The summer was sweltering, with scorching temperatures outside.

Lin Zhiyu had been waiting in the hospital room for quite some time. It had been half a month since their brief encounter after the tragic warehouse incident, and they hadn’t seen each other since.

Shen Yanli was wheeled in. Though she had mentally prepared herself, she was still shocked by his appearance.

He sat in a wheelchair, dressed in a hospital gown, his lips pale and his complexion dull. In just half a month, Shen Yanli had lost a significant amount of weight, his gaunt frame fully exposing his weariness and exhaustion.

The wheelchair was slightly higher than the sofa, forcing Lin Zhiyu to tilt her head up slightly to meet his gaze. Fine beads of sweat still dotted his neck, likely remnants of his recent rehabilitation session.

The two stared at each other in silence.

Shen Yanli sat upright with rigid formality. Even without his usual suit, Lin Zhiyu could feel the sharp, icy intensity in his expressionless gaze fixed on her face.

“Are you feeling better?” Lin Zhiyu couldn’t bear the silence any longer and broke it first. When it came to endurance, she was clearly no match for him. Moreover, his deep, abyssal eyes seemed ready to swallow her whole.

“Hmm.” He sat opposite her, much like how their relationship had gradually drifted to opposing sides. His tone was cold and devoid of emotion.

Never before in their marriage had he spoken to her with such detachment.

The feeling was unbearable. Lin Zhiyu lowered her head to avoid his gaze.

Not long ago, he would still smile gently, plant a kiss on her forehead, and promise to come home to have dinner with her no matter how busy he was.

They say women grow spoiled when pampered, and Lin Zhiyu saw this truth vividly reflected in herself.

Lin Zhiyu loved to fuss. She would tug at Shen Yanli’s tie, push him onto the bed, half-cover her face with her hands, and pretend to cry, pouting, “A Yan, how could you bear it? Leaving such a beautiful, delicate wife all alone at home I could really be stolen away, you know. Why don’t you cherish me more?”

Such dramatic scenes played out almost daily, and Shen Yanli had grown accustomed to his young wife’s theatrical tendencies.

With one hand behind his head and the other reaching up to pinch her earlobe, Shen Yanli watched as Lin Zhiyu pouted in feigned annoyance. He chuckled nonchalantly, “Is that so? Then how about staying faithful for me?”

Lin Zhiyu refused to relent. “Shen Yanli, do you want me to become a jealous wife waiting alone in an empty room?” She sat astride him, hands on her hips, her expression as enchanting and radiant as night-blooming jasmine.

“Alright then, my little wife, how about I come back at ten?” Shen Yanli replied with a smile, negotiating with her.

His slender fingers twirled around a strand of her hair, winding it round and round. The ends of her hair brushed lightly against his face as he gazed at her deeply. Yet, Lin Zhiyu remained oblivious to the underlying meaning. “Shen Yanli, did I marry you just to have dinner at ten o’clock?”

She feigned displeasure, poking and prodding his face. “Come back by eight. Do you hear me?”

Rare flowers are the most precious and delicate, requiring the finest soil and care to thrive. And this one was unique in the world.

A cherished blossom, nurtured with tenderness and understanding, will only bloom more vibrantly.

He leisurely grasped her mischievous hand and let out a long, quiet sigh. “Pulling hairs from a tiger’s back.”

Lin Zhiyu pressed on, refusing to back down. “So what?”

“Not bad, you can pull it out.” He responded with a measured tone, idly playing with the slender fingers in his grasp.

Lin Zhiyu was smugly pleased, nodding with satisfaction.

Shen Yanli allowed her to act recklessly, the captivating glint in his eyes undiminished. Seizing a moment when she was off guard, the tables turned and he took control.

He lowered his body slightly, his lips brushing against her jaw.

“I’m collecting interest.”

His husky, affectionate whisper still lingered in her ear, a stark contrast to his current aloof and detached demeanor.

He had only honored his promise once after taking his “interest.”

The past felt like an illusory dream, vanishing without a trace. A sour ache welled up in her throat, and Lin Zhiyu dug her nails into her fingertips, tears threatening to spill.

It was always like this.

Liar.

Time stretched on, the room silent except for their breaths.

Her fingers trembled unconsciously. Shen Yanli noticed and glanced down, his gaze trailing from her fingertips to the delicate flower before him.

