Volume One, Chapter Two: Yes, Embracing Humility

This sentence completely broke You Jin’s defenses.

He rose from the sofa and strode quickly toward her, gripping her wrist and pulling hard.

Caught off guard, Song Wanxi was spun around, a sharp pain radiating from her wrist.

She panicked. “You Jin, what are you doing?”

He shoved her against the wall.

He was tall and muscular, a formidable presence that felt dangerous to Song Wanxi.

With one hand, he pinned both her wrists against the wall above her head, leaving her unable to move.

You Jin bent down, his cold, sharp eyes locking with hers. With the other hand, he gripped her jaw and lifted her face upward.

Song Wanxi’s heart pounded. His breath carried a faint scent of alcohol, and her cheek stung beneath his grip. She looked at him with fear and unease.

This was the first time in two years she had been this close to You Jin, able to clearly see his thick, dark brows, deep phoenix-like eyes, sharp nose, and pale, thin lips.

His exquisitely handsome features were striking, and the small mole at the corner of his eye added to his allure.

Yet the overwhelming, dangerous aura emanating from him pressed down on her, suffocating.

He had never touched her before—no physical contact at all.

Nervously swallowing, Song Wanxi asked, “Are you drunk?”

You Jin’s voice was as cold as ice, deep and harsh. “Song Wanxi, do you know how truly detestable you are?”

A dull ache gripped her heart, her eyes welling up.

Of course, she knew.

If he didn’t hate her, why would he avoid touching her for two years of marriage?

Suppressing the tears in her eyes, she forced her voice soft but steady. “You Jin, if you want to live as husband and wife, then do. If not, then divorce. You don’t need to force yourself.”

“I’m not forcing myself,” he said. “I married a wife for five hundred thousand—goddess-level beauty, good to look at around the house. Doesn’t spend my money, can do housework, saves me a lot on maids.”

His words were like sharp blades, piercing her everywhere, causing pain to every part of her.

“Why exactly?” Song Wanxi’s hands trembled with anger, but she was powerless to break free from his grip.

They had met through an arranged introduction.

Her parents had pressured her to marry since she was twenty, desperate to collect her dowry to build a house back in their hometown.

For four long years, their relentless calls had tormented her until she could bear it no longer. At twenty-four, she went to an arranged meeting.

You Jin had been introduced by one of her university professors.

He was a year older than her, a scion of a prestigious family, heir to the You Group. Tall, strong, and handsome—a flawless catch.

At first, You Jin was extremely kind—gentle, attentive, and passionately devoted.

She didn’t want conflicts with her mother-in-law and hoped to live separately after marriage.

You Jin bought a spacious two-hundred-square-meter flat near her workplace at the research institute.

She disliked crowds and disliked having outsiders at home.

You Jin dismissed the maid and cleaning help to share household chores with her.

She had her own career and dreams and didn’t want to become a housewife after marriage.

You Jin respected her deeply and never asked her to quit her job.

Having never dated before, she was traditional and conservative.

You Jin’s affection was sincere but restrained—gentlemanly and courteous.

Though not good at expressing love, she genuinely fell for this extraordinary man, utterly captivated.

After only a few months, she accepted his romantic proposal with hopeful anticipation.

But after marriage, everything changed.

She didn’t understand why, but You Jin seemed like a different person—cold and distant toward her.

For two years, their married life resembled that of familiar strangers rather than husband and wife.

Such a relationship caused Song Wanxi immense pain; she didn’t know how much longer she could endure.

She could only convince herself not to care too much—to see marriage and love lightly and just endure.

What’s done is done, and true feelings are no different.

Falling in love with the wrong person is a torment that can kill the spirit; she had no strength left to love anyone else.

“Song Wanxi, there’s no reason. I just hate how indifferent you always are, with a cold face every day, like tasteless plain water—boring and dull,” You Jin’s icy voice spoke the most cutting words.

Her vision blurred by tears, her heart ached deeply. She could no longer bear his harsh words.

For the first time in two years, she lost her temper with him.

Her soft voice rose a few decibels. “Then why did you marry me? Are you some kind of masochist?”

You Jin sneered, his deep eyes fixed intently on her flushed face, her teary eyes blazing with anger.

He slowly released her hand and stepped back, his voice low and hoarse. “Yes, a masochist.”

Song Wanxi didn’t expect such a response. Rubbing her aching wrist, she swallowed her tears and turned toward the bedroom.

Closing the door behind her, her body went limp against it. Tears silently spilled, large cold drops sliding down her cheeks and dripping from her chin.

She spent the whole night sleepless, finally drifting into a weary slumber near dawn.

After only four hours, she woke at nine in the morning.

She got up, washed, and changed clothes.

She put the dirty laundry into the washing machine, starting the wash and dry cycles.

She casually switched on the automatic floor-cleaning robot, a round, flat device beginning to tidy the floors.

Sunlight streamed through the balcony glass, flooding the spacious living room with warm, shimmering light.

As usual, she prepared two breakfasts—today it was tomato and egg noodles.

She sat calmly at the dining table, eating her noodles.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang.

She put down her chopsticks and rose to answer.

Seeing the woman at the door, Song Wanxi’s eyes darkened, her already gloomy mood sinking further.

“Sister-in-law, good morning,” Wu Weiwei smiled warmly, holding out a largeI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.