My fiancé of eight years, Chu Yan, took it upon himself to cancel our wedding, deciding to become engaged to my sister first.

Because in twenty days, my sister was to wed Ling Chen, the son of a tycoon who was arranged for her since birth.

However, Ling Chen is homosexual.

Afraid that my sister would be a wife in name only after her marriage, Chu Yan planned to be engaged to her first before making any further arrangements.

But it seemed that he had forgotten that I, too, had been waiting for him for eight full years.

I asked him, "What about me?"

His response was nonchalant, "Eight years have passed, it doesn't matter if you wait for another two."

"Yumo, our relationship is so stable, don't mind this little thing.

Unlike you, Shen Xinwei didn't grow up in pampering, I can't just abandon her."

Twenty days later, I was sitting in the wedding car destined for the tycoon's son, Ling Chen.

Dressed in a wedding gown, I brushed past Chu Yan who was dressed like a groom, his face deathly pale...

····

"Mom, I'm not marrying Chu Yan. He's going to marry Shen Xinwei."

My mom jumped up from the sofa, her phone, which she was using to browse short videos, fell onto the floor with a thud.

"Darling, are you sure?"

Of course, I knew why my mother was so upset.

For eight years, I had been in love with Chu Yan, disregarding all the young and talented men introduced to me by my family, as I only had eyes for him.

I thought my mother would be bothered by this, maybe critisize me, but she simply wrapped her arms around me.

"If you don't want to get married, don't. Even if you never marry, your father and I will keep doting on you forever."

"But we must think about how to handle the proposed marriage with the Ling family and Xinwei. We owe them an explanation."

"Mom, you don't have to worry about it. I will marry Ling Chen in place of Shen Xinwei."

My mother's alarm was apparent.

"Are you joking? Although the Ling family is wealthy, Ling Chen is homosexual, disinterested in women. How could you throw yourself into such a situation?"

"So what if he's gay? He won't touch me. After marriage, I'll use his money while we each live our own lives."

In my mind, it's all settled. It's not the sexual orientation that provides a trap, it's the poor character.

Chu Yan and I had been in love for eight years. He went from being a poor boy with nothing to becoming a young CEO of a listed company.

He once said that he would make me the happiest girl in the world through his own hard work.

Eight years ago, he graduated with a master's degree and said he would come to meet my parents upon receiving an offer from a top company.

Six years ago, he got promoted to director and promised to provide me with a happy life once his company flourished.

Four years ago, his company was listed. He told me he wanted to wait until everything was stable to give me a grand wedding.

Year after year, just as I'm reaching the stage of being an older mother-to-be, he finally proposes to me.

Tears of joy stream down my face, thinking that we’ve finally reached our happy ending.

However, I only realized how foolish I was when he decided to get engaged to Shen Xinwei first, seeing how I had gifted my youth to someone who didn't deserve it.

Unable to resist my determination, my mom eventually agrees to my decision to marry Ling Chen.

And surprisingly, the Ling family raises no objections.

After requesting for resignation at the company, I bump into Chu Yan and Shen Xinwei at the entrance.

She's the daughter of my father's comrade-at-arms who passed away, and she was fostered by my family since she was six.

A year ago, Shen Xinwei returned to the country to fulfil her arranged marriage with Ling Chen.

Often, a third participant started to appear during our dates. Initially, Chu Yan complained, “This little tag-along is ruining our time together.”

But as their maneuvers became more and more ambiguous, I gently reminded Chu Yan to maintain boundaries.

Shen Xinwei immediately shed tears, looking as if she was the one wronged.

"Sis, I'm sorry. I got used to the freedoms abroad, and wasn't careful with the customs back home. Please don't be mad."

Chu Yan's expression instantly darkened.

"Yu Mo, when did you become so petty? You're even jealous of your own sister!"

"This is simply unreasonable!"

I watched as he heartachingly wiped away the tears from Shen Xinwei's face, too flabbergasted to utter a word.

The female staff members of the company gathered together, awash with gossip.

