Chapter 15: Entangled by Ex-Fiancé, Regretful and Begging to Reconcile

After eating beef offal, they strolled through the streets for a bit. Li Zhi bought some toys from the street vendors, a few stuffed dolls, ceramic ornaments, and some study materials.

By evening, they had another meal together. It wasn’t until the sun had set that they decided to head back.

Fu Tingzhou offered to give Li Zhi a ride home on his bike, saying it would take less than half an hour to get there.

Li Zhi declined. “No need to trouble yourself. The bus is convenient and also takes about half an hour. Riding a bike already uses a lot of energy, and carrying someone will just make it more tiring.”

She could tell that Fu Tingzhou felt differently toward her—he seemed to like her a little.

She was afraid that if she kept spending time with him, she might end up using him to get back at Lu Yanzhi.

If he weren’t such a decent person, she might have really done it.

But he treated her sincerely and owed her nothing. The bit of kindness still left in her heart wouldn’t allow her to do something so cruel.

But he insisted, “You just got out of the hospital. I don’t feel comfortable letting you go home alone. If you don’t want to ride the bike, I’ll take the bus with you.”

Zhou Yufeng chimed in to help, “Yeah! We’re the people’s soldiers—men should look after women’s safety. We’ll take you back together.”

Li Zhi gave in. “Alright then. Thanks. Next time I’ll treat you two to a meal.”

Zhou Yufeng half-joked, half-serious, “Deal, we’ll be waiting.”

Fu Tingzhou gave him a disapproving look: How could you let a woman treat us?

Zhou Yufeng returned a look: Bro, I’m just helping you out here.

Mutual invitations, back and forth—this was how people got to know each other and deepen relationships.

Li Zhi waved goodbye to Uncle Wang. “Uncle Wang, we’re heading off. See you next time.”

Fu Tingzhou followed, “Old Wang, we’re leaving. We’ll come again.”

Old Wang stood at the door, waving them off. “Alright, see you next time. Bring your girl next time and it’s on the house—don’t forget!”

He was happy that these young folks still remembered to visit him. He thought of them like his own children and hoped he’d live to see them get married and live happily.

Young Fu almost had a girl now—he just didn’t know when young Zhou would find his.

They rode until they were just two blocks from her house.

Li Zhi asked Fu Tingzhou to stop there. She could walk the rest of the way.

The neighbors near her house all knew her. If they saw a strange young man dropping her off, rumors would spread.

Her engagement hadn’t been called off yet, and she didn’t want to hurt Fu Tingzhou’s reputation.

He understood and stopped the bike by the roadside. His eyes dimmed, though he kept a neutral expression.

“I’ll head back then. Be careful. See you.” Li Zhi got off the bike and waved.

Fu Tingzhou nodded. “Okay, see you.”

Maybe she only sees me as an ordinary friend…

In his 28 years of life, it was the first time he had truly liked someone—yet she didn’t seem to return the feeling. The sour ache in his chest was unbearable.

Her expression was calm, her gaze tranquil—like she hadn’t sensed his feelings at all.

The bitterness swelled in his heart. The smile on his face froze, and his chest felt tight. He could only silently look away.

Zhou Yufeng said, “Don’t be discouraged. Comrade Li Zhi just went through a bad relationship—it’s only been a few days. She can’t just open her heart to someone new that fast. Once bitten, twice shy.”

Fu Tingzhou said dryly, “So this is a case of the successor suffering for the sins of the predecessor.”

“Exactly. Who’d have thought you’d one day be troubled by love? If the girls you’ve rejected before found out, they’d probably feel vindicated.”

Fu Tingzhou shot him a glare. “Whose side are you on?”

Zhou Yufeng grinned, “Just joking. I mean, she went to the temple to pray for good grades, went shopping for study materials—Lu Yanzhi forced her into focusing only on academics and the future.

She probably won’t consider another relationship for a while, but it’s obvious she doesn’t dislike you. Start as friends, warm her up like a frog in boiling water. One day you’ll win her heart. Don’t give up—go get her.”

Fu Tingzhou replied, “I won’t give up easily.”

He said it both to Zhou Yufeng and to himself.

Before Li Zhi even reached her front door, someone stepped in her way.

The man came straight at her and demanded, “Li Zhi, so you’re actually the real daughter of the Li family? Why didn’t you tell me?”

Li Jingze had gone to the village to find Li Moli and finally learned the truth.

