Author: Momo Chan

My brother’s girlfriend is a certified psycho. In my past life, she saw my brother give me a piece of tripe at a hotpot restaurant. Assuming I was a mistress, she stormed in, grabbed my hair, and shoved my face into the boiling chili broth! “Bitch! How dare you seduce my man! I’ll melt that slutty face off!” she screamed. My face was ruined, skin peeling off in chunks. Her defense? “I didn’t know you were his sister! Besides, don’t you have hands? Why did my man have to serve you? You deserved it!” My parents and brother begged me not to press charges, claiming I shouldn’t ruin his “perfect match.” After they got married, my brother felt bad about my depression and offered to take me on a road trip. But his wife ambushed us, dousing me in sulfuric acid while I sat in the passenger seat. I suffered severe burns all over my body. Yet she cried and pouted to my brother: “Who told her to cover up like that? I just love you too much! I thought you had another woman!” Moved by her “true love,” my brother and parents locked me in a storage room to protect her, leaving me to rot and die in agony. When I opened my eyes again, I was back to the day my brother offered to treat me to hotpot. 1 “I’m going to propose to Bella at the end of the month. I need a high-end suit to look the part. Sis, help me pick one out, and I’ll treat you to hotpot!” My brother, Jason, shoved me lightly, jolting me awake. The phantom pain of burning flesh and rotting skin lingered. I lifted my hands—which should have been exposed bone and festering wounds—and saw smooth, unblemished skin. I was reborn! My heart hammered against my ribs, a mix of ecstasy and hatred making me tremble. “No! I have plans this afternoon!” I blurted out. “What could be more important than your brother getting married? You ungrateful brat, this is a big deal! You are going!” My mom stormed out of the kitchen, spatula in hand, and whacked me on the head. I clutched my head, ignoring the pain because my heart hurt more. Ungrateful? Who was the ungrateful one when that psycho Bella destroyed me? How did they treat me then? Fine. Since I’m back, it’s their turn to suffer! “Mom, you’re right! Nothing is more important than Jason’s future! Why don’t you come too? I just got paid, I’ll buy you some nice dresses!” Mom paused. “Did that whack knock some sense into you? Finally learned to care about your mother?” I forced a smile and urged her to change, my heart cold as ice. Ever since I started working, she and Dad had been hinting I should marry rich quickly so they could use the dowry for Jason’s down payment. When I refused, I became the villain. In their eyes, their son was everything. I was just his insurance policy. After living through hell once, I had no love left for them. Only revenge. Mom changed quickly, and we drove to the mall. I enthusiastically picked out several bright, gaudy dresses for her. “Oh my god, Mom! These make you look twenty years younger! Your figure looks amazing!” Flattered by my praise, she couldn’t stop grinning and refused to take them off. I dragged her around the counters, accessorizing her with jewelry, a shawl, and a sun hat. I even took her for a makeover—full makeup and a new hairdo. By the time I was done, she looked like a flashy, nouveau riche madame. Finally, I suggested buying her a gold bangle. Walking out of the jewelry store, Mom was over the moon, praising my newfound filial piety. I checked my watch and pointed to the hotpot restaurant. “Mom, we’ve been walking for hours. Let’s eat?” Her face fell. “Eat, eat, eat! You only know how to eat! We haven’t even looked at your brother’s suit yet!” I smiled. “Jason’s probably tired from carrying all your bags. Let’s eat first, then shop?” Jason quickly agreed, and Mom relented. Inside, I grabbed the window seat—the exact spot I sat in my past life. But this time, I gave it to Mom. Once the food arrived, I excused myself to use the restroom. From a distance, I saw Bella walking in, arm-in-arm with her best friend. My heart pounded like a drum. I ducked behind a corner. Just like before, her friend spotted Jason. “Bella, look! Isn’t that your boyfriend? Why is he eating with another woman?” Bella looked up and saw Jason laughing as he put a piece of tripe into the bowl of a woman with big wavy hair and flashy clothes—my mom. She noticed the pile of shopping bags next to them, and her sanity snapped. “That cheating bastard! Shopping with a mistress behind my back? I’ll skin her alive!” Bella charged into the restaurant like a rabid lioness. Before anyone could react… She grabbed my mom by the hair and slammed her face into the boiling red chili broth! 2 “Shameless slut! You dare seduce my man?! I’ll melt your face off!” “AHHHHHH—!” My mom let out a blood-curdling scream as her face was submerged in the scalding liquid. “Bella, are you crazy?! Stop!” Jason jumped up to stop her, but Bella’s friend blocked him. Mom struggled violently, screaming in agony. She reached out to claw at Bella, revealing the brand-new gold bangle on her wrist. Bella saw red. “Jason, you piece of shit! I ask for jewelry and you make excuses, but you buy gold for this whore?! How dare you?!” She let go of Mom’s hair to snatch the bangle. Mom, delirious with pain, instinctively protected her jewelry. This enraged Bella even further. “Bitch! You dare hide it?!” She grabbed a glass bottle of plum juice from the table and smashed it onto Mom’s hand. Crash! The glass shattered, slicing deep into Mom’s hand. Blood gushed everywhere. Mom screamed, her voice distorted by pain. Bella ripped the bangle off her wrist. “Mine now!” She slipped the bangle onto her own wrist and kicked Mom, who was curled up on the floor, writhing. “Pah! Homewrecker! Try touching my husband again and I’ll kill you!” Everyone froze, stunned by her sudden, brutal violence. Jason finally broke past the friend, roaring: “Bella, are you insane?! That’s my mother!” Bella froze mid-kick. “What did you say?” Mom clutched her bleeding face, rolling on the floor. “My face! It hurts! Son, help me!” “Auntie… I’m sorry, I thought…” Bella’s face went pale. She tried to help Mom up, but Mom slapped her away. “Get away from me! Son, take me to the hospital! It hurts!” Jason scooped Mom up and ran for the exit, not even glancing at Bella. But knowing she was in trouble, Bella followed them. I stepped out from the corner, filled with dark satisfaction. In my past life, I was the one shoved into that boiling pot. When Bella found out the truth, she just sneered, “I didn’t know you were his sister. Besides, you’re an adult, can’t you feed yourself? Why did my man have to serve you? You deserved it!” My face was ruined, skin sloughing off. Yet she blocked Jason from taking me to the hospital. “You say she’s your sister? Don’t lie to me!” I missed the critical window for treatment. My face became a permanent mask of scars. My family convinced me not to call the police. “It was a mistake. Your face is already ruined, why ruin your brother’s happiness? Don’t be selfish!” Jason hugged Bella and said, “Sis, Bella just loves me too much. We’re family now. Don’t hold a grudge. We’ll take care of you!” Because of that “accident,” I lost my job, my dignity, and my life. I hid in the dark, wrapped up like a mummy, living like a rat. After they got married, they forgot I existed. Until that trip. Bella was away, and Jason, feeling a rare pang of guilt, took me on a road trip. On the third day, Bella ambushed us. She dragged me out of the car by my hair and poured acid over me. “Bitch! Seducing my husband while I’m away? I’ll peel your skin off!” The pain was indescribable. I screamed and rolled on the ground as my flesh burned. When Jason arrived and she realized it was me, she used the same excuse: “Who told her to cover up like that? I just love you too much! I thought you were cheating!” Jason didn’t take me to the hospital. He took me home. My parents saw me and nearly fainted. After hearing the story, they decided to protect Bella. “Daughter, don’t blame us. Even if we save you, you’re ruined. Better to save the money for your brother and Bella’s future children!” They locked me in the storage room to rot. I died in agony, infection eating me alive. After I died, they spread rumors that I went crazy from my disfigurement, tried to attack someone with acid, and hurt myself. I suffered in life and was slandered in death. This time, I will make every single one of them taste their own karma. The show has just begun! 3 My phone rang incessantly. I finally picked up. “周小西 (Zhou Xiaoxi – My name), where the hell are you?! Mom is hurt! Come to the hospital!” I arrived at the hospital and met Bella’s scrutinizing gaze. “Hi sister-in-law, I’m Jason’s sister. How’s Mom?” Even though I identified myself immediately, Bella still looked hostile. “He never told me his sister was this old.” “I’m two years younger than Jason. And sister-in-law, he never told me you were this pretty!” Flattery worked. Her expression softened. Jason wheeled Mom out. Her face was swollen, covered in blisters, skin peeling. Her left hand was bandaged after glass removal. She looked worse than I did in my past life. When the doctor said she had deep burns, permanent disfigurement, and needed multiple skin grafts, she broke down. I threw myself on her, wailing. “Mom! Who did this to you?! Make them pay!” Mom glared at Bella. She pushed me away and slapped Bella with her good hand. “Bitch! You ruined my face! I’m sending you to jail!” Bella cowered behind Jason. Dad arrived in the chaos. Seeing Mom’s ghostly face, he almost collapsed. “What happened?!” After hearing the story, Mom demanded Jason call the police and dump Bella. Bella cried, using the same lines as before. “I didn’t mean to! I just love Jason too much!” I smirked internally and used Mom’s own words against her. “Mom, it was a misunderstanding. Jason and Bella are getting married. You can’t be selfish and ruin their happiness!” Bella nodded frantically. “Yes! Uncle, Auntie, I’m so sorry! Honey, I don’t need a dowry or jewelry! I’ll marry you and take care of your parents to make up for this!” Jason and Dad looked pleased. But the knife hurts differently when it’s in your own flesh. Mom refused. “No! I won’t let my son marry this vicious bitch! Get out!” Seeing Bella about to leave, I jumped in. This wasn’t enough suffering yet. “Mom, don’t be impulsive. Think about Jason’s future!” I whispered in her ear, and Mom finally relented. “Fine. But you pay for everything! Medical bills, surgery, and my retirement!” Bella gasped. The doctor estimated costs in the millions. Seeing her hesitate, Mom screamed about jail again. I pulled Bella aside. “Sister-in-law, Mom is just angry. She loves Jason! Once you get married and have a baby, she won’t make you pay anymore!” Jason joined in. “Yes, baby, just calm her down. Or you really will go to jail!” Bella gritted her teeth and agreed. They got their marriage certificate the next day. No wedding. Bella’s parents were dead, so she moved in with us. For a woman like her—insecure and possessive—status matters more than money. Mom knew this. To get revenge, she played the evil mother-in-law card hard. Using her injury as an excuse, she fought Bella for Jason’s attention constantly. She made Bella cook complicated meals, forced Jason to video call her in front of Bella, and acted like a baby. Late at night, she’d knock on their door, demanding Jason apply her ointment. When I wasn’t home, she even made Jason sponge bathe her. Bella finally exploded. She called Mom shameless. Mom retorted, enjoying Bella’s rage: “You have a dirty mind! I bathed him when he was a baby! Now I’m hurt, it’s only right he helps me!” “And you! Married two months and still acting like a brat? One more word and I’ll send you to the police station to learn some manners!” Bella lost again. She felt like she was going crazy. She complained to Jason, but his patience was gone. “You’re overthinking it! Mom is like this because of you! You should take it!” “Don’t fight her. If she calls the cops, no one can save you!” Exhausted by the constant war at home, Jason started using work as an excuse to stay out late. Furious at Jason’s avoidance, Bella tried to trigger Mom. She told Mom that Dad coming home late meant he was cheating on his “ugly old wife.” “Mom, you think Dad is working for your medical bills? Maybe he has a mistress!” Mom exploded. “Bullshit! Only a psycho sees cheaters everywhere!” “If not for you ruining me, would they have to work this hard?!” “You crazy woman! He’s avoiding you, not me!” That sentence planted a seed of doubt in Bella’s mind. She stopped arguing and stormed out. For the next few days, I followed her. She was stalking Jason. But Jason was genuinely working. He hadn’t done anything wrong. One day, Bella cornered me with a long hair she found. “Xiaoxi (Sisi), have you been in your brother’s car lately?” I shook my head. “No, I haven’t seen him in days. He’s so busy!” She clenched her fist, eyes murderous, and slammed her door. I smiled. I knew what was coming. That night, I stayed home to watch the show. Bella didn’t come back, but Jason did. He drank water, complaining about a demanding female client. Just as he dropped her off at a 5-star hotel, his phone rang. He picked up, and his face crumbled. He screamed: “Bella, are you insane?! Where the hell are you?!” 4 Bella’s maniacal laughter came through the phone, mixed with a woman’s screams. Whatever she said made Jason almost crush his phone. “I’m warning you, don’t do anything! She’s not someone we can offend…” Bella hung up. “Fuck!” Jason smashed his phone and ran out. He bumped into Dad coming home. “What’s wrong?” I grabbed them. “Bad news! Bella’s psycho mode is activated!” “I think she’s beating someone up again!” “What?!” My parents turned pale. Mom grabbed a scarf to hide her face, and we chased after Jason. We arrived at the city’s top luxury hotel. The lobby was packed. Pushing through the crowd, the scene was chaotic. Bella looked like a demon from hell, straddling a woman, slapping her left and right. Jason roared, trying to drag her off, but she had a death grip on the woman’s hair. “You’re still protecting this slut!” She bit Jason’s arm. He let go in pain. “Everyone look! This fox seduced my husband! Opening a room in this expensive hotel!” Jason screamed, “Shut up! Nothing happened! She’s a client!” Bella’s friend blocked him. “Oh please! We’ve been tracking you for days! You think you’re slick?” “Touch me and I’ll sue for harassment! Guilt makes you violent!” Jason was frantic but couldn’t touch her. He tried to show his phone for proof, but remembered he smashed it. He begged the crowd for help. I watched his desperation with glee. Bella thought he was protecting the mistress. She snapped completely. She kicked the woman in the waist with her stilettos. The woman groaned, curling up. “Jason, help me!” The woman clutched her bathrobe, trying to cover herself. “Still using that mouth to seduce my husband?” Bella kicked her in the mouth. Blood sprayed. I stepped in, pretending to help. “Sister-in-law, this must be a misunderstanding! Hitting people is illegal!” Mom and Dad begged the crowd not to call the police, saying we’d settle privately. They didn’t want Bella arrested because it would ruin their future grandchild’s chances of getting a government job. “Stop being crazy! She really is a client! Nothing happened!” Jason’s defense only fueled Bella’s madness. She started ripping the woman’s robe off. The woman was covered in bruises. Bella had been beating her for a while. “Pah! What client meets late at night in a robe? Jason, do you think I’m three?!” “This slut slept her way to the top! I’ll show everyone what she really is!” The woman screamed. Jason lost it. He kicked the friend away and slapped Bella hard. “You are insane! She is our biggest client! You ruined my project!” “Do you want me to get fired?!” That slap was like pouring gasoline on fire.