The Substitute Wife's Revenge

Married to Pei He for four years, I always tried my best to play the role of his first love. Until I was kidnapped by people hired by his first love. The rescue call I made to him—he answered, but said: "Do as you please." I accepted my fate. Later, I started learning from him, not coming home at night. But he suddenly went mad. He smashed our wedding photo, red-rimmed eyes warning me: "You can only be tied to my side, Pei He! If you see that pretty boy again, I won't spare him!"

1

1:45 AM, Pei He returned. The mattress beside me sank, cool air creeping up from behind. The moment the man's hand touched my waist, I threw off the covers and sat up. Just in time to meet his somewhat cloudy eyes. He had been drinking. Pei He's hand, frozen mid-air, patted the bed instead, signaling me to lie down. "I suddenly remembered I have a manuscript deadline I haven't written. You sleep first." Forcing a smile, I quickly put on my coat, slipped on my shoes, and left the room. I didn't dare look back at him.

Staring blankly at my computer for half an hour, the Word document was still empty. In my mind, I replayed what I saw this afternoon at the mall. Pei He held a pink handbag, gazing lovingly at the woman adjusting her dress before him. After the woman twirled around, she threw herself into his arms, wrapping her arms around his neck to kiss him. He didn't refuse. My breathing stopped in that moment. A few seconds later, I fled in panic. I should have noticed earlier. Recently, he had been working overtime almost every day, many times even staying out all night. But I trusted him too much, never suspecting anything.

2

The next day, as usual, I made breakfast for him. My fingers had just touched the doorknob when Pei He came out of the room and called me: "Huaiyu, I forgot your birthday yesterday. Should I make it up to you?" I turned to look at him. When he said this, his expression was indifferent, showing no trace of guilt. I smiled and said it wasn't necessary. As I pushed the door open a crack, the man behind me spoke again: "Where are you going? Don't you work from home?" I adjusted my expression before turning to look at him, forcing a smile: "Editor Li asked me to discuss a manuscript. Breakfast is on the table. Drink the milk while it's warm." After speaking, I no longer paid attention to his hesitant expression and immediately stepped out the door.

The woman intimate with Pei He, I knew her, even very well. She was my older sister by two years—Bai Nianyu. Four years ago, the person who abandoned me and my seriously ill mother and secretly disappeared. The phone in my bag rang for more than ten seconds before I snapped out of my memories. Looking at the unfamiliar number on my phone, my heart raced wildly. Pressing the answer key, I still heard the voice I least wanted to hear. "A He gave me your number. Let's meet and talk, sister." She gave an address and hung up. Seeming very certain that I would agree to meet her. My hand holding the phone froze in place until a passerby behind me accidentally bumped into me and said sorry. Walking into the coffee shop Bai Nianyu mentioned, I immediately saw the brightly dressed woman. She wore a red dress—the same one she wore yesterday afternoon when she kissed Pei He. Very beautiful, just like four years ago. Dragging my feet toward her, I suddenly remembered what my mother said. She said I had been weak-willed since childhood, only knowing how to逃避 when encountering problems. Just regarding meeting Bai Nianyu now, my mother was right.

Seeing me approach, she casually took off her sunglasses and placed them on the table. Arrogant. "Sister, yesterday was your birthday, but A He spent the day with me. Don't blame him, he was just too happy I came back." Her voice paused, and she glared at me: "Even though you didn't win his heart, you still hold the title of Mrs. Pei, so you haven't suffered a loss, have you?" These words, I couldn't refute. For four years, I never won his heart. Back when they broke up, Bai Nianyu disappeared without a trace, and Pei He, in a fit of anger, married me. Because I looked seven or eight points like Bai Nianyu. Almost everyone understood I was just Bai Nianyu's substitute. Even when Pei He was passionate, he would only bury his face in my neck, affectionately calling me "A Yu." As for which "Yu," I never dared to think too deeply. I always worked hard to play the role of Bai Nianyu. Drawing my eyeliner upward, making my lips vibrant, perming my long straight hair into big waves. Because, I loved Pei He too.

3

Bai Nianyu was very good at talking, just like now. Her red lips opened and closed. Finally, she picked up her cup and took a small sip of coffee. "Sister, as long as you give up the position of Mrs. Pei, I'll give you five million. How about it?" Looking at her confident expression, I shook my head: "On what grounds?" The woman was stunned for a moment, then laughed even more heartily: "On what grounds? Just because I'm your sister, and because Pei He loves me!" Too lazy to argue with her further, I picked up my bag and turned to leave. But my arm was suddenly grabbed by her. Grabbing the cup, splashing it in my face, crying tears. In one swift motion, I stood there stunned. Just as I was confused, I heard Pei He's angry roar from behind: "Bai Huaiyu! What are you doing!" The man walked past me, quickly stepping to Bai Nianyu's side, pulling her into his arms, carefully wiping away her tears and coffee with a tissue. Watching their intimate behavior, I lost the right to cry. Instead, I felt a sense of relief, as if a suspended heart had finally found its place. It was as if I knew they would get back together, it was just a matter of time. But I didn't expect it to be so soon.

