Amnesiac Heiress Romance - She Tried To Buy A Married Man

0:00On a typhoon day, by the sea,

0:01I rescued Bai Ningbing, an amnesiac heiress from Beijing's elite circles, from the sea.

0:06During our cramped days in that seaside town,

0:08I worked three jobs to pay for her treatment.

0:10I took a thug's bottle for her.

0:11I carried her to town for treatment through a rainstorm.

0:14Everyone said I was hopelessly in love with Bai Ningbing.

0:17That I would even give my life for her.

0:19Even Bai Ningbing believed it.

0:20So when she regained her memory and returned to inherit the company,

0:24she asked what I wanted.

0:26I said I only wanted her to grant me one wish.

0:28Her face turned cold.

0:29I can give you a lifetime of wealth and privilege,

0:32but do not dream of being my husband.

0:34My heart belongs only to Wang Dateng.

0:36I did not argue. I simply waited obediently.

0:39The day she officially took over,

0:40I felt a huge weight lift from my shoulders.

0:43I asked Chairwoman Bai for a letter of forgiveness.

0:45Surprise flashed across her face,

0:47then her expression inexplicably chilled.

0:49Do you really have to, at a time like this,

0:51play hard to get just to disgust Wang Dateng?

0:53I froze.

0:54How was asking for a letter of forgiveness playing hard to get?

0:57I was waiting to bring my unlucky wife home from detention for the New Year.

1:00What do you need a letter of forgiveness for?

1:02Bai Ningbing wore a bespoke business suit,

1:04seated in the executive office atop the company tower,

1:07looking down at me with lofty disdain.

1:09But just months ago, she was still

1:11Fang Ashi, in an old T-shirt, following me wherever I went.

1:14The executive office's air conditioning was blasting,

1:17raising goosebumps all over me.

1:19Worried about my wife in detention,

1:21I answered honestly,

1:22I have a relative who works for your company.

1:24She was framed as a scapegoat and arrested.

1:26I do not want wealth or status.

1:28I only hope this letter can get her released.

1:30Hearing it was to save a relative,

1:32Bai Ningbing's tense expression eased slightly.

1:34But Wang Dateng, standing beside her, frowned,

1:37sighed,

1:37and sneered,

1:38Bai Ningbing, Brother Fang Xiu saved you

1:41and cared for you for so long.

1:42It would be reasonable for you to marry him in return.

1:44Yet now, he pretends to step back

1:46and makes up such a pathetic excuse.

1:48Clearly, he resents my presence.

1:50I feel terribly guilty.

1:52Before you lost your memory, we were the couple in love.

1:55Now I am the one who looks like an outsider.

1:57With that, he smiled bitterly and turned away.

1:59Bai Ningbing immediately clasped his hand tenderly.

2:02When she turned to me,

2:03her eyes became icy once more.

2:04Fang Xiu, know your place.

2:06Wang Dateng is generous enough not to hold it against you,

2:09but I have said it before.

2:10The place beside me as my future husband belongs only to him.

2:13Still lowering my head, I cared about only one thing.

2:16Fine. Can I still have the letter?

2:19Please hurry.

2:19A detention center like that,

2:21takes a pound of flesh from you every extra day.

2:23My wife Shen Buyu has a terrible stomach condition.

2:26A few more days in there could be disastrous.

2:28And her case is about to go to the prosecutors.

2:31Time is running out.

2:32I left Bai Ningbing speechless, and her face darkened further.

2:35She gave a cold snort.

2:36Very well.

2:37You are just an ordinary man,

2:39but you cared for me so long in that seaside town.

2:41I always repay my debts and settle my scores.

2:43I will sign this letter.

2:45Assistant Wang presented the officially stamped document with both hands.

2:48I accepted it with both hands as if it were priceless.

2:51Thank you, Chairwoman Bai!

2:52I bowed, turned, and ran for the door.

2:55I ran so fast

2:56that I even stumbled by the glass door.

2:58I left too quickly

2:59to see Bai Ningbing's hovering hand freeze in midair, as if she meant to steady me.

3:03But Bai Ningbing snorted behind me. Running off so fast,

3:07he will not even let me see how upset he is.

3:09That only makes it more obvious.

3:11Wang Dateng clasped Bai Ningbing's hand,

3:13his voice laced with displeasure.

3:14Bai Ningbing, look at him.

3:16He took what he wanted without even a polite word.

3:18Bai Ningbing put an arm around his shoulders,

3:20patting his hand to comfort him.

3:22Do not be angry. He comes from a lowly background.

3:24It is natural that he does not know proper manners.

3:27Bai Ningbing looked toward the office door.

3:29A complicated emotion flickered in her eyes,

3:31half smugness, half certainty.

3:33After all, he took a bottle meant to smash my head,

3:36and carried me for help through a storm despite his fever.

3:38He is utterly devoted to me. He would even give his life for me.

3:42Now that I have taken over the company,

3:43seeing me hold your hand,

3:45must be tearing him apart.

3:46That is why he deliberately acts so cold,

3:48to get my attention.

3:50Wang Dateng clenched his teeth.

3:51Jealousy flashed in his eyes. Then what will you do with him?

3:55Bai Ningbing gave a soft laugh.

3:56He saved my life. If I simply let him leave,

3:59what would people in our circle say about me?

4:01She turned to Assistant Wang,

4:02lowering her voice as she ordered,

4:04Go draw up an employment contract.

4:06Make Fang Xiu my personal assistant.

4:08He will live in the hillside villa until Wang Dateng marries me.

4:11We will decide what to do with him after the wedding.

