In the dead of night, I caught Julian whispering on the phone, his voice dripping with tenderness. "Sleep tight, darling. Don't cry. I'll come see you as soon as I'm done with work." He refuses to divorce me, yet he cheats on me just to torture me? What's the point? I decided to turn up the heat. So, I hired a senior from my university to play the role of my affair partner. We paraded around right under Julian's nose, making sure he saw everything. I figured with both of us cheating, this marriage would be so rotten he'd finally agree to a divorce. 1 At 4 AM, I went downstairs for a glass of water and heard Julian on the balcony, keeping his voice low. In the darkness, his deep, affectionate tone cut right through the silence. "Sleep tight, darling. Don't cry. I'll come see you as soon as I'm done with work." My heart seized, and all sleepiness vanished instantly. I quickly crouched down, using the stair railing to hide myself. Hearing him lock his phone screen, return to his room, and close the door... Only then did I let out a breath and reach a conclusion— He was cheating. They say when a man cheats, the wife always has a sixth sense, stumbling upon the truth through inevitable coincidences. Look at me: thirsty at this exact ungodly hour, out of water in the bedroom, forced downstairs to catch him on the phone. If that's not divine intervention, what is? Julian is nine years older than me. Back when my dad's company was facing bankruptcy and desperately needed funds, Julian generously invested three hundred million, saving my dad from disaster. My dad knew Julian didn't do charity. He asked what Julian wanted in return. Julian leaned back on the leather sofa, just smiling at my dad. After several repayment plans were rejected, my dad thought of selling his daughter. "My daughter, Dream, is gentle and pretty. A fortune teller said she brings luck to a household. Does Mr. Sterling need a wife?" Julian stopped smiling and said solemnly, "Then I'll follow my father-in-law's arrangement." I was a freshman in college, only nineteen. My dad persuaded me: "Mr. Sterling is handsome, steady, and experienced. Marrying him isn't a loss for you." A year later, I married Julian. On our wedding day, I overheard his subordinates gossiping. They said he had a "white moonlight"—the one that got away—but since he had to marry, he just found someone to make do. After the wedding, I moved into Julian's villa in the Riverside District. For three years, I lived upstairs, he lived downstairs. We were like neighbors, like roommates, but not like husband and wife. Year-round, he was always busy. The number of times we ate together could be counted on one hand. In the business world, he was a renaissance man: calm, decisive, with a unique vision and precise decision-making. Headlines were full of photos of his gentle, restrained smile. To promote a new menswear line, he even modeled himself, taking a set of photos under the green trees of Southern University. Approaching thirty, he stood quietly under the tree, blending maturity and youth perfectly, balancing introversion and flamboyance. It caused a sensation at Southern University. Those photos moved my heart too. But so what? He didn't love me. He hadn't touched me in three years. I was in the prime of my youth. Seeing classmates cuddling with their boyfriends... I felt a sense of loss, like my youth was being strangled in the cradle. The culprit behind all this was Julian. Because of his ridiculous "return on investment," he gambled with my life. I brought up divorce with him, two or three times a year. The first year, he replied: "Your father's company is still in crisis. Divesting now, have you thought it through?" The second year, my dad's company started making steady profits. I brought up divorce again. He replied: "Mrs. Sterling, a marriage contract isn't child's play, but a lifelong commitment. Think about it again." The third year, he replied: "It seems you haven't thought it through yet. Keep thinking." Always the cold "thinking," mixed with considerations of family interests. True, my reasons weren't strong enough, and he did help my family. But now it's different. He cheated. I was a little sad, but also vaguely excited. 