After the Jiang family goes bankrupt, Jiang Zhuo falls from the clouds into the mud.
The people who used to flock around him change their tune overnight. Everyone is waiting to see him make a fool of himself.
At his most miserable, his nemesis Gu Huaiyue is the one who won't leave him alone. They run into each other today, and tomorrow Gu Huaiyue lends him a hand, putting on an act of benevolent charity.
Jiang Zhuo is disgusted by him and wants nothing more than to get as far away from him as possible.
Then Gu Cenzhou sets his sights on him.
Gu Cenzhou's background is a mystery. He's always elegant and composed, but his methods are ruthlessly forceful, leaving Jiang Zhuo no choice but to meekly become his canary.
Jiang Zhuo: "I'd rather starve to death than go with you!!"
But later, he learns to act vulnerable and ingratiate himself, deliberately drawing close so he can use this man's influence to turn the tables.
He thinks he'll never take it seriously. His words remain defiant, but his body slowly gives in, and he becomes addicted to being cherished once again.
One day, Gu Cenzhou says he'll take him to meet his adopted son.
The car pulls into a familiar detached villa. The moment Jiang Zhuo looks up, he freezes as if struck by lightning.
Isn't this... Gu Huaiyue's house?!
Before Jiang Zhuo can recover, Gu Huaiyue is already walking out the door.
Their eyes meet. Both are stunned. The former nemeses stare wide-eyed at each other, and the air falls instantly silent.
The next second, Gu Cenzhou places a hand on Jiang Zhuo's waist and formally introduces him: "Xiao Yue, this is your stepmother. Say hello."
Jiang Zhuo is stunned for two seconds. Then he sees a crack appear in the expression on Gu Huaiyue's usually arrogant face.
All trace of embarrassment vanishes from Jiang Zhuo's eyes, leaving only mischief and swagger.
He looks up at the nemesis who used to make things difficult for him at every turn, takes half a step forward, and lifts his chin slightly. His voice is steeped in a hundred thousand percent swagger, each word a dagger to the heart:
"Did you hear that? Do you know how to address your stepmother?"
-
What Jiang Zhuo doesn't see is that as he turns and walks into the house, Gu Huaiyue stares at the sliver of pale skin exposed at the back of his neck. His lips move without making a sound, and the corners of his mouth lift ever so slightly.
He doesn't look angry.
He looks like he's been waiting for this day for a very long time.
*Couple: Jiang Zhuo x Gu Cenzhou.
*Gu Huaiyue has a one-sided crush :) Hehe.
Theme: Growing through adversity.
