Volume One, Chapter One: He Will Not Live Past March Next Year
Thinking that her two-year long-distance relationship was finally coming to an end, Su Li was in an exceptionally good mood. Her beautiful face was alight with a radiant smile, and even the chill of winter was dispelled by the excitement of their impending reunion.
She stood at the door of He Shuming’s home, suitcase in tow, and keyed in the passcode with a heart full of joy.
The moment the door swung open, she froze.
On the sofa, two bodies lay tangled together. Su Li’s mind exploded in a roar.
She clenched her fists; the pair on the sofa were so engrossed they didn’t even notice her arrival.
Fighting back a wave of nausea, she pulled out her phone and switched it to video mode.
When they shifted positions, the woman finally caught sight of Su Li and let out a terrified scream.
He Shuming was startled as well. He hastily grabbed a blanket, wrapped himself, and shielded the woman behind him.
“Su Li, what are you doing?” he snapped.
Eyes red with fury, Su Li replied, “Such a spectacular scene deserves to be recorded and shared with everyone.”
At her words, He Shuming, oblivious to the woman’s nakedness, wrapped himself in the blanket and lunged toward her, trying to grab her phone.
“If you take another step, I’ll send it to everyone,” Su Li threatened.
He Shuming didn’t believe her and continued forward.
Su Li pressed send to all.
He Shuming was stunned.
He had never imagined the gentle, considerate woman could act so ruthlessly!
“Su Li, are you looking to die?” His veins bulged on his forehead, and the fury in his voice threatened violence.
Su Li raised her phone, with 911 already dialed on the screen. “I’m calling the police.”
He Shuming stared wide-eyed. “You…”
Seeing her cold, unyielding expression, he jabbed a finger at her. “Fine! You win!”
Her gaze was icy. “Two years—I might as well have fed my love to a dog. No, you’re not even as good as a dog.”
Leaving He Shuming’s home, Su Li headed to her best friend Lu Jing’s apartment.
She stayed there for five days, during which Lu Jing cursed He Shuming for five days straight.
One morning, seeing Su Li staring at her phone in low spirits, Lu Jing sidled up and hugged her. “Don’t be sad. You should be glad you saw his true colors.”
Su Li shook her head. “I’m not sad anymore. I’m just hesitating about the marriage my father arranged for me.”
“What?”
Su Li’s father had found her a match and kept urging her to come home to discuss it.
The prospective groom came from a wealthy family, was tall, handsome, and an only child. If she agreed to marry him, his family would give a seven-figure bride price. If she became pregnant within two months, she’d get a hundred million yuan as a reward. As long as she bore a child or two, she’d become the lady of the house, with more wealth than she could ever spend.
Lu Jing clapped her hands and sneered, “This must be your stepmother’s idea. If it’s such a good deal, why wouldn’t she let her own daughter marry him? It sounds like a trap.”
“You know some inside story?”
“There’s truth to what they say, but there’s a key detail they didn’t tell you.”
“Oh?”
Lu Jing explained, “The man’s name is Mo Xingyuan. He’s handsome, rich, and capable. Every woman in Nine Cities used to dream of marrying him—if they couldn’t, even just a night with him would do.”
“Mo Xingyuan…” Su Li murmured, the name oddly familiar.
Lu Jing snorted. “Anyone from Nine Cities would know that name.”
She continued, “Last year, rumors spread that he was terminally ill and didn’t have long to live. He had a girlfriend, but after she found out, she apparently left the country.”
“In short, marrying a dying man is like marrying a corpse.”
So that was the truth—how tragic.
Lu Jing curled her lip. “The saying’s true: get a stepmother, get a stepfather too. She just wants you to marry and become a widow.”
“If he dies, you can remarry.”
Lu Jing’s eyes widened. “Wait, are you actually considering it? That man’s at death’s door—imagine how ghastly he must look. And the only reason they want him married now is to leave an heir before he goes.”
“People in this situation are twisted!”
