As Sun Zhewen opened the door, a warm aroma of cooked food wafted out, filling the air. Li Zhiyan had already set the table, and the steaming dishes looked especially inviting under the lamplight. Sun Zhewen felt a surge of warmth, mixed with a touch of unease. He wanted to ask Li Zhiyan what she had done today, who she had seen, but he feared those questions would upset her. The words caught in his throat, and he ultimately chose to remain silent.
"Let's eat," Li Zhiyan said softly, her voice devoid of any inflection.
The two sat down in silence, chopsticks clicking softly against the bowls and plates. Sun Zhewen's heart was a turmoil, but he didn't know how to start a conversation. The silence at the dinner table felt like an invisible barrier, separating their hearts. Sun Zhewen's mood was complicated; he knew Li Zhiyan's suffering, yet felt helpless.
After dinner, Sun Zhewen rushed to wash the dishes. Li Zhiyan didn't argue with him as she usually did, but instead went back to the sofa and sat down. Her stomach started to ache again, and her face was pale. She watched Sun Zhewen's busy figure, and a wave of loneliness washed over her.
When Sun Zhewen finished, he found Li Zhiyan clutching her stomach, her brows furrowed. His heart clenched, and he asked softly, "Is your stomach hurting again?"
Li Zhiyan nodded coldly, her eyes darting away.
Sun Zhewen bent down, wanting to carry her to rest: "Let's go and rest."
But Li Zhiyan dodged his hand, her voice tinged with coldness: "I'm dirty, don't touch me." Before she finished speaking, tears were already streaming down her face.
Sun Zhewen gently picked up a tissue and wiped away her tears, his voice soft, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have let you go."
Li Zhiyan snorted, her eyes filled with anger and resentment. "Hmph, you don't want to save my sister? Men are all the same."
Sun Zhewen didn't know how to respond, only managing a helpless, "I'm no good, I'm terrible. I'm sorry. Go upstairs and rest." Without waiting for a reply, he picked Li Zhiyan up, despite her struggling in his arms, and carried her back to the bedroom.
Li Zhiyan sobbed uncontrollably, her voice laced with pain and despair. She lay on the bed, her back to Sun Zhewen, her shoulders shaking with each sob.
Sun Zhewen stood by the bed, watching her back, his heart aching. "Don't cry. It's my fault. If you're angry with me, just hit me."
Li Zhiyan's crying grew louder, as if she was trying to vent all her grievances and anger. Sun Zhewen watched her with concern and whispered, "You're upset, I know. You're not feeling well right now, so let's not dwell on this, okay?"
Li Zhiyan suddenly turned around, her eyes filled with anger and despair. "How can I not think about it? Do you know what I'll have to face? I have to go with that man for two days every month, do you know that?"
Her words struck Sun Zhewen like a bolt of lightning, leaving him speechless. His face turned pale, and his voice trembled, "Why, why did you agree?"
Li Zhiyan sneered, her eyes filled with sarcasm. "Do I have a choice? I've already done what he wanted, but he still won't agree. What else can I do?"
Sun Zhewen's face turned ashen at those words. He slammed his fist on the bedside table, making the lamp on top wobble. "Then you…" He couldn't finish the sentence, the fury burning in his throat.
Li Zhiyan stopped crying and slowly sat up, her eyes fixed on Sun Zhewen with a complex expression. She sighed softly, as if suppressing her inner pain and helplessness. "Him, we can't afford to offend," she said, her voice low and firm. "Even the Liu Brothers can't afford to offend him. The Liu Brothers are just local bullies in Jiang City, but that person… he can decide whether they live or die."
Sun Zhewen frowned, his eyes filled with anger and resentment. He knew Li Zhiyan was right, but the feeling of helplessness made it hard for him to breathe.
"Since it's come to this," Li Zhiyan continued, her tone resolute, "then let's use his power to achieve our goals. If you want to save me, then strive to climb higher than them, to have more power. Use me as a resource."
Sun Zhewen was stunned, a flicker of hesitation and pain in his eyes. He gritted his teeth, his fists clenched so tight they creaked. Li Zhiyan's words were like a sharp sword, piercing the most vulnerable part of his heart.
"Zhiyan, do you know what you're saying?" Sun Zhewen's voice was low and hoarse, as if suppressing the anger and pain within him.
"Of course, I know," Li Zhiyan said with a cold laugh, a trace of determination in her eyes. "I have no way out. Instead of passively waiting, it's better to take the initiative. Haven't you always wanted to make a name for yourself in this city? Then seize this opportunity, use his power, and climb to a higher position."
Sun Zhewen was overwhelmed with mixed emotions. He knew Li Zhiyan was right, but the internal struggle and conflict made it impossible for him to accept this reality easily. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. The conversation replayed in his mind, each sentence a blade, cutting into his heart.
Li Zhiyan lay on the bed, her back to Sun Zhewen, her gaze fixed on the wall. Her voice was calm and composed, but it revealed a hint of helplessness and fatigue. "Alright, it's come to this. I don't blame you. Blame my bad luck, I guess. You can leave now. You don't need to come and see me anymore."
A sharp pain pierced Sun Zhewen's heart. He couldn't help but take a step forward, his voice low and pleading, "Zhiyan..."
Li Zhiyan didn't turn around, simply waving her hand as if to banish him from her world. "Leave."
Sun Zhewen reluctantly took a step back, gave her a long, deep look, and then turned and left. Back in his own room, he felt an unprecedented weariness. Using a woman to achieve his goals had never been his intention, but he had done it nonetheless. He didn't know if it was right or wrong; the self-reproach and conflict within him made it impossible for him to find peace.
He took out his phone and saw a message from Qingyan: "Zhewen, I want to see you tonight."
He instinctively replied, "Now?"
"Yes, I'll wait for you at your rental."
"Alright, I'll be right there."
Sun Zhewen got up and walked to Li Zhiyan's door. He gently pushed it open and lowered his voice, "Zhiyan, I have to go out for a bit. Get some rest, and call me if you need anything."
The room was silent, with no response. Sun Zhewen assumed she was already asleep, so he quietly closed the door, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
\n\n
After hearing the sound of the villa door opening and closing, Li Zhiyan slowly got up and sat on the edge of the bed, her eyes revealing a hint of sadness and helplessness, "Heartless jerk. How should you be walking your path now?"