4:13Assistant Wang paused, then quickly agreed.

4:16Wang Dateng's face immediately darkened.

4:18He suddenly gripped Bai Ningbing's sleeve. Bai Ningbing!

4:20Did you not say...

4:21Wang Dateng, do not worry.

4:23Bai Ningbing cut him off,

4:24her tone gentle yet unquestionably commanding.

4:26The role of my legal husband is yours.

4:28No one can take it from you.

4:30But he is deeply devoted to me.

4:31Letting him stay by my side as an assistant

4:33will at least fulfill his foolish longing.

4:35As long as he stays obediently in the villa

4:38and no longer tries to compete with you,

4:40what harm is there in supporting him for life?

4:42Clutching the letter, I raced all the way

4:44straight into the city detention center.

4:46After completing every formality,

4:48I reached the visitation room at the very back.

4:50At last, I saw my unlucky wife.

4:53Shen Buyu wore a detention-center vest.

4:55Before being locked up as a scapegoat, she had been ambushed.

4:58She was covered in bruises, with a split corner of her mouth.

5:01Her once-sharp figure sat on an iron chair,

5:03looking weak and bedraggled.

5:05At the sound of the door, she painfully raised her head.

5:08Her tangled hair covered her eyes,

5:09but when she recognized me,

5:11her cracked lips trembled.

5:12Honey... why are you here?

5:14My heart clenched. I went over and cradled her face.

5:17I looked her over carefully.

5:19Thank goodness, her face was not disfigured.

5:21Her features were as lovely as ever.

5:23Enough talk. I am taking you home.

5:25I helped her slowly out of the detention center,

5:27then settled us into a budget hotel.

5:29Shen Buyu winced in pain but kept asking questions.

5:32Honey, what are you doing?

5:34Why are we not going home?

5:36Be quiet.

5:36Take off your clothes.

5:38I switched on the hotel's dim overhead light,

5:40then pulled out the medicated oil and gauze I had bought at the pharmacy.

5:43Shen Buyu's ears turned red.

5:45She coughed softly. We just got out, and now we are getting a hotel room...

5:48Is that really appropriate?

5:50Laughing, I gave her a shove. What are you thinking?

5:53I am treating your injuries!

5:55If I do not treat it now, that arm will be ruined!

5:57I swiftly undid her jacket,

5:59and cleaned her wounds with medicinal liquor.

6:01Shen Buyu shook all over from the pain,

6:03but clenched her teeth without making a sound.

6:05However,

6:06early the next morning,

6:07just as we were about to leave the hotel,

6:09a line of bodyguards in black suits blocked our path.

6:11They sealed off the hotel entrance completely.

6:14Assistant Wang, Bai Ningbing's aide,

6:15held a folder in his hand

6:17and emerged from behind the crowd with a smile.

6:19Mr. Fang, where do you think you are going?

6:22Assistant Wang looked at me with a smile that did not reach his eyes.

6:25His gaze swept over Shen Buyu beside me.

6:27My heart sank, but I kept my expression steady.

6:30Supporting Shen Buyu firmly, I said, Assistant Wang,

6:33Chairwoman Bai signed the letter.

6:35I have already brought my sister out.

6:36The roads are difficult in this typhoon weather.

6:38We are returning to our rural hometown so she can recover.

6:41Oh, what unfortunate timing.

6:44Assistant Wang sighed,

6:45but his smile did not fade in the slightest.

6:47Chairwoman Bai has just given orders.

6:49She says your life-saving grace cannot be repaid.

6:51She has not fully recovered yet,

6:53and truly cannot do without your devoted care.

6:55You are specially appointed as the hillside villa's personal assistant.

6:58Without Chairwoman Bai's permission,

7:00you may not leave on your own.

7:01I frowned.

7:02Then I need to take my sister home first.

7:04Rest assured, Mr. Fang.

7:05Assistant Wang cut me off with a wave.

7:08Two bodyguards stepped forward,

7:09seizing Shen Buyu by both arms.

7:11Your sister is badly injured.

7:13How could she endure such a journey?

7:14Chairwoman Bai is compassionate.

7:16She has arranged a premier private hospital on the outskirts.

7:19Dedicated staff will keep her under close guard.

7:21They will use the best medical team,

7:23and ensure your sister is cared for perfectly.

7:25I looked at the cold-faced bodyguards around us,

7:27then at the frail Shen Buyu.

7:29I understood at once.

7:30Bai Ningbing had never intended to let me go.

7:32Let her go!

7:33Take it out on me!

7:34I held Shen Buyu's hand and shook my head.

7:36That is how us honest people do things.

7:38When we cannot win, we do not fight head-on.

7:41I turned to Assistant Wang,

7:42plastering on a grateful smile. Chairwoman Bai's generosity...

7:45I am deeply grateful.

7:47Then I will leave my sister in your care, Assistant Wang.

7:50Assistant Wang nodded in satisfaction.

7:52Mr. Fang, you are a smart man.

7:54This way.

7:54That night,

7:55I was placed in a lavish guest room at the hillside villa.

7:58The servants brought me custom-tailored menswear.

8:00The table was laden with a Michelin chef's dinner.

8:02But I did not take a single bite.

8:04Late that night, the door opened.

8:06Bai Ningbing wore a silk robe.

8:07With one hand in her pocket, she walked in.

8:10Seeing me at the table, she assumed I had been waiting for her.

8:13A smug glint flashed in her eyes.

8:14What?

8:15The food not to your taste?

8:16Your sister has been taken care of.

8:18Specialists examined her. She will not die.

