Volume One, Chapter 12: Why Did You Leave Me?

But she knew very clearly that he had not called her here to reminisce about the past.

The book’s depiction of the male protagonist and the original female lead only outlined their grudges and conflicts, as well as the ultimate fate of the original female lead; the finer details of their middle story were scarcely mentioned.

This left Jiang Weiyue uncertain and uneasy, not understanding what Song Chuanhe intended to do by summoning her today.

Jiang Weiyue guessed that Song Chuanhe’s purpose was to humiliate her.

To show her that she had once betrayed him at her family’s behest, only to be abandoned by them in the end—how utterly laughable.

Inside the dilapidated house, Song Chuanhe observed every flicker of change on Jiang Weiyue’s face.

The moonlight flickered dimly and brightly behind drifting clouds, casting shadows that deepened the cold, inscrutable expression hidden in the dark, making it impossible to discern what he was truly thinking.

Jiang Weiyue had spent some time gathering her courage outside before finally knocking on Song Chuanhe’s door.

What must come will come; avoidance was no solution.

She knocked twice, but there was no response. Thinking she hadn’t knocked hard enough, she knocked twice more with added force, yet still no answer.

Then she realized something and lowered her hand.

How foolish she had been. Song Chuanhe disliked her so much—there was no way he would be waiting for her at home.

His invitation to meet at their former marital home was nothing but a ploy to toy with her.

And she had believed it, running over in the dead of night.

Moreover, the villagers said Song Chuanhe had returned with plans to build a two-story house at home.

He was no longer the man he once was; how could he possibly stay in this broken-down house, especially one filled with such shame?

Why hadn’t she realized this sooner?

But perhaps this was for the best—being played by that despicable man was surely better than being humiliated.

Just as Jiang Weiyue turned to leave, the heavy wooden door creaked open.

Before she could comprehend what was happening, a strong force yanked her inside.

Her first reaction was a startled scream—who wouldn’t panic in such a situation late at night?

“You’re not afraid of drawing the neighbors over? Then go ahead and scream all you want.”

Hearing the familiar yet icy voice, Jiang Weiyue froze. “You... you’re here?”

“Do you think I would lie to you?”

“I... I—why didn’t you answer when I knocked just now?”

“What? You’ve done so many unforgivable things to me, and you can’t even handle a few knocks on the door?”

“That’s not what I meant—I thought you weren’t home.”

“I keep my promises, unlike you, who’s nothing but a liar and a despicable cheat...”

The man, who had been stern moments before, suddenly seemed possessed, his anger spiraling out of control.

He closed in on Jiang Weiyue, his voice trembling with fury.

Startled, she then caught a faint scent of alcohol on him.

She quickly realized: he must have been drinking, which explained his sudden madness.

Probably drunk, the painful memories had resurfaced.

And with her—the root of all his pain—right before him, she was in danger!

Realizing this, Jiang Weiyue swiftly recalibrated her approach. Ever adept at reading the situation, she knew that confronting a drunken man head-on would only bring disaster.

She gently grasped his hand, steadying the dizzy Song Chuanhe, and spoke softly, “Yes, you’re right. I am a liar and a cheat. I betrayed our love and I’m sorry.”

“But you’re drunk now. Why don’t you lie down and rest first? I’ll get you some tea, alright?”

Her soothing words caused the man to falter, dazed.

Once, when his hatred for her was at its peak, all he had longed for was such gentle coaxing.

Despite his cold and unyielding exterior, his heart was soft. If she had just comforted him, explained her reasons, he would have forgiven her immediately.

But she hadn’t—not then.

“Jiang Weiyue, do you think your smooth words can fool me again?”

“I’m telling you, it’s impossible. I will never believe you or love you again. If I do, I’d be a dog.”

He tried to shake her off, but instead of freeing himself, he lost his balance and fell to the ground.

Jiang Weiyue looked down at him, utterly drunk.

Even in this state, his drunken rage posed little threat to her.

Why not seize this chance to escape quickly?

Determined, she turned and took a step—only to have her ankle grasped firmly by the man lying on the floor.

Her pupils contracted sharply, her mouth instinctively opened, and she bit down on her lower lip.

Closing her eyes, she gathered her strength and decisively tried to shake off the scoundrel.

After all, she had heard that drunken men often couldn’t remember anything the next day.

So, even if she did something to Song Chuanhe, he wouldn’t recall it come morning.

Just as she was about to summon her strength, the man who had just been gnashing his teeth in fury suddenly trembled and begged in a shaky voice, “A-Yue, A-Yue, please don’t leave me. Even if you have to deceive me, don’t go. Please, I’m begging you.”

A second passed... five seconds... a minute...

Seeing Jiang Weiyue remain unmoved, the man finally broke down.

“I knew you were lying to me just now. If you were going to lie, why not lie a little longer? Why?”

As he spoke, his grip on her pale ankle tightened painfully.

Jiang Weiyue stifled a groan. She had miscalculated—her assumptions and decisions were wrong.

She finally understood: even drunk and utterly wasted, she was no match for Song Chuanhe.

Resigned, she crouched down and whispered soothingly as if calming a child.

“I’m not lying to you. I’m not leaving. Please let me go, alright? You’re hurting me badly, and I know you wouldn’t want to see me in pain.”

By the faint moonlight, Jiang Weiyue saw a slight softening cross the harsh lines of Song Chuanhe’s face.

Seeing this, she pressed on, “It really hurts, doesn’t it? Please let me go. I promise, if you do, and I run away, then I’ll be the little dog.”

“You’re the little dog? If you weren’t lying to me, why did you leave just now?”