Volume One, Chapter 1: Between Me and Her, Who Makes You Feel Better?

On the wedding bed adorned with a bright red double happiness character, two entangled bodies rolled together tightly. The clothes scattered messily on the floor hinted at the ferocity of their passion. Absorbed in their heated union, neither of them noticed the door being pushed open.

“Brother Che, between me and Nie Xingyan, who pleases you more?” Scarlet-tipped nails traced wantonly across the man’s back. He let out a satisfied groan at her words. “Of course it’s you, Sisi.”

His answer delighted the woman. She curled her lips into a smile, casting a contemptuous glance at the woman standing by the door, as if to ask, “Did you hear that clearly?”

Without a change in expression, Nie Xingyan turned away, even thoughtfully closing the door behind her for them.

Leaving the bridal suite, she found Qin Che’s WeChat, selected the photos and video she had just taken, and sent them in their original quality.

“It’s over. Let’s break up.”

Message sent. Blocked successfully.

……

Five years later.

Nie Xingyan had just parked her car when her phone chimed with a new message. The number was unfamiliar: “Yan Yan, I’m getting engaged today. I hope you’ll come. I really want your blessing.”

The location was set at the Jindis Grand Hotel.

Nie Xingyan scrolled through it without a flicker of emotion, swiftly blocking and deleting the number as one seamless motion.

She unfastened her seatbelt and stepped out. Before she could close the car door, a shadow darted over and wrapped her tightly in an embrace. “Yan Yan, I knew you would come!”

Qin Che’s eyes were bloodshot, his madness tinged with a trace of delight.

Nie Xingyan struggled fiercely, stomping hard on his foot. “Qin Che, get away from me!”

With a red boutonnière in his pocket and dressed as a groom, instead of welcoming guests at the entrance, Qin Che had come here to ambush her.

His tie was askew, and pain flashed across his face, but he only tightened his grip. “Yan Yan, I was wrong. I really was wrong.”

“Wrong about what?”

She knew exactly what kind of man he was. “If I hadn’t recorded undeniable evidence, you would have blamed me for not being good enough for you, wouldn’t you?”

“Would you still claim that the man with the birthmark on his back isn’t you?”

How unlucky. Back then, she’d had no choice but to take those photos for proof, and every time she saw them, she was disgusted for days.

Nie Xingyan had ended things with him on the spot.

He had only been seeking a little pre-wedding excitement, and when Ling Sisi made her move, he simply went along with it.

But he hadn’t expected Nie Xingyan to completely disappear for years.

The difference in strength between a man and a woman was too great, especially with Qin Che in a frenzied state. She couldn’t break free no matter how hard she tried.

A piercing car horn blared, followed immediately by glaring high beams cutting through the darkness.

This was the private parking garage of Jindis, frequented only by the wealthy. With others arriving, Qin Che didn’t dare act out; he reluctantly released Nie Xingyan.

A quiet Pagani Huayra glided over. Mu Yuan, in the passenger seat, clicked his tongue. “Ling Dongyan, what are you doing? Jealous of lovers because you’re single? Why break them up when they’re so affectionate in the garage?”

To be fair, both were attractive, making quite a striking pair from a distance.

“They’re blocking the way,” Ling Dongyan replied, gripping the steering wheel until the veins on the back of his hand bulged.

Mu Yuan shot him a look that said, “Are you out of your mind?” Couples hugging in public is nothing unusual. The lane was wide enough; they could simply drive around.

With the interruption, Nie Xingyan seized the chance to slip away, wanting nothing more than to avoid Qin Che like the plague. She turned and hurried off, too intent on escaping him to notice who was in the approaching car.

As Mu Yuan’s gaze swept across, he suddenly felt the woman striding past the windshield looked oddly familiar.

A flash of realization struck him. He gripped Ling Dongyan’s steering wheel, his fingers trembling as he slapped his thigh, nearly leaping from his seat. “It’s her! Isn’t that the woman in your safe—the one in the photo?!”

Ling Dongyan shot him a cold look. “If you don’t want to ride, get out.”