8:21I lowered my head obediently.

8:22Thank you, Chairwoman Bai. Bai Ningbing seemed pleased by my obedience.

8:26She approached and grabbed my collar.

8:28forcing me to look into her eyes.

8:30Fang Xiu, I know you feel wronged.

8:32Wang Dateng has been with me for years. I cannot betray him.

8:35But I remember all you have done for me.

8:37From now on,

8:38stay in the villa and be my assistant.

8:40Aside from a title,

8:41I will give you the most luxurious life.

8:43Yes, Chairwoman Bai.

8:45I lowered my eyes, hiding my scorn.

8:47I will behave myself and never cause you trouble.

8:49Satisfied, Bai Ningbing released me and turned away.

8:52Get some rest.

8:53Do not come out until after Wang Dateng and I hold our engagement ceremony.

8:56We do not need any complications.

8:58I was held in the hillside villa for three whole days.

9:01During those three days,

9:02I tried climbing the walls, bribing the guards, and faking illness.

9:05None of it worked.

9:06Just as I was desperate enough to dig a tunnel,

9:08Wang Dateng arrived with his personal assistant,

9:11strutting in arrogantly.

9:12He wore a custom-tailored suit,

9:13and his engagement ring glittered brightly.

9:15He had clearly come to gloat.

9:17He immediately noticed the canvas bag on my table.

9:19His eyes instantly filled with hostility.

9:21Fang Xiu, you really are playing hard to get.

9:24You think that by packing your things

9:25and pretending you are ready to leave at any moment,

9:28Bai Ningbing will soften,

9:29and give you the place as master of the Bai family?

9:31I rolled my eyes, exhausted. Mr. Wang,

9:34you are overthinking it. I packed because I really want to leave.

9:38Could you do me a favor and tell Chairwoman Bai

9:40to let me go?

9:41Your place as the Bai family's husband is secure.

9:43I will never fight you for it.

9:45But Wang Dateng thought I was mocking him.

9:47He stepped up to me,

9:48and spoke through gritted teeth.

9:49Stop pretending to be so high-minded!

9:51Do you think getting a letter of forgiveness through that favor

9:54means you are safe now?

9:55I am telling you, Bai Ningbing only loves me!

9:58Even if you took a hundred bottles for her,

10:00you would still be a worthless country bumpkin!

10:02Yes, yes. You are the most noble.

10:05So can you let me go?

10:06My dismissiveness seemed to enrage him completely.

10:09Wang Dateng glared at me, then suddenly,

10:11he picked up the tea I had just poured.

10:13He tipped back his head and took a sip.

10:15The next second, his face changed drastically.

10:17The cup crashed to the floor.

10:19His body toppled stiffly backward.

10:21His breathing turned ragged as red welts spread over him.

10:24He clutched his throat in agony and collapsed.

10:26Mr. Wang!

10:27Mr. Wang, what is wrong?

10:29His assistant immediately shouted,

10:30his voice shattering the villa's quiet.

10:32Help!

10:32Fang Xiu poisoned Mr. Wang!

10:34I stood frozen.

10:35Wang Dateng convulsed at my feet.

10:37I was completely stunned.

10:38Soon, the guest-room door was thrown open.

10:41Bai Ningbing, the family doctor, and security guards

10:44stormed in.

10:45She shoved me aside

10:46and pulled Wang Dateng into her arms.

10:48Her voice trembled.

10:49Wang Dateng, what happened?

10:51Wang Dateng lay weakly in her arms,

10:53pointing at me with a hoarse voice.

10:54Bai Ningbing, he said if I died,

10:57he would become the Bai family's master.

10:59I feel awful.

11:00With that, his head lolled to one side, and he fainted.

11:03The doctor rushed forward with an anti-allergy injection.

11:06Bai Ningbing spun toward me,

11:07her eyes bloodshot as she stared at me.

11:09She looked ready to tear me apart.

11:11Fang Xiu!

11:12she roared through clenched teeth.

11:13Out of gratitude for saving my life, I have tolerated you at every turn.

11:17I even let you stay in this villa and live in luxury!

11:20Yet you are vicious enough to poison Wang Dateng!

11:22She strode over and slapped me.

11:24The blow snapped my head to the side.

11:26One side of my face burned with pain.

11:28You have disappointed me beyond measure!

11:30Bai Ningbing shouted, her face full of hurt and rage.

11:33I held my numb cheek,

11:34watching her fury,

11:35while my mind raced.

11:36Attempted murder of her fiancé. If she called the police,

11:39I would spend months behind bars at the very least.

11:42But Bai Ningbing would never report it and risk a scandal.

11:45Sure enough,

11:45Bai Ningbing's body trembled slightly.

11:47Do you think I would not kill you?

11:49You are far too reckless, hiding behind that favor!

11:51Bai Ningbing ground her teeth.

11:53But in the end, she did not go that far.

11:55Guards!

11:55Fang Xiu is wicked at heart.

11:57Lock him in the basement!

11:58Without my permission, no one is to see him!

12:01The guards seized me.

12:02I could not break free, and they dragged me from the room.

12:05The basement was cold and damp.

12:07The air reeked of moldy dust.

12:08After throwing me inside, the guards locked the iron door and left.

12:12By the middle of the night,

12:13I reached into my pocket with practiced ease.

12:15Bai Ningbing had been blinded by rage. She forgot

12:18that she had made me her personal assistant.

12:20And on my first day,

12:21the butler had given me the spare keys to every room

12:24in the villa.

12:24So I could arrange the cleaning.