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “386318”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

The first thing I did after being reborn was secretly move my parents’ graves. In their place, I buried the ashes of a stray dog. Not only that, I poured manure all over the site. Why? Because in my past life, my boyfriend’s childhood sweetheart insisted on paying respects to my parents with him. From that day on, my life spiraled into endless misfortune. Meanwhile, she flourished. She landed a job at a top tech company and even won the lottery. Not long after, I died of a sudden illness. My spirit lingered, and I heard her gloating to my boyfriend: “Thanks to your dead girlfriend, I swapped our fates. She had no idea how lucky she was. Now everything that was hers is mine!” Hearing that, I wanted to scream, to tear them apart. Then I opened my eyes. I was back to the day she asked to visit my parents’ grave. Chapter 1 “Sarah, is this where your parents are buried?” Emily looked at me with wide, curious eyes. I nodded. “Yes, my mom and dad are right here.” Her eyes lit up. She bowed deeply before the tombstone. “Sarah, let me burn some paper money for them too,” she said, smiling sweetly. “It’s just a token of my respect.” In my past life, I was touched by her gesture. But this time, I knew better. Her “token of respect” was a ritual to steal my luck. I replied coldly, “No need, Emily. They’re my parents. It’s more sincere if I do it myself.” Emily’s face fell instantly. She turned to look at my boyfriend with misty eyes. “Mark, I just wanted to show my respect! I didn’t mean anything else!” “Sarah,” Mark chimed in, frowning at me. “Emily is just being kind. Why are you rejecting her like that?” I looked at the two of them and sneered internally. “Fine,” I said flatly. “If you want to burn it, burn it.” As soon as I spoke, Emily shot Mark a look. Mark turned to me. “Sarah, let’s go buy some flowers to put on the grave.” In my past life, this was how he lured me away. When we returned, Emily had already finished her ritual. I asked her what she burned back then. She looked flustered but brushed it off. I didn’t think much of it. Only after I died did I realize she had stolen my family’s fortune. This time, I wouldn’t stop her. After all, the ashes in that grave didn’t belong to my parents. My parents were safe in a cemetery back in my hometown. The only thing protecting Emily now was… well, nothing good. As I walked away with Mark, I saw Emily pull out a stack of yellow paper from her bag. I noticed faint red markings on them—her birth date written in her own blood. I smiled, pretending not to see, and followed Mark down the hill. When we returned with the flowers, Emily was done. She took the bouquet from me, beaming. “Sarah, I asked your parents to bless you too!” I gave her a faint smile but didn’t say a word. Looking at the triumphant glint in her eyes, I couldn’t help but smirk. Chapter 2 After saying goodbye to Mark and Emily, I went straight to the hospital for a full checkup. The doctor told me I was perfectly healthy. I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. In my past life, I died from a mysterious illness. This time, that wasn’t going to happen. When I got home, my phone rang. It was the company I had been dreaming of joining—a high-security government contractor. They told me I passed the interview and wanted me to start ASAP. I was stunned. In my past life, I never got this call. Instead, Emily got an offer from a huge tech giant on her way home from the grave. But this time, the luck was mine. Since the job was in another city, I packed immediately. Just as I finished, Mark showed up. “Sarah, Emily didn’t get the job offer.” He looked at me with concern. “She’s really upset. I’m going to go keep her company.” I smiled. “Sure, go ahead.” Mark paused, studying me closely. “Sarah, are your parents really buried there? Like, always been there?” “Of course,” I nodded without hesitation. I knew he was suspicious. Mark and Emily had once dragged me to a fortune teller who told them I had incredible luck and ancestral protection. That’s why they targeted me. “Mark, would I forget where my own parents are buried?” I asked, feigning hurt. Mark laughed, relaxing. “True, that would be crazy.” “I’ll go check on Emily then.” I pretended to care, telling him to comfort her properly. “Sarah, you used to hate it when I hung out with Emily. Why are you pushing me to go today?” he asked before leaving. I smiled sweetly. “I didn’t like it before! But she’s sad, right? Go be a good friend. I trust you, Mark!” Mark nodded, satisfied, and left. The moment the door closed, my smile dropped. I called my landlord. I told him I was moving out immediately and didn’t even care about the deposit. I booked the earliest flight out. Sitting at the airport, I finally felt safe. I couldn’t imagine what other traps they had waiting for me if I stayed. But now, Emily’s bad luck was just beginning. She had just spiritually adopted a stray dog as her ancestor. And with the manure I poured over the grave, her luck wasn’t just stolen—it was poisoned. As for Mark? Being with her would only drag him down. I needed to be as far away as possible. Chapter 3 In the waiting lounge, I scrolled through my phone. Mark had posted a photo on his Moment (social media feed). It was him and Emily on a trip together. They looked intimate, more like a couple than friends. I stared at the photo, feeling a wave of detachment. We started dating a year ago. A classmate dragged me to a fortune teller, and Mark and Emily tagged along. They heard my birth date and the fortune teller’s praise. After that, Mark pursued me relentlessly. I didn’t understand then. Now I know he was chasing my luck, not me. He wanted me for Emily’s sake. I smirked and turned off my phone. When I landed, a company car was waiting. They had arranged housing for me in a secure compound. Seeing the patrols, I felt a sense of peace I hadn’t felt in two lifetimes. After settling in, my new boss told me to take a few days to adjust before starting next week. I went straight to bed, exhausted. I slept like the dead until my phone rang. It was Mark. “Sarah! Come to the hospital, quick!” his voice was frantic. “What?” I asked, feigning confusion. “Emily and I got into a car accident! We’re at the hospital. Come now!” “Mark, I can’t,” I said calmly. “I got a job. I’ve already left the city.” “What?!” Mark roared. “You didn’t even have an interview! How could you have a job?” “And I saw you yesterday! I know you’re just jealous because I’m with Emily!” “Sarah, stop being childish and get over here!” I laughed softly. “Mark, I really did get a job. Also, I realized you care way more about Emily than me.” “So, Mark, we’re breaking up.” I hung up before he could respond. It was over. Now, the bad luck was all theirs. My luck was back where it belonged. He called again. I frowned and turned off my phone. Finally, a good night’s sleep. Chapter 4 Over the next two weeks, I settled into my new role. My boss was impressed with my work and even promised me my own project if I nailed the current one. I was motivated. Mark and Emily kept calling. I blocked them, but they just used new numbers like relentless cockroaches. Every time I heard Mark’s voice, I hung up immediately. A friend back home gave me the tea. Emily was having a terrible time. The car accident scarred her face, and she needed reconstructive surgery. Mark broke a rib. Worse, before the crash, Emily had dragged Mark to a high-stakes poker game. They lost everything. Now they were drowning in debt. “Sarah, you won’t believe it,” my friend whispered. “They got into the accident because they were fighting in the car after losing all that money!” “And now loan sharks are chasing them.” “Don’t let Mark guilt-trip you. He was cheating on you the whole time!” “I know,” I said with a smile. “Thanks for telling me.” I hung up, feeling vindicated. In my past life, Emily went straight from the “grave visit” to celebrate her job offer with Mark. That’s when they started gambling, thinking her stolen luck made them invincible. This time, her luck was cursed from the start. I was glad I escaped. The next morning, Mark called again from another new number. “Sarah, please! I really need you!” “Mark, did you forget? We broke up.” “I never agreed to that!” he shouted. “I just got hurt, and you dump me? You have to take responsibility!” “Why should I be responsible for an accident you had with Emily?” I scoffed. “Besides, aren’t you two happy together?” “Please, stop calling me.” I was about to hang up when Emily’s screeching voice came through. “Sarah! That wasn’t your parents’ grave, was it?! What did you do?!”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “386317”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

Four years into our marriage, I sent my husband’s mistress abroad and then drugged him. We spent the night together, and I became pregnant. The next morning, Julian said nothing and flew out of the country. On the first day, my family’s company went bankrupt. On the second day, I got into a car accident. Not only did I lose the baby, but my uterus was removed, leaving me unable to ever conceive again. On the third day, my parents were kidnapped, taken thousands of feet into the air, and dropped to their deaths while I begged for mercy. It wasn’t until Julian stood in front of me, holding his mistress, that I realized he was behind it all. “You should be grateful I found Bella today, Sarah. Otherwise, you would have died with your parents.” I coughed up blood and rushed forward to confront him, but his bodyguard kicked me dead before I could say a word. When I opened my eyes again, I was back to the day I drugged Julian. 1 “Sarah, you’re going to regret this.” His voice was accompanied by heavy, ragged breathing. I opened my eyes in disbelief, staring at the familiar scene. Julian, under the influence of the drug, looked at me with dark, lust-filled eyes. He grabbed my wrist violently. “Come here! Isn’t this what you wanted?” I instinctively jerked my hand away and ran out of the room in terror. Behind me, Julian kept calling my name like a death sentence. In my past life, this was the day I sent his mistress, Bella, abroad and drugged him so we could sleep together. Julian and I grew up together. But when we got married, he told me he only saw me as a sister. In our first year of marriage, he got himself a mistress. No matter how hard I tried to please him, he remained unmoved. Desperate for a child to secure my place, I sent Bella away and drugged him. That night, I got what I wanted. The next morning, Julian gave me a dark look and left the country. After that, disaster struck my family. Bankruptcy. Miscarriage. Hysterectomy. And finally, my parents’ brutal deaths. It was all Julian’s punishment for me sending Bella away. He had forgotten his wedding vows to cherish me forever. He forgot how my parents treated him like their own son. The Su family’s resources were always open to him. When the Qin family was on the brink of bankruptcy, it was the Su family that saved them. Yet, he destroyed my parents without hesitation. And if he hadn’t found Bella quickly, I would have died without ever knowing the truth. I shuddered at the thought. Julian was pounding on the door behind me. I knew the lock wouldn’t hold for long. But the mistake hadn’t been made yet. Bella should have just arrived at the airport. If I brought her back and sent her to his bed, everything could be saved. In this life, I didn’t want a child, and I didn’t want Julian’s love. I just wanted to stay far away from them. Without hesitation, I called my assistant. “Bring Bella back to the estate. Now!” 2 After making the call, I collapsed to the floor, weak. Soon, Bella was brought back. She looked at me with venom in her