Volume One, Chapter Two: The Test

The restaurant Duan Xiadong had reserved was located in the most bustling part of the city center.

He stepped out of the car first, not once looking back.

Li Shuhe took a deep breath, pushed open the car door, and slowly stood up. Without a word, she followed Duan Xiadong and sat down opposite him.

The anger in Duan Xiadong’s heart had not dissipated; instead, it grew even more intense.

"Are you giving me the silent treatment?"

Duan Xiadong took the menu from the waiter and lowered his eyes to look it over. After pointing to a few dishes, he frowned when he heard no response from Li Shuhe and looked up at her.

Li Shuhe’s expression was vacant; her mind was clearly not on him.

Suddenly feeling irritable, Duan Xiadong slammed the menu onto the table.

The sound was jarring in the quiet restaurant. The waiter, who was in the middle of taking their order, jumped back, nearly dropping his pen.

Duan Xiadong stared straight at Li Shuhe with gloomy, unreadable eyes.

The sudden noise pulled Li Shuhe back to reality. She looked at his dark, overcast face and felt a surge of inexplicable annoyance. She had no idea what kind of tantrum this man was throwing now.

Li Shuhe looked everywhere—up, down, left, right—but she refused to look at Duan Xiadong.

The crystal chandelier cast soft light, reflecting off the polished marble floor. This was the most famous Western restaurant in Shenzhen. Since the implementation of the country's "opening up" policy, many foreign investments had entered the city, and this restaurant had opened during that period.

Li Shuhe had never eaten Western food before, but she had heard her father talk about it. Her father had come from a well-off family in his youth, and even during the war years, he had been able to enjoy Western cuisine.

Her father had been dead for nearly ten years.

On a rainy night ten years ago, her father’s work points had been docked yet again, and the food rationed to their family was nowhere near enough to survive the winter. Her father had braved the heavy rain to go to the village secretary Duan Tiezhu’s home to demand justice, only to be beaten to death by the men drinking inside.

Afterward, Duan Tiezhu bribed the investigating officer, and the blame was pinned on her mother. The killers went unpunished, living lives of debauchery and excess. The son, meanwhile, reaped the rewards of his father’s status, indulging in Western food and leading a life of drunken, extravagant luxury.

Li Shuhe’s molars clicked as she ground her teeth. She hated him with every fiber of her being.

The world was so unfair! Her life had already reached the depths of misery, yet heaven had to play such a cruel joke on her, sending a stranger’s soul to curry favor with her enemy! Anyone else would have been fine, so why did it have to be her own body being used to flatter Duan Xiadong?

Li Shuhe kept her head bowed low, hatred and rage churning within her. Forcing herself to calm down, she took a deep breath. Now was not the time to be emotional. Nothing could be done without leaving a trace. Over the years, Duan Xiadong had committed countless evils, and some things he didn't even bother to hide from "her."

With this thought, Li Shuhe decided it was better to continue hiding her true identity, waiting for Duan Xiadong to slip up, gathering evidence, and exposing him in one fell swoop.

Mimicking "her" mannerisms and tone, Li Shuhe broke the silence first.

"I’m sorry, Brother Xiadong. I had an argument with my aunt today, and I’m just not in a very good mood." Li Shuhe’s voice trembled slightly, as if she were truly saddened by the fight. This was the second time she had brought it up today.

"What about it?"

Duan Xiadong picked up the menu he had slammed down earlier, lifting his eyes to look at her coldly.

Li Shuhe rubbed her fingers together, hidden beneath her sleeves; she needed to test what his true attitude toward "her" was.

Her voice sounded choked, quiet as a mosquito's hum: "My aunt... she isn't happy about our marriage."

Watching Li Shuhe’s demeanor, the doubts Duan Xiadong had harbored earlier dissipated slightly.

"What should we do? What if she stops us from being together?"

Li Shuhe widened her misty eyes, looking like an innocent little deer.

Duan Xiadong felt reassured; this was still the obedient, docile Li Shuhe he knew.

"Don’t worry. Nothing can stop us from being together." His tone was undeniably certain. "Heaven is on our side."

Duan Xiadong reached out and gently stroked Li Shuhe’s hair. She stiffened, suppressing the urge to pull away.

"But my aunt said that a marriage without a bride price won't be happy." Li Shuhe lifted her watery eyes, a thin veil of mist making her expression unclear.

"Once we’re married, all my money will be yours. Our happiness doesn't need the validation of outsiders." Duan Xiadong’s gaze was filled with affection. If Li Shuhe didn't know his true colors, she might have truly been fooled.

