August, the blazing sun like fire, in front of the most popular temple in A City.
"Here, this is for you," said a soft female voice from the end of the long line.
Gu Wan handed over the ticket she had just bought from the ticket office a minute ago, a helpless and somewhat amused expression on her face, "Wasn't it your idea to come here? And it's only been a short while."
Xia Qianqian across from her looked exhausted, her whole body emanating a frail aura, barely alive as she whimpered, "How was I supposed to know it would be this hot outside!"
Recently, Xia Qianqian's days had not been going well. On top of that, after happening to see a video online of offering incense, she impulsively asked Gu Wan to go out with her. Who would've thought...
Looking at Gu Wan who was still calm and composed, not the slightest bit disheveled, and then back at her own sweat-drenched self, the little spark of jealousy in Xia Qianqian's heart roared into flames.
"Should've gotten someone to help us wait in line," Xia Qianqian couldn't help but grumble.
Seeing this, Gu Wan gently pushed her along inside.
The originally crowded temple suddenly had two great beauties walk in, instantly attracting quite a few gazes. However, most people who came here more or less had unfulfilled wishes in their hearts, their thoughts not on this, so after a slight glance everyone shifted their sights away.
On one side, Xia Qianqian tirelessly introduced this and that to Gu Wan, likely due to having done her homework beforehand, a hint of showing off and smugness could be detected in her tone.
What Xia Qianqian didn't expect was that Gu Wan seemed even more well-versed than her. While Xia Qianqian was still looking at the signs for direction, Gu Wan had already gone straight to the incense pavilion to buy two sticks of incense and handed one over.
Just as Xia Qianqian was desperately trying to recall the various steps for offering incense and kowtowing, Gu Wan had already knelt on the cushion beside the Buddha statue. Her movements were far more standard than those in the videos, leaving Xia Qianqian beside her stunned speechless.
After Gu Wan inserted the incense sticks into the burner, Xia Qianqian hurriedly moved forward and softly asked, "So why are you so skilled at this?"
Gu Wan paused for a moment before telling the truth. This wasn't her first time coming here. She had even sponsored two everlasting lamps in this temple, coming back to worship every year at fixed times. She just didn't expect to bump into Xia Qianqian who normally didn't care about these things.
When Xia Qianqian learned one of the everlasting lamps had her name written on it, her whole body froze in shock. But she didn't get to be happy for long, upon hearing the other lamp belonged to Lu Yu, her facial expression clearly faltered.
At this moment, Xia Qianqian's emotions were rather complicated. On one hand, she felt happy due to Gu Wan's affection. On the other, she also felt jealous and indignant that Lu Yu could be on equal standing as herself, Gu Wan's childhood friend who grew up together.
Speaking of which, Gu Wan had already been married for almost two years now...
In Xia Qianqian's memories, Gu Wan had always been cold and indifferent, even reaching the point of being frosty. It was as if she were an immortal fairy unconcerned with worldly affairs. If it weren't for herself thinking Gu Wan was truly too beautiful that time, taken by her looks on impulse and pestering her to play together, resulting in over a decade of time together, perhaps she wouldn't even have a single friend.
Although Gu Wan was able to get along well with anyone, truly few could enter her heart. Thus, Xia Qianqian simply couldn't understand how Lu Yu deserved it.
As all girl friends were the same, even as A City's newest rich man, in Xia Qianqian's eyes he still wasn't good enough for Gu Wan. Just him making Gu Wan cry before was unacceptable.
The more Xia Qianqian thought about it, the more preoccupied her mind became. Gu Wan offering incense in the Great Hero Hall only felt her back pierced through by that gaze.
Xia Qianqian was a very simple girl who didn't know how to conceal her true feelings at all. Adding on to her sudden unease after hearing Lu Yu's name, how could Gu Wan not guess what she was thinking?
It was just that emotions weren't something one could control even if they wanted to.
Although Gu Wan claimed to not care about worldly affairs, she ultimately wasn't a real celestial being who could sever her seven emotions and six desires. She understood very clearly in her heart that three years ago when she took out so much money, in others' eyes she undoubtedly had a love-crazed brain.
She was very clear even though she knew, yet she still did it.
As she was quite accurate in judging people, Lu Yu soon became A City's newest rich man after that. He then decisively married Gu Wan. In a city of extravagance and materialism like A City, Gu Wan admitted she only had a small amount assets, most inherited from her parents. Now blessed by Lu Yu's radiance, she instantly rose to become an upper class figure. Those people from before who had overtly and covertly mocked her, waiting to see her failure, now all shut their mouths upon seeing this.
If looking purely from an investment perspective, Gu Wan should feel delighted. Unfortunately, money hadn't been her sole purpose for going that time.
Although Lu Yu married her, he didn't love her.
