Chapter 1

To raise money for her daughter’s treatment, Xu Mianwu had become the punching bag of the city’s wealthy elite.

She ate spoiled food. Barked like a dog. Even let a group of people punch and kick her belly when she was just over a month pregnant.

Blood spread across the tiles beneath her. As she rolled on the floor, clutching her stomach in agony, she heard her former best friend, Xu Manqi, sneer.

“Weren’t you the proud little star student? You even reported us to the police for bullying. What happened? Look at you now, begging like a dog.”

Cold sweat covered Mianwu’s forehead. She forced an ingratiating smile. “I was wrong back then. You can do anything you want to me. Please, just give me the money you promised.”

“As if I’d go back on my word.” Manqi slapped a check for five million yuan against her face. “Spineless bitch.”

Mianwu’s eyes lit up. She snatched the check, knocked her forehead against the floor several times in thanks, and hurried to the bank.

The humiliation didn’t matter. She only wanted to save her daughter.

Before she could cash it, her phone rang.

A man’s voice spoke coldly. “I’m Manqi’s husband. Five million is nothing, but I don’t appreciate con artists taking advantage of my wife’s kindness. I’ve canceled the check. Try playing on her sympathy again, and you’ll pay for it.”

Mianwu went rigid.

That voice sounded exactly like her husband, Huo Shuheng.

But how could it be?

When she first met Shuheng, Manqi had been bullying him. He came from a poor family, and at Jingbei No. 1 High School, where the children of wealthy families gathered, that made him everyone’s favorite target.

Back then, Mianwu had been stubborn and principled. Without thinking, she’d rushed in front of him.

“Manqi, stop bullying him! Do it again and I’ll tell a teacher!”

For a moment, everyone had gone quiet. Then laughter erupted.

Manqi folded her arms and looked down her nose at her. “You’re my best friend, Xu Mianwu, and you’re taking his side? We need someone to blow off steam on. If you won’t let us use him, we’ll use you.”

Mianwu looked at Shuheng, covered in injuries, and blurted, “Then go ahead!”

Those words had cost her three years of nightmares.

Over and over, Shuheng had looked at her wounds with reddened eyes and whispered that he was sorry. Over and over, he’d clenched his fists and sworn that one day, he would make those people pay.

How could he possibly be involved with Manqi?

It had to be a coincidence.

She pushed the thought away. “I didn’t scam Xu Manqi! My daughter—”

The man gave a derisive laugh and hung up.

After a stunned moment, Mianwu hurried to find a bank employee. When she learned that the check really had been canceled, tears spilled down her face.

What was she supposed to do now?

Desperate, she instinctively wanted Shuheng. She stumbled back to their rented apartment.

Before she opened the door, she heard his friends inside.

“That woman of yours is unbelievably stupid. She couldn’t see you were hiding your identity to chase Manqi, so she threw herself in front of you. Couldn’t get rid of her. And after all these years together, she still hasn’t figured it out!”

“Tell us the truth, Shuheng. You’re already married to Manqi, but you had a fake marriage certificate made to fool Xu Mianwu. Are you just playing with her, or have you actually fallen for the adorable little idiot?”