Chapter 2

The Liancheng family is also well-off, why not let her go home and get it? Su Xiaotao asked the question for me

As for me and Su Xiaotao, he believes that during the divorce, our mother had already received reasonable alimony, so there was no need to add anything further for us. However, as people age, their hearts may soften. For some unknown reason, he recently informed me and Su Xiaotao that he was prepared to give us sisters a little compensation and asked how much we wanted. We did not take it seriously and casually said we would take whatever amount; whenever he was ready to give it, we would take it. Who would have thought he was actually prepared to give it? Su Xiaotao, however, was indifferent, saying, "I don't want it; I don't need it." Nevertheless, as people age, their hearts may soften. For some unknown reason, he recently informed me and Su Xiaotao that he was prepared to give us sisters a little compensation and asked how much we wanted. We did not take it seriously and casually said we would take whatever amount; whenever he was ready to give it, we would take it. Who would have thought he was actually prepared to give it? Su Xiaotao, however, was indifferent, saying, "I don't want it; I don't need it."

Su Xiaotao told me that when Xu Dongyang returned, his eyes and brows were filled with laughter. For Su Xiaotao, she only tolerated one type among women, one that was vastly different from her, one that could not compete on the same stage. As for other peers, they were all enemies; good men are ultimately few, and if one does not remain vigilant at all times, how could one possibly remain undefeated in the realm of love

Your family truly embodies loyalty and valor, first plotting against our elders, then against the younger ones. What a fine family tradition you have. Do you have any more tricks up your sleeve? Why not reveal all your secrets at once, instead of wasting them bit by bit

The person I have been longing for day and night turns out to be someone who is asking me for money. I once resolutely decided to give him my everything—my heart, my youth, and my life—yet all he wants is money

I could not continue listening, I stood up and left. This meeting completely destroyed me, and I can no longer face him. I originally had some expectations for this meeting, but now I realize that meeting in person is truly not as good as reminiscing.

Xu Dongyang realized that our purpose was actually money, to be precise, to ask me and Su Xiaotao for money. Although my father is old, he is not confused; he has made arrangements for his considerable assets. Xu Fangfei naturally has a significant amount, but the premise is that he must die for Xu Fangfei, as his widow, to inherit. If he is alive, Xu Fangfei can forget about receiving a single cent from him. I remember when he announced this decision, Su Xiaotao even asserted that Xu Fangfei would resort to murder for this inheritance. However, Xu Fangfei remained calm: "I married him not for money." Xu Fangfei can forget about receiving a single cent from him. I remember when he announced this decision, Su Xiaotao even asserted that Xu Fangfei would resort to murder for this inheritance. However, Xu Fangfei remained calm: "I married him not for money."

I began to seriously consider my relationship with Chen Weiwei, and I cannot continue to drift aimlessly. I envisioned various possibilities: marriage, breakup, or continuing to linger together. Eventually, I became despondent, realizing that there was not a single type of relationship between Chen Weiwei and me that could be sustained in the long term

After meeting him, I suddenly understood something: the reason Xu Dongyang was willing to choose me as his travel companion back then was not because he liked me, but because he was poor. At that time, he was just a destitute student, while I, by any measure, was a child of a wealthy family; to him, I was merely a wallet. When we first went abroad to apply for our passports, he said, "You must stick close to me once we go out; we should never be apart." I thought that was a promise of forever, but looking back now, it doesn't even amount to a fleeting illusion; the truth is always unexpected. When we first went abroad to apply for our passports, he said, "You must stick close to me once we go out; we should never be apart." I thought that was a promise of forever, but looking back now, it doesn't even amount to a fleeting illusion; the truth is always unexpected.

Xu Dongyang has never asked for me, even though I accompanied him to Africa to see antelopes, to Europe to listen to hymns, and to countless other places. Even when we shared a tent as a man and a woman in the wilderness, he never asked for me

"Not to that extent, you are being too harsh," Xu Dongyang replied to her

Oh, I forgot, there are only these few people in my family, and no matter how many you have in yours, they will be of no use.

Chen Weiwei often says: "Look how good I am to you." Chen Weiwei seems to possess a natural talent for treating women well; his kindness towards them is almost instinctive. For him, it has become a habit to be gentle and considerate towards others. This seamless execution of his behavior can easily lead to misunderstandings: one might think that he is genuinely invested in his interactions.

"You can take it as well, but if you do, it will inevitably be difficult to speak in front of her parents. Since you don't want it anyway, it should be fine for you to give it to me, right?" Xu Dongyang looked at me

Is that so? Xu Dongyang's tone was inquiring, yet there was a hint of pride and certainty in that inquiry. Indeed, I have always complied with him without question.