It really was her.

To think their “third brother” was so afraid of going unrecognized, he’d even flashed the high beams at them.

Qin Che wanted to chase after Nie Xingyan, but just as he took a step, the Pagani roared ahead, blocking his path. He had no choice but to stop and let the sports car pass.

Yet the moment he paused, the car slowed as well. Growing frantic at seeing Nie Xingyan disappearing into the distance, Qin Che glanced anxiously at the driver.

He nearly died of shock.

Ling Dongyan? Why was it him?

Ling Dongyan looked back, two men—one seated, one standing, one moving forward, one halted—stared at each other across the divide, until the car’s engine thundered and the momentary connection was lost as they vanished from each other’s view.

……

The elevator numbers blinked downward, descending floor by floor.

Suppressing his unease, Qin Che was determined to finish what he needed to say. “Yan Yan, these years have made me understand. The one I love is—”

“Brother Che.”

A sharp, warning voice echoed through the empty garage, cutting him off.

A heavy wave of perfume crashed over, heels clicked rhythmically, each step making Qin Che’s heart tremble.

He opened his mouth, but the words died.

Ling Sisi, in spotless limited-edition lambskin heels, walked up and stopped right in front of him, severing his gaze from Nie Xingyan.

With deliberate care, she straightened his crooked tie and brushed imaginary dust from his suit. Her fingers lingered on the silver ring on his fourth finger. “I’ve been searching everywhere for you. Why are you here? The banquet is about to start. Father, Mother, and all the distinguished guests are waiting.”

She smiled, but the underlying warning was unmistakable.

The madness and heat in Qin Che’s eyes vanished, as if someone had tightened a collar around his throat.

Pleased, Ling Sisi confirmed he was under control, then stepped forward, feigning surprise as she faced Nie Xingyan with an impeccable smile. “Long time no see, sister.”

……

In the grand three-thousand-square-meter banquet hall of the Jindis, a string quartet began to play, filling the air with music. Handsome men and beautiful women mingled, glasses clinking, the air thick with the scent of money.

Outside was lively, but inside the soundproof room, it was uncommonly quiet. Two burly bodyguards flanked the doorway, allowing no one near.

At the sight of Nie Xingyan, Jiang Junmei’s eyes reddened with emotion.

Though over fifty, she was impeccably maintained, looking little over forty. As the mother-in-law on Ling Sisi’s engagement day, she wore a hand-embroidered gold-threaded Suzhou qipao, her elegance unmatched.

A string of tourmaline beads—Jianfu Jewelry’s crown jewel, worth hundreds of millions—graced her neck, drawing all eyes and enhancing her radiant presence.

Clutching Nie Xingyan’s arm, she dabbed her eyes with her other hand. “Yan Yan, have you been well all these years? You came back to Jingbei but didn’t visit me…,” her voice choked, the words trailing off.

Though she appeared grief-stricken, her almond eyes flickered, secretly watching for Nie Xingyan’s reaction.

Nie Xingyan tried several times to pull her arm free, finally frowning and speaking coldly, “Are you done?”

In truth, Nie Xingyan rather admired Jiang Junmei’s adaptability—her ability to play any role, to produce tears on command, and switch faces faster than turning a page. If she took that talent to show business, she’d win Best Actress. What a waste, using it on her.

Facing this daughter, Jiang Junmei was unsure and faintly intimidated. At the sign Nie Xingyan wanted to leave, she panicked and hurried to explain, “Don’t go, Yan Yan. I truly missed you. I was going to find you after Sisi’s engagement…”

Nie Xingyan glanced indifferently at the hand gripping her arm, prompting Jiang Junmei to release her tactfully.

When tears didn’t work, she tried a different approach, mumbling to herself, “Yan Yan, your mother had her reasons. Sisi is marrying into the Qin family now; it’s time to let the past go.”

Jiang Junmei looked genuinely moved as she pulled Ling Sisi over and gave her a meaningful glance.

Ling Sisi, unwilling, muttered, “Mother, she doesn’t even want to acknowledge you. Why are you trying so hard?”