Chapter 4

The truth is, Jiang Ciyue and I used to get along well.

I started following him around in middle school.

Later, I confessed my feelings to him. Although he rejected me, he didn’t push me away.

He said, “Wan Ju, you’ll always be my little sister. I’ll always protect you.”

Everything changed when I was 21. We were both drugged at a bar and ended up in bed together.

At the time, Jiang Ciyue had only been broken up with his ex-girlfriend for three days.

Reporters started baseless rumors, saying I was the reason they broke up. Many people called me a homewrecker who forced her way in.

The scandal was huge. Everywhere I went, people would point and whisper. Eventually, I just hid at home, burying my head in the sand.

I had no idea my parents would go to the Jiang family behind my back, accusing Jiang Ciyue of ruining my reputation and demanding that he take responsibility.

I only found out after our families had already arranged the marriage.

I knew Jiang Ciyue didn’t love me and I didn’t want to force him, so I told him:

“You don’t have to take what my parents said to heart. What happened that night was an accident. It wasn’t your fault.”

“I know you don’t want to marry me. Once this storm passes, I’ll find a way to convince my parents to call off the engagement.”

But his response was completely unexpected.

“I slept with you, so of course, I have to be responsible for you.”

“I am marrying you willingly. No one is forcing me, so you don’t need to feel burdened.”

I was hit by a wave of pure joy, so ecstatic I could have jumped.

Unfortunately, that happiness didn’t last long.

On our wedding night, Jiang Ciyue’s demeanor completely shifted. He looked at me with disgust and said:

“Shi Wan Ju, the one thing I hate most in this life is being deceived.”

“To marry me, you drugged me and even hired reporters to take photos.”

“After blowing the whole thing up, you had your parents come and make a scene, forcing my hand.”

“You are so disgusting.”

“I will never touch you. From now on, you can live out your life with the empty title of Mrs. Jiang.”

I stood there, stunned, unable to understand how the blame had fallen on me.

Later, I tried to explain countless times that I wasn’t the one who drugged him, but he never believed me.

I tried to be good to him, to mend our relationship, but he wouldn’t give me a chance.

The meals I cooked, he threw in the trash.

The scarf I knitted, he used as a cleaning rag.

The messages I sent, he never replied.

And then, Qu Yi appeared in his life.

Gradually, I accepted reality. I stopped fantasizing about a future with him and stopped being a doormat.

If Qu Yi bullied me, I would bully her right back.

If Jiang Ciyue wouldn’t let me be happy, then no one was going to be happy.

And we kept up this charade until today.

Suddenly, I felt tired.

So tired that I no longer wanted to be entangled with him.