Chapter 112: I'm Being Hunted

"It's me—come with me."

He seized her hand and pulled her swiftly toward the path on the right.

"How are you even here?"

"Just my luck," Gu Xichen muttered through gritted teeth. "Someone's out to kill me again—damn it, why is it that people are always after my life?"

"Who?"

"No idea." He glanced at her. "And what about you? How did you end up here?"

"I was ambushed and kidnapped," she replied, kicking him as they ran. "Did I or did I not warn you about Yuan Yi? Told you to travel with more bodyguards—what, were your ears clogged with mud?"

"Oh please—you're lecturing me? Where were your bodyguards? If you'd brought them, would you be here now?" Gu Xichen shot back. "Freedom comes at a price, princess. We both like our space—well, this is the price."

"Then maybe your enemies knew exactly that, and that's why they chose now to strike. If they failed this time, they'll surely come again."

"No big deal," he said with a smirk. "I've got the lifespan of a cockroach—destined to live past a hundred."

"Pfft."

He laughed aloud and tightened his grip, dragging her along at full speed.

They ran until their legs ached, finally squatting by the roadside to catch their breath.

Wasting no time, they slipped into a nearby village, asked directions from a local, bought a bicycle and an umbrella—Gu Xichen paid.

Her leg was injured, so he pedaled them down the main road while she held the umbrella aloft over both of them.

"You don't look heavy, but carrying you on this bike is a damn workout."

She pinched him sharply. "Shut up and keep pedaling. That hit squad chasing you—your stepmother behind it?"

"No idea."

"She's got the most to gain from your death. Once you're gone, the Gu family will fall into her son's hands," Gu Lili murmured. "Just like she once tried to get rid of Master. Too bad for her—she failed, and after several attempts, Master finally told your father. She hasn't dared try again since."

"I never heard about any of this." Gu Xichen frowned. "My mom never said a word."

"Master didn't want you to know. But her warning to beware of your stepmother was no idle advice."

To be fair, he had always taken that advice to heart—whether or not it was explicitly spelled out for him.

The journey passed quickly as they chatted along the way.

By the time they reached Kangbei District, a white luxury car suddenly screeched to a halt beside them.

In the pouring rain, Long Yubei stormed out of the vehicle, seized Gu Lili without a word, and all but threw her into the car before driving off in a blur of speed and spray.

When the car finally pulled into the Qin Garden residential complex, Gu Lili turned to see her husband's icy profile beside her. His aura was glacial.

"What are you angry about now?"

The car braked abruptly, jolting her forward—her heart leapt into her throat.

Long Yubei's gaze was dark and fathomless, like the depths of a still lake. His voice, however, was sharp with chill.

"Do you have any idea what time it is?!"

She glanced outside. The streets were nearly deserted—it must be quite late.

"No. I don't."

He clenched his jaw, fury blazing in his eyes as he took in her rain-soaked clothes.

"So you ignored all my calls just to ride around in the rain, playing some romantic drama with Gu Xichen on a busted old bike?!"

Gu Lili saw the misunderstanding and couldn't help but be both exasperated and amused.

"Do I look like I've lost my mind? I'm your wife—why would I ignore your calls to go flirt in the rain with someone else? I was ambushed tonight, he was being chased. We happened to cross paths. He bought that damn bike from a farmer to get me back here safely. You're overthinking it."