10 PM.
Jiang Fei leaned lazily on the sofa, applying a face mask.
I'm getting engaged tomorrow. Although the outcome is uncertain, I still want to look my best.
On the coffee table, a phone screen lit up; an incoming call.
Jiang Fei didn't even glance at it and ignored it.
Shortly after, the screen went dark and then lit up again.
After applying the face mask, Jiang Fei went to the bathroom to wash off the stickiness on her face before sitting back down on the sofa, picking up her phone and glancing at the screen.
Fifty-four missed calls, all from the same person.
Song Dynasty inkstone.
As she was watching, the fifty-fifth call came in again.
Jiang Fei looked at the words "Song Yan" displayed on the screen, smiled faintly after a long while, and put the phone back in its place.
The sound of a door opening came from downstairs, so it must be Mr. Jiang returning home.
Just as Jiang Fei was about to get up and leave, there was a light knock on the door, and her father's voice rang out: "Jiang Jiang, are you asleep?"
Jiang Fei opened the door: "Dad?"
"I was worried about disturbing you," Mr. Jiang said with a smile.
"How could that be?"
After a long silence, Mr. Jiang sighed softly, "Jiang Jiang, you and Xiao Fang are getting engaged tomorrow. Your marriage was arranged when you were little, but..." He hesitated for a moment, "Jiang Jiang, tell Dad, do you really want to get engaged to Xiao Fang now?"
"Huh?" Jiang Fei asked, puzzled, then smiled. "Why are you suddenly saying that?"
“The child the Song family just found, his name is Song Yan, right? He even invited you to dance at the Song family's banquet last time. He came to my company tonight, looking disheveled, and said he wanted to see you,” Father Jiang paused, then continued, “Jiang Jiang, you and Xiao Fang haven't been in much contact lately. I could tell at the banquet last time that there was a rift between you. Why would you suddenly want to announce your engagement? Do you really like Xiao Fang?”
Jiang Fei was surprised by her father's question and paused for half a second before smiling and saying, "Don't worry, I won't get hurt."
It's always others who get hurt.
Seeing her expression, Jiang's father felt slightly relieved.
“Oh, right, Dad,” Jiang Fei thought of something and reached out his hand to his father, “Give me your hand.”
Father Jiang asked in confusion, "What?"
Before he could finish speaking, Jiang Fei had already taken his hand in hers. A warm sensation seemed to emanate from her palm as she spoke in a soft, gentle voice: "No matter what happens tomorrow, don't be angry. Just remember that everyone else may have problems, but I will definitely be alright."
Mr. Jiang was stunned. Looking at his daughter, he felt the warmth of her hand spread throughout his body. His previously heavy heart felt as if it had been reborn, and his whole body felt much lighter.
"I need to rest now," Jiang Fei said with a coquettish smile to her father. "Dad, you should go to sleep too."
Jiang's father nodded helplessly and turned to leave.
Jiang Fei watched his father leave before returning to his room.
On the coffee table, the silent phone screen had gone dark.
...
The next morning, at the Jiang family home.
Jiang Cuo looked at the young man in the mirror, dressed in a suit and a dark red bow tie, and smiled after a long while.
Today is her engagement day. He specially chose a bow tie that matches the color of her dress. They should look very well together.
Compatible people should stay together for life.
Jiang Cuo turned and walked downstairs, but frowned when he saw the man sitting on the sofa downstairs. He pretended not to notice him and walked towards the door.
"What, the Jiang family doesn't want you anymore, so you have to come back just to change your clothes?" Jiang Lin said gloomily.
Jiang Cuo didn't stop walking, remaining silent, until he reached the door.
Jiang Lin suddenly picked up an ashtray and threw it at him.
Hearing the commotion behind him, Jiang Cuo casually stepped aside, slamming the ashtray heavily against the door with a loud bang.
"You dare to hide!" Jiang Lin was furious.
Jiang Cuo turned around impatiently: "I'm here to get my things. Don't worry, I won't set foot here again."
"And this garment is not worthy of your dirt."
After saying that, he continued on his way.
"I heard that Jiang Fei from the Jiang family got engaged today?" Jiang Lin said sarcastically, his anger and hatred evident in the mention of Jiang Fei.
That night, he was beaten so badly by a girl that he almost fainted, but he couldn't tell anyone!
But he was determined to get revenge.
Jiang Cuo paused, then said, "It's none of your business."
"That's not necessarily true," Jiang Lin chuckled strangely. "I haven't properly entertained her yet. What do you think, how about today?"