12:26It was a gift from heaven!

12:27I took out the keys

12:28and silently unlocked the basement's iron door.

12:30I avoided the cameras and climbed over the villa's back wall.

12:33After a hard escape, I made it out of the luxury estate.

12:36The moment I breathed free air,

12:37I wanted to laugh at the sky.

12:39Screw you, lady boss. Screw you, you scheming bastard.

12:43I am done playing your games!

12:44That night, I rushed to the private hospital outside the city.

12:47Shen Buyu had not slept.

12:49She sat beside her bed, staring out the window.

12:51At the knock, she rose warily.

12:53Only when she heard my voice did she fling open the door.

12:56When she saw me covered in dust, my hair disheveled,

12:59her eyes instantly reddened.

13:01She pulled me into a tight embrace.

13:02Honey... you have suffered so much.

13:04Her voice trembled as she held me tight.

13:06That night, we hired an unlicensed car.

13:09We sped through the night toward the coastal town.

13:11We were free as birds in the sky and fish in the sea.

13:14Meanwhile, dawn was just breaking at the hillside villa.

13:17Dark circles shadowed Bai Ningbing's eyes.

13:19She had sat in the study all night.

13:20Wang Dateng's allergic reaction had long subsided.

13:23She had also dealt with the group's endless emails.

13:25She looked at the document already prepared on her desk:

13:28a lucrative contract to keep Fang Xiu as her secret lover.

13:31After a while, a confident smile curled her lips.

13:34Bai Ningbing toyed with her custom fountain pen

13:36and leisurely asked Assistant Wang beside her,

13:38How is he doing in the basement?

13:40Has Fang Xiu admitted his mistake?

13:41Has he spent all night reflecting,

13:43begging and demanding to see me?

13:45Assistant Wang bent forward, racking his brains for an answer.

13:48Bai Ningbing waved a hand and gave a soft huff.

13:50A glint of smugness crossed her eyes. Forget it.

13:53A little suffering will do him good.

13:55Then he will not keep using the favor of saving my life

13:58to act jealous in front of Wang Dateng.

13:59She rose and picked up the agreement.

14:01With Assistant Wang in tow,

14:03she entered the basement full of expectation.

14:05Fang Xiu, I know you were only foolish for a moment.

14:08But when the guard pushed open the heavy iron door,

14:10Bai Ningbing's smile froze.

14:12Only utter silence answered her,

14:13and an empty room.

14:14Bai Ningbing's heart sank.

14:16An unprecedented panic instantly gripped her heart.

14:18Where is he?

14:19Where is Fang Xiu?

14:20Bai Ningbing roared out of control

14:21and kicked over the shelf beside her.

14:23The guards lowered their heads in fear.

14:25The entire villa was immediately searched from top to bottom.

14:28Nothing.

14:29He was nowhere.

14:30Bai Ningbing's eyes reddened. Suddenly,

14:32she thought of something.

14:33She seized Assistant Wang by the collar.

14:35Investigate!

14:36That relative he got released with the letter of forgiveness,

14:38who exactly was it?

14:39Less than an hour later,

14:41Assistant Wang returned, drenched in sweat.

14:43Cold sweat had soaked his back.

14:44Chairwoman Bai, we found out.

14:46The person Mr. Fang took away was not his sister.

14:49It was...

14:49She was from one of the group's branches,

14:51the security manager arrested over financial issues,

14:54Shen Buyu.

14:55Assistant Wang swallowed hard,

14:57then tremblingly spoke the words that plunged Bai Ningbing into an icy abyss.

15:00Shen Buyu and Mr. Fang are not siblings either.

15:03Bai Ningbing shoved Assistant Wang away

15:05and snatched up the employee file on the desk.

15:07She searched through it page by page.

15:09Her knuckles whitened from gripping it so hard.

15:11Finally, her eyes stopped on a line of small print.

15:14Shen Buyu, age twenty-eight.

15:15Former branch security and logistics manager.

15:18The emergency contact field plainly read:

15:20Spouse: Fang Xiu.

15:22With a slap, the file fell to the floor.

15:24Bai Ningbing went deathly pale.

15:26Husband and wife.

15:27The agreement slipped from Bai Ningbing's hand and rolled onto the floor.

15:30The black words on white paper were painfully glaring.

15:33He is married?

15:33He wanted that letter to save his wife?

15:35Bai Ningbing's shocked voice slowly changed,

15:37finally becoming an unbelieving roar.

15:39Assistant Wang lowered his head deeply.

15:41He barely dared breathe.

15:42Bai Ningbing felt a buzzing explode in her head,

15:45as if a massive hammer

15:46had shattered the pride she held so dear.

15:48She remembered everything that had happened in the coastal town.

15:50When thugs had caused trouble,

15:52he had thrown himself forward and taken a bottle blow for her.

15:55During the typhoon and rainstorm, even with a raging fever,

15:59he had carried her down muddy roads to town for medical help.

16:01She had been so moved her eyes welled up.

16:03But from beginning to end,

16:05there had never been any romantic affection in the way he looked at her.

16:08Only ulterior motives!

16:09Overwhelming humiliation and rage at being deceived

16:12instantly consumed Bai Ningbing.

16:14She thought he was playing hard to get and acting jealous.

16:17She had tried every possible way to offer him the gilded cage of being her kept lover.

16:21Yet he had fled overnight to find his real wife!

16:23Find out the truth behind Wang Dateng's allergy!

16:26Bai Ningbing clenched her fists, her reason burned away.

