Zhu Qingqing is a pampered heiress. Before her parents died, they left her a sizable fortune, more than enough to ensure she would never have to worry about money for the rest of her life. But people are impossible to read, and no one could have imagined that the aunt who came to look after her would be so heartless. As soon as she took charge, she snatched Qingqing's money and drove the pampered young lady off to the countryside, where Zhu Qingqing became a grubby little flower farmer.
Other people lamented her bad luck, but she didn't care in the slightest. Her parents had left her far more than banknotes, gardens, and shops. They had left her an even more important fortune, and with it, she could make a fortune of her own.
What Zhu Qingqing didn't know then was that her luck really wasn't very good.
If things had continued without a single change, she would have built a business and made a fortune. That would also make her a target: people would scheme against her, hurt and humiliate her, until her personality changed completely. She would no longer be pure-hearted. All she would think about day and night was revenge, and in pursuing it, she would even drag innocent bystanders into the mess.
"You never need to know about those things."
Looking at the sweet young woman sleeping peacefully beside him, Cheng Yi slipped an arm around her and gently drew her into his embrace. He rested his forehead against hers and drifted into a deep sleep.
**
In his previous life, Cheng Yi didn't know Zhu Qingqing was married when he proposed to her in person, shocking everyone. His cool, aloof image was utterly ruined, and from then on, he became even more unapproachable, as though he were a ghost or a god.
Later, Cheng Yi was reborn and returned to two years earlier, before anything had begun.
This time, he met Zhu Qingqing ahead of time.
His cousin, who had also been reborn, worried that his "old feelings would rekindle" and tried to warn him.
Cheng Yi scoffed. "I'm not interested in another man's woman."
Later, the marriage Zhu Qingqing had been promised since childhood fell through.
His cousin thought, This is bad. Trouble's brewing.
So he kept a close eye on Zhu Qingqing.
And wouldn't you know it, he really did catch her at something.
In a dim room, a man had Zhu Qingqing pinned against the wall. She didn't resist. Instead, she tilted her chin up, parted her lips, and wrapped her arms around the man's neck.
Oh my god!!!!
The cousin peeked in, his hair standing on end and his face turning red. He bolted off to find Cheng Yi as if his pants were on fire.
After searching for ages, he finally found him in the study.
Cheng Yi sat beneath the lamplight with a book in his hand. A faint smell of alcohol clung to him, and he looked to be in a bad mood.
Perfect for reporting some gossip.
The cousin sidled up to him. "Brother, people really aren't what they seem. Guess what I saw? That Zhu Qingqing girl looks soft and innocent, but she's already learned how to seduce men at such a young age. The way she was carrying on, tsk, tsk."
Cheng Yi was indeed even more displeased. His sharp eyes lifted coldly beneath his sword-like brows.
The cousin rejoiced and was just about to continue when he heard two quick smacks. A dull pain struck his chest and back, and his vision went black. His tongue and lips stiffened. He couldn't see or speak.
He heard Cheng Yi say, "Oh, it's you. Do that again, and you can say goodbye to those eyes of yours."
The cousin took a moment to process that. "..." Aaaaaah!!!
Theme: The lake of the heart is stirred by wind and rain; let the storms blow from east or west.
