Category: English

The day after I had a fight with my husband over his first love, a young, energetic guy showed up at my door soaking wet. “Please, can I stay here?” he begged. Without hesitation, I let him stay for three months. During those three months, he did everything he could to make me happy and win my affection. Everyone said he had ulterior motives and was getting close to me for some other purpose. They warned me not to fall for him. Sure enough, as soon as I agreed to be with him, Jason smirked and told me he was Jessica’s childhood friend, and he had only gotten close to me for her happiness. But I already knew that, and I had collected evidence of my husband’s affair with his first love. “Thanks for helping me gather evidence. Now you can get lost.” Three months after a big fight with my husband Ethan, I returned to our home of three years for the first time, having collected all the evidence of his affair with Jessica and discussed divorce plans with my lawyer. “That old hag is wrapped around my finger now. If I tell her to kneel, she wouldn’t dare stand up!” Jason’s familiar voice came through the door. It was different from his usual pitiful tone when talking to me – arrogant and smug. I paused as I was about to open the door. Ethan and Jessica’s voices followed. “You’ve got her trained like that in less than three months? I thought Rachel loved me so much, but turns out she’s such a slut.” “Jason, you’ve suffered for my happiness. Once Ethan successfully divorces that old cow, I’ll make it up to you!” I quietly pushed open the door and saw Jessica sitting in Ethan’s lap. Jason sat nearby, surrounded by his buddies who used to joke about me and him. “Rachel said it’s her birthday today and she has a surprise for Jason. We all know the old hag can’t hold back anymore. Once she takes her clothes off, we’ll burst into the room and take photos of her in heat as evidence of cheating.” “If it weren’t for that old cow stubbornly clinging to Ethan, we wouldn’t have to set her up to cheat and force a divorce.” “Isn’t she supposed to be so successful in her career? When we post the video online, everyone will see what a slut she is. It’ll be payback for Jessica!” “After the truth comes out, the old hag will probably go crazy. She might even kneel and beg us to let her off!” “Jason, you take one for the team tonight. If she’s not bad, maybe let the rest of us have a go too.” My husband of seven years and the man who had been devoted to me for three months were unfazed by the other men’s blatant insults towards me. I quietly closed the door. My feelings of guilt towards Jason instantly turned to anticipation and excitement. I knew it was too good to be true – a handsome guy in his early 20s showing up at my door in a soaking wet white tank top, pitifully begging me to take him in. So Jason was Jessica’s childhood friend, and he had appeared to seduce me so Ethan could catch us in bed, get evidence to ruin me, and kick me out penniless in the divorce. Three months ago, Jessica had returned from abroad and moved in with us, using the excuse that she couldn’t find a place to stay. My husband of seven years, married for three, didn’t take my side. Instead, he told me to sleep in the guest room. “Jessica has nightmares if she doesn’t sleep in a big bed. Can’t you make this small sacrifice for me instead of being so unreasonable?” I put up with it for a week, but Jessica showed no signs of leaving. Every morning, Jessica acted like the perfect wife, wearing an apron and making Ethan breakfast. “Rachel, a man is a woman’s sky and earth. A man’s hands are only for making money, how can you let him do housework?” “I’m so envious of you, marrying such a good husband like Ethan. If I were Ethan’s wife, I would never let him step foot in the kitchen.” Knowing I was allergic to tomatoes, Jessica deliberately squeezed tomato sauce all over my sandwich. I broke out in hives and passed out at work from difficulty breathing. When I woke up, Jessica was crying in Ethan’s arms. I pointed at Jessica, my hand shaking. “Either she goes, or I go.”

Ethan frowned, acting like I was being unreasonable. “It’s just an allergy, why are you making such a big deal out of it? I’ve never heard of anyone dying from allergies. Jessica almost fainted when she heard what happened to you.” Ethan and I had a huge fight. He threw our wedding rings on the ground. I packed my bags and left that night, moving into another rental apartment. The next day, Jason appeared at my door. “Can I stay here for the night? Don’t worry, I have money and I’ll be good.” Actually, I already knew Jason was Jessica’s childhood friend. After finding out she was coming back, I had looked up all her social media accounts and found many photos of Jason. Whenever she fought with Ethan or was upset, there were always photos of Jason quietly by her side. Without a doubt, Jason was Jessica’s loyal puppy dog, the devoted second male lead. Thanks to Jessica, I received the attentive care of this devoted second male lead for three months, and got to play the female lead for once. Two months in, Ethan and I ran into each other while shopping. He glared at Jason beside me. “Who’s this guy? It hasn’t been that long and you’re already with someone new. You’ve really disappointed me!” I gave him what he wanted, acting haughty and replying, “None of your business!” I pulled Jason into the mall. He pushed me against the wall in a changing room. “Your husband doesn’t treat you well at all. He’s old and ugly, totally unworthy of you. Not like me – I only want to cherish you.” I grabbed Jason’s collar, squeezing out two pitiful tears. “I know, right? And that vixen still has the nerve to seduce him. I guess trash attracts trash!” Hearing me talk that way about his beloved, Jason clenched his jaw but had to keep comforting me. Pretending to be delighted by his comfort, I stood on my tiptoes to kiss him. His eyes widened in panic as he jerked backwards. For the past month, although Jason had acted very fond of me, he was reluctant to get too physical. I knew he found me less attractive than Jessica, being two years older. But he seemed to have forgotten that Jessica had sent him to sacrifice his body to seduce me. Since that was the case, why keep up the act? I pretended to be disappointed and let go of his collar, pouting with red-rimmed eyes. “I thought you said you liked me? Why won’t you even kiss me?” Jason’s eyes were a mess of emotions. He clenched and unclenched his fists before finally forcing out a stiff smile. “Of course I’ll do anything to make you happy.” I eagerly went to kiss him. He closed his eyes with a look of grim resignation. But I deliberately missed, brushing past the corner of his mouth before shoving him away. I ran out of the changing room with a coy expression, and sure enough saw Jessica outside with a thunderous face. Seeing my flushed face and the lipstick mark on the corner of Jason’s mouth, Jessica nearly ground her teeth to dust. “Broad daylight in a public place – have you no shame?!” “Jessica, you’re the one who should be asking yourself that question. After all, you’re the one who’s taken shamelessness to new heights.” Jessica’s face turned red. She sneered, “I’m standing up for Ethan! He works himself to the bone at the office to support you, while you’re lazy and now fooling around with some boy toy!” The irony was, I had bought our house in cash, my salary was twice Ethan’s, and I paid for most of our expenses. That’s why Ethan did housework – he felt guilty about freeloading. I deliberately pulled the uncomfortable-looking Jason closer, saying haughtily, “Jessica, you already have Ethan. Don’t tell me you want to steal this one from me too?” Seeing that I seemed to have genuinely fallen for Jason, Jessica finally relaxed a bit. She looked at Jason and me like we were adulterers. Afterwards, I went on a shopping spree in the mall, making Jason pay for everything. His face got paler and paler as he hesitantly pulled out his card again and again. After all, his job was mediocre, and I had nearly wiped out half a year of his savings in one go. But he had no choice – wasn’t he pursuing me? Hadn’t he said he’d do anything to make me happy? As we were leaving the mall, Jason said he needed to use the restroom. I nodded and followed him secretly. At a corner, I saw him standing unhappily in front of Jessica. “How much longer do I have to keep this up? I can’t stand that old hag for another day. Having to act cutesy with her makes me want to puke!” Jessica stroked his head, swinging his hand back and forth. “Bear with it a little longer for my happiness, okay? Didn’t you promise to be my knight in shining armor forever?” Seeing Jason was still upset, Jessica bit her lip and gave him a quick kiss. Comforted by this, Jason cheered up and treated me even better in the following days. But what people fear most is getting used to something. Over our three months living together, Jason had grown accustomed to taking care of my daily life – cooking, doing laundry, picking me up from work, taking me out for nice meals. At first he would stiffen uncomfortably when I took his arm, instinctively rejecting it. Now he would buy me gifts just to see me jump into his arms and kiss him. The acting in his eyes grew less and less, while my calculations became clearer and clearer. After learning his password and being able to freely check his phone, I looked through his group chat with his buddies more than once. Jessica was the only girl in the chat. Jason reported on his progress pursuing me every day. At first, he would boast in the group: “I’ll have that old hag wrapped around my finger in no time. She already obeys my every word.” “Took the old hag shopping today. She tried to kiss me – I got goosebumps, it was so gross. If it wasn’t for Jessica, I’d want to kick her to the curb!” “Sigh, thinking about how devoted the old hag is to me, when I’m going to utterly ruin her reputation…I feel a tiny bit guilty.” His buddies would cheer him on in the chat, saying there was no woman Jason couldn’t conquer. They even planned that after Jason had me under his mental control, the group of them would take turns using me. Jessica would also message him privately, acting concerned: “I’m sorry, Jason. You have to put on an act with that disgusting slut for my happiness. If only I had fallen in love with you instead.” Those words had Jason over the moon. But gradually, Jason took longer and longer to reply to messages. “Rachel just fell asleep so I couldn’t check my phone. Nothing special today, just did chores as usual.” “Was making a midnight snack for Rachel earlier so couldn’t see the messages. She seems to like me a lot now. She even praised me for how neatly I peeled the crab for her today.” “Taking videos is fine, but I should be the only one filming. She’s still a woman after all, that would be going too far. Isn’t there another way?” Not just Jason’s buddies, but even Jessica started to sense something was off. She began interrogating Jason. One night, I heard Jason on the balcony taking a call. Jessica’s crying voice came through. “Why are you always doing laundry and cooking for that bitch? Have you fallen for her? Don’t forget you’re supposed to be seducing her, making her kneel and beg us for mercy! Not being her personal chef!” Jason, who had always cared deeply about Jessica’s feelings, was silent for a full 30 seconds before answering. “How could I possibly love that slut? I haven’t forgotten my purpose. Don’t worry, I’ll definitely torment her until she’s utterly ruined, as a birthday gift for you.” “But from now on…don’t call me late at night anymore. She’s been under a lot of work stress lately and is a light sleeper. I’m afraid she’ll overhear.” “Are you afraid she’ll overhear, or afraid of disturbing her sleep?!” Jessica’s accusation followed immediately. I deliberately rolled over, making a small noise that caused Jason to instinctively hang up. He quietly came back to bed. Seeing I was still asleep, he let out a long sigh of relief. Over these three months, despite his coaxing, I had never gone further physically with Jason. But I did allow him to sleep in my bed. Jason carefully lifted the covers and got in bed. He gingerly put his arm around my waist and whispered in my ear: “Rachel, I’m sorry.” After he fell asleep, I opened my eyes, a mocking smile on my face.

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The first time I noticed something was off was when I smelled an unfamiliar body wash scent on her. We always use the same brand and fragrance at home. So that day when she came home and leaned in to kiss me, I immediately sensed something wasn’t right. “Did you shower somewhere else today?” I asked casually. “A bird pooped on my head. I didn’t want to stink up the house, so I showered at school before coming home,” she replied smoothly. I smiled and let my gaze drift quickly over her face. She was too calm. So I joked, “Good thing it didn’t happen back in our hometown. There, you’d have to collect rice from a hundred families to make a ‘hundred family meal’ to ward off the bad luck.” That evening, before my shower, I pulled out the clothes she had tossed in the washing machine. I sniffed them carefully but couldn’t detect any scent other than body wash. How could a woman go from morning to night, interacting with so many people, without picking up any traces of perfume, sweat or food smells? I examined her clothes meticulously. The average adult woman sheds about 50 hairs a day, mostly on the back. But this shirt didn’t have a single hair on it! It was as clean as if she had just put it on before coming home. That night, Olivia was especially affectionate, clinging to me and initiating intimacy. I felt nauseous the whole time. I have mild germaphobia, and even though there was still uncertainty, the whole process felt like swallowing a dead fly. “Honey, you don’t seem very into it tonight,” Olivia curled up in my arms afterwards. “Did you hear something upsetting during a therapy session again?”

I’m a hypnotherapist. Many people think we’re like clear mountain springs – tranquil and pure. In reality, we deal with people’s psychological issues every day. As they say, ‘When you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes back.’ The monsters in our clients’ minds often project onto us, creating new monsters within ourselves. Most of the time we can self-regulate. When we can’t, we turn to colleagues for help. “It was a case of chronic infidelity,” I made up a story. “The wife is notoriously promiscuous. She used to cheat discreetly, but after her husband found out, she started brazenly bringing men home.” “The husband, my client, loves his wife deeply and doesn’t want a divorce. He’s suffering terribly.” I rolled over with a frown. “Why are you women so unfaithful?” “That’s totally unfair! You can’t lump all women together like that,” Olivia pinched my waist playfully. “Not all women are unfaithful. It depends on their moral standards.” “Some women have no moral bottom line and sleep around. Others, like your wife, have very high standards. I’m your first and I’ll be your last, for life.” I couldn’t detect anything amiss from her micro-expressions. But that was normal. It would be abnormal if I could. As an associate professor of mathematics, she’s far more intelligent than me.

Olivia and I met in college. We both did our bachelor’s and master’s degrees consecutively – me in psychology, her in math. Everyone said we were a power couple when we started dating, a collision of two rational minds. We got married right after finishing our master’s degrees, to no one’s surprise. She became a lecturer at the university, teaching undergrads while pursuing her PhD. With my advisor’s support and my parents’ financial help, I opened my own psychological counseling practice. I majored in applied psychology, with hypnotherapy as my specialty. Psychology got a late start in the US. In the early days, people were more skeptical than accepting of psychology, let alone hypnosis. They thought the whole field was a scam. My practice struggled at first, but slowly improved. After successfully handling a few big cases, I gained some renown in the industry.