"Isn't Song Yumo Chu's fiancee? How could Chu let her in such an embarrassing position in front of everyone?"

"So what if she's his fiancee? Chu is so outstanding, he can have any woman he wants."

"Song Yumo really should take a look at herself in the mirror, her age is nearing spinsterhood, yet she still acts like a haughty princess."

Usually, when these hurtful and nasty words reached my ears, I would reprimand them fiercely.

But now, I couldn't muster the strength to object.

The same Chu Yan who once promised to treat me like a precious jewel, now personally reduced me to trash.

Heartbroken, my feet led me unconsciously to the amusement park.

This place used to be where Chu Yan and I confirmed our love, where he promised me the sweetest vows.

The roller coaster, the carousel, the pirate ship, every spot held our memories.

Uncontrollably, I headed towards the wishing tree where we once made wishes together. But the sight that met my eyes pierced my heart.

Beneath that wishing tree, the two most familiar figures were intimately entwined.

Chu Yan, tenderly touched the bunny ears on Shen Xinwei's head, and then passionately kissed her lips.

And Shen Xinwei responded fervently.

The two of them held each other tightly, as if they were the only ones left in the world at that moment.

Shen Xinwei glanced at me out of the corner of her eye, then she held Chu Yan even tighter and kissed him even deeper.

"Chu Yan, I... love... you...!"

Shen Xinwei shouted towards the wishing tree with her warm and sweet voice.

"Xinwei, I... love... you... even more...!"

Chu Yan also replied with deep affection.

They wrote something on their respective wishing papers, then hung them together on the wishing tree filled with beautiful wishes.

My tears couldn't stop streaming down, my heart felt like it was being cut by a knife over and over again, even breathing became harder.

After they left, I went to the tree and found their wishing papers.

"Xinwei, in this life, I would not wed anyone but you. —Chu Yan"

"Chu Yan, in this life, I would not marry anyone but you. —Shen Xinwei"

I remembered the eight years I was in love with Chu Yan, he has always been enduring and restraining himself.

Especially in public, he said he had to take care of his image and couldn't display too much intimacy with me.

But after witnessing his uncontrollable emotions towards Shen Xinwei just now, I realized that it was never about him wanting to maintain propriety.

His constant restraint and forbearance with me, it was all because he didn't love me deeply enough.

I dry my tears and tear off the wish paper that once inscribed our vows to be together forever, shredding it into pieces.

Chu Yan, I don’t love you anymore.

I take a long breath and turn away nonchalantly.

But to my surprise, I meet Chu Yan's gaze, which carries a touch of reluctance and a bit of guilt.

At four or five in the morning, I was made to put on makeup, and now, sitting in the wedding car, I am practically nodding off.

"Miss Song, we are here."

The driver in the front calls out to me. With great effort, I pry my eyes open and the car door is flung wide.

Before my eyes is a hand, as warm as jade with clearly defined knuckles. Out of curiosity, I try to lift my head and get a good look at Ling Chen, who is rumoured to be indifferent to women.

Before that could happen, a clear and smooth voice enters my ear:

"Take my hand."

Without thinking, I obeyed, hastenly stuffing my hand into his.

The two of us get out of the car. Outside, it's so packed that not even water could seep through. It's natural that the birthday of the son of the richest man in town to be such a grand affair.

I couldn't help but fiddle with my nails nervously when Ling Chen's voice entered my ears again.

"Don't be afraid."

I refuse to be belittled by him. The grogginess from just waking up fades away, and I straighten my back.

"Don't worry, it's just a wedding. The truly frightening part will be spending the rest of our lives together."

Ling Chen was clearly taken aback, but I didn't give him the chance to respond, directly grabbing his hand and leading him onto the red carpet.

It wasn't until we stood before the priest and started going through the vows that I really took a good look at Ling Chen's face.

My first reaction was – what a waste.

Such a handsome man, broad shoulders, narrow waist, long legs – this suit on him looked as if it was tailormade for him.

Such a handsome man, who isn't into women – what a shame.

His peach blossom eyes that could melt a dog's heart were filled with deep affection, as his thin lips slightly parted:

"Are you done looking?"

