78 Cupid's Mistake

It was way past 10 pm when Gu Man stepped out of the mansion to do his final patrol. He usually surveys the whole mansion and checks the guards posted outside before calling it a day.

As he took a turn to check the garden, he discovered a peculiar figure sitting by the open pavilion. He drew closer to check who it was and was surprised to see Hou Wei Yan sitting with a melancholic look in her eyes.

"Young Lady?!" he called out in alarm, afraid that something happened to her. "What are you still doing outside?"

Wei Yan who was drowned in her own train of thoughts looked up to check the disturbance. When she saw that it was Gu Man, she gave a sigh and looked up to stare at the starry night sky.

"I was thinking"

Gu Man breathed a sigh of relief. He looked around and was bothered because Yingjie wasn't around. He was a known koala when it comes to Wei Yan. "What about Young Master Yingjie?"

"He's sleeping in Fang's room. He said he wants to stay there for the night. Somehow, despite such a short time, he grew attached to Fang" Wei Yan answered with a sad smile. After a short time of silence, she looked back at Gu Man and gave him one warm, yet melancholic eyes.

"Can I request some tea?"

"Of course" Gu Man immediately answered before motioning some standby maids to do the job. Once done, he turned to Wei Yan with worry. This is the first time he saw her this down. What happened? "What's wrong, Young Lady? You seem troubled"

Hou Wei Yan stayed silent once he asked such a question. No matter how hard she tries to get her mind off the matter regarding Fang and Xie Na, she can't do it. She always remembers her mistakes and it's killing her! "Uncle, aren't I, a bad boss?"

"Why would you say that?" he asked in surprise. [ Why in the world would she think that?! She was always considerate and warm to them even though they are merely her subordinates. We would never think of her in such a way! ]

[ What made her think such a thing? ]

A sad smile made its way to her face as she stared at the flickering light in the far corner of the garden. It was quite dim in such a place, much like how Fang and Xie Na's relationship came to be. "I think I'm the reason for Fang's sadness and my best friend's confusion"

"I'm terrible, aren't I?" she asked with a heart-shattering voice. She was blaming herself too much that it was making her look so broken and pathetic.

When Gu Man saw this, he too can't help but feel gloomy.

But it wasn't her fault. None of it was her fault so she shouldn't be blaming herself to such a degree.

He needed to tell her that because she badly needs to know it.

[ She wasn't at fault! ]

"Young Lady, you're human. We make mistakes" Gu Man said as took a big step so she can see him clearly. Hou Wei Yan's glistening eyes, stared at him, waiting for words that may calm her crestfallen heart.

"A boss doesn't necessarily become bad just because a mistake was made. To become a good boss, you must look around you, understand those under you, and give them their freedom to decide what they want to do"

Gu Man paused for a while and faintly smiled when he saw Hou Wei Yan intently listening to him.

"A subordinate's suggestion oftentimes matters, because one man deciding everything often leads to destruction" he continued before patting Wei Yan's hair. She looked like a child right now—lost, and needing deep comfort. "That's why it was right for you to give Fang and Xie Na their time to decide what future they want"

"You think so?" Wei Yan asked as she tilted her head. Gu Man nodded his head at her question, but despite it, Wei Yan still felt guilty. "But why do I still feel horrible"

"Young Lady, don't think too much about it. I'm sure, things will be resolved sooner or later" Gu Man remarked with a smile. He was sure Fang would reach the right decision and Xie Na would hopefully stick to her choice. "Things may not return to the way it's used to be, but acceptance is within grasp. I'm sure things will move forward to an acceptable route"

She was still skeptical, but she cannot reject what Gu Man said. What he said makes sense and it would be wise to trust someone who lived longer than her.

It's great having an Elder around to advise her when things become complicated.

While Wei Yan was still sorting out her thoughts, a maid made its way to Gu Man and whispered to him about a certain someone's arrival. Gu Man nodded his head and turned back to Wei Yan.

"The master has returned home. Would you like to have tea with him?" he informed with a wide smile on his face.

At the mention of her husband, Wei Yan's distorted thoughts immediately gathered up as she whip her head to face Gu Man. [ My husband is back? He doesn't usually come home if nothing happened and he never returns early ]

"He has returned this early?"

Gu Man nodded his head as he slowly placed down the tea set the maids brought in. "Young master needs to rest early and eat healthy as prescribed by his doctor"

"Is he sick?" Hou Wei Yan immediately asked, now extremely curious about his identity. [ What made him so tired that he got sick? ]

"Somehow"

Wei Yan looked at Gu Man with confusion. "Somehow?"