Fame may seem intangible, but it brings very real benefits. The revenue of my practice skyrocketed. There’s a saying: “A man’s confidence and status come from money.” Because I was earning more, my position at home also rose. I felt more secure and was almost certain Olivia wouldn’t cheat. But reality slapped me hard in the face… The day after I first noticed something off, I picked her up from work and hugged her as usual. The seed of doubt had been planted in my mind about her clothes. Seeing her suspiciously clean outfit again, I slipped a lighter into her coat pocket without hesitation. Then I pretended nothing had happened and cheerfully took her out to dinner. During the meal, she went to the bathroom once for a full ten minutes. When she came back, she looked uneasy. “What’s wrong?” I asked. “Nothing, just some work stuff,” she replied. “Do you need to go back to campus?” “No, I’ll deal with it tomorrow.” We were both putting on an act – me playing the clueless husband, her selling the ‘stressed about work’ story. When we got home, she took off her coat and grabbed her phone to shower. I felt in her coat pocket – the lighter was gone. Classic guilty behavior. I tiptoed to the bathroom door. First I heard the ‘ding’ of an incoming SnapChat message, then her lowered voice, sounding annoyed: “Who else would it be? No need to explain! … I’m at home, we’ll talk tomorrow!” My heart sank. Before we got married, we had both expressed the same view: “Zero tolerance for cheating, no compromises.” I backed away, poured myself a drink, and sat on the couch pondering my next move… We don’t have kids, so divorce would only involve dividing assets. Apart from our fixed assets – house, car, collectibles and savings – Olivia manages all our joint finances. She handles the stocks, funds and insurance policies. All the linked bank cards are with her. I hardly ever ask about it… “Honey, what made you decide to have a drink tonight?” Olivia came out of the bathroom, toweling her hair. “Just to set the mood,” I raised my glass in her direction, with a hint of invitation. “I saw you go straight to shower when you got home, so I thought you… Or am I wrong?” “You’re right,” she straddled my lap and kissed me, arms around my neck. Two people with zero interest, both pretending to be in the mood. I still felt sick to my stomach, like I’d swallowed a dead fly, but I kept reminding myself: “Don’t let her realize I know.” I’ve seen many divorces. No matter how passionate the couple once was, few remain civil when it comes to dividing assets. Most turn ugly. I didn’t want to see her ugly side, nor did I want her to see mine. So the best approach was to “elegantly calculate everything in advance.” I’m a selfish person. I don’t want years of hard work to benefit someone else.

The next day, I did two things. First, “I went to a law firm and hired a lawyer to advise me on next steps.” The lawyer first affirmed my actions from the night before – don’t confront her yet. Get everything prepared before showing your hand. You want to catch her off guard. He was slightly concerned about the lighter: “You were a bit rash there. Given your wife’s intelligence, she’ll quickly suspect you planted it.” I replied, “She has no proof. I bought that lighter recently when getting cigarettes. It’s not my usual brand.” The lawyer told me to be careful not to slip up, then recommended “three steps plus one additional suggestion.” “Step 1: Collect evidence of her infidelity.” “Step 2: Apply to the court for asset protection based on the evidence.” I don’t need to compile a detailed list of assets. Just provide leads on the assets and apply for court protection. The court can then take protective measures. “Step 3: File for divorce, request dissolution of the marriage. The judge will determine how to divide marital assets based on the evidence.” Additional suggestion: “If Olivia purchased any high-value items for her lover during the marriage, like a house or car, that’s considered misappropriation of marital assets. I can legally reclaim those.” “The second thing I did was hire a private investigator to gather evidence of Olivia’s affair.” This person is technically called a ‘private investigator’, though less politely they’re known as ‘paparazzi’. They often help dig up celebrity gossip too. My requirements were: “A. I want to know who the other man is and how long it’s been going on.” “B. Dating photos that prove their relationship, like kissing or entering a hotel.” “C. I want to know if Olivia has given him any expensive gifts, like a house or car.” The PI readily agreed, though his fee wasn’t cheap.

The PI’s efficiency puts soap opera plot lines to shame. Those TV wives who spend ages trying to catch cheating husbands should just hire a PI without hesitation. Just four days after I hired him, the PI had already identified the other man. Someone familiar. His name is Jake. A golden boy who made it out of his small town. During college, he interned at my practice as a senior. After graduating, he worked for me for another six months. I even wrote him a recommendation letter for his current job… Who would have thought? Talk about biting the hand that feeds you! I almost laughed out loud. Two weeks ago at an industry gathering, he clinked glasses with me and casually asked how I’d handle it if my wife cheated. I thought it was an odd question at the time. Turns out it was his subtle way of declaring war. I’m sure Olivia sensed his intentions too. That’s why when I put the lighter in her pocket, she never suspected me. “When did they start?” I asked the PI. “Not sure yet, but they’ve been living together for 2 years. Here’s their address…” I looked at the address on the notepad. It was an apartment complex not far from the university, also close to Jake’s workplace. Convenient for both of them. “Did they buy or rent?” “Bought. In Jake’s name.” I didn’t need to ask who paid for it. Jake only has a bachelor’s degree and has been working less than 5 years. He’s not well-known in the field yet, with a monthly salary of just over $1000. Back in his hometown, the whole village would be eager to help out their college graduate. Plus he has a good-for-nothing brother who always needs support… But that apartment complex, even at prices from 3 years ago, would cost at least $200,000 for 800 square feet! I sighed. Olivia is usually so frugal, she won’t even buy me a $1000 watch. But for her lover, she easily shells out over $200,000 for an apartment! “Don’t be too heartbroken, man!” the PI consoled me. “Women are like that, thinking with their lower half.” “That guy isn’t as good-looking as you, and his vibe is way off. Your wife just got bored and wanted some excitement.” I smiled wryly.

Olivia’s choice of Jake was partly about “boredom and excitement”, but more about psychological needs. They both grew up in small towns, fighting their way to the big city. There’s a sense of kindred spirits there. Olivia sees a bit of herself in Jake. Olivia and I come from very different backgrounds. As she puts it, she struggled for 20 years just to have the chance to drink coffee with me at Starbucks. Between us, even though she now has high social status, there’s still deep-rooted insecurity. Whenever we go somewhere fancy, she can’t help but feel nervous, always observing others first. But with Jake, given her absolute advantage in economic and social status, she must feel much more relaxed and empowered. Plus, in their hometown there’s a backwards notion that a woman’s success isn’t just about how much she earns or achieves, but how many men she can attract. We discussed this topic back in college. Olivia vehemently criticized that view. Unfortunately, ideas ingrained over many years become part of one’s core. They can’t be easily erased just by adopting the right values. As for Jake, I won’t speculate on whether he truly loves Olivia. In the adult world, relationships are often just about mutual benefit. When Jake interned with me years ago, he repeatedly expressed envy of my background, career and marriage. So from my perspective, by being with Olivia, he gains material support. Emotionally, he probably feels like he’s finally surpassed me in something. “Here are their photos, boss. This is all we’ve got so far,” the PI handed me several pictures. “Do you want to go to court now, or wait a few more days?” I looked at the photos of them coming and going together, feeling conflicted. Past vows of eternal love, no match for the passage of time. “Christmas is in a couple days,” the PI glanced at my expression cautiously. “Maybe you want to think it over some more?” “In my line of work, you see a lot of dirty business,” the PI said. “To be honest, women who never stray in their whole lives are pretty rare.” For a moment I wavered, but finally just said, “Keep a close eye on them for me.”

Christmas came quickly. Olivia showed up at my office with a huge bouquet of red roses, which was highly unusual for her. The young staff at the office teased us as usual, giving envious looks, posting in the work SnapChat group about being “fed dog food” (seeing a sickeningly sweet couple)… I left work early, browsed the mall a bit, bought a pair of shoes and a necklace for her. Then we went for a Western dinner. I actually cherished the whole process, knowing it might be our last holiday together. But unexpectedly, halfway through dinner, Olivia got a call saying she had to leave. She said her coworker had a fight with her boyfriend. They got into a physical altercation on the street and were now at the hospital. The police were taking statements. She had to go check on them. I know most of Olivia’s close coworkers who would call her for something like this. I picked up my coat and said “I’ll come with you”, but Olivia stopped me. She told me to enjoy my meal, saying the people involved didn’t want too many others to know. She promised to call me after playing peacemaker. I understood immediately, reminded of those palace dramas on TV! The favored concubines always like to flaunt their status in front of the empress, not knowing how they’ll end up dead. “Alright, you go ahead,” I sat back down. “I’ll finish dinner and then hang out at a bar for a bit.” Olivia smiled at me, leaned down to cup my face, and touched her forehead to mine affectionately. “Don’t flirt with any floozies,” she said in her usual doting tone. I made a sound of agreement. Keeping up the act, I teased back, “You never know! Better hurry back if you’re gonna be jealous.” Olivia pinched my nose and turned to leave. Watching her walk away, I called the PI: “Where are you? Olivia just left.” The PI said he was tailing Jake, then gave me an address. From our restaurant to Jake’s location, even with Christmas traffic, should take about 40 minutes by car. But an hour passed. The PI messaged that Olivia still hadn’t arrived. I almost thought Olivia had a fourth lover on the side. Or maybe a coworker really did end up in the hospital. But 20 minutes later, the PI said Olivia had arrived…

That night, I met some friends at a bar. Surrounded by the noisy crowd, all I could picture was those two in bed together. I got home at midnight. Olivia wasn’t back yet. I went into the study and reached for the computer. Before I even touched it, I knew why Olivia had taken twice as long to reach Jake after leaving the restaurant. She’d come home first. Someone had used my computer. Everyone has their own computer habits. My left and right eyes have different degrees of nearsightedness, plus my right eye has astigmatism. So I keep the computer slightly tilted on the desk. Olivia knows this house too well. So well that she forgot to pay attention to these details. The computer use history had been cleared. Apart from some cutting-edge academic materials, the most important thing on my computer was the paper I was currently writing. Something Jake could directly use. Once published in an academic journal, the paper would boost my industry ranking. I don’t want to assume the worst intentions from Olivia and Jake, but I have to prepare for the worst case scenario. Although I only started writing that paper recently, I had been preparing for three years, analyzing thousands of cases and investing huge amounts of time and energy. [Stealing my academic work is even more despicable than stealing my woman!]

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Suddenly, after I got pregnant, Gabriel became incredibly attentive to me. He canceled all his social engagements and personally cooked for me. Everyone envied me for finding such a devoted husband. Until I accidentally discovered a document in his study – “Agreement for Directed Blood Donation During Pregnancy and Newborn Cord Blood Donation”. My name and ID number were clearly listed! In the beneficiary column was Aria Song, the love of his life he had kept abroad for seven years… From outside the door came his gentle, doting voice. “Don’t worry, Aria. I’m personally overseeing her. Nutrition, rest – everything is according to the highest standards. I guarantee the baby will be born healthy. Your life-saving treatment is absolutely assured!” So all those carefully prepared prenatal meals, the mountains of supplements – none of it was out of love for me. It was to raise me into a qualified “blood bank”! “Aria, don’t worry. When the baby is born, I’ll personally take it to the operating room.” “It’s an honor for her and the baby to contribute to your recovery.” Overhearing Gabriel’s phone conversation through the door, my stomach churned violently. Fighting back nausea, I opened the agreement I had found in his drawer – Agreement for Directed Blood Donation During Pregnancy and Cord Blood Donation. The agreement clearly stated: Party B, Olivia Chen, will provide 200cc of blood every 15 days during pregnancy for Miss Aria Song, who suffers from aplastic anemia. Party B will voluntarily donate the child’s cord blood after delivery for Miss Aria Song’s emergency treatment. … So all that blood the nurses had been drawing wasn’t for tests, but for Aria. And the date on this contract was the day after I found out I was pregnant. I remember Gabriel running back excitedly that day, hugging me and spinning me around. It turns out he wasn’t overjoyed, but had finally found the cure to save his true love’s life. My whole body felt drained of blood, chilled to the bone. I flipped from the first page of the agreement to the last. Supplementary terms were printed in bold black font. “If cord blood typing fails, Party B Olivia Chen must agree that when the child meets surgical conditions, they will undergo bone marrow transplant surgery for Miss Aria Song.” “As compensation, after successful surgery, Mr. Gabriel Gu will pay Miss Olivia Chen a one-time mental anguish fee of $1 million, and immediately terminate their marriage.” “Custody of the child will belong to Mr. Gabriel Gu.” My child. The child I risked my life to conceive. From before they were even born, their own father had put a price tag on them, turning them into a walking blood bag and bone marrow bank! Seven years of love, all that time he was good to me. I thought it was belated happiness. I never imagined it was actually cold-hearted calculation! “Thud.” The agreement slipped from my hands. My whole body went limp, and I had to grip the desk to keep from falling. The study door opened. Gabriel walked in carrying a bowl of bird’s nest soup. Seeing my pale face, he frowned slightly. “Olivia, why are you in the study? The doctor said you need more rest.” His voice was as gentle as ever, but I couldn’t help feeling nauseated. I had originally wanted to confront him about the agreement, but instead overheard that conversation. My heart burned with a thousand questions I wanted to ask him, but I trembled, unable to speak. His gaze followed mine to the agreement on the floor. He froze for an instant. But in just a second, his eyes returned to their usual calm, without even a hint of panic. He calmly walked over, picked up the agreement, put it back in the drawer, and locked it. The whole process was smooth and fluid, as if he was just handling an unimportant document. Then he came to stand in front of me, looking down with a tone of resignation and condescension. “You heard everything?” “Olivia, it’s not good to touch other people’s things without permission. But since you already know, I won’t hide it from you anymore.” “Aria is very ill. The doctors say this is her only chance.” “Olivia, you’ve always been kind-hearted. You’ll help me, won’t you?”