"Bai Huaiyu! She's your sister, can't you tolerate her! Is this how your mother taught you! "She just came back and wanted to see you, how could you let her down?" My originally downturned lips slowly lifted as I forced a laugh. My husband, holding my sister, said I had let her down. "Bai Nianyu, you just said that if I give up the position of Mrs. Pei, you'll give me five million. Is that true?" The woman apparently didn't expect me to say it directly, frowning as she glared at me: "Sister! What nonsense are you talking about!" My gaze shifted from her to Pei He. He stared at me resentfully, as if at an enemy. He didn't believe me. The moment I turned to leave, I heard Pei He's soft voice comforting her behind me. "A Yu, ignore her. In my heart, you'll always be first."

4

Leaving the editing house, looking at the colorful lights all over the street, I felt freshness for the first time. So the lights at night were this beautiful. During the past four years, to take good care of Pei He, I had proactively requested to work from home from the editing house. Editor Li valued me and approved it. Breakfast, lunch, dinner—I never missed a meal. I changed the variety daily, afraid he would be picky and not like it. I went from someone who couldn't cook any dish to becoming his menu. I thought his cold heart would melt for me. Now it seems, it was all in vain. I walked into a hot pot restaurant and ate my first hot pot in four years. The extra spicy base was so hot it made me cry. Too spicy, next time I should switch to medium spicy. After finishing the hot pot, it was only nine o'clock. Still early. I bought a bottle of liquor and went to the cemetery. To visit my parents. The summer evening breeze carried a bit of coolness but also rolled in heat. Unscrewing the liquor bottle, tilting the mouth, liquor poured out, falling to the ground with a pattering sound. The liquor was fragrant, I couldn't resist it, tilted my head back and took several gulps. It was strong going down, but once in my stomach, my heart felt warm. There were no lights in the cemetery, pitch black. I simply sat cross-legged, leaning against the tombstone. Getting closer, I could barely make out the black and white photo on it. My mother's smile was still as kind and warm, and my father was smiling too. "Dad, Mom, Sister is back, but I'm not happy, am I heartless? "I resent her, who told her to leave us without saying a word back then. "Sister came back and immediately started fighting with me for Pei He, so vicious. The man she threw away, now she wants to eat her return grass, she, she's not a good horse."

All around was very quiet, without a sound, only a cool breeze came, scattering my curled hair. The big waves hanging before my chest, I had just seen on Bai Nianyu's head today. No matter how much I resembled her, I could never compare to her. "Mom, you said, if I could have contacted Pei He back then, would your illness have been saved... I, I could have borrowed his money to save you..." Still no one answered me. The bottle of liquor was empty. My head was dizzy, I couldn't even see the photo on the tablet clearly. In a daze, I only heard someone's voice. "Why again..."

5

Four years ago, my father's company went bankrupt overnight. Eighty million in debt, we couldn't come up with that money. My father jumped to his death. My mother's hair turned white overnight, she fell seriously ill. At that time, I had just graduated from university, no money. I resented Bai Nianyu. Resented her for abandoning me and my mother, leaving alone. Even though later Pei He married me and helped my family pay off the debt, my mother was already gone. Sensing light through my closed eyes, I rubbed my temples and opened my eyes. It was dawn. My legs hadn't moved for a long time and were now somewhat stiff, unable to stand up. I took my phone out of my bag and turned it on. No missed calls, no unread messages. Nothing at all. Taking a deep breath, I supported myself against the tombstone, stood up, and staggered away from the cemetery.

Returning home, Pei He was no longer there. Or perhaps, he hadn't come home at all last night. Looking in the mirror at the face that strongly resembled Bai Nianyu, my calm heart raced a few times. I went to the kitchen, got scissors, grabbed my long curly hair, and gritted my teeth as I cut it. Until a woman with shoulder-length short hair appeared in the mirror, I felt relieved. In the closet, those brightly colored dresses were also pulled out one by one and cut to shreds. The moment I packed them into the trash bag, I felt the sky was a bit bluer today. After getting my hair trimmed at the salon and returning home, I ran straight into Bai Nianyu at the doorstep. The first thing she said was: "Sister, you cut your hair, now you don't look like me anymore. Can A He still stand to look at you?" Just as I was about to speak, I saw Pei He push the door open, hands in his pockets, staring at me coldly, as if trying to bore a hole through me. In the end, I still didn't speak. I walked past them, changed my shoes, and entered. The door was left open. They stood outside, inseparable, completely disregarding me, a living person.

If I didn't actively speak to him, he wouldn't seek me out either. It was quiet. When my stomach growled, I finally got up from my computer and walked out of the study, bumping into Pei He wearing black loungewear. Strange, he didn't go accompany Bai Nianyu. As I passed him, my wrist tightened, caught in his hand. "Huaiyu, what's for dinner? I want to eat fungus and lean pork congee." I tilted my head to look at him. His ink-dark eyes seemed to hold a pool of clear water, naturally deep when looking at people, thin lips naturally pursed, speaking faintly. Pei He had good looks. I was deceived by this face. "I'm going out to eat—hot pot. You order takeout." He had a bad stomach and couldn't eat spicy food. I deliberately provoked him. Wanting to pull my wrist back but unable to, I had no choice but to look up at him again. His gaze lingered on my face, finally landing on my hair. "Huaiyu, are you, angry? Because of A Yu?" I forced a smile, using my other hand to pry open his fingers, rubbing my sore wrist. "How could I? Sister is back, I'm happy, why would I be angry? It's Editor Li who asked me out." Pei He stood in place, not moving. He watched me change clothes, change shoes, grab my bag. "Huaiyu, your sister had it hard abroad these years. Now that she's back, be more tolerant."