Gu Wan had already tried her best, even becoming unlike herself. Yet Lu Yu remained indifferent as always. Sometimes Gu Wan couldn't help wondering, if only there was a way for her to love him less and not be so infatuated. She had attempted this herself to no avail. Since she happened to come to the temple today, she might as well make a wish.
But after finishing her worship and realizing upon clear mind what she had done, Gu Wan felt she was too laughable. It seemed ever since meeting Lu Yu, she kept doing ridiculous things that even left her own self baffled when thinking back clearly later.
Fortunately no one knew what she was thinking in her heart. Gu Wan then donated a huge sum like she usually did before finally leaving the temple with Xia Qianqian.
Xia Qianqian had endured terrible heat and exhaustion today. Their planned shopping was cancelled as she decisively took the subway home. This left Gu Wan, who originally wanted to send her back, having no choice but to watch her leave.
After Xia Qianqian left, Gu Wan habitually glanced at her phone, as expected there were no new messages. Gu Wan no longer even felt disappointed. After some time passed, she finally located her car and got in.
Despite being a work day, downtown was terribly congested as usual. As Gu Wan couldn't help regretting not taking the subway with Xia Qianqian, the traffic light ahead finally turned green.
Out of habit, Gu Wan stepped on the accelerator. But she had just started moving when for some unknown reason, a black sedan suddenly cut out from the side. With such little time left to react, even Gu Wan knew it was too late.
When the tremendous impact came, even Gu Wan couldn't help thinking, it seemed she had worshipped futility today. This temple with peak popularity clearly had an inflated reputation. To think she even donated so much incense money.
What followed next were shouts from surrounding pedestrians and car horns blaring. At the very last moment, Gu Wan only felt something warm trickling down her forehead. Then her vision went dark as she lost consciousness.
By the time Lu Yu received news of Gu Wan's car accident, it was already half an hour later.
Inside the conference room, seeing his assistant approach, Lu Yu initially paid no mind, just faintly frowning. But after hearing the report, his hand involuntarily tightened.
Without overthinking, Lu Yu simply asked, "Is it serious? What did the hospital say?"
"Based on the hospital's tone, it seems not too bad."
Hearing this, Lu Yu first breathed out in relief. He reflexively wanted to stand but seeing the meeting table nearly filled with people on both sides, including the partner company's staff walking over, Lu Yu paused and did not continue getting up.
The assistant also understood clearly that this meeting was very important, Lu Yu would not possibly leave.
Making use of the two to three minute interim, Lu Yu did not remain idle. He messaged the family steward to swiftly arrange people to care for Gu Wan, asked which hospital she was in, then contacted the hospital president and patient room. After everything was handled, Lu Yu flipped his phone facedown atop the table, greeting the approaching CEO of the partner company with a handshake, entirely unperturbed.
Lu Yu's personal capabilities were indeed superior. It seemed no traps or schemes could escape his sharp eyes. Seeing the CEO of the partner company already breaking into cold sweat, the assistant was truly convinced in admiration.
Just looking at it, Little Assistant felt that his boss was somewhat cold - even after knowing that his wife had been in a car accident, there was no impact on him at all. Would a normal person really remain this calm in such a situation?
But it wasn't his place to decide such matters, so Little Assistant quickly put it out of his mind.
About two hours later, the meeting finally ended. At the same time, Lu Yu received news from the hospital that Gu Wan had a minor fracture in her right hand, a gash on her forehead, and no other issues detected so far. The doctor said she would likely be discharged after being observed for about a week, so it wasn't too serious.
Just then, the cooperating company extended an invitation - their CEO wanted to have a meal with Lu Yu, implying deeper cooperation.
Lu Yu considered it and was just about to decline when the housekeeper messaged that Gu Wan had just fallen asleep and told him not to worry.
Lu Yu expressionlessly glanced at the chat, then agreed to the cooperating CEO's invitation.
What Lu Yu didn't expect was that after the meal, where they discussed many things not brought up in the earlier meeting, the other party took them to a private club.
By the time all the events finally ended, it was almost dawn. Lu Yu, ignoring his fatigue, had the driver take him straight to the hospital.
Since it had all been arranged in advance, the hospital room was very peaceful even late at night. Through the door, Lu Yu could vaguely hear Gu Wan speaking.
Without thinking much, Lu Yu directly entered the room.
Seeing Gu Wan looking pale but spirited, Lu Yu felt strangely relieved. Ignoring the fuming Xia Qianqian who looked like she wanted to rush up and hit him, Lu Yu naturally grasped his wife's hand. Feeling the icy chill, Lu Yu couldn't help frowning.
What he didn't expect was that Gu Wan, who would normally let him do this as a matter of course, showed unprecedented resistance.
Sensing something wrong, Lu Yu didn't even get a chance to ask before he saw Gu Wan look at him with an extremely unfamiliar, bewildered gaze and ask, "Excuse me, who are you?"
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