frosty glow on the ground. Lu Zhiyuan observed Gu Ci through the surveillance camera as she entered the building and witnessed her slap herself. However, he noticed that she stood at the entrance, lacking the courage to take another step forward.

Gu Ci, the truth is even harsher than you can imagine..