"I video-chatted with Mom yesterday. She has already told our relatives and friends about our upcoming wedding, but we still haven't set a specific date. Now, all the relatives back home are asking."

Eva looked shy, lowering her head and muttering, "Should we... should we set the date for the wedding?"

Julian was stunned. He frowned and said, "Isn't that too rushed?"

Before Julian could think it through, Eva grabbed his arm and began to act spoiled: "Are you still harboring feelings for Roujia? I’ve said it before, if you truly love her, I can let you go."

"It's not like that between Roujia and me, don't bring that up again. As for the wedding, my parents might have some issues with the timing. Let me confirm a few things before I tell you."

After dropping that line, Julian walked away as if he were fleeing.

Eva watched Julian’s retreating back, stomping her feet in anger.

In the Blue Sea Bar.

Zhao Feng walked in, eyebrows raised, his gaze quickly finding Julian in the crowded room.

"Handsome, let's have a drink."

"Get lost!"

"Handsome, why are you so angry?"

As the word "get lost" reached his lips, Julian looked up and met Zhao Feng’s mocking eyes. He sullenly tilted his head back and downed the whiskey.

Zhao Feng teased, "You’ve found Gu Roujia, and I’ve heard your parents are willing to let Eva into the family. Mr. President, you’ve got everything you wanted; why are you drinking away your sorrows here with such a temper?"

Julian’s hand paused. He said with slight irritation, "Eva wants to set our wedding date."

"Isn't that normal? You two have been together since college; you’ve passed the seven-year itch, haven't you? And considering you turned your world upside down with Gu Roujia for Eva, wouldn't it be better to just set the date now?" Zhao Feng paused, pondering, "Or do you have regrets?"

Regrets?

Julian’s gaze was clouded with confusion. His fingertips traced the edge of his glass.

When Eva brought up the wedding date, his first instinct was to avoid it.

He didn't know what was wrong with him.

He had done so much just to marry Eva, and now that everything was finally coming to fruition, why was he hesitating?

"Don't tell me you’ve suddenly realized you’re in love with Gu Roujia."

"How is that possible!" he blurted out.

Two more glasses of strong liquor followed.

No.

The one he loves should be Eva!

His feelings for Gu Roujia were nothing more than guilt.

At dawn the next day, Julian sat by Eva’s bedside and said gently, "Eva, I’ve decided. Let’s set our wedding date for a month from now, okay?"

"Okay!" Eva jumped out of bed, overjoyed, and kissed Julian. Julian wore a happy smile and said, "I’ve already arranged for Gu Roujia to be transferred to a better hospital. From now on, she and I will have nothing more to do with each other."

When Julian said this, Eva held him quietly and tenderly; she knew that men were very fragile at times like this.

Julian patted Eva’s hand gently, while constantly whispering to himself in his heart: It’s only because of guilt, only guilt! The one I love is Eva, not Gu Roujia!

Seeing Julian drifting off again, Eva felt a surge of jealousy. Gu Roujia, even in your state, you still make a man unable to forget you! However, she comforted him gently on the outside. She had to make Julian understand that she was the one who understood him best and the one who loved him most!

Chapter 25: Being Well

Julian decided to arrange for Gu Roujia to be in the best hospital possible and then ensure she would never appear in his life again.

With that, he and Eva would live a happy life, right?

Days passed dully as Julian comforted himself.

Sometimes, Julian would feel that something was missing by his side, as if a piece of him were gone, and at those moments, Gu Roujia’s voice would echo in his mind.

Julian would always admonish himself: She’s just a gold-digger. I’m doing this only because of guilt; I don't love her, I don't love Gu Roujia! I love Eva, it’s Eva!

This went on for only a week before Julian finally couldn't hold back anymore. He wanted to know certain things; if he didn't, he might spend the rest of his life in guilt.

On Monday, using the excuse of a company meeting, Julian went to the hospital to see Gu Roujia.

