Lin Zhiyu transmigrated into a book, mistook the villain for the protagonist, and after her full confession came to nothing, she still went through with the marriage. On her wedding night, however, she learned that she had been tricked into marrying him, feeling the weight of betrayal and helplessness.
Lin Zhiyu: Excuse me? If you're not the protagonist, why didn't you say so earlier?
The big boss was a villain who committed all sorts of evil, persecuted his own family and friends, and, after failing to steal the family business, decided to destroy it instead.
Unwilling to accept a fate she could see so clearly, she tried to get close to the protagonist to switch sides. But alas, the protagonist's group saw her and her husband as a thorn in their side.
After several failed attempts, Lin Zhiyu gave up.
Fine, if I die, I die. Everyone has moments where they're not in control.
Just as she was preparing to eat her fill and lie down in her coffin, how did the supposedly ruthless, insidious, and cunning villainous big boss transform into a refined and elegant gentleman?
Shen Yanli was gentle and chivalrous, treated her with courtesy, and always prioritized her wishes, even going so far as to tear off the family's hypocritical mask for her sake, hiding his own secret motives beneath his refined exterior.
Lin Zhiyu's mouth twitched. Is this how a villain is supposed to act?
Faced with the gentle treatment from the refined gentleman on one side and the cold taunts from the protagonist's group on the other, Lin Zhiyu slapped her thigh and made a decision on the spot:
Die? What dies? I'm not dying!
She was going to fight her way out and change her fate, taking Shen Yanli with her.
Lin Zhiyu: The value of this piece of land will surely multiply in the future. Please go ahead and secure it.
Shen Yanli: Okay.
Lin Zhiyu: Due to a policy change, this project will soon become highly profitable. Could you go and intercept it?
Shen Yanli: Okay.
Lin Zhiyu: The daughter of this family will become a powerful enemy of ours in the future. Go and seduce her to bring her to our side.
Shen Yanli: ...
No.
Lin Zhiyu: ?
Under the bright moon and the whispering autumn wind, the refined gentleman Shen Yanli, once seen as a villain, first fell in love.
"Zhizhi, this time, let me be the one to protect you, okay?"
Shen Yanli was the adopted son of the Shen family. He married Lin Zhiyu because of a marriage contract, a contract between Shen Yuli and Lin Zhiyu, but Shen Yuli had died.
He spent half his life learning to imitate Shen Yuli's words and actions, earning praise from everyone, including Lin Zhiyu.
She liked his gentle and courteous demeanor. He closed his eyes, hiding the strangeness in their depths.
Any demeanor would do, as long as she liked him.
He was willing to wear a mask for Lin Zhiyu for the rest of his life, even though he himself disliked it.
Lin Zhiyu said she wanted to return to her reality, a statement that cast a shadow of dejection in Shen Yanli's eyes, revealing his quiet longing.
If he could have a moment of exclusive joy, that would be enough.
He was willing to become the tool to help her go home, even if it meant risking everything, showing his deep commitment to her.
He would do so gladly.
[Mini Theater]
He cupped Lin Zhiyu's chin with his hand, his kiss falling from her brow bone. "How could I dare let you know?"
"What if Zhizhi runs away again? I have to make her stay first."
"Zhizhi likes his appearance, so I'll just keep pretending to be him."
"In exchange, Zhizhi will stay..."
Their lips met, Shen Yanli's smile not reaching his eyes. "Okay?"
A little kitten who wants to be adopted but can only be nudged along, vs. a long-scheming and very patient hunter Daddy
Rumor has it that Mr. Pei of Huaicheng lost a cat, a white cat with red eyes that wasn't affectionate and had sharp claws.
To curry favor with him, countless subpar substitutes were sent to his door to claim kinship.
In early winter, his cat ran back on her own. She stood before him, her eyes red, not daring to approach, warily eyeing the spot beside him, her sharp claws retracted under her skin, afraid to show them.
She had forgotten everything he had taught her.
That night, even as the obedient little cat cried her eyes red, she listened and didn't let go of her embrace. Pei Heng kissed her, rewarding her more forcefully for taking the initiative to run back.
The little cat was very obedient and timid, and always insecure. The Ji family hadn't raised her well. Pei Heng had to teach her all over again. He didn't think it was difficult. His little cat was also very obedient, learning quickly under his tutelage, even proactively arching her back to ask for a reward.
Of course, he obliged. He guided the little cat's paw, having her personally deliver her favorite cat treat inside. Looking at her unfocused pupils, the man's voice was deep. "Good girl."
"Where's your voice?"
From the day she turned eighteen, Ji Weining always dreamed of the man in Hetan Palace. Those amber eyes, always watching her, made her crave a sense of belonging and love, even amid her fears and uncertainties.
That night, when he announced his marriage alliance with the Ji family, she ran away.
The Ji family had no shortage of children. She was gone for three years, and no one remembered this minor character until she awoke from the dream and remembered everything from the past.
The day she ran away was the day he announced the marriage alliance.
The day she returned was the day he announced his marriage registration.
She stood before him, looking at the spot beside him. She called out to her sister, who was about to stand on her toes for a kiss, and completely barged into his sight.
She still wanted that position.
Mr. Pei's cat was found. She was different from before; in the three years she was gone, she had become a noteworthy young artist.
She spent a long time painting, and a long time sitting on his lap as well.
Although she still had red eyes and loved to cry, he was happy to indulge her.
Ji Weining's eyes were already red with anxiety. "Can you not go..."
"You want me to stay?"
She tugged at his sleeve, determined not to let him leave.
Urgent voices came from outside the door. He twirled a lock of her long hair that had fallen in front of her. "What did I teach you?"
Pei Heng leaned against the door, looking down. "If you want something, you come and get it yourself."
Ji Weining stood on her toes, offering herself as the bargaining chip for this negotiation.
The hand around her waist tightened, and the response she received was the crisp click of the lock.
