At dawn, Shen Xinyan was jolted awake by a cacophony of noise.
Pushing the door open, she saw a weary-looking woman clutching a man's shirt with desperate fervor in the garden of the villa next door, her voice piercing the still morning air.
"Jiang, I've loved you for ten years, borne your children, and devoted myself entirely to you!"
"When we got married, you swore you'd love me forever!"
"And yet, in just a few years, you've dared to keep a mistress behind my back!"
Though it was early morning, many neighbors were already strolling by the lakeside and couldn't help overhearing this explosive confrontation.
As the crowd grew thicker, the man—clearly a figure of prominence—visibly panicked. With a sharp tug, he pulled the woman toward the villa.
"Enough of this nonsense! How many times have I said it? No man in this world can resist temptation!"
Shen Xinyan stared blankly at the scene, her thoughts interrupted when a warm hand suddenly covered her ears from behind, shielding her gently.
"Yan Yan, don't listen to such filthy words."
Without turning, Shen Xinyan whispered softly, "Tell me, do all men eventually lose their loyalty?"
Zhou Yushen stiffened, turning her to face him. His gaze was earnest as he replied, "I can't speak for others, but I never will. Yan Yan, you are the only one I'll ever love in this lifetime."
"Only me, for your entire life? But a lifetime is so long," she murmured.
Zhou Yushen enveloped her in a gentle embrace, his warm breath brushing her ear. "A lifetime is long, but it's only you I want."
Shen Xinyan finally laughed, though her laughter carried a faint trace of bitterness. "But what if? What if you betray me?"
"If I ever betray you, may I be struck by lightning and meet a miserable end."
Knowing the full truth behind those words, her heart ached sharply.
"Zhou Yushen, you dare make such a vicious vow. Aren't you afraid it might come true?"
Zhou Yushen chuckled lowly. "It won't, because no one understands better than I do how deeply I love you. If you don't believe me, I'll carve out my heart for you to see. If that's still not enough, I'll give you my entire life."
Could he truly offer her his whole life?
Then why couldn't he even control himself?
The scent of another woman lingered faintly on him, yet he stood there, weaving the most beautiful lies for her.
"Xinyan-jie, Yushen-ge, what are you two doing?"
A voice suddenly rang out from the doorway, shattering the fragile stillness.
They turned to see Chu Yaoyao leaning casually against the doorframe, clad in a strapless red dress.
In the next moment, Shen Xinyan felt Zhou Yushen stiffen slightly beside her. A faint frown creased his brow. "Isn't today the weekend? Why are you dressed like this? Where are you going?"
His tone was less that of a concerned brother and more that of a jealous husband questioning his wife's intentions, annoyed by her alluring attire.
Catching the possessiveness in his voice, Chu Yaoyao smiled coyly. "The company is hosting a networking party. I'm going to scout for a boyfriend. I won't be coming home tonight."
At her words, Zhou Yushen's expression darkened visibly. Chu Yaoyao's smile only deepened. "By the way, Xinyan-jie, do you two have any plans for today?"
Regaining his composure, Zhou Yushen clasped Shen Xinyan's hand. "Today, I'm taking your sister-in-law back to the family home."
Chu Yaoyao flashed a smile and left with a parting, "Give my regards to everyone."
Half an hour later, Zhou Yushen and Shen Xinyan were on their way to the Zhou family estate.
Zhou Yushen's parents had never been fond of Shen Xinyan as a daughter-in-law. They felt their brilliant son had been reduced to a lovesick fool, nearly losing his life over her. To make matters worse, their marriage had produced no children, and every visit was met with cold hostility.
Distressed by their treatment of her, Zhou Yushen tried to limit their visits. But this time, news had come that Zhou Mother's health was failing, leaving him no choice but to bring Shen Xinyan to visit.
As soon as they stepped through the door, the lighthearted chatter between Zhou Father and Zhou Mother ceased, their faces instantly turning frosty.
Seeing their deliberate hostility toward Shen Xinyan, Zhou Yushen's temper flared. "If you keep this up, Yan Yan and I will never come back here again!"
At his outburst, Zhou Father slammed the table in fury. "How dare you! Are you abandoning your parents for a mere woman?"
Zhou Yushen held Shen Xinyan's hand tightly, unwavering. "I've told you before, Yan Yan is the love of my life. I can't even bear to raise my voice at her, yet you treat her like this. Do you have any idea how much it hurts me?"
"If this ever happens again, I'll consider myself without a family from now on!"