Shen Yan was indeed a bona fide gangster.

Because of a debt of gratitude, I stayed with him for eight years.

He treated me exceptionally well, I developed a sense of compassion for him, only to hear him bragging to his buddies about me.

"Just a few words of love, and she would position herself in every way possible, she's even cheaper than I thought."

"Brother Shen, I heard she has a great figure, lend her to us to have some fun before you dump her, okay?"

Just as I walked into the private room, one of Shen Yan's brothers began to tug at my collar.

Pouring bottles of red wine into me.

Shen Yan asked me to behave myself, promising that after this, I could consider the debt of gratitude repaid.

I hurriedly left the private room, embarrassed, and called my mother.

Since my debt has been paid off, it's time for me to return and fulfill the arranged marriage.

That day, Shen Yan nonchalantly walked in his aimless way, chewing gum, towards the wedding car demanding cigarettes.

But when the car window rolled down, I was the person inside.

My collar was violently ripped open.

I looked at Shen Yan for help.

With his legs crossed and swirling his wine glass, Shen Yan looked back.

When he looked at me, his eyes were filled with weariness.

He walked towards me, like the last straw that I desperately clung to.

Yet the words he spoke felt like falling into an ice pit.

"Behave, and after this time, consider your debt of gratitude paid off," he said.

When he said these words, I could not refuse.

The cold liquor slid down my chest.

I did not understand the significance of all this.

Every participant could only laugh joyfully.

I obediently lowered my head, yet Shen Yan's expression unexpectedly turned cold.

Did I do something wrong again, to upset him?

But never mind.

Once the debt of gratitude is paid off, I should leave.

If it weren't for Shen Yan saving my brother years ago, we wouldn't have met.

I wouldn't have found myself playing the part of a sycophant.

Eight years, just like that, by his side.

The cold wine was bone-chilling, and I left in a pitiful state, clutching my arms.

While hailing a cab, I saw Shen Yan getting into a woman's car.

The woman clung to Shen Yan's neck and I didn't see what happened next between the two.

After returning home, I took a hot bath.

Shen Yan held me affectionately around my waist, kissing me continually by my ear.

I couldn't stop myself from shaking.

I tried to turn around and talk things out with him, but all I saw was the lipstick mark on the corner of his mouth.

For the past seven years, Shen Yan has always been good to me.

Unknowingly, people can change overnight.

Or perhaps, Shen Yan is a great actor.

I pushed Shen Yan away, but he pulled me back into his arms.

"Alright, don't be mad. I was just trying to help my friends lighten up."

"I'm not mad."

Shen Yan, overcome with excitement, gripped my shoulders, "Really?"

"Really."

"I knew it, our Yuan Yuan is not such a petty person."

Shen Yan laughed with joy.

I lifted my hand to touch the corner of Shen Yan's mouth.

Gently wiping off the lipstick at his lips.

Thinking that I was about to kiss him, he even leaned with his lips forward.

"Shen Yan, who... was the woman tonight?"

A hint of panic flashed across his eyes.

"Ah, I... it's one of my classmates."

"Is Yuan Yuan feeling jealous?"

Shen Yan lifted me into his arms, cooing sweet nothings to pacify me.

"You know I'm a clean freak. I find those women... dirty."

Is this a confession without being asked?

Shen Yan noticed something was off with me.

"What, what's wrong?"

I accidentally smeared the lipstick from my fingertips onto his shirt.

"Nothing."

Shen Yan's phone was constantly ringing.

It seemed as if he opened it in front of me to prove his innocence.

A woman named Lin Qing was calling.

I remember her; she was their class beauty.

She sent over a pregnancy check report along with a message.

[I'm pregnant.]

Shen Yan's face grew more and more peculiar, "Yuan Yuan, it's... it's not what you think."

He immediately sent a voice message using his phone.

"Are you out of your mind? Why are you informing me about your pregnancy? The child’s father should bear the responsibility, not me! If my wife misunderstands because of this, I swear you're in deep trouble!"

Shen Yan's voice became increasingly agitated.

Exhausted, I lean back against the headboard of the bed as a message from my mom arrives.

[The wedding date is set for next weekend.]

I lightly tapped on the screen, replying, "Okay."

"Yuan Yuan, I deleted her, she's just crazy."

I made a hum in response.

Then I fell asleep with a blanket over my head.

If it were before, Shen Yan would probably have tried to coax me.

But today, he seemed to be in no mood.

In the middle of the night, I was awakened by his phone call.

The bedroom light was off, but the bathroom light was on.

"What money do I have? If Xuyuan had money, she wouldn't be a fool. I told you not to message me when I got home, she saw everything you sent! Figure it out on your own!"

"I won't marry Xu Yuan, and I certainly won't marry you. That's it, hanging up!"

Shen Yan lit a cigarette and walked out.

I closed my eyes.

He walked over to me, step by step.

Then he crouched in front of me and touched my hair.

"Yuan Yuan, I'm sorry. Following me, you've suffered."

The hand under the quilt involuntarily clenched into a fist.

Thank goodness Shen Yan left quickly.

Otherwise, he would have seen how shaky I was.

I watched Shen Yan's retreating figure, my expression gradually tightening.

Shen Yan, Shen Yan, which of your words are real?

Which are false?

Shen Yan didn't come back all night.

In the morning, he sent a message saying he was at a class reunion.

Last night, I suffered from stomach pain all night.

Early in the morning, I made an appointment and went to the hospital.

I lowered my head to look at the floor number on the payment slip and accidentally collided with someone.

"Are you blind? Believe it or not, my boyfriend will break your legs!"

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."

I apologized again and again, when I raised my head, my gaze met with Shen Yan's.

The woman by his side was the same one from last night.

Lin Qing.

"You, how are you here?"

