Chapter 1

The day after confirming my relationship with Qing Ran, his "white moonlight" divorced.

His brother jeered at the class reunion: "Well done, Mr. Gu, even someone as pretty as Xinxin can't escape your charm."

"Are you finally going to settle down this time?"

Remembering his tenderness last night, I felt secretly happy.

But then I heard Qing Ran's dismissive voice:

"Settle down? She's not worth it."

"I only love Kewei; Xinxin is just a tool for my physical needs!"

I fought the urge to open the door with all my might.

I didn't cling desperately, silently opened my email, and accepted the UK offer.

Qing Ran's words gave me a chill.

The bar's stifling heat still made me feel like I was in an ice cellar.

Inside, someone spoke again:

"As expected of Mr. Gu, even someone like Xinxin can't touch your heart."

"She's the flower of the department; aren't you afraid she'll be heartbroken and leave when she finds out how heartless you are?"

Qing Ran snorted:

"Lowering myself to play with her is a gain for her! How could she bear to leave me?"

That person was choked for a moment, then awkwardly laughed:

"True, although Xinxin looks decent, she is far behind Sister Wei..."

"Shut up," Qing Ran's voice turned cold, "don't bring Kewei into this. Today's her welcome party; if you dare say such things when she arrives, I'll tear your mouth apart."

After speaking, he mocked:

"Xinxin and I are just putting on a show; I only played along because she's been pining for me for so many years, and last night... she got what she wished."

A burst of mischievous laughter emerged from the booth.

"Thought she was conservative, yet Mr. Gu only had to crook his finger for her to kiss."

"Conservative with us, but who's Mr. Gu?"

"Hey, was she quite uninhibited in bed?"

Suddenly, the booth erupted in laughter.

My hands clenched into fists, my nails embedded in my palms, the pain was penetrating.

What I thought was love turned out to be something he used to ridicule and boast about anytime.

Tears fell in big drops.

"Miss, do you want to go in?" a bar escort asked.

I snapped back to reality abruptly.

Ignoring her questioning gaze, I fled in embarrassment.

After leaving the bar, I hailed a taxi.

I sobbed silently in the backseat, the phone in my palm ringing incessantly.

It was the special notification sound I set for Qing Ran.

I couldn't resist opening our chat.

"Emergency situation last night, forgot to take precautions, buy yourself some pills."

"Have a business meeting today, won't be going back to accompany you tonight."

I masochistically read the two WeChat messages over and over, letting tears fall onto the phone screen.

Last night, when he was intimately whispering to me, I truly believed he loved me.

In deep emotion, he promised to protect and cherish me forever.

He apologized for making my first time so rushed, said it was his fault.

He told me I was young and had a great life ahead of me, shouldn't be tied down by a child.

At the time, I thought he genuinely cared about me.

But those profound and tender sweet words were mere lies to deceive me.

He only didn't want me to have his child, lest it hinder his reconciliation with his "white moonlight."

I had foolishly thought that all these years of dedication had finally paid off.

Just then, the phone buzzed again.

It was a notification from Weibo, a stranger's account followed me.

It was a new account, having posted only one Weibo.

It was a picture.

My eyelashes trembled, and my heart felt like it was stabbed by a sharp spike, the piercing pain spreading finely.

Under suggestive lighting, Qing Ran was tightly embracing and kissing a voluptuous woman with nobody around.

The emotions in their eyes seemed almost palpable.

I had long known Qing Ran had a "white moonlight," but she had married a long time ago.

When he agreed to be with me, I thought time had diminished Yang Kewei's place in his heart.

Yet, I never imagined I underestimated the bond between them.

I'm not sure how I got back to the apartment, sitting in the dim room until late at night.

Just then, a new email popped up on my phone.

It was the offer from Warwick University.

When I first started university, my family had early plans for me to go to the UK for grad school after graduation.

But in the third year, Qing Ran responded to my pursuit.

He said he didn't want to be apart from me, so I promised him I'd refuse the school's offer.

My parents had a big argument with me over this.

Going straight to study abroad after graduation was a plan they and I had made together; hence, I worked frantically on grades and English from the start.

They didn't want their daughter to give up her longtime dream for a man.

Yet under my obstinance, they ultimately compromised.

Besides, Qing Ran and I had known each other since childhood, so they also gradually moved from initial resistance to later acceptance.

Sometimes they even actively asked me to bring him home to have a look.

People around thought they were waiting for news of my marriage to him.

However, this time, I'm going to disappoint them!

I could disregard others and pursue Qing Ran like a moth to a flame.

I could even accept his past love for someone else.

But I absolutely cannot accept my love being despised and my dignity being trampled by him.

Without further hesitation, I directly accepted the school's offer!

In the dead of night, I lay on the bed without a trace of sleepiness.

Every time I closed my eyes, all I could see was the picture of Qing Ran and that woman.

Unable to sleep, I simply got up and started packing.

This apartment was rented by Qing Ran, and the day after he agreed to be with me, he let me move out of school.

Since I'm planning to leave him now, there's no need to stay here any longer.

I only packed my belongings, leaving behind all the gifts Qing Ran gave me and the decorations we chose together.

By the time everything was put away, the sky was already growing light.

I looked back at this place where I lived for nearly a year.

Every corner of this apartment fulfilled all my visions for a future wedding home.

Sadly... it was never meant to be.

Just as I was about to leave, the door suddenly opened from the outside.

I froze, gripping the suitcase handle tightly.

Qing Ran, reeking of alcohol, still had a satisfied look on his face.

The moment he saw me, his expression became somewhat unnatural.

"Why are you up so early?"

He adjusted his expression and, as usual, came forward to embrace me.

Almost instantly, the smell of alcohol mixed with the sweet, cloying scent of women's perfume enveloped me.