A sigh escaped from the old man's lips when he thought of what his master did again. "The young master is neglecting his health to cope with the business he's handling"

"Let me treat him" she immediately said while standing up, extreme worry evident in her eyes.

Gu Man was taken by surprise by her outburst. After a short moment of silence, he smiled and was nearly about to let out a burst of loud laughter.

[ It's great to see her care for his health! ]

"He's already under treatment" he remarked while giving a warm smile. Their young master is ecstatic because he's getting his treatment straight from his wife. "Don't worry, his doctor is reliable"

"I see" Wei Yan replied as she sat back down, but the worry in her eyes didn't subside at all. How can she not worry? He's her husband and as a doctor herself, shouldn't she be the one treating him instead of others?

[ Am I not reliable enough? ]

But what does she want to do knowing her capabilities? Replace his doctor?

When this suddenly came to mind, Hou Wei Yan felt scared.

[ What was I thinking?! ]

Whoever is treating him deserves her respect and gratitude, as his wife. Besides, she's a doctor herself, placing a patient's life in danger is something all of them want to avoid.

Thinking of replacing the doctor he has just because of her worry and pride is a very selfish thing. So, she needs to erase it. She doesn't need such dark clouded thoughts to linger in her system, because it might awaken something within her that was sealed a few years ago.

Very frightening darkness no one should ever see again.

Soon after, her husband, still dressed in his working clothes arrived, a mask still placed on his face. As he entered the pavilion, he immediately dismissed Gu Man and lovingly called out his beloved. "Wife"

Hou Wei Yan stood up when she saw his figure. It's been a long time since she last saw him and indeed, he's not the same as before. She immediately drew close to him and tried to help him down. "How are you? Are you feeling, okay?"

Ji Li Zhao smiled when he saw her worried face. Unable to control himself, he pulled her close to him and gave her a kiss on the forehead. "I'm fine"

With such a sudden attack, Wei Yan who was awfully worried earlier and was in conflict with herself became an instant blushing mess. She tried to stabilize herself using all the logic she collected in school but it was useless.

She can't shake off what he did.

Her husband's chuckle wasn't helping either.

"The night is quite cold" Li Zhao suddenly blurted out before guiding her back to her seat. Afterward, he prepared tea and served it to his wife. "Why are you spending your time outside?"

"Just thinking of something" she answered, not sure whether it's right to tell him her troubles. After all, one of the victims is his subordinate, Fang Tao.

Thinking this, Wei Yan can't help but feel awful again.

[ What kind of wife hurts her husband's subordinates? I feel awful! ]

To mask her growing melancholy, Hou Wei Yan took the cup of tea and brought it close to her face. The aroma of the tea instantly took her interest. After a short second, she sipped the tea and was surprised at how it tasted. "This tastes delicious"

Ji Li Zhao smiled at her cute reaction. He reached out his hand and gently stroked her cheeks. "I want to serve you only the best"

Wei Yan was unable to refute immediately. As his hands dawdle in her face, she felt weak and mute. Only when Li Zhao retracted his hands did she manage to contain her heartbeat and refute. "You're spoiling me too much"

"Because you deserve to be spoiled" Li Zhao said with sincerity. After a short time, he sipped his tea and finally decided to confront the problem troubling his wife. "Tell me, how was your day?"

When she was asked such a question, Wei Yan can't help but flinch. "Quite normal"

[ Lie ]

Her day was far from normal. Fang Tao disappeared and she was unable to take her mind off it. "I'm a bit concerned about Fang. Is he doing okay? Do you know where he is?"

"I don't know where he is, but I assure you, he's fine" he answered with all honesty. Even he, his own boss, doesn't know where in the world he's at. "He may be troubled but he's okay"

"Have you eaten?" Wei Yan asked when she remembered that he wasn't feeling well. [ He was sick, isn't he? And it's because he was neglecting his health. Considering his weight loss, he must have been skipping meals! ]

Li Zhao smiled at her concern. [ How cute! Seeing her worried for me is making me happy even though I shouldn't be feeling that way ]

"Hmmm, I had a family dinner earlier" Li Zhao finally answered. After a short while, Wei Yan decided to hold his hand that was placed on top of the table.

"I heard you're sick. Why don't you rest early?" Wei Yan suggested, still worried that he's forcing himself to stay awake because of her.