I stared into his eyes, which I once thought held the stars and sea. Now I realized they were a bottomless, icy pool. My kindness meant letting him treat my child like medical waste to save another woman? It felt like a burning coal was lodged in my throat. The searing pain left me unable to speak, only able to stare at him intently. Gabriel grew uncomfortable under my gaze. He looked away, his tone taking on a hint of barely noticeable irritation. “Don’t look at me like that.” “This won’t affect our child. The doctors have assessed it, it’s very safe.” “After it’s done, that million dollars will be enough for you to live comfortably for the rest of your life.” He paused, as if realizing his tone was too harsh, and softened his voice with a hint of coaxing. “Olivia, Aria is a human life too. We can’t stand by and let her die.” “You give birth to the child, get the money, we part ways amicably. It’s good for everyone.” Good for everyone? Using my child, my life, to save Aria – how is that good for everyone? If he really thought that, why did he work so hard to make it up to me all this time? In an instant, all those nights we spent in each other’s arms, him cooking for me, worrying about me – all those sweet memories of the past became carefully calculated schemes. It all became utterly disgusting! “Is that so?” I looked into his eyes, my voice hoarse and unfamiliar. “Then what if… I refuse?” The mask of tenderness Gabriel had worn for nine months shattered completely. He straightened up, looking down at me, his eyes cold as ice. “Olivia, you don’t have a choice in this matter.” “My woman and child should share my burdens.” With that, he turned to leave, stopping at the door without looking back. “Tomorrow at 9 AM, the driver will take you to the hospital. You’d better cooperate!” There is no greater sorrow than the death of one’s heart. My whole body went limp. I slid down the cold desk to the floor, unable to shed even a single tear. My phone vibrated in my pocket. I woodenly took it out. It was a bank deposit notification. $500,000. Sent by Gabriel. A down payment. He was always so thorough in everything he did. I stared at that string of numbers, suddenly laughing. So this was the marriage I had persevered in for seven years… I loved for seven years, was a fool for seven years. From now on, it was all over. From here on out, I would start planning for myself.

Early the next morning, I didn’t wait for the driver. Contrary to my usual style, I put on elaborate makeup and changed into the white dress Gabriel liked best. Seeing me come downstairs, Gabriel looked up and scanned me, his eyes filled with scrutiny and warning. I returned a docile smile, obediently sitting across from him. “Gabriel, I’ve thought it through.” My tone was calm. “You’re right. Helping Miss Aria won’t cost me anything.” “I’ll be good and do as you say.” Gabriel clearly hadn’t expected me to agree so quickly. “It’s good that you see it that way.” “I’ll have the lawyers redraft that agreement. If you cooperate, the compensation can be increased by another $500,000.” He was always so confident about me. I lowered my eyes, hiding the mockery in them. “The money’s not important. What’s important is, I have one condition.” “Go on.” I raised my head, looking straight into his eyes. “I want to meet Miss Aria.” “After all, I’m the child’s mother. I have the right to know who my child is saving.” “And… I want to see for myself what kind of woman is worth you going to such lengths for.” Gabriel’s brow furrowed, as if weighing the pros and cons. I continued to push, my voice tinged with a hint of grievance and trembling. “Don’t worry, I won’t do anything. I just… just want to let myself give up completely.” “Let me see her, and I can let go of all my fantasies about you, and calmly… complete this transaction.” Perhaps the word “transaction” pleased him. Or perhaps my current appearance, sufficiently pitiful and submissive, was enough. He was silent for a moment, then finally nodded. “Fine.” “I’ll arrange it for this afternoon.” The first step of my plan was successful. That afternoon, Gabriel personally drove me to that expensive private hospital. Compared to the ordinary single room where I had my prenatal checkups, Aria’s room was a VIP suite on the top floor, filled with sunlight, as cozy as a princess’s chamber. It seems favoritism is evident in every detail. Hiding my bitterness, I looked up. Aria was wearing pink hospital pajamas, her face pale as she leaned weakly against the headboard. Seeing Gabriel enter, her eyes lit up, her voice sweet and soft. “Gabriel, you’re here.” Her gaze fell on me, especially on my belly. That fragility instantly mixed with a barely noticeable hint of scrutiny and smugness. Gabriel walked over, tucking her blanket with practiced tenderness that could melt ice. “Aria, I brought Olivia to see you.” Only then did Aria turn her full attention to me, giving me an apologetic smile. “Mrs. Gu, hello.” “I’m so sorry that my illness has caused you so much trouble.” As she spoke, she gave a weak cough, her eyes rimming with red. “If there was any other way, I wouldn’t have agreed to Gabriel doing this.” “I hope you don’t blame him, he’s just too worried about me.” What a pitiful white lotus. In a few words, she absolved herself of all responsibility, while highlighting Gabriel’s deep love for her. I stood silently, just quietly looking at her. Then I smiled. I walked to her bedside, leaned down, and whispered so only the two of us could hear. “Miss Song, your acting is truly impressive.” “But you’d better be able to fool Gabriel for the rest of your life, and pray that I never reveal the truth.” Aria’s expression changed instantly!

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My dad called me at the classified government agency where I work, telling me to go back home for an arranged date. The potential match seemed great on paper – not only was he handsome, but also a renowned entrepreneur in the area. Before I left, my boss specifically instructed the airline to keep my identity confidential. I boarded the plane at the scheduled time and was about to take my seat when someone suddenly shoved me from behind. Before I could react, the person arrogantly pulled out a wad of cash. “I want this seat. Take the money and get lost.” I suppressed my anger and retorted, “This is clearly the seat I reserved in advance. What gives you the right to kick me out?” Faced with my questioning, the woman looked at me with disdain. “What gives me the right? I’m Mr. Smith’s personal assistant. In Bay City, even the birds in the sky have to answer to the Smith family, got it?” I was stunned for a few seconds, then took out my phone and called my potential fiancé. “I heard from your company that the Smith family can do whatever they want in Bay City. Is that true?” 0

If it weren’t for my dad’s sake, I wouldn’t have even bothered making this call. Stealing my reserved seat wasn’t something that could be resolved just by throwing money at it. If the person had a decent attitude about it, I might have been willing to let it slide. “I’m busy. What do you want?” The voice on the phone sounded very impatient. “Mr. Smith, I think you should ask your personal assistant what she’s trying to do,” I said, about to hand the phone over. But the call abruptly ended. I was dumbfounded. Is this how all rich people behave? Seeing this, the woman who stole my seat had a smug grin plastered across her face. “Oh my, I thought you were so impressive. Turns out Mr. Smith can’t even be bothered to talk to you!” Seeing I was only in my early 20s and dressed simply, she clearly didn’t take me seriously at all. “Miss, do you have any sense of decency left?” I asked. “You stole my seat, and I haven’t even made a fuss about it. How dare you mock me on top of that?” I pointed to a flight attendant nearby. “There are air marshals on board. If you keep causing trouble, don’t blame me for calling security!” When she heard me mention security, she became even more brazen. “Listen here you little brat, save your breath. This airline is owned by the Smith family. Do you really think anyone will help you?” She got more and more worked up as she spoke, spittle flying onto my face. I clenched my fists, instinctively taking a step back. “You keep going on about Mr. Smith this, the Smith family that. So tell me, what exactly is your relationship to the Smiths?” As soon as I finished speaking, she shoved me hard. “My relationship with the Smiths is none of your damn business. Now get lost!” “If you don’t leave right now, I’ll make sure you never get off this plane!” Having spent years in a government agency with minimal outside contact, I had no idea how to deal with this kind of shrew. Seeing her arrogant attitude, my anger levels were rapidly rising. “You steal my seat and now you’re threatening me? Who do you think you are, the Queen of England?” As soon as I said that, the other passengers on the plane gasped in shock. “Holy crap, this girl’s got some nerve! Daring to insult Ms. Zhang like that, she must have a death wish!” “It’s just a seat, what’s the big deal about giving it up? If she really offends them, she’ll be the one to suffer.” “Man, talk about bad luck. Of all people to run into, it had to be Yasmin Zhang. She’s Mr. Smith’s right-hand woman!” As the murmurs from the crowd grew louder, Ms. Zhang’s expression became even more smug. “You little bitch, how dare you insult me! Do you have a death wish?” Faced with her threats, I couldn’t care less. In fact, I found it almost amusing. “Ms. Zhang, I suggest you watch your language.” “If you really piss me off, not even your boss will be able to deal with the consequences.” “Watch my ass!” After cursing at me some more, she seemed to feel it wasn’t enough. She rolled up her sleeves and charged at me again. “What, Ms. Zhang? Resorting to violence at the drop of a hat, are we?” She swung at me several times but couldn’t even touch the hem of my clothes. She instantly became furious. “You little brat, try dodging one more time!” “I’ll call Mr. Smith right now, just you wait!” I didn’t fight back against the secretary’s repeated provocations, only dodging. It wasn’t because I was afraid of her, but because before I left the agency, my boss had repeatedly instructed me: “Your every word and action represents the image of our agency. When you’re out there, don’t get into conflicts with others no matter what.” Besides, I didn’t know how to fight. Either I don’t act at all, or I go for the kill in one strike! Seeing that I wasn’t saying anything, Ms. Zhang thought I had chickened out. She raised her hand and charged at me again. At the critical moment, a roar came from behind: “Stop right there!” 0

“Yasmin Zhang, you’re my personal assistant. How can you casually start fights in public?” A tall, muscular young man, surrounded by bodyguards, strode quickly to where we were standing. “Are you William Smith?” I asked. I carefully examined the man in front of me. I had to admit, my dad did have good taste. He was wearing a tailored suit, with sharp, chiseled features. If I had to find any flaw, it would be the cold look in his eyes as he gazed at me. “Mr. Smith, since this is our first meeting, please allow me to briefly introduce myself.” “My surname is Chen, given name Jessica. I’m from…” “No need!” William impatiently waved his hand to cut me off before I could finish. “We’ve met now. We’re not compatible. Get off the plane.” At that moment, I almost thought there was something wrong with my ears. I had gone through layers of approval from my agency superiors to take even half a day off. We had barely met, and he wouldn’t even let me finish introducing myself before telling me to leave? He was clearly treating me like an idiot! Thinking about this, my temper immediately flared up. “You must be William Smith, the man my dad set me up with for this arranged date, right?” “Isn’t it a bit rude to not even let me finish speaking before asking me to leave?” Hearing my words, William let out a derisive laugh. “Manners? Why don’t you take a look in the mirror – do you really think you’re worthy of me?” He glanced at me disdainfully. “I don’t know what my dad was thinking, wanting me to marry some trophy wife like you.” With those words, the crowd erupted once again. “What? This girl is actually Mr. Smith’s fiancée? This is unbelievable!” “A country bumpkin like her who’s never seen the world, dreaming of marrying into a rich family? She should take a good look at herself and see if she’s worthy.” “Mr. Smith is the most eligible bachelor in Bay City. I, Lily Roberts, will be the first to object to this marriage!” As the murmurs from the crowd grew louder, I was a bit bewildered. When did I ever say I wanted to marry him? Even if I did want to, it would still require approval from my superiors! “Alright, alright. I’m a trophy wife, you’re the young master. Happy now?” I said. “Since Mr. Smith isn’t interested in me, I’ll just leave. However…” I suddenly changed my tone. “This first class seat was reserved in advance by my agency. It’s not something just anyone can sit in.” I had barely finished speaking when Yasmin immediately stepped forward. “You little bitch, trying to act high and mighty in front of Mr. Smith, huh?” “The entire plane belongs to the Smith family. What right do you have to refuse?” Seeing this scene, I finally understood the true meaning of the word “bootlicker”. “Ms. Zhang, I just want to sit in my own seat. What does it matter who owns the plane?” As soon as I finished speaking, William immediately became displeased and took out his phone. “It’s just a first class ticket. I’ll pay ten times the price!” “I’ll give you $100,000. Now disappear and don’t let me see you again!” I curled my lips into a smile. “Well, since Mr. Smith is being so sincere, I suppose I’ll have to reluctantly accept.” Just as I was about to turn around, Ms. Zhang suddenly shouted at me. “Stop right there, you little bitch!” I paused mid-step and slowly turned back. “What’s the matter? Has Ms. Zhang changed her mind?” Yasmin gave me a sinister smile and whispered something in William’s ear. The next second, this so-called youngest billionaire in Bay City exploded in anger. “You Chen, how dare you lay hands on my people?” 0

From Yasmin’s expression, I guessed she must have said quite a few bad things about me to William. I have to say, her tactic of using others to attack me was flawless. Based on the first impression William had of me, I knew that no amount of explanation would work. I simply couldn’t be bothered to waste my breath. “Whether I laid hands on her or not doesn’t matter anymore. Just tell me what you want to do about it.” William seemed surprised that I was so unapologetic. There was a hint of astonishment in his eyes. “What else can be done? You need to apologize of course!” I raised an eyebrow slightly, a faint smile on my lips. “An apology is definitely not happening. Why don’t you come up with another solution?” “One million dollars!” Yasmin exclaimed gleefully, stepping forward. “As Mr. Smith’s personal assistant, I handle multi-million dollar deals in minutes.” “Just because you pushed me earlier, I’m feeling unwell now. You have to take responsibility!” Hearing Yasmin’s words, the onlookers around us gasped in shock. Even William himself seemed surprised. “Ms. Zhang, isn’t a million dollars a bit much?” he asked. “Even if you went to the hospital for a full body check-up, it wouldn’t cost nearly that much.” Yasmin immediately waved her hand. “No, no, no, Mr. Smith. You’re thinking too narrowly.” “As your personal assistant, I was assaulted on your family’s own plane. It’s not just my face that’s been lost!” “Asking for just a million in compensation is already being merciful to her.” William pondered for a moment, feeling there was some logic to it, and nodded slightly. “Fine! A million it is. I’ll pay it!” I didn’t give them time to reconsider and immediately agreed. “Alright, I accept.” With those words, the eyes of everyone on the plane focused on me. Some thought I was putting on airs. Some suspected I was playing dumb to catch them off guard. The rest were just gloating. But these opinions didn’t matter much to me. What mattered was that someone was trying to steal my seat. Although they offered over ten times the price, their attitude really pissed me off. “Now that we’ve settled the pushing incident, shall we discuss the seat issue?” I asked. Suddenly changing tack, I couldn’t help but smirk. “My itinerary was reported to the airline. Did you think just anyone could sit here?” As soon as I finished speaking, laughter erupted around us. “Has this girl lost her mind? It’s just a first class seat, who needs to report that to anyone?” “Exactly! The entire airline belongs to the Smith family. Who else could she possibly report to?” I coldly swept my gaze across the crowd before slowly speaking. “Everyone seems to think the Smith family is so wealthy and powerful that they can buy out an entire airline, right?” “Well then, I’d like to know – can Mr. Smith make the plane stop?” I grinned. “He can’t… but I can!”