He regretted abandoning Li Zhi for Li Moli.

He picked up a sesame seed and threw away a watermelon—such a foolish trade. He’d been waiting here since noon just to catch her.

“We have nothing to do with each other anymore. Why would I tell you?” Li Zhi tried to push past him to run home, but He Guangyao grabbed her and pinned her against the wall with his arms.

He Guangyao was her former fiancé from the countryside—the village’s only college student and son of the former village head.

Now, he was engaged to Li Moli.

The Li family hadn’t announced Li Zhi’s true identity publicly, fearing it would hurt Li Moli. Only a few people knew. Most still believed Li Zhi was the adopted daughter.

Li Zhi struggled, glaring at him fiercely. “What are you trying to do? Touch me again and I’ll scream.”

He Guangyao wasn’t scared at all. In fact, he threatened her back. “Go ahead, scream! Let them come out and see—then everyone will think we’re together, and I’ll marry you.”

“I’d rather die than marry you. If you lay a finger on me, I’ll accuse you of rape. My second brother works for public security. If you don’t want to die, let go of me.”

Being a college student, He Guangyao knew how to read the room. He released her and raised his hands in surrender.

“Fine, I’ll let go. Xiaohua—no, Zhizhi—we grew up together. We were engaged. I nearly became your husband. Don’t I hold any place in your heart?”

Back in the village, her name had been Li Xiaohua—such a plain name.

The first thing she did after entering the Li family was change it.

Li Zhi slammed her backpack into his chest. Bang!

“You’re with Li Moli now. What’s the point of asking me that? Get lost—I’m in a bad mood. Don’t provoke me.”

In her past life, He Guangyao had married Li Moli, made a fortune in business, and later shamelessly claimed that the one he truly loved was her—Li Zhi. That she was his one and only.

To build his “devoted lover” persona, he kept a string of mistresses, all resembling her in some way—eyes, nose, face shape, temperament.

Li Moli refused to divorce him, clinging to wealth and status. She vented her jealousy on Li Zhi—beating, humiliating, and even forcing her to kneel and clean her shoes with her hands.

Half of Li Zhi’s pain came indirectly from He Guangyao. She hated him too.

He wasn’t skinny or muscular, but when she hit him, he grunted and stumbled back a few steps, clutching his chest and looking at her with passionate eyes.

“There is—how could there not be? You’ve always been the one in my heart. I never liked Li Moli. I even know what happened at your wedding. That man isn’t right for you. Don’t be fooled by that uniform—those soldiers hang out at the red-light district every time they’re on leave. They’re more of a playboy than most men.”

“He’s not my ‘Mr. Right’—but you are? You cheated on me with Li Moli behind my back just to become Li family’s ideal son-in-law. We have zero possibility. Don’t come looking for me—go find your precious Li Moli.”

He Guangyao said, “Zhizhi, I love you. I only gave in to her threats for the sake of our future. Let’s start over.”

“Li Moli is clearly more favored by the Li family than me. Marrying her made you the real golden son-in-law.”

That stunned him. How was that possible?

Li Moli had already been kicked out. Normally, people side with their blood relatives—adopted daughters were always seen as ungrateful freeloaders.

He didn’t believe her. He thought she was bluffing. “Zhizhi, whether they favor her or not has nothing to do with me. I regret it—I regret being with her. After being with her, I realized how much I love you.”

Li Zhi raised her bag and pretended to hit him. When he flinched and stepped back, she ran toward the Li house.

But He Guangyao, with his long legs, caught up easily and grabbed her arm, pressing her against the wall again.

Li Zhi went wild—slapping, clawing, hitting. “He Guangyao, are you insane?! Let me go or I’ll report you for rape and have you locked up!”

“If you don’t believe I love you, I’ll prove it to you.”

He wasn’t afraid of being reported. He could claim she seduced him—ruin her reputation so she’d have no choice but to marry him. Then he’d have the woman and the money.

“Ah! You’re sick—go get help! If they can’t fix you, just drop dead! Don’t drag me down with you!” Li Zhi cursed and swung her bag, but he snatched it and threw it on the ground.

He pinned her hands, shoved her against the wall, and tried to kiss her to keep her from shouting.

Disgusted, she turned her head and slammed her forehead into his—bang!

Stars exploded in He Guangyao’s vision, but he still didn’t let go.

Li Zhi screamed at the top of her lungs, “Help! Someone help! I’m being raped!”