There are still five minutes until the hero escapes from marriage. - Chapter 43

Seven days.

Gu Xianting had been confined to the bedroom on the third floor for a full seven days.

During these seven days, apart from the servant who brought him meals, no one else had entered the room.

At first, he didn’t think much of it. After all, this time, Wen Zhao didn’t humiliate him, didn’t force him to sleep together, and didn’t make him play the role of a perfect husband.

At first, he even felt relieved.

He thought, Wen Zhao just needed time to calm down. She must still love him, but didn’t want to face him right now. Once she cooled down, she would come to see him.

That was what he thought on the first day.

He stayed in the bedroom, starting to draft some plans. After all, he had traveled through so many worlds; he could think of a hundred ways to soothe a woman’s anger and win her heart, without repeating himself.

But by the third day, Wen Zhao still hadn’t come to see him.

He tried to leave, but the door was locked from the outside, and there was no way to open it without a key.

The bedroom had nothing in it. When a person is locked in a place with no one to talk to, no way to connect with the outside world through a phone or the internet, they can go mad after a certain amount of time.

On the fourth day, when the servant came in to deliver food, he stopped them. “Where’s Wen Zhao? Where is my wife?”

The servant didn’t say a word, just set down the food and quickly left, as if a wolf was chasing them.

He looked at the food on the table, his chest heaving with anger. In a fit of rage, he swept the bowls off the table. The dishes clattered to the ground, leaving a mess.

But no one paid him any attention. He started pounding on the door. “Let me out! Wen Zhao! Wen Zhao, you can’t do this to me!”

He felt a wave of anxiety. He pounded on the door for a long time, but no one came to open it.

He slid down to the floor, leaning against the door, his eyes unfocused as he stared at the scattered food and broken dishes on the ground.

What is Wen Zhao trying to do?

Because he secretly followed Su Mengyao’s affairs behind her back, does she plan to lock him up forever?

Why?

Was this how Wen Zhao and the real Gu Xianting interacted? He tried to recall, but he had no detailed memories of their interactions, only fragmented images in his mind that couldn’t form a complete memory.

Before they had laid all their cards on the table, she had tormented him relentlessly—with violence, insults, and threats, as if she were dealing with an enemy!

Now, it seemed she had started using the silent treatment, ignoring him, leaving him in the cold.

He couldn’t panic, couldn’t lose his composure. He must not let her lead him by the nose again.

With this thought, he gradually calmed himself down.

Because he had knocked over the food, he went hungry that day.

On the fifth day, the servant came to deliver food again. He had already cleaned up the mess on the floor, but the servant quickly left before he could say anything.

On the sixth day, he sat on the bed, looking utterly dejected.

When someone loses track of time, only able to watch the sun rise and set, it’s easy to lose the sense of how much time has passed.

On the seventh day.

Today.

From dawn, the sky was overcast, and it had been raining continuously.

Without the sun, he had lost track of time and couldn’t estimate it. He hadn’t taken good care of himself; stubble had grown on his chin, his hair was messy, and his pajamas were wrinkled.

In just seven days, the once immaculate Gu Xianting had become as disheveled as a homeless man on the street.

But thanks to his naturally good looks, even in such a state, he still appeared attractive.

Rain fell against the windows, blurring the world outside.

He turned his head back numbly. He realized he couldn’t go on like this. He didn’t know how long Wen Zhao intended to keep him locked up, and it was clear that no one would come to rescue him this time.

He refocused his gaze on the door. Waiting was agonizing, and he had no idea how long he had waited when finally, the servant came to deliver his meal.

When the servant opened the door and placed the food on the table by the door, ready to leave, a figure suddenly rushed at them. Before the servant could react, he quickly locked the door from the inside.

His heart pounded wildly. Seven days of inactivity had left his body somewhat unaccustomed to movement.

The corridor was quiet, with no one else around. He swallowed, cautiously looking around to make sure there were no cameras, then he breathed a little easier.

