Chapter 1

When I graduated from university, I found it extremely difficult to find a job due to my poor academic performance and my unsuitable major. In fact, Su Xiaotao had been quite dedicated to me; when I was applying to universities, despite my poor grades, she invested considerable time and resources to help me secure a place in a good school. However, four years passed in the blink of an eye, and I completely let her down. In desperation, Su Xiaotao suggested that I work at her magazine. Given my consistent tendency to seek comfort and avoid hard work, she laid down two conditions: first, I was not allowed to negotiate my salary; whatever she offered would be final. Second, I was not permitted to choose my tasks; she said I should write whatever I was assigned. I thought to myself that Su Xiaotao would not let me starve; if she wanted to make things difficult for me, she wouldn't have supported me through university. Therefore, I agreed.

I have never told Xu Dongyang that I love him. In my youth, I did not dare to confess, and as I grew older, I realized that there was no need to confess. When a man and a woman are together, what they want to know and should know will always be known. As Chen Weiwei said, claiming not to know simply means that person does not want to know. So be it, Su Xiaotao has said, he is just a man

Apart from Su Xiaotao, only Chen Weiwei is able to listen to my innermost thoughts. When chatting with Chen Weiwei, whenever the topic of Xu Dongyang comes up, she always treats it as a joke: "Don't regret it, it's not necessarily right, leave yourself a bit of face, do you really think he doesn't know? Ha?"

I followed him for many miles, conversing extensively, believing that we could traverse countless mountains and rivers together. Suddenly, he called for a stop, and then he threw himself into the city of Liancheng. That day, Liancheng's brows resembled distant mountains, and her eyes were like autumn waters, living up to her beautiful name of Liancheng

Su Xiaotao does not know that sometimes I envy her, especially when Chen Weiwei waits for me downstairs after work too late. In the dark night, Chen Weiwei stands casually, silent and steady. At that moment, I feel that having someone like this to spend a lifetime with is actually quite good. If I were Su Xiaotao and thought this way, Chen Weiwei would do the same.

Su Xiaotao was never out of control. I remember when she returned home from her studies abroad at the age of only sixteen or seventeen, there was a man outside my house who was desperately seeking her.

Not long after my conversation with Su Xiaotao about Xu Dongyang, I unexpectedly saw Xu Dongyang on the street. The moment I saw him, I suddenly burst into tears. I understood Su Xiaotao's meaning: Chen Weiwei resembles Xu Dongyang, he is like him. It is not in the features, nor in the figure, but simply in the essence. I met Xu Dongyang when I was fifteen and left at twenty-two. Before I met Xu Dongyang, I thought that romantic affairs between men and women were merely a joke. Before Xu Dongyang left, I thought that being unable to forget someone was just a legend. It is not in the features, nor in the figure, but simply in the essence. I met Xu Dongyang when I was fifteen and left at twenty-two. Before I met Xu Dongyang, I thought that romantic affairs between men and women were merely a joke. Before Xu Dongyang left, I thought that being unable to forget someone was just a legend

They were already resolute in their decisions, so you need not worry about that. There is no fairness between men and women; it is a survival of the fittest, where the strong prevail over the weak

Chen Weiwei may not be of the highest character, but he possesses two advantages: first, he never lies about romantic matters, and second, he has a good appearance. Wherever he goes, the place transforms into a landscape of mountains and rivers. Sometimes I think, when several years have passed and our generation has turned into ruins, Chen Weiwei will also be a ruin made of marble

According to her, there was a time when I fell asleep and talked in my sleep, during which I accused her of being a monster. I did not admit it, but deep down, I felt that it was likely true

Su Xiaotao cannot be separated from men, and the men love her as well. Wherever she stands, with her fair skin and enchanting eyes, her beauty is like a peach blossom, stirring the hearts of all who see her, making it hard for them to walk away. Thus, she gracefully leaps from one tree to a higher one, like a squirrel, ultimately gaining a panoramic view of the mountains.

I think it is acceptable, anyway I cannot find anyone

Lin Chunshan thus provided a substantial amount of idle money for Su Xiaotao's leisure. After my graduation, feeling aimless, I was taken in by Su Xiaotao's magazine. She told me to write freely, but there is a significant difference between saying and doing. I did write freely, yet she would never let me off easily. For any article, regardless of the topic, if I did not revise it three to five times, I would consider myself lucky. However, Su Xiaotao has one commendable trait; she does not exploit my efforts without compensation. The money she pays me is definitely much more than what she gives to other editors. As the saying goes, a poor person has limited aspirations. I do not enjoy being mistreated, but I do appreciate money. Weighing the two evils, I choose money.

From that point on, Xu Dongyang surrendered to Liancheng. I have always suspected that Su Xiaotao had ulterior motives; throughout her life, her greatest pleasure has been to take things from me simply because she is older. From dolls to clothes, anything I liked, she would seize. She is not a greedy person; most of the things she took were either discarded or given away, as long as I did not have them, she was happy, and the same should apply to Xu Dongyang. In fact, I know that even without Liancheng, Xu Dongyang might not necessarily be able to unite with me.