I hastily moved my gaze away, there's no point in provoking, no point in provoking.

I couldn't help but complain to myself – he really had no interest in women, a single look from them wasn't even permissible.

Not only did I see where his gaze landed – on a delicate looking man attending the wedding, but my imagination had already cooked up a flurry of plots.

If not for his identity as a tycoon, he might have already eloped with his loved one.

After the wedding was over, Ling Chen and I temporarily lived at the Ling family's place.

The honeymoon suite was filled with festivity, as well as traditional red dates and longans according to custom.

I couldn't help but secretly observe Ling Chen.

"Having kids early, for him, might seem like a threat, right? What if he is really concerned about it?

I've heard that the wealthier the family, the more they care about lineage. If it comes down to me giving birth, using IVF to have a few babies wouldn't be a problem.

Have some kids, complete the mission, those who know, know.

From my initial observations, Ling Chen seems to be quite the proper gentleman.

During the toasting process, anything that he could shield me from, he did. Not to mention all the cold and potentially harmful greetings, he would naturally help me dissolve all of them.

He probably saw me at the wedding venue without a chance to eat anything. As soon as we returned to the Ling's household, he immediately ordered a servant to serve me a bowl of steaming rice.

Taking a bite was so satisfying. I looked up at him.

"Don't worry, I don't discriminate about sexual orientations, I respect love in all its forms."

He seemed to be looking at me. Suddenly, he furrowed his brows, completely baffled and asked, "What are you talking about?"

I shrugged and bluntly replied:

"I mean, even though we are married, you can still bravely pursue your love life. As long as we maintain appearances, it's fine."

"As long as you command, I will cooperate with you fully! Of course, the precondition is to settle the price."

"If the price is right, I wouldn't mind being the door guard for you and your lover's wedding chamber."

A look of astonishment flickered across Ling Chen's handsome face, followed by a slight blush.

"Try spouting that nonsense one more time?"

Before I could explain, a sudden ruckus came from the front door.

The butler hurried in from outside,

"Young master, it's Mr. Chu Yan from Chu Corporation. He claims to be Miss Yu Mo's friend and insists on coming in."

I scoffed: "Don't let him in, he's not my friend."

But the commotion at the door continued.

I looked at Ling Chen a bit apologetically. Seeing that he wasn't angry, I quickly walked to the door, hoping to clarify things to Chu Yan, that big fool.

However, as soon as I reached the door, I was met with a huge hug.

Chu Yan was panicked and tightly holding onto me. His eyes were red as if he had been crying.

A voice slipped through his clenched teeth,

"Yu Mo, why are you treating me this way?"

I've never seen Chu Yan in this vulnerable and frantic state towards me before.

I couldn't help but take a step back, but was held even tighter.

Damn it, one moment I was being very understanding of Ling Chen's actions within our marriage, and the next, I am being confronted by a lover. It was too embarrassing, and I was so annoyed that I pushed Chu Yan away forcefully.

"I don't know what you're talking about, Mr. Chu. I have nothing to do with you. Could you please keep your distance from me?"

I finished saying this and then went back to standing by Ling Chen's side.

Chu Yan looked at me in disbelief, his gaze as predatory as a ravenous wolf.

"So there's nothing? Our eight years of relationship mean absolutely nothing to you that you wouldn't retain any memento of me?".

"You!"

Before I could finish, Ling Chen subtly stepped in front of me.

"There may be some misunderstandings between you two, but Mr. Chu, you are now in my house and Yu Mo and I are now legally married. Today happens to be our wedding night."

With that, he gestured with his hand.

"If there's nothing else, there's no need for formalities."

Ling Chen's few words, besides embarrassing Chu Yan, clearly stated his stance - he was siding with me.

Chu Yan's first reaction was to refute. He took on the airs of Mr. Chu and discontentedly said:

"All of this is because of you! Why would I choose to get engaged with her first if not to help Xin Wei annul her engagement with you? Now you dare to force Yu Mo to marry you. As the child of a prominent wealthy family, how can you stoop so low in your actions?"