Duan Xiadong was highly skilled in the art of manipulating human nature—a master at painting a grand picture of the future while ruthlessly suppressing you in every other aspect, ensuring you remained forever groveling at his feet to maintain his status as the controller.

Not paying a bride price was, in anyone’s eyes, a sign of disrespect toward Li Shuhe. Coupled with the way he had intentionally or unintentionally led "her" to perform demeaning acts over the years, the impression of Li Shuhe as a woman who threw herself at him would be etched into people’s minds, reinforced by the fact that there was no bride price.

People were snobbish; once they knew Duan Xiadong didn't value her, they would only look down on her more.

Li Shuhe suppressed her internal sarcasm. That was fine, too. The more they looked down on her, the more advantageous it would be for her revenge. She didn't say anything more, lowering her head as if shy, hiding the intense mockery in her eyes.

She mimicked "her" habits, diligently cutting the steak for Duan Xiadong and keeping an eye on his wine glass to refill it.

The last of Duan Xiadong’s suspicions vanished completely.

"You’ve always wanted to move in with me, haven't you?" Duan Xiadong took the wet towel she handed him and elegantly wiped his fingers. Refusing to pay the bride price but satisfying one of "her" small wishes—a carrot and the stick—would make Li Shuhe even more devoted to him. "Move in tomorrow."

Li Shuhe popped the last piece of steak into her mouth, her eyes darting around.

That wouldn't be impossible. Her mind began to race. If she moved into Duan Xiadong’s home, she would be closer to him, which would be more favorable for finding evidence of his crimes. As for the reputation of cohabiting before marriage, so long as Duan Xiadong received the punishment he deserved, she didn't mind playing this part.

Ideally, she would find the evidence before the wedding was called off.

"That would be wonderful."

A smile tugged at the corners of Li Shuhe’s mouth, her bright red lips looking supple and delicate, a sly, subtle glint sparkling in the corners of her eyes.

Duan Xiadong’s breathing hitched for a moment.

Clearly, her face hadn't changed at all, and the answer she gave was exactly what he had expected, yet the vibe she gave off felt different. He couldn't quite put his finger on what had changed.

The next instant, he looked again, and Li Shuhe was back to her usual, small-minded self.

He must have been mistaken. How could Li Shuhe possess such an aura?

"Since we’re finished, let’s go. I’ve booked out a cinema for the latest film; the timing is perfect." Duan Xiadong stood up and held out his hand to her.

"Alright."

Li Shuhe lowered her eyes and took his arm.

When she looked up again, she unexpectedly collided with a profound gaze. Sunlight spilled in through the glass door, casting a blinding halo. Looking against the light, she saw a pair of dark, lusterless eyes behind thin-rimmed glasses.

Deep, indifferent, and unfathomable.

It was him!

The sealed memories were awakened once again. Li Shuhe was startled; she hadn't expected to run into him twice in one day. Subconsciously, she wanted to let go of Duan Xiadong's arm.

She quickly regained her composure and restrained herself.

"Mr. Fang, long time no see!" Seeing Fang Shenzhai, Duan Xiadong’s eyes glinted with amusement as he took the initiative to greet him.

Fang Shenzhai gazed at Li Shuhe from afar, countless emotions seemingly swirling in the depths of his eyes.

Li Shuhe’s heart skipped a beat, and she lowered her head to look away first.

Fang Shenzhai composed himself and walked forward two steps with a cold demeanor.

"Director Duan, Miss Li, long time no see."

His tone was friendly yet distant, as if it were nothing more than a casual greeting between old acquaintances. Li Shuhe was slightly taken aback, staring at her own toes.

No one knew that under her sleeve, the thin callous on her ring finger had been picked raw.

"Mr. Fang, you have an appointment? Then Shuhe and I will be heading off first. You simply must come to our wedding," Duan Xiadong said with a playful tone.

Li Shuhe kept her eyes fixed on her toes the entire time, not daring to look up.

Fang Shenzhai’s eyes remained unreadable.

"I’m busy."

Li Shuhe lowered her head even further. Fang Shenzhai’s distant tone felt like fine needles pricking her heart—not violent, but persistent enough to linger.

"Hahahaha, very well. We’ve been from the same village for years, it’s fine if you don't come—just make sure the gift money arrives." Duan Xiadong wasn't annoyed; he only wanted to disgust Fang Shenzhai. With his goal achieved, he didn't wait for a response, pulling Li Shuhe along and walking past Fang Shenzhai in a provocative manner.

Fang Shenzhai stood where he was, not looking back.

"Heh."

After a long moment, he let out a cold laugh.

"Deputy Division Chief Fang, shall we head inside?" his companion asked, somewhat nervously.