That year I was sixteen, Su Xiaotao was twenty-four, and Xu Dongyang was twenty.

In my most desperate moments, I once considered seducing Lin Chunshan. Women, in their youth, often approach relationships with a certain bravery born from ignorance. Of course, in purely physical terms, if a woman is willing to give, a man will certainly be eager to receive. However, in such relationships, men see the body as the end point, while women view it as the starting point. Lin Chunshan is nearly perfect compared to Chen Weiwei, but I know that if I were to face Lin Chunshan, standing on the ledge of a thirty-story building, he would never reach out to pull me back. To Lin Chunshan, Su Xiaotao is a woman, while other women are merely components. Lin Chunshan is nearly perfect compared to Chen Weiwei, but I know that if I were to face Lin Chunshan, standing on the ledge of a thirty-story building, he would never reach out to pull me back. To Lin Chunshan, Su Xiaotao is a woman, while other women are merely components.

Regarding the matter of Xu Dongyang, I have always had a knot in my heart concerning Su Xiaotao

She is too young, one might even say beautiful

Su Xiaotao does not like me, yet often seeks me out. I do not know why. We have both severed ties with our biological mother. In fact, our mother was blameless in my father's several marriages. However, it is strange that both Su Xiaotao and I ended up with our father. It can be imagined that he is not particularly close to us. Therefore, although Su Xiaotao does not like me, she has indeed walked this path alongside me.

What are you running for

Some individuals exist independently across time and space in our lives, even if the world undergoes significant changes, they remain aloof from the world.

At that time, I had a secret crush on Xu Dongyang for a long time. After countless days of contemplation, I finally mustered the courage to speak up. I invited him to my home to hang out, thinking that after spending a day together, I would surely find an opportunity to confess my feelings. In fact, I even spent a month memorizing the Yuefu poetry in preparation for any eventuality. However, being young, I felt somewhat insecure about matters between men and women. So, on the eve of my confession, I sought out Su Xiaotao to share my feelings. After listening, Su Xiaotao praised and encouraged me. Seeing her support, I felt reassured and went to bed peacefully, just waiting to confess the next day. However, being young, I felt somewhat insecure about matters between men and women. So, on the eve of my confession, I sought out Su Xiaotao to share my feelings. After listening, Su Xiaotao praised and encouraged me. Seeing her support, I felt reassured and went to bed peacefully, just waiting to confess the next day.

The victor and the vanquished, I have made up my mind to put an end to it with him. At the time of making the decision, I felt somewhat tragic, thinking of myself as a hero cutting off his own wrist. However, later on, I realized that the tragedy was indeed tasteless. Because Xu Dongyang never contacted me again, that tragic feeling gradually turned into desolation, and I didn't even have the chance to refuse.

Because I am aware of Chen Weiwei's character, I sometimes harbor a particular hatred for him: when I share my innermost thoughts, he always feels the need to comment, even though I know his words are not unfounded

You are not that pitiable; if a woman truly sets her mind to it, is she still afraid of not finding a man? It all depends on how you choose.

Lin Chunshan is an investor in the Su Xiaotao magazine. He has a warm smile, is meticulous in his demeanor, loves to wear shirts, and can carry off a stylish look. He appears capable of being a good husband to anyone, except for Su Xiaotao. However, he desires no one but Su Xiaotao.

It was summer, with the sun shining brightly. Su Xiaotao wore a peach-red qipao dress, paired with matching slender high heels. With her arms crossed, her watery, radiant face exuded a kind of sternness as if she had emerged from the primordial chaos of water and fire. I have always been reluctant to acknowledge her beauty, but at that moment, no one could surpass her. That person ultimately fled in disgrace.

Su Xiaotao looked at me with a strange expression and said, "Who exactly are you trying to deceive?"

Everyone has some past experiences, don't they

However, Su Xiaotao does not care at all about what I think. Occasionally, she even forces herself to sign my exam papers to impersonate a parent. If she is in a good mood, she eagerly attends the parent-teacher meetings. Although I find her annoying, I also appreciate her help in attending those meetings. My academic performance has always been poor, and when she goes, she usually comes back saying, "You are too stupid." She never complains to my parents. During my college entrance examination, she even tutored me, but in the end, she gave up, saying, "Forget it, a rotten wood." Through this back and forth, I gradually adapted to coexisting peacefully with her.

What a beautiful scene it was in Liancheng, Xu Dongyang was momentarily stunned. Although I was not well-versed in matters of love at the time, I could sense that something was amiss. I attempted to salvage the situation, but the momentum had already shifted.