He was utterly ruthless and didn't let anyone off the hook.

Even if his words weren't directed at me, I still felt extremely indignant.

"How could you say that! It was clearly you who betrayed..."

"Crash!"

The phone in Ling Chen's hand hit the floor, the loud noise echoing distinctly throughout the room.

Everyone around could only freeze in their tracks.

Ling Chen spoke unequivocally, "Please make something clear, Mr. Chu, you only had a fleeting relationship with my wife years ago. Why should I care? Even more so, even if you two were previously married, we are now a legally married couple, it's certainly not your place as an outsider to point fingers."

"Servants, see our guest out!"

Chu Yan, also seething with anger, stubbornly held onto me, "Yu Mo, say something! We just had a misunderstanding, you tell her that you only married him in a spontaneous moment. I came here to take you back now, come with me, shall we continue with the wedding we promised you eight years ago, is that okay?"

What he said was indeed very tempting.

He also knew that I had been looking forward to this wedding for eight years, and he knew how much I cherished our feelings over the years.

But what of it?

Ever since he said that line, 'Since you were able to wait eight years, naturally, you could wait longer,' everything between us ended.

I calmly looked at Chu Yan and uttered a few words softly, "I don't want to."

Then, I stood behind Ling Chen, silently watching as a few bodyguards moved to escort Chu Yan out.

Frenzied, he rushed forward, looking at me in disbelief, "Why, Yu Mo, why are you treating me this way? Is it because I agreed to get engaged to Xin Wei, and you decided to leave me? Why discard eight years of relationship just because of this small matter?"

I suddenly laughed, the corners of my mouth irresistibly curled upwards.

"Over such a trivial matter? Chu Yan, you're really cruel. Do you know how many years I've spent waiting for our engagement? I spent eight whole years of my youth with you, accompanying you from having nothing to the present where everyone respects and addresses you as President Chu."

"But what about Shen Xinwei? She has only spent a year with you and has managed to replace me, surpassing my position in your heart. What should I do to find relief?"

"Now you just want me to leave with you with a single phrase. Why should I?"

Chu Yan looked at me guiltily with a hoarse voice, "I was wrong in the past, I neglected your feelings, but I never thought about leaving you. My wife will always be only you."

"Can you really not forgive me? I know I was wrong."

"Do you really want to sacrifice your happiness to stay with this homosexual? We love each other; there's just some misunderstandings between us. Do you really want to gamble your future?"

I responded coldly, "Mr. Chu, you misunderstand. We are not in love, I don't love you anymore."

Chu Yan shouted in anger, "Song Yu Mo, do you really want to say these hurtful words?!"

"I'm just telling the truth!"

Since the conversation has gotten to this point, I might as well make things absolutely clear with him.

"When you were in the office, everyone directly referred Shen Xinwei as the boss's wife, you never refuted it."

"When I was seriously ill and felt so uncomfortable that I wanted to cry, you comforted me one second, and the next you were coaxing Shen Xinwei."

"When I was making my 28th birthday wish, the first thing I saw when I opened my eyes was not you wishing me a happy birthday, but the heated conversation you were having with Shen Xinwei on your phone screen."

"Incident after incident, if disappointment hadn't piled up high enough, I probably would never choose to leave in this lifetime."

"If I stay with you any longer, I would only feel as if I'm degrading myself."

I thought I had made my point clear, but he was still undeterred.

"If Xinwei was not your sister, I would never favor her so much. Besides, she was not born into a good family, is it wrong for me to care for her?"

"Don't let your compassion blind you. I have a whole bunch of sisters who were not born into good families. Why don't I see you moved by them?"

"Stop trying to justify yourself, Yumo. I could finally pull you both out of misery and almost attain ultimate happiness with you, can't you hang on for a little more?"

He thought he managed everything well, but he never considered that if the marriage contract between the Shen family and Ling family is not fulfilled, it could tarnish my family's reputation - the Song family.

Our Song family's current business situation is not very good, this is like rubbing salt into the wound.

