Chapter 1

I played the role of Shen Xu's loyal follower for ten years!

Until his birthday, when I wrapped myself as a gift, only to personally witness him in bed with another woman!

I decided to dedicate myself to the country and leave with his archenemy, never to disturb him again.

I thought he would be happy to finally be with his true love, but he knelt at the airport, begging for my forgiveness.

"Qiqi, please give me another chance, will you?"

But this time, I didn't look back!

On Shen Xu's 28th birthday, I wrapped myself as a gift and sent it to his villa.

What I thought would be a surprise turned into a nightmare.

The moment the door opened, I was about to emerge from the gift box, only to see Shen Xu passionately kissing a woman as they entered the room.

Then, on the luxurious leather sofa I gifted him, he and the student I sponsored for ten years engaged in a ten-minute intense session.

Afterwards, Chen Shanshan draped her arms around his neck and coyly said, "Brother Xu, you've been wronged over the years! If not for me getting a commendation as an outstanding Harvard graduate, you wouldn't have had to endure Su Qiqi for ten years as a mere follower!"

Shen Xu lit a cigarette and replied nonchalantly, "Just dealing with an ATM, hardly a grievance!"

Chen Shanshan pouted, "But Su Qiqi is good-looking and shameless, she undoubtedly pleases men better than I! Did you really not feel anything for her?"

"What's the use of looks? The thought of seeing more once undressed is repulsive!"

There was a hint of schadenfreude in Chen Shanshan's eyes, although her words were filled with false innocence.

"But Su Qiqi is fortunate! After a severe car accident, she's just left with scars, her parents left her wealth of millions, and she has numerous prominent scientists supporting her! Unlike me, unloved from childhood, I couldn't have even attended university without Brother Xu!"

"Since I've treated you so well, how do you plan to repay me?"

"Whatever it takes to make Brother Xu happy…"

Shen Xu was quite taken by her approach and resumed their passionate endeavor.

Chen Shanshan shouted as if the entire world needed to hear.

Until the neighbors could no longer bear it and knocked on the door, the two finally moved upstairs.

As I emerged from the gift box, I faintly heard Chen Shanshan ask.

"That gigantic gift box downstairs is from Su Qiqi, right? Aren't you afraid she'll be angry if you don't open it?"

"Why worry? After all these years, even if she gets angry, she'll still shamelessly come to me the next day anyway."

"Indeed, Su Qiqi loves you so much she's lost her dignity; she'd never dare to be mad at you..."

I sneered sarcastically, walked out of the villa, and made a call to Shen Xu's archenemy.

"Su Qiqi, are you sure you want to donate all your assets to the country and join me in the deep-sea project?"

I signed the donation agreement without hesitation, "I'm sure! I have no family left in this world, if it weren't for the country's support, I wouldn't have achieved anything today. Now that the country needs me, even if it means dying there, it would be an honorable death!"

"As for my assets, I won't need them in the future, so it's better to donate to those in need!"

Huo Tingshen extinguished his cigarette after hearing my words, stood up, and looked at me from above.

"What about Shen Xu? Are you willing to leave him behind?"

Hearing Shen Xu's name, I froze for a moment.

Years ago, a car crash took my parents, and I barely survived after being rescued by Shen Xu from the fire.

The fire was intense, and though I survived, nearly 80% of my body was burnt.

Friends and classmates avoided me, yet Shen Xu didn't mind my scars one bit.

Because of his life-saving grace and his lack of disdain towards me, I've been accommodating towards him for ten years.

This money was supposed to be Shen Xu's birthday gift.

He's at a crucial stage of his startup; with this money, his company's IPO would face fewer hurdles.

But now, I refuse to give it!

"The person he loves has returned! He would probably be thrilled if I, the loyal follower, disappeared from his world forever."

Upon hearing my words, a fleeting sympathy crossed Huo Tingshen's eyes.

"I'll give you three days to reconsider, and if you're still unwavering then, find me."

"No need for three days, I've already made up my mind!"

I knew Huo Tingshen feared I'd regret it, but after hearing Shen Xu's words, I lost all attachment to this city.

I signed the confidentiality agreement and prepared to head to the Antarctic Base in five days.

When I returned to pack my things, Shen Xu's close friend called me.

"Su Qiqi, where are you? We're all waiting for you to celebrate Brother Xu's birthday together!"

In the past, after hearing those words, I would immediately head over.

Every year for Shen Xu's birthday, I'd rent the largest hotel to host his clients and friends.

Partly to help him network, partly to repay him by spending money for him.

Looking back now, I find my naivety utterly laughable!

They treated me like an ATM, and I naively mistook their manipulation for fondness.

"Didn't you all say I wasn't good enough for Shen Xu? I won't bring trouble to him this year!"

"Fine, who cares if you come! You're just a follower, don't overestimate your importance!"

I've always been generous with Shen Xu's friends, but they always looked down on me.

They thought I was easy prey with no family and spoke mercilessly.

In the past, I'd lower myself to reconcile when they spoke like that.

But this time, I blocked all of Shen Xu's friends on social media after hanging up!