16:28If Fang Xiu did not even care about becoming the Bai family's master,

16:32how could he possibly be jealous of Wang Dateng?

16:34Assistant Wang moved quickly. Within half a day,

16:37the truth came to light.

16:39To secure his position, Wang Dateng

16:41had staged the entire self-inflicted scheme.

16:43He had put peanut powder in that tea himself.

16:45When surveillance images and his assistant's testimony were thrown in Wang Dateng's face,

16:49he still tried to deny it.

16:51He put on a devoted expression, trying to

16:53win Bai Ningbing's sympathy.

16:54Bai Ningbing, I just love you too much.

16:56I was afraid he would take you from me.

16:58Shut up!

16:58Bai Ningbing backhanded him.

17:00The hard slap knocked him to the floor.

17:01Because of this man,

17:02she had slapped Fang Xiu herself,

17:04forced him into the basement herself,

17:06and given him the chance to escape herself!

17:08Pass on my orders. Cancel the marriage alliance with the Wang family.

17:12Send him to a psychiatric facility for treatment.

17:14He is not to leave without the doctor's permission!

17:16After dealing with Wang Dateng,

17:18Bai Ningbing sat dejectedly in the empty villa.

17:20Once her anger faded,

17:21came the agonizing pain of feeling as if a piece of her heart had been torn away.

17:25She found herself thinking only of Fang Xiu in that seaside rental,

17:29bandaging her wounds.

17:30And of him smiling as he asked,

17:31When can we go back to the city?

17:33She thought she had only wanted to repay him.

17:35But only after he vanished completely

17:37did she realize

17:38that through those days and nights they had relied on each other,

17:40she had fallen helplessly in love with him.

17:43Fang Xiu... you made me fall for you under false pretenses.

17:46Do not think you can just walk away.

17:48Bai Ningbing suddenly stood.

17:49A crazed, stubborn glint flashed in her eyes.

17:52She dumped the group's affairs on her vice president for the time being,

17:55assembled her most elite security team,

17:57and drove overnight toward the coastal town.

17:59She swore that even if he was married,

18:01she would use her wealth to force that woman, Shen Buyu, away,

18:04then drag me back from the coastal town to her villa,

18:07so I would spend every remaining day by her side,

18:09with eyes for no one but her!

18:10In the coastal town, the sea breeze carried a hint of salt.

18:13Sunlight baked the bluestone streets hot.

18:15We opened a seafood restaurant on the town's busiest corner.

18:18Using the savings from years of work,

18:20we leased a two-story storefront with a large courtyard.

18:23Life was wonderful.

18:24Shen Buyu's injuries had mostly healed.

18:26She had trained as a professional security officer.

18:29Her fitness and crisis-response skills were both excellent.

18:32Every day, besides helping me carry seafood and repair appliances,

18:36she found new ways to cook delicious food for me.

18:38Honey, take a break.

18:39Try the sweet bird's nest soup I just made.

18:41Shen Buyu came out from the kitchen carrying a white porcelain bowl.

18:45She wore a simple white T-shirt that day.

18:47Her figure was lean and sharp.

18:48A faint scar still marked the corner of her mouth,

18:51but it only made her look more valiant.

18:52I was behind the register, working the calculator.

18:55At her words, I eagerly approached with a smile.

18:57Shen Buyu casually took out a handkerchief

19:00and wiped the fine sweat from my forehead.

19:02Then she scooped up a spoonful of bird's nest soup,

19:04blew it cool, and held it to my lips.

19:06Is it sweet?

19:07She looked at me gently.

19:08Sweet?

19:09Nothing my wife makes could be sweeter!

19:11I enthusiastically gave her a thumbs-up.

19:13Shen Buyu chuckled softly,

19:14then ruffled my hair.

19:15Her eyes brimmed with affection.

19:17In that tender moment,

19:18brakes suddenly screeched outside the restaurant.

19:20A loud bang followed.

19:21The restaurant door was violently shoved open from outside.

19:24The street outside had already been sealed off by dozens of

19:27bodyguards in black suits.

19:28Not even a fly could get through.

19:30Backlit by the sun, Bai Ningbing slowly stepped inside.

19:33She wore a custom-tailored business suit, her face cold and severe.

19:37Her eyes locked onto Shen Buyu's hand clasped with mine.

19:40The jealousy and rage in her eyes

19:42nearly burst forth as tangible flames.

19:44Fang Xiu, you were hard to find.

19:46Bai Ningbing's voice was cold as ice.

19:48She approached step by step, looking me over.

19:50I wore an apron,

19:51without a designer watch or tailored suit,

19:53but my complexion was rosy and my eyes bright.

19:56I looked a hundred times more alive than I had in that lifeless villa guest room.

20:00It stabbed at her heart.

20:01I paused in surprise,

20:02quietly swallowed the bird's nest soup in my mouth,

20:05then pulled Shen Buyu behind me.

20:06Chairwoman Bai?

20:07With your packed schedule,

20:08what brings you to our little backwater town?

20:10I tried to laugh it off.

20:12Bai Ningbing watched my carefree act,

20:13and let out an exasperated laugh.

20:15Fang Xiu, have you had enough?

20:17If you have, come back with me.

20:18She pointed at Shen Buyu behind me.

20:20In an arrogant tone, she said, "If you agree now,"

20:23and I will withdraw every financial lawsuit against Shen Buyu.

20:26She will be completely cleared.

20:28I will even overlook how you deceived me before.

20:30At that,

20:31she paused.

20:32I have already sent Wang Dateng to a psychiatric hospital.

20:35Come back to the capital with me.

20:36I will make you the master of the Bai family.