2 I found a senior I'd recently met, Sawyer. Sawyer was sunny and handsome, not only the student council president but also a part-time race car driver. Rumor had it he was every girl's ideal type on campus. Once, I saw him working at a convenience store and knew he needed money, so I proposed a deal. "You just need to play my boyfriend. Three thousand a pop, cash on the spot. Deal?" Sawyer frowned, looking confused. "Is your husband bad to you? Why use this method to divorce?" I didn't want to explain, just said, "Will you take the job, Senior? It is tricky. My husband has some influence, so there might be personal risk." Sawyer smiled. "I was just worried about your reputation." "Don't worry. My husband is cheating too. If he dares to expose me, I'll expose him. I have nothing to lose." Sawyer choked, looking a bit speechless. Probably scared by the adult world. But a moment later, he accepted with interest: "Sure." My second preparation was hiring a private investigator to look into Julian. Results came quickly. Julian's "white moonlight" was his childhood sweetheart, Ginger, who had emigrated to New Zealand. She happened to be going through a divorce recently. His late-night calls were ninety percent likely to her. One in the country, one abroad—physical contact was unlikely, but emotional cheating was equally unforgivable. I told the PI to keep a close eye on Julian. Then, I started my cheating plan. I arranged to meet Sawyer in the commercial district below Julian's company. The PI said Julian often went to a Huaiyang restaurant there to discuss business. So I dragged Sawyer there. Just in time to see Julian leading two people into a private room named "Misty Jiangnan." Not long after, out of the corner of my eye, I saw Julian walking out with his long legs. Seeing Sawyer and me sitting conspicuously in the lobby dining, his steps faltered, almost tripping. I pretended not to see him, laughing with Sawyer, and even deliberately picked up a piece of lily bulb to feed him. Then I took a tissue and wiped Sawyer's lips. Sawyer, back to Julian, flashed a smile at me. He was born handsome, his eyes affectionate, and his ears even turned red. I thought to myself, Sawyer is too good at acting; I have to keep up. So when Sawyer fed me, I responded with equal affection. Julian must be fuming, wishing he could sign the divorce papers right then and there. To redeem the humiliation he suffered from me. Sure enough, less than ten seconds later, my phone flashed. A text from Julian: [Where are you?] Acting requires commitment. I looked around guiltily, performing the "sneakiness" of an affair to perfection. Actually, I kind of hoped he'd show up and expose me, but he seemed to have hidden away. So I didn't reply. After eating for forty minutes and digesting, I slowly took out my phone and replied to Julian: [At the school cafeteria.] Blatant deception from your wife—you should be furious, right? Burn, Mr. Sterling's apoplectic rage! However, the chat box kept showing "Typing..." About ten minutes later, a message appeared: [Hmm, cafeteria food isn't good. Starting tomorrow, I'll have the butler send you meals.] Me: [No need, no need. I'm happy eating with classmates.] Julian: [Be good, don't be stubborn with me, or I'll have to deliver it myself.] Me: [Oh, okay, let the butler send it then.] "..." Shouldn't he immediately appear in front of Sawyer and me, catching us in the act? Then, angrily sign the divorce papers. From then on, we go our separate ways, he marries his divorced white moonlight, and they live happily ever after. That day, the PI reported back— He hastily ended the restaurant meeting, went back to the company, and dragged the key staff into a meeting. Black-faced the whole time. Anyone who spoke out of turn got scolded like a dog. Also, he hired someone to follow me. 3 With the battle started, I was careful everywhere. At night, I deliberately came home late. The villa was pitch black and silent. I thought Julian wasn't back yet. Entering the living room, I found a shadow on the sofa. Startled, I quickly turned on the lights. Julian looked up at me, face weary. The kind of exhaustion after a massive rage. His resentful gaze lasted two seconds, quickly covered by calm. "You're back. Is everything going well at school lately?" His voice was pressed low, suppressing all emotions. I replied lightly and happily, "Very smooth. And you, Mr. Sterling?" "Mm, all good." Like nothing had happened. His deep, sharp gaze fell on my bag, where a newly bought charm hung— A heart shape formed by black and white swans necking. Symbolizing love. His hand resting on the sofa unconsciously scratched the fabric. Felt like the next second, he'd rush up, rip off my charm, and throw it in the trash. Stalemate for five seconds. He let go, squeezing out an ugly smile: "What's that?" "Just a little charm, a classmate bought it." Actually, I bought it myself, specifically to provoke him. He nodded expressionlessly, politely and difficulty praising: "Nice." My only evaluation of his calm reaction: Sly old fox. Time to add more fuel. That night, I shuttled back and forth between the living room, the island, and the second floor several times. Humming a popular little love song in a great mood: "At 4 AM, I saw the begonias awake, perhaps secret love is hidden in tears..." "At 5 AM, wanting to lull this longing to sleep..." Didn't his call happen at 4 AM? Such an obvious hint, wonder what he thinks... Since the affair plan started, I began changing my image. Usually bare-faced, now I