The Fall

Chapters 81, 82, and 83 have been extensively revised and rewritten. Chapter 84 is the original Chapter 83.

[Sharp-tongued schemer × pretentious guy]

At a reunion several years after graduation, someone recognized the restaurant server as their former classmate, Lu Chao.

Rumor had it that Lu Chao's family had gone bankrupt and a relative was seriously ill. He was frantic with worry about money.

The once brilliant young man had fallen to the lowest point in his life. Some sighed, others looked on coldly. Lu Chao calmly served every guest a drink.

Only when his ex-girlfriend Lin Weilan asked how he was did he grit his teeth and turn away. "None of your business."

Lin Weilan was taken aback. She left as decisively as she had on the rainy night they broke up.

*

Not long afterward, Lin Weilan called Lu Chao.

If he agreed to one condition, she could pay him a generous sum.

On the other end of the phone, Lu Chao gave a low, scornful laugh at her condition. "You still want to humiliate me?"

Lin Weilan didn't like that. With a sigh, she hung up and blocked him.

Just half a minute later, Lu Chao knocked on her door. He had dressed carefully, in the style she used to like.

By the time they'd been talking on the phone, he had already been waiting outside.

Lu Chao's ears were scarlet, but his eyes sparkled with nervousness and anticipation, and an unmistakable invitation.

He tugged at his ex-girlfriend's sleeve and pleaded in a soft voice, "You can humiliate me now."

He took off his suit jacket and shirt. Underneath was something Lin Weilan liked even more:

"In the way you... used to like."

[Reading Guide]

1. The female lead is not a virgin; the male lead is. After they break up, time stands still for the male lead, while the female lead gets a new boyfriend.

2. The female and male leads are mutually in love. Both make sacrifices in the relationship, but their status is unequal, with the male lead in the subordinate position.

3. The female lead has niche kinks and likes to test obedience. She makes mistakes and gives the male lead money. Readers with high expectations of the female lead may want to avoid this one. The male lead will repay all the money she gives him and pay her back on top of that.

4. An alternate universe. All the settings serve the plot and romance, so please don't compare them to real life.

★ Reader comments on individual chapters are now open to everyone.

★ The author will delete comments that scold the female lead.

★ Brainstorming/setting/worldbuilding notes: Weibo @Hushuodeqiqi

Theme: Love is respect and understanding