"Let's go home."
"Let's. Go home."
These four words fell upon Xie Guanyan's ears like heavenly music—the most beautiful phrase he had ever heard in his life.
His mother had died in childbirth.
An illegitimate child, with no family.
From the moment he was born, he had existed alone in this world.
No one had ever said "we" to him.
And "home" was a concept that simply didn't exist for him.
Yet now, the girl was telling him:
"Let's go home."
As if this villa belonged to the two of them.
A home meant only for them.
Even though he knew she had said it casually, his joy soared to its peak at that moment.
A smile rippled across his deep, fathomless eyes—genuine, heartfelt.
"Mm, let's go home," he replied softly.
Side by side, they turned and walked back, like a couple strolling in the rain.
Still kneeling on the ground, drenched by the downpour, Gu Jingchuan was stunned.
His eyes widened to the size of copper bells, utterly unable to believe what was happening before him.
Lin Mo was leaving with another man!
And that man was Xie Guanyan!
He scrambled to his feet, screaming hysterically, "Lin Mo! Come back! Come back!!"
Lin Mo didn’t turn around, covering her ears as she walked away.
One figure tall and broad-shouldered, the other slender yet not fragile—soon, they disappeared into the villa’s courtyard together.
The gate shut behind them, completely cutting off Gu Jingchuan’s view.
Devastated, he collapsed back onto the ground, his face ashen.
His hand pressed against the rough gravel, the pain sharp.
He recognized this villa.
It had once been Lin Mo’s home.
Why had Xie Guanyan come out of it?
Lin Mo had just said to Xie Guanyan, "Let's go home."
"Let's go home?"
Were they living together?
Suddenly, he remembered what Shen Yihan had once told him:
"My sister is living with Xie Guanyan now!"
So… were the two of them really together?
Gu Jingchuan’s teeth clenched, veins bulging in his neck.
Xie Guanyan was such a despicable man!
He must have found out the moment Lin Mo returned, swooping in when she was at her most vulnerable.
He had to admit, Xie Guanyan—now polished and wealthy, with billions to his name—was undeniably alluring.
No matter how extraordinary Lin Mo was, she was still just an eighteen-year-old girl.
She had been deceived, tricked into falling for him.
She had really moved on!
And she had even let Xie Guanyan into her life like this!
Gu Jingchuan’s fists tightened, genuine heartache striking him for the first time.
Tears poured uncontrollably, like the roaring waters of Huangguoshu Falls.
He buried his face in his hands, letting the rain pelt his body.
Lin Mo was so foolish!
Xie Guanyan was just a lowlife raised in the slums—an illegitimate child, a complete freak!
How could she fall for someone like that?
Snot and tears streaked his face as he struggled to accept reality.
Soaked to the bone, he shivered from the cold.
There was no point in kneeling anymore. Lin Mo’s heart truly wasn’t his anymore.
But he wouldn’t give up. He would think carefully about what to do next.
He would win her back!
In the pouring rain, he staggered to his feet, casting one last deep glance at the villa.
Grabbing his umbrella, he climbed into his yellow sports car.
The door slammed shut.
The engine roared to life before he sped away.
One minute later, the yellow car returned.
Gu Jingchuan stepped out, snatched the takeout he had left on the ground, and drove off again.
Back inside the villa, Lin Mo sneezed—she had been out in the wind for too long.
Rubbing her nose, she said, "I’m going upstairs to shower first."
"Chef Li made bird’s nest and white fungus soup earlier. There’s still some left—would you like some?" Xie Guanyan asked as he folded his umbrella, his white suit slightly damp at the shoulders from the rain.
"Yes, yes, yes! I’ll come down after my shower," Lin Mo replied.
Back in her school days, she always ate something after night classes.
Since she couldn’t sleep right away—she still had homework to do—she needed the energy.
With that, she dashed upstairs, her backpack bouncing behind her.
Warm water cascaded over her, soothing her chilled skin.
But she still sighed.
Xie Guanyan had seen her embarrassing moment again today!
When had he opened the door? Why hadn’t he said anything?
The rain had been too loud—she hadn’t heard a thing.
And how had he known she was back?
Oh, right. Gu Jingchuan’s dramatic kneeling and shouting must have alerted him.
Lin Mo curled her toes against the bathroom tiles.
If she had committed a crime, she’d rather be arrested by the police than endure this humiliation!
After a quick shower, she changed into pajamas and blow-dried her hair halfway.
Stepping out of the bathroom, she noticed something new in her bedroom—a green sofa.
Just yesterday, she had mentioned to Xie Guanyan how much she liked the sofa in his room, saying she wanted one too.
He had offered to buy it for her.
She hadn’t expected it to arrive so soon.
And in her favorite shade of green, no less.
A new desk had also been placed in the room, complete with stationery and a tablet.
So thoughtful. Really, too thoughtful.
Downstairs, the bird’s nest soup was already set on the dining table.
Beside it was a bowl of fresh fruit—blueberries and cherries artfully arranged.
Lin Mo sat down, popping a blueberry into her mouth. "How much do I owe you for the sofa, desk, and tablet? I’ll transfer the money."
Fresh out of the shower, her porcelain skin still carried a soft pink glow.
She looked radiant.
Xie Guanyan’s Adam’s apple bobbed slightly. "Don’t worry about it. Consider it my contribution to furnishing the house."
Lin Mo’s peach-blossom eyes crinkled at the corners. "With a landlord like you, I’d gladly score first place in every city-wide exam!"
A quiet chuckle escaped the man’s throat, lingering in the air—unexpectedly alluring.
Lin Mo’s ears tingled.
Gazing at the refined, handsome man before her, she couldn’t help but think how pleasant it had been living with him.
He was considerate, emotionally steady, and she never had to worry about appearances around him.
Not that she had any dignity left to preserve at this point.
"Xie Guanyan, you’re really amazing," she said sincerely.
He adjusted his glasses with one finger, replying leisurely, "I might not be as good as you think."
Lin Mo took a sip of the soup and shook her head. "No, my judgment is flawless. I know exactly who’s good and who’s not."
The words made Xie Guanyan’s brow furrow slightly. Almost involuntarily, he asked, "Then why were you so infatuated with Gu Jingchuan?"
