Jiang Mocheng declined the leisure activities after dinner.

People had heard about his temperament. It was said that the Jiang family had strict rules.

It was not clear if he was truly low-key, but so far, there had been no scandalous news about the Jiang family. Thinking of this, some people at the table no longer insisted.

After the last drink, they said their goodbyes at the restaurant door.

A car had been waiting early on. Jiang Mocheng opened the car door and sat inside when his phone rang. It was a call from his sister-in-law.

He lazily answered, “What’s the matter?”

“Of course, I’m just greeting my dear brother.”

There was some noise on the other end, but it soon became quiet. Wang Yaming’s tone was full of smiles. “You see, I can’t get away, otherwise, why would I trouble my brother who’s on vacation to run this errand for me, I—”

“Get to the point.”

Jiang Mochengcoldly interrupted her, “Hang up if there’s nothing important.”

“Well…”

Wang Yaming also understood her younger brother-in-law’s temperament and immediately switched to work mode, speaking seriously with him about business matters.

In the end, she also complained, “You know your older brother’s temperament. His mind isn’t on the business. I can’t be tough with those uncles. If I don’t say the right thing, they will all complain.”

Jiang Mochengsaid flatly, “Oh, you can resign if it’s that hard.”

These five words silenced Wang Yaming, and sure enough, she didn’t say anything further.

The older brother and sister-in-law complemented each other in various ways. One was mild and the other was strict, one was peaceful and the other was fiery. Despite Wang Yaming’s complaints, being a leisurely and comfortable lady of the house would be the death of her.

“Don’t come to me for such thankless tasks in the future.”

Jiang Mochengreminded her, “I’m busy, and this is the last time.”

Wang Yaming chuckled at his tease, “Busy with what? Are you too busy dating?”

“If you really start dating, I’ll give you my vacation. And your older brother’s too.”

Unless he was busy with something as significant as dating, Jiang Mocheng was like a brick, moving wherever needed. They all found it very convenient.

“I’m hanging up.”

Jiang Mocheng stopped wasting time and ended the call.

The city was not big. There was no large-scale reconstruction going on, and the bustling areas were still concentrated in the old city. Soon, the car stopped steadily at the hotel entrance.

Jiang Mocheng got out of the car, passed through the revolving door, and was about to head to the elevator hall when a crisp sound came from not far away.

He looked towards the source of the sound and saw a guest who had accidentally dropped their glass, causing everyone in the lobby to look over. The staff quickly went over to clean it up.

—

Bai Ying breathed heavily, her forehead and nose sweaty. She suddenly sat up, her back cold, momentarily unable to distinguish between dream and reality.

As she got out of bed, she accidentally knocked over the glass on the bedside table, shattering it.

This sound finally pulled her back to reality.

She stared blankly at the mess on the floor, still feeling scared, her chest rising and falling rapidly.

She glanced at the clock. She had only slept for less than half an hour, but it felt like she had been asleep for a very long time, long enough to have a weird dream.

In the dream, there was a book.

There, she accompanied a young man who had nothing, watching him climb step by step until he stood at the peak.

This young man was Shen Jin, and the book detailed his rags-to-riches story, showing how he achieved one goal after another, eventually becoming one of the legendary figures of his era.

However, what was regrettable was that he was only passionate about his career. Until the end of the story, he remained alone.

From the perspective of an onlooker, this might not seem fulfilling, but to Bai Ying, it felt as chilling as encountering a ghost in broad daylight.

Throughout the text, there were four memorable female characters. One was Shen Jin’s grandmother, who cared for him absolutely, and the other three women played different roles in his life.

The first woman was named Cheng Li, who could be considered Shen Jin’s childhood sweetheart.

The Cheng and Shen families were neighbors for many years. Cheng Li admired him and always looked at him with worried eyes from behind. When both were in their twenties, Cheng Li confessed her feelings to Shen Jin.

At that time, Shen Jin’s mind was not on this, and there was no romantic feeling between them, so he naturally rejected her.

Later, this young woman married someone else and appeared in the hospital when she was seriously ill. Shen Jin provided her with a lot of help, but she still passed away at the age of twenty-eight.

The second woman was named Song Yunzhu, the daughter of a jewelry store owner.

She fell in love with Shen Jin at first sight at a banquet and pursued him. Miss Song was romantic, but Shen Jin never had any feelings for her. After more than a year of contact, Shen Jin did not develop any other feelings for Miss Song.