His eyes darkened with unreadable emotions this flower had ultimately been ruined under his care.

Her downcast eyes were red-rimmed, and the phantom sensation of her right leg constantly reminded him that things were no longer as they used to be.

After a moment, he spoke in a low, raspy voice, “Zhizhi.”

He was always like this, calling her as if nothing had happened no matter what occurred. “How come you ”

only just arrived.

A scalding tear fell with a soft plop onto her collarbone. Lin Zhiyu lifted her head, cutting him off, “A Yan.”

She couldn’t wait for him to finish. “Let’s get a divorce.”

Lin Zhiyu feared she might change her mind, and even more, she dreaded the predetermined fate shifting its gears once more.

The divorce agreement, tucked in her bag for a long time, was laid bare before him. Shen Yanli swallowed the words he hadn’t yet spoken, forever left unsaid.

Lin Zhiyu wanted to cry until she went mad. Without waiting for Shen Yanli’s reaction, she turned to leave, forcing down the sob stuck in her throat. “Send it to me after you’ve signed it. I’ll pack my things and won’t stay at Shen Residence today.”

She had resolutely abandoned even the word “home,” along with him.

The glaring words “Divorce Agreement” served as a reminder.

She didn’t want him anymore.

He muttered under his breath in the empty hospital room, “I’ve been waiting for you for so long.”

Lin Zhiyu hid in the stairwell, her soft sobs echoing in the confined space. Things had spiraled out of control to this point, and neither of them could turn back.

Leaning against the railing, she wept quietly, her heart aching with each stifled breath.

If this world needed a villain, then she would take on that role.

Before she could return to Shen Residence, Lu Yuchen’s men intercepted her at the hospital entrance. “Miss Lin, our young master invites you for a chat.”

They were outwardly respectful and polite, but their attitude was undeniably forceful.

Though there weren’t many of them, they were more than enough to intimidate a vulnerable woman. Lin Zhiyu glanced back at the hospital doors she knew this invitation was one she couldn’t refuse.

The meeting place was all too familiar to her, though unlike before, the person in charge had changed.

The office’s furnishings had all been altered. Lin Zhiyu sat on the black leather sofa; the texture and color felt all wrong.

The man seated high in the office chair by the floor-to-ceiling window was enthusiastically explaining the room’s design to her.

Lin Zhiyu had no interest in any of it. “I didn’t come here to listen to this.” She cut off Lu Yuchen’s incessant chatter with a stern expression.

Lu Yuchen was in high spirits, with all the anticipated positions, status, and power now firmly in his grasp. Rarely so pleased today, he felt no annoyance at Lin Zhiyu’s interruption. “Miss Lin, don’t be so unappreciative. What a perfect moment why don’t we celebrate together today? I’ve made reservations at Nanjiang Bin…”

Lin Zhiyu felt nothing but disgust for everything here. Unable to wait for him to finish, she cut him off again: “Lu Yuchen, we agreed beforehand that you wouldn’t harm Ah Yan. You’ve broken your promise, and I won’t continue this cooperation.”

He dismissed her concerns with a laugh, stepping closer. “Don’t be so rigid, Miss Lin. I’m a man of the Shen family too. Now that I’ve reached this position, I can certainly offer you plenty.”

He sat on the coffee table, reaching out to caress Lin Zhiyu’s face.

Among all the girls, she was the only one who understood him and could read his intentions. That stubborn expression of hers made him want to press her down and break her like a noble plum branch destined to droop and wither, he would be the one beneath it, tormenting her day and night.

Lin Zhiyu furrowed her brows and dodged, refusing to let him touch her. She glared in warning: “Lu Yuchen, what would Chen Jingyu think if she saw you like this?”

“Disgusted?” Her lips curled into an undisguised sneer. “Call off the engagement? How much confidence do you have left to secure your position?”

“Miss Lin, you ” Lu Yuchen hated nothing more than others using Chen Jingyu’s name to pressure him. A dark aura surged around him, the atmosphere growing heavier. “You really are unappreciative.”

She inwardly panicked. Being alone was no time for defiance. Bracing her hands on the sofa, she stood up to run.

Her dark hair was yanked back, pulling her uncontrollably backward. She barely managed to support herself on the sofa as she fell onto it.

