Chapter 3 — The Day My Boyfriend Got Engaged, I Revealed My True Identity

Next came the prayer amulet the two of them had once sought out together outside the temple gates. Every single item was inextricably bound to a cherished memory, yet I felt no hesitation whatsoever. One by one, they were tossed ruthlessly into the trash bag. The smile on Aaron's face gradually stiffened into something awkward and forced. It was not until I slipped off the matching couple ring he had gifted me just a week ago, preparing to cast it away with the rest, that he instinctively reached out and gripped my wrist with crushing force.

Qing Dao.

His voice had lost all of its former effortless composure.

Have you heard something from someone?

My movements came to a complete halt. Slowly, I raised my gaze to lock eyes with him.

What kind of thing?

I asked back, my tone chillingly calm.

Is there something you are keeping from me?

In that fleeting, fragile moment, I was still holding onto one last shred of desperate hope. I had foolishly believed that as long as Aaron was willing to be honest, as long as he took the initiative to confess the arranged engagement and explain everything away, I would grant him yet another chance. I would reveal my true identity to him. I would even help him break free from the suffocating matrimonial chains forced upon him by his family, provided that he chose me above all else. But he did not do so. Aaron’s gaze quickly flitted away from my face, and he raised a hand to rub wearily at the bridge of his nose. The silence stretched on for so long that the dying embers of my hope were finally extinguished into absolute nothingness. In the end, he merely tightened his grip around my hand.

Qing Dao, no matter what happens hereafter, you only need to remember one single thing.

His voice dropped to a low, resonant register, sounding agonizingly sincere.

The only person I love is you.

The corners of my lips curved upward in a bitter, desolate smirk, while the space within my chest hollowed out into a vast, freezing wasteland. By the following day, I had arranged to meet with a circle of friends to bid them a proper farewell. Yet, midway through our gathering, two familiar figures stepped gracefully into the restaurant. One of them was Aaron. The other was none other than his designated fiancee, Vivian. Aaron’s hand had been resting familiarly against the curve of her waist, but the very instant his eyes landed on me, he yanked his hand back as if burned. I looked straight at him, my demeanor so placid that not a single ripple disturbed its surface.

Why have you come here?

Aaron glanced hesitantly toward Vivian before lowering his voice to offer an explanation.

The Aaron household and the Vivian estate have a collaborative project underway recently. We came here to discuss business details.

I pressed for nothing further. The meal with my companions had also conveniently drawn to its conclusion, and everyone stood up, preparing to depart from the establishment. As I walked past their table, Vivian suddenly raised a hand, blocking my path entirely.

Doctor Xie.

She favored me with a polished, immaculate smile.

Since we have crossed paths purely by chance, why not sit down and join us for a cup of tea?

Vivian was draped in an exquisitely tailored white dress, the fabric falling in flawless lines, but what drew the eye above all else was the delicate necklace resting against her collarbone. The pendant dangling from it had been meticulously crafted from a familiar men's tie clip. I recognized it in a single glance. Just a few days prior, Aaron had lamented to me that he had carelessly misplaced that exact accessory. I merely swept my eyes over it once before looking away entirely. Little Min, the nurse accompanying me, found herself unable to maintain her silence any longer.

Miss Vivian, Doctor Qing Dao has other matters to attend to. It is hardly convenient for her to stay and keep you company.

Vivian curved her lips into an amused, mocking smile.

I merely wish to exchange a few words with Doctor Xie. Why are you in such an anxious rush?

She added leisurely, her tone dripping with veiled condescension.

After all, we will all still be running into one another quite frequently at the hospital in the days to come.

Little Min opened her mouth to mount a sharp retort, but I gently raised a hand to halt her. I fixed my gaze steadily upon Vivian.

What is it you wish to discuss?

Vivian gracefully seated herself, settling her designer handbag onto the tabletop with deliberate care. Every single gesture she made was steeped in an arrogant haughtiness, as though she were bestowing a profound favor upon me.

I heard that Doctor Xie is preparing to submit her resignation?

Without waiting for my reply, Vivian pressed on seamlessly.

That is perhaps for the best anyway. The surgical department of the Prestige Medical Center has never been a place where just anyone could manage to survive and secure a permanent footing.

She elevated her chin slightly, her expression smug.

A person ought to understand their proper place in the world and accept their lot in life. One should not constantly harbor delusions of climbing to loftier heights by leaning on a man.

Her voice was not particularly loud, yet it possessed more than enough carrying power to ensure that the patrons at the surrounding tables caught every single syllable. Before I could utter a single word of response, Aaron furrowed his brows deeply.

Vivian.

She turned her head to look at him.

Did I utter something false?

Vivian let out a light, derisive scoff.

She has trailed after you like a shadow for a full five years. Throughout the entire hospital, is there a single soul who remains unaware that she only managed to secure a spot on the surgical team because of her connections to you?

She cast a fleeting, contemptuous sideways glance in my direction.

Now that you are on the verge of marrying me, her taking the initiative to depart is for the best. At the very least, it preserves a shred of mutual decency for both sides.

Consumed by incandescent fury, Little Min slammed her palm down forcefully against the surface of the table.

Do not sit there spreading groundless falsehoods! Doctor Qing Dao earned her place on the surgical team entirely through her own unyielding competence!

Competence?

Vivian burst into a sharp, mocking laugh.

She is nothing more than someone who once completed a lowly internship at a rural county clinic. What possible competence could she boast of?

With those words hanging heavily in the air, she reached into her handbag, withdrew a crimson invitation card, and shoved it across the table directly in front of me. The violent red of the card was so glaringly vivid that it felt almost offensive to the eyes.

Next Saturday evening, Mac Xuyen and I will be hosting our formal engagement ceremony.

Vivian smiled, her features blooming with triumphant self-satisfaction.

If Doctor Xie happens to find herself with some spare time, you are more than welcome to attend.

She swept her gaze over me from head to toe in a slow, insulting appraisal.

Consider it an opportunity to witness firsthand precisely what kind of woman possesses the necessary qualifications to cross the threshold into the distinguished household.

Aaron’s expression contorted instantly into something dark and profoundly unsightly.

Vivian, that is quite enough.

Yet Vivian showed not the slightest inclination to halt her assault.