As soon as I finished packing, Aunt Lin called, requesting a talk.

Aunt Lin was my mother's best friend and Huo Tingshen's aunt, so I couldn't refuse her request even knowing what she'd say.

Aunt Lin chose a restaurant near my place, but traffic delayed her.

I was about to enter the private room to wait when I unexpectedly bumped into Shen Xu and Chen Shanshan.

Shen Xu, busy with seating arrangements, didn't notice me.

Chen Shanshan stepped in front of me, wary and alert.

"Didn't you say you weren't coming? Why are you shamelessly showing up?"

"Trying to win Brother Xu's attention with reverse psychology?"

"Don't waste your efforts, Brother Xu loves me. Even if you stood naked in front of him, he wouldn't spare you a glance!"

I hadn't planned on wasting words with her, but her last comment stung.

"Chen Shanshan, I regret sponsoring you!"

Although sponsoring Chen Shanshan was Shen Xu's idea, I treated her as my own sister over the years.

I never expected anything in return, just hoped she could break free from her troubled family and become independent.

Unexpectedly, my kindness became a weapon piercing me deeply.

At my mention of the sponsorship, Chen Shanshan's face darkened.

"Su Qiqi, don't think a little tuition help makes you superior! I'd still make it to Harvard without you, and one word from me could send you straight to hell!"

After saying this, Chen Shanshan suddenly slapped herself hard, then looked at me pitifully.

"Sister Qiqi, I'm sorry! I shouldn't have come back…"

No sooner had she finished than an angry voice erupted behind me, "Su Qiqi, how could you hit someone?"

Before I could respond, Shen Xu stormed over, his face cold and demanding.

"Apologize to Shanshan!"

Chen Shanshan displayed her acting prowess, tears instantly welling up like a movie star, "Brother Xu, it's not Sister Qiqi's fault! It was my breach of agreement by returning that made Sister Qiqi angry!"

Watching Chen Shanshan cry like a weeping blossom, Shen Xu's gaze on me turned even colder, "Su Qiqi, Shanshan merely accepted your sponsorship, she didn't sell herself as your servant. What right do you have to dictate her whereabouts?"

"I detest using power to bully, apologize to Shanshan immediately, or never show up in my life again!"

Shen Xu's self-righteous favoritism made me feel like a ridiculous clown.

Unwilling to endure further humiliation and stay, I turned to leave, and walked straight into a man heading my way.

"Are you alright?" The man gently placed his hand on my waist, his voice filled with concern, "Did they bully you?"

When I looked up and saw Huo Tingshen at that moment, the suppressed grievance inside me started to surge uncontrollably.

But then I remembered that in a few days, I would be leaving here forever!

I forced a smile, "I'm fine, let's go inside!"

Huo Tingshen noticed what I was thinking and didn't make any further moves.

He just threw a line to Shen Xu, telling him not to regret it, then took my hand and led me into the restaurant.

Shen Xu was unwilling and wanted to catch up, but Chen Shanshan, covering her face, cried out in pain, so he paused his steps.

Once inside the private room, I realized Huo Tingshen was still holding my hand, and I quickly withdrew it.

"Thank you for earlier!"

"Why didn't you resist? You would never let yourself be wronged when you were younger!"

If Huo Tingshen hadn't suddenly brought it up, I would have forgotten that when I was young, I was the little princess adored by everyone in the compound.

Despite being busy with work, my parents doted on me immensely, and the kids in the compound looked up to me.

Huo Tingshen's family lived just a street away, and he often saw me scolding those bullies until they were like his subordinates!

I smirked bitterly, "Back then, I had my parents to back me up, but now I don't, so naturally, I have to be more circumspect!"

It's not that I don't have a temper, but over the past ten years, I've seen too much of the coldness of human emotions.

When I first woke up after the car accident, the uncles and small pals from the compound came to see me.

But after seeing the horrifying scars on my body, their attitudes slowly changed.

They said they would visit me whenever they had time, but then never came to the hospital again.

Because of this, I treated Shen Xu, who stayed beside me, as my lifeline, trying everything to please him.

When he wanted to start a business, I invested and found a venue for him.

When he lacked connections, I went to great lengths to leverage my parents' accumulated resources to pull connections for him.

When he took pity on Chen Shanshan, I helped her leave her original family and sponsored her to study abroad.

Even knowing that Shen Xu betrayed me, I never tore apart our relationship.

Because he was the only one willing to stay by my side!

Upon hearing my words, Huo Tingshen furrowed his brows even more tightly, "Who said you don't have anyone to back you up? Aren't I here?"

I was taken aback: "But haven't you been abroad these years?"

Huo Tingshen casually rolled up his shirt sleeves, revealing a striking scar, "No matter where I am, as long as you need, I can always back you up!"

I thought he was trying to comfort me, but I suddenly recalled the incident a few months ago when Huo Tingshen hit Shen Xu.

That day was Huo Tingshen's first day back to the country, and coincidentally, I caught a cold delivering documents to Shen Xu!