6

Sitting in the hot pot restaurant, I ordered a medium spicy base. On my phone were photos and videos sent by Bai Nianyu. I opened them one by one. Hugging, kissing, watching the sunrise together, dancing together... Look, in just over ten days since Bai Nianyu returned, Pei He had already done so many things with her. More than what we had done together in four years. On the way back after eating hot pot, I saw a print shop by the roadside. Looking up at the fireworks blooming in the sky not far away, I smiled and walked in. When I came out again, there were two extra divorce agreements in my bag. Looking along the roadside, I discovered many food restaurants. On the tempting signs were mouth-watering pictures. The road was long, there was much to enjoy. My mother was absolutely right, I was best at escaping. So I chose divorce.

But when I placed the divorce agreement in front of Pei He, his expression darkened. His gaze slowly shifted from the black and white words on the table to my face. "Bai Huaiyu, do you know what you're doing?" I knew, all too clearly. "Let's divorce. I'll make way for my sister. You two together should be happy." I thought I had controlled myself well, but still couldn't help shedding tears. In university, I, Bai Nianyu, and Pei He were schoolmates. At that time, we were still considered well-matched. The first time Bai Nianyu brought Pei He to my house for dinner, I was sitting in the living room drawing. Simple sketches. He held Bai Nianyu's hand with one, pointed at my sketchbook with the other, and said with a smile: "So childish, but so cute." I turned to look at him, just in time to meet a pair of smiling eyes. I was stunned for a long time before remembering to hug my sketchbook and go upstairs. That was our first meeting. To put it harshly, if Bai Nianyu hadn't left, I would never have had the chance to get so close to him, let alone marry him. But, it happened. "I don't want anything. We can skip the property division clause. Once you sign, you'll be free." Suppressing my trembling teeth, I sat in the chair, avoiding his attempt to wipe my tears. "Once I sign, you can go ask A Yu for that five million, right? "Bai Huaiyu, have I ever treated you poorly these four years? Do you want that five million so badly!"

The man before me shouted while tearing the divorce agreement to shreds, scattering it with a wave of his hand. The fragments fell sporadically to the floor, scattered everywhere. Just like my life, could completely change in a single day. "Yes! I just like that five million! What's it to you! Don't you love Bai Nianyu? Then marry her! Not marrying but occupying her, are you shameless!" Seeing my gentle side all this time, now suddenly so hysterical, Pei He was stunned for a moment. After a few seconds, he raised his hand and slapped toward me. But it didn't land. Frozen in mid-air. If you won't slap, I will. I slapped him across the face, so hard his head turned to the side. Soon, a clear five-finger print appeared. On his fair face, it looked particularly conspicuous. I had struck too lightly, should have slapped until his teeth fell out. I thought this would make him agree to divorce, but he suddenly laughed: "Bai Huaiyu, you've got guts." I had guts, he, Pei He, didn't.

7

I slept in a separate room from him. He slept in the master bedroom, I in the secondary. No interference. During these ten-plus days of cold war, although we lived under the same roof, we were like strangers. Even when we met face to face, we resolutely looked straight ahead. Only Bai Nianyu persistently shared their beautiful moments with me. At first, I still opened them one by one like a thief to look. Later, I set Bai Nianyu to message notifications off. Shopping, going to amusement parks, watching movies, eating various foods... Until the twentieth day, I returned to my room and saw Pei He standing before the bay window. The man had his back to me, hands behind his back, like an old cadre. The moment I saw him, the option to逃避 flashed through my mind for a second. But this was my room, and he was the one trespassing. "How did you get in? Did you pick the lock or climb through the window?" Placing my bag casually on the door cabinet, I forced myself to walk in naturally. Pei He turned to face me, staring with a smile: "How did I never discover you were so sharp-tongued, Bai Huaiyu?" My name was very ordinary, but coming from his mouth, it carried an extra tenderness. "This is my home, I come whenever I want." The man casually sat on the bed, propping himself on one arm to look at me.

The phone in my bag rang. I glanced at Bai Nianyu's name on the screen, hesitated for a few seconds, and still pressed the answer key. The woman's crying voice came from the other end. "Sister, I had a fight with A He, can you, can you help me persuade him?" She tearfully told me what happened during the day. Finally, she begged me to persuade Pei He to go back. After hanging up the phone, I looked up at the man sitting on the edge of the bed, his face calm. Only after fighting with Bai Nianyu did he come looking for me for fun. Nasty thing. "Bai Nianyu is waiting for you, you should leave." Facing my pushing, Pei He grabbed my wrist, gradually applying pressure. "Huaiyu, do you really want to divorce me?" "Pei He, listen carefully. If you're here to sign, there are divorce agreements in the drawer. You can sign and leave. If not, please leave quickly. You're not welcome here." We stared at each other for ten seconds, but he still didn't let go. "Huaiyu, do you hate me?" Hate, why wouldn't I. He had been with Bai Nianyu for two full years. When my family went bankrupt, I never saw him offer help. When my mother was seriously ill and needed life-saving money, I called him more than ten times, but he never answered. How could I not hate. But, I couldn't bring myself to hate either. He had no relationship with my family, what obligation did he have to help us. "Tell me, what exactly do you hate me for?" I forcefully shook off his hand, took a step back, and looking into his eyes, said: "Pei He, don't make me look down on you. If you can't give me happiness, don't fail another woman. No one will wait for you forever."