20:38Bai Ningbing lifted her chin slightly and looked at me with certainty.

20:41In her view,

20:42no man alive

20:43could resist the female CEO of a multibillion-dollar conglomerate.

20:47Besides, she still held Shen Buyu's fate in her hands.

20:50Unless I was an idiot,

20:51I would surely follow her with gratitude.

20:53The restaurant was so quiet, a pin drop would echo.

20:56I sighed and walked out from behind the register.

20:58I faced this self-important CEO directly.

21:00Chairwoman Bai, have you misunderstood something?

21:03My voice was calm,

21:04with none of the panic or delight she expected.

21:06When I saved you during that typhoon,

21:08it was not because I fell in love with you at first sight.

21:11It was because I knew you were the Bai Group's heir.

21:13Only by making the Bai family owe me

21:15could I clear my wife's name.

21:16Seeing Bai Ningbing's face turn deathly pale,

21:19I decided to leave her no room for hope.

21:21Everything I did

21:22was only to get that letter of forgiveness.

21:23If you had died, who would have given me that letter?

21:26I never intended to compete with Wang Dateng

21:28for the position of master of the Bai family.

21:30I even wanted you two to marry as soon as possible,

21:33so you would not delay me from saving my wife.

21:36Bai Ningbing suddenly swayed.

21:37She stared at me, her voice trembling,

21:39with a hint of humility and pleading she did not even recognize.

21:43Fang Xiu, you are lying.

21:44These months we spent relying on each other...

21:46Did you not feel even the slightest thing for me?

21:49No.

21:49My answer was immediate and absolute.

21:51Chairwoman Bai, you stand above everyone else.

21:54You are used to having everyone revolve around you,

21:56and measuring everything by profit and power.

21:59You think being the master of the Bai family is an extraordinary gift.

22:02But to me,

22:03it is nothing but a gilded cage.

22:05I do not care for your wealthy family.

22:07My wife may only be an ordinary security manager,

22:10but she would never sacrifice me to balance competing interests.

22:13Nor would she, because of another man,

22:15slap me without hearing both sides.

22:17At the mention of that slap,

22:18pain flashed through Bai Ningbing's eyes.

22:20She instinctively stepped forward.

22:22Fang Xiu, I was wrong to slap you.

22:24I will never again...

22:25Chairwoman Bai.

22:26Shen Buyu stepped forward,

22:28shielding me firmly behind her.

22:29My husband has made himself very clear.

22:32Shen Buyu's voice was crisp and resolute,

22:34without the slightest concession.

22:35I may be just an ordinary person,

22:37but I will never let anyone threaten my husband.

22:39If you want to use your money and power against us, come at me.

22:43I will answer for my own actions.

22:44But if you want to take Fang Xiu, first ask whether I will allow it!

22:47Facing dozens of professional bodyguards,

22:50Shen Buyu did not retreat an inch.

22:51She stood firmly before me, without taking a single step back.

22:55Guards!

22:55Take down fool with a death wish!

22:57Cripple her!

22:58Bai Ningbing roared.

22:59Several bodyguards in black immediately stepped forward,

23:01lunging at Shen Buyu.

23:03Stop!

23:03I finally snapped and shoved Bai Ningbing's hand away.

23:06I rushed over in a few strides,

23:08spreading my arms before Shen Buyu.

23:10I looked at Bai Ningbing coldly.

23:11Chairwoman Bai, show some respect.

23:13She is my legally wedded wife.

23:15Anyone who touches a hair on her head will have to fight me to the death.

23:18Bai Ningbing's hand froze in midair.

23:19She stared at me in disbelief.

23:21The muscles in her face twitched.

23:23Y-your wife?

23:23Bai Ningbing's voice trembled.

23:25The red in her eyes grew deeper.

23:26Then what about me?

23:28What am I to you?

23:29She pointed at me,

23:30her voice breaking with desperation and pleading.

23:32I can marry you. I will never be with another man.

23:35Shen Buyu behind you is only an ordinary security officer.

23:38Can she promise her feelings for you are real?

23:40I can sign an agreement.

23:41I will make you my legal husband,

23:43and put my promises to you in writing.

23:45If I ever betray those promises,

23:47you can divorce me and take half my shares.

23:49You can freely and safely choose your own life.

23:51I love you. You shielded me from that bottle and carried me for medical help.

23:56Even if your motives were not pure,

23:57you still went to great lengths for me without hesitation,

24:00and saved my life.

24:01I do not believe you never felt even a little something while we lived together.

24:05I do not believe it.

24:06Bai Ningbing stared at me,

24:07searching my face for even the slightest hesitation.

24:09The more Shen Buyu heard, the darker her expression became.

24:12Her face turned grim,

24:13and her fingers slowly clenched.

24:15I sighed.

24:16Chairwoman Bai,

24:17it seems you still do not understand me.

24:19My wife, Shen Buyu, was

24:21framed by one of your executives for embezzlement half a year ago.

24:25She was locked in detention and faced a heavy sentence.

24:27I was just an ordinary man with no power or influence.

24:30Trying to overturn her case in the city

24:32was harder than moving mountains. Then, when I had nowhere left to turn,

24:36I happened to save you after you lost your memory during a typhoon.

24:39I paused,

24:40watching Bai Ningbing's face gradually stiffen,

24:42then continued.

24:43So I worked three jobs,

24:45pretending to care for you without complaint.

24:46I have scraped by in this town for years. I know how to read people.

24:50That thug's bottle would never have hit you.

24:52But if I leaped in front of you and took the blow,

24:54then in your heart, I would become your savior.