He gripped her hair, lifting her face to his. “Lin Zhiyu, where do you get the nerve to challenge me? What use are your little abilities to me?”

Clenching his teeth, he tightened his grip. “So what if you know the plot? Don’t forget, this is a male-oriented novel. I am the protagonist of this book.”

Her scalp stung from the pulling. Lin Zhiyu struggled to push him away, but the disparity in strength between men and women rendered her efforts useless.

Lu Yuchen flung her back onto the sofa. Before she could catch her breath, his large hand closed around her slender neck, cutting off her air.

Her face turned crimson from lack of oxygen. As her struggles weakened, teetering on the edge of death, Lu Yuchen released his grip just in time.

Watching her gasp for breath before him, he leisurely picked up a strand of her hair and kissed it. “You can’t die yet. You still have great uses.”

The sea wind howled, waves crashing tumultuously.

Shen Yanli boarded the deck as agreed. Lu Yuchen leaned against the second-floor railing, meeting his gloomy gaze head-on.

Even seated in a wheelchair, Shen Yanli’s innate nobility remained undiminished he was still the lofty Shen Yanli.

Lu Yuchen clenched his jaw, eyes icy.

Not even losing a leg could make him kneel and submit obediently.

“Long time no see, Uncle.” Lu Yuchen stood above, arms crossed as he leaned on the railing to greet Shen Yanli.

Shen Yanli ignored his greeting and countered, “Where is Lin Zhiyu? What have you done to her?”

His expression was stern, with no intention of engaging in small talk.

“Don’t rush, you’ll see soon enough.” Lu Yuchen shrugged, disregarding Shen Yanli’s murderous glare. “How about we play a game? A little wager?”

“Whoever wins can demand one thing from the other.” He slowly descended the deck, speaking in a tone that sounded negotiable yet brooked no refusal.

Compared to Shen Yanli’s solitary arrival, the deck was filled with Lu Yuchen’s men he had no choice but to agree.

Shen Yanli pressed his lips together, his expression displeased.

Lu Yuchen loved to play many tricks, all of them life-threatening.

Seeing his silence, Lu Yuchen raised his hand slightly. At his command, the figure he had been longing for appeared on the second-floor plank.

Her disheveled hair clung to her cheeks, her eyes tightly shut as she lay unconscious. Shen Yanli’s gaze tightened instantly.

“Well? Do you feel like playing now?” Lu Yuchen taunted.

Shen Yanli’s voice carried suppressed anger, “What do you want?”

“Oh dear, Uncle, how can you say that? What could I possibly want? I’m a good nephew, of course I want my beloved uncle and aunt to reunite happily.” He spoke innocently, but the mockery in his eyes was unmistakable.

Shen Yanli clenched his fist. He had already prepared for the worst when he stepped onto the deck alone.

But not Zhi Zhi. She couldn’t be harmed.

Lu Yuchen followed his gaze upward and paused, then casually waved his hand forward. A burly man lifted Lin Zhiyu’s frail body higher, assuming a posture as if to throw her overboard.

Shen Yanli’s pupils contracted sharply, his face instantly pale. “What are you doing?”

Lu Yuchen spread his hands, feigning innocence. “Aren’t we playing a game? Didn’t you agree just now, Uncle?”

Shen Yanli didn’t believe him, his eyes fixed intently on Lin Zhiyu, ignoring Lu Yuchen’s nonsense.

“Uncle, let’s bet on whether…” Lu Yuchen’s face shifted from a smirk to a vicious snarl as he issued the command, “Throw her down.”

The calm sea surface erupted with a splash, followed by another.

As the turbulent waters stilled, Lu Yuchen’s laughter grew increasingly wild. Lin Zhiyu had not disappointed him she had effortlessly eliminated his greatest concern.

What a pity, though, to lose such a beauty who suited his tastes so well.

They say love is a thread that connects two unrelated hearts. Lu Yuchen had truly witnessed the truth of this saying.

The salty, briny air seeped into her ears as Lin Zhiyu allowed herself to sink.

The victor becomes king, the defeated a bandit. She had overestimated herself. The churning waves swept her tears, pushing her closer as warmth enveloped her entire body.

The congealed seawater declared their demise.

A gentle, deep voice echoed, both real and illusory.

Zhi Zhi, I don’t blame you.

💝 Support the Team

soowe05

✍️ Translator

💙 PayPal