Chapter 1

Even in my dreams, I’m obsessed with novel plots—I truly am a hardcore reader!

My head is splitting. I drank all night, and now I have to go to work. I struggle to pry my eyes open.

The intense neon lights sting my eyes. A sea of guests, a lavish wedding scene…

And especially the groom, who is so devastatingly handsome it’s infuriating!

Oh god, drinking all night really is bad for your health and your sanity. I must be hallucinating.

“Ms. Ji Xiaoxia, do you take Mr. Qi Ruochen to be your husband? To protect him, follow him, and never leave his side?”

The voice booms in my ears…

I jolt awake!

I’m standing in the center of the stage in a wedding dress, my hand held by that handsome man. Getting married?

Wait! Ji Xiaoxia? Qi Ruochen? Aren’t these the names from the romance novel I’ve been binge-reading lately?

Qi Ruochen is that scumbag who’s blinded by the “green tea” bitch, Ji Xiaochu. To get a heart transplant for his “white moonlight,” Ji Xiaochu, he pursues Ji Xiaoxia and enters into a fake marriage.

On the night of the wedding, Ji Xiaoxia is supposed to be taken to the operating table to have her heart cut out while she’s still alive!

I scan the surroundings. The venue is packed with guests, and Ji Xiaochu is among them!

Right now, she’s wearing an expression of jealous rage, her hands clenched into tight fists.

Crap! Did I transmigrate? And I transmigrated into the unlucky heroine who’s about to be sent to the operating table by her new husband!

Qi Ruochen frowns at me: “Xiaoxia, what’s wrong? Do you take me to be your husband…”

I make a split-second decision and shout: “No! I do not!”

As soon as I say it, the crowd erupts in an uproar, and Qi Ruochen’s face turns dark as frost.

I don’t give him a chance to force the wedding to continue. I run off the stage, grab Ji Xiaochu, and drag her onto the platform.

“Everyone, listen to me! The person most compatible with Young Master Qi Ruochen is actually my sister, Ji Xiaochu. I was only standing here due to family pressure. There is no happiness in a marriage without love; they are the ones who truly love each other! Let’s all wish my sister and brother-in-law well!” As I speak, I start clapping for myself, completely ignoring the dark looks on Qi Ruochen and Ji Xiaochu’s faces.

The crowd is in a frenzy again. Qi Ruochen and Ji Xiaochu stare at each other, then widen their eyes at me.

Ji Huaqiang stands up, furious: “Xiaoxia, what are you doing? Have you lost your mind?”

Before anyone can react, I shove the bouquet into Ji Xiaochu’s hands and bolt from the wedding venue like my life depends on it.

I hear Qi Ruochen shouting behind me: “Ji Xiaoxia! What is wrong with you? Get back here!”

As if! If I don’t run now, I’m going to end up a corpse on a slab!

I run to the nearest Maserati on the side of the road, kick off my high heels, and floor the gas pedal.

My survival instinct tells me that if I want to live, I must stay far away from these two scumbags.

Back at the wedding venue, the crowd is still in a daze.

Qi Ruochen is the first to snap out of it. He glances at his bodyguards: “What are you standing there for? Go after her!”

“Yes!”

Rows of motorcycles roar to life and take off.

Ji Xiaochu stands beside Qi Ruochen, whimpering softly: “Ruochen, what should we do… I’m so scared…”

Qi Ruochen clenches his fists, his eyes fixed viciously on the direction Ji Xiaoxia fled: “Someone, chase her! Ji Xiaoxia doesn’t even know how to drive—catch her and bring her back immediately!”

Chapter 2: High-Speed Chase

I drive without a moment’s hesitation, keeping the pedal to the metal.

Sure enough, that psycho Qi Ruochen sent a whole mob to chase me.

I see two lines of men in black on motorcycles appearing in my rearview mirror.

The original heroine was incredibly weak; even though she had a license, she basically couldn’t drive at all.

But me? I’m a D-class racer. Dealing with these amateurs is a piece of cake!