However, I am the exception. The reason Su Xiaotao cannot tolerate me is not because of my gender. When she was still inexperienced, she often said, "Coral, I have never hated anyone before your mother came." She would always say this while tugging at my pigtail, a pain that was both delicate and sharp, making it hard to forget. Of course, later on, she improved her cultivation and no longer displayed her emotions or desires openly. But I know she hates me; regardless of whether I am male or female, beautiful or ugly, as long as I am my mother's child, she will hate me. Of course, later on, she improved her cultivation and no longer displayed her emotions or desires openly. But I know she hates me; regardless of whether I am male or female, beautiful or ugly, as long as I am my mother's child, she will hate me.

I forced a smile and said, "Who do you think would want me?"

But I want it, I lack it. In the end, Su Xiaotao said: "That's true, not having it would also be a bargain for him. Just bring me my share as well; giving it to you is better than giving it to someone else."

But now, on what basis does he still demand from me at will, even though I have resolutely made up my mind, thinking I could refuse him? Yet I still do not dare to speak, for I know that once I do, I will lose everything. He merely relies on the fact that I like him, and with just this, he dares to act so brazenly.

Most of the time, if I do not think of Xu Dongyang, I actually hope to grow old with Chen Weiwei. Although my relationship with him has not yet reached the level of spiritual connection, we have already taken the first step, even if it is a loss of innocence. I still regard this matter quite seriously; of course, it is no longer fashionable to resort to such dramatic acts as cutting off an arm when someone looks at you. However, for me, that was my rite of passage, and to say that I do not care would be self-deception. I still regard this matter quite seriously; of course, it is no longer fashionable to resort to such dramatic acts as cutting off an arm when someone looks at you. However, for me, that was my rite of passage, and to say that I do not care would be self-deception.

Because Su Xiaotao has always insisted, I have temporarily refrained from taking the money. It is now evident that Xu Dongyang learned this news from Xu Fangfei. He said he is in urgent need of money, and since Su Xiaotao and I do not intend to take it, it would be better to lend it to him first. Although it is a loan, I am certain he does not intend to repay us. Despite needing something from us, his expression is resolute and his tone confident, suggesting he is already assured of victory. Xu Dongyang always appears calm and self-assured in front of me.

He married Lian Cheng, who insisted on going to Paris for their honeymoon. I cried and made a fuss, asking Su Xiaotao for money, and bought a first-class ticket on the same flight as them. I rushed onto the plane, covered my face with a newspaper, and listened as they walked past me. That was the loneliest flight I have ever taken in my life. After getting off the plane, I stayed at the same hotel as them, following behind and watching them in their joy and happiness. In the end, I finally lost the courage to continue watching and returned home in a disheveled state. Those foolish things might only be done at that age, but thinking back now still brings a pang of sadness.

I finally met Xu Dongyang. Unlike the midnight dreams or chance encounters on the street, during those times, I was merely an observer, performing for myself, and love, hate, and enmity felt too abstract. Now it is very real; he is right across from me. Because it is so real, it instead makes one feel anxious and guilty. However, I soon realized that this is truly not a dream; dreams are not so cold.

As for Chen Weiwei, I have to cry, throw a tantrum, and even contemplate suicide, while also supporting the family, just for him to show me some affection. The fleeting kindness he offers, like a dragonfly skimming the surface of the water, can never offset the harshness of reality.

On the night when Chen Weiwei and I first met, he was preparing to expel me from the country, yet he still reminded me that the night outside was chilly and windy, advising me to be careful not to catch a cold. If I were not so deeply acquainted with him, perhaps I would have fallen in love with him in a moment of daze; how wonderful that would have been

In Chen Weiwei's view, matters in the world are quite simple: it is a matter of whether to do something or not, and whether to give or not; beyond that, he does not consider anything else. For me, most things can be approached in this way, with only a few exceptions that cannot be resolved by this principle, such as the cases of Chen Weiwei and Xu Dongyang. Ever since I realized that I was, in fact, continuing a certain persistence towards Xu Dongyang through Chen Weiwei, I have looked down on myself greatly; a double bed accommodating three people, with both body and soul feeling insincere.

You need not ask her; she has always done whatever you say. Su Xiaotao smiled and said: You can simply give her direct orders.

Su Xiaotao looked at me and suddenly asked, "If you could choose, would you pick Xu Dongyang or Chen Weiwei?"

I looked at Su Xiaotao, and suddenly felt a pang of bitterness in my heart. Xu Dongyang has returned, but what does it matter? Everyone in the world knows that I like him, yet he remains indifferent. In truth, he has never really gone far; I have merely confined myself within my own boundaries.