eyes. “Who are you to send me away? You’re lucky you brought me back, or Julian wouldn’t have let you off!” Bella held her head high, eyes full of triumph. I said nothing. I just opened the door and shoved her inside. “I know you and Julian are made for each other. I’m fulfilling your wish.” Hearing the heavy breathing behind her, Bella looked terrified. “You crazy bitch! Are you giving me to some random man? Even if you use such evil tricks, Julian won’t love you!” My heart ached. I shouted to Julian, “I was wrong to drug you, but I’m compensating you now. We’re even.” In my past life, I used a high dose. He went at it for a whole day. Now with the woman he truly loved, they probably wouldn’t leave the room for twenty-four hours. Seeing that the man was Julian, a smile instantly appeared on Bella’s face. She proudly took off her coat, revealing the lace lingerie underneath. Seeing my stunned expression, she gloated, “What are you looking at? Julian loves this on me. He says you’re like a dead fish in bed. Holding your hand feels like holding his own left hand.” She walked over and hugged Julian. The next second, Julian, unable to hold back any longer, tackled her to the ground. I couldn’t watch anymore and slammed the door shut. Even in a new life, seeing this still cut me like a knife. But this time, I would not repeat the same mistakes! The sounds from inside continued. I turned and walked away numbly. After gathering all my documents, I finally let out a breath. Next step: get Julian to sign the divorce papers so I can leave for good. I started drafting the agreement, word by word. Looking at his name, memories flooded back. We grew up together. He had his tender moments. He always brought me my favorite wontons. He prepared gifts for every holiday. He was the first to defend me when others hurt me. I was young and naive, thinking it was love. So I begged my parents to let us marry. Julian didn’t object, and I thought he loved me too. Until after the wedding, when he brought Bella home for the first time. He said he only loved me as a sister. If my parents hadn’t threatened him with death, he wouldn’t have married me. But he couldn’t spend his life with a “sister,” so he brought Bella home. “From now on, we are husband and wife in public, but at home, you are my sister, and Bella is my wife.” I cried, screamed, and threatened to jump off the balcony. Eventually, I forced Bella out of the estate. But driving her away didn’t win his heart. In the end, it cost me my entire family. Thinking of this, I printed the divorce agreement and clutched it tightly. Suddenly, a voice came from behind. “Sarah, what are you doing?” 3 I turned around and saw Julian holding Bella, looking at me with dark eyes, his body covered in marks. I took a deep breath and handed him the divorce papers. He slapped them away without looking, frowning at me. “Sarah, apologize to Bella.” My heart sank. I had given them what they wanted yesterday, but he still wouldn’t let it go. I opened my mouth, but no sound came out. Bella nestled into Julian’s arms, looking aggrieved. “Forget it, Julian. Who am I to ask the great Miss Su for an apology? What if she gets angry and sends me abroad again?” She tugged at his sleeve, voice trembling with tears, while shooting me a hateful glare. Julian hugged her tighter, turning a cold gaze on me. “Sarah, apologize to Bella. Don’t make me say it twice! Or your family’s company and your parents…” Seeing the ruthlessness in his eyes, I realized Julian might never have intended to live peacefully with me. He was coerced into marriage, and from that day on, he hated my family. Even in this life, where I didn’t send Bella away, he still threatened me with my parents and the company. He had always planned to destroy us. I swallowed the bitterness and rasped, “I’m sorry.” Bella turned her head, pouting. “She’s not sincere at all. I want her to kneel and slap herself while apologizing. Ninety-nine times. Only then will I forgive her.” Julian frowned. Bella quickly added, “If I had really been sent away last night, Julian, wouldn’t you be heartbroken? What if something happened to me abroad…” Before she could finish, Julian kissed her. “Don’t say that. You know I can’t lose you.” He looked at me coldly. “This was your fault. I know you can’t do it yourself, so just apologize, and I’ll have someone help you.” The bodyguards forced me to my knees. Slaps rained down on my face. Pain blinded me. Julian wasn’t satisfied. He grabbed my chin. His eyes were dark. “Sarah, I was too good to you before. Think of your parents. Do what Bella wants, or ninety-nine slaps will become nine hundred and ninety.” I gritted my teeth and apologized until I coughed up blood. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” After ninety-nine slaps, I collapsed, unconscious. Before I closed my eyes, I saw a flicker of pain in Julian’s eyes. 4 When I woke up, Julian was sitting by my bed. He sighed and tried to feed me warm porridge. I turned my face away. He frowned. “It was wrong to hit you, but Sarah, you started it.” I cut him off by handing him the divorce papers. “Let’s divorce. I’m giving you and Bella my blessing.” Julian snatched the papers and threw them on the floor, his face black. “You think you can marry when you want and divorce when you want? What am I to you?” I looked at him in disbelief. “Didn’t you always want to marry Bella?” He stood up, glaring at me coldly. “Sarah, playing hard to get? I told you I only see you as a sister. You want a divorce? Fine. But until the certificate is issued, don’t touch Bella. If she gets a single scratch, it’s on you.” Bella walked in, smirking at me. “Julian, that’s not nice to Sarah. If you say that, doesn’t she become my bodyguard until the divorce? But since you asked, Sarah, I’m counting on you.” Bodyguards flooded the room. Julian signed the papers, staring at me as if trying to read my mind. I was dragged out of bed silently to follow Bella. Once I get the divorce certificate, I can escape them and avoid my past fate. The next month was pure torture. Julian made out with Bella in front of me without shame. They kissed loudly in dressing rooms while I stood guard outside. Listening to their laughter, I stared blankly into the distance. Tomorrow, I get the certificate. Freedom. An hour later, Julian walked out with a disheveled Bella. He looked unhappy. After taking a call, he gave me a dark look and left. Once he was gone, Bella dropped the act. She mocked me, “Some people just have thick skin. Squatting on things that don’t belong to them, refusing to give them back even when the owner returns. Like a stray dog.” Before I could reply, a group of men rushed out and grabbed Bella. The leader looked vicious. “You’re Julian’s mistress? Today is your unlucky day!” He raised a hand to knock her out. I lunged forward and grabbed Bella’s hand. If anything happened to her, Julian would blame me. Thinking of my past life, I held on for dear life. If I let go, I’d be buried with her. The man sneered and slapped me. My head spun. “Bitch, can’t even save yourself and trying to stop me? Take them both!” Soon, amidst Bella’s screams, we were pinned to the ground. Just as we were being dragged away, a noise came from behind. “Let them go!” Julian rushed forward, eyes anxious. While the men were distracted by Julian, I tried to drag Bella toward the exit. But Bella pinched my hand hard and shoved me backward. I looked at her in shock. She whispered: “Who told you to compete with me?” The next second, I was grabbed by the thug again. “Julian! Tell your men to back off! Or I can’t guarantee her safety!” The man choked me, lifting me high. Julian looked at me, expression unreadable. “Sarah, you’re overacting. Don’t believe your own lies.” I didn’t know what he meant. I reached out to him. “Save… me.” Julian hesitated. Just then, Bella cried out in pain. “Julian, it hurts! Sarah hired these people herself, they won’t hurt her! She just pushed me, I’m worried about the baby…” I looked at Bella in disbelief. I struggled, trying to explain. But hearing Bella’s words, Julian picked her up and turned away. The thug threatened him, but he just said coldly: “Do whatever you want with her.” Seeing no escape, the thug stopped struggling. He pinned me down with a twisted expression. “Boys, this Julian guy is ruthless. Since he doesn’t want his wife, let’s taste what a CEO’s woman is like!” He tore my clothes open. “Julian! Save me!” Desperate, I used the name I called him as a child, hoping to awaken his conscience. He paused but continued walking away with the unharmed Bella. I fought with everything I had, but I was overpowered. Just before he entered me, a fierce resolve flashed in my eyes. I bit my tongue off. Blood gushed out. The man looked terrified. In the last second before passing out, memories of Julian’s past kindness flashed before my eyes. Then, they shattered. I fell into darkness. … After leaving, Julian’s heart raced. He felt like he missed something. After settling Bella in the hospital, he stood outside her room. Remembering Sarah’s dead eyes and her cry for help, he finally made a call. “Go see if Sarah is dead.” He knew she hired those people. She wouldn’t be hurt. But he frowned. He swore he would teach her a lesson when she came back. But the next second, the voice on the phone froze him. “Mr. Vance, the Madam bit her tongue and committed suicide after you left. She was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital…”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “386316”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

My cousin, Chloe, set her sights on my boyfriend. Little did she know, he’s a possessive yandere. When Chloe tried to affectionately link arms with me, attempting to butt into our date, he grabbed her by the throat and hissed coldly: “Stay away from Jade.” Chloe was completely baffled. Did he misunderstand something? She was trying to steal him, not me! 1 My boyfriend, Julian, is a certified yandere. He’s got the looks, the body, and most importantly, the money. I’m a hermit who loves nothing more than chilling at home. We are a match made in heaven. Today was my grandma’s 80th birthday, so I brought Julian along to the party. The moment Chloe saw him, her eyes practically lit up. “Jade, is this your boyfriend?” I knew that look. Chloe wanted him. Sure enough, the second Julian stepped out onto the balcony to take a call, my aunt and uncle pounced. “Jade,” my uncle started, his tone reeking of entitlement, “Chloe likes your boyfriend. As her older cousin, you should be generous. Let her have him.” I wasn’t surprised by their audacity. This family has a history of taking what’s mine. When my parents died in a car accident, my uncle and aunt swooped in and took control of my family’s entire estate. They called it “safekeeping.” When I turned eighteen and asked for my inheritance back, they cursed me out, calling me ungrateful for asking for money after they had “raised” me. But the company they run and the mansion they live in? All originally belonged to my parents. And then there’s Chloe. After my parents died, the first thing she did was take over my princess-themed bedroom and steal all my Barbie dolls. From childhood to adulthood, she took countless things from me. Toys, clothes, boyfriends. That’s exactly why I chose Julian. He’s possessive to a fault. I’m never worried about someone stealing him away. If anything, he’s the one constantly paranoid about some wild man stealing me. Seeing my silence, Chloe’s face darkened. “You’re not willing?” My aunt rolled her eyes and came up with a “brilliant” solution. “How about this, Jade? I won’t let you lose out. I’ll let your cousin, Mark, be your boyfriend.” Mark, my aunt’s son from her first marriage, shouted excitedly, “I’m willing!” Back in high school, Mark had tried to sneak into my room in the middle of the night. I smashed a heavy trophy over his head, leaving him bloody and terrified. After that, he only dared to look at me with disgusting, lecherous eyes. That’s why I barely ever went back home after starting college. Looking at Mark’s greasy face covered in acne, I felt nothing but nausea. My visible disgust clearly offended my aunt. “What’s with that look? What’s wrong with my Mark? You don’t know how many women out there are dying to marry him!” Just then, they saw Julian returning and shut their mouths. As he approached, Chloe whispered venomously, “Jade, I will take Julian from you. Just watch.” She looked at Julian with a predatory gleam in her eyes. Her little scheme was doomed from the start. No one knows better than me how much Julian hates other women hitting on him. The man is terrified that if he gets “dirty,” I won’t want him anymore. 2 During dinner, Julian peeled shrimp for me. Chloe immediately launched into her “pick-me” routine. “Brother Julian, you are so good. You’d rather go hungry just to peel shrimp for my cousin.” “Jade is so lucky. She doesn’t have to do anything, just sit there and wait to be fed.” The subtext was clear: I was unappreciative. Unfortunately for her, Julian didn’t buy it. “It’s my honor to peel shrimp for Jade,” he said, his voice dripping with devotion. “Is that so?” Chloe’s eyes glinted. I knew she was even more satisfied with his attentiveness now. Her voice became even more sugary. “Then, Brother Julian, I wonder if I could have the honor of eating a shrimp you peel…” Before she could finish, she let out a yelp, her face scrunching up in pain. My uncle and aunt rushed to ask what happened, but she waved them off with a vague excuse. After all, admitting that she tried to play footsie with Julian under the table and got kicked in the shin would be too humiliating. After dinner, I was watching TV while Julian peeled tangerines for me. Chloe limped over, fuming. “Brother Julian, don’t you have anything to say to me?” “My pants are dirty where you touched them. Please pay the dry cleaning bill,” Julian said coldly. “And call me ‘brother-in-law.’ I don’t have a shameless sister like you.” “You…” Chloe turned red with rage and limped away. I burst out laughing. Growing up, this was the first time I’d ever seen Chloe eat dirt. Julian shot me a glance, his eyes dark. “Funny? Another woman hits on me and you’re not jealous? Do you not love me?” “Love, love, love,” I said dismissively. “You have high moral standards, so I’m not worried.” Julian’s gaze was thick with intense affection. “Jade, you can’t betray me. If you do, I don’t know what I might do.” “Don’t worry,” I said, cupping his face and giving him a loud kiss. “I like you the most.” Why would I betray him? He’s rich, handsome, loyal, and lets me live my dream life of doing absolutely nothing. I’d have to be insane to leave him. Seeing Mark lurking in the shadows, watching me with his greasy gaze, made me appreciate Julian even more. “Since you love me, come for a walk with me.” My face fell. “Can we not?” “No,” Julian insisted. “It’s good for your health. Don’t you want to grow old with me?” I nodded vigorously. “I do, I do!” Funny enough, at first, Julian loved that I stayed home all the time. It meant no other men could see me. But eventually, even he couldn’t stand how much of a hermit I was and started dragging me out for fresh air. 3 That night, Julian and I stayed in my old room. It was a small guest room without an attached bathroom. In the middle of the night, I went to the shared bathroom down the hall. Just as I finished washing my hands and was about to leave, Mark burst in and squeezed through the door. I wasn’t naive enough to think he didn’t know someone was in there. His own room had a bathroom. He came specifically for me. I glared at him warily. “Get out!” Mark didn’t move. His greedy eyes raked over me. “Jade, I came here to tell you something.” “Say it.” I was trapped in the bathroom with him. I didn’t dare provoke him too much. “Jade, I’ve liked you for so many years.” “Break up with that Julian guy and be with me.” “That Julian… he doesn’t look like a good person. You won’t be happy with him. Unlike me. You know me.” My eyes widened. Is shamelessness genetic in this family? How could he have the nerve to say that? Was he forgetting who snuck into my room back in high school? To stall him, I said, “I’ll think about it. I’m tired, I want to go to sleep.” I tried to push past him, but he stood like a rock. Mark’s face darkened. “Jade, you’re brushing me off. I’m not as stupid as you think!” He took a step closer, backing me into a corner. I tried to shove him away, but he grabbed my wrists, pinning me. The fat on Mark’s face jiggled as his eyes gleamed with a manic light. “Jade, I love you. Just say yes.” He leaned down, trying to kiss my face. Bang! The bathroom door flew open. Julian stood there, radiating a terrifying aura. His voice was ice cold. “What are you doing?!” 4 My eyes lit up. My savior! But the way Julian was looking at both of us… it wasn’t friendly. My heart skipped a beat. Why did I feel like I was in trouble too? Illusion. Must be an illusion! Seeing the murderous Julian, Mark’s flab quivered in fear, but he quickly composed himself. He puffed out his chest. “Are you blind? I’m on a date with Jade. Truth is, Jade and I are childhood sweethearts. We’ve been together for ages. She only dated you to make me jealous.” “What the hell are you talking about?” I glared at Mark furiously. I underestimated him; he knew how to sow discord. Mark looked at me with a sigh, like I was a naughty child, and clamped his hand on my shoulder. “Jade, didn’t we agree? You were going to break up with him today.” He shook his head. “You’re just too soft-hearted. Fine, I’ll do it.” “Is that so?” Julian glanced at Mark’s hand on my shoulder. His expression was calm, unreadable. Only I knew he was on the verge of snapping. That’s just how he is. The angrier he gets, the calmer he looks. Mark, oblivious to his impending doom, lifted his chin arrogantly. “Yes. If you know what’s good for you, get out of our lives.” “Heh!” Julian suddenly chuckled. Mark was confused. “What’s funny?” The next second, the weight on my shoulder vanished. Replaced by Mark’s pig-like squeal. Julian had snapped the hand that touched me without a second thought. “Let go! Let go!” Mark’s face scrunched up in agony as he begged. Julian let go. Mark sighed in relief, only to scream even louder a second later. With a cold expression, Julian grabbed Mark’s shoulder and delivered a precise strike to a pressure point. It was fluid, almost graceful. Mark was now rolling on the floor in pain. So brutal. I loved it! Watching Mark, who had just cornered me and tried to assault me, get beaten to a pulp by Julian was incredibly satisfying. Any fear I had vanished instantly. Julian didn’t stop there. He looked down at Mark like he was looking at trash. He stepped on the hand that touched me, grinding it into the floor, finger by finger. Mark wanted to fight back, but one look from Julian froze him. He sensed that resistance would only lead to worse pain. Julian sneered. “Mark, Jade cares about looks. How could she ever like you?” “With your 200 pounds of fat, your crater face, and those beady little eyes?” “Do you think I’m as stupid as you?” “Before you lie, maybe look in a mirror and ask yourself if you’re worthy.” I nodded enthusiastically. Julian was right! Mark suffered a critical hit to both body and ego, crying snot and tears. The commotion finally attracted my uncle and aunt. Seeing Mark tortured like this, they lost it. “What did you do to Mark?!” 5 Even with my uncle and aunt there, Julian didn’t stop. He kicked Mark toward them like he was kicking a soccer ball. “Teaching him a lesson. Are you blind?” After stealing my inheritance, my aunt and uncle had lived a pampered life. They hadn’t been spoken to like this in years. Their faces turned black. My aunt screamed, “Are you even human? You beat him like this and think you’re right?” Julian’s eyes were icy. “Why don’t you ask your son what good deeds he was up to?” Seeing his saviors, Mark found his courage. Supported by his parents, he stood up and lied through his teeth. “I just haven’t seen Jade in a while and wanted to catch up. Julian misunderstood our relationship and beat me up.” “Catching up in the bathroom,” Julian mocked. “Your tastes are unique.” Hearing this, my aunt turned her wrath on me. “Jade, you little fox! In high school, you lured Mark into your room and beat him bloody. Now you lure him into the bathroom and get your boyfriend to beat him!” I laughed out loud at her absurd logic. Hello? Does she have no shame? Her precious son tried to rape me, and in her mouth, he becomes an innocent, 200-pound child? The more she spoke, the angrier she got. She lunged at me, raising her hand to slap me. Just as I was about to dodge, Julian caught her wrist and slapped her instead. Smack! The force sent my aunt flying. Her head hit the sink, blood trickled down, and she saw stars. My uncle caught her just before she hit the floor. She was too dizzy to even curse. My uncle was furious. “Julian! You hit a woman? Where are your manners?” Julian looked indifferent. “In my eyes, there is only one woman: Jade. Everyone else is just a target. Anyone who dares touch a hair on her head gets a lesson.” He raised an eyebrow. “Maybe you want to try?” My uncle, whose body was hollowed out by alcohol and excess, was no match for Julian. He pursed his lips and took a step back. My aunt weakly croaked, “Police. Call the police.” My uncle found his spine. “Right! Police! Wait until you’re eating prison food!” Mark, even now, hadn’t given up on me. “Jade, dating a criminal has no future. Be with me instead.” I would have to be insane to be with Mark. But his words made me worry about Julian. Mark sensed it and got cocky. “Or, Jade, if you agree to be with me, I won’t press charges against Julian.” Julian, who had been looking down with unreadable thoughts, lifted his eyelids. His expression was dark, his smile terrifying. “What kind of daydream are you having?” I knew my uncle’s family was done for. Julian hates two things: people coveting me, and people trying to take me away. Mark hit both buttons repeatedly. Judging by Julian’s murderous look, he was treating them like dead men walking. But before Julian could act, my aunt slapped Mark. “You unfilial son! I got hit for you, and you want to forgive him for a slut? Are you crazy?” Mark argued back, “Mom, Julian hit you, not Jade! You can’t be unreasonable and blame her!” My aunt, red-eyed with rage, started beating her son. Watching this display of “motherly love,” I was amused. The tension in my chest eased. Finally, my uncle stopped the farce. “Enough! The priority is to call the police and arrest Julian. Discipline the boy later.” My aunt calmed down. “Right. Police. Let’s see if you’re still arrogant in jail.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “386315”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

I can only go home if I fill the “Hatred Meter” of the male lead. So, I activated Maximum Drama Mode. If he liked it, I snatched it. If he hated it, I shoved it in his face. Basically, my entire existence was dedicated to making him loathe me. But instead of hating me, he indulged me more and more. When others complained about my behavior, he just shrugged and said: “She only acts up for me. Why are you so pressed?” 1 Julian and I grew up together. But for his birthday party, he invited everyone except me. No problem. I have no shame. I’ll crash it. I kicked open the banquet hall doors. The room went silent. Every eye was on me. “Holy sh*t, she scared me.” “Can Chloe ever chill? I swear I want to hit her with a hammer.” I ignored the whispers. Scanning the room, I spotted Julian in the corner on the phone. I marched straight over. “Hey, Vance. What’s the meaning of not inviting me?” My tone was bratty and arrogant. Julian finished his call before even glancing at me. The warm orange light hit his face, highlighting his sharp jawline. If you ignored his eyes—which were cold enough to freeze hell over—Julian was undeniably handsome. As expected of the male lead. I sighed internally. Julian didn’t seem surprised by my intrusion. “You were in Europe yesterday. How was I supposed to send you an invite?” He gestured at the door, where eight bodyguards stood uselessly. ” besides, not inviting you didn’t stop you, did it?” I choked for a second but recovered quickly. “Send it or don’t, who cares where I am? If I’m in the mood, I’ll come.” I looked around the party with disdain. “I don’t know what you were thinking, picking such a lame venue. Boring…” I let my gaze drift over the guests, making it clear they were the boring part. Suddenly, a simply dressed woman stepped forward. Her face was pure, her expression stubborn. “Miss Chloe, how can you say that about everyone? That’s… so rude!” “You should apologize!” Silence fell. Everyone stared at the speaker—Lily Lin. I looked at her and laughed. 2 I’m the infamous brat of our social circle. Relying on my parents’ wealth, I wreak havoc everywhere I go. No one dares to stop me. Especially with Julian. I dance on his last nerve daily. Everyone says if I weren’t rich, I’d be dead meat. What they don’t know is, I’ve been waiting for that day my whole life. I’m not from this world. I accidentally transmigrated into this brain-dead, old-school melodrama novel. The original owner of this body was the ultimate villainess who tortured the heroine and ended up in prison. To go home, I have to follow the plot and make the male lead hate me. Fill the Hatred Meter, go home. Julian is the male lead. So, from the moment I met him, I’ve been clinging to him and acting like a nightmare. 3 At first, I had a System that reported the Hatred Value daily. It was rising slowly but surely. Very encouraging! But one day in high school, it disappeared. Leaving me to fight alone. But I didn’t panic. If I could make him hate me before, I could do it again. So I continued my diligent work of being the worst. I embraced the persona of the spoiled heiress. If Julian liked something, I took it. If he hated something, I forced it on him. I refused to do anything that made him happy and went out of my way to do things that annoyed him. It worked. He frowned every time he saw me. His face screamed disgust. Perfect. That’s exactly what I wanted. 4 Tonight’s party was a golden opportunity to boost the Hatred Value. In the story, this is where Julian gets attracted to Lily’s pure, unpretentious nature and her consideration for others. Consequently, he hates me even more. I came here for one purpose: To be Lily’s foil and make Julian despise me. Watching Lily stand up for everyone, I glanced at Julian next to me. He was looking at her. The plot is irresistible! Julian was actually interested in Lily. Showtime. I immediately channeled my inner villainess, sneering with maximum arrogance: “Who do you think you are? Lecturing me?” Lily’s eyes turned rabbit-red instantly: “How can you say that, Miss Chloe? I’m doing this for everyone!” She looked around at the guests, hoping someone would back her up. Dead silence. These people grew up under my tyranny. Except for Julian, who would dare speak against me to my face? I turned to Julian. He was still looking at Lily, frowning. Like he was unhappy no one was defending her. He’s so in love! Lily sensed it too. She turned to Julian, looking pitiful: “Mr. Vance, am I wrong?” Everyone looked at Julian, expecting him to scold me like usual. I looked at him too, waiting for my scolding. Julian was silent for a moment, then spoke calmly: “Are you the police?” Lily froze and shook her head. “Then why do you care so much?” His voice was thick with impatience. I was stunned. That doesn’t make sense. Did Julian start a big project with my dad again? Is he doing this for my dad’s sake?

