Ru City could be considered one of the promising cities in the country, with many powerful and influential families gathered there. This city was known for its beautiful scenery and numerous fun places to visit. Most importantly, Ru City was popular for its business hub, where people usually came to engage in business transactions for themselves, as many businessmen gathered here to conduct business.
In a secluded corner of the city stood a grand villa, its imposing presence guarded by strict patrols. This estate belonged to Cheng Yuze, the Eldest Young Master of the Cheng Family, one of Ru City's most powerful and affluent families. Presently, Cheng Yuze held the position of CEO at KGF Bank, a renowned financial institution with branches spanning across various cities. Renowned for his cold and distant demeanor, particularly towards women, Cheng Yuze left a trail of heartbroken admirers in his wake.
Seated alone in the villa's dining room, a young woman clad in a white dress exuded an aura of profound solitude. Her dark, almond eyes betrayed a sense of unyielding loneliness, as though her entire existence had never known the warmth of light.
"Ma'am! Mr. Jian just called to inform us that the Eldest Young Master will not be returning home tonight," a maid approached respectfully, delivering the news to the woman before her.
"Then please have the food put away," came the gentle response from the woman, a small smile gracing her exquisite features, as if she had anticipated this turn of events.
"You haven't eaten anything yet, Ma'am!" The maid's surprise was evident as she noticed the untouched food laid out for the young woman.
"I'm not hungry, you can put them away." The woman dismissed any further persuasion, rising from her seat and moving away slowly. Each step seemed to drain her of energy, her petite frame appearing even more isolated within the vast mansion. Despite the bustling activity of the maids around her, she remained conspicuously out of place.
"Han Lixin! You are the reason Ah Ze isn't home again!" The powerful voice, filled with anger, reverberated through the villa's entrance. A middle-aged woman, her demeanor exuding affluence with an expensive brown Chanel bowling bag in hand, strode in. Following closely behind her was a young lady in a red dress, wearing a subtle smile.
"Mother." Han Lixin's voice held a mixture of resignation and defiance as she stood her ground, facing the two newcomers.
Slap!
"Don't call me that! I've never once acknowledged you as my daughter-in-law!" Mrs. Cheng's fury manifested in the form of a furious slap across Han Lixin's cheek. Han Lixin clenched her jaw, enduring the stinging pain as her cheek reddened under the force of the blow.
"Shameless!" The woman beside Mrs. Cheng observed the scene with a cold indifference, making no move to intervene. With a scornful sneer directed at her love rival, she reveled in Han Lixin's humiliation, relishing the moment.
"Xiao Tong, an intelligent person like you shouldn't lower yourself to her level," Mrs. Cheng admonished, her words dripping with disdain as she shot a hateful glare at Han Lixin.
For years, Mrs. Cheng had harbored the desire for Gu Yutong to become her daughter-in-law. However, due to a decade-old agreement between the Cheng and Han families to unite their eldest children in marriage, she was bound by the terms set forth by Chairman Cheng and his friend, Chairman Han, even after her husband's passing.
"She is Ah Ze's wife! I have to show her some respect, Auntie!" Gu Yutong's sweet smile betrayed her underlying determination.
"No matter what your reasons are! I don't want you associating with this brainless, good-for-nothing person!" Mrs. Cheng declared sternly, taking Gu Yutong by the hand and leading her away to the living room.
Han Lixin turned silently, her gaze following the retreating figures making their way towards the living room. With a gentle touch, she grazed her left cheek, still tender from the recent slap, and released a soft sigh. Ascending the stairs, she made her way to the master bedroom and closed the door behind her.
This room belonged to Cheng Yuze, her husband, and she had been relegated to reside here after her marriage into the Cheng Family. The furnishings were all somber black, casting a shadow of gloominess over the already desolate atmosphere that enveloped the solitary occupant.
Tonight, the full moon cast its radiant glow, illuminating the room with its ethereal light. Han Lixin's gaze drifted to the moon outside the window, her dark eyes reflecting a myriad of complex emotions difficult to articulate.
"If only I hadn't been involved in that car accident a week ago, perhaps I wouldn't be subjected to such disdain," Han Lixin murmured softly to herself, her fists clenching with quiet frustration.
A week ago, Han Lixin woke up in a hospital bed, her memory completely blank except for her name. 'Han Lixin' echoed in her mind, the only thing she could grasp onto in the void of her forgotten past. The doctor confirmed her fear: she had amnesia, her memories lost.
With no other option, Han Lixin faced the daunting task of rediscovering her identity. How long would it take to regain her memories? The question loomed large, unanswered. Feeling like a stranger in her own skin, she grappled with this unsettling sensation.
The desire to reclaim her memories consumed her. She refused to passively accept her situation, determined to reclaim her sense of self and her place in the world. But as days passed with no progress, frustration and discomfort grew. Han Lixin's pride rebelled against the indignity of being seen as helpless, driving her to push harder to rediscover who she truly was.