Volume One, Chapter One: She No Longer Wants This Man

Page 1/3

Ji Yanli came home drunk, barged into the room, and carried Shu Xingruo, who was sitting at her vanity applying skincare, horizontally onto the bed. Shu Xingruo’s pale arms wrapped around his neck as he kissed her with desperate intensity, as if trying to swallow her whole. He tore open her nightgown with rough, domineering hands. His long fingers covered hers, and his strong body pressed down on her without resistance.

This was the first time Ji Yanli had touched her in the six years since their marriage. Her slender waist almost felt broken in his powerful embrace; he hurt her, but she did not stop him, allowing him to ravage her. The pain mingled with happiness. She finally possessed this handsome man, as radiant as a sky full of stars, once again. She was intoxicated in his arms and wished this could last a lifetime.

After a long while, Ji Yanli lay beside her, breathing heavily. In a daze, he reached out to pull her into his arms and softly called, “Xinxin…” Shu Xingruo’s heart sank into an icy lake—he had mistaken her for He Xin. Everything he had just done was meant for He Xin.

Her stomach churned violently; this man was utterly despicable. Irritated, Shu Xingruo pushed Ji Yanli away and went to shower. Standing under the spray, the waves of their six-year marriage crashed over her, suffocating her with heartache. She crouched down and cried bitterly for her own stubbornness, for forcing herself into this hollow marriage.

She would never be so foolish again.

When she came out dressed, she found her son, Ji Zhixu, standing outside the door, staring at her with timid, wide eyes. “Mom, what’s wrong?” Shu Xingruo took a deep breath, forced calm, and said, “Mom’s fine, just a little unhappy. Xuxu, go to bed now.” Ji Zhixu shook his head, “Mom, I want to finish the work I’m doing.”

Half a month ago, he had asked Shu Xingruo to teach him how to make herbal bracelets, intending to give one to someone important. Tomorrow was that person’s birthday, so he needed to finish it tonight. Shu Xingruo reminded him, “Then you should sleep early.” She went to the study to sleep herself, feeling nauseated at the sight of Ji Yanli.

Page 2/3

The next morning, Ji Yanli saw Shu Xingruo emerge from the study. His gaze was icy and harsh. “Shu Xingruo, what are you scheming now?” She sized him up with a look of disdain and said coldly, “Nothing. I just don’t want to be He Xin’s substitute.” Ji Yanli placed his hands on his hips in frustration. “Do you think I’ll die if you don’t mention her all day?” Shu Xingruo returned his glare with one equally frosty. “I won’t mention her anymore.”

Last month, when He Xin returned to the country, Ji Yanli went to the airport with a throng of bodyguards and assistants to receive her, making headlines nationwide: #Ji Group CEO personally welcomes his beloved at the airport. Furious, Shu Xingruo called Ji Yanli over a dozen times, none answered. That night, he didn’t come home at all, staying out to welcome He Xin.

When she confronted him three days later, she asked, “You made such a public show picking up He Xin—what do you take me for?” His handsome face was as cold as ice. “Can you compare to her? She’s my lifesaver.” Shu Xingruo sneered, “If she’s your lifesaver, why didn’t you marry her? Why marry me?”

Ji Yanli’s expression darkened. “Don’t think I’ve forgotten what happened back then. If you hadn’t drugged me to sleep with you, my mother wouldn’t have forced me to marry you.” Shu Xingruo’s cheeks flushed with anger. “I’ve told you countless times, that drink was handed to me by He Xin’s friend.” Ji Yanli retorted coldly, “No woman would send another woman to her boyfriend’s bed.” This accusation had haunted Shu Xingruo for years. She never understood why He Xin’s friend wanted to harm her.

The atmosphere at the dining table was heavy and silent as the three ate separately. After finishing his meal, Ji Zhixu took out a velvet box containing the herbal bracelet he had stayed up making. “Dad, please give this to Aunt He Xin. I worked on it for half a month. Make sure she wears it every day. Happy birthday to her.”

The cup in Shu Xingruo’s hand crashed to the floor—he had spent half a month making a birthday gift for He Xin. Indeed, he was a good son! Shu Xingruo smiled bitterly to herself.

Ji Yanli threw her a sideways glance, indifferent to her outburst. Softly he said to Ji Zhixu, “Xuxu is so thoughtful. Aunt He Xin will definitely like it,” and put the gift into his bag.

Ji Yanli left for work after breakfast. Ji Zhixu comforted his mother, “Mom, I gave her the bracelet to make Dad happy. Your birthday is next month—I’ll give you an even better gift.” Shu Xingruo stroked his head gently. “Xuxu, your happiness every day is the best gift for Mom.”

Page 3/3

Ji Zhixu said, “Mom, I know you cried last night. Don’t cry. You’re prettier when you smile.” Shu Xingruo was touched by her innocent son’s words and teased him as he packed his bag, “If Mom and Dad get divorced, whose side will you be on?” Ji Zhixu froze, tears welling up. “Mom, do you have to get divorced? I don’t want you to.”

Shu Xingruo gently patted him. “Mom really is going to divorce. Who do you want to live with?” Ji Zhixu wiped his tears and said, “I want to live with Dad.” Her heart clenched painfully, struggling to breathe. She fought back tears.

She instructed the driver to take Ji Zhixu to school, then called her close friend Lin Anhe, a divorce lawyer. “I want to divorce Ji Yanli. Help me draft a divorce agreement.”

Lin Anhe sighed. “You’ve finally come to this.” She knew well of Shu Xingruo’s marriage struggles and felt deeply sorry for her.

Shu Xingruo’s heart had grown numb. This marriage had been a mistake from the start. At He Xin’s birthday banquet in Harbor City years ago, Shu Xingruo had taken a drink handed to her by He Xin’s friend. After drinking it, she was drugged and sent to Ji Yanli’s bed. Ji Yanli had also been drugged; they were drenched that night. It was that night she conceived Ji Zhixu.

All evidence afterward pointed to Shu Xingruo, accusing her of scheming the entire incident. Despite her protests, He Xin tearfully declared, “No woman would send another woman to her own boyfriend’s bed.”

Since then, Ji Yanli had harbored a deep hatred for Shu Xingruo, blaming her for destroying his first love. Under pressure from Ji Yanli’s mother, Wei Ying, he was forced to marry Shu Xingruo. “You ruined her innocence, but Xingruo is a good girl. If you don’t marry her, I won’t acknowledge you.”

Ji Yanli only registered their marriage in Harbor City without a wedding. Few in the city even knew they were married. The day after registration, Ji Yanli was severely injured in a car accident, hit by a large truck. He Xin arrived at the scene and called an ambulance, saving his life.

After the accident, Ji Yanli survived but was confined to a wheelchair. Doctors said the chances of his legs recovering were slim.