24:56Bai Ningbing reeled as if struck by lightning, staggering half a step back.

25:00I looked at Bai Ningbing's bloodless face

25:02and pressed on.

25:03That is why your status

25:04dooms any relationship between us to be full of calculation.

25:08There could never be pure love,

25:09nor any chance for us to be together.

25:11The whole restaurant fell deathly silent.

25:13Only the sea wind outside swept over the awning,

25:15making a soft rustling sound.

25:17I do not believe it!

25:18That is impossible!

25:19Bai Ningbing suddenly stumbled two steps back.

25:21Her back struck the edge of the register,

25:23with a dull thud.

25:24She glared at me, her chest heaving violently.

25:27I am the one in charge of the Bai Group!

25:28Who in the business world would not be honored to win my favor?

25:31Watching her unravel like this,

25:33I found it almost laughable.

25:34Chairwoman Bai, you think too highly of yourself and too little of me.

25:38I pointed to Shen Buyu behind me,

25:39my tone open and calm.

25:41My wife suffered in detention.

25:43Every day, she was interrogated and had to eat boxed meals.

25:46All I could think about was how to get her out,

25:48how to keep her alive.

25:49Every night when I dreamed,

25:50I saw only her haggard face.

25:52Do you think, under those circumstances,

25:54I had the time or desire to fall for you?

25:56To romance you?

25:57Shut up!

25:58Shut your mouth!

25:59Bai Ningbing completely broke down.

26:00Humiliation and rage instantly consumed her reason.

26:03She could not accept that she had only been a tool,

26:06much less that I would choose an ordinary security officer

26:09over her, the CEO of a multibillion-dollar conglomerate.

26:12If I cannot have him, nobody will!

26:15Bai Ningbing's eyes were bloodshot.

26:16Pointing at Shen Buyu, she roared,

26:18Hit her!

26:19Take her down!

26:19Make sure she can never stand in my way again!

26:22More than a dozen professional bodyguards moved at her command,

26:25pouncing on us like wolves.

26:26Honey, get back.

26:27Shen Buyu, silent until now, suddenly reached out

26:30and yanked me behind her.

26:32She grabbed a large wrench used for fixing pipes nearby

26:34and fixed her gaze on the charging bodyguards.

26:37When I handled incidents on the security team,

26:39I faced chaos far worse than this.

26:41Shen Buyu sneered and charged the bodyguards.

26:43There were no flashy moves,

26:44only practical combat skills honed in security work.

26:47A dull thud rang out.

26:48Shen Buyu's wrench smashed into the lead bodyguard's wrist.

26:51The bodyguard cried out.

26:53The force sent him stumbling backward.

26:54He crashed hard into the seafood tank,

26:56temporarily unable to fight.

26:58Then Shen Buyu swept her leg and took down two men.

27:00She spun back and struck another charging bodyguard,

27:03leaving him unable to fight as well.

27:04The restaurant erupted into chaos, tables and chairs flying everywhere.

27:08Shouts filled the air.

27:09Shen Buyu stayed in front of me,

27:11swinging the wrench in an impenetrable blur.

27:13Those elite bodyguards who usually threw their weight around at the company

27:16could not gain a single advantage against her.

27:18They fell one after another.

27:20Within moments,

27:21all the bodyguards had been taken out.

27:22They lay sprawled across the floor.

27:24Shen Buyu was breathing hard.

27:25She set the wrench on a table

27:27and looked coldly at Bai Ningbing.

27:28Bai Ningbing's expression was beyond ugly.

27:31She looked at her men writhing on the floor,

27:33shaking with rage.

27:34She spun toward the door and roared,

27:36Get the legal department here!

27:37I will bankrupt this place today!

27:39I will make sure you rot in prison!

27:40On the street outside,

27:43several black sedans screeched to a stop.

27:45I knew better than to fight a losing battle. No matter how capable Shen Buyu was,

27:49she could not withstand the crushing force of capital.

27:51I took a deep breath.

27:53I pulled the forgiveness letter and several USB drives of recordings from inside my jacket.

27:57I strode past Shen Buyu and stopped before Bai Ningbing.

28:00I raised the officially stamped document high.

28:04Bai Ningbing's pupils suddenly contracted.

28:06This letter of forgiveness dates to the day you became chairwoman,

28:09when you personally signed it for me before the entire company!

28:12I locked eyes with her and said each word

28:14with unwavering force.

28:15It is in black and white!

28:17This document and the truth later uncovered by the police

28:20prove my wife, Shen Buyu, was framed from beginning to end!

28:23She is a law-abiding citizen now, not a criminal!

28:26If you order this place forcibly demolished now,

28:28and assault innocent civilians in public,

28:31you will be openly breaking the law and destroying the Bai Group's reputation!

28:34You have led the company for less than six months.

28:37The stock market is unstable.

28:38Will you really, for a man who does not love you,

28:41let the whole internet see the Bai Group's scandal

28:43and send its stock crashing?!

28:45You...

28:45Bai Ningbing stared at the document I held aloft.

28:48She opened her mouth, wanting to argue,

28:50wanting to give an order, yet no sound came out.

28:52I had not only used her to save my wife,

28:54but now I was using a document she had signed herself,

28:57along with the company's reputation and stock price she valued most,

29:01to hold her right where it hurt.

29:02From beginning to end,

29:03I had never given her even the smallest piece of my heart.

29:06But what filled her with the deepest sorrow and despair was this:

29:09she had grown up in a wealthy family full of schemes.

29:11She was used to false affection and empty performances.