It made sense that Wen Zhao, not wanting too many people to know about his confinement, hadn’t posted guards here.

After escaping from the estate, Gu Xianting found himself at a loss. He couldn’t go back to the Gu family because his father only cared about the interests of the company and would just send him back again. He couldn’t go to the company either, as it was now completely under Wen Zhao’s control. He was penniless and without a phone. In such a short time, he had the shocking realization that even if he returned to Licheng City, even if he were free, he had nowhere else to go besides Wen Zhao’s place.

It was still raining when he stood at the bus stop, watching the vehicles come and go.

At the stop, there were commuters waiting for the bus, elderly people with graying hair, and students waiting to go home after school. Some were chatting and laughing with those beside them, some were connecting with others via their phones, and others were passing the time by watching short videos or reading novels.

It seemed that everyone had someone to connect with, everyone had their own goals and purpose.

Suddenly, he felt a pang of confusion. He came to this world because of Su Mengyao. He came here just for her—to love her, to spoil her, to make her the happiest woman alive.

Yes, how could he have nowhere to go? How could he let this setback make him forget why he came?

In the previous worlds, Su Mengyao had suffered a lot for him. It was always a struggle for them to be together, and in the world where he had fallen in love with her, they had even faced life and death multiple times.

As he watched the rain, his vision blurred. In that moment, for reasons he couldn’t fully explain, he felt an overwhelming urge to see Su Mengyao immediately.

He stepped into the rain and ran out of the bus stop.

The people at the stop only glanced at his actions with some surprise before lowering their heads again. In this world, everyone was already exhausted just trying to live their own lives. Who had the energy to care about others?

He ran through the rain, not even sure where Su Mengyao was. It was as if he was running on instinct, heading straight for the high-end apartment he had once bought for her.

He had told Wen Zhao that he would take back everything he had given Su Mengyao, but in reality, he hadn’t yet had the chance to do so. At this moment, he was grateful he hadn’t.

He unlocked the door with the passcode. Inside, everything seemed frozen in time, as if Su Mengyao still lived there.

The green plant on the entryway cabinet had withered from lack of water, as its owner hadn’t been home for a long time. A thin layer of dust had settled on the floor. He walked in, closing the door behind him.

On the coffee table in the living room lay a lipstick Su Mengyao had used—the one he had bought for her.

On the sofa was a half-finished scarf that she had been knitting. He could almost see her nestled in his arms, playfully saying that the scarf was a birthday gift and that she must be there to celebrate with him.

Everything in this place bore traces of her presence. The love that had almost withered within him felt as if it had been revived, as if a spring had been poured into it, filling him once again with that lost emotion.

How could he let Wen Zhao’s petty tricks shake him?

How could he ever think of leaving this world and abandoning Su Mengyao?

He couldn’t leave. He had to stay here and be with his Yao Yao!

He walked over to the full-length mirror and stared in shock at the disheveled man who looked like a beggar.

How could he let himself get like this?

No, he couldn’t appear before Yao Yao looking like this. He had to present himself at his best, to be her pillar of support. He had to find a way to take back what was his, and then he would lay everything he had at Yao Yao’s feet and beg for her forgiveness!

As he was thinking this, footsteps echoed in the hallway.

His body tensed. He recognized those footsteps!

Before his mind could react, his body did. He rushed to the door and looked down the hallway.

His pupils contracted as he saw, standing ten meters away, a young woman with stunning looks.

Her appearance was unfamiliar; her features had completely changed. Her face no longer held the delicacy and vulnerability of the past, and she exuded a coldness that hadn’t been there before.

But despite all this, his heart skipped a beat.

Even with different features, those eyes were unmistakable!

“YaoYao?”

**he was stunned when he heard the name “YaoYao” and instinctively turned to flee.**

Why, why was he here, and in such a disheveled state?

She had no intention of meeting him, and even if she were to, it certainly wouldn’t be under these circumstances.

