After Time Traveling, I was Forced to Marry a Wealthy Family

A few days later, Mu Ci contacted Wu Ming, reassuring him that everything was fine and the jade pendant had been found. Wu Ming, still concerned, planned to visit before the exam, but Mu Ci worried about Gu Huai’s potential reaction. Gu Huai harbored hostility towards Wu Ming, who had lived with Mu Ci for over a month, and Mu Ci couldn’t guarantee what would happen if Gu Huai became really angry.

Mu Ci spent half an hour comforting Wu Ming over the phone, finally calming his restless heart. After a moment of silence, Mu Ci softly said, “Wu Ming, thank you. I’ll call again when I leave. Goodbye.”

Wu Ming, on the other end of the phone, was stunned. “Did he really allow you to leave?” he asked.

Mu Ci didn’t disclose the three-month agreement but simply hummed, “Don’t worry. I know what I’m doing.”

Wu Ming was still uneasy. Having seen too many crime movies, his imagination ran wild. Although Mu Ci sounded fine on the phone, who knew if someone off-screen had a gun to his head, forcing him to say those things.

Wu Ming wanted to say more, but Mu Ci gently hung up the phone.

Mu Ci looked up as Gu Huai walked into the room. Gu Huai chuckled, “Who were you calling? You hang up as soon as you see me.”

“Just finished speaking.” Mu Ci picked up the crutches and attempted to stand. Testing his legs, he found they were almost healed, and he could walk without crutches, albeit a bit weak.

Overjoyed, Gu Huai approached, offering support without explanation. He lowered his head to inspect Mu Ci’s leg. “Does it still hurt? Is it healed? The doctor said it’s almost time for recovery.”

Mu Ci glanced at him indifferently and said lukewarmly, “If you had been a little more merciful back then, I wouldn’t need to be recovering now.”

These words struck Gu Huai deeply, rendering him silent. After a moment, he said the words, “…I’m sorry.”

“I have a condition.” Mu Ci glanced at Gu Huai, and Gu Huai keenly noticed that Mu Ci used the word ‘condition’ instead of ‘request’ or ‘requirement’.

Curious, Gu Huai asked, “What does this condition of yours correspond to?”

“…I won’t mention the leg injury in front of you in the future.”

In essence, he wouldn’t make light of it or poke fun at it to hurt Gu Huai on purpose.

Gu Huai hesitated for a moment. “What do you want in return?”

“I’m going to see Zheng Xuran.”

Gu Huai suddenly smiled. “It’s amusing that such a small thing is so serious.”

Reaching out, he grabbed Mu Ci, pulled him into his arms, and kissed his hair. “Just go and see him. Your husband won’t deny you this bit of freedom. You can go whenever you want. I’ll let Jing Zheng know,” Gu Huai said.

Mu Ci shifted but didn’t break away from Gu Huai’s embrace. He looked out the window uncomfortably. “Tomorrow.”

Gu Huai smiled, feigning frivolity. “Okay, whatever you want.”

Mu Ci, feeling a surge of frustration, wanted to curse but found himself unable to. After holding it in for a long time, he could only glare fiercely at Gu Huai, then turned around and went out to find the puppy.

Hate also required strength. Mu Ci’s strength was almost depleted some time ago, leaving behind only indifference and alienation, like the aftermath of fireworks.

.

He met Zheng Xuran the next day. Mu Ci scrutinized him without leaving a trace and was relieved to see no obvious injuries on his body.

But then, he remembered Jing Zheng’s extreme methods of punishment and couldn’t help asking, “He didn’t do anything to you, did he? I called your number, but it was an empty number. How could you…”

“I tried my best…” Zheng Xuran looked at him with a complicated expression. “Mu Ci, I did my best to get you out, but you were still captured.”

Mu Ci was startled, then lowered his head guiltily. “I’m sorry.”

He didn’t know why he was apologizing, but he felt a sense of remorse. It seemed that due to his own negligence, Zheng Xuran’s efforts and sacrifices had been in vain.

“Is your leg hurt?” Zheng Xuran looked at Mu Ci’s calf. “I heard something about it at the Jing family. It was difficult, wasn’t it?”

“Yes, it hurts.” Mu Ci hesitated for a moment, then quickly added, “But it’s okay now. Yes, it’s okay…”

His words stopped abruptly as Zheng Xuran’s eyes suddenly became very tired. He sighed heavily and whispered, “I was wrong, Mu Ci. I was too naive when I said you could leave and live a better life. The two of us are no match for them.”