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “386314”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

Julian was a notorious playboy. He treated every girlfriend well, giving them whatever they wanted. Except marriage. Everyone knew he broke up with his first love and was still hung up on her. He couldn’t commit to anyone else. In the fifth month of our relationship, my family pressured me to settle down. So I said goodbye: “I heard your first love is coming back. Congrats.” He smiled. “Yeah.” That night, his friends threw him a “single again” party. It was a huge, lively event. Someone mentioned me: “Hey, Julian, I think I just saw Chloe. She was with a guy, pretty handsome.” Everyone started gossiping. Julian suddenly exploded. He crushed his cigarette and sneered: “She’s the one who wanted to be together, and she’s the one who wanted to break up.” “How can she have it so good?” Chapter 1 When I first started dating Julian, his friends placed bets. Big money on whether our relationship would last more than a month. He came from a prominent family and had quite a reputation. When I first met him, my roommate warned me: “The Vances run this city. You don’t want to mess with them.” “But this Julian Vance is different. I heard he’s easy to pursue, never loses his temper with girls, and always breaks up amicably.” It wasn’t a lie. But between us, there really wasn’t any “pursuing.” I was a second-year grad student, working on a research project with my advisor. I needed an out-of-print English monograph that was impossible to find. I posted everywhere online with no luck. Just as I was giving up, someone replied. The tone was cynical yet earnest: [My old man seems to have it. Contact me if you want it. I’ll do a good deed for once.] I contacted him immediately. To thank him, we met up a couple more times. We got along well. The last time, he stood under a streetlamp, handsome and dashing. Suddenly, he raised an eyebrow and asked: “Will we see each other again?” Would we see each other again, as the seasons changed, year after year? The moonlight was cold, the night beautiful. Saying “no” felt like a letdown. Something possessed me to smile and challenge him: “I heard you’re easy to pursue. Is that true?” He looked at me, unable to stop smiling. “Why don’t you try?” When you’re young and naive, meeting someone so free-spirited and confident makes you want to get close. Besides, I had seen him long ago. I had just arrived in the city, my wallet was stolen at the station. Penniless, after filing a police report, I walked out into the rain, miserable and crying. He drove by, slowing down. “Where to? I’ll give you a ride.” Of course, I didn’t dare get in. He was patient, coaxing me: “I’m not a bad guy. Trust me once. Stop crying, okay?” I always wanted to thank him, but we never crossed paths again. In a city of millions, meeting someone again is hard. Not long after that night, we were together. My roommate was shocked. “What’s it like dating someone like him? Must be nice, right? But I heard he never dates anyone for more than two weeks.” “Just enjoy it while it lasts.” I said yeah, enjoy it while it lasts. People are naive sometimes. Back then, I thought love was just following your heart. When I liked him, I didn’t care about his past. I just wanted a future with him. But later I found out, that’s not how it works. Take that bet, for example. Julian never dated anyone for more than two weeks. So why did his rich friends bet on one month? Long after, I found out. The extra two weeks were because I looked 30% like his first love. Chapter 2 Most people lost that bet. Because, to everyone’s surprise, Julian and I had a great relationship. Unlike his previous flings. He was unusually proactive, visiting me every day for lunch or dinner. Once when I was busy, he waited at the school gate for over half an hour. I felt bad and offered to treat him to a nice meal, but he tugged my sleeve, suppressing a laugh: “Your boyfriend wants to eat at the cafeteria.” He paused, then asked: “Is that okay?” I knew he didn’t want me running around. I had heard that back in school, the young master was too posh for cafeteria food. We didn’t break up. Our relationship was surprisingly good. In our third month, he moved near my campus. We spent more time together. He set up a home theater, and we’d curl up on the sofa watching movies. He wasn’t really interested, but I was. He watched patiently from beginning to end. For movies I loved, he’d take notes and write reviews seriously. His grandfather was a famous painter, and Julian had learned a thing or two. He was quite talented. During those days, he occasionally painted me. One painting stuck with me—a girl standing under a camphor tree, holding a stack of books, with delicate features and a bright smile. I always wanted to ask him: when we first met, I was shy. Did I really smile that brightly? Later, late one night. It was our first time. I hit a snag in my research. He patiently guided me through it, tapping my waist lightly, relaxed. “Understand now?” I had an epiphany and hugged him in delight. His gaze darkened. He pressed forward, lips moving, his touch cold. He was nervous, but acted nonchalant, gripping my hand. “Chloe.” “Mm.” Halfway through, his voice low, he mentioned the painting: “When we first met, and you stood there, I really wanted to paint you.” I laughed, kissing his neck, teasing: “Do you say that to all your girlfriends?” Whispering sweet nothings in the heat of passion, reminiscing about first meetings. He tsked, pressing against me. “Go ask around. Who else have I gotten this far with?” The ambiguity flowed silently. Eventually, I stopped laughing and cried softly in his arms. September in the North is beautiful. Social media was full of videos of tourists praying at temples. I pestered him to go with me. He pulled several all-nighters to clear his schedule for a day. On the winding mountain path, he held my hand up hundreds of steps, watching my every move, afraid I’d trip. But after leaving him, I thought: who goes through life without tripping? Back then, I really liked him. Chapter 3 When did things start to change? Probably when I saw that photo. It was the fifth month of our relationship. Julian had many friends, and they were all geared up to celebrate his birthday. Preparations started weeks in advance. I was on break, so I helped out. Spending time with them, they didn’t hide their conversations from me. Slowly, I learned that Julian had been serious about love once. He earnestly proposed, picked rings, chose a venue. But in the end, over a small matter, the girl felt he didn’t love her enough. After a big fight, one left in anger, the other didn’t chase. They broke up. They almost got married. Finally, someone showed me a photo, bluntly: “Speaking of which, you look a bit like Sophie. That’s why we started the betting pool.” In the photo, Sophie smiled brightly. So similar to the girl under the camphor tree in the painting. When I first heard about the bet, I thought they were bored. Now, I realized the fool was me. Everyone knew he broke up with his first love and was still unwilling to let go. He followed her updates. Every year on her birthday, he sent expensive jewelry across the ocean. If she had any trouble, someone would tell him, and no matter what, he’d go and quietly fix it. Without her knowing, without contact, but never letting go. Only I naively thought I was different. Finally, someone laughed: “Since Sophie left, Julian has been dating, but we all guess he’s doing it to force her back.” Everyone laughed. Julian returned from his call, sat next to me, squeezed my hand, and chuckled: “What are you talking about? So happy.” I looked at him, heart cold, and said woodenly: “Talking about your first love.” He froze. He rarely zoned out. In the end, he didn’t say her name, just said lightly: “What’s there to talk about?” This was the first time I thought about breaking up. I should thank his friends for not keeping me in the dark. Because they didn’t care about my feelings, they told me the truth, allowing me to wake up and see the situation clearly. To understand that I was just a passerby in Julian’s life, a tool to love another. Chapter 4 After that day, I felt a subtle shift between Julian and me. But neither of us mentioned Sophie. He didn’t try to explain anything. He became more generous with me. He took me to auctions. If I glanced at something, it would soon be delivered to me. I forgot who said it. Julian treated every ex well, never stingy during breakups. Whatever they wanted, he gave, be it money or resources. It felt like a transaction. The night before his birthday, he sent me two transfer contracts. A villa and a car. My fingertips were cold when I received them. Shaking, I called him. He answered quickly. I pretended to be casual. “Sending such big gifts for your birthday, aren’t you losing out?” “Losing what? I like you, I want to treat you well,” he replied, voice lifting with a smile. Like a lover’s teasing. I pinched my palm, forcing myself to be calm. “These are too expensive. Almost like a dowry.” He was silent for a long time. I pursed my lips, tears falling silently. Finally, his voice paused, then he said nonchalantly: “Chloe. “Don’t overthink it. Sleep early. I’ll pick you up tomorrow night.” Should I believe him? That he did this because he liked me, not because he wanted to break up.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “386313”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

My fiancé, Julian, and I went from high school sweethearts to nearly married. But on the eve of our wedding, he died in a tragic accident. I cried until I almost fainted, but suddenly, text messages started floating before my eyes. [Can someone tell the female lead that he faked his death?!] [Julian’s mistress ran away when she found out he was getting married. He faked his death to chase her to London! The female lead is crying at his grave while the mistress is crying in his bed. I’m so mad!] [It’s a pity. When he comes back from his ‘death,’ the female lead won’t know anything and will happily marry him…] Two weeks later. News of my engagement to the city’s most eligible billionaire spread across New York. Julian’s accomplice, his best friend, rushed over to confront me: “Julian hasn’t been gone for long, and you’re already in a rush to find someone new?” “He’s dead. You don’t expect me to stay a widow forever, do you?” 1 When the floating text first appeared before my eyes, I thought I was hallucinating from grief. But the text kept scrolling. [If the female lead goes to the rooftop now, she’ll know the male lead isn’t dead at all.] [She hasn’t eaten in two days because of him. She can barely walk. Why would she go to the rooftop?] I dragged my heavy legs toward the rooftop. Just a few steps from the top, I heard a voice I knew too well. It carried a hint of amusement. “Is my funeral over yet?” The voice was coming from Julian’s best friend, Leo’s phone. “Not yet, Julian.” “What about Chloe? Did she suspect anything?” Leo: “No, she’s been busy with everything. She almost passed out yesterday from grief. She’s probably still crying in her room.” Julian sounded casual: “Comfort her for me.” Another friend, Sam, chimed in: “But Julian, you really fell for that little bird, huh? Faking your death to chase her to London, even making us act along with you.” The floating text was real. I gripped the handrail tightly. Every cell in my body trembled. I heard Julian say: “Doesn’t matter if I fell for her or not. Just keep it from Chloe.” Leo asked: “Are you still going through with the wedding?” “Of course. When I get back, the wedding is still on. But before I get married, let me be crazy for love just once, right?” “Fair enough.” “Once I’m married, I’ll be tied to one person. No more chances like this. Haha.” The three of them laughed, sharing their secret. My blood froze. I shuddered uncontrollably. I had prayed countless times for Julian to be alive. But never like this. 2 [Ahhh the female lead knows the truth! I hope she wakes up!] [Go out there and tear that scumbag apart!!!] I didn’t rush out to expose them. I turned around. Calmly, I walked back down the stairs. After dry heaving in the toilet, I looked at myself in the mirror. I hadn’t slept for days. My eyes were red, my face haggard. I splashed water on my face and wiped away the tear stains. [As expected, the female lead chooses to accept it silently. So frustrating!] [She loves him too much. She probably heard him say he’d still marry her and decided to swallow her pride.] [I think she’s planning something big. She doesn’t want to show her hand too early.] When I walked out of the room, Leo handed me two tissues. His face was full of concern: “Chloe, don’t be too sad. Julian’s spirit wouldn’t want to see you like this.” I looked up at his fake, solemn face. “Do you think Julian might not be dead?” 3 Leo looked panicked for a split second. But he quickly recovered: “H-How could that be? His jacket and shoes were found. You saw them yourself.” A week ago, Julian drove into the river late at night. Police deduced he was swept away by the current while trying to escape. I stayed by the river all night, sleepless. The rescue team searched for days, only finding his coat and shoes. I nearly fainted from grief. Today was supposed to be our wedding day. I cried holding our photo until my head throbbed. Now they tell me it was all a setup. My grief was just a joke from start to finish. [The male lead is trash. Keeping a mistress is disgusting.] [I thought this was a sweet romance novel, but it turned into a nightmare.] [The female lead is a gorgeous heiress. If he doesn’t want her, plenty of others do.] The nausea in my chest eased slightly thanks to the comments. Leo continued: “Chloe, stop overthinking. If Julian could see you, he’d be heartbroken.” Heartbroken… Such ironic words. This morning I was thanking him for helping with Julian’s funeral arrangements. Turns out, birds of a feather flock together. 