An Unhealthy Relationship

When the Xie family came to choose someone for a marriage alliance at her maternal grandmother's country villa, Shi An hid behind a door and watched Xie Huai. He had fair, wheat-colored skin, brown hair, and eyes that were neither quite blue nor quite green.

At the time, Xie Huai was listening to someone speak. His profile was tall and straight. Suddenly, a sweet breeze passed by, and Xie Huai glanced over with narrowed eyes. Shi An liked his handsome face and lake-like eyes.

Usually quiet, Shi An took advantage of a moment when Xie Huai was alone to approach him. Rising onto her tiptoes, she plucked a fallen leaf from his shoulder. "Didn't you notice? You're so dense."

After Shi An left, Xie Huai asked a servant, "Who was that just now?" The servant mistook her for someone else. "Shi Ping."

When Xie Huai sent a letter five years later, it was addressed to Shi Ping. Shi An decided to hate him.

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Five years later, Shi An had to marry Xie Huai for money, taking the place of her deceased twin brother. The two sat across from each other to discuss the arrangement.

Shi An proposed, "A hunter's a high-risk occupation. If we divorce or you die, all your money goes to me."

Xie Huai smiled scornfully. Shi An looked into his eyes, dark as a lake. He said, "All you have to do is fulfill your duties as my husband."

And so Xie Huai had his way with Shi An every day. Shi An thought he was a bad egg. He ought to be called Xie Huai, the bad one.

Her pride made her endure it until she could take no more and asked for a divorce. Xie Huai only sneered coldly, "Got enough money out of me and now you're leaving?"

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Shi An thought she would gradually get away from Xie Huai, but he suddenly lowered his head. "We're still in the cooling-off period. We can share a bed."

Late at night, as Shi An slept soundly, Xie Huai carefully examined her arm, then stiffly murmured, "Wifey."

Shi An was someone who knew when to let go. When she saw a snowy branch resting on Xie Huai's shoulder, she rose onto her tiptoes to pluck it off. "Didn't you notice? You're so dense."

But Xie Huai suddenly seized her hand, his eyes igniting like a dark lake.

Theme: I know I like you, but could you like me first, just a little?