Before she could take two steps, her arm was tightly gripped, and she was forcefully pulled into a cold, damp embrace.

“Let me go! I don’t know you, let go of me!” Su Mengyao struggled violently, her heart filled with grievance, anger, and sadness, all flooding in at once in this soaked embrace.

How dare he embrace her like this after treating her so badly? Did he think she was still the Su Mengyao who silently followed him around?

“Let me go!” Unable to free herself, she bit down hard on his chest.

He let out a muffled groan of pain but refused to release her. “YaoYao, I know it’s you. Even if you change a hundred or a thousand times, I would recognize you instantly. I love you!”

Hearing these words, She was momentarily touched. He was the first man she had ever loved and also the first to hurt her so deeply. To this day, her feelings for him were a mix of love and hatred.

It was indeed touching that someone could recognize her despite a changed appearance.

But when she thought of how she had been beaten up and left on the ground while he had disassociated himself from her, her softened heart turned hard again. She pushed him away with force, glaring at him with red eyes and anger.

“I said I don’t know you! I’m not YaoYao. If you keep this up, I’ll call the police!” At this moment, she had unparalleled confidence. She had decided to completely give up on him!

Moreover, she was now with Shen Han Feng… The thought of him pained her heart, and she took a step back. “I know you’re Gu Xianting. You’re married, and your wife is Wen Zhao. I know…”

Before she could finish, he rushed forward, cupping her face and fiercely sealing her lips with his own.

“Oh wow, things are getting intense.” Wen Zhao watched the surveillance footage on the screen, clicking her tongue in interest. She glanced sideways at the butler sitting next to her. “Look at them.”

The butler’s eyes narrowed dangerously. He suddenly leaned closer to her, “What, are you interested too?”

Wen Zhao smiled and draped her arm around his neck, pressing a lipstick mark on his face.

The butler, dressed in a white shirt with the top three buttons undone, revealing his well-defined collarbones, and wearing gold-rimmed glasses that obscured his gray eyes, looked like an elegant but decadent gentleman. The lipstick mark on his cheek added to his disheveled charm.

“I prefer to be the one in control.” Wen Zhao’s eyes carried a hint of provocation as she glanced at him, then returned her gaze to the monitor.

In the footage, Su Mengyao, who had initially resisted fiercely, gradually succumbed to the kiss, her hands wrapping around Gu Xianting’s neck, the kiss becoming passionate and lingering.

“Do you think they’ll end up running away together and completing the ‘big harmony’ scene from the beginning of the plot?” Wen Zhao asked with interest.

Indeed, despite Gu Xianting’s disheveled state, his extreme handsomeness gave him a kind of decadent allure, while the now beautiful and radiant Su Mengyao looked like a ripe peach. Their kiss, though intense, appeared quite beautiful, fitting the role of the leads in this storyline.

He held her tightly and, while kissing her, entered the apartment, slamming the door shut behind them.

“It’s a pity they don’t have more cameras inside,” Wen Zhao said regretfully.

The butler could no longer tolerate it and covered Wen Zhao’s eyes. “What’s there to see?”

He turned her face towards him and then released his hand from her eyes. “Look at me instead. Isn’t that better?”

“Alright, I’ll look at you.” she smiled. This person had indeed changed a lot on the surface, but inside, he was still the same.

She remembered how in high school, she would receive many love letters, which she would return. He would always follow her, showing his blatant disapproval of her attention being spent on others.

“From now on, I’ll only look at you,” she said.

His mouth curled up into a smile, his eyes full of affection behind the glasses.

“Let’s go. It’s time for our scene.” she said.

He complied, picking her up effortlessly. She nestled comfortably into his arms.

“Ah, I always said the butler was the best.” she was pleased, patting his chest muscles.

His physique was exactly what she had once played in a game, and she had only recognized it later.

He looked down at her, adjusting his hold to be even more secure. “Why didn’t you recognize me at first glance? Look, even 0733 could recognize the transformed Su Mengyao right away.”

