Chapter 166

Every time this thought surfaced, it was like a dark mushroom secretly sprouting in the shadows, taking root in the corner—it could only ever survive in damp places.

Then the sunlight named love would always find that blind spot, casting warmth and blazing emotion over it, turning it into ashes.

She had love, didn’t she?

There was a miracle—Xie Shiqing had changed, she was really changing, wasn’t she?

The people in the restaurant cheered and applauded, offering their sincere blessings to the couple. Some were old, some were young, but all of them were genuinely heartfelt.

Zhong Ning, however, suddenly couldn’t sit still anymore.

She abruptly stood up, rushed into the restroom, and leaned over the toilet, dry heaving several times.

But nothing came out.

Zhong Ning washed her hands in a daze, splashed water on her face several times, then looked up at the person in the mirror—her face was so pale, it looked almost ghostly, devoid of any color.

She knew it then—she wasn’t fine.

Those emotions were piling up inside her, with no outlet, like a clogged water pipe. Her calmness was just an illusion, a self-protective delusion.

Water droplets slid down her chin into the sink like falling tears.

It felt like she would never be okay again.

What kind of love was this?

This was called love?

Zhong Ning pressed her lips tightly together, pulled out a face towel to dry the water, and silently returned to her seat.

“Is there a way to get over a breakup?” she asked listlessly, poking at the food on her plate with a fork.

“Drinking,” Michelle said. “I usually drink, get completely drunk, cry with my good friends, curse my ex—that whole process makes me feel much better.”

“Is that so…” Zhong Ning said in a daze. “Then let’s drink.”

She tugged at the corner of her mouth—her smile looked even worse than crying. “I don’t even have the strength to curse anyone.”

And she didn’t know how to curse anyway.

“Then how about changing tonight’s plan to a bar?” Michelle asked. “It’s always really hard just after a breakup. If you don’t mind, I can tell you about one of my failed relationships.”

Zhong Ning gave her a slightly curious look.

“I had a girlfriend I was with for a long time. I’m an alpha—I’m not sure if you saw my résumé—I served in the military for three years. A bullet hit my abdomen and left me unable to have children.”

As she spoke, she gestured to her lower abdomen. “My girlfriend was a beta, and she supported being child-free, so she didn’t mind that I couldn’t get anyone pregnant. We started as friends, knew each other for three years before getting together, then dated for five years.”

“After retiring, I started working as a bodyguard. Once, I came home early from a business trip, wanting to surprise her—I’d even bought a ring to propose.”

"Then, when I opened the door, I heard the sound of them having sex."

Michelle spoke with remarkable calm, even with a self-deprecating smile on her face. "I totally lost it, but the two of them were even calmer than I was. That other person even swaggered over to the fridge to grab a beer."

"Do you know what reason my girlfriend gave for breaking up with me?"

Zhong Ning was completely drawn in and asked instinctively, "What was it?"

Michelle said, "She said she wanted a child. And then she turned around and yelled at me."

"Ha, I was even a scout once, and I didn’t realize the person beside me was cheating. And they were doing it in my house, on my bed."

Zhong Ning looked both sympathetic and heartbroken. "You’re a pitiful one too. Come on, cheers."

Michelle picked up her wine glass and clinked it with hers. "That was two years ago. See? I don’t care anymore."

"Heartache and sadness are temporary. There’s no wound time can’t heal."

Was that really true?

Zhong Ning’s mind once again flashed with Xie Shiqing’s face—her tears, her sweet words of love, and her heartless betrayal.

Could time heal her too?

---

Chapter 61

City A was a place known for its enthusiasm, openness, and freedom.

In the past, when Zhong Ning walked down the street with Pine Mushroom, she would always receive many amazed glances and people wanting to pet the dog. But since most people were reserved, only a few would actually come over to ask or softly praise her with a “Your dog is so beautiful!”

But here, it was different. Every few steps, someone would offer a compliment—things like "good girl"—to the point where Pine Mushroom even lifted her tail in delight.

Zhong Ning used to prefer the former kind of attention, but now she needed the latter more. She needed massive, uplifting, positive energy to disperse the gloom in her heart.

She needed smiling faces, needed praise, needed kindness—as if she were trying to replenish the qualities she once had by absorbing them from others.

Xie Shiqing was like dodder vine, tightly entwining Zhong Ning with her seemingly delicate appearance. Now that Zhong Ning had finally broken free, she was left battered and bruised.

There were many affectionate couples on the street. Zhong Ning didn’t react as strongly as she had at lunch, but each time her gaze swept past one, she quickly looked away—as if they weren’t sweet lovers, but something toxic, something glaring and terrifying.

She might never fall in love with anyone again.

How naive and ignorant she had been before. Though she had known that love had both good and bad sides, she still foolishly believed she would definitely experience the former.

But luck wouldn’t always favor her.

Zhong Ning silently turned her gaze away, admitting to herself that she was a coward.

She didn’t want to try again—nor did she have the courage to.

The afternoon shopping trip went smoothly. When someone was in a bad mood, spending money really did help. The happiness it brought was different from normal shopping—it carried a distinct sense of release.

Clothes, pants, shoes, jewelry, cosmetics. She bought five pairs of sunglasses, ten hats, and several rings—three of which she immediately wore. She also changed her earrings. From head to toe, everything was replaced. Anything with delivery service was sent straight to the hotel.

She even bought Michelle a wristwatch—simple and elegant in design, and very reasonably priced.