Married First, Fell in Love with My Nemesis Later

Starting November 10, the story will go behind a paywall from Chapter 22! If you've already read those chapters, you don't need to subscribe again! After it goes behind the paywall, I'll post six chapters a day!!!

A few things to know before reading:

1. Character types: two top students, a carefree, tsundere puppy-like pursuer and a cool on the outside, warm on the inside, sharp-tongued, scheming older-sister type who is pursued.

2. They reunite from the start, with university memories woven in.

3. The overall tone is light and cheerful, with lots of banter and stubborn denials. (Don't ask what they're arguing about! And don't ask which mouth is being stubborn!)

4. Please don't offer unsolicited writing advice. There are countless good stories out there, and meeting is fate. I'm grateful!

Donghang University has a pair of sworn rivals who are always at each other's throats. One is Xiang Wanxi, the top scorer on the college entrance exam and an untouchable campus beauty who always ranks first in exams and awards. The other is the hot-tempered Shi Ye, an eternal runner-up who can never seem to catch up.

Shi Ye: I just filled in the wrong row on the answer sheet!

Xiang Wanxi: Mm. You're in second place.

Shi Ye: It's only temporary! Next time I'll definitely come first!

Xiang Wanxi: Mm. You're in second place.

Shi Ye gritted her teeth: That woman is always provoking me!

A bad influence came up with a plan: They say love makes people lose their heads. Find someone to date her and bring her down a peg. Then you'll be number one, right?

Shi Ye: What a joke!

Sure, Xiang Wanxi was beautiful, but with a personality as icy as hers, not even a dog would want to date her!

A month later, a certain dog secretly started dating Xiang Wanxi behind everyone's back.

*

To this day, Donghang University has an unsolved mystery. How did the two top students who were always at each other's throats and fought every time they met suddenly start sitting together peacefully in the library, studying and reviewing their lessons?

Then, not long after they made peace, Shi Ye announced their breakup in front of everyone on graduation day. Xiang Wanxi slapped her in front of everyone, turned and left for overseas, never to return.

Years later, Shi Ye's once-wealthy family fell on hard times. Xiang Wanxi, who had once lived on financial aid, had become a young rising star with a degree from a prestigious university, and Shi Ye's direct superior.

To survive in the workplace, Shi Ye had no choice but to ask Xiang Wanxi for help.

On a luxurious leather sofa, the woman wore gold-rimmed glasses and crossed her legs. Holding a wineglass between her fingertips, she smiled, her amber eyes curving slightly. "All right. Agree to one condition."

"What condition?"

"Marry me."

*

Though Xiang Wanxi never said it outright, Shi Ye knew the reason for the marriage. It was simply so Xiang Wanxi could torment and humiliate her through their marriage, taking revenge for their breakup all those years ago.

After they married, Shi Ye kept her composure and stayed true to her original purpose.

At the company, a coworker who loved to stir up trouble mocked her: "Shi Ye, no matter how much you suck up to Xiang Wanxi, it won't do you any good. You're nothing but a dog at her feet!"

Shi Ye bared her teeth. "Who are you calling a dog?!"

Even though she had been prepared for it, Xiang Wanxi's unconditional public support and devoted care when Shi Ye was sick...

Under the woman's unintentional flirtation, Shi Ye still fell for her step by step, losing her heart.

She even pinned the woman to the sofa after drinking and demanded a kiss, letting her true feelings slip: "I like you... I like you more than all the bonuses and awards..."

Later

The coworker complained again: "Shi Ye, you're nothing but a dog at Xiang Wanxi's feet!"

Shi Ye proudly raised her head. "I'm Xiang Wanxi's dog. So what?!"

Later still

Shi Ye knelt by the bed, burying her face against the woman's stomach. She looked up with shining black eyes, as if she wished she had a tail and ears, and clung to the woman's waist, swaying excitedly.

"Big Sister, aren't I your favorite puppy?"

*

Everyone knows that the elite rising star Xiang Wanxi is decisive and ruthless in business, with an exceptionally cold disposition. She never gets close to men or women.

But few know that she has always kept a beloved person in her heart.

That person once approached her of her own accord, and also once abandoned her of her own accord.

And years later, she returned to Xiang Wanxi's side.

During an interview, a reporter asked the model couple: "When did your relationship begin?"

Shi Ye: "We fell for each other after we reunited."

Xiang Wanxi disagreed. "No."

The reporter and Shi Ye: Huh?

Xiang Wanxi: "It started back in university."

As Shi Ye stared at her in astonishment, Xiang Wanxi gazed deeply into her eyes.

Theme: True love can withstand the passage of time.