July 14th, Valentine's Day.

The night was aglow with the mingling lights of streetlamps and neon signs, illuminating the entire city. A fine drizzle drifted through the air as a slender woman in a white dress hurried down the quiet street, clutching an umbrella.

A faint smile flickered across Zhou Manchun's lips as she glanced at the cake in her right hand, her heart swelling with quiet contentment. Today marked the third anniversary of her relationship with her first love, Zhao Tianyu. Though he had been too busy with work to celebrate with her, she had spent the entire afternoon baking this cake, determined to surprise him.

At Yaju Residential Complex, Zhou Manchun unlocked the door and flicked on the lights, greeted by the familiar sight of home. Carefully, she set the cake on the coffee table, exhaling in relief when she confirmed it hadn’t been damaged during the journey.

The thought of their anniversary brought another wave of happiness, and her lips curved into a blissful smile. She slipped off her shoes, tiptoeing toward Zhao Tianyu’s room, eager to catch him off guard.

But then—a sound.

A woman’s breathy moan sliced through the quiet air. Zhou Manchun froze, her radiant smile vanishing in an instant. Then came the unmistakable grunt of a man in the throes of pleasure.

The bedroom door was shut tight, yet the shameless noises seeped through. Zhou Manchun stood rooted to the spot, her eyes wide, the color draining from her flushed cheeks.

She knew those voices.

Her legs felt like lead. She shook her head, as if to dispel the sounds, but the lurid gasps and whispers clung to the air. Should she leave? Or storm in and expose them?

"Tianyu," cooed Liu Tingting, her arms looped around Zhao Tianyu’s neck, their bodies pressed flush together. "When are you going to break up with her?"

"Don’t worry, baby," Zhao Tianyu murmured, his hands gripping her slender waist, his voice thick with lust. "Once our plan succeeds, I’ll dump her immediately."

Liu Tingting pouted, her delicate willow-leaf brows knitting together. "Hmph. I’ve already done my part. You’re the one dragging your feet. Tell me the truth—do you still have feelings for her?"

A woman's coquetry, especially at such a moment, would make any ordinary man lose control. Zhao Tianyu coaxed and cajoled, "How could that be, baby? You're the most important to me. Look, I even ditched her on Valentine's Day to be with you. What do you think?"

"Don’t you think she might find out if we do it here?" Liu Tingting's sultry voice was like a sharp knife stabbing straight into Zhou Manchun's heart.

"Find out?" Zhao Tianyu scoffed through his nose. "So what if she does? I’ve been meaning to dump her anyway. She’s always acting so high and mighty, with zero sense of fun. Who could stand her?"

His tone dripped with disdain for Zhou Manchun. Hearing his words, she finally saw Zhao Tianyu for who he truly was. The raging fire in her heart seemed to be doused in an instant. Fine.

Zhou Manchun took a deep breath, steadied herself, and swiftly turned the bedroom doorknob.

*Click.* The door swung open.

The two inside froze mid-action, but not before Zhou Manchun caught sight of Liu Tingting straddling her boyfriend.

Zhao Tianyu turned to stone the moment he saw Zhou Manchun, his earlier excitement vanishing instantly.

Liu Tingting, however, calmly climbed off him, her seductive eyes brimming with defiance, as if she were the rightful girlfriend.

"Zhao Tianyu, don’t you owe me an explanation?" Zhou Manchun spat through gritted teeth. No one knew how hard she was fighting to hold back her tears. Three years together—she had always believed their love was unshakable, even though they’d spent one of those years in a long-distance relationship.

Long-distance relationships test a couple’s trust like nothing else. Zhou Manchun never imagined the man she trusted so deeply would betray her.

The grass on her head had grown lush and tall, yet she was only realizing it now.

*Zhou Manchun, you’re such a fool.*

"Zhou Manchun, since you’ve already seen it all, there’s nothing left to say. It’s exactly what it looks like—Tingting and I are together now. You… can get lost." Zhao Tianyu’s expression turned icy, his earlier panic gone as he delivered each word with chilling precision.

Zhou Manchun was speechless, too furious to respond. Zhao Tianyu was telling her to *get lost*—after three years together, he had never spoken to her so cruelly.

"Zhou Manqing, be smart and get lost. Tianyu and I aren't finished yet." Liu Tingting smirked seductively, draping her slender arm around Zhao Tianyu's neck.

"Liu Tingting, my father treated you well. Why would you do this to me? When you were at your lowest, he funded your college education. After graduation, he gave you an accounting job at our company. Instead of being grateful, you bite the hand that fed you. Aren't you afraid karma will catch up with you?" Zhou Manqing fought back tears as she spoke.

Witnessing this scene, she realized she couldn’t take it anymore.

"Oh, typical rich girl attitude—thinking money can solve everything," Liu Tingting sneered, rolling her eyes dismissively.

"You shameless bitch!" Seeing Liu Tingting’s mocking grin, Zhou Manqing snapped. Before she could stop herself, she lunged forward and slapped Liu Tingting hard across the face.

If it had been anyone else in her boyfriend’s bed, she might have held back. But Liu Tingting? She deserved it.

Caught off guard, Liu Tingting staggered back, her eyes welling up with crocodile tears as she whimpered to Zhao Tianyu, "Tianyu, she hit me!"

Zhao Tianyu’s anger flared. Seeing Zhou Manqing wasn’t done making a scene, he struck back—harder.

The sharp *crack* of his slap echoed louder than hers.

Zhou Manqing froze, stunned. Tears blurred her vision, the world around her dissolving into a hazy fog.

Her heart ached so fiercely she could barely breathe. Zhao Tianyu had actually hit her.

He leapt off the bed, straightening up with icy detachment. "Zhou Manqing, are you done yet? I told you to get out. Are you deaf?"

Watching Liu Tingting’s pitiful act, Zhao Tianyu felt a pang of protectiveness.

"You dare hit me?" Zhou Manqing’s voice trembled with fury.

"Yeah, I did. Now scram before I make you regret it," he snarled, eyes blazing. Their plan had succeeded—she was useless to them now.

"Zhao Tianyu, you scum. Mark my words—I’ll make you pay for this," she said coldly, though beneath the anger lay crushing disappointment.

"Sure, I’ll be waiting," he scoffed. *Keep dreaming, Zhou Manqing. The game’s changed. You’re not the untouchable Zhou heiress anymore.*

"One last thing—may you two cheaters rot together forever." With that final curse, she stormed out of the apartment.