8

On the way to the cemetery, it started to rain. Raindrops pattered down wildly. A passing van ran over a puddle by the roadside, splashing me with water. Sighing, I had to bend down to wipe off the mud spots. But I only looked away for a moment, and that van backed up again. My head was suddenly struck by something, and before me went black... When I regained consciousness, I was in a large warehouse. Rusty iron frames, shattered glass, rust flakes all over the ground. The black-clothed man standing nearby was listening to a phone call, occasionally saying "yes," his eyes glancing at me with sharpness. It took me a long time to realize I had been kidnapped. The man walked over, squatted before me, and dialed a phone number. A few seconds later, it connected. The man turned on speakerphone, then held the phone to my lips, pushed my forehead, signaling me to speak. My gaze fell on the call interface—it was Pei He's number. I bit my lip and remained silent. The next second, a slap came across my face, very heavy, very loud. My head buzzed, and my cheek burned with pain. My neck was grabbed, again facing the phone. I still didn't speak. The man glared at me and pushed me to the ground. My back slammed hard against the ground, seemingly hitting something sharp. The pain made me gasp. "Bai Huaiyu is in our hands. If you want her alive, prepare fifty million in cash..." The man's words were interrupted by a female voice. "Sister, if you want money, just say so directly. How could you hire people to put on an act? Isn't this fraud?" It was Bai Nianyu's voice. But this was Pei He's phone. The other end paused for a moment before Pei He's voice came through. "Is Bai Huaiyu there with you? Do whatever you want, no need to tell me. Anyway, we're about to divorce, and she and I will soon have no relationship. "Do as you please." His voice was very cold, even producing an echo in the warehouse. Very empty. That last bit of hope was also gone. Tears rolled down my temples, soaking into my hair.

9

With stiff fingers, I opened the door. The house was empty, no one was there. I showered for two hours. Almost scrubbed my skin raw. But the blood on my body just wouldn't wash off. My back hurt badly. I couldn't bear it and still went to the hospital. Indeed, the skin and flesh were torn. After the doctor bandaged my wound, she placed the hemostatic cotton on a tray, packing things while saying words I couldn't quite understand. "Looking at your blood test report, you're six weeks pregnant. Your daily diet needs to be balanced, strenuous exercise is best avoided. The injury on your back—did you bump into something? You need to be careful daily and protect your abdomen..." My ears were buzzing. My menstrual cycle had always been regular, but this month, it indeed hadn't come. Holding the blood test report as I walked out of the department, my mind was still a muddle. This child shouldn't come, and, shouldn't have come. "Huaiyu?" The person walking toward me was Pei He supporting Bai Nianyu. He held her shoulder, almost supporting her entire body weight. "What are you doing at the hospital? Not playing kidnapping games anymore?" My fingernails dug through the paper of the blood test report, deeply embedded in my palm. I finally couldn't force a smile anymore. "Pei He, you think that was a game?" He frowned, seemingly not understanding why I was caught up on this issue. "A He, my knee hurts so much." The man who had been staring at me immediately shifted his gaze, looking gently at the woman in his arms. Following Bai Nianyu's finger, I saw her knee, which was red over a small area. After a cold laugh, I ignored them. I went to schedule an abortion procedure. Lying on the operating table, I fell into memories again. When did Bai Nianyu change. Clearly, she used to be very nice. My parents only had Bai Nianyu and me as daughters, so they doted on us very much. My father would have picked stars from the sky for Bai Nianyu if he could. Because, she resembled him most. Articulate, straightforward, unafraid of strangers. On Bai Nianyu's twentieth birthday, my father sat on the sofa watching her smile: "If Nianyu were a son, our family would be perfect!" And Bai Nianyu laughed and pushed my father's arm, pretending to be angry: "What, daughters aren't good enough? A daughter can also be a big boss. In the future, when you're old, I'll manage the household, and sister can just eat, drink, and play, not worrying about anything..." When it came to me, I hugged my mother and giggled, whispering to her: "Sister isn't shy. Yesterday she was pestering me, begging me to draw her portrait..."

