chapter 3

The shrill ringtone of my phone pierced through, shattering my dream.

A splitting headache hit me instantly, my stomach churning as if a giant hand was wringing my insides.

I curled up, enduring the pain, reached under my pillow for my phone, and answered the call.

“Shen Xingyao, where’s my medicine?”

He Chenyi’s cold voice came through. I instinctively replied, “First drawer of the bedside table. It’s cold, wear something thicker, the thermal vest is in…”

I opened my eyes, staring at the damp ceiling.

Something flashed through my mind.

I brought the phone closer to check-it was a strange number.

I knew it, I remembered blocking him.

“He Chenyi, we’re already over.”

My tone turned cold.

He snapped, “Then come get your stuff. It annoys me just looking at it!”

Probably so that when Jiang Yuhe moves in, he won’t be annoyed.

I hugged my hot water bottle tighter. “Just throw it away. I don’t want it.”

He seemed surprised by my response, fell silent for a moment, then snorted, “Shen Xingyao, name a price. Otherwise, I can’t settle this in peace.”

I clenched my teeth, waited for the pain to subside, then spoke slowly.

“I don’t want anything.”

No things, no money.

Not you, either.

Before he could respond, I hung up.

–

Six years ago, He Chenyi had already pegged me as a “gold digger.”

Back then, he had a sudden heart attack, tubes all over his body in the hospital, yet his tone was harsh, telling everyone just one word: “Get out!”

Four caregivers hired in a row had quit.

I was the fifth.

He had a terrible temper, smashing things when angry. The young nurses were all afraid of him.

Only me-neither beatings nor scoldings could drive me away.

Once, he suddenly lost his temper and knocked the hot porridge out of my hands.

The thick soup splattered on the back of my hand, instantly turning it red.

But I couldn’t care about the pain, only worried about him: “Are you feeling unwell? Should I call the doctor?”

His throat bobbed, and he turned his face away.

“Why didn’t you dodge?”

“If I dodged, who would take care of you?”

“Stop pretending, Shen Xingyao. Don’t think I don’t know-everything you do is for money.”

Yes, I did it for money.

As long as he was well, he could say whatever he wanted about my motives.

He Chenyi probably didn’t know that I liked to quietly lean close to his chest while he slept, listening to his heartbeat.

“Ah Chen,” I called him affectionately.

Listening to the “thump thump thump” of his heart, knowing he was alive, made me happier than anyone.

Unlike He Chenyi’s indifference, his parents actually liked me.

Once, He Chenyi’s Mother joked, “Xingyao, you really are so lovable. If only our Ah Yi were lucky enough to marry a girl like you.”

I smiled, lips pressed together.

He Chenyi just watched me gloomily from the side.

I knew He Chenyi didn’t like me. He had someone else in his heart-a white moonlight.

I never thought that one day I would end up by his side, become his lover.

I simply wanted to protect him, that’s all.

The turning point came when I went on a business trip to City A.

I heard there was a temple nearby, and the master had blessed a Talisman that was said to be incredibly effective.

I trekked up the mountain several times before finally getting one for He Chenyi.

Because of that, I got a scar on my forehead.

When I gave it to He Chenyi that day, his eyes reddened instantly.

As if he was moved by me.

But I knew, in the class group, a photo was spreading like wildfire.

It was Jiang Yuhe, who had started dating a blond, blue-eyed foreign boyfriend.

The two of them were making out on the street, oblivious to everyone. Word was, they were about to get married.

That day, He Chenyi seemed a little crazed.

He kept asking me, “Shen Xingyao, are you willing to be with me?”

My throat was dry, but I nodded again and again, “Of course.”

With him, I never hesitated.

But in the six years we’ve been together, He Chenyi has never once said he liked me.

Not long after moving in with He Chenyi, I asked him for half a million yuan.

I bought this apartment.

Whenever I asked him for money, he never questioned it.

But the disdain in his eyes was always there, and it hurt to see.

In his eyes, I must have seemed utterly repulsive.