“If we expose what she looks like in the bar and ruin her, she won’t be able to be with someone else…”
Jiang Cuo suddenly turned his head, looked at Jiang Lin, narrowed his eyes, and asked in return, "You mean, ruin her?"
"What? Isn't this what you wanted?" Jiang Lin sneered. "The Jiang family deserves to be treated like this..."
Jiang Cuo interrupted him: "Is it because she hit you?"
"What did you say?" Jiang Lin roared.
Jiang Cuo: "The night she protected me, she beat you like a dead dog, leaving you paralyzed on the ground. So, you hate her because you're powerless?"
"You little bastard!" Jiang Lin, exposed, slammed his hand on the table. "You think I'll let this go? From now on, I'll make that bitch pay..."
At this point, Jiang Lin suddenly seemed to remember something, and stopped talking, frowning as he looked at Jiang Cuo: "How did you know?"
That night, Jiang Cuo collapsed to the ground and lost consciousness, which he saw clearly.
“Dad,” Jiang Cuo interrupted him, then smiled gently and walked step by step toward Jiang Lin: “You don’t think that all these years I’ve willingly endured your beatings because I couldn’t beat you, do you?”
Jiang Lin was taken aback.
Jiang Cuo stood in front of Jiang Lin: "You don't still think that all these years, I really just acted as a useless human punching bag, leaving no evidence of any counterattack?"
Jiang Lin was provoked by the blatant mockery in his eyes and flew into a rage, reaching out to grab his collar as usual.
Jiang Cuo swiftly dodged him, and the next second, he slammed a heavy punch into his jaw.
He looked at Jiang Lin, who was slumped on the sofa, and asked softly, "I didn't hear you clearly just now. You said you wanted to destroy someone?"
"You bastard..."
"Wrong answer!" Jiang Cuo slammed his fist into his chest again. "Tell me, how should the Jiang family be treated?"
"What are your plans to do with her in the future?"
"Who are you calling a bastard?"
One sentence, one punch.
Each blow struck Jiang Lin's weak spot. Towards the end, his voice grew softer, but his punches became heavier.
"You little beast!" Jiang Lin roared, grabbing a wine bottle from the side and smashing it with a loud "smash".
The red wine splattered on Jiang Cuo's knee.
Jiang Cuo swayed, his knees buckled, and he felt a sharp pain in his legs.
He slowly lowered his head; red wine had spilled onto half of his suit trousers, finally getting him dirty!
"You actually dare to fight back!" Taking advantage of his hesitation, Jiang Lin grabbed him by the collar and punched him.
Jiang Cuo squinted, enduring the pain, but glanced at the clock beside him out of the corner of his eye.
The engagement party is about to begin.
Another sharp pain shot through the corner of his lip, and Jiang Cuo suddenly reached out and grabbed Jiang Lin's fist.
Jiang Lin was stunned, suddenly remembering that night when Jiang Fei had grabbed his fist in the same way.
A sense of fear welled up inside me.
Jiang Cuo chuckled softly, licking the blood from the corner of his lips: "You couldn't take it after just a few strokes?"
"I've endured this for over a decade!"
As she spoke, she retaliated by striking him forcefully.
Despite the sharp pain coursing through my body, I felt an immense sense of satisfaction at fighting back for the first time.
Since the old madman wouldn't let Jiang Fei off the hook, he had no choice but to ruin his reputation.
It's a real shame, we've lost one of the madmen.
However, the suit that matched her dress was probably stained with blood, the bow tie was crooked, and there were bruises on her face...
He really is a filthy thing born from the mud.
However, considering that he fought back for her sake today, he should forgive himself for appearing so pathetically at her engagement party.
If I can still go...
...
In stark contrast to the bloodshed and violence of the Jiang family.
The engagement banquet was held in a luxurious and elegant banquet hall, filled with melodious piano music, and attended by prominent figures from high society. Jiang Fei sat in the dressing room, wearing a red strapless dress, her slightly wavy hair cascading down her back, adorned with bright and beautiful red jewels.
When Shen Fang came in, what he saw was her back, as white as jade, with her butterfly bones slightly visible on her half-naked back, exuding a touch of sexiness.
Hearing the noise, Jiang Fei turned around.
Shen Fang's breath hitched: "I've come to take you out."
Jiang Fei nodded, smiled faintly, and walked outside.
The guests stopped their social engagements and looked at the couple who had appeared. After a long silence, they continued to offer their congratulations to the Jiang and Chen families.
As the main characters of this engagement banquet, Jiang Fei and Shen Fang naturally had to toast the guests in turn.
