Li Yang stood frozen in place, his lips pressed tightly together.

He had initially thought of catching up to Su Wan to clear things up, hoping that perhaps she was just using another man to provoke him. Li Yang held onto this hope, unwilling to believe that so many years of feelings could be turned around and denied so easily.

But as he turned the corner, he saw Wen Chen Yue holding Su Wan close, their gazes locked, their faces so close that their noses were nearly touching, an intimate and ambiguous expression between them.

The scene was like a sharp knife that stabbed directly into his heart.

“……”

Li Yang could no longer hide his emotions and left in a state of disarray.

Back at home, he couldn’t sleep. Su Wan’s lovely face kept appearing in his mind, lingering even when he closed his eyes. All he could do was drink bottle after bottle in an attempt to numb the ache.

He thought he saw a gentle figure leaning over him, softly calling his name. A flicker of hope arose in his heart, and he held onto the figure, planting kisses on the face he had longed for day and night.

“Wanwan… Wanwan…”

You’ve come back, that’s wonderful.

He was willing to humble himself for her…

The next morning.

The harsh sunlight woke Li Yang. His dazed mind pieced together fragments of the previous night, and a surge of tender emotion filled his heart.

Just as he had thought, Su Wan still couldn’t let him go, she had come—

Then he looked at the woman lying beside him, and his face froze.

Su Qin’s delicate face showed a sweet smile. “Brother Li Yang.”

“Why are you here?!”

Su Qin bit her lip. “Who else could it be but me?”

Nothing had actually happened the night before—Li Yang had passed out in his drunkenness. Hearing him call Su Wan’s name over and over had stoked Su Qin’s jealousy like a flame, making her grind her teeth in anger.

She had calmly realized that Li Yang still yearned for Su Wan and clearly wanted more than ever to reconcile with her. She couldn’t allow them that chance, so she had to find a way.

Like pretending she and Li Yang had been intimate.

Now, Li Yang would have to marry her.

Li Yang sat on the bed with a stiff expression, feeling no joy, only endless anguish.

Su Qin’s expression grew increasingly pale, and she whispered, “You don’t have to take responsibility… Don’t worry, I won’t tell my father…”

He took a deep breath, feeling as if he was reliving a nightmare.

Li Yang closed his eyes, his expression calm. When he opened them again, his gaze was cold.

“If that’s what you want, then I’ll give it to you.”

…

While Su Wan was resting, Aunt Wang mentioned a few notable events.

Su Ming had married a woman of modest background who was apparently quite good at cozying up to money, and her relationship with Su Qin didn’t seem all that harmonious;

Su Qin and Li Yang got engaged, the ceremony was simple and understated, and no wedding date was set.

That shameless Su Ming even had the audacity to send Su Xiaoqing an invitation, clearly intending to offend.

Su Wan had a group play music and make a scene outside the Su family home for a whole day. On the day of celebration, white paper money floated all around.

Su Xiaoqing lightly scolded her for going too far, but her smile was practically ear-to-ear.

The next day, everyone in high society knew about the Su family’s “sneaky” wedding, with paper money and funeral music outside. The incident became a running joke.

When Su Xiaoqing heard about Su Qin and Li Yang’s engagement, she feared her daughter would be heartbroken, but instead, she watched as Su Wan enjoyed her days leisurely—gardening, feeding fish, going on vacations, and occasionally modeling for the company. Life couldn’t be more comfortable.

The whole internet was waiting for Su Wan to appear devastated and haggard.

A paparazzi photographer secretly followed and captured a picture of her.

She was on vacation at a ski resort, a beauty in the snow with red lips and bright eyes, glancing toward the camera and smiling radiantly.