10

"Bai Huaiyu!" When I opened my eyes, I saw Pei He's face. Frowning, very angry. "Bai Huaiyu, now you're so bold you can do anything! Even wanting to abort my child! Do you hate me that much?" There was no pain in my lower body. Looking at the doctor also standing beside me, she wore a mask, so I couldn't see her expression. But probably, it was a gossipy expression. After the anesthesia wore off, the doctor said we had too much disagreement as a couple and told us to go home and discuss before deciding. Pei He dragged my arm and stuffed me into the car. Only after sitting steady did I see Bai Nianyu sitting in the passenger seat. They say when rivals meet, their eyes turn red with hatred. Indeed, her eyes were red. Fair fingers wiped tears now and then, occasionally turning to look at Pei He. After returning home, Pei He's anger completely erupted. He loudly questioned why I secretly wanted to abort the child. Bai Nianyu sat at the other end of the sofa, quietly watching me and Pei He. My back hurt badly, and my heart hurt too. My whole body felt uncomfortable. Years of accumulated dissatisfaction instantly overflowed. I shouted: "Because I, Bai Huaiyu, don't want this bastard child!" The man froze for a moment. The next second, his hand choked my neck, pressing me against the wall. "Pei He!" Bai Nianyu's voice was both angry and anxious. For a moment, I had the illusion she was worried about me. Pei He's eyes reddened, water gathering in his eye sockets as he suppressed his voice and roared at me: "Bai Huaiyu, you call my child a bastard? How dare you!" He really wanted a child. I had always known. It's just that in recent years, he couldn't let go of Bai Nianyu and was very restrained in that regard. Mostly, when he was drunk, he would mistake me for Bai Nianyu, pressing me down while calling "A Yu." But this child couldn't be kept. The hand at my neck wasn't actually applying that much force, but I just felt I couldn't breathe. Tears fell uncontrollably. "Why wouldn't I dare! I dare swear I loved you, do you dare! "Since there's no love, this child being born would be a mistake! "Let him come into this world to suffer others' contempt, be pointed at and scolded for his parents not getting along, for his father and aunt having an unclear relationship? "Pei He, you only think of yourself!" The man's hand loosened somewhat, slowly lowering. He suddenly hugged me, continuously saying "I'm sorry." Bai Nianyu stood before the sofa, watching me and Pei He, her fingers twisting together, her face complicated. I stared at her, leaning close to Pei He's ear: "No one is willing to wait in place forever. Bai Nianyu is no exception. "Also, you're really scum."

11

After pushing him away, I turned and left this home. Behind me, the man's sobs were gradually covered by the woman's comforting voice. When I received Editor Li's call, I was standing at the hospital entrance, looking up at the huge red cross above. "Cried? I'll come pick you up." The phone was then hung up. Six minutes later, I got into Li Yan's ostentatious red sports car. "Hey, sister, I told you long ago, men aren't worth it. You didn't listen, now your heart is broken..." I tilted my head to look at the woman with both hands on the steering wheel, skillfully driving. Red short hair, large gold earrings—at first glance, very straightforward. Li Yan was my boss. Thirty-six this year, unmarried, no children. But her spirit was better than mine at twenty-six. When I went to work at her editing house, she valued me very much. Whatever requirements I raised, she tried her best to satisfy. Of course, she always advised me: "I don't understand men. If you don't marry, you'll always be fresh. Once married, if you hold them in your hands, you get sick of them to death. Better not to marry..." Li Yan sat casually on a high stool, ordering drinks from the bartender. When it came to me, I replied "a glass of milk." She stared at me, laughing: "Are you kidding me? We're in a bar, not a children's playground." "I'm pregnant." Her eyes widened even more, leaning over to ask me mysteriously: "Whose? Have you come to your senses? Found someone outside?" The feeling of laughing out loud was very good. After hearing my explanation, Li Yan said "oh" and took a large gulp of her drink. "Then another day I'll accompany you to get rid of it." As she spoke, she paused for a moment, then continued: "If you don't want to get rid of it, that's fine too. Give birth, and we can raise it together..." I didn't hear the rest of her words; it was too noisy here. "Sister, hello?" My right shoulder was lightly tapped. I turned my head. A guy wearing a white T-shirt stood beside me, smiling at me. "Sister, my name is Cheng Jing. Can I get to know you?" My gaze passed over him, and I saw three or four guys on a nearby sofa, poking their heads out to watch the excitement. A QR code was held before my eyes, somewhat dazzling. Li Yan poked my elbow, signaling me with her eyes to go for it. I sighed and smiled back at him: "I have a child. Do you mind?" The guy was stunned for a few seconds, the corners of his mouth curled into a smile, his voice very clear: "I don't mind. I can be his stepfather." These words were very rude. But when they reached Li Yan's ears, they seemed to turn into something else. She laughed wildly, reached into my bag for my phone, skillfully entered the password, opened the green app, and scanned Cheng Jing's QR code. After the guy left, she still couldn't stop laughing. "Sister, open your eyes and look. Isn't this one much more handsome than that Pei He? Blind for so many years, you should have something good!"

