1. Hu Tao gave Cheng Yi the best years of her life over the course of their five-year relationship, but he never brought up marriage.
After thinking it over for a long time, Hu Tao took the initiative and asked, "Will you marry me?"
The man's voice over the phone was so callous. "Our families are in completely different situations. I need to think about getting married."
His lazy voice came through the receiver. "Or, you could move in with me and take good care of my mom and me. I think I'd love you more than I do now. Even if we never get a marriage certificate, I'll still be with you for the rest of my life."
Hu Tao clutched the phone as tears pattered down her face. He even scolded her for crying. "Little Walnut, crying won't do you any good."
Later, when the meek and accommodating Hu Tao finally stopped being a pushover, she came across Cheng Yi downstairs, after he'd spent a whole snowy night waiting for her. His lips trembled. Once he managed to stand up straight, he cried and tried to hug her. "I'm sorry. Please give me another chance. I'm willing to marry you now."
There was no love left in Hu Tao's eyes. Her face cold, she said, "Don't stand in front of my home!"
2. Everyone said Cheng Yi had found himself a girlfriend who was devoted to him in every way. Her family background was the only thing that didn't measure up. She obeyed his every word and always went along with him. He'd always grin and say, "Women are like that. Once you break them in, if you tell them to kneel, they'll kneel."
So after they broke up, Cheng Yi remained confident. "She'll never find anyone with a better family background who loves her more. A little sweet-talking and she'll come right back."
A long time passed. Hu Tao never reappeared at his side, and Cheng Yi only grew thinner.
One night, drunk, Cheng Yi brought a group of friends to Hu Tao's home to block her door. The golden boy knelt before the woman he'd looked down on and wept. "Would this be enough to make up for the emotional harm I caused you? I just want you."
Hu Tao's face was cold, and there was no light left in her eyes. She replied calmly, "Mr. Cheng, you're far above me. I was never good enough for you."
Reader's Guide:
No real-life inspiration. They do not get back together in the end.
The female lead is foolish and pathetic early on, acting as if every other man in the world is dead. If that bothers you, read with caution.
Blurb dates: 2020-11-22, 2022-3-20
Theme: Becoming independent and strong is what matters most