4 Following the hints from the floating text, I found the TikTok account of Julian’s mistress. I realized I had seen her many times before. She was a small influencer signed to Julian’s media company, named Bella. Her handle was “Bella’s Daily.” Her latest video showed the streets of London, clasped hands, and a reunion embrace. The small mole on the man’s hand was all too familiar. The caption read: “In our purest love, he left his arranged fiancée and traveled thousands of miles to find me. The wind of longing finally blew from New York to London.” The video went viral. Comments gushed over their “beautiful love.” “The runaway mistress and the CEO chasing her! It’s like a romance novel!” “I know this plot! The CEO actually loves you, sis. The fiancée is just a tool to make him realize his feelings~” “Rich boys are always so romantic. I want a sugar daddy too 😭” The floating text: [These comments must be bots. This isn’t a romance; it’s a homewrecker story.] [Calling it an ‘arranged marriage’ to make the cheater look good? The female lead’s actual arranged partner was the villain in the book!]

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “386312”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

I confessed my feelings to my childhood friend. His roommates mocked him for an entire semester because of it. In a fit of rage, I confessed to every single one of his roommates. Except one— The one who laughed the loudest. 1 “I like you.” I finally confessed to my childhood friend, Julian. As soon as the words left my mouth, I heard snickering. Not just one person. I looked up. Julian was surrounded by his roommates. One of them, tall and arrogant— Laughed the loudest. He clutched his stomach, unable to stand straight. I knew him. He was the school’s star swimmer, Liam. “I can’t believe it,” Liam gasped. “The boring bookworm likes you?” On the far right was my classmate, Seth, with a baby face and curly hair. He shook his head and sneered, “Julian, you’re amazing. Even a mute can speak up for you.” Like a vicious bichon frisé. “Alright, everyone, stop laughing. What if Maya gets upset?” The one trying to stop the laughter was slender and handsome, with a gentle face. He seemed sympathetic, but his eyes were upturned, hiding amusement. That was Oliver, the school’s “Prince Charming.” I ignored them. My gaze was fixed on Julian. Julian was always decent and gentlemanly. He paused slightly, raising a hand to stop his roommates. Then, his voice gentle, he politely rejected me. “Thank you for liking me, but I think we’re better off as friends.” “Friendship lasts longer than any other relationship.” “I hope you find someone better.” The bitterness of rejection had just begun to rise when the three boys beside him sarcastically mimicked Julian’s voice. “Ohhh~” “I. Hope. You. Find. Someone. Better.” In that moment, burning shame rushed through me. I didn’t dare look up as tears hit the floor. Julian’s roommates made me realize one thing. Being liked by me was embarrassing. I embarrassed Julian. 2 Once I realized I was an embarrassment to Julian, I started avoiding him. We were classmates. He was the class monitor; I was the vice monitor. He was responsible for collecting homework and distributing test papers. Every time he came near me, I tucked my head in like a quail, refusing to look up. Avoiding eye contact. Julian and I grew up in the same neighborhood. So every day after school, we would walk home together. Julian was too decent. He didn’t want to lose me as a friend. Nor did he want the awkwardness between us to be noticed by our sharp-eyed classmates. So he walked up to me as if nothing had happened. He called my name softly. “Maya, walking together?” I didn’t look up. “N… no.” I couldn’t see Julian’s expression, but I heard a soft sigh above my head. His voice was gentle. “Alright then. Be safe on your way home.” As soon as Julian finished speaking, I heard the vicious bichon, Seth, snickering nearby. Ever since my failed confession, whenever Julian spoke to me, Seth would make those mocking noises. I didn’t want to cause trouble, so I pretended not to hear. But this was the umpteenth time. I looked up and locked eyes with Seth. The vivid smile was still on his face. I asked softly and sincerely, “What are you laughing at?” “How about I walk home with you?” Seth froze instantly, like a puppy that had been kicked. He stopped rocking back and forth in his chair. A blush spread across his pretty face. He snapped angrily, “In your dreams!” You treat my affection as a disgrace? Then I’ll make you feel disgraceful too. I turned my head with satisfaction. I saw Julian beside me, looking down at me. His gaze was calm as a lake. 3 After I clapped back at Seth, I thought it was over. I wanted to return to a quiet school life. Study quietly, stay away from Julian quietly. If my liking you makes you a laughingstock, I won’t bother you anymore. I’ll avoid appearing in front of you so they won’t associate us. But being in the same class, contact was inevitable. The teacher assigned Julian to draw the blackboard newspaper. I was always meticulous and good at drawing. So the teacher specifically named me to help Julian. The next day, Julian waited downstairs at my apartment. He stood tall and slender, like a green bamboo. I couldn’t pretend not to see him, so I walked over. Julian handed me the design draft, his eyes still clear and gentle. “Let’s draw according to this today.” “Mm.” I hummed quietly. Julian seemed oblivious to my awkwardness. He chatted with me as usual. “You did well on the monthly exam. I saw you ranked fifth in the school.” “The cafeteria launched a new wrap with spicy strips and sausage. Seems popular.” Bland topics. Usually, I would rack my brains to keep the conversation going. But this time, I was too embarrassed. I just wanted to escape. Escaping is shameful but useful. So I remained silent, keeping a meter distance from him. Julian kept talking, and I couldn’t rudely shake him off. Finally, near the school, Julian might have gotten tired. He took a deep breath and paused. Just as he made a sound, I gripped my backpack straps and sprinted. “I need the bathroom! Bye!” I shot off like a cannonball. Running to the school gate, bam, I crashed into someone. I looked up. Tall, indifferent expression. It was Liam. Seeing me, a smirk appeared on his lips. “Well, well. The little bookworm from next door. In a rush to find Julian?” Next to him was Oliver, the “green tea” guy. (Note: “Green tea” refers to someone who acts innocent but is manipulative.) I found out later that Oliver was voted the school hunk. Oliver covered his mouth, laughing softly, and nudged Liam. “Oh, stop it.” Okay. None of you are letting me go, right? One incident, and you’ve been mocking Julian and me for a whole semester. I looked up sharply. I smiled at Oliver. We honest people have very sincere smiles. Oliver froze, then lowered his eyes and returned my gentle smile. Like a slowly blooming white lotus. “I was rushing to find you.” “I saw you playing the violin at the last talent show.” “You’re amazing. I just wanted to tell you that.” “I’m done. Bye.” Oliver’s lips parted slightly. I ignored both of them. I tightened my grip on my straps and kept running. As I rushed through the gate, I thought I heard Julian’s voice. Calm and gentle. “What… were you guys talking about just now?” 4 I think I found a way to deal with them. I decided to confess to every single one of Julian’s roommates who mocked him. Except Liam— He laughed the loudest. I want him to know. Even if I’m trash in their eyes, I wouldn’t like him. Looking at my reflection in the glass. Bangs, black-rimmed glasses, round face. I’m timid and have strong boundaries. Afraid of disturbing others, I rarely initiate conversation. I only talked to Julian a lot. The rest of the time was mostly studying. I look average, slightly chubby. A person with zero presence on the street. Teachers and classmates evaluate me, think for a moment, and say: “Maya is an honest and well-behaved kid.” I am such an ordinary, honest person. Confessing to Julian was the timid me, the secret-crush me, being brave despite knowing it was impossible. If you all think my bravery and affection are stains on an excellent person. Tools for you to attack Julian. Then I will stain all of you.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “386311”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

I have a constitution made of glass. Or at least, that’s what I was always told. The first time I went to my boyfriend Jared’s house for dinner, he handed his mother a printed sheet of paper. “Riley is allergic to seafood, mangoes, strawberries, eggs, dairy, beef, and lamb… pretty much everything,” Jared explained earnestly. “Please make sure none of this is in the food.” The list was so long it was almost comical. But after dinner, Jared’s mom suddenly gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. “Oh no… I just realized. I put a spoonful of oyster sauce in the sautéed broccoli for flavor. Riley, honey, are you feeling okay?” Under the terrified, caring gaze of both mother and son, I froze. I waited for the throat closure, the hives, the panic. But I slowly shook my head. “I… I feel fine. But I’m supposed to be deathly allergic to seafood…” These allergies were the gospel truth according to my parents. Because of them, since I was a child, my plate only ever held plain boiled vegetables, while the steaks, burgers, and fish were piled high on my younger brother’s plate. My brother, Tyler, used to mock me constantly: “Guess you were just born with bad luck, Sis. No good food for you.” I still couldn’t believe it. Back at my apartment, after hours of mental preparation, I decided to test fate. I drank a glass of milk. Then I ate a mango. Then I ordered a medium-rare steak and devoured the whole thing. Nothing happened. No reaction. Absolutely nothing. I curled up on my floor and wept uncontrollably. 