But Chuyan never thought so.

It could only mean he was not attentive enough to me.

Looking into his eyes, I said, word by word:

"Chuyan, we are over. I have chosen to be with Ling Chen. There is no chance between us anymore, stop pursuing me."

"No!" Chuyan suddenly flared up, his gaze upon Ling Chen was filled with hatred.

"It's all because of you! If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have needed to help Xinwei. If it wasn't for you, I could have spent my life with Yumo!"

He rushed forward, apparently wanting to punch Ling Chen.

"What are you doing!"

From a young age, Chu Yan lived in poverty. In order to avoid getting beaten, he learned many self-defense techniques in the school of hard knocks.

Later, when he started his own business, in order to keep his body energetic, he would exercise steadfastly for two hours every day.

In his presence, the average tough guy was no stronger than a chicken.

I saw that even though Ling Chen was nearly 190cm tall, he was so thin and lanky that I doubted he could withstand an attack from Chu Yan.

I couldn't help but scream, wanting to stop Chu Yan. However, with just a wave of his hand, Ling Chen dissolved Chu Yan's front assault.

Chu Yan evidently hesitated. He scrunched up his brows, subconsciously wanted to attack again. But it was as if Ling Chen predicted his every move, he used a few techniques, and Chu Yan was flipped onto the ground, his arm dislocated.

Instantly, a group of bodyguards rushed up and pressed Chu Yan to the ground, he was unable to move. Ling Chen turned his head to glance at me,

It seemed like he was concerned about my startled reaction just now.

Reassuringly, he said, "It's okay, I can still handle someone who only knows some basic moves."

I stepped forward and gave Chu Yan several hard kicks,

"This man really is ungrateful and audacious, still daring to use force. Absolutely hateful!"

As Chu Yan was pinned to the ground, the veins on his forehead bulged,

"Yu Mo, I've been badly hurt, yet instead of helping me, you're aiding this outsider! He's gay, he might not even get it up for you, are you planning to spend your whole life waiting for him?"

"If you would come with me, if I and the Song family team up, the Ling family won't be able to touch us!"

Even when he was knocked to the ground, looking like a defeated dog, his spirit still held high.

Even the thought of slapping him made me feel sick. I don't want to gratify him with that.

I sincerely think I've said everything there is to say to him, and I don't want to say anymore.

Suddenly, there was a commotion outside the door.

A Shen Yunwei, dressed in a white wedding dress, rushed in. She vulnerably flung herself on Chu Yan, who was on the ground. With two lines of tears streaming down her cheeks, it smeared her carefully applied make-up.

She looked like a ghost.

Last time I saw her, she was all dressed up, looking delicate and sophisticated from top to toe. But now, in just a day's time, how could she let herself fall apart like this?

She cried in despair:

"Chu Yan, how dare you cancel the engagement and abandon me at the ceremony? Do you know how long I waited for you? How could you leave me like this?!"

Ever since Shen Yunwei moved into my house when she was six, my family always treated her well.

When she decided to study abroad, my family returned all of the Shen family's inheritance we had been holding for her. I heard she had been spending extravagantly overseas, her family's wealth nearly depleted.

Her studies abroad had been mediocre, and she thought she would gain practical experience back home. But all she ever obsessed about was hooking up with Chu Yan, thinking it would catapult her to a life of success without having to work hard.

Now, when success was almost within reach, fate played a cruel trick on her.

How could she bear it?

Using her favorite trick of pretending to be pitiful, she sobbed in front of Chu Yan, looking helpless and urged:

"Brother Chu Yan, come back with me. Right now, I'm the only one who loves you. Even Sister Yumou has abandoned you."

Chu Yan, with his other hand - the one that was not dislocated - forcefully slapped Shen Yunwei.

She was slapped so hard she fell onto the ground.

The stark handprint on her face was visibly swelling up in no time, resembling a steaming bun.

She was shocked, and so was I.

Chu Yan had a personal rule of not laying hands on women, let alone hitting so harshly.

I felt utterly unfamiliar with this man, with whom I shared an eight-year friendship and an eight-year romantic relationship.