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To donate bone marrow to my husband’s *nominal* sister, I was forced to terminate the baby in my womb. After the surgery, my husband appeased his *nominal* sister with company shares, yet he trivialized my pain. “Don’t cause a scene here. It’s just one child; it’s not like she can’t have more.” His words were terrifyingly calm, as if what was lost was utterly insignificant. But that was the child I’d fought for with countless fertility treatments. The gown I’d poured my heart into designing was stolen, leaving me to wear a cheap dress. Chloe nestled in Julian’s arms, looking smug. “Sister-in-law, I liked this dress, so I took it. You wouldn’t look good in it anyway.” Watching them embrace, I couldn’t help but gag. This was the man who once knelt before my mother to marry me. Now, he wore the matching outfit I designed, yet held another woman. Finally, I dialed the number I thought I’d never have to call. The person on the other end chuckled, a joyful sound, as if a long-awaited treasure had finally returned. “Wait for me. Your car is already on its way.”

“Chloe, did you get this month’s company dividend?” Standing outside the CEO’s office, about to knock, I froze at the voices from within. Dividend? Chloe was merely Julian’s *nominal* sister, with no company shares. Why would she get a dividend? Then, Chloe’s delicate voice chimed in: “Julian, you gave me 30% of the company shares for my surgery. What did Sister-in-law get?” “If she got more than me, I won’t accept it!” “Aubrey? She merely had a fetus aborted. For you, that’s nothing.” Julian scoffed, his voice icy, as if it wasn’t even his child. *Merely had a fetus aborted?* The two in the CEO’s office had begun to pour out their hearts to each other, but I couldn’t hear anything anymore. The world just spun around me. My mind replayed Julian holding my waist, his expression incredibly forlorn as he said, “Aubrey, I want a child.” We’d been married for ten years, and for those words, I… I endured countless hormone shots, trying for seven years to finally conceive that child. The day we found out, he held me and cried tears of joy. But less than two months later, Chloe fell ill. She was diagnosed with leukemia and needed a bone marrow donor. After countless tests, only I was a match. For Chloe to have a successful surgery, Julian knelt before me. “Aubrey, I’m sorry to you and our child, but Chloe will die without your bone marrow!” This man who claimed to love me deeply, this man who smiled and said he could finally be a father. In the end, for his *nominal* sister, he demanded his wife personally sacrifice their hard-won child. His tears back then, compared to now, were nothing but a joke. I looked at the ceiling, a desperate smile on my face, tears silently falling. Gently stroking my flat stomach, I murmured, “My baby, ultimately, it’s mommy who failed you. I chose the wrong daddy for you.” When I came to my senses, sickening gasps and moans came from the CEO’s office. I morbidly listened to the entire exchange at the door, as if to sever the last shred of hope in my heart. Julian held Chloe, caressing her slightly swollen belly. “Chloe, we’ll have to be more careful from now on. The baby is getting bigger.” Chloe seemed shy, playfully complaining, “Why would you say something like that? What if someone hears us?” “I finally have a child again, of course I have to be careful.” Julian’s voice held boundless anticipation, just like he used to speak to me. “Julian, you sound like it’s your first time being a dad. Didn’t you have a child with Sister-in-law before?” Chloe’s voice carried a hint of confusion. Julian spoke as if it concerned someone utterly insignificant, his tone indifferent: “Her child wasn’t mine and yours. Besides, it was never born. Its greatest purpose was being aborted for you.” I couldn’t bear to listen anymore. I left the company in a daze. The heavens seemed to weep with me, unleashing a torrential downpour. I only heard the screech of tires, and a dark shadow enveloped me. *Bang!* I instantly plunged into darkness.

When I woke up again, all I saw was a stark white ceiling. The air was thick with the pungent smell of disinfectant. “Aubrey, are you okay! You’re finally awake! You’ve been unconscious for three days and three nights after the car accident!” Julian excitedly gripped my hand by the bedside. My mind slowly started to clear. I expressionlessly pulled my hand away. Julian froze for a few seconds. In that brief moment, a petite figure squeezed past the stunned Julian. “Sister-in-law! Your sudden car accident scared Julian and me terribly! Julian personally took care of you for three days!” Chloe looked worried, but her eyes clearly told me: *Why aren’t you dead yet?* I weakly pulled at the corners of my mouth. “Then I’m truly grateful for your devoted care.” As I spoke, my gaze fell directly on Chloe’s slightly swollen belly. Chloe realized her true intentions had been seen through, and being stared at so intently, she recoiled slightly. Julian disapproved of my tone. “Aubrey, why would you say that? We’re all family. Family doesn’t talk like strangers.” I forced myself to sit up, my body, aching from the crash, felt as if it would shatter. “You and I are legally family. What does that make Chloe?” My tone was devoid of emotion, simply stating a fact. But Julian instantly reacted like I’d struck a nerve, jumping up from his chair. The chair scraped against the floor with a shrill screech, but no one cared in that moment. Julian’s face darkened. He pointed at me, enunciating each word: “Aubrey, apologize to Chloe immediately!” “Chloe grew up with me since she was little. Her father was my dad’s old comrade; he entrusted her to our family before he died. Are you saying you don’t consider Chloe a sister at all?!” I looked at the two standing together, and it was like seeing Julian protect me in the past. Before, when I was cornered and bullied in the alley by people who looked down on me at school, Julian defended me with the same unwavering resolve. Now, I had gone from being by his side to standing against him. “Is that so? What’s Chloe’s last name? Or is she the one on your family record?” I looked coldly at the man before me, my eyes devoid of any past affection. Julian’s anger was thoroughly ignited. He roughly grabbed my hand, which was still hooked up to an IV. “No matter what Chloe’s last name is, or if she’s on my family record, she *is* my family!” A sharp pain shot through the back of my hand. I watched as blood rapidly flowed back into the IV line. The man who once couldn’t stand to see me get even a scratch. Now, he showed no reaction to my injury, his sole focus still on defending his beloved sister. My numb heart still involuntarily twinged with pain. Memories of love flickered within me, the contrast with the harsh reality made my eyes sting. I quietly watched the blood in my body mix little by little with the medication. Julian, getting no response, followed my gaze. Only then did he notice the blood flowing back, and a look of disgust flashed across his face. Julian abruptly flung my hand away. “My wife shouldn’t be someone as jealous as you. You stay here and reflect properly.” With that, he took Chloe and slammed the door shut as they left. I lay alone on the bed, silently weeping. My hand unconsciously went to my lower abdomen, where there was no longer any sign of life.

Julian, under the guise of wanting me to “reflect,” didn’t show up at all during my half-month hospital stay. Only Chloe visited, as if to declare her dominance. As if I were the one who had been taken in by their family; And she, the rightful lady of the house, came to visit me so naturally. She even “casually” exposed her baby bump, trying to provoke me into an irreversible decline. “Ms. Aubrey, your condition has mostly stabilized, but a few data points aren’t quite up to par.” “But don’t worry too much, as long as you regulate your mood, you’ll be fine. Is the lady who often visits you your sister? She really cares for you.” The doctor looked at the medical records in her hand, explaining my situation, clearly thinking Chloe and I were sisters. A crestfallen expression on my face, I closed my eyes and softly murmured, “With a sister like that, I probably won’t ever leave this hospital.” The doctor didn’t quite catch what I said and instinctively asked. I didn’t want to elaborate, so I perfunctorily sent the doctor away. Discharged, I returned home. Chloe looked at me sitting in a wheelchair. A resentful malice flashed in her eyes. “Sister-in-law, you’re really lucky, coming out of such a car accident in half a month like nothing happened.” I didn’t respond to her. I surveyed the small home I once considered our love nest, Julian’s and mine. Many of my things were gone, Replaced by items clearly in Chloe’s preferred style. “Oh, Sister-in-law, I’m so sorry, but while you were in the hospital, I was afraid Julian wouldn’t have anyone to take care of him, so I moved in. You’re not angry, are you?” There wasn’t an ounce of apology in Chloe’s words, only overflowing smugness. I sat there, silent. It was always like this, I don’t know when it started. Whenever it came down to a choice between me and Chloe, I was always the one cast aside. Just like that crucial charity gala. To save Julian from embarrassment, I poured immense effort into designing a matching gown. With all my love for Julian and the belief that we would soon have the fruit of our love. The dress created with such conviction; Chloe obtained it with a single pout directed at Julian. When the gala began, I couldn’t find my gown and cried in desperation. But Julian said, “How many times have I told you to keep your things safe? Now look, we’re going to be late because of you.” He seemed a little guilty, not daring to meet my tear-filled eyes. My tears smudged my delicate makeup: “I distinctly remember telling Mrs. Davies to take it to the dry cleaner and then put it personally in the deepest part of the wardrobe. I even saw her do it.” Seeing me frantically rummaging through the wardrobe like a madwoman, Julian, as if escaping something, flung out a frustrated accusation, saying he was going to attend with Chloe and I shouldn’t bother. When I finally got a hastily bought dress from Mrs. Davies, And arrived at the venue, only then did I find out where my original gown had gone. Chloe smugly held Julian’s arm, stroking the gown that was meant for me, Smiling, she said, “Sister-in-law, isn’t this dress beautiful? It’s Julian’s matching one.” “But Sister-in-law, how dare you come here wearing such a cheap dress? You’re totally embarrassing Julian.” Seeing the two glued together, I almost immediately leaned against the wall and started dry heaving, unable to control myself. Chloe immediately covered her mouth in disgust. “Julian, I think Sister-in-law’s not well. If she goes to the gala in this state…” Julian’s slight feeling of guilt vanished instantly. He ordered someone to “escort” me out. My tears fell like a broken string of pearls. I shook off the security guard who came to restrain me, looking utterly pathetic in the eyes of countless guests. Mocks and laughter filled my ears. My heart lost the ability to feel in that moment. “Julian, let’s get a divorce.”

The moment I spoke, everyone present fell silent. I numbly watched Julian’s expression turn utterly astonished, his eyes filled with panic. Julian was about to speak, but was immediately interrupted by a sob. “Sister-in-law, I didn’t mean to wear your dress by mistake! Please don’t be angry over such a small thing!” Chloe cried dramatically, feigning to take off the gown. Julian seemed to snap back to reality. “Aubrey, I’m so disappointed in you.” “It’s just a dress. Are you really that petty, making our family a laughingstock in front of everyone at an event like this?” As he spoke, he took off the matching suit jacket I had designed for him and draped it over the other woman. My heart twinged uncontrollably, like a thousand needles pricking me. Did he not see how I toiled tirelessly, like a mother nurturing a child, to create that design? Did he not see my ten fingers constantly pricked as I stitched every single thread? No, he saw it all. He just didn’t care. “Julian, whose family *are* you anyway?” I looked at Julian, deeply hurt, my voice tinged with rare accusation. Julian, as if exposed, grew enraged. “Aubrey, I think you’ve lost your mind. Someone take her away to calm down!” The surrounding scorn and ridicule intensified, but I couldn’t hear it anymore. My body was ice cold, all strength drained from me. Taken away by security again, this time I didn’t resist. After that gala ended, Chloe provocatively sent the two utterly ruined outfits back to me. Looking at the two garments, almost unrecognizable from their original form, my heart felt just as broken. Crying all night, clutching the clothes, my heart gradually grew numb. But not long after, good news came from my belly. The child we had waited for so many years had finally arrived. Julian held my waist, his ear pressed against my still-flat belly. “Aubrey, after all these years, we finally have our child!” I had never seen him so happy. “Julian, with this child, I don’t care how much hardship or suffering I’ve endured before.” We embraced, our faces filled with joyful smiles. I felt like I was in heaven at that moment. But less than four months later, it became hell. Julian, his face filled with urgency, knelt before me: “Aubrey! Only you can save Chloe! I beg you, abort the child!” I felt as if plunged into an ice cellar: “What are you saying?” Julian, still kneeling, gripped my arm as if afraid I’d run away, his hold impossibly tight. “Chloe has leukemia, and only your bone marrow is a match.” “The doctor said for the donation to go smoothly, you must abort the child. Please, I’m begging you!” “Our family owes Chloe’s family a life! You can’t just stand by and watch her die!!” The man before me, in his frantic state, terrified me. “Julian, are you insane?! This child came after how many hormone shots?! How many years have we waited for this, have you forgotten!?” My voice grew sharp, filled with disbelief. Julian, as if he hadn’t expected me to refuse, His face twisted, anger overriding his desperation. “Can’t you have another child?! What could be more important than Chloe?!” His words were followed by a harsh slap. I clutched my red, swollen cheek, completely stunned. By the time I reacted, I couldn’t catch my breath and passed out. When I woke again, my slightly swollen belly was flat. Learning I had lost the child, I felt as if my soul had been ripped from my body, all vitality gone. Compared to the lifelessness in my hospital room, Chloe’s bed, just a wall away, was surrounded by people. Everyone was celebrating Chloe’s recovery from danger; My husband happily held her hand, his eyes full of affection: “Chloe, I told you I’d cure you no matter the cost.” Chloe was moved to tears: “Julian, I always believed in you.” Everyone present praised their bond, saying it was closer than blood. Just a wall away, I lay shattered on the bed, like a rag doll from whom all utility had been extracted. I don’t know how much time passed. When I regained consciousness, it had been a week. The nurse, seeing me finally regain some autonomy, said with a hint of fear: “Ms. Aubrey, you wouldn’t believe it, but for that entire week, you had no basic will to live. You were sustained only by IV drips. Otherwise, I’m afraid…” The nurse didn’t finish her sentence. I didn’t care about my emaciated body, nor did I care about anyone anymore. I was no different from a corpse. Having lost my child, I finally dialed the number I thought I’d never call in my life. Back then… He insisted I take his contact information, saying it was his private number. No matter when I called, he would answer immediately. The phone connected, and a deep, magnetic voice came through: “You finally called.”