His words were laced with a hint of jealousy.

Wen Zhao laughed at his remark. Indeed, even after falling in love, lovers often revisit old grievances.

“Be serious. If you truly loved me, you should recognize me even if I turned to ashes, right?” his tone was somewhat aggrieved.

Wen Zhao laughed even harder. “I guess I don’t have such a power yet.”

“Isn’t that the hallmark of a domineering CEO? You’re also the CEO Wen, so why can’t you recognize me? Indeed, you don’t love me enough,” the butler said, kicking open the bedroom door and tossing her onto the bed.

She laughed so hard she had to hold her stomach. “Alright, alright. You must have read at least a hundred ‘CEO falls in love’ stories to come up with that line.”

He pinned her down with a playful move. “Don’t laugh. I’m being serious.”

“Okay, okay, I won’t laugh.” she stifled her laughter, looking into his eyes as she hugged his neck. Gently stroking his hair, she said, “Even if I can’t recognize you at first glance, I will never let you go. I will hold on to you by instinct. We don’t need such miracles.”

No need for the control of the plot, no need for deliberate design.

They would naturally come to recognize each other through the daily moments.

“Mm,” the butler’s voice was deep and restrained, “It’s alright if you don’t recognize me, because I will never let you go.”

This was his most romantic confession to his lover.

In the apartment, a sense of decadence pervaded the air.

Clothes were strewn everywhere, many decorations were broken or displaced, from the living room to the bedroom, showing the intensity of the struggle.

On the bed, Gu Xianting and Su Mengyao lay sleeping soundly.

Unbeknownst to them, this was their only and final moment of passion.

The elevator dinged as it arrived, and the doors opened. Wen Zhao led the way, followed by Gu Xianting’s parents, Wen Zhao’s parents, and some of her friends, including Xu Nian.

“Zhao Zhao, be prepared…” Chen Shan said, feeling extremely embarrassed, unsure of what to say.

She had been moved by Wen Zhao’s dedication to Gu Xianting despite everything. Now, the worst possible outcome had come true.

Gu Xianting, the scoundrel, had indeed been with another woman!

“It’s alright, Mom. It must be that woman’s fault. I know it,” Wen Zhao said, uttering a shocking statement, “Why do outside women always have to be so bad?”

Jiang Xinyan nearly stumbled, feeling something was off.

She looked at Wen Zhao, believing she understood her daughter well. Although Wen Zhao appeared love-struck, she was clear about grudges. Anyone who dared hurt her would be dealt with harshly.

Previously on the island, Wen Zhao had made Gu Xianting suffer, which she was certain was not out of love.

Now, Wen Zhao’s remarks were baffling.

“What’s wrong?” Jiang Xinyan asked, feeling uneasy.

Chen Shan, feeling guilty, said, “It seems Zhao Zhao can’t contact Gu Xianting.”

Jiang Xinyan’s expression turned serious. “Zhao Zhao, you should divorce him. Such a person isn’t worth clinging to! You’re so outstanding. Why should you struggle with him?”

“I won’t!” Wen Zhao said firmly, “He’s my husband. I will never divorce him. It’s only a matter of mourning!”

After making her declaration, she hung up the phone.

The butler looked at her, his expression mixed.

Wen Zhao smiled. “No divorce, only mourning. Classic CEO line, right? Doesn’t it sound cool when said just now?”

“Isn’t it problematic to say this to your mom?” the butler asked. “Why don’t you just tell her everything?”

“Do you think she would believe it if I told her? She would only think I was making excuses to hold on to him. Rather than that, it’s better to let everyone know that I’m determined to not let go, that I will fight him to the end.

After all, which villainous female character doesn’t make it to the end?

If it were easy to give up, how could one be called a villain?

Outside, night had fallen. Wen Zhao yawned. “I stayed up too late last night. I’m so tired. Let’s go to bed. After all, there’s a good show to watch tomorrow morning.”