With a “bang,” I feel a jolt as a motorcycle slams into my rear bumper.

Two more motorcycles pull up on either side, and with perfect coordination, they try to squeeze me in the middle.

If that’s how you want to play, don’t blame me for being ruthless!

I jerk the wheel to the left. “Bang!” The guy on the left is sent flying, tumbling over several times along with his bike.

The fleet behind me is caught off guard and scrambles to avoid the downed bike.

Perfect timing! I slam on the brakes—”Bang! Bang!” Two motorcycles behind me can’t stop in time and smash into my rear, sending the riders flying several meters.

I floor it again, the engine roaring as the car drifts and speeds forward.

To be modest, it feels amazing!

I think I’m safe, so I pull over at an intersection.

But before I can even catch my breath…

At the intersection, three luxury cars block my path. One of them is Qi Ruochen’s red convertible!

He stands in front of the car with his arms crossed, two bodyguards on either side.

“Xiaoxia, you’ve got some skills, huh? Even I, your husband, didn’t know you could drive!”

I pretend to be calm, roll down the window, and put on a pair of sunglasses I grabbed, looking at him like a total boss: “Qi Ruochen, don’t act so high and mighty. You’re still a fool being played by Ji Xiaochu. You don’t even know how many times she’s cheated on you, so what else could you possibly know?”

That “pure” green tea bitch Ji Xiaochu has a private life that’s a total mess; she only fools men as brainless as this one.

Qi Ruochen is clearly stunned for a moment, then his face darkens. He walks toward my car in a rage: “Ji Xiaoxia! You have a death wish, don’t you?!”

I slam on the gas. A bodyguard hurriedly pulls him out of the way: “Boss! Watch out!”

I don’t stop at all, smashing through the blocking car and continuing forward.

“That bitch! Chase her!”

Once we’re on the bridge, Qi Ruochen pulls up to my right, trying to force me to stop. I counter by aggressively swerving into him, pushing him toward the bridge railing, with the rushing river below. He can’t dodge in time and crashes through the railing into the water.

“Boss! Boss!” The other two men in black stop their cars.

“Don’t worry about me! Keep chasing!”

The other two cars ram into me, and I’m finally forced to a stop.

Before the men in black can grab me, a passing Rolls-Royce screeches to a halt beside me. A tall man gets out, opens my door, and pulls me into his car without a word.

By the time I realize what’s happening, we’re already far away.

Qi Ruochen, having just crawled to the shore, clenches his fists, his face livid: “It’s Yan Rufeng? That bitch Ji Xiaoxia! She actually dared to hook up with him behind my back!”

Chapter 3: Anger Off the Charts

The car stops in front of a villa.

“We’re here. Get out.”

I come to my senses and study this handsome man—high bridge of the nose, heroic brows, sharp features… looking at his face…

Yan Rufeng?

A name pops into my head. He’s the young master of the Yan Group. The heir is his older brother, while he’s the “black sheep” who doesn’t care about success and spends his days idling around.

I remember he and Qi Ruochen were close friends. Why would he save me?

Yan Rufeng speaks first: “Don’t you wonder why I helped you? Actually, I’m just curious. You’ve always been so submissive—what made you run away from your wedding so desperately?”

Well, typical of a slacker; he saves people just out of curiosity!

“We never had any feelings for each other. Is that explanation good enough?”

I follow him into the villa. He says as he walks: “Actually, I’ve been following you since you drove away. I thought I’d help Ruochen catch you within five minutes. I didn’t expect to see such a cool side of you. I couldn’t help but be intrigued.”

I roll my eyes: “Well, regardless, thanks anyway.”

Yan Rufeng sits next to me, smirking: “Thank me? I saved your life, after all. How do you plan to thank me? With your body?”

This line… if it were the old Ji Xiaoxia, she’d probably blush and whimper “no, no.”

I lean into Yan Rufeng’s ear: “Then… marry me!”

Yan Rufeng recoils: “What did you say?”