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My own sister tricked me into choosing a fox as my Beast-kin mate. I tore off my arm for him, plucking rare herbs to help him grow his nine tails. Yet, at the most crucial moment, when I was about to claim victory in the trials, he betrayed me. He personally pushed me into a fiery abyss, all to help my sister seize the Clan Leader’s position. But then, my eyes snapped open. I was back. Reborn to the very day I had to choose my Beast-kin. Kaelen, the fox, looked at me with yearning, his eyes wide and hopeful. Under his expectant gaze, I pointed to the small, unnoticed wolf standing quietly in the corner. “I want him!” Kaelen instantly crumbled, clinging desperately to my leg. “Please, take me with you!” The little wolf, Ryker, kicked him away. “She’s mine! Don’t you dare try to snatch her!” In our Clan, the women hold all the power. Women can have multiple partners and attendants, but their primary mate must always be a Beast-kin. So, once a girl turns eighteen, she must choose a Beast-kin to be her lifelong companion. Today was the big day. Mom was taking my sister, Valerie, and me to choose our Beast-kin. The arena buzzed with excitement. A spectacular Beast-kin challenge was in full swing. On the platform, a magnificent Leopard Beast-kin, massive and imposing, had won eight matches in a row, unchallenged. Below, the crowd roared with cheers, and girls showered him with flowers, tossing them onto the stage. Valerie immediately set her heart on that formidable, awe-inspiring Leopard Beast-kin. But I was the older sister, and according to tradition, I was supposed to choose first. “The Leopard is my lucky spirit beast, Mom! He’s perfect for me! I want him!” Before I could even speak, Valerie threw her arms around Mom’s arm, whining and trying to charm her. In my previous life, to prevent me from picking the strongest Beast-kin, she’d tricked me, poisoning me with a potent sedative. I never even made it to the arena, too incapacitated to choose a Beast-kin. This time, I’d poured out that spiked bird’s nest soup. Valerie knew I might pick the strongest, so she’d tried to get ahead of me. Mom, doting on Valerie, patted her hand. Then she turned to me, her voice brooking no argument. “Cassandra, the Leopard isn’t right for you. Since Valerie likes him so much, just let her have him!” Valerie’s father was Mom’s favorite partner, and her favoritism for him spilled over to Valerie, making her the darling of Mom’s heart. My own father, though he was Mom’s primary mate, was aloof and proud, never one to curry favor with her. Three years ago, he’d fallen ill and passed away. Mom had always been biased, but now it was a blatant display of favoritism.

I paused for a moment, then nodded. “If Valerie likes him, then I’ll follow Mom’s wishes. She can have him.” They hadn’t expected me to agree so quickly. Delighted, they eagerly started helping me choose my Beast-kin husband. Mom, as the Clan Leader, gave an order, and a parade of handsome, exceptional Beast-kin males were presented before me. “Cassandra, this is the last group. What kind do you even like?” Mom was starting to get impatient, seeing me take so long to choose. Valerie, ever eager, chimed in. “Sister, that fox Beast-kin is so handsome! His perfect face makes my heart flutter. If I didn’t have my Leopard, I’d definitely pick him!” Kaelen exchanged a complex glance with Valerie, then his eyes, burning with expectation, turned to me. Under his hopeful gaze, I calmly pointed to the frail-looking young Beast-kin standing on the very edge. “I want him!” The young Beast-kin had a tall, slender build. He’d just come down from the arena, still covered in wounds, looking utterly worn out. But when he looked up and saw me, his beautiful eyes instantly lit up. Kaelen’s pupils dilated. A mix of hurt and disbelief plastered across his face, as if silently asking why I no longer wanted him. In my past life, I’d always been a sucker for good looks, utterly defenseless against handsome men. So, after Valerie’s schemes led to my unexpected bond with Kaelen, I chose him as my sole Beast-kin mate. I loved him, I gave him my everything, my whole heart. Anything he desired, I’d move heaven and earth to get for him. He was a six-tailed fox, desperate to become a nine-tailed fox. To help him achieve his dream, I went to the sacred Spirit Peaks to gather mystical herbs. The guardian beasts there bit off my arm. After he got the herbs and grew his nine tails, he tearfully embraced me, swearing I was the one who loved him most in the world, promising to never leave my side. But what was the result? When Valerie and I entered the trial dungeon, competing for the Clan Leader position, he actually betrayed me, pushing me into a fiery abyss, a point of no return. Only as I died did I understand: Valerie had always been the ‘one true love’ of his life. He hated me for claiming him, for keeping him from her. I struggled in agony in the inferno. He just watched me coldly, unmoved. Then, he turned and walked straight into Valerie’s embrace. This time, I wanted a man fiercely loyal to me, no matter what. I would reclaim what was rightfully mine — the Clan Leader position! And I would make them all pay the price they deserved!

At that moment, Mom looked worried. “Choosing a Beast-kin means choosing someone to face life and death with, to go through trials with. This wolf is too weak, Cassandra. Are you sure you want him?” “Sister, you should still choose the fox! He’s a six-tailed fox, much stronger than that wolf Beast-kin!” Valerie pushed for Kaelen. This made me seriously suspect they’d already conspired, waiting for me to fall into their trap. Mom was the Cloud Clan Leader, and Valerie and I, as heir candidates, had to enter the Clan Leader assessment dungeon with our Beast-kin. That dungeon was treacherous and dangerous; most who entered never returned. Only by successfully navigating it and retrieving the Clan Leader’s Staff could one inherit the position. So, powerful and mighty Beast-kin were hot commodities. They thought the wolf Beast-kin I chose was useless! But the truth was, only I knew he was hiding his true strength, how incredibly powerful he actually was! He was the infamous Beast-kin, Ryker, who later unified the entire Beast-kin tribes. Yet, for me, he’d torn up the Beast-kin and Cloud Clan marriage treaty and used all his spiritual power to destroy the Cloud Clan’s sacrificial altar, just to give me a chance at rebirth. In my memories, Ryker and I had never crossed paths. I didn’t understand why he would sacrifice so much for me. So, this time, I chose him. Not only to repay his kindness, but also to unravel the mysteries in my heart. “Wolves have only one mate for life. I only like loyal men.” Seeing my firm stance, ready to leave with Ryker, Kaelen desperately grabbed my arm. “He’s the weakest of all the Beast-kin! He was just brought in to fill a spot, he’s practically dying! Why do you want him? Choose me, I’ll be loyal to you!” Loyal to me? That was the funniest joke I’d ever heard. “Get lost! I hate foxes!” He scrambled up and hugged my leg, his posture incredibly pathetic. “I’ll do anything you want, just don’t leave me! I can be a secondary…” “Valerie, he’s so devoted to you, why don’t you keep him?” High-ranking women in our Clan could have multiple partners. Mom even said if I was willing, she wouldn’t mind if I got another Beast-kin. If I hadn’t lived through the last life, I might have wavered. But now, I certainly wouldn’t invite a fox into my den to cause trouble again! Ryker watched Kaelen, his face growing darker and darker. Without a word, he kicked Kaelen away. “Good boy.” I playfully squeezed his smooth, pale cheek. He nervously turned his head, the tips of his ears flushing slightly.

With my careful nurturing, Ryker’s injuries healed completely. His spiritual power surged incredibly fast, and he grew stronger with each passing day. When we were alone, he’d often shift into his wolf form and play with me. When he got tired, he’d automatically transform into my soft, furry pillow. It was only later that I realized: whenever he was in human form, he’d blush uncontrollably around me. So, the sly guy just decided to stay in wolf form to avoid the awkwardness. What truly puzzled me was that Ryker, in this life, couldn’t speak for some reason. I guessed it was a heavenly punishment for helping me defy fate and change my destiny. To cure his muteness, I took him to countless doctors, but they all said it was incurable. The whole clan, hearing that my chosen Beast-kin was not only the weakest but also mute, secretly mocked me for my poor judgment. They guessed I’d never get the Clan Leader’s Staff and started flocking to Valerie, sucking up to her. I, however, enjoyed the peace and quiet. One afternoon in the garden. I leaned back against Ryker. I idly played with his fluffy ears while telling him the story of the scar on the back of my hand. His bright eyes misted over with a gentle haze as he tenderly licked the scar. His soft tongue felt like silk, tickling me deep inside. I couldn’t help but laugh, pushing his head away, telling him to stop licking. He seemed incredibly happy, rolling over and shifting into his human form. He held my hand, his gaze burning as he looked at me. “Oops, am I interrupting something?” Valerie walked over, a bright smile on her face. Seeing the sticky look in her eyes as she gazed at my Ryker, I sent Ryker away to fetch me a shawl. “Did you need something?” Valerie reluctantly pulled her gaze away. “I never would have guessed that little wolf no one wanted would turn out to be such a handsome man! Too bad he’s mute!” Seeing my face darken, she smirked slyly. “I have an East Sea Pearl here that can cure Ryker’s muteness. Do you want it, Sister?” Valerie snapped her fingers. Kaelen, holding a brocade box, walked over, his head bowed submissively. “Sister, Kaelen got this treasure for me, using every method he could, risking his life for it. He wants to serve in your household, and this is his welcome gift.” Legend had it that the East Sea Pearl was a rare treasure, capable of completely curing any kind of blindness, deafness, or muteness. 5

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The day I found out I was pregnant, Ryan was tenderly cradling Chloe, who was supposedly blind. Then, he turned and *slammed* my pregnancy test report right into my face. “You abandoned me without a second thought when I crashed my car. If Chloe hadn’t given me her cornea, I probably would have died, left for dead in the middle of nowhere.” “Now you’ve gone to all this trouble to get pregnant with my child. You just want to use the baby to climb your way back into my life and resume your role as the lady of this mansion, don’t you? Let me tell you, forget it. Only Chloe deserves to be the wife of the CEO of *my* family!” Tears streamed down my face as Ryan’s hand clamped tightly around my neck, his voice a low growl. “I’ll give you a chance to make things right. All you have to do is seduce my older brother—the one who’s already married—and force him to marry you. Grandpa will definitely kick him out of the family business then, and I’ll be the sole heir.” But later, when the truth was finally revealed, and I became his sister-in-law, just as he’d wished… He knelt on the ground, begging for my forgiveness. I simply smiled, and took back the cornea I had once given him.

