Jing Yu was taken aback. Such words were unexpected from Xu Yi. “We haven’t married yet. Let’s wait a bit.”

Xu Yi lowered his eyes, feeling turmoil. “But… I’m already yours. It’s fine.” He wanted to be hers, even if it made him seem shameless.

Seeing Jing Yu silent, he felt uneasy, trembling. “When will you marry me?”

“Soon. You must wait for me to marry you,” Jing Yu gently caressed Xu Yi’s cheeks, tucking stray hairs behind his ear. “Remember what you said – that you’d leave with me even if I’m not the Jing family head.”

“The Jing family meant nothing to her, but Xu Yi might be her future husband. If she survived, they would live together and possibly have children. She would naturally choose her devoted Xu Yi.

Xu Yi, still flushed, nestled in Jing Yu’s arms and softly responded, “Mm, I’ll wait.”

#

Jing Mo had settled in the Jing residence. Yun Mei was anxious day and night, often waking from nightmares. He worried about a potential divorce notice, fearing he might not see his wife again before being expelled from the Jing household.

Jing Mo had visited Yun Mei once, but she didn’t answer the door, nor did Dao’er open it. He stayed quietly while Dao’er hesitated between the door and Yun Mei, ultimately obeying.

That night, Yun Mei sobbed softly, trembling under the covers. She had loved him for over a decade, only to watch him fall for another woman and abandon him for her own sister. Powerless, he watched himself become another’s husband, struggling at the edge of despair for a glimmer of hope.

On his second visit, Yun Mei finally saw him. After some small talk, Jing Mo said, “I heard you’ve been married to my elder sister for two years but haven’t consummated the marriage. Is that true?”

Yun Mei’s hand tightened in her sleeve. Was she here to humiliate him? By what right did she question him? Yun Mei’s heart grew colder. Though trying to keep her voice flat, it still trembled, “What of it?”