I’m actually serious. Yan Rufeng is part of the Yan Group. If he marries me now, I can escape those two psychos, Qi Ruochen and Ji Xiaochu. Plus, he’s so good-looking, I wouldn’t be losing out… *cough*.

I push him down and hover over him: “I said, marry me. Like I said, I have no feelings for Qi Ruochen. I’m serious.”

He handed me this lifeline himself, so don’t blame me for flirting.

“Bang!” The door is kicked open with a heavy thud.

Qi Ruochen appears in the doorway, his face livid, his hands clenched into fists, veins bulging on his arms. He looks absolutely furious.

Yan Rufeng quickly pushes me off and stands up: “Ruochen, it’s not what you think! I was afraid you’d do something rash while you were angry, so I brought her here to rest. I swear, I was just about to send her back.”

Qi Ruochen seems blinded by rage; he can’t hear a word. He walks straight to me and signals to Yan Rufeng: “You, get out!”

Yan Rufeng gulps and walks out.

I’m starting to panic. This demon, Qi Ruochen—he wouldn’t actually have someone cut me open right here in a fit of rage, would he?!

I look at Qi Ruochen: “What are you doing?”

Qi Ruochen: “Weren’t you acting so desperate just now? What? Scared now that you’re facing your husband?”

I stand up, trying to look imposing: “What husband? We didn’t even finish the ceremony! Anyone who takes a demon like you as a husband is cursed for eight lifetimes!”

Qi Ruochen glares at me: “Who was it that kept saying they’d give their life just to be with me? I see clearly now—you’re just a slut who’ll sleep with anyone! As long as you’re satisfied, it doesn’t matter who it is! All that shyness and purity was just an act, right? Fine, I’ll satisfy you!”

Qi Ruochen scoops me up in his arms.

“Ah! What are you doing?” I scream instinctively.

In my subconscious, this man is already linked to a “scalpel.” Every time he touches me, I think of the image of a cold blade slicing through my chest. It’s terrifying!

Qi Ruochen carries me upstairs: “Didn’t you say the ceremony wasn’t finished? Let’s skip to the final step! Let me see just how wanton a desperate woman like you can be in bed!”

Chapter 4: A Losing Bet

Did I hear that right? Qi Ruochen hates me this much and still wants to sleep with me?

He really is a psycho! A devil!

“Let me go! Let go!” I struggle with all my might, even scratching his neck, but he doesn’t change his expression as he continues carrying me upstairs.

“Ah!”

Qi Ruochen throws me onto the bed and turns to lock the door. That fall hurt my spine!

I scramble to the edge of the bed, trying to buy some time.

“Look… Qi Ruochen… I don’t think it’s appropriate to do this in someone else’s house… Why don’t we go home and stop bothering them?”

To my surprise, this only angers him more.

“What? You can’t bear to do this with me in your lover’s bed? Afraid of hurting him?” Qi Ruochen says while taking off his shirt. “Don’t worry, he’s a playboy who’s slept with countless women. As long as you don’t mention marriage, he’ll take anyone. So, don’t overestimate your position in his heart!”

He takes off his shirt, revealing bronze skin and six-pack abs.

He has a great body, but in my eyes right now, it’s disgusting.

He unbuckles his belt, staring at me expressionlessly: “Are you going to take it off yourself, or should I help you?”

“I’ll do it myself, but… I’m a little shy. Could you turn around first?”

Qi Ruochen smiles wickedly and slowly turns around.

This has to be my last chance to escape.

In a flash, I jump off the bed and bolt toward the door like a madwoman.

The doorknob is right in front of me, when suddenly…

I feel my body suspended in mid-air, a pair of strong hands gripping my waist.

“Still trying to pull tricks on me? I think you really have a death wish, Ji Xiaoxia!”

He picks me up and throws me back onto the bed.

“No, no, that’s not it! I just wanted to take a shower!”

This time, he doesn’t give me a chance to argue. He looms over me, pinning me firmly beneath him.

“Qi Ruochen! Listen to me, you love Ji Xiaochu! You can’t sleep with another woman, or you’re being unfaithful!” I’m still trying to play mind games.

“Rip.” The sound of fabric tearing.

“All I know is that you are my wife right now!” Qi Ruochen presses down, leaving no room for argument.

Pain. Nothing but pain. Tears stream down my face.

It feels like a century has passed. The sky has turned dark, and the man finally stops.

He sits beside me in his bathrobe, lights a cigarette, and says expressionlessly: “I didn’t expect you to still be a virgin.”

I don’t have the strength to speak. My whole body feels numb, completely drained and exhausted.

I try to prop myself up to sit, but I lose my balance. Just as I’m about to fall back onto the bed, Qi Ruochen reaches out and catches me.

“What? Still not enough? I don’t mind going until dawn.” Qi Ruochen smiles slightly—this must be the smile of a devil from hell.

My mind is a mess. No matter what, I definitely lost this round…

Chapter 5: Who Are You, Really?

The sky begins to break at dawn.

With a *click*, Qi Ruochen rolled out of bed and lit another cigarette.

“Spit it out. Why the sudden change of heart about the wedding?”

He finished dressing and sat in a chair, looking down at me as I lay on the bed, barely covered.

I struggled to reach for my clothes, only to find that not a single piece was intact.

Qi Ruochen tossed a set of clothes my way.

I shot him a glare.

“Put them on. There’s no need to refuse the clothes, is there? After all, you *are* my wife now.”

I got dressed and climbed out of bed to get a drink of water, trying to regain my strength.

I sat down across from him, striking a pose for negotiation. I couldn’t afford to lose my composure.

“Qi Ruochen, you have the nerve to ask why I backed out? If I hadn’t made that scene, I’d probably be dead on an operating table right now, wouldn’t I? And my heart would have already been ripped out of my chest.”

Qi Ruochen’s pupils constricted. He narrowed his eyes and stared at me intently.

“Who’s been filling your head with this nonsense?”

I let out a cold laugh. “Qi Ruochen, there’s no point in pretending anymore. Marrying me was just a trap you and Ji Xiaochu set together. Your tenderness, your affection, your sweet talk—it was all a lie. The goal was to lure me here so you could take my heart to save Ji Xiaochu, wasn’t it?”

Qi Ruochen stared at me blankly for a long time.

He gave a thin smile. “That’s right. It’s exactly like that. Xiaochu is the only one I’ve ever loved. I was playing you.”

Without a word, I raised my glass and splashed the water right into his face.

“You claim to love Xiaochu, yet you still slept with me? You scumbag!”

Qi Ruochen was stunned once again.

A second later, he lunged to his feet, grabbing me by the throat and pinning me against the wall.

“Gah… let… go…” I felt like I was about to suffocate.

Qi Ruochen glared at me with murderous intensity. “Ji Xiaoxia! I’ve thought you were strange ever since the wedding. You were always so submissive, so timid—how could you possibly do something that humiliated me like that? Drag racing with me? Cursing at me? Splashing water in my face? Have you lost your mind, Ji Xiaoxia?”

“Qi Ruochen… let… go…”

He shoved me away, releasing my throat. I instinctively gasped for air.

“You’d better explain yourself. In just one day, you’ve become a completely different person. What happened to you, Ji Xiaoxia? Or should I say… are you even Ji Xiaoxia at all?”

As he spoke, he leaned in close, his face inches from mine, scrutinizing every detail. “Who the hell are you?”

Once I caught my breath, I shoved him away. “Qi Ruochen, you’re acting like a paranoid lunatic, you know that? Who else would I be if not Ji Xiaoxia? It’s just that I’m no longer the same girl who let you walk all over her! I’m going to live for myself now!”

Qi Ruochen paused, then burst into laughter as if he’d just heard the most ridiculous joke in the world.

“Hahaha! Live for yourself? Ji Xiaoxia, let me ask you—do you even *have* a ‘self’? Ever since your mother died, you spent your life desperately trying to please your father. Then you met me, and you did the same thing. Let me tell you the truth: at your core, you’re just a spineless, mindless weakling who can only survive by clinging to others!”