Chapter 39: Lies

The weather today was abysmal, with gale-force winds howling outside and thunder clashing against the sky. Qiao Yanxin drove at breakneck speed until she arrived at the Gu residence.

Upon her arrival, Mother Gu opened the door with a face full of pleasant surprise. "Oh, Yanxin, you’re finally here! You have no idea how much Tingchu has been going on about you—he’s talked about you so much our ears are practically calloused."

Qiao Yanxin’s expression shifted slightly. "Where is Gu Tingchu? I need to speak with him about something."

Hearing this, Mother Gu cast a knowing, intrigued look. "He’s in the kitchen. Oh, the poor boy! When he heard you were coming, he insisted on cooking a few dishes for you himself. I couldn't stop him no matter what I said."

Unlike her usual self, Qiao Yanxin didn't show any signs of being touched. She remained silent, changed her shoes, and headed straight for the kitchen.

For some reason, I had a lingering premonition that Gu Tingchu was about to stir up trouble. Thus, I entered the kitchen one step ahead of Qiao Yanxin.

I had barely stepped inside when I saw Gu Tingchu pick up a knife from the cutting board and, with deliberate intent, slash a gash across his own hand.

In that instant, fresh blood spurted from the wound. Instinctively, I took a step back.

I have to hand it to him—Gu Tingchu is ruthless, not just toward others, but to himself as well. In that regard, I truly cannot compare; I could never go to such lengths for someone else, let alone mutilate myself.

This was exactly the scene Qiao Yanxin walked into.

Gu Tingchu was frantically trying to tidy up the counter, while the floor and the cutting board were covered in a large pool of blood.

Qiao Yanxin frowned and walked over quickly to help him clean up. "What happened here?" Her tone had been aggressive upon arrival, but seeing this, her words softened into genuine concern.

Gu Tingchu held up his injured finger with a pitiful look. "I’m sorry, Yanxin. I just wanted to cook a meal for you. I must have been too clumsy, and I ended up cutting myself."

Qiao Yanxin pursed her lips. "Enough, stop talking. Where is the first-aid kit?"

"It’s in my room," Gu Tingchu said softly.

He led Qiao Yanxin into his bedroom and pulled the first-aid kit from under the bed.

Qiao Yanxin meticulously applied iodine to the wound, then took out a bandage and carefully wrapped it around his finger. She was so focused on tending to his injury that she completely forgot why she had come there in the first place.

Watching her, I felt no surprise. This was normal—this was the real Qiao Yanxin. Even though she had come here to address my situation, how could my affairs ever compare to Gu Tingchu’s? Especially now that his finger had been cut.

After bandaging the wound, Qiao Yanxin let out a sigh of relief and began to clean up the mess.

The next second, Gu Tingchu pulled her into his arms.

Almost as a conditioned reflex, Qiao Yanxin broke free from his embrace. "What are you doing? How would it look if someone saw us?"

Gu Tingchu looked utterly aggrieved. "Yanxin, I don’t know what I’ve done to make you so annoyed with me. If there’s something I’ve done wrong, just tell me. I’ll change anything for you! Please, just don’t ignore me!"

Qiao Yanxin’s face flickered. She took a deep breath before stating her purpose. "Tell me, what exactly happened at the café that day?"

Hearing the sudden mention of the café, Gu Tingchu looked blank. "The café? What café?"

Qiao Yanxin rubbed her temples irritably. "Can you stop playing dumb now? Do you really want me to spell it out for you? How exactly did you fall down the stairs at the café?"

Gu Tingchu answered as if it were obvious. "Of course it was Yunzhou who pushed me. Didn't I tell you that already? Why are you asking me now? Don't tell me you don't believe me, Yanxin?" He blinked his eyes with a pathetic, wounded expression, but Qiao Yanxin was no longer so easily bewitched.

"But, Yanxin, don't blame him. Yunzhou certainly didn't mean to. It was partly my own fault; if I had held onto the railing, he wouldn't have been able to push me. We were both at fault."

Hearing this, the intensity in Qiao Yanxin’s demeanor softened slightly. "Are you telling the truth?"

"Of course I am. Why would I lie to you? Think about it, Yanxin—when have I ever lied to you? And besides, why are you suddenly bringing this up? Did someone say something to you?"

Gu Tingchu’s tone sounded caring, but his eyes were filled with scrutiny. He was nervous. He couldn't understand why Qiao Yanxin would suddenly recall this incident. After all, with her way of thinking, if no one had prompted her, she would never have questioned the event in a million years.

"Fine. Then the second question: did you know that Yunzhou suffers from depression?"

"Huh? What do you mean? Yunzhou has depression? I had no idea. Is it... is his condition serious?" Gu Tingchu’s expression turned deeply concerned, as if he truly cared about me. If I didn't know his true colors, I might have actually believed him.

Qiao Yanxin didn't answer immediately, perhaps trying to gauge if he was being sincere.

"Did you know he slit his wrists? And you visited him just before he did it. Was it because of something you said or did that led him to do it?"

Gu Tingchu’s mouth fell open in feigned shock. "Yanxin, how could you think that of me? Am I really such a malicious person in your eyes? Besides, I didn't even know he had depression! Why would I provoke him? What could I possibly gain from that?"

Qiao Yanxin’s intelligence was clearly sharper today; she was not swayed by his sophistry.

"If you didn't do anything, then how do you explain why he slit his wrists immediately after you went in to see him? Was he just bored and decided to carve up his arms for fun?"

Qiao Yanxin grabbed Gu Tingchu’s wrists tightly. He tried to pull away in feigned panic, but couldn't break free.

"Yanxin, let go... it hurts..."

Gu Tingchu tried his best to widen his eyes, looking the picture of innocence. But Qiao Yanxin remained unmoved.

"Tell me the truth!"