Chapter 1: The Unexpected Encounter

  Cheng Xi had never expected to run into Lin Xiang again, especially not in this small park. It had been years since they last saw each other, and the memories of their past still lingered in her mind like an open wound.

  Lin Xiang's eyes were sunken, his face pale, and his gaze was filled with a deep sadness. Cheng Xi felt a pang of guilt and regret as she looked at him, but it was quickly replaced by anger and resentment.

  "What are you doing here?" Cheng Xi asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

  Lin Xiang's eyes locked onto hers, and he took a step closer. "I was thinking of you," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

  Cheng Xi felt a shiver run down her spine as she looked at Lin Xiang. She had once loved him with all her heart, but now she only felt disgust and anger towards him.

  "Thank you," Cheng Xi said coldly, "but I don't need your thoughts."

  Lin Xiang's face fell, and he took another step closer to her. "Because you have Xu Shao Yan now?" he asked, his voice laced with pain.

  Cheng Xi raised an eyebrow, surprised that Lin Xiang knew about Xu Shao Yan. But she didn't care; she was happy with Xu Shao Yan, and that's all that mattered.

  "Yes," Cheng Xi said, her voice firm. "I have Xu Shao Yan now, and I'm happy."

  Lin Xiang's eyes flashed with anger, but he quickly regained control of his emotions. "Xu Shao Yan is a playboy, a rich kid who doesn't know the meaning of true love," Lin Xiang said, his voice dripping with venom. "He'll never truly love you, Xi. Only I can give you happiness."

  Cheng Xi laughed, a cold, mirthless sound. "You're one to talk, Lin Xiang. You're the one who hurt me the most, and now you have the nerve to say that you're the only one who can make me happy?"

  Lin Xiang's face twisted in anguish, and he took another step closer to Cheng Xi. "I know I hurt you, Xi," he said, his voice cracking with emotion. "But I did it all for my family, to protect them. I'm not a good man, Xi. I'm weak and cowardly."

  Cheng Xi felt a pang of sadness at Lin Xiang's words, but she quickly pushed it aside. She didn't care about his excuses; all she cared about was that he had hurt her, and now she was happy with Xu Shao Yan.

  "You should leave," Cheng Xi said, turning away from Lin Xiang. "We're done, Lin Xiang. I love Xu Shao Yan, and only him."

  Lin Xiang's eyes flashed with anger again, but this time, he didn't say anything. He just turned and walked away, leaving Cheng Xi feeling relieved and guilty at the same time.

  As she watched Lin Xiang disappear into the distance, Cheng Xi couldn't help but wonder what had happened to the man she once loved. What had driven him to become so bitter and twisted?

  But she didn't care; all she cared about was that she was happy now, and she would do everything in her power to protect that happiness.