Not daring to think too deeply, I could only smile silently. Just then, the restaurant waiter led Aunt Chen in.

Aunt Chen was one of the few elders who always loved me. Once inside the private room, she started persuading me not to take the adventure alone.

I was torn about what excuse to give when Huo Tingshen handed me a bowl of soup.

"Aunt, the base is well-equipped, except that it can't contact the outside world at any time. Plus, she's not alone; I'll always be with her!"

Huo Tingshen's words stunned both Aunt Chen and me.

Just as I was about to explain, Aunt Chen smiled knowingly, "I knew it was you coming back specifically to steal Qiqi away. Forget it, I can't interfere in young people's matters. Just take good care of Qiqi!"

I thought I'd have to say a lot to convince Aunt Chen, but unexpectedly, Huo Tingshen settled it with just a sentence.

After dinner, Aunt Chen left for some errands, and Huo Tingshen asked if I wanted to relax at a bar.

Thinking it was still early and I wouldn't have the opportunity to go to a bar again later, I agreed.

Having accumulated so many negative emotions during this time, as soon as we arrived at the bar, I started drinking in silence, one glass after another.

Huo Tingshen didn't say anything, just quietly drank with me.

After about half an hour, I felt the urge to use the bathroom.

But at the corner, I ran into Shen Xu, Chen Shanshan, and his group of friends.

"Shanshan, Brother Xu has stayed clean for ten years for you! These ten years, no matter how relentlessly Su Qiqi pursued him, he was unmoved. Just for that, you owe Brother Xu a kiss!"

"Exactly! Brother Xu said once the company goes public, he'll propose to you! This deep love, even heaven bears witness!"

At this moment, Chen Shanshan's face had already deflated. She took off her jacket, wearing only a camisole, sitting on Shen Xu's lap.

The two were close, and someone deliberately pushed Chen Shanshan hard, making her kiss Shen Xu's cheek.

Holding a beauty, Shen Xu couldn't resist and lowered his head to kiss her back on the spot.

Just when the atmosphere reached its peak, Huo Tingshen interrupted them.

"This is a public place, not a spot for flirting. If you want to flirt, go to a hotel!"

Shen Xu's friends heard the snide comment and turned to curse.

But when faced with Huo Tingshen's cold expression, they immediately swallowed their words.

Seeing me, Shen Xu instinctively wanted to push Chen Shanshan away.

But after hearing Huo Tingshen's words, he resumed his arrogant demeanor.

"Su Qiqi, you don't think by deliberately standing with Huo Tingshen you can make me jealous, do you?"

"Don't waste your efforts! If you truly want me to think highly of you, seriously apologize to Shanshan!"

"Or, finish this bottle of alcohol!"

I don't know where Shen Xu got his confidence, but this time I didn't indulge him.

"That slap was her hitting herself; why should I apologize to her?"

"And you, who are you to me? What gives you the right to order me around?"

For the first time, I retorted Shen Xu in public, voicing out what was suppressed inside, and suddenly felt relieved.

In the past, whenever we had conflicts, I would swallow my pride.

I thought I wasn't good enough, so he didn't like me.

Now I realize that his kindness was all for personal gain.

Since that's the case, why should I continue humiliating myself?

"Shen Xu, I've repaid your kindness; from now on, we have nothing to do with each other!"

After dropping those words, I bypassed them and started to walk away.

But even though I didn't want to deal with them, they refused to let me go.

Chen Shanshan stretched her hand blocking my way, full of resentment.

"Sister Qiqi, Brother Xu saved your life. How could you speak to him like that?"

I couldn't hold back any longer and retorted directly, "How should I speak to him? Should I kneel and speak to him? If that's the case, shouldn't you also kneel and speak to me since if not for me, you would've been beaten to death by your abusive father long ago, right?"

Upon hearing my words, Shen Xu immediately scowled and reprimanded me, "Su Qiqi, Shanshan is still a child, how can you be so harsh?"

I chuckled angrily, "Chen Shanshan is only a year younger than me; what kind of child is she? Moreover, what decent person would pin a child on a sofa and do those things?"

Upon hearing the word "sofa," Shen Xu's demeanor abruptly changed, and his expression became nasty.

I thought he would explain, but instead, he glared at me unhappily.

"Did you install surveillance in my villa?"

"Sick in the body, sick in the mind, no wonder no man wants you!"

After casting a furious glance at me, Shen Xu walked off with Chen Shanshan's waist in his arms.

His friends looked at me disdainfully before scattering one after another.

Just as I thought I was about to be abandoned by the whole world again, a warm hand held mine.

"Don't be afraid; you have me!"

I'm not sure if Shen Xu's remark about no man wanting me provoked me, or if Huo Tingshen's assurance that I still have him moved me.

I suddenly tiptoed and kissed him.

Huo Tingshen was startled at first. Once he came to his senses, he actively embraced and deepened the kiss.

Unlike my clumsy kiss, Huo Tingshen's kiss seemed much more adept.

To the point where my legs grew weak from the kissing, and I could only cling tightly to his waist.

"Huo Tingshen, take me!"