I sighed bitterly in my heart. His so-called "class reunion," was it just a date for them?

"Who is she?"

Faced with Lin Qing's interrogation, Shen Yan looked slightly embarrassed.

Then, he uttered two words, "Sister."

What a sister he shares a bed with.

But it does make sense.

After all, our relationship over the years has always been so ambivalent.

Lin Qing immediately put on a smile, grabbing my hand to be friendly.

"So it's your sister. What happened to your sister? Ah Yan, if your sister is not feeling well, why don't you accompany her first? Find me in the VIP room later."

Shen Yan seemed ready to agree.

I hurriedly pulled out my hand, "No need."

I couldn't wait to leave.

After undergoing a gastroscopic examination, my phone was filled with messages from Shen Yan.

【Shen Yan: Her boyfriend ran off with someone else. I brought her here out of pity.】

【Shen Yan: How are you? Is there any part of your body uncomfortable?】

【Shen Yan: Where are you? I am going to find you.】

As I was stepping out of the hospital, a phone call from my mother arrived.

“You’ve been repaying your debt of gratitude in Jiangcheng for so many years. Surely, you must have some feelings for Mr. Shen. Inviting him for a meal before leaving and maintaining future contacts seems a decent proposition.”

“All right.”

A moment of silence ensued before my mother finally voiced her question.

“You’ve been vehemently against the alliance all along for the sake of repaying your gratitude. Why have you suddenly agreed to it now?”

Two shadows, suddenly, came into view.

Shen Yan, in his clumsy manner, was rummaging through Lin Qing’s medicine packet.

He was gently advising Lin Qing about what she should take.

With her face radiating happiness, Lin Qing tiptoed up to peck Shen Yan’s chin with a kiss.

Stunned momentarily, Shen Yan picked up Lin Qing in one fluid movement,

Deepening the kiss in an ongoing rhythm.

"Hello? Yuan Yuan, is the signal poor, mom?"

"Hello?"

On the phone, my mom kept asking.

"It's nothing big, it's just that I've returned the favor, I should go back home for an arranged marriage."

"Mom, arrange it as soon as possible, the sooner the better."

I hung up the phone and brushed past two people.

Not even five meters away.

But neither Shen Yan nor Lin Qing saw me.

When I got home, I started packing.

Shen Yan was poor, but he spent all his money on buying things for me.

I packed my stuff into two suitcases.

When Shen Yan came back, he looked at my packed stuff.

He didn't stop me, instead, he kicked the suitcase.

"Is it necessary?"

"You said yesterday that the obligation to repay the favor has ended, so there's no essential link between us."

I turned around to look at him, "Shen..."

Shen Yan's eyes were bright red, with his two close buddies standing behind him.

Both men stood there awkwardly.

In their hands, they held my favourite strawberry cake.

Also, a few delicate gift boxes.

Today was my birthday.

I was walking out with my heavy suitcase.

Shen Yan put his hand on my luggage.

"Can't you leave tomorrow?"

At the same time, my mother's messages kept coming in.

My wedding with the Fu family has been arranged for tomorrow.

I shook my head.

Shen Yan's eyes were desperate, and the hand pressing my suitcase began to turn pale.

It seemed like he was planning something big.

"I never eat my words. Once you leave today, don't think about coming back."

Our gazes met, "Okay."

Shen Yan let go of my suitcase.

"Is this poor boy not good enough for you, the young lady of a rich family?"

"It has nothing to do with money," I replied.

"Xu Yuan, our relationship is well-known, no one but me dares to want you."

Ignoring his words, I took the elevator and Shen Yan followed.

"Call me before eight o'clock tomorrow morning. I might forgive you."

"I understand."

I pressed the button to go downstairs.

Overheard Shen Yan's conversation with his brother.

"Brother Shen, why don't you... go and see?"

"See what? She has been with me for eight years and won't leave over such a trifle. She's just throwing a tantrum."

"So, can we eat this cake now?"

Shen Yan's brother looked greedily at the cake in his hands.

But Shen Yan took it away directly and put it in the refrigerator.

"Let her learn to humble herself first, then she can come back to eat."

But Shen Yan doesn't know.

When I leave this time, there's no possibility for us anymore.

Your love, it's too tainted.

I really can't accept it.

That night, I went home.

The Old Madame of the Fu family held me aside and shared heartfelt words.

Our Xu family and the Fu family, have been family friends for generations.

This arranged marriage, is just to strengthen our families' bond.

Both families are extremely supportive.

Both of us come from prestigious families, yet the wedding was quite low-key.

We didn't make a grand spectacle, but our wedding procession was quite impressive.

Suddenly, there was a sharp breaking from the wedding car, both Fu Yuanqi and I were startled.

Fu Yuanqi adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses.

"I'll go take a look."

As soon as Fu Yuanqi stepped out of the car, I heard a familiar voice.

“With such a pompous display, who knows which wealthy family is involved. It wouldn't be excessive for us to snatch up some of the celebratory cigarettes, right?”

“Hahahaha!”

“Groom, congratulations, congratulations! My, what a generous groom! Thank you, thank you!”

Not only did Fu Yuanqi hand out cigarettes, but he also doled out a thick stack of red envelopes.

Shen Yan broke out in delighted laughter.

Soon, Fu Yuanqi returned.

“Don't worry, just a few lively ones."

I clutched the bouquet tightly in my hands.

My palms were dripping with sweat.

"Driver, start the car, please."

The driver had just started to drive off, when Shen Yan knocked on the door.

Fu Yuanqi has a good temper and didn’t quibble with them.

“Don’t leave yet, groom. Let us have a glimpse of the bride.”

“Hahahaha!”

I was about to turn them away, but Fu Yuanqi had already rolled down the car window.

As Shen Yan leaned to peer inside, our eyes met.