Chapter 145: A Cheating Husband
"Husband..."
The moment Wang Gege caught sight of Xie Rong stepping through the courtyard gate, she immediately trotted toward him.
"Did Husband discover anything new?" She came to a stop before him, her bright eyes filled with anticipation.
"Was Madam Liu truly..." She lowered her voice, "murdered?"
Xie Rong looked at her. Yet, he did not answer.
His gaze remained quietly fixed upon her face for several moments.
"Husband?" Wang Gege blinked. Seeing no response, she tilted her head in confusion. "Is something the matter?"
She smiled awkwardly. "Or... is Husband simply unable to tell this wife because it concerns the investigation?"
Only then did Xie Rong seem to return to his senses. He blinked almost imperceptibly before giving a slight shake of his head.
"No." His voice was as calm as ever. "This husband merely..." He paused briefly, "lost focus."
Those simple words surprised even himself. Losing focus had never happened to him before.
Not until, his gaze unconsciously settled on Wang Gege once again.
Standing before him, she looked exactly the same as always since day one they met. Curious about everything, unable to hide whatever was on her mind, and completely unaware that she had become the very reason he had been distracted.
Only then did he quietly continue, "There are a few leads. But... They are insufficient to conclude whether Madam Liu’s death was truly suicide... or murder."
Wang Gege nodded thoughtfully.
"Then..." She smiled gently, "I hope Husband and the others are able to uncover the truth soon. That way, Husband can finally get some proper rest."
The simple words caused Xie Rong’s gaze to linger upon her smile.
For a brief moment, he found himself unable to look away. Realizing it, he quietly turned his head.
A small gulp escaped his throat before he calmly spoke, "This husband still has somewhere to be." He paused before adding, "As for Furen... I shall have Qing’er move your belongings back to our courtyard. The investigation may keep this husband occupied for the next few days. It would be difficult for this husband to ensure Furen’s safety if you continue staying elsewhere."
Wang Gege blinked. Then, the corners of her lips naturally curved upward.
"All right. I will ask Qing’er to pack everything." She let out a soft laugh. "There is not much to move anyway."
The warmth in her voice unconsciously caused Xie Rong to glance back at her once more.
"When will Husband be back?" She asked. "If it is too late... This wife will leave a lamp lit."
Xie Rong was silent for a moment before gently shaking his head. "This husband does not know. If I return late tonight... There is no need for Furen to wait. Rest early."
Wang Gege obediently nodded.
"Mm." I understand."
For some reason, looking at her standing there, smiling so casually as she spoke of waiting for him to come home, Xie Rong suddenly found it even harder to tear his gaze away than before.
"This husband gotta go..." He said in a hurry and turned before walking out of the courtyard.
Only after leaving the courtyard did Xie Rong finally stop. He slowly exhaled before raising a hand to press against his forehead.
He had almost fled. The realization made him unconsciously close his eyes.
What had happened to him these past two days?
Why had every smile from Wang Gege begun lingering in his mind?
Why had he unconsciously wanted to remain by her side just a little longer?
And just now... Why had he found it difficult to simply look away?
His brows gradually drew together.
’Gemi.’
A faint blue light quietly gathered right in front of his eyes.
[Host.]
Xie Rong remained silent for several moments before finally asking, ’May this Host ask something unrelated to the mission?’
[Host may ask.]
Xie Rong lowered his gaze as he hesitated.
’If...’ He gulped ’someone still wishes to return to save a person he loves... But at the same time... begins developing feelings for another.’
He slowly clenched his fist, ’Is that what people call...’ He paused, ’cheating?’
The surroundings fell completely silent. Even Gemi did not answer immediately.
[SEARCHING...]
A few moments later, lines of blue text slowly appeared before Xie Rong’s eyes.
[Query: "Cheating"]
[Definition found.]
[Cheating: A person who is emotionally or physically involved with someone other than their committed romantic partner.]
Xie Rong quietly read every word. His brows gradually knitted together.
’Then...’ He lowered his voice, ’Does this Host count?’
Another brief silence followed.
[SEARCHING...]
[Analyzing Host’s current relationship status.]
[Previous-life relationship status: No romantic relationship established.]
[Current-world relationship status: Legally married.]
[CONCLUSION...]
The blue screen flickered once.
[INSUFFICIENT DATA]
Xie Rong blinked, ’Insufficient?’
[Host has not entered a confirmed romantic relationship in the previous world.]
[Unable to determine whether emotional betrayal has occurred.]
[RECOMMENDATION:]
[Host should first determine who Host truly loves.]
The moment those words appeared, Xie Rong fell completely silent.
Who... Did he truly love?
Before he could gather his thoughts, someone lightly patted his shoulder from behind.
Xie Rong’s pupils contracted. Almost instinctively, he reacted. He seized the wrist behind him and swiftly turned, his other hand already moving to pin the person against the nearby wall.
The movement stopped abruptly, only inches remained between them.
"Furen?"
Wang Gege blinked. She looked first at her wrist still firmly held in his hand, then at Xie Rong.
"Husband?"
Silence.
Xie Rong immediately loosened his grip. "Oh—My apologies."
His voice remained calm, though it carried a trace of guilt. "This husband acted on instinct."
Wang Gege gently rubbed her wrist before smiling. "It is all right."
She tilted her head curiously. "This wife was the one who quietly approached Husband from behind." She looked at him for a brief moment before asking, "But... Is Husband truly that distracted? This wife called Husband three times."
"I did not hear." Seeing her still rubbing her wrist, Xie Rong’s brows drew together almost imperceptibly.
He gently reached for her hand. "Did I hurt Furen?"
Wang Gege quickly shook her head. "No. It does not hurt."
As if to reassure him, she lightly swung her hand twice before smiling.
"I only came because..." She hesitated, suddenly feeling a little embarrassed, "this wife wished to ask whether Husband had already had the midday meal."
She glanced at the sky before letting out an awkward laugh. "Although... It is already late afternoon."
Xie Rong was momentarily silent. Only then did he realize, since leaving for the investigation chamber, he had not eaten a single bite nor had he even thought about it.
Looking at the woman standing before him, who had gone out of her way merely to ask such a simple question, something inside his heart quietly softened.
"No." He answered truthfully, "This husband has yet to eat."
Wang Gege immediately frowned.
"I knew it." She folded her arms, looking oddly pleased with herself, "I already asked Qing’er to get the food ready, husband has time to eat first, right?"
Xie Rong just looked at her in silence. There were something on his head saying that he definitely need to avoid the woman in front of him or his objective here would go astray.
"Husband?"
"No—This husband—"
"Gotta go?" Wang Gege cut his words and caused the silence between them.
That question might sound normal, but it was not.