12

I still had the abortion. With Bai Nianyu accompanying me. She wouldn't rest easy without seeing me abort the child with her own eyes. On the way back to the hotel from the hospital, I asked the question that had been weighing on my heart—why she had abandoned me and Mom to leave back then. Bai Nianyu's fingers holding the bag strap turned white, biting her lip, eyelids drooping. I couldn't see the emotion in her eyes. "I didn't want to give up on my dream." She grabbed my hand, looking at me, her tone tinged with helplessness: "Huaiyu, you know me. My biggest dream is to have my own clothing brand. At that time, I had already passed the interview with a foreign company. If I didn't go, everything would have been wasted..." I thought she had some unavoidable reason. Whenever I thought of Mom, I made excuses for her. To think it was just for an opportunity. I shook off her hand, looking at the increasingly unfamiliar face before me. "Bai Nianyu, your heart is cruel. Do you know how scared I was back then? Mom vomited mouthfuls of blood, and before she died, she was still calling your name. How could you be so heartless!" "I didn't want to either! The company went bankrupt, I had no choice! If you want to blame someone, blame Dad! It was him who didn't listen to Mom, investing all the money at once! Blame himself! Blame himself for leaving no backup plan! "Bai Nianyu!" I pushed the woman hard to the ground. Her red high heel broke. "You were the one who introduced that project to Dad. Can I blame you for that too?" Four years ago, H City vigorously developed real estate. My father bought one of the larger plots of land. But unfortunately, a major accident occurred during construction, killing several workers. Paper can't wrap fire. Soon, someone anonymously reported that this project had no government approval. That is, it was illegal. The company was sold, the house was sold, and we still owed eighty million in debt. Previously friendly partners closed their doors one by one. During that time, our family hardly dared go out. Unable to bear the external pressure, my father jumped from the twenty-seventh floor. My mother fell seriously ill. At the time when we should have shared adversity, Bai Nianyu disappeared completely. "Bai Nianyu, you're just like Pei He, selfish. "Aren't you the same? Didn't you marry your former brother-in-law?" Bai Nianyu propped herself up, staring straight at me: "Sister, we're two of a kind, neither of us is good. Let's not criticize each other. Even if I hadn't come back, Pei He wouldn't have truly loved you." At this point, I would no longer discuss matters concerning Pei He with her. After glaring at her, I turned and left. The woman behind me was relentless, shouting at me: "Sister! You should thank me. A man like Pei He, you can't handle him!"

13

After Li Yan heard I had the abortion, she looked dejected for a moment, then immediately shouted that we could celebrate. She called several friends from the editing house and organized a drinking party. Cheng Jing came too. Li Yan said he came on his own, she didn't call him. I couldn't be bothered to argue with her, letting it be. The guy sat beside me the whole time, quiet, occasionally telling a few jokes to make me happy. Singing until late at night, Li Yan sang while crying, holding the microphone to thank everyone present one by one. Her cheeks were red, eyes cloudy, body swaying unsteadily. Finally, she shouted "Dismissed!" After sending Li Yan home, Cheng Jing drove me to my doorstep. But we ran straight into Pei He. The man glanced at Cheng Jing standing beside me, sneering as he asked me: "Is this your replacement?" Before I could speak, Cheng Jing spoke up for me instead. "Hello, brother. When are you two getting divorced? I'll go with you. I'm rather impatient, most afraid of long nights and many dreams. When Huaiyu and I get married, I'll invite you to the wedding. "If you can't make it, that's fine too. Just send your regards." Seeing Pei He's angry but speechless expression, I secretly gave Cheng Jing a thumbs-up. Pei He took a few breaths, gritting his teeth as he stared at Cheng Jing: "Fine, I'll wait for that day. "Bai Huaiyu, go home, sign the divorce agreement." As I entered, I waved to the worried Cheng Jing, signaling him not to worry. But after entering, Pei He suddenly changed his mind. "Bai Huaiyu, look what you've become now! Not coming home at night, fooling around with some pretty boy outside! You've changed!" For a moment, I seemed to hear something barking. "Not coming home at night? Didn't I learn it from you! Who really changed?" Taking out the divorce agreement from my bag and slapping it on the coffee table, I tossed him a pen. "Don't you want to sign? Sign it." Pei He, angry to the point of laughing, pointed at me a few times, then turned and rushed into the bedroom. The wedding photo was "smashed" fiercely to the floor by him, shattered glass everywhere. "You can only be tied to my side, Pei He! If you see that pretty boy again, I won't spare him!" Disgusting. I swung my arm around and slapped him across the face, turning his head to the side. "Pei He! What right do you have to control me? Where were you when Mom died? Where were you when I was being bullied by those people? "You can't even keep yourself clean, what right do you have to demand I be a virtuous woman! Too late! "You will sign this, whether you want to or not. When this goes to court, the one who loses face is you, is the Pei family!" The atmosphere froze for several minutes. The man took a deep breath, sat heavily on the sofa, eyes staring at the shattered wedding photo on the ground, stunned for a long time. Just when I thought there was no hope this time either, he picked up the pen and signed the agreement. Stroke by stroke, very slowly. Holding the agreement in hand, as I turned to leave, I said: "See you at the Civil Affairs Bureau tomorrow." The man behind me didn't respond. Probably, he agreed.

The next day, I got up early and went to the Civil Affairs Bureau. I didn't call Cheng Jing. He was clean and proper; he shouldn't give up what he originally had for me. Red book for red book. Holding the divorce certificate as I left the Civil Affairs Bureau, I felt much lighter overall. Looking at Pei He, by contrast. The red blood vessels in his eyes could almost weave into a net. Bai Nianyu stood not far away, watching Pei He, not approaching. The happiest ones now should be the two of them. Without me as an obstacle, their path to happiness would never be congested again. I moved out from the Pei family home. After bringing everything to the hotel, I realized that without those "props" of imitating others, my own clothes and jewelry were pitifully few. But it was just as well—out of sight, out of mind.

