The Foster Bride Wants to Leave

Chen Lianyang was the Zhou family’s adopted daughter-in-law. But after Zhou Huaizhao passed the civil service examinations, made a name for himself at court, and rose swiftly through the ranks, she knew she was no match for that noble, radiant young man. Then he was drugged, and they spent one passionate night together. At last, she married him as she had always hoped. Life after their wedding was not easy. Her mother-in-law criticized her, and her husband was cold and unfeeling. But as she watched Zhou Huaizhao grow more formidable by the day, she thought that once she had his child, things would eventually get better for her too. Until one day, she argued with another woman. He comforted the other woman tenderly, then turned to Chen Lianyang with a cold stare. “Have you had enough?” Chen Lianyang nearly choked on her anger. Looking back on everything that had happened, she realized it had all been wishful thinking on her part. Why put up with this? Her husband was steadily climbing the ranks, and all his friends were wealthy and influential. She was young and beautiful, and had no children. Why couldn’t she divorce him and marry again? * Zhou Huaizhao had lived with Chen Lianyang for years. At first, he thought she was gentle and obedient, until one night she clung to his neck and kept calling him “Dear Zhou,” her voice so sweet it seemed to drip honey. Only then did Zhou Huaizhao realize he had misjudged her. They were married. Though he disliked her, he would not give her up easily. Chen Lianyang was useless, with nothing but her beauty to recommend her. Where could she go without him? Yet, at some point, Chen Lianyang gradually began to distance herself from him. Before, she had wanted a child so badly she could hardly bear to be apart from him. Now, even in bed, she resented his closeness. Later, on a rainy day, Zhou Huaizhao came across Chen Lianyang, soaked through, sheltering in a pavilion with a friend who had come to visit. Chen Lianyang smiled at the man, and the two chatted happily, clearly enjoying themselves. Zhou Huaizhao clenched his fingers until his knuckles cracked and demanded an explanation. Chen Lianyang answered without a trace of emotion, “We were just talking. Have you had enough?” It was only when Chen Lianyang told him she wanted a divorce that Zhou Huaizhao realized he was the one who stubbornly refused to let go, not her. He would go to any lengths rather than agree to the divorce. [Updated at eleven every night. Anti-piracy: 70%] Upcoming story on my profile: Younger Sister. If you like it, please add it to your bookmarks~ Blurb: Xie Zhi is the fifth son of the century-old Xie clan. He spent his youth convalescing and studying Buddhism in a temple, returning to the Xie family only after he turned eighteen. The fifth young master was remarkably handsome, with a captivating presence. A fine and gifted young man of noble bearing, he was known as a little sage. Jiang Ling was publicly known as Xie Zhi’s adopted younger sister, brought back from the temple. She was gentle by nature, stammered when she spoke, and seemed thoroughly ordinary. Yet Xie Zhi doted on this unrelated younger sister, personally looking after her every need. Everyone who saw them was envious. Only Jiang Ling knew that it was all a lie. The real Xie Zhi had already been killed by him. The two “siblings” had stolen another person’s identity and taken over his home. Jiang Ling feared this so-called elder brother. She feared his incessant, relentless control, day and night, with no sense of boundaries. At last, she found a suitable husband and said to Xie Zhi, “Brother, I want to get married.” Xie Zhi showed no reaction, only smiling faintly as he agreed. But Jiang Ling was accidentally drugged and spent a wild night with someone. The sensation was all too familiar. With trembling, aching hands, she pulled the undergarment off the ruffian’s face and met her elder brother’s cold, smiling gaze. * If Xie Zhi wanted something, there was nothing he couldn’t do. For example, he could lead his younger sister out of a wolf’s den of a home and make sure she always had enough to eat. When she wanted pretty jewelry, he would have her wearing it the very next day. He had taken someone else’s place and given his sister a life of luxury. What? He was a vile criminal who did all manner of evil? So long as his younger sister enjoyed a happy life of wealth and success with him, what did it matter? Besides, his sister was fifteen and still couldn’t speak properly. What was wrong with using his tongue to teach her? Yet she actually said she wanted to get married. When Xie Zhi was furious, he began to laugh. Later, he watched coldly as Jiang Ling was drugged by someone. Then he followed her into her room. He watched as his younger sister begged him like a madwoman and gladly returned her passion in kind. That night, as Jiang Ling lay unconscious, she never heard him whispering beside her, over and over: “Little sister, little sister, little sister...” Theme: When one door closes, another opens