He Bowed Before the Wedding, So Why Am I the One Bowing After?

1. A marriage at an impasse: Before the wedding, Chen Fei was a warm-hearted man who accommodated Lin Ni in every way. Afterward, he became a cold and distant “client.” Lin Ni, once independent and confident, became a desperate “contractor,” trapped by financial dependence and emotional abuse.

2. The roots of the rift: A power struggle over “who gives in first,” day after day of emotional abuse, the humiliation of financial control, and the assumption that her sacrifices were simply her duty slowly devoured their love.

Some hurts cannot be undone, and some realizations come too late. It is vital to cherish the love and family you have now.

Chen Fei’s inner monologue: I lost my starlight, my home, and the girl who once had eyes only for me. I used “providing for the family” as an excuse to ignore her sacrifices, her pain, and every time she cried out for help. I took her love and patience for granted. Like a foolish tyrant, I destroyed everything precious with my own hands, lost in the fantasy that I was the “client.” Only after losing it all did I understand that in a marriage, no one should have to “give in.” What matters is mutual respect, appreciation, and sharing the burdens together. But I understood too late. This belated realization is my endless punishment for the rest of my life. If only time could turn back... But there are no ifs. I hope everyone trapped within the walls of marriage can hear this anguished confession: cherish the one beside you, and don’t wait until the flowers are gone to pluck a bare branch. Don’t let indifference and taking love for granted destroy the person who loves you and the home you once treasured.