Volume 1, Chapter 11: Stay away from that man; I don't like him.

Standing at 190 centimeters, his physique, honed by years of rigorous exercise, surpassed even that of a professional model. He was the embodiment of the saying: lean in clothing, muscular in the flesh. Which woman in Handing did not dream of catching a glimpse of his presence?

Every woman in Handing branded him the most devilishly alluring man on earth. Yet, he was fearsome and cold, leaving no one daring enough to approach him. Most crucially, his infertility was his fatal flaw.

However, Fu Yanchen knew that other women would have thrown themselves at him the moment they saw his body, yet this woman alone treated him like a venomous snake. The more she acted this way, the more he wanted to delve into her inner world. He simply wanted to see what made her different from the rest.

He stood up, continuing to unbutton his shirt while his dark, sharp eyes remained fixed on her. Seeing her take a step back, he furrowed his brows and parted his thin lips. "What is Pei Jinghong to you?" His cold voice carried a tone of interrogation.

Gu Li was not offended; she replied with graceful composure, "He is my senior from university. When I was struggling financially, he helped me find part-time work. Now, he is simply my colleague."

Her poise, along with the gentle warmth in her eyes as she spoke, appeared blinding to Fu Yanchen. He closed in on her, his footsteps heavy and measured.

With nowhere left to retreat, Gu Li was pinned against the door by Fu Yanchen, leaving no room for escape. The oppressive sensation washed over her, and the faint scent of tobacco lingering on him made her heart race. She disliked this feeling; it felt stifling. She reached out to push him away, frowning and bowing her head, her voice soft and hesitant, "Where are my things?"

His aura pressed down on her, his scorching breath brushing against her neck, causing her body to tremble. Suddenly, her chin was gripped by his hand, and he stared at her with a gaze as intense as a torch. When she averted her eyes, Fu Yanchen frowned, forcing her to look at him.

"Do you like Pei Jinghong?"

Gu Li dodged his gaze, frowning as she reached up to press against his hand. "That has nothing to do with you!"

Fu Yanchen tightened his grip, causing her pain. As she winced, he leaned closer to her lips. "Answer me!"

His presence enveloped her, his hand firmly holding her chin. She was entirely within his control, unable to escape. She gripped his fist tightly, then, as if resigning herself to fate, she loosened her hold.

"I don't like him!" she hissed through gritted teeth, glaring at him in anger.

She was naturally stunning, especially her eyes, which were as bright as black gems. At this moment, they were misted over, making them appear even more luminous.

His heart stirred. He lowered his head, leaning in. "May I?"

He still held onto a final shred of reason to ask her; he disliked forcing others, but having received the answer he wanted, his heart surged. Yes, he wanted to kiss her now. But he could not. He had to restrain himself; he wanted to respect her and hear her say she was willing of her own accord.

Gu Li was startled, instantly realizing what he intended. Her reason returned, and recalling the words Mu Li had spoken, she immediately shook her head, pushing against him with both hands. "No!"

"I am your husband!"

His voice was deep and seductive as he spoke those words. The more she struggled and resisted, the more Fu Yanchen wanted to possess her. It was a man's inherent, base nature.

Gu Li was not afraid of him. She snorted, "Not for much longer. I came here to get my things back, and to tell you: I want a divorce!"

Hearing her attempt to draw a line between them, Fu Yanchen lost all interest. He released her chin and took a step back, his shirt still open, standing there in a brazen display of temptation.

Once released, Gu Li felt as though she had been granted an amnesty. She felt instantly lighter, gasping for air. The air around her had felt so thin just moments ago that she had even forgotten to breathe.

She glanced over and caught sight of his solid, muscular chest. She quickly averted her eyes, suppressing her frustration. He had been trying to seduce her just now. Indeed, this man was truly dangerous. She began planning how to persuade him to return her belongings and sign the divorce papers.

Fu Yanchen pulled out a cigarette, placed it between his lips, and lit it with a lighter. He took a drag and exhaled a plume of smoke—a sight so seductive it would make any woman willing to let him toy with her. Setting aside his infertility, a man as intoxicating as a poppy surely wouldn't lack for women, right?

"Do you think I'm hiding something from you?"

Gu Li was taken aback as she looked at him. His eyes truly seemed to see through everything. Gu Li did not deny it, nor did she speak. She looked into the distance, wondering what he would say next.

"The eight wives before you died before they could even enter this house. Don't worry, you are different." With the cigarette dangling from his mouth, he watched her stunned expression through the hazy smoke. A curve appeared at the corner of his lips; it seemed he had guessed correctly. Her thoughts were written all over her face.

Gu Li feared such things, but she had known this from the very beginning; it wasn't enough to make her want a divorce!

She remained silent, standing in a stalemate with him. She averted her eyes, clutching her hands tightly. Fu Yanchen frowned. He had always been able to see through others, especially the minds of women, but now, he couldn't grasp what this woman in front of him was thinking.

Gu Li felt that since he had brought it up, she shouldn't hide it either. She decided to lay it all out. Looking up at his cold expression, she said, "Although we are legally married, it is a transaction. When the time comes, I will leave. But I cannot tolerate any interference in my marriage."

"I don't mind if you keep a few women on the side, but I do not want to one day face the drama of a mistress coming to my door. It disgusts me."

She said it all in one breath. Facing his imposing presence, she didn't feel afraid—after all, they were going to divorce anyway.

Fu Yanchen had not expected her to say these things, and his cold expression softened significantly. So, this was the reason she wanted a divorce?

Seeing him remain silent, Gu Li clenched her fists and glared at him, growling, "Give me back my things. Senior Pei is still waiting for me downstairs."

Fu Yanchen took a drag of his cigarette, the smoke swirling around them, obscuring his expression. He simply extended a finger and pointed to the desk behind her.

Gu Li walked over, opened the bag, and found her work ID and licenses. She gathered them up, clutched them to her chest, and turned to leave, only to be blocked by a long, straight leg. She looked up and glared at him.

What else did he want?

Fu Yanchen looked at her angry face with unbridled interest. The more furious she was, the more he found her intriguing. In his thirty-plus years of life, no one had ever dared to treat him like this.

Seeing her clenched fists, he could tell she was truly incensed. Fu Yanchen tapped the ash from his cigarette into the ashtray, his voice cold and crisp. "You know I am incapable. Rest assured, since I have married you, there will be no mistresses."

With that, he pulled back the leg that had blocked her path. Gu Li frowned at him, unsure of what he meant. Was he explaining himself to her?

In the moment she was stunned, Fu Yanchen leaned in toward her ear and spoke lightly, "Gu Li, stay away from that man. I don't like him."

By the time Gu Li regained her composure, Fu Yanchen had already turned and walked into the bathroom. She stared at the bathroom door for a long time until the sound of running water echoed from within. Only then did she place the medicine from her bag onto the table and turn to leave.