1 Jared’s mom, Mrs. Davis, is an incredibly thoughtful woman. She knew about my “condition.” The dinner table was spread with eight dishes, all vegan, all carefully prepared. She untied her apron, looking at me with a warm, apologetic smile. “Riley, I know you can’t have seafood, dairy, or red meat—Jared gave me the list of twenty items. So I made everything vegetarian, and I went light on the salt, too. I hope you like it.” That gentle, cautious kindness warmed my chest. I picked at my rice, feeling shy but deeply grateful. But when I took a bite of the broccoli, I paused. It was savory. Richer and more delicious than any vegetable I’d ever eaten at home. I couldn’t help but blurt out, “Mrs. Davis, this broccoli is amazing! It tastes so much better than what I eat at home. Did you use a special spice?” That’s when her face went pale. She slapped her thigh. “Oh my god! I forgot! I added a spoonful of oyster sauce to boost the flavor. Oyster sauce… it has oyster extract! That’s seafood!” The air in the room solidified. Jared’s face drained of color. He threw down his fork and grabbed my arm, practically dragging me toward the bathroom. “Is your throat tight? Can you breathe? We need to get you to the ER, now!” His mom was right behind us, her voice trembling. “Rinse your mouth out! Hurry!” I stood in front of the bathroom mirror, the sound of running water filling my ears. I stared at my reflection. “I don’t feel anything,” I whispered. “But I’m allergic to seafood…” My reflection stared back. Rosy cheeks. Clear eyes. No swelling. No rash. I took a deep breath. Then another. My lungs filled easily. My heart beat steadily. My parents had always told me I had severe, anaphylactic reactions. That a single touch of an allergen could send me into shock or kill me. “Riley, let’s go to urgent care just to be safe,” Mrs. Davis said, handing me a glass of water, her hands shaking. Her genuine fear made the absurdity of my reality crash down on me. I shook my head. For the first time in twenty-seven years, I doubted the “illness” that defined my life. “Mrs. Davis,” my voice was raspy, “I think… I think I’m actually okay.” Jared let go of my arm, but his brow remained furrowed. “But your parents said it’s severe. Even a trace amount…” His mom interrupted, sensing something heavy in the air. “As long as she’s okay. That’s all that matters.” The rest of the meal tasted like ash. 2 When Jared drove me home, the silence in the car was thick. He tried to speak a few times but stopped himself, his knuckles white on the steering wheel. When he pulled up to my rundown apartment complex, he finally turned to me. “You okay?” “I’m so sorry,” I managed a weak smile. “First time meeting your parents and I caused a scene. I must have scared them.” Jared sighed and gently tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “Don’t be silly. My mom isn’t mad, she was just worried. Go upstairs, take a hot shower, and get some sleep. It’ll be better in the morning.” “Okay.” “Riley,” he called out as I opened the door. “Don’t overthink it. Call me if you need anything.” But how could I not overthink it? My entire life felt like a carefully constructed lie, and someone had just pulled the loose thread that unraveled everything. Back in my tiny rental, I didn’t even turn on the lights. I sat in the dark and ordered takeout. I ordered everything I was forbidden to touch. A cheeseburger. A strawberry milkshake. A shrimp basket. Mango sticky rice. When the food arrived, I laid it all out like a chaotic banquet. I opened the milkshake—the liquid that terrified me for years—and took a sip. Sweet, creamy coldness slid down my throat. I waited for the itch. The choke. Nothing. I shoved a piece of shrimp into my mouth. Then a bite of the burger. Then the mango. I ate like a starving animal, bite after bite, until my stomach hurt from fullness, but my heart felt like a gaping black hole. I stared at the empty containers and burst into tears. A tsunami of grief washed over me. 3 The dinner table at my childhood home was a battlefield divided by an invisible line. On my parents’ and brother’s side: steaming roast beef, buttery crab legs, rich stews. The smell alone was intoxicating. On my side: a plate of boiled cabbage and a bowl of plain white rice. No oil, just a pinch of salt. A soggy green pile. My brother Tyler would sit across from me, grease on his chin, laughing with malicious glee. “Riley, you really have no luck. Look at you, eating grass like a rabbit.” He would deliberately wave a greasy rib under my nose, watching me flinch, enjoying my longing and my fear. My mom would place the last piece of steak on Tyler’s plate, never even glancing at me, muttering the mantra I heard every day: “Riley can’t eat that. She’ll die. Her allergies are fatal.” Those words were my shackles. In school, while other kids bought hot lunches—pizza, tacos, nuggets—I sat in the corner with my cold Tupperware of boiled greens. I ate quickly, terrified someone would ask, “Riley, why do you only eat that?” Malnutrition made me small and frail. My hair was brittle, my skin pale. In gym class, I couldn’t finish a mile run without nearly fainting. The teachers were concerned, but my parents just shrugged. “She has a weak constitution. Born that way.” When I was seven, I watched Tyler eat a hard-boiled egg. It looked so soft, so perfect. When Mom went to the kitchen, I snatched a tiny piece of the white and popped it in my mouth. It was delicious. But before I could swallow, a hand clamped onto my jaw. Mom screamed, her face twisted in rage. “What did you eat?!” She dragged me to the bathroom, forced my mouth open, and poured salt water down my throat until I choked. She shoved her fingers down my gullet. “Spit it out! Do you want to die?!” I vomited until there was nothing left but bile. The humiliation and pain of that day branded a physiological fear into my brain. My body learned to reject those foods out of terror. But tonight? Tonight I ate everything. And I was fine. I lay on the cold floor, sobbing until my body convulsed. Twenty-seven years. I had been a donkey blindfolded and forced to grind the mill, stripped of the simple joy of food, labeled “sickly” to cover up their cruelty. 4 The next day was Sunday. My mom summoned me home for lunch. The table was set with that familiar, ironic divide. For them: Braised pork knuckles, sweet and sour ribs, a steamed sea bass. For me: Boiled spinach. Plain rice. Yesterday, the smell of the meat might have made me feel pathetic. Today, it just made me feel cold. “So,” Mom started, picking the bones out of a piece of fish and placing the meat in Tyler’s bowl. “How is Jared’s mom? Did she give you a ‘meeting gift’?” Her eyes darted around, greedy and sharp. Mrs. Davis had given me a check for $10,001—a symbolic gesture meaning “one in ten thousand.” I looked at my mother’s calculating face. “No.” Mom’s fake smile vanished. “No? What do you mean no?” “That is so tacky! First time meeting the parents and not a dime? That family is cheap. You’re going to suffer if you marry into that.” She immediately started calculating. “Since they’re stingy, the wedding contribution needs to be higher. We need at least $50,000. Cash. I raised you, fed you well all these years, I can’t give you away for free.” Fed me well? I looked at the limp spinach. What a joke. “What about my dowry then? What are you giving me?” I asked. Mom paused, then scoffed. “Dowry? Girls don’t get dowries. We’ll buy you some nice new bedding sheets. That’s enough.” “Oh,” I nodded. “Actually, Jared and I talked about it. We aren’t asking for any money from his parents. We’re modern.” “No!” Tyler stopped chewing on his rib. “Sis, if you don’t get that money, how am I supposed to get married? My girlfriend said if I don’t have a $40,000 down payment for a condo, she won’t marry me!” Mom glared at him to shut up, then turned her “gentle” face back to me. “Riley, don’t talk nonsense. Eat your dinner.” “Okay. I’ll eat.” Under their shocked gazes, I reached my chopsticks across the invisible border. I picked up a massive, greasy chunk of the braised pork knuckle from Tyler’s side. And I took a huge bite. “Are you crazy?!” Mom shrieked, jumping up from her chair. “Spit it out! You’ll die!” Her voice was the same frequency as it was when I was seven. “But Mom,” I chewed slowly, swallowing. “I don’t feel sick at all.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “386310”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

I opened a BBQ joint in the apocalypse. While others are fighting zombies on empty stomachs, I’m feasting on sizzling, fatty pork belly every day. 1 This is my third day in this world. I stared at the pork belly grilling on the rack and let out a heavy sigh. Three days ago, a gas tank exploded in my restaurant. When I opened my eyes, both my BBQ joint and I had been transported to this godforsaken wasteland. There’s no one here. Just ruins everywhere you look. At night, there are no streetlights. Beyond the glow of my shop, it’s pitch black. The craziest part? There are zombies. Real-life, blood-soaked, limb-missing zombies like in the movies! Fortunately, for some reason, the zombies can’t enter my shop. So I’ve been hiding out here, safe and sound. I flipped the pork belly. Once it turned golden brown and started dripping oil, I took it off the heat, blew on it, and stuffed it into my mouth. Fragrant, fatty, delicious. My culinary skills are still top-tier. But there’s a catch. My shop currently has an endless supply of pork belly and beer, but literally nothing else. Every time I try to grab other ingredients from the fridge, an invisible barrier blocks my hand. A robotic voice chimes in: “Please open for business. Serve customers to unlock remaining ingredients.” After three days of nothing but pork belly, I’m about to throw up. But where are the customers? Aside from the wandering zombies, there isn’t a soul in sight. I can’t exactly invite a zombie in for a cold one, can I? I squatted by the door, holding a skewer, sighing and hoping a customer would fall from the sky. After squatting until my legs went numb, the doorway remained empty. The night was thick with fog, and the only sounds from the distant ruins were the wails of the undead. In this pitch-black world, my BBQ joint was the only speck of light. I downed the last of my beer and was about to head to the back room to sleep when a staggering figure appeared at the door. I thought it was a zombie, but then I squinted—it was actually a person! A young guy, maybe 5’9″, with a round face. Although he was covered in blood and stumbling, his eyes were clear… It was a real, live human! He was staring at me in shock, utter disbelief written all over his face, his hand trembling as it rested on the window. A customer! My brain screamed. Before I could even think, my hand flew to open the door. I put on my best customer-service smile, just like back at the night market: “Hey handsome, want some BBQ?” 2 Kyle sat in a daze at the BBQ table. It was a real BBQ joint. Surrounded by cheap green plastic chairs stained with grease, kegs of draft beer in the corner. The disposable chopsticks on the table looked cheap—classic night market style. The air was filled with the scent of roasting meat, mixed with oil and spices. Familiar yet strange. How long had it been since he’d eaten BBQ…? Since the apocalypse started three years ago, he hadn’t had a decent meal. Once a chubby guy pushing 200 pounds, he was now a scrawny 130. He was practically skin and bones. And now… he looked up at the shop owner. Was this BBQ joint in the ruins real or a hallucination?! The young female owner was grinning as she grilled a handful of pork belly. The fat rendered over the fire, dripping onto the charcoal with sizzling pops. The scent of cumin drifted through the air, melding with the meat aroma, making his stomach cramp and his mouth water uncontrollably. Kyle thought he should leave. This was the apocalypse. Nations had fallen. Only a fraction of humanity remained. How could a BBQ joint exist in a place like this? And such a normal BBQ joint at that—which was abnormal in itself! But the smell of grilled meat was like a rope, binding him to the spot. He couldn’t move. His eyes were glued to the skewers over the fire. He wanted to snatch them and shove them down his throat! Luckily, the torture didn’t last long. The owner sprinkled a final dash of chili powder, pressed the meat onto the grill one last time, and piled twenty skewers onto a plate. She then filled a huge glass mug from the beer keg. The frosty beer mug instantly beaded with condensation. She placed the tray and beer on Kyle’s table with a smile. “Thanks for waiting!” The steam from the skewers hit his face, carrying an aggressive, delicious aroma. Kyle was stunned by the smell. He stared blankly at the slightly charred pork belly and hesitated: “Is this… for me? Can I eat it?” The owner laughed. “Of course. But do you have anything to pay with?” Kyle thought for a moment, then frantically dug a few green crystals out of his pocket. He scratched his head, handing