“Ava, weren’t you madly in love with me? How can you refuse to do even this small thing for me?” “You went to all this trouble to get pregnant with my child, just to force me to marry you and become the Ryan family matriarch you’ve always dreamed of, didn’t you? Two years ago, when I had that car accident, you ran faster than anyone. And after I woke up, you shamelessly came back and tried to claim the cornea Chloe donated to me. Is there a single truthful word that comes out of your mouth?” Ryan, seething with fury, hurled the pregnancy report at my face. I crumpled to the floor, powerless, passively enduring his baseless rage. Chloe, seeing this, melted into his arms like a wilting flower, coaxing him, her eyes betraying a smug triumph when she looked at me. “Oh, Ryan, Ava must have had her reasons for leaving you after the accident.” Chloe pretended to be blind as she fumbled to help me up from the floor, forcing a grateful smile. “Actually, I should thank you, Ava. If you hadn’t abandoned Ryan, how else would I have had the chance to come into his life?” I scoffed, my gaze fixed on Chloe’s bright, clear eyes. “That year, was it *really* your cornea you donated to Ryan?” Chloe shrank back into Ryan’s embrace, startled and flustered, sobbing heartbrokenly. “Ryan, is Ava still upset that I stole your affection by being with you? But after I lost my sight, you were the only person I could rely on. You’ve already been abandoned once; I don’t want to leave you and make you experience the pain of being deserted by someone you love again.” Ryan fumbled to console the woman in his arms with soft words. When he turned back to me, his expression instantly shifted to one of disgust, and he yelled, “Ava, haven’t you caused enough trouble?! That year, you were afraid I’d hold you back from marrying into wealth, so you turned and left without a hint of hesitation. I was bleeding on the ground, begging you, but you were completely indifferent. If Chloe hadn’t saved me, I probably wouldn’t even be standing here now, looking at your accusatory glare.” Chloe snuggled into Ryan’s arms, a sneer playing on her lips. “Ryan, since Ava is so certain, maybe your cornea really *was* donated by her.” Ryan scoffed, “I might have been blind to the truth back then, but I’m not an idiot. If she really gave me her cornea, then how did she regain her sight? How can she now stand here so boldly, accusing you?” A wave of bitterness washed over me. I clenched the bone ring on my finger, tears silently falling. All these years, no matter how much I explained, Ryan always unconditionally believed Chloe, constantly mocking me and giving me the cold shoulder, as if I were his mortal enemy. “Ava, I’m giving you a chance to make things right. You went to all this trouble to get pregnant with my child, didn’t you? Well, I might as well put you to good use. Grandpa is on his last legs, and my older brother, who’s been overseas for years, is coming back soon. I want you to seduce him, get into his bed, and then use the child in your belly to blackmail him into marrying you.” “Why? This is *our* child!” I stared at Ryan’s eyes, filled with longing, and spoke in disbelief. “Ava, stop faking that sentimental look; it’s disgusting. I told you, only Chloe is worthy of carrying my child. You’re not.” “Grandpa despises disloyal men above all else. Asher is a married man. If you seduce him, pretend to be pregnant with his child, and blow the whole thing up, Grandpa will never let him become the heir to the Ryan family. Then, the entire family will be mine.” “After it’s done, I’ll allow you to give birth to this child and let you stay by my side to attend to my needs. But give up your foolish dreams. The position of Mrs. Ryan will only ever belong to Chloe.” Watching the couple’s intense display of affection, I sneered. “Fine, Ryan. As you wish.” Second Chapter

Watching Ryan carefully lift Chloe and turn to leave, my tears finally burst forth, uncontrollable. Ryan and I met in high school. Back then, he was the distinguished adopted son of the powerful Ryan family, and I was just an orphan with no parents. He was the one who chose me, who pulled me out of the depths of despair. Later, I became a scholarship student sponsored by the Ryan family, gaining the opportunity to attend a prestigious university. I no longer had to worry about money or struggle to survive. Ryan and I naturally met, came to know each other, and fell in love. Everything felt so right. Ryan introduced me to his family, and we ended our long courtship, preparing to walk down the aisle. Just when I thought such a happy and peaceful life would continue forever, an accident shattered my utopian dream. Ryan and I were out for a drive in the countryside when we got into a car accident. In that split second, he shielded me with his body. His eyes were severely injured and required a cornea transplant, but there was no compatible cornea to be found in such a short time. So, I secretly donated my cornea to him. Immediately after the surgery, my mother had an emergency. I rushed back to our old family home in the countryside, missing the day Ryan regained his sight, which gave Chloe the chance to falsely claim credit. My mother, heartbroken that I would live in eternal darkness at such a young age, gave me her cornea on her deathbed. When I regained my sight and stood before Ryan again, I discovered he already had Chloe by his side. No matter how much I tried to explain, Ryan only believed Chloe’s version of events, convinced that I had abandoned him and left, and now, seeing that he had survived, I had shamelessly returned to try and reclaim my status as a wealthy lady. In truth, Chloe’s acting was terrible. She constantly forgot her blind persona, and her façade would crack more times than I could count over the years. Yet, Ryan chose to ignore it all, indulging her every whim and showering her with boundless affection. “Asher’s flight lands at 3 PM the day after tomorrow. Go pick him up at the airport.” My phone screen lit up with a message from Ryan. I gave a bitter smile. Ryan, I’m dying to know if you’ll regret your decision today when the truth is finally revealed.

A sharp sting in my eyes made me understand. My mother had been quite old and suffering from many complications when she gave me her cornea, so the transplant had left me with lingering side effects. I needed monthly check-ups and treatment at the hospital. Today was my scheduled appointment. “Ms. Yu, our examination shows a risk of retinal detachment in your eyes. You need a new transplant as soon as possible.” I gently shook my head. If finding a new pair of corneas were that easy, then Ryan wouldn’t have fallen for Chloe’s deception all those years ago. Seeing my indifferent expression, the doctor frowned, earnestly trying to persuade me. “Ms. Yu, you can’t take this surgery lightly. If you delay treatment, there’s a risk of permanent blindness.” The doctor sighed heavily. “I’ll start conservative treatment for now. Please go pay the fee.” Ten thousand dollars, a mere dinner bill for Ryan, became the last straw for me. I returned to the Ryan family mansion. The moment I opened the door, I saw Ryan, his eyes sparkling with delight, gazing at Chloe, who was surrounded by towering piles of luxury goods. I clenched my hands, lowering my head as I walked towards him. Third Chapter “Ryan, the doctor said there’s a problem with my cornea. I need ten thousand dollars for treatment. Could you please…?” “Enough!” Ryan impatiently cut me off. “Chloe was right. You’re just a greedy, unscrupulous woman who’ll stop at nothing to get what she wants. You’re only with me for my money, aren’t you?” I opened my mouth numbly, feeling utterly speechless. Chloe pouted, snuggling into Ryan’s arms and whimpering. “Ryan, if Ava wants it, just give her ten thousand dollars. That amount isn’t even enough to buy the cheapest bag I’m holding.” “But, Ava, you shouldn’t just lie to get money. Today, I clearly saw you getting into a strange man’s luxury car. How could you have been going to the hospital?” Chloe produced a blurry photo, a face barely discernible. Ryan’s anger instantly flared. “Ava, have you ever told me a single truth? A money-hungry, unfaithful woman like you—if you weren’t still somewhat useful, I’d be disgusted just looking at you.” Ryan seemed to recall something, and he suddenly clamped his hand around my throat, staring intently at my slightly swollen belly. “My child? Is that *my* baby in there?” I incredulously raised my head, my voice cold as ice. “Ryan, is that truly how you see me? As some kind of fickle, dishonest woman?” I remembered that night. Ryan had burst into my room, reeking of alcohol, clutching my waist like a large dog, burying his head in my neck. A few hot tears had fallen onto my skin, searing my heart. He’d held me tightly, pulling me into a deep, desperate embrace. It wasn’t until the heavy rain outside had finally stopped that he allowed me to catch my breath. I had thought that night was the turning point in our relationship, a naive belief that we could go back to how things were, that we were still the only ones in each other’s worlds. But I never imagined that what I’d perceived as sweet, uncontrollable passion was just his drunken mistake. If it hadn’t been me, it would have been anyone else. “Ava, since you want this money so badly, then open your eyes and watch me and Chloe make love.” With that, he pulled Chloe closer and kissed her passionately. Ryan’s strong, bony hands roamed over Chloe’s body, stripping off her clothes in a few swift movements. I watched their entwined bodies in the distance, listening numbly to the intimate gasps. I don’t know how long it lasted. As dawn broke, Ryan finally wiped his lips with a sated expression, then slammed a card down in front of me, his voice laced with venom. “Ava, for money, you actually watched me make love to another woman right in front of you.” “Take my money, then do what I tell you. You need to handle seducing Asher perfectly, or don’t even think about staying by my side.” I slowly picked up the bank card he had trampled under his foot. My heart felt like a gaping wound, a cold wind sweeping through, leaving behind an empty, hollow ache. Ten thousand dollars. Enough to sever our past and all our grievances. I had already repaid Ryan’s financial support with a pair of corneas. From now on, I owed him nothing. I opened my phone and scheduled an abortion for tomorrow. I gently stroked my slightly swollen belly. I had thought this child was the crystallization of Ryan’s and my love. Now, it seemed it was anything but. I didn’t want my child to come into this world burdened with stigma and humiliation. Mrs. Jenkins, the housekeeper, her face filled with pity, helped me up from the cold floor and then went to the kitchen to make me a warm mug of tea. “Ms. Ava, have some to warm yourself up.” I hadn’t cried when Chloe falsely accused me, nor when I endured Ryan’s baseless accusations and humiliation. But at that moment, receiving a long-overdue act of kindness, I felt an overwhelming urge to cry. Mrs. Jenkins sighed. “I’ve seen everything between you and the young master all these years. He has a sharp tongue, but a good heart. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have allowed you to stay by his side for so long.” I gave a faint, bitter laugh and shook my head. “No, he has no heart. No matter how much I burn myself, I still can’t warm him.” “I’ve decided to give up. To let him go, and to let myself go too.”

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Sixteen years of chasing him, yet his heart remained untouched. Then, one drunken night, I unexpectedly ended up in bed with my sworn enemy. My rival, tracing the marks I’d left on him, cornered me. “Alex, are you really going to keep running from me for that coward?” My childhood friend’s eyes were red, his voice raw with desperation. “I messed up. Just give me one more chance.” I stood outside the private room at the club. Clutching the carefully chosen gift, my heart hammered, threatening to burst out of my chest. It was Liam’s birthday today. My childhood friend. I’d planned this for an entire month, just to confess my feelings to him on this special day. My hand had barely touched the doorknob when I heard Liam’s voice from inside. “Alex? Don’t joke around. I’ve always thought of him like a little brother.” My fingers froze instantly, glued to the doorknob. “Really? But the way he looks at you is totally different.” Liam chuckled lightly: “Just a fleeting crush, nothing serious. He’ll get over it eventually. Besides, we’re practically siblings; dating would be weird.” I took two steps back. It felt like my heart shattered into a million pieces inside my chest. So, all the careful feelings I’d cherished for so many years were just a “fleeting crush” in his eyes? … Stepping out of the club, the cold wind hit me, and I realized my face was wet. My phone vibrated. Liam had sent a message: “Alex, where are you? Everyone’s waiting for you.” I stared at the screen for a few seconds, then just switched my phone off. Right then, all I wanted was to find a place to get blackout drunk.

“Another one…” I lay slumped on the bar, my vision blurry. The bartender looked troubled. “Sir, you’ve had too much…” *Slam!* I fumbled for my wallet and slapped it onto the bar. “Worried I don’t have money? I’m loaded!” Just then, a familiar figure sat down next to me. Tall, with broad shoulders and a lean waist. I squinted, a surge of wild joy rushing through me. “Liam? Did you change your mind?” The person seemed to say something, but I couldn’t hear it anymore. The alcohol had completely drowned out my reason. I lunged and hugged him, burying my face in the crook of his neck, inhaling deeply. “You smell so good…” It wasn’t Liam’s usual cologne, but it somehow made me feel strangely at ease. “Alex, you’re drunk.” The person’s voice was deep and magnetic, tinged with a hint of helplessness. I looked up at him. *Damn, he’s hot.* I leaned in and kissed him directly. The moment our lips met, he stiffened. I gnawed and bit at his lips like a puppy, my hands restlessly trying to slip inside his clothes. He grabbed my wandering hands, his voice hoarse. “Alex…” I giggled stupidly. “Don’t be shy… I know you like me too…” After that, my memories were fragmented. I remember him half-carrying, half-dragging me out of the bar, and my restless body rubbing against his in the taxi. Back at my place, he pinned me against the wall, warning, “Don’t move.” But I only got worse, biting his Adam’s apple… And then, a blank.

The sunlight stung my eyes. I groaned, struggling to open them, and found myself lying in a strange bed. “Awake?” My body stiffened. I followed the sound. And saw my sworn enemy. Ryder. He was leaning against the bedroom doorway, shirtless, watching me with a smirk. My gaze dropped, landing on his toned chest. There were several clear scratch marks there. “I… we…” My voice trembled. I pulled back the covers and saw I was only wearing my boxers. Ryder slowly walked over, looking down at me from above. “What, don’t remember what you did to me last night?” My mind went blank. Last night, while drunk, I seemed to have mistaken someone for Liam, kissing and touching them… “No way! How could I possibly—” Ryder raised an eyebrow. He pointed to a red mark on his collarbone. “You kissed and gnawed on me, then tore off my clothes?” My face went white. Flashes of last night flickered through my mind. I really did kiss someone, and said some… unspeakable things… “I’m sorry! I was drunk, I got the wrong person! I thought you were Liam—” Ryder’s eyes turned cold. “So all that passion was for Liam?” “Uh, it’s a misunderstanding. I’ll pay for your dry cleaning. Let’s just pretend nothing happened…” “Alex, you’re just going to sleep with me and not take responsibility?” He pressed me onto the bed. Up close, his handsome face made my heart pound uncontrollably. Ryder’s looks were truly flawless. A high nose bridge, thin lips, and those alluring, mocking eyes… *Wait, what am I even thinking?!* I struggled. “Nothing happened between us! I, I blacked out, there’s no way…” He frowned. “Do I need to describe in detail how you clung to me last night, kissing me while whispering, ‘I like you so much’?” My whole body burned. I was so mortified I wanted to crawl into a hole. “Those were just drunken words! Ryder, let’s just pretend this never happened!!” I abruptly pushed him away. Grabbed the clothes scattered on the floor and haphazardly pulled them on. Then, I fled.

It wasn’t until I ran out of the apartment complex that I dared to stop and catch my breath. I also switched my phone back on. There were dozens of unread messages and missed calls. All from Liam. “Alex, where are you? I’m so worried.” I stared at the message for a few seconds, a pang of bitterness in my chest. Just yesterday, this kind of concern would have made my heart race. But now, it only felt ironic. My finger hovered over the screen for a long time, but I didn’t reply.