He asked the doctor softly, "Doctor, how is her condition?"

The doctor replied, "There’s no issue. She’s recovering very well. It’s fortunate she was brought in early; she can recognize people now."

Julian thanked the doctor and walked toward Gu Roujia.

Gu Roujia’s pupils constricted when she saw him, and she revealed a mocking smile: "Why are you here? Are you happy to see me in this state?"

Julian was stunned, his eyes turning indifferent: "You need to know that if it weren't for me, you might have died long ago."

"Yes, if it weren't for you, I would have died long ago!" Gu Roujia said coldly, "Please leave my sight, Mr. Gu!"

"Gu Roujia, is this the attitude you show your benefactor?" Julian said.

"Benefactor?" Gu Roujia laughed mockingly, "Yes, a great benefactor indeed. You caused me to lose my child and nearly lose my life. Truly a great benefactor..."

Julian’s face changed suddenly, uncertain, before turning gentle: "Actually..."

"I hate you!" Gu Roujia gritted her teeth and said!

For some reason, Julian’s heart turned cold; he felt as if he had fallen into an ice cellar. Hate? Julian smiled bitterly. He had just wanted to ask about the diary, but how could he bring it up now?

"You don't have to pretend to be kind to me. If you feel guilty, you could simply not appear before me; I wouldn't blame you!" Gu Roujia said indifferently, "Please leave, Mr. Gu."

Julian knew he couldn't get any answers right now, but he was unwilling to leave. However, since Gu Roujia had just recovered from a serious illness, he couldn't provoke her too much. He only recalled the diary he had seen earlier—but the phone had been out of power, and it was hard to find a charger for that old model, so he had only read half of it. He still didn't know what kind of feelings Gu Roujia truly had for him.

Seeing Julian standing there without leaving, Gu Roujia couldn't be bothered to deal with him. She took her medicine and rested as usual, feeling that even looking at him was a waste of time.

When a person’s heart is truly dead, what is left to cling to or remember? It would be better to live her own life. She was too tired—too tired to see Julian again or to have even the slightest bit of affection for him.

By afternoon, Julian still hadn't left. He hadn't eaten a single bite or drank a single drop of water. Gu Roujia watched him coldly and mocked: "What? Since when did Mr. Gu act like a stray dog, shamelessly refusing to leave?"

Julian looked into her eyes, which were filled with genuine indifference, disgust, and some hatred. He turned his head away, not wanting to see her gaze, and said faintly, "Is that any of your business?"

Gu Roujia sneered.

"Heh, it’s none of my business," Gu Roujia’s voice suddenly turned soft, "Could it be that Mr. Gu refuses to leave because he has fallen in love with me?"

She spoke as if mocking herself or mocking him: "I am a woman who only likes money and has lost two children; I’m not worthy of Mr. Gu. So, please go; you’re ruining the mood here."

Julian couldn't stand her mockery again and again, so he said coldly: "Fall in love with you?" He scoffed, "I’m just afraid you’ll latch onto me because of this illness and stick to me like a plaster that I can’t shake off!"

"Only when I see with my own eyes that you’re cured and gone far away will I be at ease!"

A flare of anger rose in Gu Roujia’s indifferent eyes, and she snapped: "I would latch onto you? Julian, do you think every woman in the world wants to throw herself at you?"

Gu Roujia slapped her bed to show her anger: "Fine! Just watch! Watch me get well. I won't cling to you, Julian! I’ll leave the moment I’m well! Never again, no—not even in the next life!"

"Gu Roujia, remember what you said." Eat well, accept treatment well, be well.

Julian said nothing more. Recalling what she had said, he couldn't help but smile bitterly. Thinking of her determination, for some reason, his heart felt empty, lonely, and painful, as if something precious had quietly slipped away, never to return.

Julian wanted to grab it, but a voice inside him said: Let go. You can't hold onto it. You don't love her, so do you want to let another woman be hurt for you?