My Two Worlds: One Is a Jerk, the Other Is Warm

[A story for readers born in the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s. Told in first person, it follows the leads from age fifteen or sixteen through marriage and having children. It spans a long period, so the story unfolds more slowly than usual. Perfect for reading over tea before an afternoon nap!]

When I was fifteen, I fell ill and went to my grandmother's house to recuperate. That's where I met my first love, Xiao Ye.

I worked hard at school for his sake, hoping I could give him the best life someday.

But when I found out he'd started working as a male escort at a club and was sleeping around, I buried my feelings for him.

After his mother passed away, we met again. I thought our relationship would grow closer, but his ex-girlfriend, Su Yangyang, got between us, and I left in tears.

In the days that followed, whenever I thought of him, my heart still ached. I couldn't bear to see him suffer... After everything life threw at us, we got married.

To support his business and save face for him, I quit my teaching job and went with him to open a food stall...

That was when the dark, torturous chapter of my life began... I was the one being tortured...

I thought we'd eventually find our happy ending, but later I realized he wasn't the right man for me...