Back at my apartment, as I stepped out of the elevator, I saw a familiar figure. Liam. His eyes lit up when he saw me. “Alex!” “Where were you last night? I looked for you all night, and you didn’t even come to the birthday party.” “…Something came up.” Avoiding his gaze, I pulled out my keys to open the door. But he grabbed my wrist. “You’ve been drinking? You still smell like alcohol—” His voice cut off. His gaze fell on my neck, and his pupils constricted. I pulled away. “I’m tired, I want to rest.” “Is that a hickey? Who were you with last night?” “None of your business! You said you only see me as a brother, right? My private life doesn’t need to be reported to you, does it?” Liam’s face turned ashen. He opened his mouth, but nothing came out. I took the opportunity to open the door and quickly slipped inside. I tried to close the door, but Liam blocked it with his arm. “Move!” “Who was it? Ryder?” My heart skipped a beat, and the force in my hand loosened slightly. Catching my reaction, Liam’s eyes darkened. “It really was him? You were with Ryder last night?” I turned my face away. “I told you, it’s none of your business.” Liam grabbed my chin, forcing me to look him in the eye. “Alex, Ryder is known for being a player—” “So what? At least he doesn’t treat me like a child!” I slapped his hand away.

Ignoring his hurt expression, I firmly closed the door. Leaning against the door, I slowly slid to the floor, burying my face in my knees. My phone vibrated. Ryder: [You ran fast. Did you know your shirt was on inside out?] I looked down at my T-shirt. Infuriated, I threw my phone onto the couch. But a few seconds later, I couldn’t resist picking it up to reply: “Nothing happened last night, right?” [Typing…] This status lasted for a long time. Finally, he sent a photo. On a messy bed. My shirt and Ryder’s tie were tangled together, looking incredibly intimate. [What do you think?] “You took advantage of me!” [Who was it clinging to me, saying ‘You’re so hot, big brother’?] “No way! I never said anything like that!” Ryder sent a voice note directly. It was my own sticky, drunken voice: “Big brother… you’re so hot… way hotter than Liam…” I was so mortified my toes curled, almost crushing my phone. “Delete it! Delete it now!” [Beg me. Or, come to my place tonight and beg me in person.] “In your dreams!”

I tossed my phone aside and rushed into the bathroom for a quick, hot shower. As I was drying my hair, the doorbell rang. I thought it was Liam, back again, so I quickly threw on my pajamas and opened the door. “Did you forget anything—” The words caught in my throat. Standing outside was Ryder, holding a paper bag. “Your clothes.” “How did you know where I live?” “Hardly. Star debater for the Law School. Just had to ask around a bit.” I reached for the paper bag, but he suddenly raised his arm, using the momentum to slip inside. “What are you doing! You delivered the stuff, now leave!” Ryder closed the door behind him and took a step closer. “Alex, did you forget something?” “W-what?” He backed me against the wall, one hand braced beside my head. “Last night, you promised to go on a date with me today.” “…Do drunken promises count?” Before I could finish, Ryder pinched my chin, rubbing my lower lip. “This place… it was very enthusiastic in responding to me last night.” I was both mortified and angry, and pushed him away hard. “Ryder! What do you want?” His eyes darkened, and he dropped his playful expression. “Simple. Give me a chance.” “A chance for what?” “A chance to pursue you. I know you’ve liked Liam for years, but since he doesn’t appreciate it…” My heart jolted. “You… how did you know?” “Alex, did you really think Liam was the only one paying attention to you?” Before I could fully process the meaning of his words, He suddenly leaned in and kissed my forehead lightly. “Get some rest.” By the time I came to my senses, he was gone. At the same moment, my phone vibrated. Liam had sent a long message. I hesitated for a moment, then opened it: “Alex, we need to talk. About what I said last night… that wasn’t what I truly meant. Can you give me a chance to explain?” I stared at the message for a long time, my fingertip hovering above the screen, but ultimately, I didn’t reply.

Three in the afternoon. I sat down at a desk in the Law School library, dark circles under my eyes. The senior student across from me, Chloe, immediately winked. “Alex, you really missed out yesterday. Ryder completely crushed the Economics Department’s debate team. It was epic.” I was stunned. “He had a debate yesterday?” Chloe shot me a knowing, amused grin. “Yeah, in the lecture hall. Packed house. Speaking of… that thing on your neck, could it be…” I quickly covered my neck, my ears burning. “A mosquito bite!” Chloe’s smile deepened. “Oh, a very *big* mosquito~” I was so embarrassed, I wanted to crawl into a hole. Suddenly, a familiar voice came from behind me. “Excuse me.” My body stiffened. I didn’t need to turn to know who it was. “What a coincidence?” Ryder sat across from me, taking his laptop out of his bag. Chloe’s eyes darted between us, and then she wisely packed up her things. “I just remembered I have a date. Gotta go.” Once Chloe was gone, I lowered my voice. “Are you stalking me?” “The Law School library is a public space.” “Then why did you specifically sit across from me?” He quirked his lips. “Because the lighting is good here… makes it easier to see your expression.” I ground my teeth in frustration, but there was nothing I could do. I buried my head in my case files. But his presence was simply too strong. Even without speaking, he made it impossible for me to concentrate. Ten minutes later, he suddenly spoke. “You keep staring at me.” “I do not!” “You’ve looked at me seven times since you sat down. If you want to look, just look openly. I don’t charge.” I flared up, mortified. “Ryder! Can you just—” “Shh, library. Quiet.” That’s when I noticed a few other students nearby were looking at us curiously. Suddenly, my phone vibrated. Liam: [I’m downstairs at the library, waiting for you.] Ryder glanced at my phone screen. His eyes immediately turned cold. “He wants to see you?” “None of your business.” I instinctively locked my phone. “That day, you hugged me and said, ‘I never want to like Liam again.’ You’re going back on that so soon?” “Those were drunken words!” “Then what’s the truth?” He clasped my wrist. “Alex, do you dare admit you feel something for me?” I shot up, my chair scraping loudly. Students around us all turned, but I didn’t care anymore. “Ryder, nothing will ever happen between us. That day was a mistake. Just let it go.” With that, I fled the library as if my life depended on it. iam leaned against a ginkgo tree nearby. When he saw me, he immediately straightened up. “Alex, Ryder didn’t bother you, did he?”

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The day my wife became CEO of the corporation. Before I could even celebrate with her, thugs kidnapped me and tossed me into a pool. I begged and pleaded, gasping for air, a pathetic mess. She stared down at me with disgust. “If you hadn’t left him for dead, Liam wouldn’t have died. This is your karma.” It was then I realized she’d always hated me for not saving her idealized first love, Liam, all those years ago. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on that fateful day. “When I confess later, can you play the music for me?” I heard that familiar voice. I looked up, meeting Liam Miller’s familiar face. In that instant, I knew I’d been reborn! On this very day in my previous life, Liam had asked Rachel Dawson—who would later become my wife—out to confess his feelings. But as the three of us left the mall, just as we were about to reach the confession spot, a billboard suddenly came crashing down from above. I was the first to react. I shoved Rachel, who was closest to me, out of the way. Both of us dodged just in time, escaping with only superficial scrapes. But Liam was crushed by the billboard, paralyzing him from the waist down, ending his street dance dreams forever. Two years later, Liam died by suicide, consumed by depression. Rachel didn’t even attend his funeral. So I always thought she didn’t care much for him. It wasn’t until after we were married, after I helped her rise to CEO, that she immediately had someone throw me into the water. Only then did I understand she’d been waiting for an opportunity to get her revenge. “You left Liam for dead to get to me! If it weren’t for you, he and I would have had a perfect family!” “You made me lose the man I loved! Die!” Gasping for air, drowning, I struggled, but Rachel pulled a plastic bag over my head. Layer after layer, her eyes filled with cold malice. She didn’t stop until I was like a fish out of water, completely out of breath. Then, with a look of pure disdain, she tossed my body into the ocean. Now, seeing Rachel coming down the escalator after shopping, a look of excitement on her face, I simply responded without a ripple of emotion. This life. I chose to stand by and watch.

Rachel held two coffees. One she drank herself, the other she handed directly to Liam. “Julian, I know you don’t drink coffee, so I didn’t get you one. You don’t mind, do you?” I smiled calmly. In my last life, her favoritism was so obvious. But I was foolish enough to think she was just being direct. Two minutes later, Rachel, laughing hysterically at something Liam said, finally realized I hadn’t caught up. She saw me standing at a trendy cafe, buying fruit tea. She called out to me from about fifteen feet away. “Ugh, what’s taking you so long? Can you hurry up?” I held up the order slip for my tea and waved it at them. “There are still a dozen orders ahead of me. Why don’t you guys go ahead?” “Seriously? Do you *have* to get that tea? The taxi will be here soon, and we’re not waiting for you!” “It’s fine. I can just call my own ride.” Seeing me dryly licking my lips, Rachel looked annoyed. She grabbed Liam’s arm and started walking away, muttering as she went. “Honestly, such a spoiled rich kid. Can’t he just wait until he gets home to drink some water?” Watching them walk away, I calmly picked up my fruit tea from the counter and followed slowly. A few yards from the exit, I heard screams erupt from the street. “CRASH!” The sound of tearing metal. The next second, the billboard came down from the sky. Rachel heard the commotion and immediately shoved Liam away. But she was the one caught, hit by the fifteen-foot metal frame. She crumpled to the ground, blood splattering from her head. The crowd instinctively formed a circle, children’s cries rising in a chaotic chorus. Liam, who had only suffered minor scrapes, scrambled to his feet. Urged by the onlookers, he finally remembered to call an ambulance. Gulp, gulp. I took two long pulls from my fruit tea. I guess this is what Rachel wanted to see in her last life.

I just got back to my dorm when I saw dozens of missed calls. I called my mom back. Her voice, close to tears, came through the phone. “You brat, where are you?” I told her I just got back to the dorm and my phone had died. My mom finally breathed a sigh of relief. “I told you not to go out in this stormy weather, but you wouldn’t listen. Look how scary things got!” “Your dad heard Rachel was injured near the town square and thought you were with her, so he rushed over too.” “From now on, when the weather’s bad, just stay in your dorm and read, got it?!” I used to hate my mom’s nagging. Now, hearing it over the phone, my heart felt warm. In my last life, when my parents found out I was missing, they knelt in the rain outside the police station, begging them to open a case immediately. And after Rachel became CEO, she not only purged my father’s loyal employees but also forced my dad, the former CEO, to live in a basement apartment. Yet, even that wasn’t enough for Rachel. Knowing my parents couldn’t handle the shock, she showed them videos of my abuse, blaming them for raising such a cold-blooded son. Learning I had died so painfully, my parents couldn’t take it. They literally died of shock and grief. Thinking of this, my eyes welled up. Hearing my silence, my mom raised her voice. “You knucklehead, not talking again! You probably put your phone aside to slack off!” “No… Mom, I was wrong before.” My mom paused, hearing the emotion in my voice. She thought I was worried about Rachel. “It’s okay, Julian. Rachel is a lucky girl, and your dad will help her out.” After hanging up with my mom, I stood on my dorm balcony and sighed softly. Rachel and I met when we were ten. My dad had just started his business, and her parents were divorcing. Since we went to the same school and were in the same class, we often did homework together. Later, in high school, Rachel and I both got into the honors class. Both our parents thought we’d continue like that forever, until Liam Miller showed up in our senior year. Liam was an arts student, not only good-looking but also an amazing street dancer. Ever since Rachel saw his performance, she’d been dying to meet him. I didn’t pay much attention at first. After all, Rachel always admired strength, and Liam was a total slacker when it came to academics. Besides, I’d personally seen Liam kissing a troublemaker in an alley, and his phone had a dozen backup girls. But Rachel wouldn’t believe me. She said I was just jealous. Well, this time around. I’m going to watch and see if she and Liam really end up together!

Rachel didn’t regain consciousness all night. My homeroom teacher, Ms. Evans, found me and urged me to visit her at the hospital. Everyone knew how close we were, so to avoid drawing suspicion, I followed her without a word. At the hospital. Rachel had internal bleeding in her brain. She was still in a coma when I arrived. On the hospital bed, only her nose was visible, hooked up to an oxygen machine, her legs encased in plaster casts and propped high. The doctor said she’d suffered a spinal injury and might be confined to a wheelchair for the rest of her life. Rachel’s mom, Mrs. Dawson, sobbed uncontrollably, kneeling on the floor. “Doctor, please! My daughter is a senior this year; her life has just begun!” Ms. Evans also pleaded. “Doctor, this child is Ivy League material. She has a math competition next month. You can’t give up on her!” In my last life, after Rachel won that competition, she soared, earning a guaranteed spot at a top-tier university. Now, hearing Ms. Evans mention the competition again, I clenched my fists. Math was my strong suit, but to avoid competing with Rachel, I hadn’t even signed up. Though I later got into a decent state university, a top-tier one was always my dream. Reborn, I wanted to make up for the regrets of my last life. Just as Ms. Evans finished speaking, a woman burst into the room, charging in recklessly. She grabbed Mrs. Dawson’s hair and yanked hard. “It’s all your fault! If your daughter hadn’t asked my son out shopping, he wouldn’t have been hurt!” “Flirting around at such a young age, and still trying to get my son to date her, ugh! You owe me for the medical bills!” At the doorway, Liam stood to the side, watching the whole spectacle like a detached observer. It wasn’t until my dad, Mr. Reed, came in to break up the fight that Liam’s mom, Mrs. Miller, was finally chased out. As Liam brushed past me, he threatened in my ear. “Remember, Rachel was the one who asked me out last night!” “If you say anything stupid, you know the consequences!” With that, he didn’t even spare Rachel a glance, chasing after his mom like she was contagious. I followed too. But I wasn’t chasing him; I was catching up with Ms. Evans. After all, Rachel always found me bothersome, and now she got exactly what she wanted. Even if she spent the rest of her life partially paralyzed. She should be happy, thinking she was hurt for the person she loved, right?