Ji Li Zhao immediately shook his head at her suggestion. Something is bothering her. Until he can help her calm herself, he won't leave her alone. "And leave you alone here? I refuse"

She was right after all. He was forcing himself to stay awake because she was still staying out. Thinking this, Wei Yan felt happy but at the same time, she feels bothered. It's like her fault again even though it wasn't.

"Then I will accompany you" she blurted out of the blue taking both of them by surprise. She was surprised that such words came out, meanwhile, Ji Li Zhao was petrified at her sudden suggestion. "You tended to me while I was sick, this time, let me take care of you"

"It's - - -"

"I won't take no for an answer" Wei Yan said with a blush on her face. She wants to spoil him as much as he spoiled her.

[ She's so cute ]

But she'll surely turn cuter if he teases her. So he smiled as he squeezed her hand gently. "Would you also accompany me to sleep?"

"Do you want me to?" Wei Yan asked, not able to digest what it implies. She thought he was just asking him something a child would do when they are sick.

Ji Li Zhao somehow knew she didn't get it. "Only if you're willing?"

"Hmmm" HouWei Yan thought. She just needs to coax him to bed right? "We're only sleeping, okay?"

"Of course" Ji Li Zhao said with a chuckle before he slyly drew close to her. "Or do you have something else in mind?"

This time, realization drew to Wei Yan. When she realized what she said suggested, she can't help but blush.

"Nothing" she shyly said as she held hands and stood up with him. "Let's go"

Wei Yan leads the way to their chamber while Li Zhao was enjoying the moment. As both of them entered the room, the maids who were hiding earlier all went out of their hiding place with a smile on their faces.

"Oh my! The Madame is quite bold isn't she?" one of the maids chirped receiving approval from others.

"Looks like the baby room will be used sooner than expected!" somebody else added taking everyone else to cloud nine.

"Oh my gosh!" someone squealed at the thought of having a kid in the house. "Finally, a little young master for this house"

As the maids continued their little fantasies, Gu Man stepped out of the kitchen while shaking his head.

[ How I wish ] he thought before clapping his hands and giving them all his stoic face. "Back to work"

Meanwhile, inside their room, Hou Wei Yan helped Ji Li Zhao sit on their couch. "Wait here. Let me prepare the bath"

"No. It's okay" Li Zhao said as he pulled her back. "I'll just take a shower"

"You sure?"

He immediately nodded his head to make her ease up. "Certainly"

"I'll get you some change of clothes" Wei Yan blurted out as she dashed into their wardrobe. Li Zhao chuckled when he saw how she was reacting. After a short time, Wei Yan went out of the wardrobe with a blush on her face. "Here you go"

Li Zhao stared at her blushed state and then turned to look at the clothes she brought out. [ What's wrong? ]

When he saw the golden patterns on the pajamas, Li Zhao noticed it has the same design as her pajamas. It was a couple PJs. "This is--

Wei Yan blushed. She knew what he was about to ask so she beat him to it. "Everything was a pair"

Ji Li Zhao chuckled at her cute reaction. He slowly stood up and gently ruffled her hair. "You don't have to feel embarrassed"

Hou Wei Yan glanced at him, still a blushing mess. He smiled and walked towards the bathroom, but he stopped at the entrance and gave her a wink. "I like it"

Like that, Li Zhao entered the bathroom in high spirits meanwhile, Wei Yan was left clenching her chest. Her heart can't take how her husband was acting. Once he reveals his identity, will they act like this all the time?

[ Is this what real married life feels like? ]

Somehow, it's frightening because her heart keeps somersaulting.

To keep her heart in check, Wei Yan decided to wait for her husband on the balcony. As the wind blew past her, she breathed a sigh of relief. She slowly closed her eyes to feel her surroundings and cleanse her mind. She needs to ease up so she can think of her next move with regard to Fang Tao and Xie Na.

After taking a shower, Ji Li Zhao walked out of the bathroom, now dressed with their couple PJs and his mask already back on. He looked around the room and saw Wei Yan on the balcony gazing at the sky. He strode towards her which she instantly felt. "The stars are gathered. Isn't it a nice night to go out on a date?"

"Would you like to go on one tonight?" Li Zhao asked as he hugged her from behind. He nuzzled his head on her neck and inhaled her scent.

She smells like lavender. It was the same scent that warped their bathroom earlier and it came from the same soap he used.