14

In the following month, my relationship with Cheng Jing grew closer. Until he invited me to his home to see his collection. His home's location was quite convenient, right across from my former home. The guy enthusiastically introduced his cameras, film rolls, and camera stands to me. He buried himself in front of a leather suitcase, rummaging, his mouth never stopping. "Oh right, there's a video from March 9, 20xx, I remember that was the first time I tried singing a song I wrote myself." The moment he said that date, my heart immediately tightened. It was the day my father jumped to his death. My fingers couldn't control trembling; even the lightest box of photo paper slipped from my grasp. With a "thud," it fell onto the carpet. Plugging into the computer, he clicked on the video. In the frame, the guy played guitar while singing. Behind him was a building. I recognized it at a glance as the building our family used to live in. "I never deleted this video. I was in pretty good shape that day, my breathing was steady. How is it? Does it sound good?" What Cheng Jing was talking about was the song. But my gaze was completely captured by the inconspicuous corner in the upper right of the frame. But what shocked me was that I saw Bai Nianyu's figure. On the way back, Cheng Jing still talked nonstop while driving me to the hotel. My mind was filled with what I saw in the video, not hearing his words at all. On the rooftop, Bai Nianyu pushed my father. "Huaiyu? Huaiyu?" The suddenly enlarged face before me pulled me from my memories. "You'll come see my performance, right?" The guy's eyes shone brightly, like a golden retriever wagging its tail for favor. I mumbled an "Mm" in response. Getting my response, Cheng Jing smiled and said goodbye. Pressing the elevator, swiping the key card, entering. I sat on the bed like a zombie, not knowing how I got there. A very large net loomed over my world, and I seemed never to have found its center. After much consideration, I hired a private detective. I wanted to know what really happened the night my father jumped four years ago. The waiting period was tormenting. Photos and investigation results were laid before me one by one. But I couldn't piece them together. In black and white it said: Bai Nianyu suspected of pushing Bai Shengyuan to his death. In the surveillance video, two and a half minutes after my father fell, Bai Nianyu ran out from the first floor. Then she never appeared again. Combined with the video Cheng Jing had accidentally recorded. Bai Nianyu had killed her and my father.

15

While burning those photos, I thought a lot. In my mind, I kept recalling the beautiful moments our family had shared in the past. After making up my mind, I borrowed Li Yan's red sports car. This time, I chose daytime to visit my parents. Passing the cemetery duty room, an uncle in security uniform called out to me: "Little girl, didn't you come yesterday? You're back again today? Coming quite often. You even came twice late at night before..." Holding flowers, I stood on the steps, looking up at him. I didn't come yesterday. I only came late at night once. Who was he talking about? "When you came yesterday, you still had long hair, today it's cut? Young people change so quickly these days..." The uncle said, then turned back to the duty room, put on reading glasses, and slowly picked up a newspaper to read carefully. I think I knew who it was. Placing the flowers before the tombstone, I again threw aside my dignity and sat before them. My fingers wiped the dust from the photos, making them clear. "Dad, that night, was it Sister who pushed you? I seem, not to understand her anymore." The wind blew over, very refreshing. Unconsciously, autumn had arrived. "Mom, I haven't told you yet, I divorced Pei He. The road ahead is open, each going our own way. Now, I'm very happy." Tears fell like broken strings, continuously hitting the ground, wetting it. I hate the feeling of no one responding to me. After the moon climbed into the sky, I called Bai Nianyu. I asked her to come see our parents too. Seeing me sitting to one side, her face showed no expression as she bent to place the flower bouquet before the tombstone, parallel to the other bouquet. I started the car. And took Bai Nianyu back with me. On the way, I still asked her about that night. I wanted to hear her tell me personally. "I told Dad I wanted to go abroad, he disagreed, saying he couldn't come up with money to support my studies abroad. "You say, why am I so unlucky? Just about to realize my dream, and such a terrible thing had to happen. "I just mentioned it casually, but Dad took it seriously, insisting on investing. "Mom too, if she had stopped Dad back then, not letting him invest, wouldn't everything have been fine? "I did push Dad. Who told him to call me an ungrateful wolf, and also say you were good, family-oriented. "Weren't we both his daughters? How could he be so partial? "When I saw Pei He at the airport, I was scared to death. Who knew he would actually chase me to the airport. Just a little more, and I wouldn't have been able to go abroad. He would definitely have dragged me back to deal with that mess..." My fingers gripping the steering wheel turned white. The woman in the passenger seat spoke of these things without a trace of guilt in her words. Instead, there was resentment. I really couldn't believe that in more than twenty years, I had never truly known her. "What about that kidnapping?" "I was the one who hired them." Bai Nianyu admitted without hesitation. Turning to smile at me. "Who made Pei He like you? When he argued with me, it was because of you. These four years weren't wasted. You still have a place in his heart. "Don't you know he's best at being stubborn? Back then, out of spite, he married you. Last time with the kidnapping, I just provoked him a little, and he said such cruel things to you. "He's not a good man, just has some money at home. "Originally, I didn't plan to let you come back alive. "But sister, you always surprise me. You came back." The woman bent her eyes, leaning over to ask me: "Hey, why don't you tell me, what did those two men do to you before letting you back? Sister wants to hear."

