Chapter 3

When we went back, Shuyao was giving Xiao Che his medicine.

Whenever I had coaxed him to take it before, he would make a tremendous fuss. I had to bring preserved fruit and his favorite pastries before he would reluctantly swallow a mouthful or two.

Now he took the bowl and drained it in one go.

That told me exactly how little I counted beside Shuyao.

When he saw me, a flicker of awkwardness crossed his face.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” His voice was low. “Isn’t this what you wanted? You don’t have to coax me to take my medicine anymore. Pleased with yourself?”

Another accusation, out of nowhere. He seemed to hold some grudge against me.

But I no longer wanted to please him.

“Drink it or don’t. What does it have to do with me? It’s your health. I won’t trouble myself about it again.”

His expression changed. He flung back the covers, hurried out of bed, and blocked my way.

“Shen Zhining, what do you mean? How can my health have nothing to do with you? You’re my wi—”

The word caught in his throat.

He paused, seeming to remember something, then gave a cold snort.

“You said it yourself. You’d better keep your word. Don’t come trying to force me to marry you later.”

He was so blunt that even though I had given up on him, I couldn’t help feeling humiliated.

Shuyao glared at him and came over to comfort me.

“Zhining, don’t listen to him. Your elders arranged this marriage. Even if he doesn’t like you, he can’t defy his mother. He’ll have to marry you whether he wants to or not.”

I knew Shuyao wanted to marry my cousin herself. But I was the one betrothed to him, so she could only keep her feelings hidden.

To put her heart at ease, I told her that our engagement had been called off.

She stared at me in astonishment. “Really? Then you and he won’t be bound to each other anymore?”

I nodded.

Xiao Che scoffed.

“Don’t listen to her nonsense. Mother is so fond of her. How could she possibly agree?”

His face darkened.

“Shen Zhining, is lying to me amusing? Or is this some new trick of yours?”

He clearly didn’t believe me. Fine. I couldn’t be bothered to explain again.

The two of them were only holding each other back anyway.

There were so many guests at the birthday banquet that Aunt couldn’t manage everything alone. I decided to go and help her.

Behind me, Xiao Che demanded, “I’m asking you a question! You lied about the engagement being canceled, didn’t you?”

He was unbearably noisy.

How could one fall into the water make him act as though someone else had taken over his body?

“Yes, yes, of course. Whatever you say.”

He sounded as smug as if he had won an argument.

“I knew it. You’ve wanted me for so long. How could you possibly give up just like that? But I won’t marry you. You’ll never have me.”