Chapter 56: Awakening in the Shadow.

Yu Baiwei wanted to leave.

But the faint moans and gasps from behind the door held her in place, as if enchanted.

Her eyes misted with emotion.

Why? Move… come on, move!

What am I even listening to?

Shouldn’t I stop them? Neither leaving nor going in—what am I doing here?

She pinched her long, curled legs, hoping the pain would reclaim control.

But was it really about control?

She didn’t know. All she felt was something inside clawing to get out.

If she didn’t suppress it with pain, it might consume her, pushing her to do things she’d never considered.

The entwined, fervent sounds grew clearer, longer.

Then, a raw, heart-shaking cry made her tremble, and everything fell silent.

Realizing it was over, she shifted her weak, over-twisted legs, slumping to the side, hugging herself, her flushed face buried in her knees.

Soon, the door opened.

Yan Ruyue’s mocking voice dripped with disdain. “Oh? Sister Baiwei, didn’t expect you to have that hobby. Heh~”

Leaning down, she ruffled Yu Baiwei’s hair. “Next time, maybe you can watch up close.”

With a cold chuckle, Yan Ruyue sauntered off.

Yu Baiwei glanced up at her swaying figure. Despite the odd gait hidden by her skirt, she knew—this woman had won again, humiliating her in the worst way.

It was always like this. Since forever, Yu Baiwei lived in her shadow.

Chasing, but never catching up.

This time, too. Even if her engagement with Lu Zhao was fake, the feeling lingered.

But what if it was real?

A shift flickered in Yu Baiwei’s mind. If my relationship with Lu Zhao was real, could I stop her? Could I… win just once?

No, no, no… what was she thinking?

She shook her head, trying to banish the absurd idea.

But once a thought takes root, it’s nearly impossible to erase.

Steadying herself against the wall, she stood, took a moment, and entered the room.

She’d expected Lu Zhao to be a wreck—glassy-eyed, disheveled, broken.

His shirt was indeed torn beyond repair, but his pants were intact.

He sat on a chair, wincing, hand on his waist, muttering, “That crazy woman… my back…”

Seeing Yu Baiwei, he gave an awkward, wry smile. “Made a fool of myself, Miss Yu.”

“…?”

His reaction stunned her. This… this is it?

This was the awkward look of someone who’d missed a step on the stairs—not someone in this situation.

Her jumbled thoughts perfectly captured her shock, disbelief, and… irritation.

Any other man would be a mess—traumatized, lifeless.

But this guy?

He acted like he’d just had a bad day, grumbling a bit, vowing to be more careful next time.

Yu Baiwei’s brows furrowed. She didn’t want to think ill of him.

But his demeanor screamed bad implications.

Was he used to this? Did he do this often? Was he the type to juggle shady relationships with multiple women?

Stepping closer, she saw the marks on his body.

Swollen lips, faint red welts on his neck, bite marks on his shoulders, scratches on his chest.

The vivid red against his skin jabbed at her already fragile state.

Lu Zhao frowned at the marks Yan Ruyue left, thinking she really didn’t care about the setting. How was he supposed to go out like this?

He opened his mouth to ask Yu Baiwei for a shirt, but meeting her gaze, his heart sank.

Too similar.

Her look was nearly identical to Yan Ruyue’s earlier—maybe not exact, but damn close.

Oh, come on, is this sister catching some weird fetish too? You all need doctors—why target me?

“Ahem!” Lu Zhao coughed loudly.

The sound snapped Yu Baiwei out of it. She looked away, a faint blush on her cheeks.

“Uh… Miss Yu, could you grab me a shirt? Can’t go out like this, right?”

He had a sudden urge—get dressed and bolt. This cold world held warmth only in his own bed.

Oh, and maybe Yan Qingxin’s embrace. At least with her, it was… relatively safe.

Yu Baiwei lowered her eyes, glancing around. “Okay, wait here.” She hurried out.

Phew—

Lu Zhao leaned back, exhaling, staring blankly at the ceiling.

He didn’t know how to describe his mood. Yu Baiwei only saw the surface, not the struggle and helplessness inside.

No matter how many years passed, he’d never become as… fragile as this world’s men.

That’s what drew Yan Ruyue’s conquest and… destructive urges in the first place.

He hadn’t expected to run into her here. But now he realized—of course she’d be here.

It was only logical. The daughter of a close family friend getting engaged? If she was in Bin City, she’d show up.

He’d been careless, forgetting Bin City was Yan Ruyue’s turf.

No dodging that—he’d walked right into it.

This was a lesson. Even if the sky fell or the gods themselves showed up, he’d never set foot in Bin City again!

Not even if Yan Qingxin begged him!

Soon, Yu Baiwei returned.

“By the way, Miss Yu, did your mom ask where I went?”

She turned her head, sneaking glances. “Yeah, I said you didn’t like the party vibe and were chilling elsewhere. She didn’t say much.”

“Oh…” Honestly, kind of bold.

But since he was a fake fiancé, whatever.