them over sheepishly: “Is this okay? Level 1 zombie cores. They can buy two corn cakes right now…” He lowered his head as he spoke, knowing their value was far less than this pile of meat. After all, this was meat. In the first year of the apocalypse, all livestock vanished. He couldn’t remember the last time he ate meat. Frozen meat sold for astronomical prices on the black market, if you could even find it. And this pork belly looked incredibly fresh. Kyle’s face flushed red. He wanted to run, but he was glued to the seat. It smelled too good. Even just one bite! These crystals were his only wealth. He had gotten beaten up protecting them just now. To his surprise, the owner picked up the crystals with curiosity, looked them over, and nodded. “Sure. If it’s not enough, tell me, I’ll grill more.” She went back to the counter. Kyle stared at her in shock, but the aroma of pork belly had already infiltrated every pore, bypassing his brain entirely! He grabbed a skewer and shoved it into his mouth— The meat was tender. Incredibly tender. Probably marinated beforehand. The fatty parts were charred just right. When he bit down, the hot oil and savory juices exploded in his mouth, scalding him. But he couldn’t bear to spit it out. He didn’t even feel the burn anymore, chewing every piece with reverence. Chili, cumin, sesame… the medley of flavors made Kyle’s eyes sting with tears. He finally realized what food meant. After this bite, he could die happy! “Drink some beer, don’t just eat the meat!” The owner called out: “It’s fresh draft, changed daily.” Kyle paused and looked at the beer. The huge glass was frosted over, water droplets sliding down its sides onto the table. The scent of wheat and alcohol mixed together. He grabbed the handle with trembling hands and took a slow sip. The ice-cold beer, carbonated and sharp, washed down his esophagus, instantly quenching the heat from the spicy meat. Every pore in his body sighed with relief! Kyle slammed the mug onto the table, eyes red, and shouted: “Awesome!” The owner glanced over and smiled. Before Kyle knew it, the twenty skewers were gone. When he snapped out of it, the plate was just a pile of metal skewers. No meat left. The beer mug was empty, not a drop remaining. Kyle rubbed his stomach, disappointed. He wasn’t full. His stomach was screaming for more. But he clenched his empty pocket and gritted his teeth to stand up. Seeing him stand, the owner trotted over. “Done? Want to order more?” Kyle smiled bitterly and shook his head. “Thank you… I’ll come back when I have money.” He took a deep, lingering sniff of the lingering aroma, pushed open the door, and stepped back into the night. 3 I lay in bed that night, holding the crystals, grinning like an idiot. Customer served. New ingredients unlocked, right? Sure enough, when I opened the fridge, the crystals vanished from my hand. Reaching in, alongside the pork belly, I pulled out a giant squid. Grilled squid, my love! Those twenty skewers were worth it! I picked out a few squids and threw them on the grill. I was so sick of pork belly. Tonight’s dinner: Grilled Squid! … For the next few days, no new customers came. This place is desolate. Aside from passing zombies, there are no living things. I survived on pork belly and squid for half a week. Even the squid was starting to lose its appeal. Was my prayer heard? Just as I wished for a new customer, there was a knock on the door again. I looked through the glass. It was the customer from last week. The boy named Kyle. He was shouting anxiously: “Boss! Boss, please save my brother! I can pay with crystals!” I realized he was supporting someone. It was too dark to see clearly before. The man was hurt badly, blood dripping everywhere. He couldn’t stand straight, leaning heavily on Kyle. Kyle’s eyes were red with desperation. “Boss, please! I brought crystals this time, lots of crystals!” This kid was polite when he paid last time and didn’t ask too many questions. I liked him. I quickly opened the door to let them in. “What happened?” Kyle wiped away tears, voice full of hate. “People ambushed me for my crystals. My brother came to save me and got jumped!” “He would have been fine, but he just killed a Level 4 zombie and hadn’t recovered yet…” “Those animals!” He clenched his fist, then begged: “Boss, do you have medicine? I’ll trade all my crystals!” He pulled handfuls of shiny crystals from his pocket. Green, yellow, red. They rolled on the table, glittering beautifully. A few days ago, I was living in a peaceful city. The worst violence I saw was a drunk fight with beer bottles. I’d never seen a living person this bloody. I didn’t care about the money. I told Kyle to put the man on the cot in the back room. It was my nap bed—small, but clean. Kyle struggled to get him onto the bed. His brother was tall, probably over 6’2″. His feet hung off the edge. I got a basin of hot water and wiped the blood off his face with a damp towel. Pushing aside his blood-matted hair, I realized this man was handsome. High nose bridge, sharp jawline. Even with his eyes closed, his thick lashes trembled. Even unconscious, his brow was furrowed tight in pain. His clothes were soaked in blood. I hesitated and handed the towel to Kyle. “You do it.” Kyle didn’t hesitate. He ripped his brother’s shirt open right in front of me. Wow. Defined muscles. That six-pack was stacked neater than my meat inventory. But it was covered in fresh wounds and old scars. Such a waste of a prime human specimen. I peeked from the side, handing bandages to Kyle. Since I lived in this shop, doing prep work and grilling, I kept a stock of basic meds. Kyle glanced at me, grateful. “Thank you, Boss. I’ll repay you.” I waved my hand. “Don’t mention it.” 4 When Leo woke up, he found himself in a bed. He froze. Since the apocalypse began, he had rarely slept in a bed. Zombies were like a plague. Once one person was infected, the whole area fell. So they slept on the ground, sometimes out in the open. Sleeping sitting up was a luxury. Usually, he’d wake up every hour or two. He hadn’t slept this well in a long time. Leo moved slightly, feeling the warmth of the down comforter. It smelled faintly of body wash. It was pumping heat into his body, cold from blood loss. As he looked up, a girl smiled and handed him two white pills. “Awake?” “You have a fever.” The girl was pale, with great skin. She didn’t look like she belonged in the apocalypse. Her eyes curved when she smiled, voice crisp. “Take some antibiotics.” Leo looked at her pale palm. Two white pills lay there. His pupils contracted. After the apocalypse, medicine prices skyrocketed. Pharmaceutical factories shut down. Drugs were scarce. Three years in, even a box of expired antibiotics cost several Level 3 crystals. And now, this girl was casually offering them like candy. Leo felt dazed. Was it poison? But his silly brother Kyle was urging him excitedly: “Bro, eat it quick!” If she wanted to kill him, she could have done it while he was out. No need for tricks. Leo paused, then took the pills and swallowed them with the warm water she offered. “Thank you,” he whispered. He fished a few red crystals from his pocket. “These are Level 3 crystals. For the medicine.” The girl didn’t hesitate, grabbing them all. “You’re not well, so you should eat light. But unfortunately, I only have BBQ here. How about some pork belly and squid? Mild spicy?” Leo didn’t process what she meant, but his idiot brother jumped up. “You have squid now?! Boss, give me 10 skewers! I brought enough money this time!” The girl rolled her eyes and gestured a size about the length of her forearm. “My squid is this big. Ten will kill you. I’ll grill 4, and 50 pork belly skewers. Beer?” Kyle nodded furiously. “Yes! Large mugs!” Leo rarely felt this helpless. Since the apocalypse, he became strong quickly. He could solo Level 4 zombies. But right now, he felt like an idiot. He didn’t understand a word they were saying. Pork belly? Squid? Beer? Are these code names for new ration bars? How could BBQ and beer exist in the apocalypse? But he watched as the girl put on an apron and struggled to pull a huge bundle of skewers from a freezer. The frozen squid was multicolored and covered in ice crystals. It really was as big as she said. Leo was lost. This really is a BBQ joint. When they were ambushed and he got hurt, Kyle dragged him here, saying there was a shop with a nice owner who could save him. He thought Kyle was hallucinating. Until they actually saw that tiny light in the cold night, and he passed out. So Kyle wasn’t crazy. There really was a shop?! Leo picked up the towel. It was still hot. He wiped his face, feeling sensation slowly return to his body. Over there, the girl had started the fire. Squid on one side, pork belly on the other. Sizzling. The fat from the pork dripped onto the charcoal, popping and crackling. The girl brushed oil onto the whitening squid, its edges curling. She pressed it down with a metal plate. Sizzle. Then she brushed on a thick layer of sweet and spicy sauce. The unique aroma of teppanyaki squid filled the room. “Mild spicy, right?” Her technique was pro. Fifty skewers of pork belly turned from red to golden brown, mesmerizing to watch. Kyle wiped his mouth, staring at the grill unblinkingly, like a dog waiting for scraps. Leo muttered, dazed: “…Sure.” The girl grabbed a shaker of chili powder, dusted the meat, and let it roast for two more minutes. “Order up! Kyle, go pour the beer. Mugs are in the bottom cabinet.” “Yes ma’am!” Kyle sprang into action, grabbing three glass mugs and opening the tap on the keg. Golden, clear beer rushed into the mug, topped with thick white foam, smelling of malt. Even Leo, who faced zombie hordes without flinching, rubbed his eyes and pinched his thigh. Hiss. It hurt. It’s real. Kyle dragged the plastic table and chairs in front of Leo and turned on the overhead light. The light reflected off the oily sheen of the meat. “Bro, eat! With your constitution, a little BBQ won’t hurt!” Kyle invited the girl to sit, then downed half his beer in one go. His face scrunched up, then relaxed. “Awesome!” “I’ve been dreaming of this. Saved all these crystals just to binge on skewers!” He grabbed a hot skewer of pork belly and stuffed it in his mouth— Explosion of flavor! “This is life,” Kyle said tearfully. “How long has it been since I had a full meal? Eating corn cakes and wild greens every day, my throat has calluses.” The girl clinked her glass against his. Leo swallowed involuntarily. “Eat!” the girl urged him. “You paid enough. Don’t worry, there’s plenty more in the fridge!” She handed him a squid skewer. The seafood umami mixed with charcoal and spices hit him like a cavalry charge! Warm lights, steaming meat, ice-cold beer. Leo looked at the skewer in his hand. His brain short-circuited. This was too unreal. Like a dream. A beautiful dream. He tentatively lifted the skewer. It was so big it needed two sticks. Thick sauce coated it, smelling sweet, salty, and spicy. He glanced at the other two, then took a bite. Thick, bouncy meat with a slight crunch. The unique texture of squid mixed with the sauce filled his mouth. It was real squid. Not dried tofu or synthetic meat. His mouth, used to tasteless rations, spasmed in delight. Leo ate faster and faster. Before he knew it, he was holding two empty sticks. He hadn’t even realized he finished the whole thing. He felt awkward. He was always the protector, saving the best for the elders and kids in his clan. Now he lost control. But the other two didn’t look at him. Kyle’s mouth was stuffed with pork belly, mumbling: “Bro, try the pork belly. It’s insane!” The girl boasted, “I use the best pork belly. Almost $3 a pound. Didn’t overcharge you!” “Right, right! Great value!” Kyle struggled to swallow. So Leo picked up a pork belly skewer… That night, they ate and grilled, grilled and ate. By the time they were full, a mountain of skewers sat on the table. Leo swallowed the last piece, sighed in satisfaction, and wiped the sweat from his forehead. Then he saw the pile of sticks and froze. They ate so much! How much was this going to cost?! The crystals they brought definitely weren’t enough. What now?! Maybe he could leave Kyle here to wash dishes!

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “386309”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel