Chapter 3: Did You Take Your Medicine?

For the past three years, she hadn’t stopped trying with Xie Chengyu.

She studied cooking obsessively, bringing him hot meals every single day to his office, hoping he’d have something warm to eat after work. But he never touched a bite. He wouldn’t even come out to see her.

She used her hard-earned writing fees to buy him clothes—so many, one after another. But later, Zhou Wen gently reminded her: none of them had ever been worn. They sat in the corner, gathering dust.

That broke her heart. She thought it was because he found her ugly.

Before the wedding, Xie Chengyu had seen her photo—a face so plain, marred by two grotesque scars. Even she couldn’t stand looking at it. She understood perfectly why he’d react that way.

So she decided to become beautiful. To try again.

Xie Chengyu was flawless in every way. Only someone just as perfect could stand beside him. She accepted that.

But she never imagined all her efforts had been for nothing—because Xie Chengyu already had someone else.

“Miss Nan’s here shopping too?” Xu Ruoxin pulled her hand back, smiling.

Nan Xiao was about to speak when Lin Yan cut in: “Not Miss Nan. She’s still Mrs. Xie. Watch your tone.”

Nan Xiao had signed the divorce papers just that morning. The cooling-off period lasted thirty days before it took effect. So Lin Yan was technically right. Xu Ruoxin’s expression darkened.

Xie Chengyu glanced at Nan Xiao, voice flat. “Come here.”

Nan Xiao didn’t know what he wanted. Nervous, she followed him into the nearby corridor.

He looked down at her, voice icy. “Keep your friend in check.”

Her fists clenched.

That was harsh toward Lin Yan—but Lin Yan *had* been harassing that woman nonstop. Was this Xie Chengyu finally losing patience over his beloved being disrespected?

She tightened her grip, forcing calm. “I know. Lin Yan just misunderstood something. She didn’t mean anything by it. Don’t worry.”

Then she walked away, composed. Funny how she was secretly glad she was wearing a mask—now he couldn’t see her pale face.

In the parking lot, Lin Yan fumed. “Those two rotten bastards! I’d love to kick them both!”

Nan Xiao smiled weakly, patting her shoulder. “Don’t get worked up.”

But her eyes grew shadowed.

“In truth… Xie Chengyu didn’t do anything wrong,” she said quietly. “He just… doesn’t love me.”

Lin Yan understood. If it were only that—Xie Chengyu didn’t love her—then Nan Xiao could walk away with tens of millions, and it’d be a win. But—

“You still haven’t told him about that thing last month, have you?”

The words hit her like a slap.

Everyone assumed she and Xie Chengyu had met only twice. But they’d actually met three times.

A month ago, Xie Chengyu had been drugged. Dazed and confused, he ended up at the old Xie family mansion. At the time, Nan Xiao was there, caring for Old Lady Xie. And in that haze, they’d… happened.

The next morning, she rushed off to handle urgent work and left early.

Later, she’d meant to tell him. But then Old Lady Xie suddenly fell critically ill—and passed within two days. The entire Xie household went into chaos.

By the time the funeral was over, Xie Chengyu had flown overseas for nearly half a month. When he finally returned, she got a divorce agreement instead.

“What difference would it make if I told him?” she said, bitter laugh. “He’d just add another number to the settlement.”

Lin Yan sighed, pulling her into a hug.

“Fine. Just keep the money. From now on, I’ve got your back.”

“Hey—did you…?”
Lin Yan suddenly remembered. After that night, Old Lady Xie died quickly. The whole family was in turmoil. Did Nan Xiao take any precautions?

But then Nan Xiao’s phone rang. Lin Yan shut up, deciding to bring it up later. And somehow… she forgot.