Chapter 9 — My Arch-Nemesis Cried at My Wedding

I could no longer contain myself, and a sharp, sudden laugh erupted from my throat.

Lu Yan Shen, do you even realize what you are saying?

I know exactly what I am saying.

He nodded, his gaze steady and unwavering.

If you make me your official husband, I am willing to turn a blind eye to your little arrangement with him.

I laughed even harder at the absurdity of it all, clutching my aching stomach until tears welled up in my eyes. If I actually had a marriage license with you, you would have had him shipped off to Africa before the ink was even dry.

What are you laughing at?

I am laughing at you.

I wiped the moisture from the corners of my eyes, struggling to catch my breath. Lu Yan Shen, you are the chairman of a publicly traded company worth billions. Does it really not bruise your ego to sit here and fight for the title of legal spouse?

And why should it matter?

He jutted his chin out, arguing his point with a terrifying, earnest conviction.

You are the only one I want.

My laughter faded, replaced by a quiet intensity as I stared at him. The car was deathly silent, the air heavy enough that I could hear the rhythm of his breathing. It was rapid and uneven, laced with a faint, hidden tremor of vulnerability.

Lu Yan Shen, what exactly do you like about me?

Everything.

Be specific.

When you are fighting against me, your eyes are beautiful.

And what else?

When you win, your smile is beautiful.

And after that?

When you lose and curse at me, you are still beautiful.

He pressed his lips into a firm line. I have never met anyone who makes me want to be by their side like this. You were meant to keep challenging me, not to throw yourself away on someone so unworthy of you.

I looked into his eyes and saw nothing but raw, unfiltered honesty.

...We shall see how you perform.

His eyes ignited with sudden brightness.

Are you serious?

I am.

Then when will you divorce Chu Yuan?

Wait to see how you perform first. And stop bullying Chu Yuan.

He nodded frantically, his composure abandoned in favor of eagerness. This time, I will make sure to prove myself.

And he did. Over the next two months, Lu Yan Shen leveraged his family’s massive resources to back me, helping me secure five or six major projects. Every time a contract was signed, he would text me: Is this performance good enough? I would reply, It is decent. The next day, he would work himself even harder. Chu Yuan was being driven to the brink of insanity by his constant interference.

Zhang Nian Nian, for the love of everything, just tell him the truth! I feel like any day now he is going to snap and come for me with a kitchen knife!

Wait a little longer, I have not had my fill of this game yet.

I cannot wait anymore! He came to my office today! He brought a photo of you and asked me if you liked spicy food!

...And how did you answer?

I told him you did! So he left, only to come back two hours later to ask which brand of cosmetics you use. How on earth would I know that? He told me I do not understand you, that I am unworthy of holding the title of spouse in your files.

I collapsed onto my desk, laughing until I couldn't move. Lu Yan Shen had begun to shadow me, following me to work and waiting for me when I finished. Every morning, as soon as my car left the apartment complex, his was right behind me. By the time I left the office, he was already waiting in the parking garage.

Lu Yan Shen, do you not have a company to run?

I do not pay my staff a fortune just so I have to sit there and watch over them every single day.

That does not mean you have to follow me everywhere.

I cannot help it.

He shook his head. You need to get divorced as soon as possible.

Is it that urgent?

Very.

He looked straight into my eyes, his expression grave. I am afraid that if this drags on, I will not be content with just being a temporary fixture in your life.

What does that mean?

I am afraid that I will eventually want to be the only one. I am terrified that you might actually start to prefer him.

As he spoke, his expression was so serious it bordered on frightening. He added one final, desperate question: Zhang Nian Nian, when will you get the divorce?

Soon.

You are always saying it is soon.

He fell silent, but he never stopped following me. Until one day, he sent me a brief message consisting of only five words: You are being cheated on. I replied with a string of question marks, and he sent a link. It contained photos of Chu Tian and Chu Yuan walking through the city, eating together, and walking into the same house.