Chapter 130: Don't Touch Me

"What do you mean by 'laying hands'?" he asked, a scowl darkening his face. "Do you believe I won't strike you down?"

"Believe it or not, I'll kick you flying!" Long Fengxi's voice rose with mounting passion. "You're married to my sister-in-law. What's wrong with her wanting a child? If you don't want children, then why did you marry her in the first place?!" Her indignation grew fiercer. "What fault lies in my sister-in-law's desires? She's not your mistress—she wishes to secure her place as your wife through motherhood. She is your lawful spouse! You… wait till I tell Grandma!"

Long Yubei hastily grasped her arm. "Don't you dare! Can you show a little respect for my wishes?"

Long Fengxi chuckled sarcastically. "Respect? I respect your 'grandfather'!"

"Not your grandfather?" he retorted.

Both Long Fengxi and her sister were known for their fiery tempers, but Fengxi, a few years her senior, was steadier in demeanor. When calm, she bore an air of composed maturity; when roused, her true nature blazed forth.

"Brother, if you don't want children, why marry at all? Fine, if you and my sister-in-law agreed, that would be one thing. But now, she desires a child and you don't—how can you expect her heart not to ache?" She spoke with unwavering conviction. "I must inform Grandma and have her arbitrate this matter. The entire family will confront you!"

Long Yubei felt a pounding headache. "Who says marriage is solely for producing offspring? Fengxi, don't meddle in my affairs. I will speak to your sister-in-law properly. Don't drag Grandma into this—let us settle it ourselves."

"Then go to her now."

"She'll return when she's ready. She hasn't run away." Long Yubei replied. "When she comes back, I will talk to her."

Long Fengxi cautioned, "Don't mistreat my sister-in-law—she has no family to turn to."

"I haven't mistreated her."

"Good."

Only then did Long Fengxi relent and leave.

Long Yubei had believed Gu Lili had not run away.

In truth, after dusk, she lay upon the rooftop, enjoying the cool night air as she slept soundly.

Yet, Qin Yuan was restless.

By nine o'clock at night, with no sign of her return and her phone repeatedly switched off, Long Yubei's patience wore thin. He had no choice but to search for her.

Finding her was not difficult.

Upon reaching Xiliang Mountain and seeing the car parked outside the gate, he exhaled in relief.

He knocked and called out repeatedly, but no one answered.

He was certain the occupants could hear him but chose to ignore the summons—an act best described as deliberate deafness.

Long Yubei called Tang Qingli. "Bring me a ladder."

By the time Tang Qingli arrived, Long Yubei was nearly seething in the car.

He climbed up the ladder to the rooftop, turned it around, and carefully entered the courtyard, only to find himself at a loss again.

The building was a closed complex; the stairwell lay inside, and he couldn't even get through the security door to the living room.

Just as he contemplated summoning help to break the lock, the door finally opened.

Of course, Gu Lili had anticipated this, having damaged the lock with the intention of replacing it later—too much trouble otherwise.

"What are you doing here?"

"What do you think I'm doing here?" he stepped toward her. "If you won't come home, why stay here?"

"That's your home, not mine. This is my home," Gu Lili replied coldly. "If you have something to say, say it. If not, leave me be—I want to sleep."

Long Yubei's frustration surged; he tried to embrace her, but she evaded him, her voice icy. "Don't touch me."

"Are you angry?" His tone softened slightly.