Chapter 4: A Passing Amusement [4]
When Wen Xiaorou was thirteen, her parents went abroad for a trip but tragically perished in a plane crash, never to return. Left alone as a minor, Wen Xiaorou was immediately taken in by Jing’s father, who treated her like his own daughter with great care and affection. Jing Nuo felt that the Jing family had been kind and dutiful toward Wen Xiaorou, yet his father insisted that he marry this girl they had taken in. Jing Nuo resented it deeply—resented having half of his father’s love taken away and then having to give his own love to her; resented how his fate seemed controlled by this woman. But he had no choice but to accept, unwilling to give up the Jing family fortune to fight his father. So he compromised, even though he was filled with reluctance.
In the bathroom, Wen Xiaorou lay dazed in the luxurious bathtub, her mind wandering uncontrollably. She recalled the night Jing Nuo first invited her out to dinner. She had been thrilled all day, spending hours preparing herself, only for Jing Nuo not to even glance at her properly. He had told her plainly, “Wen Xiaorou, I will marry you, but only to claim what belongs to me. It has nothing to do with affection.”
His candid words pierced Wen Xiaorou’s heart like a sharp blade. It took her a long, long time to calm down enough to respond, “I won’t marry you.”
Though she liked Jing Nuo, and when Jing’s father told her that Jing Nuo would marry her, she was so happy she couldn’t sleep for three nights, imagining their life together after marriage, reality shattered her dreams cruelly. Jing Nuo was not marrying her out of love.
Hearing her refusal, Jing Nuo grew angry and mocked her, “Wen Xiaorou, you stole my father and insist on digging into my family. Are you also coveting the Jing family fortune? Even if you don’t marry me, you won’t get a single penny from the Jing family. But if you marry me, you’ll keep your comfortable life.”
Wen Xiaorou stared at the mocking Jing Nuo, stunned. She had known the cruelty of human nature before, but this was the first time she truly saw Jing Nuo’s selfishness. He hated her, even despised her. Her heart ached. She wanted to explain but didn’t know how. All her protests boiled down to two words: “I’ll marry.”
Jing Nuo had compromised with his father, and she compromised with Jing Nuo. He was in it for the fortune; she was in it to keep her current comfort. At least, that was what Jing Nuo believed.
Wen Xiaorou didn’t explain herself. As long as Jing Nuo got what he wanted, that was enough. So, when they obtained their marriage certificate and held a simple celebration with a few friends and relatives to announce their marriage, Jing Nuo finally became the head of Shangjing Group.
Originally, Jing’s father wanted a grand wedding, but Jing Nuo declined, citing the need to focus on company growth, promising they could hold a ceremony later. Seeing they were officially married, Jing’s father no longer insisted.
Wen Xiaorou quietly reflected on the past. Sometimes she regretted marrying Jing Nuo; other times, she felt that just being beside him was enough. Yet whenever Jing Nuo said something that upset her, she blamed herself for being naïve, for foolishly hoping that he might grow to love her over time. But year after year, day after day, it was always just a joke. Only the stark warnings, the unvarnished reminders, and the rumors outside were real.
“I’m going to sleep. Good night,” Wen Xiaorou said flatly as she stepped out of the bathroom, her mood heavy. She greeted Jing Nuo quietly, but the room was silent. Jing Nuo had already collapsed on the sofa, fast asleep. Since their marriage, that sofa had become his bed.