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I shivered, wrapped in a vibrant, thigh-high red dress, as the night breeze whipped around me on the street opposite the bar. I was suffering out here, all just to snag some drunk guy nobody was watching, to absorb a little life essence. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to be like my cousin, Blair, and just dive into the bar for prey. But it was way too loud in there. Fox ears are naturally sensitive, especially for an accomplished fox spirit like me. A tall boy stopped in front of me, almost six feet three inches. I had to crane my neck to look at him. He was in a blue tracksuit, his eyes clear and bright, his nose and mouth delicately shaped. His skin was so smooth and flawless, he looked like he’d melt at a touch. Honestly, he looked good enough to eat. But seeing his age, he was probably still in school. Was this too wrong? “Are you working, Miss?” Just hit on me, why are your eyes darting around like that? And what’s with the blush?! Did this kid just mistake me for a streetwalker? Another cold gust of wind made me shiver. Wrong or not, I needed that life essence. So, I went for it. I put on my most innocent, charming face, the one I used on elders. I gently tugged his sleeve, gazing up at him, blinking my eyes. “I’m freezing, sweetie. How about a kiss to warm me up?” “Why should I give you a kiss?” “Because I’m craving… ugh, I mean, I’m starving.” The boy didn’t seem to notice my slip-up. His eyes twinkled with amusement, and he took a step closer, slowly lowering his head towards me. I widened my mouth, practically drooling, ready to suck down that sweet life essence. My ninth tail was practically waving at me! It wasn’t until he pulled me into a convenience store and shoved a sandwich into my hand, no questions asked, that I finally snapped out of it. Wait, this isn’t what I’m hungry for! The scent of chicken wings wafted to my nose. I watched him pop a chicken wing into his mouth, then looked down at the whole-wheat bread in my hand. He just stared at me, looking completely innocent. “Why aren’t you eating, Miss? Aren’t you hungry?” Unbelievable! He didn’t even offer me a chicken wing! I clutched my bread, turned, and stomped off, feeling incredibly wronged. Ugh, men are the worst! 2 Back home, I looked at the empty sandwich wrapper in my hand, then smacked myself on the head twice, fuming. How did I eat it all? I didn’t even get a drink. Oh right, Davey didn’t buy me one. Just thinking about today’s epic fail made me cringe. Nine hundred years old, and I got clowned by a kid who hadn’t even shaved yet. What an absolute disgrace! No way. Next time, I’m going on the offensive. I *will* get my man! Once that burst of adrenaline faded, I deflated like a punctured balloon. Seriously, seducing people is hard. My face just has a mind of its own. It blushes whenever it damn well pleases, no matter how much I tell it not to! Especially today, when Davey got close. He was so handsome, way better looking than any male fox in our clan. I patted my burning cheeks, trying to hype myself up. Willow, don’t get sidetracked by pretty faces. You’re carrying the hopes of your entire clan! You have to be a professional fox spirit. You need to make those jerks who said you couldn’t seduce a man eat their words. I puffed out my chest again, ready to conquer. Listen up, my prey! The Nine-Tailed Queen is here! Tremble, mortals! 3 It was a dark and stormy night. Perfect for murder… *cough, sputter*… I mean, for *hunting*. Let’s see which lucky soul falls into my hands tonight. I randomly picked a guy, pinned him against the wall, and went in for a kiss. Just absorbing life essence, no need for all that fancy stuff. A little ‘take-charge’ approach is always popular, isn’t it? Except, could my little wallflower stop squirming already? Seriously, what’s this guy on? He’s surprisingly strong; I can barely hold him down! “Move again, and I’ll kiss you to death!” I growled, grinding my teeth. Huh, he actually stopped. He just went completely rigid. “Are you craving again, Miss?” A large hand gently cupped the back of my head, an utterly intimate gesture. I looked up, and in the dim light, I saw his face. Handsome, tall, with that sly smirk—it was that arrogant jerk from yesterday! “Do you just go around ambushing random guys every night?” he suddenly leaned in, whispering into my ear, “That’s dangerous, you know. What if you run into a bad guy?” My face flushed hot. He ruffled my hair, then, just as I was getting flustered, he slipped out of my grasp. Walking away, he called out, “This isn’t good for you, Miss. You should head home.” I snapped back to reality. I failed again! As I stamped my foot in frustration, he looked back under the streetlamp, still not far away. “Or, you could come home with me?” My fox ears practically shot straight up. Was this for real?! 4 Davey’s house was huge. If I shouted, would I hear an echo? “It’s just me here, Miss. Make yourself at home.” He lives alone in a place like this? I changed into slippers in the entryway, taking in my surroundings. The room was decorated in dark, cool tones, full of cold, minimalist vibes. Then I looked at Davey, with his sweet, innocent demeanor, and a million question marks popped into my head. It didn’t match at all. Davey, what kind of taste do you have? The shoe rack was filled with identical black leather shoes, except for the white sneakers he wore the first day, sticking out like a little lamb in a wolf’s den. Through the window, on the balcony, I saw perfectly stacked, uniformly spaced, identical black suits. I gasped, sucking in a cold breath. “I didn’t realize you were so cool on the inside,” I said, surprised. “Cool kid.” Davey turned back with a smile. “My name’s Devereaux. I’m a freelance worker. And you?” So, he wasn’t a student. I sat on the sofa. “I’m Willow. I’m a Community Development Specialist.” *Just the great cause of revitalizing Fox Clan, that’s all.* Davey was putting on an apron. “You always seem hungry when we meet, Miss. What do you want to eat today?” “You,” I blurted out. The moment I said it, my face burned. I was about to backtrack, but then I saw Davey’s eyes widen, his face even redder than mine. My heart fluttered with excitement. “No, I’m really tired today. Don’t have much energy,” Davey shook his head. I got even more excited. Davey and I stared at each other. After a long moment, he gave in, lowering his head, his earlobes flushed. “Whatever you want to do, shouldn’t you eat something first?” “How about chicken, three ways?” Davey looked at me with a gentle smile. What fox could ever say no to triple the chicken? 5 Davey’s chicken was absolutely delicious. After gnawing on the last drumstick and seeing the mountain of bones on the table, I let out a satisfied burp. Davey naturally began clearing the table. He was wearing a white T-shirt, his bangs neatly combed back, making him look soft and warm, as if bathed in a gentle light. His eyelashes fluttered like tiny brushes against my heart, tickling me. His apron strings dangled loose, highlighting an impossibly narrow waist. *Gulp.* It’s okay. Soon, this slender-waisted boy would be all mine. I shot up, wanting to pull him into a hug. But after two steps, my head felt so dizzy. Huh—? One Davey, two Daveys, so many Daveys! “That ‘drunken chicken’ dish had a lot of booze. You ate too happily and got tipsy.” Tipsy? But what about my big meal? I hadn’t absorbed his life essence yet! No way I’m letting you get away tonight! I pounced, biting down. “Good girl, settle down.” Suddenly, I was airborne. Davey had picked me up. He looked so skinny, how did he have so much strength? What did you say? What was Davey’s expression? How would a drunk fox know? But I was definitely happy, that much was true. 6 When I sobered up in the middle of the night, I saw my clothes were still perfectly on. I pouted. Remembering my cousin Scarlett’s teachings, I transformed into a thin nightgown, my legs bare, and slipped out of the guest room. It was the middle of the night, and I felt a little guilty. But Davey had explicitly agreed! I was just finishing what we started. He couldn’t blame me. I tiptoed to the master bedroom. The door wasn’t locked; it was even left ajar. Wasn’t that an invitation?! I quietly pushed the door open, slowly crawled onto Davey’s bed, and snuggled up next to him. My mouth was aimed right at his. Life essence, come to mommy! I sucked hard. Davey’s eyes suddenly snapped open, and he clamped a hand over his mouth. We stared at each other like two startled deer caught in headlights. The absorption process was interrupted, and I started coughing so hard the room shook. He did that on purpose! He totally did! 7 Davey switched on the lamp, looking at me with exasperation. Maybe he’d just woken up, his hair was messy, and his pajama top was open, revealing his abs. I instinctively knelt obediently on his lap, looking up at him. “You promised me,” I said, trying to straighten my back, my voice a little shaky. “Miss, you don’t do this with everyone, do you?” I froze. Thinking back, I usually just knocked them out and absorbed. This was the first time I’d met someone so difficult. I shook my head. “Only you.” “Are you serious, Miss?” “Super serious!” I pouted. The tense lines on Davey’s face softened. He shook his head helplessly, then chuckled softly. He shook his head again, then opened his arms to me. What a turnaround! What a ray of light! This was it! I leaped into his arms, giddy with excitement, and he wrapped me in a tight embrace. A single layer of fabric couldn’t stop the warmth from spreading. Davey was like a furnace, radiating warmth. Davey’s face drew closer and closer. I slowly closed my eyes, my other senses sharpening. I felt his scorching breath, felt his lips capture mine. So soft! His tongue began its conquest, and I had no power to resist, dizzyingly following his rhythm. It wasn’t until I was about to gasp for air that Davey finally released me. My lips and tongue were numb. Good thing I got that life essence, or it would have been a total waste. …I went silent. Did I just forget to absorb life essence? I jolted upright, startled, my head hitting Davey’s chin. My ears *hurt*. Wait, my ears!!! I quickly reached for the top of my head. Sure enough, they were out. I quickly pulled them back in. With my hair covering them, and in this darkness, Davey probably didn’t notice, right? Fox spirits can’t reveal their true forms to humans. I didn’t want to end up singing the blues in a jail cell. The next second, my entire body froze. My tail… it was out. Like a broken record, I slowly lowered my head, staring at the tails wildly waving around the room. I closed my eyes in despair. It was just a kiss! How could I get so emotional?! If the clan found out, I’d be laughed to death! Next time I need life essence, I’m finding a blind guy. A soft chuckle came from above my head. “So you really are a fox, Miss. No wonder you’re so beautiful—and so soft.” Davey was holding one of my tails, gently kneading it. I tentatively tried to pull it back. Davey narrowed his eyes, looking at me meaningfully. Then, he stroked my tail from the very tip all the way to the root. All my fox fur stood on end. My entire body felt like it was zapped with electricity. “Are you sick?!” I shrieked, furiously trying to snatch my tail back. I pulled. It wouldn’t budge?! Suddenly, he flipped over, pinning me down on the bed. In the darkness, I could hear both our heartbeats quickening. “Don’t get distracted, my little fox.” 8 I successfully absorbed the handsome Davey’s life essence. But I ended up in the hospital, unlucky me. That arrogant jerk at least had a conscience; he got me a VIP room. “Awake?” He looked at me with a cold face. I was the one who passed out from absorbing *his* life essence, why was he giving *me* attitude? “The doctor said you had food poisoning. He told me to warn you to be careful next time.” *Food poisoning.* *Careful next time.* He emphasized those words particularly heavily. If my human university professors had highlighted key points like that, I wouldn’t have failed so many classes and almost not graduated. “What kind of poisoning did I get?” I felt a little panicky, but then I sensed my body. My ninth tail seemed to have grown out. I ignored the pain all over my body, grimacing as I rushed to the bathroom. Locked the door. I released all nine of my tails, ready to admire my nine-tailed glory. This was it, nine tails! Let’s see who dares say I’m a bad cultivator now. However, I looked at the tails behind me, then at my reflection in the mirror. What the hell?! I’m a white fox! A snow-white fox with not a single stray dark hair, so how did I grow a black tail?! I hugged the dark, ugly tail and burst into tears, whimpering like a puppy. I’m so ugly now! Who wants this tail? Can I just cut it off? I seriously couldn’t face anyone like this! 9 The first thing I did when I got home was tie that arrogant jerk up tight. Seeing him restrained by eight of my tails, lying motionless on the bed, I weirdly felt he possessed a certain tortured beauty. That thought scared the crap out of me. Was something wrong with my fox brain? I let that ugly tail out separately, using it as a whip. In my excitement, the black tail snapped against the floor with a loud crack. That arrogant jerk shivered all over. I felt a little satisfied. “Confess leniently, resist severely. Tell me, which temple sent you to harm me? Why did I get a stomach ache and grow a black tail after absorbing your life essence?” I looked at the dark tail, sniffled, and fought back tears. “Miss, I didn’t do anything. You forced me.” “That’s nonsen…!” I slammed on the brakes. Huh, he was right, wasn’t he? Suddenly, my conscience felt a little pain. “How can you turn the tables on me like that?!” Oh no, my conscience hurt even more. 10 “No playing the victim! Confess honestly, or I’ll eat you, Miss.” I bared my fangs. Don’t think foxes only have ears and tails; I eat meat too! Davey shrank back in fear, his shoulders trembling. Tears clung to the corners of his eyes, and I felt a little soft-hearted. He was still young, after all. “Miss, you’re far too easy to trick.” What kind of horrible personality was that? I must have been blind to think he was a sweet, innocent boy. I was furious. I lunged, biting at his neck. Suddenly, black mist filled the air, and my tails were forcibly flung away. Before I could recover, Davey turned the tables. A large scythe, covered in black cloth strips, appeared out of nowhere, held horizontally in front of me. Davey was wearing a black robe, with smoky eyeliner circles so dark, it looked like he hadn’t slept in three days. If he just had a guitar, he’d be a middle schooler trying to be a death metal rock star. The scythe hooked my waist. With a slight pull, I tumbled into his arms.

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