Tired of waiting, Miss Song listened to her parents and went on blind dates. Just as they were about to progress, the Song family went bankrupt, and Miss Song sadly left the city.

This failed love story came to an end without becoming a romantic tale.

The third woman… was named Bai Ying.

She was the only girlfriend he admitted to having. He treated her with utmost care and love. Just when everyone thought they would be together, she left.

To many people, Shen Jin seemed too perfect to be real. After he fell in love with Bai Ying, even the author probably realized that his passion for his career was not as strong as before.

He even started to be content with his current situation. If the story had continued like that, it might have been about settling down and having children. But the author could not let that happen.

As for the fate of this woman, there were hardly any details. As if any further clarifications would make Shen Jin seem too heartless.

However, a few years later, when Shen Jin was drinking with his best friend, his friend mentioned Bai Ying, saying with a heavy tone, “It’s a pity.”

“A pity…”

Bai Ying pursed her lips, hugging her knees and shivering.

She wanted to curse and divert her attention. It was just a dream. Who would take a dream seriously? Come on!

Bai Ying couldn’t smile, but couldn’t help but think.

“If the story follows the novel, the fate of the woman named Bai Ying would certainly be more tragic than Cheng Li and Miss Song. When would someone use the words ‘It’s a pity’? She must have died long ago.”

She had written plays before and had also studied novels.

Undoubtedly, the protagonist is always the soul of a novel. Some authors even design the plot around the central theme of “those who follow the protagonist, live; those who oppose the protagonist, die.”

If Shen Jin is the only protagonist in this novel, then what would be the fate of those who gain his affection but eventually betray him?

They die.

And they die miserably and painfully!

Knock, knock, knock—

A knocking sound came from the door. Bai Ying was startled, her heart pounding. She tried to calm herself down, but her teeth were still chattering.

Slowly, she moved towards the door, peering through the peephole to see who was outside. Without any expression, she opened the door.

Jiang Mocheng’s tall figure almost blocked the light in the corridor.

Without even hugging her, he frowned upon seeing her pale face, reaching out to touch her forehead and asking in a low voice, “Are you feeling unwell? Why is your face so pale?”

Bai Ying tried to speak but couldn’t find the words. Her thoughts were in turmoil, a mess.

Jiang Mocheng reached for her hand and found it cold. He quickly came inside, closing the door behind him and pulling her towards the bed.

“Go change your clothes. I’ll take you to the hospital.”

“No need,” she said wearily. “I’m not sick or uncomfortable, just tired.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Jiang Mochengstared at her face for a while, eventually deciding not to push her. 

“Alright, if you’re not feeling well, don’t force yourself. The hospital is nearby.”

As he paused, he noticed the broken glass shards on the bedside table. Holding her by the waist, he settled her onto the bed and said, “Stay here and don’t move. I’ll call the front desk to clean this up.”

Bai Ying, unusually docile, didn’t speak. She just drooped her head, seemingly lost in thought, looking frail and pale, appearing pitiful.

Jiang Mocheng quickly took off his suit, avoiding the broken glass, and draped it over her.

He really couldn’t leave her alone for a moment.

He had only been gone for a short while, and she was cold again, and had broken a glass. If he had returned a minute later, could she have accidentally stepped on the glass and bled?

Bending down, he kissed her reassuringly on her still somewhat cold forehead.

Bai Ying’s eyelashes trembled, and she instinctively tightened her grip on the bedsheet.

Standing up straight, Jiang Mocheng picked up the bedside phone and called the front desk.

His deep voice resonated in Bai Ying’s ears, “Yes, Room 1305. A glass was broken. Please send someone to clean it up.”

Bai Ying finally fully woke up. The bits and pieces of her clarity returned. She looked up at Jiang Mocheng, scrutinizing him.

“Leaving”

and

“Running away”

are two completely different concepts.

A bitter departure might still have room for reconciliation.

But running away hand in hand with that damned pretty boy? Isn’t that a death sentence?

Why did she foolishly agree to go with him? He must have drugged her without her knowing!

If he hadn’t been whispering and tempting her day after day, how could she have agreed so foolishly? She had been completely deceived!

Jiang Mocheng hung up the phone and turned to see Bai Ying staring at him with helpless eyes. She sat on the bed looking vulnerable, her black hair falling over her shoulders, revealing her fair and delicate collarbone. Her watery eyes blinked, fixedly staring at him.

“Missed me?” He asked with a low chuckle.

Bai Ying looked at him, a faint smile on her face—

Miss him? She wanted to strangle this troublemaker.