The moment the door opened, the sight of two entangled bodies on the sofa sent a shockwave through Su Li’s mind. All the way here, she had imagined surprising He Shuming at his apartment, telling him their two-year, long-distance relationship was finally over. She thought he would be thrilled. She never expected to walk in on a scene so vile. She clenched her fists. The pair on the sofa were so absorbed they hadn’t even noticed her. Swallowing her disgust, she pulled out her phone and switched it to video mode. As they shifted positions, the woman finally caught a glimpse of Su Li and let out a terrified shriek. He Shuming jolted, hastily grabbing a blanket to cover himself while hiding the woman behind him. “What are you doing back? What the hell are you doing?” Su Li’s eyes were red. “A scene this good? Of course I have to record it for everyone to see.” Hearing this, He Shuming forgot all about the naked woman behind him. He wrapped the blanket around his waist, scrambled off the sofa, and lunged for Su Li’s phone. “One more step, and I send this to everyone,” Su Li threatened. He Shuming didn’t believe her. He kept coming. Su Li hit send. He was stunned. The woman who had always been so gentle and understanding was capable of something so ruthless. “Su Li, you’re dead!” A vein bulged on He Shuming’s forehead, his fury so intense he looked ready to kill her. Su Li held up her phone, the number 911 already on the screen. “I’ve called the police.” He Shuming’s eyes widened, speechless. “You…” Seeing her cold, resolute expression, he pointed a trembling finger at her. “Fine. You’re ruthless.” Su Li’s gaze was glacial. “I’ll just consider the last two years wasted on a dog. No, that’s an insult to dogs.” . After leaving He Shuming’s apartment, Su Li went to her best friend Lu Jing’s place. She stayed there for five days, and for five days, Lu Jing cursed He Shuming’s name. This morning, she found Su Li staring at her phone, looking dejected. She wrapped an arm around her. “He’s a scumbag. Not worth your sadness.” Su Li shook her head. “I’m not sad anymore. I’m just hesitating over that marriage proposal Su Wei’an found for me.” “What?” Su Li’s father had arranged a marriage for her and had been urging her to come back and discuss it. He said the man was from a wealthy family, was tall and handsome, and an only son. If she agreed to the marriage, his family would offer a seven-figure bride price. If she got pregnant within two months, there would be a one-hundred-million-dollar bonus. And as soon as she produced an heir, she would become the mistress of the house, with access to countless assets. Lu Jing clapped her hands once, then scoffed. “Let me guess, this was your stepmother’s idea, right? If it were such a great deal, wouldn’t she save it for her own daughter? It’s a trap.” “You know something?” “Everything he told you is true. He just left out the most important part.” “Which is?” Lu Jing explained, “The guy’s name is Mo Xingyuan. He really is handsome, rich, and powerful. There was a time when every woman in Jiucheng either wanted to marry him or, failing that, at least sleep with him.” “Mo Xingyuan…” Su Li murmured the name. “It sounds familiar.” Lu Jing snorted. “Everyone in Jiucheng knows that name.” She continued, “Last year, it was leaked that he has a terminal illness. He doesn’t have much time left. I heard he had a girlfriend, but she apparently went abroad as soon as she found out.” “To put it bluntly, he’s a dying man. Marrying him is like marrying a corpse.” So that was it. How tragic. Lu Jing pursed her lips. “It’s true what they say: a stepmother turns your father into a stranger. That woman wants you to marry him just to become a widow.” “I could remarry after he dies.” Lu Jing’s eyes widened. “Wait, you’re actually considering this? The man is on his deathbed. Can you imagine how awful he must look now? Besides, why would someone look for a wife at a time like this? He just wants to leave behind an heir before he croaks.” “A man like that, in his condition… he has to be a pervert!” “But,” Su Li said softly, “the pay is good.” “…” “And when he dies, I inherit his fortune.” Su Li’s expression was neutral. “I’ll have money and freedom. How many people can only dream of that?” Lu Jing stared at her, dumbfounded. “Did