Chapter 1 Let's break up.

The rain pattered down, splashing against the glass doors and leaving a misty haze. Qiao Yitang stared blankly at the man driving away in the rain, unsure of what to do.The attendant helping her try on wedding dresses cautiously asked, "Miss Qiao, there are still three more dresses. Shall we continue?" Qiao Yitang snapped out of her daze. "No need, please help me take this off." She gazed at her reflection in the mirror, dressed in pure white, her eyes brimming with unshed tears.The man who had just rushed out was her fiancé, He Jingchuan. Minutes earlier, she had just put on her first wedding dress, and as the veil was lifted, He Jingchuan's phone rang. Even with the heavy rain outside, Qiao Yitang could hear the voice on the other end. The woman sounded anxious: "Jingchuan, it's raining, and I didn't bring an umbrella. I can't get a taxi. What should I do?" Without hesitation, He Jingchuan replied, "Keyan, don't worry, I'll come get you!" He hung up and told Qiao Yitang, "You decide on the dress yourself, I have to go." Without even sparing her a glance, he rushed out the door. By the time she realized what had happened, even the taillights of his car had disappeared.She blinked. Just moments ago, she had been glowing with happiness, but now, only a bitter smile remained. She had long known about Shen Keyan and understood she was He Jingchuan's "white moonlight." Yet, she stubbornly clung to the belief that their childhood bond couldn't be compared to someone who had suddenly appeared in his life. She had coaxed He Jingchuan into accompanying her for the dress fitting, but just one phone call—just because she forgot her umbrella—was enough to make him leave. Shouldn't she have expected this? No matter how many years passed, love could never compete with the "white moonlight" that suddenly reappeared.Qiao Yitang and He Jingchuan had been engaged since infancy. They grew up together and became a couple at sixteen. Back then, she was his special one. At eighteen, He Jingchuan went abroad for further studies. Before leaving, he swore to her that she only needed to wait; once he returned, they would marry. Six years later, he finally came back, but everything had changed. He kept his promise to marry her, yet his heart was no longer hers. No matter how hard she tried, she could no longer warm his frozen heart.She numbly removed the heavy wedding dress, feeling like a clown reflected in the mirror. The young attendant wanted to say something but hesitated. In the end, she could only sigh and inwardly curse: "Such a beautiful woman, how could her fiancé be so blind?"As the attendant packed the dress, Qiao Yitang walked out of the store. "Miss Qiao, the rain is really heavy. Why don't you wait for it to stop?" The girl chased after her with an umbrella, but the downpour forced her back. She could only watch as Qiao Yitang's figure faded into the distance.This was the capital's first autumn rain. Hailing a taxi in this weather was near impossible. Drenched, Qiao Yitang stumbled home, quickly showered, and collapsed onto her bed. She didn't know how long she slept, but when she woke up, her head was throbbing. Checking her phone, she saw it was past 11 PM.In her daze, she instinctively dialed He Jingchuan's number. "Jingchuan, I think I have a fever…"Annoyed, he replied, "Take some medicine if you have a fever. I'm busy socializing. Don't bother me." Just as he hung up, she heard Shen Keyan's voice in the background: "Jingchuan, I just finished showering. Go wash up now."Qiao Yitang's foggy mind suddenly snapped awake. She stared at the screen as it dimmed, feeling as if a hand was squeezing her heart, making it hard to breathe.She went to the hospital alone and quickly got an IV drip. Dazed, she lay on the hospital bed and fell asleep, only to be startled awake by a sharp pain on the back of her hand. She pressed the call button, and a nurse hurriedly apologized. "I'm sorry, I didn't notice your IV was blocked. We had an emergency earlier, and we're short-staffed tonight.""It's fine." Qiao Yitang's voice was hoarse and unsettling. The nurse hesitated. "Why are you alone? No one's here with you? Wait… why are you crying?"Qiao Yitang froze, reaching up to touch her face and realizing her cheeks were wet. She licked her dry lips and pointed at her hand. "…It just hurts too much.""I'm really sorry." The nurse quickly apologized again, adjusting her blanket before leaving.After the nurse left, Qiao Yitang stared at the ceiling in a daze. The pain in her hand wasn't enough to make her cry, so why was she? Perhaps it was because the strong front she had kept up finally shattered. This wasn't the first time He Jingchuan had abandoned her when she needed him the most. Once again, he chose Shen Keyan over her. She had long lost the strength to hold on.She was twenty-four, had grown up with He Jingchuan for sixteen years, and had loved him for another eight. She had given her heart to him completely. But all that passion and devotion had now become a joke. The IV fluid dripped lightly, yet each drop felt as heavy as a boulder, crushing her heart into pieces. She had reached her limit.Qiao Yitang decisively took out her phone and found her chat with He Jingchuan. "Let's break up."After sending the message, she thought she would feel sorrow, that she would cry. But unexpectedly, she felt incredibly calm, even relieved. She closed her eyes and fell into a peaceful sleep.She stayed in the hospital for only a day before checking out. Just before leaving, she received a call from Fang Heqiu. Fang Heqiu was her aunt. When Qiao Yitang's parents had passed away when she was eight, she had been taken in by her uncle's family. But all these years, she had lived as an outsider."Aunt, what's wrong?""Your cousin had a fight with his boss and quit his job yesterday. I want him to work at He's Group. He doesn't need a high position, just a managerial role. Since you and Jingchuan are getting married next month, all it takes is your word—"Before Fang Heqiu could finish, Qiao Yitang interrupted, "I broke up with He Jingchuan. We're not getting married."The line fell silent for a few seconds before Fang Heqiu's sharp voice rang out. "Qiao Yitang, are you feverish? What nonsense are you talking about? Stop making excuses!"Qiao Yitang gripped her phone tightly. "No, it's really over. I can't help. I'm hanging up."Ignoring her aunt's furious yelling, she ended the call.Returning to the empty house, she felt suffocated. This was He Jingchuan's home—she couldn't stay another second. Every breath felt like fire scorching her lungs. Qiao Yitang swiftly packed her suitcase and left without looking back.