I immediately felt a bit nauseous and wanted to push him away, but he held me tighter.

"Don't make a fuss, let me rest for a while."

"Xinxin, where's my honey water?" His hot breath sprayed on my neck, and Qing Ran's voice was low, "You used to make it for me when I was drunk..."

As he spoke, he rubbed my head.

The sweet scent of women's perfume became even more pronounced, and I no longer tolerated him, forcefully pushing him away.

What does this mean?

After mingling with Yang Kewei, he still turns around to find me?

He was already drunk, and with no defenses against me, it was easy to push him away.

"What's wrong with you?"

"What are you angry about again?"

He rubbed his forehead, his eyes cleared a bit.

"Just because I didn't come home last night?"

He chuckled softly, pinching my cheek, "We're not even married yet, and you're managing me so strictly. What will you do once we're married?"

I held the trolley handle of the luggage and stepped back half a step.

"Qing Ran, I'm leaving."

Only then did he notice the suitcase beside me, but his face carried a mocking expression.

"Really angry? Don't be ridiculous, I was poured too much yesterday. I'm really tired now and can't coax you."

"By the way, you are taking the medication, right?"

"You have to take long-term contraceptives daily to be effective, don't forget."

After speaking, he tried to come closer again.

I looked at him coldly, using my hand to keep him away from me.

"Poured too much? Someone came back, and you were too happy, right?"

Qing Ran's expression froze, his smile restrained.

"Who told you that?"

I looked to the side and said nothing.

This cold attitude stirred Qing Ran's dissatisfaction.

He raised his hand to rub his forehead, his voice full of fatigue and impatience.

"She just got divorced and is in a bad mood. What's wrong with a few of us old friends getting together to hang out?"

"Can you stop overthinking like this?"

I said nothing, just stubbornly grabbed the trolley handle of the suitcase, moving forward.

Qing Ran suddenly reached out and grabbed my arm, "Xu Xin, there's got to be a limit to your nonsense!"

"I'm not being ridiculous!" I was a bit angry.

He lowered his voice, his black eyes full of coldness, "My patience is limited!"

"I've already given you an out, don't push your luck!"

"Don't forget, it was you who persistently pursued me from behind before I agreed to be with you."

His tone carried a touch of mockery.

I looked at him, suddenly feeling a sourness in my nose.

Pinching my palm forcefully, I resisted the urge to cry in front of him.

So this is really how he sees me.

A useful bed companion who comes and goes at his beck and call.

He saw me silent, thinking I'd cooled down, his icy expression softened a bit.

His voice was much gentler, "I really don't have the energy to coax you today. We'll talk about these things later."

"You're so sensitive, who else would be willing to be with you if you leave me?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the piercing ringtone of a cellphone shattered the awkward moment between us.

He picked up the phone, glanced at it, his expression somewhat unnatural.

He walked inside while answering the call.

A clear and sweet female voice rang out: "Qing Ran, thank you for the welcome party you arranged for me..."

Qing Ran's voice was gentle, patiently talking to Yang Kewei.

The ambiguous atmosphere between the two was almost palpable.

I didn't hesitate any longer, opened the door, and left with my suitcase.

In the car, I picked up my phone and opened Weibo.

The account has updated a new post.

Yang Kewei wore a black spaghetti strap dress, her hand on her collarbone, the square pink diamond on the ring was particularly eye-catching.

The caption: Thanks to the handsome guy for organizing the welcome party, the ring you gave is also very beautiful.

My nose ached, and against my will, a few tears fell.

I remembered that ring, I saw it in Qing Ran's car when we first got together.

Back then, I was elated and anxious for several days, thinking he was going to propose to me.

Now I finally understand that it was my wishful thinking.

This ring was never intended for me from the start.

Without a sound, I dragged my luggage back to the dormitory, surprising a few roommates.

But they were still kind enough to help me make the bed and tidy things up.

The persistently gloomy mood finally lightened a bit.

After moving out of the apartment, I deliberately avoided paying attention to Qing Ran.

Blocked his social media moments and even deleted past photos of us together.

Qing Ran seemed genuinely angry too, not sending a single message for several days.

Of course, now that Yang Kewei is divorced, he has another chance.

He's probably busy comforting her, seizing the opportunity to secure his place, right?

Additionally, being the sole heir of the Gu Family, he's already a figure atop the pyramid.

Moreover, being pampered by me all these years, those who are loved always act with impunity.

Every time there was a conflict before, I was always the first to give in.

This time too, he naturally thought I would first go and apologize.

But this time, I'm truly exhausted.

In my fourth year with no classes, a few roommates discussed going on a graduation trip.

Su Yue, who I'm closest with, knew I wasn't feeling well and actively invited me to join.

I agreed, since it was time to live differently.

Let it start from this journey.

I made a plan for the things to do in the coming months.

First, go to Yunnan to play with my roommates for a month, then come back to prepare for visas and my thesis defense.

After the defense, directly go home to accompany my parents until school starts.

After that, it will be a new life.

A life without Qing Ran...

Mom was surprised to learn I was going on a trip with my roommates.

"Thought you'd go on a graduation trip with your boyfriend, what's going on, did you two have a fight?"

I was stunned for a moment, a bit surprised by Mom's perceptiveness.

But with graduation approaching, I didn't want her to worry, so I casually made an excuse.

Mom sent me money and urged me to spend this month well with my roommates.

"Although boyfriends are important, friends are also important. Don't always think only about Xiao Gu."

I felt a soreness in my heart, speaking in a muffled voice: "Got it, thanks, Mom."

The roommates and I took a taxi to the airport, watching the bustling crowd in the departure hall.

Only then did I feel the reality of leaving Qing Ran.

But some coincidences catch you off guard, and there he was, I saw Qing Ran in the departure hall.