In fact, she is also annoyed with me. When she is drunk, she pinches my face and says, "How wonderful it would be if you had never existed in this world, how wonderful it would be without you." Su Xiaotao hates me, partly because my mother became her stepmother, but more so because both my mother and I are too ordinary. She simply cannot accept that a woman as plain as my mother could triumph over her own mother. As for me, she looks down on me even more; subconsciously, she probably believes that I should not be happy because of a woman. She cannot accept that a woman as plain as my mother could triumph over her own mother. As for me, she looks down on me even more; subconsciously, she probably believes that I should not find happiness through a man.

The men that Su Xiaotao is interested in all like her. She enjoys working on magazines, and indeed someone acquired a magazine for her to manage. Su Xiaotao, driven solely by her happiness, transformed a fashion magazine into a third-rate tabloid. However, it does not matter, as the magazine continues to sell well, and there are always people supporting it. Walking down the street, one can always find a copy of Su Xiaotao's magazine among the few complimentary issues.

In fact, this is also good; if I were to be dumped ten times, it would probably become a legend. But for some reason, I now find it hard to remember what Xu Dongyang looks like. The more I try to think seriously about it, the less I can recall.

For two people to fall in love, the right timing, the right place, and the right people are all essential; lacking any one of these is not acceptable. Do not say that I have only memorized a book of Yuefu poetry; even if I had written Tang poetry or Song lyrics, it would still be of no use. The problem is that there is Liancheng now, and thus, in my narrow-mindedness, I attribute the cause to Liancheng. For a certain period, I kept pondering how things would be if Liancheng did not exist. From Liancheng, I thought of Su Xiaotao, and I suddenly realized a fact: Su Xiaotao was intentional. The problem is that there is Liancheng now, and thus, in my narrow-mindedness, I attribute the cause to Liancheng. For a certain period, I kept pondering how things would be if Liancheng did not exist. From Liancheng, I thought of Su Xiaotao, and I suddenly realized a fact: Su Xiaotao was intentional. At that moment, I vowed to hate her for a lifetime

I was attracted, but I ran away

At that moment, a man outside the door was shouting his love for her, brandishing a small knife as he prepared to take his own life, attracting countless passersby who stopped to watch. Both strangers and acquaintances outside my home expressed their opinions, while I was in a flurry inside. Only Su Xiaotao remained calm and composed, completely ignoring the growing commotion outside. She finished her makeup and opened the door, throwing out a steak knife, saying: "Your knife is too small; if you want to die, use this one."

There is, but that is truly a legend. Coral, do you know how long a lifetime is? For you, this time could at least allow you to see Xu Dongyang ten times. " Su Xiaotao said, laughing at herself: "And then you would be dumped by him ten times.

Chen Weiwei smiled and said, "I fear she will not awaken to the truth"

Su Xiaotao never wanted to spend her life with anyone. If she had to choose, she would say: "Then I would prefer it to be you, but this is not a good idea. Moreover, you may not necessarily wish for that either."

For women, the only beings capable of evoking the profound and tumultuous emotions of life and death are men. Taking a specific case, such as that of Xu Dongyang and myself. In our youth, we were ignorant, leading ourselves to a state of tragic grandeur, and amidst the romantic tales of love and beauty, we unknowingly developed a sense of righteousness and sacrifice.

Perhaps because of this, there exists a strange attraction between Su Xiaotao and me. We often have a tacit understanding when speaking and working together. I do not know how Su Xiaotao perceives me in her heart, but if I have something shameful that I wish to confide, she is the only one I would choose. Objectively speaking, Su Xiaotao is also harsh towards me; her sarcasm and ridicule have never been lacking. However, perhaps due to habit, I do not take her words to heart. If such words were spoken by someone else, I would have fallen out with them long ago. Of course, from another perspective, Su Xiaotao is also quite decent to me; at least she never interrupts me when I am confiding.

What if, by chance, one ends up with a man who is equally resolute

The man picked up the knife, and Su Xiaotao said, "Show me how you die." The man thought for a moment, then walked towards Su Xiaotao with the knife. I was alarmed and pulled Su Xiaotao towards the house, but she shook me off and looked at him, saying, "Do you dare."

So what do you think about me and Xu Dongyang? If one day he were to make a rash decision and choose me, do you think that is possible

"Chen Weiwei, have you really never been moved? Not even by a woman? Not even because of her ample bosom or wealth? You truly have never encountered any of them." I asked Chen Weiwei that night when I returned home after meeting Xu Dongyang.

"He is just a man," said Su Xiaotao

She is not interested in you

The farce began in this manner. The next day, I took Xu Dongyang home. As soon as we stepped through the door, Su Xiaotao came up to us, saying, "I am Shanhua's sister, welcome, welcome!" I was just appreciating Su Xiaotao's thoughtful hospitality when she pointed to a girl beside her and introduced her to Xu Dongyang, saying, "This is Liancheng."

Are you afraid that she will no longer want you after she realizes the truth