he break your brain?” “Not at all,” Su Li said, her face serious. “I’ve thought it through. Love is like a ghost—you hear about it, but you never see it. There’s no point in chasing it.” “Besides, don’t we work so hard just to make more money and achieve financial freedom? Now there’s a shortcut. Why shouldn’t I take it?” Lu Jing was speechless. “…Why does that actually make sense?” Su Li smiled. “Because that’s reality.” . That night, He Shuming used someone else’s phone to call Su Li, calling her useless in bed, all for show. After she hung up, he called again from a different number. She blocked several numbers before finally turning off her phone. The next day, Su Li turned her phone on to a flood of messages. Most were from He Shuming, a barrage of vitriol. The group chats had exploded. He was spreading rumors that her breasts were fake and calling her a slut who pretended to be a saint, even though they had never even slept together. Each message was uglier than the last. Su Li took a deep breath, telling herself that everything happened for a reason. Fate wanted her to see that scumbag’s true colors, and that’s why it let her walk in on him. She called Su Wei’an and accepted his proposal. When father and daughter arrived at the Mo family mansion, Mo Xingyuan was not there; his parents met with them instead. They couldn’t hide their excitement when they learned Su Li had agreed to the marriage. Su Li had only one condition: they register the marriage first. The reason she gave was that she wanted it to be legal. As for a wedding, she didn’t need one. Naturally, they had no objections; they were terrified she would back out. With both parties in agreement, Mr. Mo arranged for an official from the Civil Affairs Bureau to process the paperwork right there at their home. It was only then that Su Li saw Mo Xingyuan… in a photograph. The man in the picture was just as Lu Jing had described him—impossibly handsome, with sharp features. His eyes were particularly striking, deep and soulful, as if they could pull you in. A man this perfect… if he weren’t dying, it would never have been her turn. The marriage certificate was placed in Su Li’s hand. She studied their photo. It was clearly a composite, but it would have to do. Mrs. Mo handed Su Li a bank card. Though there would be no wedding, the bride price remained. She also gave her another sum for living expenses. They were incredibly generous. The amount was so large that Su Li felt the card itself was heavy in her hand. She didn't refuse, accepting it gracefully. Looking at the certificate again, her eyes fell on the name ‘Mo Xingyuan.’ She wondered how that man would feel, knowing his parents had essentially sold him off. . As she left the Mo mansion with her father, his face was wreathed in a joyful smile. “The Mo family gave you a nice bonus, didn’t they?” Su Wei’an froze, his expression turning awkward. “What are you talking about?” “Don’t pretend.” Su Li stopped and looked at him. “You wouldn’t have thought of me unless there was something in it for you.” An embarrassed flush crept up Su Wei’an’s neck. “Ali…” Su Li raised a hand, cutting him off before he could start with his sanctimonious excuses. She walked ahead, her voice flat. “This is the last time. Don’t contact me again.” . When Lu Jing found out she had actually married Mo Xingyuan, she paced around the room in a frenzy. But it was done. There was no going back. “Your dad is so cruel, pushing you into a fire pit. And you’re a fool for registering so quickly! If he tortures you, you could have run. But now that you’re legally married, there’s no escape if he decides to kill you.” Lu Jing was anxious, angry, and worried, her eyes turning red. Seeing her friend so upset warmed Su Li’s heart. She smiled to reassure her. “We’re married, yes, but I have no intention of showing my face to him.” Lu Jing stared at her. A cunning glint appeared in Su Li’s eyes. The thought was vicious, but it was also practical. “Didn’t you say he won’t live past February? That’s less than three months away. I’ll just hide out until he’s too weak to move, then I’ll make my appearance.” Su Li’s plan was perfect. Reality, however, was cruel. Just a few days later, someone came looking for her. “Mr. Mo would like to see his wife.”