Hou Wei Yan smiled as she ruffled his hair. "Nah. I would much rather spend this night tending to my sick husband"

Hearing this made Li Zhao's heart nearly explode. He hugged her tighter and smiled. "Ah, your husband is very lucky"

She smiled at his remark and looked at the garden. After a short moment of silence, Wei Yan sighed and slowly turned around to face him. Li Zhao immediately adjusted his position and drew a distance between them. He placed both of his hands on the railing and caged her in between his arms.

"I made a huge mistake recently. Would you listen to my blabber?" she said which he immediately responded with a nod.

"Of course" he said as he slowly tucked her hair. "Tell me what worries you, wife"

"I knew Xie Na was in a relationship and I could tell Fang had a painful past. Because I held both of them dear to me, I started acting as their cupid. I shipped them and did my best to bring them together" Wei Yan said, her voice now filled with guilt. She had already talked with Gu Man but it wasn't enough to ease her heart.

"But that pushed my best friend to an edge. She wanted to affirm her love and devotion to her lover which created the child she now carries" she continued, her eyes slowly glistening, tears threatening to fall because of the guilt building up within her. "That news devastated Fang and he was placed in peril because of it"

"But instead of getting angry at me, they smiled and told me that everything was fine. Don't you think I deserve their hate? Don't you think I deserve to be scolded?"

Hou Wei Yan shed a tear which Ji Li Zhao immediately wiped away. He then drew her close to him and gave her one comforting hug. "What am I going to do with you?"

"Why do you always worry over something that was already answered? Fang and Xie Na already told you, that you're not to be blamed. You may have helped them see each other in a new light, but their feelings developed because they chose to make them develop. It was their choices that led to this disaster, not your push"

"But still---"

Ji Li Zhao lets go of her and cups her face. "You want to be scolded?"

When Wei Yan stayed silent, he decided to do something to lift the guilt in her heart. "You acting cupid was cute but it didn't end the way you wanted. In fact, it went beyond the compass. You can blame yourself momentarily but you don't have to get hung up over it. Because you still have a lot of things to patch up"

"People make mistakes but what defines their character is the way they accept it, fix it, and learn from it" he added as he placed a tender kiss on the crease on her forehead.

After his lips parted from her head, Hou Wei Yan hugged him tightly. "Why?"

"Why can you easily sway my emotions and make me realize just how blessed I am?" she said while looking up.

"Why?" Ji Li Zhao repeated as he cups her face again. He placed a soft kiss on her lips and gave her his heart throbbing smile. "Because I'm your husband"

Hou Wei Yan smiled in return and gave him a peck on the lips. "Let's sleep"

The two of them headed towards the bed, hand in hand. As they lay in bed, Ji Li Zhao places her head in his arms.

Something within Hou Wei Yan suddenly rang. His body feels familiar. Now that she's close and even in his arms, all his muscles and even his figure seem familiar.

[ Where and when did I come across such a familiar body structure?! ]

"This feels better than any medicine I was prescribed" he suddenly said as he hugged her closer. His sudden action erased the thoughts building up in Hou Wei Yan's head.

She snuggled close to him but suddenly realized that if they stay that way, his arms would hurt. "Hey, your arms will go numb"

"No" Ji Li Zhao said as he smiled. "But my heart may explode"

Hou Wei Yan laughed at his sudden cheesy line. "Seriously, you don't cease to amuse me"

She nozzled close to him and smiled when she smelled the same lavender soap she was using. After a short time of deliberation, Wei Yan decided to ask something. "Can I tell Xie Na about us?"

"Hmmm" he opened up before smiling "She knows"

"She does?"

[ My best friend knows who he is?! That means his connection runs deeper than I imagined. How in the world did he get Xie Na to keep everything a secret?! ]

"I wouldn't entrust you to her if she doesn't" Ji Li Zhao said as he pulled the blanket to cover both of them up. "Now go to sleep"

[ Wait, I was the one supposed to tend to him. Why did it turn the other way around?! ]

"I should be the one coaxing you to sleep" Hou Wei Yan blurted out with a pout. Her cute action, however, only made her husband chuckle.

"You're doing a good job at it" he remarked before kissing her temple. His sweet actions and the warmth of his body immediately made Wei Yan relax and in no time, a snore was heard from her side.

Ji Li Zhao chuckled once more before kissing her hair for a good few minutes. After he pulled away he hugged her and slowly, Ji Li Zhao removed his mask. His glistening silver-grey eyes stared lovingly at Hou Wei Yan's delicate figure. "Goodnight Night, Wife"