Su Li said softly, “But the offer is substantial.”
“…”
“And if he dies, I inherit his wealth.” Su Li’s expression was calm. “By then, I’ll have money and freedom—who wouldn’t envy that?”
Lu Jing was dumbstruck. “Have you lost your mind?”
“Not at all,” Su Li replied earnestly. “I’ve thought it through. Love is like ghosts—everyone’s heard of them, but who’s ever seen one? It’s not worth chasing after.”
“Besides, why do we work so hard if not to get rich and gain financial freedom? If there’s a shortcut, why not take it?”
Lu Jing muttered, “Why does that actually make sense?”
Su Li smiled. “Because reality is just like that.”
That evening, He Shuming called Su Li from someone else’s phone, hurling insults and calling her useless.
When she hung up, he changed numbers and called again, repeating the cycle until she finally switched off her phone.
The next day, as soon as Su Li turned her phone on, she was flooded with messages.
Most were from He Shuming, saying all sorts of things.
He even ranted in group chats, accusing her of having fake breasts, calling her flirtatious and pretending to be pure… Each insult more vile than the last.
Su Li took a deep breath to suppress her anger.
She called Su Wei’an and accepted his proposal.
The two of them visited the Mo family estate, where they were received by Mo Xingyuan’s parents, as the man himself didn’t appear.
When they learned Su Li was willing to marry their son, the parents could barely contain their excitement.
Su Li made just one request: to register the marriage immediately.
She explained she wanted it to be legal.
As for a wedding ceremony, she didn’t need one.
The Mo family had no objections—they were only afraid she might change her mind.
Both sides reached an agreement at once. Mr. Mo immediately invited civil affairs officials to the house to process the marriage certificate.
It was then that Su Li finally saw Mo Xingyuan…or rather, his photograph.
Just as Lu Jing had described, the man was strikingly handsome, especially his deep, captivating eyes.
Such a flawless man—if he weren’t doomed, she would never have had a chance.
She studied the composite photo in the marriage certificate carefully. Though it was digitally produced, it would suffice.
Mrs. Mo handed her a bank card. There would be no wedding, but the bride price remained, along with a sum for living expenses.
In short, they were exceedingly generous—the amount so large, the card felt heavy in Su Li’s hand.
She didn’t refuse, accepting it with poise.
Her eyes lingered on the name “Mo Xingyuan” in the marriage certificate. She wondered how he’d feel when he learned his parents had “sold” him off.
Leaving the Mo family estate with her father, he was all smiles, visibly delighted.
“The Mo family must have given you quite the benefit,” she remarked.
Su Wei’an froze, his expression awkward. “What are you talking about?”
“No need to pretend.” Su Li stopped and looked at him. “If there weren’t something in it for you, you wouldn’t have thought of me.”
His face reddened with embarrassment. “A-Li…”
She raised a hand, cutting him off from saying anything self-righteous.
Walking ahead, she said coolly, “This is the last time. From now on, don’t contact me.”
When Lu Jing learned she’d really married Mo Xingyuan, she spun around in disbelief.
But it was done; there was no going back.
“Your father is ruthless—he knew it was a pit and still pushed you in. And you’re a fool for agreeing so easily. If he decides to torment you, without the marriage certificate you could run, but now you’re trapped—if he wants you dead, there’s no escape.”
Lu Jing was anxious and angry, her eyes red with worry.
Her friend’s concern warmed Su Li’s heart, and she smiled, comforting her, “I have the certificate, but I’m not planning to show up in front of him.”
Lu Jing stared at her.
Su Li’s eyes sparkled with mischief. Her plan was a bit cruel, but it was also the truth.
“Didn’t you say he won’t last past February? There are less than three months left. I’ll lay low, and when he can’t hold on anymore, I’ll make my appearance.”
It was a beautiful plan—but reality would prove harsher.
A few days after those words, someone came looking for her.
“Mr. Mo wishes to meet his wife.”