When Liu Weiwei returned home, the lights were off. She quietly opened the door and slipped inside, only to find Song Yingfei unexpectedly at her bedroom doorway. They locked eyes, both momentarily speechless.
"Yingfei, I'm sorry for causing trouble at the company. You've worked hard these past days," Liu Weiwei said, guilt weighing on her. She'd lured Yingfei to Tianding Group's capital headquarters with a high salary and cared for her deeply. If not for that concern, Yingfei wouldn't have suffered such a fate that night.
Song Yingfei shook her head, reluctance in her voice. "How is he?"
That he—the man who'd wronged them both. In her heart, she scorned him. Taking advantage of them, yet too cowardly to show his face. Honestly, she'd accepted it as her fate, blaming no one. Heaven had decreed this trial.
Sensing a trace of reluctant concern, Liu Weiwei saw progress and replied eagerly, "He's awake, left the hospital against advice. He's still weak, needs more rest."
Weak? Hardly. Those hours tonight had left her exhausted, begging for mercy.
"Oh, good. You're tired—rest," Song Yingfei said flatly, turning to leave. But Liu Weiwei grabbed her arm.
"Yingfei, it's been days. Chat with me, please. I've thought a lot. Some things can't be erased by forgetting. Can you tell me what you're thinking? He also asked me to pass on a message."
A cold smirk crossed Song Yingfei's face. "A message? What's left to say? I owe him nothing, want no ties. Weiwei, I don't want to hear it—really."
"But I mentioned Young Master Lin's pursuit, and he got furious," Liu Weiwei said. "I'm worried he'll do something rash. His temper's bad—what if he kills your suitor? People might blame you. It's my fault, blurting it out. I didn't expect him to react so strongly."
Spinning half-truths, Liu Weiwei watched Song Yingfei's reaction. A faint tremor crossed her face, quickly masked by icy indifference. "Tell him it's none of his business. I'm not his. Who I date is my choice. Plenty like me—how many can he kill?"
Seizing the moment, Liu Weiwei pulled her to sit on the bed, soothing, "Don't get upset, let's talk calmly. Yingfei, we must face what happened. He told me, like it or not, you're his woman. Soon, he'll send elders to propose at your family. He says your family will agree once he reveals you're already his."
"What?" Song Yingfei erupted. "How can he be so shameless? He's taken my honor—why won't he let me go? I just want a quiet life. Is that too much? What does he want? To marry me? Does he even like me, or just my body? I gave him that—what more does he want?"
Her agitation surged. To that man, she had nothing left worth pursuing. Why couldn't he leave her be?
"He says you're his woman forever," Liu Weiwei pressed. "He doesn't want you near other men, so he'll keep you by his side for life, lest you stray."
"Stray? Nonsense!" Song Yingfei snapped. "I rejected Lin Zhouwei!" Realizing her defense was humiliating, she quieted. "We're nothing. He has no say in who I date. Tell him I'm done. I want a quiet life alone, maybe never marrying. Ask him to leave me be."
"No way!" Liu Weiwei urged. "A woman can't stay single forever. Even if you don't marry, find a man who loves you."
"Do you think a defiled woman can find love?" Song Yingfei asked bitterly.
"Why not? Whoever defiled you, cling to him, make his life hell," Liu Weiwei said, blushing. Her words weren't just for Yingfei but herself. If Yingfei became Lei Zhengyang's wife, she could stay by his side openly, never parting. Another woman might not accept her.
Song Yingfei's anger ebbed, clarity returning. She looked at Liu Weiwei. "You want me to torment him? Really? Weiwei, I've accepted my fate. But you're different—I see he loves you. Forget that night. I wish you well."
"Wish me what? We're best friends, bound by this," Liu Weiwei said. "I can't abandon you. Yingfei, I'll be honest—that night wasn't Zhengyang's fault. Believe it or not, I trust him. He practices a unique skill. Your arrival coincided with his breakthrough—he couldn't control it. I know you hate him, but why not turn hate to love? Zhengyang's a good man. Don't let past impressions deny him a chance."
Compared to days ago, this was progress—Song Yingfei no longer fumed at Lei Zhengyang's name.
"And you can't refuse," Liu Weiwei continued. "He says you're his, and it's true. As women, could you share a bed with another man? Impossible. They say life's like rape—if you can't fight it, enjoy it. Yingfei, stop resisting. Embrace it. You might find life better after accepting him."
The words were provocative. Song Yingfei, raised as a refined lady, found them scandalous, unthinkable. "You're corrupted, Weiwei! I can't listen to this. Do what you want—I'm done." Overwhelmed, she fled, directionless, resigned to drifting like a leaf on water.
Liu Weiwei snapped her fingers, collapsing onto the bed, relieved. She'd done it—time to tell that guy to propose at the Songs'.
"Yingfei, don't blame me for setting you up," she murmured. "You'll see Zhengyang's a good man. Marrying him, you won't regret it."
Soon, she messaged Lei Zhengyang, keeping it brief: "Song Yingfei agreed. You can propose at the Songs'. She's open to trying. Zhengyang, it's up to you now. Yingfei's and my happiness rest in your hands."
Trying? Lei Zhengyang chuckled. After crossing that line, what need was there for "trying"? Propose, and straight to the wedding night.
For the Song proposal, Xu Miaoli was the obvious choice. Grandpa, swamped with high-level duties—likely fretting over beastified warriors—had no time for this.
That evening, Xu Miaoli returned from work, changed her shoes, and spotted Lei Zhengyang lounging sloppily on the sofa. The Leis were used to his unpolished ways; even the patriarch didn't bother correcting him.
"Zhengyang, not out today?" she said. "Chasing girls needs effort. Where's Weiwei? Bring her to meet Grandpa soon. She's sweet, and I like her. She's got business talent—could be a great help to me. Just a pity her background's a bit humble."
Lei sat up, dropping a bombshell. "Mom, go to the Songs' tomorrow to propose."
"Propose at the Songs'? For what—wait, propose? Zhengyang, you're not saying you fancy Song Yingfei and want to marry her, are you? Don't be delusional. After last year, she'd love to tear you apart. Hua Yunyue's better—you saved her, and she's no less than Song Yingfei. Mom's advice: chasing Hua Yunyue has better odds."
Lei gave a wry smile, unprepared for her reaction. "It's about responsibility. As a man, I have to own up."
"Responsibility?" Xu Miaoli frowned. "Hold on. Didn't you swear last year you didn't touch Song Yingfei? You stormed to the Songs', yelling at their patriarch, daring them to check her virginity. What's this? Were you lying? But no, the Songs aren't fools."
"A year ago, I didn't touch her," Lei said. "But a few months back, I slipped up—made a mistake. Now, I can't shout at Old Song like before. This time, it's real."
Xu Miaoli nearly leaped off the sofa, gasping, "What? Zhengyang, you're serious? You really… really did that to Song Yingfei?"
Lei nodded solemnly, confirming it.