started wearing light makeup. Swapped the cartoon cotton pajamas for a slim, sexy silk nightgown. The innocent student vibe dropped by eighty percent instantly. Julian sat on the living room sofa the whole time, typing away on his keyboard. But his peripheral vision entangled around me like vines as I moved back and forth. He's a cautious, meticulous man. If he found me annoying, he could have faced the floor-to-ceiling window. The villa sits halfway up the mountain. Looking down from the window, you can see the entire night view of Jin City. Very atmospheric. He used to always sit facing the window. But tonight, he insisted on sitting facing the stairs, the island, and the living room. Suddenly, he asked, "What song are you singing?" "An internet song, 'Begonias Awake at 4 AM'." "Mm." After a silence, he asked again, "You like silk nightgowns?" "Ah haha, well..." I paused deliberately, acting like I was frantically thinking of an excuse. "Recently, I feel this is more feminine." His hand on the keyboard paused, asking with feigned calm, "Why suddenly want to be feminine?" Finally asked something relevant. I made up a lie: "Because someone said silk nightgowns feel better to the touch." His hand on the keyboard unconsciously clenched into a fist, then released after a moment. His tight jaw also relaxed suddenly. Then, with a malicious chuckle: "Then I must thank that person for being so considerate of me." He put down the laptop, strode over to me in a few steps, looking down at me with immense pressure. Scared, I kept retreating, but he pressed on until he pinned me against the wall. Then, a large hand forcefully grabbed both my wrists, pinning them against the wall. Overbearing and aggressive, forcing my body tight against his. The heat of his chest seeped through the thin fabric into my skin, making my throat dry. I thought he finally decided to exercise his husbandly rights. After all, that look was hotter than ever, restraining complex emotions. "Then I must try this damn good texture." Almost said through gritted teeth. As soon as the words fell, a warm palm stroked the small of my back, rubbing back and forth a few times. His eyes held a bit more madness. But he let go of me, saying insincerely, "Tried it. Not good at all. Don't wear it anymore." "Some people will deceive you to achieve their goals. You're still young, can't distinguish, you'll suffer losses." This sentence left me three parts confused, seven parts angry. Felt like my IQ was insulted. Also, even if I cheated, he doesn't care? Only lack of love allows such magnanimity. Or, afraid of piercing the paper window, Mr. Sterling's reputation would be ruined. Husband and wife both cheating, this marriage is rotten to the core. Yet for his reputation, he can endure more than a Ninja Turtle. While typing the divorce agreement, I reviewed— Looks like the fire isn't hot enough. 4 The next morning, music came from Julian's room: "At 4 AM, I heard the begonias awake..." After breakfast, he unprecedentedly wanted to drive me to school. I couldn't refuse, sitting awkwardly in the passenger seat. In the car, again: "4 AM..." I was going crazy. Provoking me, afraid I don't know he's secretly in love with Ginger? Julian, just you wait. Today I'll make you see green! I slammed the car door and went straight to find Sawyer. There was a dodging figure behind us. I smirked, wrapped my arms around Sawyer's neck, and jumped onto him. Sawyer had to reach out and support my butt. I admit, a bit excessive, but Julian forced me. Since we're doing it, make it real. I planted a shallow kiss on Sawyer's cheek. Sawyer's acting skills were top-notch. He flushed red on the spot, stammering in a low voice: "Ju-Junior, is this... maybe not good?" I smiled like a junior immersed in romantic love, grinning like a kid who got candy. "It's all acting, don't take it seriously." Disappointment flashed in Sawyer's eyes, then he nodded with a smile. That day, Sawyer took leave from his advisor just to act with me. We ate, shopped, gamed, watched movies hand in hand... Did everything couples do. Besides acting, Sawyer was a good companion, never a killjoy. I had a great time. Before leaving school at night, Sawyer and I stood under the cherry blossom tree to say goodbye. I transferred an extra two thousand to him. Added: "You gave your first kiss, it's only right." Under the cherry tree, bathed in the dim streetlight, Sawyer radiated a hazy beauty of youth. Beautiful as a painting. He chuckled, hand on forehead. Then, he cupped my face, lowered his head, and pecked my lips lightly: "Junior, this is a first kiss. Since I took the money, service must be thorough." Voice low and bewitching. I was dazed for a moment. Suddenly heard the sound of someone falling into the bushes behind us. Understood instantly. Sawyer really is a master actor.
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