Chapter 15: They Were Married in Name Only

Lou Xizhou sat in the living room for a long time, noticing no movement at the bedroom door. He wanted to go in but feared that Tang Yu might be coming out of the bathroom, which would be awkward for both of them. His own embarrassment was minor compared to worrying about her modesty as a young woman.

After waiting a few more minutes with still no sound, Lou Xizhou got up and retrieved a bathrobe from another room. Approaching Tang Yu’s door, he knocked lightly twice. When no one responded, he gently pushed the door open.

Sure enough, the bathroom light was still on.

Inside the bathroom, Tang Yu, having finished her shower, faced the embarrassing predicament of being alone without anyone to help. She was so frustrated she felt like crying but couldn’t.

Though she always packed a change of clothes when traveling, this time they were left on the bed, not with her. She worried that if she stepped out naked and happened to run into Lou Xizhou entering, it would be unbearable. The thought kept her from leaving the bathroom.

Suddenly, a knock sounded sharply on the door. Tang Yu jumped back, heart pounding wildly.

“Tang Yu?”

Hearing his voice made her heart race as if it would leap out of her chest.

“W-what is it?”

“I left a bathrobe outside the door. When you hear the door close, come out and grab it.”

Lou Xizhou’s voice came muffled through the glass.

Her tense heart gradually eased at his calm and reassuring words. Before she could respond, he turned and briskly walked away.

When she heard the door close, Tang Yu cautiously cracked the door open just enough to ensure no one was outside. Then she reached out to take the bathrobe from a high chair and put it on.

After leaving the bathroom, she grabbed the bag from the bed and went back inside to change into the clothes she had brought with her.

Next, she planned to call the male reporter. Although Lou Xizhou had already helped resolve the matter, she felt it proper to make the call herself.

Outside the living room, Lou Xizhou had changed into casual clothes delivered by his driver, much more relaxed compared to his usual sharply dressed business appearance.

Hearing movement at the bedroom door, he glanced over and was slightly surprised to see her in casual wear.

“I thought you didn’t bring a change of clothes, so I had someone bring an extra set of women’s clothes,” he said.

Tang Yu was genuinely surprised. She hadn’t expected him to be not only a gentleman but also so thoughtful and thorough. His emotional intelligence was truly impressive.

She walked over and sat at one end of the sofa, shyly saying, “I always pack a change of clothes when I travel, just in case of emergencies. Mr. Lou, I didn’t know that was your room. I’m really sorry.”

Lou Xizhou just smiled, “No need to apologize. It’s just taking a shower.”

In his mind, since they were married in name, sharing a room and bathroom was natural. Of course, she didn’t know about this status yet, so that was another matter.

“I ordered some food. I’ll eat and then go to sleep,” he added.

That surprised Tang Yu again, and a gentle warmth flowed quietly through her heart because she was truly hungry and looking for something to eat.

She smiled and said frankly, “I’m hungry too.”

“I’m hungry as well,” he said with a smile.

They both laughed.

The next day, at the agreed time, Tang Yu and Lou Xizhou woke early. Tang Yu decided to stay in Haicheng for two more days to follow up on the Feng Corporation story.

Lou Xizhou, naturally unable to stay with her in Haicheng, gifted her a new car under the pretense of the company purchasing an official vehicle.

“When I return to Beicheng, I’ll have someone drive the car back directly to your company,” Tang Yu said.

“I’ll be in Haicheng on business then. We can go back together,” Lou Xizhou said, handing her the new car keys as he gazed at her naturally beautiful face without makeup. “Drive carefully. There’s heavy rain expected these days.”

Tang Yu dared not meet his burning eyes. She lowered her head and accepted the keys, their fingertips brushing briefly during the exchange.

“Thank you for the reminder, Mr. Lou. Please be safe on the road as well.”

“Mm.”

Lou Xizhou looked at her deeply, then turned and walked briskly under the umbrella held by his driver, descending the stairs and stepping into the rainy mist before getting into the car.

Only then did Tang Yu look up, watching his tall figure leave.

Why did it feel like she was drifting away from the distance she had intended to keep with him?

Thinking this, Tang Yu frowned slightly.

She couldn’t let it happen. She had to get back on track immediately.

But this news reporting business… sigh, it was truly complicated and tangled.

The Rolls-Royce slowly pulled away from the hotel entrance. Lou Xizhou gazed at the beauty through the car window, reluctant to leave but unwilling to overstay his welcome.

After a long sigh, Tang Yu turned around—only to suddenly notice Zhou Ruancheng standing behind her, though she hadn’t seen when he arrived.

Startled, she took a step back, eyes widening.

“Zhou Ruancheng?!”

How did he know she was here?

Had Yu Shuang told him?

That seemed unlikely.

Zhou Ruancheng looked utterly disheveled, his face covered in stubble, and his clothes hastily thrown on. This unkempt appearance was a stark contrast to the polished, elite image he once projected.

Had that glamorous Zhou Ruancheng ever imagined he would one day show up looking like this—someone even he had once despised?

Tang Yu truly hadn’t expected that a breakup could reduce him to this state.

This was a matter of mindset, unrelated to her.

Zhou Ruancheng’s eyes were dull, his voice hoarse as he asked quietly, “Did you break up with me because of him?”

His words made Tang Yu scoff coldly, and now he was only capable of stirring such feelings in her.

“Zhou Ruancheng, don’t blame others for your own problems. If there was a reason for our breakup, it was because you had no boundaries. It had nothing to do with anyone else!”

He stepped closer to her, his voice tinged with agitation.

“But I said I’d change. I’m willing to marry you. After we marry, I’ll listen to you in everything. If you don’t like Yu Shuang, I won’t help her anymore. I don’t help her now either! Tang Yu…”

Tang Yu desperately dodged his approach, finally hiding behind the hotel doorman.

The doorman, thinking she was being harassed, stepped forward to block Zhou Ruancheng.

“Sir, this lady is our hotel guest. Please don’t disturb her, or we will call the police.”

Taking advantage of the moment, Tang Yu rushed into the hotel and pressed the elevator button to go upstairs.

Frustrated by his failure to reach her, Zhou Ruancheng shouted at the doorman, “She’s my girlfriend! What’s wrong with me bothering my girlfriend? Is that illegal?!”

“Sir, harassing someone against their will is indeed illegal,” the doorman said knowledgeably. “Besides, her boyfriend just left not long ago. I don’t think you’re her boyfriend.”

“Stop talking nonsense!” Zhou Ruancheng, angry, punched the doorman in the face. “I am her boyfriend! I am her boyfriend!”

Another doorman pulled Zhou Ruancheng away, and the lobby manager immediately called the police.

Back in her suite, still worried, Tang Yu finally breathed a sigh of relief when the front desk called to inform her that Zhou Ruancheng had been taken away by the police.

But she couldn’t stay at this hotel anymore. He would definitely come back!

Tang Yu hurriedly packed her things and left, then called her older brother, Tang Youjin, to arrange a place to stay.

At her new residence, since she was about to meet with the reporter, Tang Yu chose to call Tang Youjin rather than Lou Xizhou.