29:14Only I,

29:15on that muddy road when I carried her for help during the typhoon,

29:18had made her believe I loved her enough to share life and death with her.

29:21She could not forget how I shielded her from that bottle,

29:23or how I carried her for treatment despite my fever.

29:26But every bit of it had always been for Shen Buyu.

29:28Bai Ningbing's chest heaved as her vision went black.

29:31Her body suddenly swayed.

29:32Assistant Wang outside was terrified out of his wits.

29:35He rushed in, stumbling over himself,

29:37and caught Bai Ningbing as she nearly collapsed.

29:39Bai Ningbing pushed Assistant Wang away, her body swaying.

29:42She gave me one final, deep look.

29:44Her eyes held resentment, regret, and despair.

29:47She could have acted on impulse and ordered the legal team to act,

29:50to drag me back to her villa by force.

29:52But...

29:52when she saw the complete trust and everyday warmth in my eyes as I looked at Shen Buyu,

29:56she knew that even if she took me by force,

29:59she would never have the Fang Xiu she wanted.

30:01She had pushed me away with her own hands.

30:02She had been the only one imagining it.

30:04Fang Xiu, you win.

30:05Bai Ningbing slowly closed her eyes,

30:07hiding the broken despair in them.

30:09She turned away without looking at us again.

30:11Like a puppet that had lost its soul,

30:13she staggered out of the restaurant.

30:14The bodyguards looked at one another.

30:16In the end, they helped one another up

30:18and followed their shattered CEO out of town.

30:20The fleet of luxury cars retreated like a tide.

30:23The street became quiet again.

30:24Only the sea breeze continued to blow softly.

30:27Later,

30:27I heard news from the capital through visitors to our town.

30:30They said that after Bai Ningbing returned from the coast,

30:32she fell seriously ill.

30:34After she recovered, she changed completely.

30:36She became a cold, ruthless work machine.

30:39No man was ever seen by her side again.

30:41After Wang Dateng was sent to a psychiatric hospital for treatment,

30:44he never appeared before Bai Ningbing again.

30:46As for the executive who framed Shen Buyu,

30:48Bai Ningbing ultimately took her revenge.

30:50His responsibility was established, and he was sent to prison.

30:53Shen Buyu's name was completely cleared.

30:56But she turned down offers from major companies.

30:58She chose to remain an ordinary business owner by the sea.

31:01The sea breeze stilled, and sunset colors bloomed on the horizon.

31:04Shen Buyu pulled the restaurant's shutter halfway down

31:06and hung up the closed sign.

31:08She turned and walked to the register.

31:10She picked up the ledger I had just set down,

31:12pretending to look through it

31:13while muttering jealously.

31:14Honey, tell me the truth.

31:16Tell you what?

31:17I put the calculator into the drawer.

31:18That bossy CEO, back in the rental apartment,

31:21did you stare at her every day?

31:23Shen Buyu snapped the ledger shut

31:24and came closer, looking aggrieved.

31:26You even changed her bandages.

31:28You touched her forehead, too. You have never taken care of me like that!

31:32I was so exasperated, I nearly laughed.

31:34I was afraid her fever would fry her brain!

31:37If she had lost her mind, who would have signed your forgiveness letter?

31:40Would you be standing here, jealous of her, if she had not?

31:44I do not care.

31:45Shen Buyu stepped forward, pinning me behind the counter.

31:47Answer me honestly.

31:48Who is prettier, her or me?

31:50I looked up

31:51at her face, tight with jealousy,

31:53and the beads of sweat on her forehead from working earlier.

31:56An honest man never lies.

31:57She is so thin, she looks like she might blow away.

32:00She is not even half as pretty as you.

32:02I reached out and ruffled her hair.

32:04All right, stop being jealous.

32:05I need to wash the oysters in the kitchen.

32:07I will make them with garlic tonight.

32:09You got it!

32:09You rest, honey. I will go prep the ingredients!

32:12She happily turned and ran toward the kitchen.

32:15In the sunset glow, her retreating figure

32:17made me feel especially at peace.

32:19Smiling, I shook my head and picked up the rag from the counter.

32:22I wiped the tables spotless.

32:24Another spring arrived, warm and blooming.

32:26In the second-floor courtyard above the restaurant,

32:29two little children chattered and argued.

32:31Mom!

32:31Brother stole my ice cream!

32:33I did not!

32:33My sister dropped it herself!

32:35Shen Buyu helplessly picked up one child in each arm,

32:38skillfully soothing our three-year-old twins, a boy and a girl.

32:41I carried freshly cooked seafood congee to the table

32:43and wrapped an arm around Shen Buyu with a smile.

32:46Do not spoil them. Go wash your hands and eat!

32:48Shen Buyu put the children down

32:50and leaned in to steal a kiss from my cheek.

32:52Her eyes sparkled with a satisfied smile.

32:54As you command, honey.

32:55The two little ones toddled into my arms.

32:57They called out, Daddy, in their sweet little voices.

33:00I lifted a child in each arm

33:02and kissed their chubby cheeks.

33:03I sighed in contentment.

33:04Sometimes, visitors coming to see the sea mentioned the cold, lonely CEO of a multibillion-dollar conglomerate from the capital.

33:11I would only smile and shake my head,

33:13then keep helping my wife set out the dishes and chopsticks.

33:16Who became the richest person outside, or which heir lived in luxury,

33:19had nothing to do with me.

33:20All the wealth and glory in this world are fleeting.

33:22Only the simple meals in my hands

33:24and the family filling my home truly mattered.