Ch. 5

I snapped out of my memories and realized I was wrapped in Xie Ruozhou’s wool coat.

I was freezing, sweat soaking through the back of my shirt. I curled up on the couch like a sick little cat.

The moment Xie Ruozhou saw me open my eyes, he reached out and pressed the back of his hand to my forehead. The gesture was so natural, so familiar, it made my heart soften despite myself.

“You’ve got a slight fever. Let’s go home and get you some medicine. You must’ve fallen asleep without realizing it.”

I gave a quiet hum of agreement.

He didn’t say anything else. He bent down, scooped me into his arms, and carried me toward the stairs as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

That was when my phone started vibrating nonstop.

I ignored it.

But the moment I lifted my head, I saw the man who had appeared in my dreams standing downstairs.

Chu Yan.

He was staring at me with a complicated expression. His face was deathly pale as he strode over, instinctively reaching out to touch me.

Before his hand could get anywhere near me, Xie Ruozhou stepped in front of him.

“The trending stories and those reporters had nothing to do with me,” Chu Yan said first, his voice low.

“I came to apologize. Whether you forgive me or not, this happened because of me. That’s why Yuan En went and did all those things.”

I cut him off without hesitation.

“Did you come here to apologize on behalf of your fiancée?”

Chu Yan stared at me for a long moment before glancing at Xie Ruozhou.

“Can we talk in private?”

I told Xie Ruozhou to go upstairs first.

His coat was still draped around my shoulders, warm and carrying that familiar scent that made me feel strangely safe.

Chu Yan suddenly asked, “Xie Ruozhou is a beastman too, isn’t he?”

I didn’t answer.

He kept staring at me, as though he intended to drag the truth out of me by force.

“When you divorced me back then… it was because you’re a half-beastman, and you were afraid you’d hurt me, so you lied and said you’d cheated on me. Right?”

I laughed.

“No.”

“I divorced you because I saw you holding Yuan En in your arms in the rain with my own eyes.”

“I’m possessive when it comes to relationships. I can’t stand betrayal from the person I married.”

I paused, my voice calm.

“Of course, I did hide my identity from you. I knew how much you hated beastmen, so I chose to keep quiet.”

Chu Yan murmured, almost as if he were trying to convince himself.

“So… you never stopped loving me. Everything you’ve done these past few days was just to make me jealous, wasn’t it?”

He took a step toward me.

I shook my head.

“You’re way too full of yourself.”

“Yes, all three of them have a relationship with me. But it has nothing to do with you. None of them are trying to provoke you or ruin your life.”

“We’re over.”

I looked him straight in the eyes.

“And as for your fiancée leaking my private life to the press, I’m going to see this through to the end.”

“If you still intend to protect her, you’d better pack your bags and get her out of the country before it’s too late.”

“Otherwise… I can’t promise I’ll be nice.”

I gave him a cold smile.

“You know what happens when a beastman loses control.”

“We stop recognizing friend or foe.”

What happened to my parents all those years ago had been covered up perfectly.

No one knew.

Not even the paparazzi had managed to dig it up.

The only people who knew the truth were Chu Yan and me.

When the reporters brought it up, I understood immediately.

He was the one who had told them.

And in that moment, I realized—

Divorcing him all those years ago had been the right choice.

So even the person who seemed decent enough could change.

Seeing the stunned look on Chu Yan’s face, I raised my hand and slapped him as hard as I could.

Then I gave him a cold smile.

“How does it feel, Chu Yan, telling your new woman about your ex-wife’s most painful memories like they’re just gossip?”

“You disgust me.”

“Xie Ruozhou was right.”

“At worst, I’m morally questionable.”

“But you? You’re rotten to the core.”

“Your pathetic arrogance has eaten all the way into your bones.”

“Get out of my sight. Now.”

I turned to leave, but Chu Yan still reached for my arm.

“Don’t be like this… I can explain.”

“I was drunk that night. And Yuan En was someone our parents arranged for me. I never loved her…”

He didn’t get to finish.

The trash can beside us suddenly exploded.

Xie Ruozhou had never left.

He was still standing nearby, casually flicking his finger once.

His voice carried an unmistakable warning.

“If you keep pestering her…”

“Next time, it’ll be your face that explodes.”

Later, I asked Xie Ruozhou why he’d blown up the trash can instead of Chu Yan’s head.

His answer was so calm it was downright terrifying.

“Didn’t you used to like his face?”

“Then I’ll make sure he doesn’t have one anymore.”

“Whatever part of him you like, I’ll blow it up.”

“What about that annoying fiancée of yours?”

“Her family’s bankrupt. Her reputation is ruined. She’s buried under a mountain of debt.”

“She already fled overseas.”

“That’s fine. I can keep setting traps for her.”

“…You’re even crazier than I am, boss.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

“I wasn’t complimenting you!” I snapped.

Xie Ruozhou raised an eyebrow, then lowered his head and pressed his cheek against my hand, gently nuzzling it.

“Yes, my master. Whatever you say.”

“Aren’t you going to sign a lover contract with me anymore?”

His breath brushed against my ear.

“I thought…”

“We were already lovers.”

“Why would we need a contract?”

“I’m willing to give you my whole life.”

I sighed.

“Xie Ruozhou, has anyone ever told you… you’re seriously insane?”

“Mhm.”

“You’re the only one.”

THE END