Fortunately, there weren't many people, and after a few drinks, the guests were all dealt with. Then it was time to toast both sets of parents.
The emcee joked, "It seems everyone is sending their blessings to this soon-to-be-married couple; there's not a single objection..."
Before he could finish speaking, the banquet hall doors were suddenly pushed open from the outside, and faint echoes could be heard in the spacious hall.
Everyone looked towards the doorway, and then froze in surprise.
Song Yan stood there, still wearing yesterday's suit, his brows and eyes full of fatigue and bloodshot, his eyes red-rimmed, his forehead covered in sweat, looking utterly disheveled.
His previously restrained and ascetic expression was now filled with burning rage, his eyes were dark and made it impossible to discern any emotion.
He walked step by step toward the man and woman in the center of the banquet hall, his eyes fixed on Jiang Fei. His eyes stung as he was struck by the red dress she wore, and his steps grew heavier.
The girl who kept saying she was "playing with him," the girl who was still being intimate with him that night, the girl who kept telling him "you love me," she was only away on a business trip, and when she came back, she was going to get engaged to someone else.
He didn't answer the phone, didn't know her new address, and didn't even notify him. There was only an invitation with her and Shen Fang's names on it.
In fact, if he had come back just one day later, would she already be Shen Fang's fiancée?
Or is it that giving up halfway and abandoning someone after starting something is her specialty?
Shen Fang looked at the newcomer, his face paled, and he stepped aside to block Jiang Fei's path.
Song Yan glanced at Shen Fang, who was blocking his way, then walked around him and looked at Jiang Fei, his voice hoarse: "Jiang Fei..."
“Song, your seat is over there.” Shen Fang interrupted him, pointing to the seat next to him.
The emcee finally realized what was happening and quickly tried to smooth things over: "It seems we're still missing one person for the toast, but it's not too late to make up for it..."
The waiter brought three glasses of wine to the three men.
Song Yan clenched his fists, trying to control the trembling in his fingers, and kept looking at Jiang Fei: "Do you think I should drink this glass of wine?"
Shen Fang frowned: "Song Yan..."
"Look at you, all sweaty," Jiang Fei's voice rang out, interrupting Shen Fang. Then, she picked up a glass of wine, looked at Song Yan, and raised an eyebrow. "Why don't you have a drink to calm down?"
Song Yan met her calm gaze, his face turned ashen, and a sharp pain shot through his heart.
How could she be so calm?
Just because he didn't respond to her "say you love her" statement, she turned around and abandoned him to get engaged to someone else?
She doesn't love him either, does she?
To her, he was nothing more than a plaything.
But... even if she was just a plaything, he couldn't allow her to play with other people...
“I will not agree,” Song Yan said hoarsely, “I would rather die than agree.”
Shen Fang angrily said, "Song Yan, don't think I won't do anything to you..."
"The person who used her affections to get close to other boys," Song Yan glanced at Shen Fang calmly, paused for a moment, and then casually asked, "Who is it?"
Shen Fang was stunned and stood motionless.
Song Yan lowered his eyes, stepped forward under everyone's gaze, and whispered something to Jiang's father. Jiang's father paused, glanced at Jiang Fei and Shen Fang, and then beckoned a servant.
The waiter quickly and respectfully saw the other guests out.
In a short while, only the Jiang and Chen families remained in the banquet hall.
Song Yan walked to the front of the stage and projected the surveillance video onto the big screen.
The video was taken six months ago in a corner of a restaurant. Shen Fang sat opposite Jiang Fei, his eyes full of arrogance and unbridled spirit.
He said to her, "Do you know Song Yan?"
What do you think of him?
"Jiang Fei, didn't you say you liked me? I don't like Song Yan, but you went to get close to him for my sake."
In the video, Jiang Fei's eyes, which had been filled with surprise, froze, and her face turned pale and dazed.
A deathly silence fell over the banquet hall.
Mr. Jiang's face was already dark and gloomy. He never knew that his beloved daughter would be trampled on like this!
After being taken aback, Mr. and Mrs. Shen were at a loss for words.
Shen Fang's hands and feet were ice-cold, his fingertips trembling uncontrollably, his heart filled with fear. He never knew that he, who had uttered those words, was so... terrifying!
At that time, Jiang Fei looked into his eyes, which were sparkling with obvious admiration, but he extinguished that sparkle.
Only Jiang Fei calmly watched the video on the big screen, then looked away and turned to her father: "Dad, Aunt Wen, Uncle Shen, Aunt Shen, Shen Fang and I have something we want to say to each other alone."
Jiang's father looked at her worriedly: "Jiang Jiang, this engagement is off, now we..."
