Chapter 2

Chen Jingxuan was a child raised in the welfare institute.

My mom accidentally saw Chen Jingxuan with a woman at the market.

After he left, my mom couldn't help but approach and chat with the woman.

The woman was the director of the welfare institute.

When Chen Jingxuan was studying, he had excellent grades and was a role model for the children in the institute.

After he got into university, the director decided to make him the face of the Light Welfare Institute and bought him a set of designer clothes. Because of this, when he first reported to school, everyone thought he came from a good family.

On graduation day, he appeared in front of me wearing a suit.

Seeing him like that, I had a pretty good guess about what would happen next.

When he put his hand in his pocket, I told him not to take it out.

A corner of the red box was already exposed.

He clearly didn't expect me to say that.

I rejected his proposal, and as I was about to leave, he held my wrist tightly: "Yuran, why? What did I do wrong?"

"Just consider me unworthy."

He was dissatisfied with my answer and insisted I give him an acceptable reason.

I turned around, back facing him: "If you have to blame something, blame your lack of money."

He suddenly widened his eyes.

"But Yuran, my life is just starting. You know my major is great, and now I've got an offer from the United States. Trust me, I'll definitely work hard and treat you well."

The sunlight during graduation season was too intense, and before leaving, my anemia acted up, and I fainted in the scorching summer.

When I woke up, I was already lying in bed.

Bare walls weren't the hardest thing to endure.

The terrible part was that this place called home held no warmth, only disgust.

Outside the door was Chen Jingxuan explaining to my family.

I heard my father's curses.

Before the cursing escalated, I pushed open the door and saw a man suddenly appearing at the entrance, yet my body froze uncontrollably.

Chen Jingxuan, before being pulled away by me, kept staring at the man at the door.

Behind were my father's consecutive curses, the verbal abuse tugging painfully at my chest.

I ran to the deserted area of the back hills, urging Chen Jingxuan to leave.

"Wait for me, Ranran, wait for me to achieve success, and I'll come back for you."

At that moment, oh, my heart was in such pain.

If only it could be possible.

Recalling my mother saying she'd expose his upbringing online to ruin his reputation, I feared his early career would be affected because of me.

I just stayed like this, waiting, slowly passing what's left of this miserable life.

"Don't wait for me anymore."

I gritted my teeth and looked at him, lying for the first time: "I have someone I like."

After that came a long silence, and he said he didn't believe it.

Later, I saw the pained expression on his face: "Is it the one just at the door?"

That was my brother. I bit my lip and didn't tell him.

From liking to loving inevitably involves conflict.

And that day, I realized that love can indeed turn into hate.

All dissatisfaction and sadness eventually turned into one sentence: "Just you wait, I will come back and take revenge on you."

Over the years, I kept him deep in my heart.

Often waking up from nightmares, seeing the disheveled bedding and the pillow torn out with stuffing beside me.

I don't know how much longer I can endure under my father's insults.

My wretched life continues. Closing my eyes, I always think of the words he said before leaving.

"Just you wait, I will come back and take revenge on you."

Alright, then come back, take your revenge.

And by the way, please take me away.

The morning light pierced my eyes, waking me up instantly.

My brother's face was close at hand.

His hand moved too quickly, reaching over to try to take advantage of me. I turned my face, but still let him touch me.

Disgusting.

I sat up, summoned some unknown strength, and kicked him.

He stumbled back two steps, then rushed over and directly pinned me down.

"Someone, that's enough!"

Seeing my mother's face, tears silently slid down my cheeks.

Turning my head, it felt like being violently struck by something, my mind went blank.

Standing outside my door was the one who, after all these years, had become bright and ambitious.

He stood there, staring in awe at me.

I feared this gaze and tried to muster strength to run to the backyard.

Yet my wrist was grabbed first, turning around, I met Chen Jingxuan's eyes.

His voice was hoarse: "You... are you married?"