Volume One, Chapter Eleven: Terrified by Me

“It truly stirs some sentiment.” He wiped the silver cup, his voice heavy with emotion. “The first time you and Mr. Shen came here for a drink, you were barely eighteen or nineteen. In the blink of an eye, so many years have passed, and now you’re both wealthy. How wonderful.”

I sipped my drink, a bitter smile tugging at my lips, my mind filled with the image of the first time Yixiao Shen took me to a bar. I had never touched alcohol before, and he never wanted me to drink, saying it was no good. Yet, I couldn’t stand watching them all drink while I felt out of place, so I insisted on trying it.

Over time, my tolerance improved, and Yixiao Shen stopped forbidding me.

“Mrs. Shen, it’s been a while since you’ve come by. Why are you alone today?” the bartender asked again.

I finished my drink in one gulp and smiled brightly. “He’s busy. Another glass for me, please.”

Most of the bartenders who knew Yixiao Shen and me had left, leaving only the one before me. The other staff were strangers, and as I took my second drink, the lively bar suddenly felt strangely unfamiliar.

After finishing that last glass, I planned to leave.

The alcohol made my steps unsteady; I stumbled almost ungracefully toward the door.

“Miss, are you alright?” a man steadied my arm, speaking in hesitant Mandarin.

I looked up to see a foreigner.

I smiled softly. “I’m fine, thank you, handsome.”

No sooner had I spoken than a wave of nausea overwhelmed me. I shook off his hand and dashed toward the restroom. Though my tolerance was decent, I couldn’t handle drinking like this.

To my surprise, the foreign man waited outside the restroom. When I emerged, he immediately offered to help again. “Are you okay? I can take you home.”

I was about to refuse when a cold, sharp voice cut through the air. “Seems your private life has been quite lively over the years.”

Zhengnan Xu stood not far off, his gaze edged with iciness, clearly mocking me.

His gray hoodie and black jeans suited him perfectly, softening his usually aloof demeanor. Yet those slender, phoenix-like eyes remained as cold as ever.

Given the closeness between the foreign man and me, the scene did look intimate.

I never expected our second encounter to be under such circumstances.

I quickly pushed the foreign man away. “You’re mistaken. We don’t know each other.”

The foreigner wisely excused himself, leaving me to face the awkward moment alone.

“That sounds like a one-night stand,” Zhengnan Xu’s eyes glinted sharply. “Does Yixiao Shen know?”

Mentioning Yixiao Shen instantly brought to mind all his betrayals. I had considered repaying him in kind but didn’t want to sully myself.

Xu thought I was the one playing around behind Shen’s back, unaware I was the fool being betrayed.

I didn’t want to discuss Shen in front of him. In the past, for the sake of so-called love, I had thrown down harsh words before him, betting on Shen’s true love for me.

If he knew my current predicament, I’d become a laughingstock, especially since I couldn’t even get a divorce.

Even if I were to reveal the sordid truths, it would have to wait until I had saved enough money, secured the necessary documents, and could leave Yixiao Shen for good.

“It’s just a misunderstanding. I haven’t wronged Yixiao Shen,” I repeated numbly.

“I’m not interested in your affairs. But since we were once friends, I’m reminding you to take responsibility for your past choices.” With a furrowed brow, Xu said coldly before turning away.

I opened my mouth but found no words.

Had I not chosen Yixiao Shen, I would likely be like Xu—surrounded by family, friends, and a career.

I pressed my throbbing forehead and hurried out of the bar, my mind in turmoil.

Back home, I filled the bathtub, hoping to sober up.

Messages from Ying Su flooded in.

Ying Su: Where have you disappeared again?

Ying Su: Yixiao Shen didn’t come back with you? What happened? Has he changed?

Ying Su: That Secretary Lu is always around Shen. I’ve seen several people mistake her for you. Aren’t you jealous?

I read these messages, thick with sarcasm and provocation, fully grasping Ying Su’s mood.

“Honey, honey?” Yixiao Shen’s voice came from outside, tender and earnest. “Are you in the bath? Come out quickly. I brought you something delicious. You probably didn’t eat enough earlier.”

I said nothing, submerging my head beneath the water.

The bathroom door swung open, and Yixiao Shen saw me nearly drowning. He rushed over frantically, shouting, “Liyue!”

He gripped my arm tightly as I was lifted from the water. Opening my eyes, I met his face—marked by panic and fear, his eyes reddened and wild.

“Thank God you’re okay, you’re okay…” He held me tightly, almost crushing me with his strength.

I let him hold me, my hands limp at my sides, offering no response.

Yixiao Shen was genuinely frightened, oblivious to my unusual reaction. He buried his head in my wet neck, murmuring remorsefully, “I’m sorry, darling, I’m sorry…”

I moved slightly, intrigued.

Could he be so scared that he was about to confess his infidelity?

“It’s all my fault for not spending enough time with you lately. I’m sorry for not coming back with you today. I promise I’ll change.”

So, I was just overthinking again.

A chill settled in my heart. If he confessed now, I’d be grateful for his honesty, at least relieved he wasn’t going to keep deceiving me.

I let out a bitter laugh, mocking my seventeen-year-old self.

“I’m fine. I just fell asleep soaking in the bath. Don’t worry,” I said, urging him to let me down.

“How could you be so careless? You nearly scared me to death. If something happened to you, I wouldn’t want to live either.” Yixiao Shen released me, his eyes still watery and red-rimmed.

He looked at me carefully. “Darling, have you been going through something lately? Whatever it is, please tell me.”

I caught the fleeting flicker of anxiety and guilt in his eyes.

He was testing whether I knew about his affair.

I shook my head and brought up the child issue again as an excuse. “I just feel regretful. I wish we had a child.”

Yixiao Shen exhaled in relief and suddenly raised his hand, swearing, “I swear to heaven, you mean more to me than any child. Please don’t be so down because of this. I don’t want to see you unhappy.”

His sincerity made me smile. He declared love for Lu Xiaoyun in her bed but professed loyalty to me.

The funniest part was that he thought my smile was from comfort and relief at his words.