16

I didn't answer her question. As the sports car drove onto Jinjiang Bridge, I stepped on the accelerator. Bai Nianyu showed no reaction, just silently tightened her seatbelt. The moment we rushed toward the guardrail, I remembered what I had done that day. After Pei He's phone was hung up, those two men vented their anger on me. Nothing more than scolding me for being useless, leaving them with no money to gain. They walked to the side, whispered among themselves for a while, then rubbed their palms together as they approached, with lecherous smiles on their faces. It horrified me. They started roughly tearing off my clothes. I suddenly understood. A strong will to live prompted me to tremble as I negotiated with them. When one of them dragged me behind the iron frame, I had already hidden a sharp piece of scrap iron in my palm. I actually don't clearly remember what happened afterward. When my muddled head cleared, they were already lying in pools of blood. The black short T-shirt I wore was cut with dozens of gashes, revealing red and white flesh and blood. After recovering for more than ten minutes, I scrambled and crawled out of the warehouse. I didn't call the police. Perhaps, I was inherently bad. I stood in the heavy rain, letting the rain wash away the bloodstains on my clothes. Fortunately, fortunately it was raining. Li Yan's car—I could only repay her in the next life. It's a pity I can't go see that kid Cheng Jing's performance. I had promised.

Complete Story

Epilogue

Pei He's heart suddenly twitched in pain, as if a nail had been fiercely driven into it. He felt uncomfortable all over. It was already ten at night, and Bai Nianyu still hadn't returned. Calls to both sisters were turned off. Strong unease drove him out of the house and to the hotel where Bai Huaiyu was staying. But the room was empty. After asking the front desk, he learned that Bai Huaiyu had left driving a red sports car. Pei He called Li Yan. On the phone, although Li Yan was confused, she still answered: "Huaiyu said she wanted to borrow my car for a drive, so I lent it to her. But..." Li Yan's words weren't finished when Pei He hung up. Bai Huaiyu had a warm personality but was also very stubborn. Once she set her mind on something, she would dive in, not stopping until she hit a wall. Bai Nianyu was also someone prone to extremes. Moreover, because of that incident back then, they already had conflicts between them. When the two of them clashed, nine times out of ten, something would go wrong. Just as he was extremely anxious, a message appeared on his phone. A video of a red sports car being salvaged from the water. ... Li Yan, who was lying on the sofa scrolling through videos, saw that video, scrambled up, and without time to change shoes, rushed out the door in slippers. "Silly Huaiyu, don't let me catch you, or I'll scold you good." On the Jinjiang Bridge surface, within the police tape, a gap in the guardrail brightly welcomed people's arrival. The red sports car continued to seep water. On the ground nearby lay two corpses covered with white cloth. Police firmly blocked the man trying to rush in, warning him not to approach. Until the man said: "I'm her husband! I'm her husband!" Pei He rushed over, his legs instantly losing sensation as he "thudded" to his knees. Trembling, he lifted the white cloth, revealing a pale face. A few strands of short hair stuck to her cheek, making the woman's face appear even bloodless. She lay with eyes closed, quietly. Not cursing him, not pushing his hand away. Pei He felt a bit unaccustomed. That person who had just learned to bare her fangs and claws was gone. ... When Cheng Jing arrived at the scene, he saw a man in a suit and tie, sobbing over the white cloth. Two police officers stood behind him, watching him. Even though he had comforted himself beforehand—not Bai Huaiyu, not Bai Huaiyu. But when he clearly saw the person lying on the ground, he still couldn't control his legs weakening. He wanted to step forward, but his feet seemed nailed to the ground, unable to move a step. Cheng Jing knew he was afraid. The person who had been joking with him just days ago was gone in an instant. Only then did he understand that person who always said "it's okay" with a smile—he didn't understand her at all. ... At Bai Huaiyu's funeral, Li Yan cried while cursing Bai Nianyu for not keeping her word. Those attending the funeral didn't know what they had agreed on, only seeing a woman crying hysterically, finally fainting. Later, Pei He often saw in his dreams a pond with two lotus flowers floating in it. When it rained, the large lotus petal would tilt, pouring collected water into the small lotus's heart. Back and forth, pouring into each other. Finally one day, a heavy rain fell, beating the large lotus until it drooped its head and died. Strangely, the surviving small lotus soon withered and followed. Every time he woke with a start from these dreams, Pei He's heart would race. These strange dreams seemed to signify certain people and events from the past. Later, he began seeing Bai Huaiyu's figure at home. Wearing a white dress, sitting before the bay window typing on a computer. Wearing a pink floral apron, carrying a bowl of fungus and lean pork congee, smiling as she called him to sit and eat. But as light and shadow shifted, short hair became long, white dress became red. Bai Nianyu twirled, stumbling as she walked over, throwing herself into his arms. Gently calling him "A He." The empty room filled with a man's murmur "A Yu." ... When the cemetery security uncle was patrolling with a flashlight, he saw a man sitting before a tombstone drinking. Scattered on the ground nearby were eight or nine empty liquor bottles. He kindly reminded the man: "It's not good to be in the cemetery at night. Go home early." The man raised his liquor bottle, signaling the security uncle to leave quickly. So in the pitch-black cemetery, only Pei He remained. The man with a muddled head seemed to see two figures not far away. Waving at him. So the next day, when the security uncle came to patrol again, not far from last night's tombstone, he discovered a male corpse lying face down. His right hand reached over his head, his left hand placed at his waist. Both hands were half-closed, as if holding something.