"Dad, don't forget what I said last night," Jiang Fei said with a smile.
Mr. Jiang was taken aback. Last night she said that everyone could be in trouble, but she wouldn't.
Finally, the group got up and left.
Only after everyone had disappeared did Jiang Fei slowly look at Song Yan beside her, and then she was about to walk towards him when her wrist was suddenly grabbed.
“Jiang Fei…” Chen Fang’s hoarse voice rang out.
Jiang Fei paused, glanced at the hand he was holding, and then looked at his pale face: "Shen Fang, is this game fun?"
Shen Fang's hand, which was gripping hers, trembled: "...What?"
"Don't you love playing games the most?" Jiang Fei walked up to him innocently and said, "You asked me to get close to Song Yan and do the work for you."
"Now, you're also doing me a favor by doing the work for me. It's fair, isn't it?"
Shen Fang stared blankly at her: "Just a game?"
"Otherwise what?" Jiang Fei chuckled. "Do you think I would like someone who bosses me around and easily pushes me away to others?"
"However, it was really funny to see you so carefully proposing to me, humbly saying that it was okay not to go public, and even thoughtfully preparing everything for the engagement party. It was just like how I used to carefully try to please you."
Shen Fang felt a chill run down his spine, and even his breath was filled with cold air.
“Oh, right, let me tell you a secret,” Jiang Fei took two steps toward Chen Fang, “Do you remember that vacation when I asked you to be nice to me?”
"The game started back then."
It was all fake from the beginning; only his attraction to her was real.
"Impossible!" Shen Fang clenched his teeth, trying to keep them from trembling. "Back then, you said you liked me..."
His voice grew weaker and weaker.
During that holiday, Jiang Fei treated him very well, but she never said "I like you" to him again.
Jiang Fei chuckled and reached out to break free from Shen Fang's hand, only to have it grabbed again the next second.
Jiang Fei frowned.
“Even if it’s just a game…” Chen Fang’s voice trembled slightly at the end, “even if it’s all fake, let’s keep playing… okay?”
"I'll pretend I know nothing, don't end it... don't end it so soon..."
"Even if it's just for the sake of our eight-year engagement, let's keep playing this game..."
He couldn't imagine the fear of losing her for the rest of his life.
The only person who kept him going in a company he didn't like and a family he didn't like was her.
But she left, and he didn't know what to do.
Jiang Fei just smiled, reached out and covered the back of his hand that was gripping hers, and gently pried his fingers apart one by one: "The engagement is canceled."
After saying that, he walked towards Song Yan, who was standing to the side.
Song Yan was also keeping a close eye on her.
“Using methods like this today,” Jiang Fei said with a faint smile, “is not in your nature.”
Song Yan pursed his lips tightly, then chuckled, "So what?"
Jiang Fei raised an eyebrow: "You heard what I just said?"
Song Yan's eyelashes trembled slightly.
She heard everything Shen Fang said, and understood it all clearly.
A game.
To her, so-called sincerity was nothing more than a game, but...
Song Yan laughed again. He slowly walked forward and stroked her cheek with the back of his hand: "Jiang Fei, from the very beginning, haven't you been playing me?"
From the initial approach, to later using work and her grandmother to coerce him into staying by her side, and then to every intimate moment, every kiss...
She was playing him.
He watched himself sink into depravity with perfect clarity.
Song Yan gazed deeply at her, his brows and eyes still sparse and aloof, yet a hint of darkness and chaos flickered in them. He took her hand and slowly intertwined his fingers with hers: "Whatever you want, I'll give it to you, love or people. Just keep playing this game and never call it a day."
After saying that, he grabbed her and walked towards the exit of the banquet hall without saying another word.
An engagement party ultimately ended in a desolate atmosphere.
Shen Fang remained standing in the same spot, the screen in front of him still showing the scene from the restaurant.
He stared blankly at the girl in the picture, chuckled softly after a long while, but the next second he couldn't help but cover his eyes, tears still flowed out, wetting his palms.
He was very wrong.
He lost the girl he loved deeply, lost... the girl who had liked him for eight years, but he didn't know how to win her back.
No one can help him.
He reaps what he sows.
...
Outside the banquet hall.
The waiter sighed; the engagement banquet had turned out like this. He turned to go inside and clean up, but stopped when he saw a young man limping towards them from a distance.
The boy had bruises and bloodstains on his lips, bloodstains on his suit, and a patch of red on his shirt, but he was neatly dressed, and his dark red bow tie was perfectly straight.
They looked strangely well-matched...
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