"Dare to mention abandonment one more time? If not for you, if not for Ling Chen, would Yu Mo and I have ended up like this? Our relationship is over, Shen Yunwei. Watch out, if I can't deal with Ling Chen, who says I can't teach you a lesson?"

Chu Yan openly threatened Shen Yunwei right in front of me.

If it were the me before, I would have definitely spoken a few favourable words for Shen Yunwei.

But considering the present circumstances, I didn't have much to say.

Stepping back, I silently tugged on the hem of Ling Chen’s clothes and said:

"Let's go. Living our own lives well matters more than anything else."

Ling Chen arched an eyebrow, intertwined his fingers tightly with mine, and led me upstairs.

The bodyguards dragged the two individuals out, their voices gradually fading.

Upon entering the bedroom, I swept away all the red dates and longan fruits from the bed and couldn't help but speak first:

"If you feel uncomfortable, we can sleep in separate rooms."

Ling Chen crossed his arms and leaned against the door, his face stiffened, "I remember we are lawfully married, and we are both normal men and women. I can understand if you are not ready, but why do you assume that I am not willing?"

My eyes slightly widened, and after observing his earnest expression, I cautiously asked, "Hasn't it been said that you are homosexual? Can you also be interested in women?"

Ling Chen's attractive peach-blossom eyes instantly bulged in surprise, and he incredulously asked, "Who said I was gay?"

I hesitated for a moment before blurting out, "Isn't this what everyone says? It has been said that you view women as if they were threatening beasts in a flood. It's definite that you aren't interested in women, but rather men. Are the rumors... not true?"

...

Feeling guilty under Ling Chen's accusatory gaze, I confessed, "Perhaps I misunderstood, but aren't you supposed to have no feelings for me either? When I looked at you a few more times while reciting the vows today, you got angry at me. I guess... you don't like me?"

Ling Chen inhaled deeply a few times, and through gritted teeth, he asked, "Have you forgotten me, Song Yumo?"

"Huh?"

What does he mean by that? When did I ever meet him?

I tried hard, furrowing my brow, racking my brain, but all my memories were still blank.

"I just have to ask honestly: 'Who are you?'"

Ling Chen took a photo album from the bedside table nearby. On the cover was a picture of two children.

Past memories, long dead, suddenly assaulted me.

"Are you big brother Shen Shen?"

When I was little and my parents weren't home, I would always climb over the wall to go next door and find the neighbor's son to play with. We would build with Lego, play in the sand, and when we were tired, we would lay down on a small bed for a nap.

As I flipped through the photo album, seeing us playing house with dolls, memories suddenly flashed in my mind.

"When we were little, I said I would marry you, that you would be the mom, and I would be the dad."

"But when I returned to the country, you suddenly had a man who loved and revered you by your side, so I chose not to disturb you two any longer."

"But if he bullies you, I won't just stand by."

I glanced at the photo album, then at Ling Chen standing in front of me.

The sickly little boy who could only rest at home had grown up to be such a handsome and formidable man.

"So why does everyone say you're gay-"

"That's just because someone was jealous. As for whether I'm gay or not, why don't you give it a try and find out?"

Watching Ling Chen, his gaze growing more and more dangerous.

I couldn't help but recoil for a moment, but he slyly, completely exposed his eight-pack abs without any pretense.

In a daze, I half-heartedly resisted and half submitted.

...

Afterwards, the days with Ling Chen went by fluently every day.

Chu Yan, due to his bad mood, misspoke at a press conference once, causing a sharp decline in the company's stock and couldn't rise again after the heavy blow.

Shen Yunwei chose to stay by his side as his caged bird. The last time I saw her, I accidentally saw her scars.

But I did nothing.

Momentarily distracted, a sudden call came from behind me.

"Honey, didn't you say you were going to work out with me? Can't you make it past three steps?"

"Woof, woof!"

Ling Chen, leading a large white dog, looked back at me from the end of the sunlit path.

I couldn't help but smile and went towards him.

"I'm joining!"

End.

The end.