Bai Niao was never a good child.
She was lazy, gluttonous, and idle; she had been like that since she was very young.
At first, Bai Niao was merely delicate and slothful, though she herself did not know exactly when she had turned truly wicked.
It was not until she successfully framed a girl who intended to get close to her fiancé that she suddenly realized she had committed a malicious act.
After the incident, the girl discovered it was Bai Niao’s doing and reported it to her fiancé.
Bai Niao cried with pear blossoms bathed in rain in his arms, her voice trembling as she said, “I didn’t mean to… I don’t know how this happened…”
She was adept at feigning innocence and fragility. Her pair of watery eyes were flushed red, making her look wronged and helpless.
Bai Niao had been raised by his side since she was a child. It was he who brought this dusty little bird home and raised her into the delicate creature she was now. He knew she was spoiled and willful, but he had never known her other side—the one that was arrogant, vicious, and even despicable and dark.
“Niao Niao didn’t mean it; she just did something wrong with good intentions,” he said softly. “If there is a problem, I will apologize to you on her behalf.”
Afterward, he did not blame Bai Niao in the slightest; instead, he held her in his arms and coaxed her gently.
What is more terrifying than failure is success.
Having tasted the sweetness of it, Bai Niao’s behavior became increasingly frantic; she could not tolerate any other woman appearing by his side.
Even after committing evil deeds, she would always revert to her innocent and naive facade.
Everyone knew what a wicked person she was.
It was only after Bai Niao came of age and the two were betrothed that she became less paranoid, for on the very night of her coming-of-age ceremony, she climbed directly into his bed.
She had deliberately drunk drugged wine and, biting her lip, whispered softly: “Brother, I feel unwell.”
Bai Niao was not an innocent girl ignorant of the world; her eyes were filled with seduction. Her soft little hands climbed onto the man’s neck, and she parted her knees, revealing the tender white skin of her upper thighs.
She was as intoxicating as cherry blossoms, her jade-like frame full of fragrance.
He was a self-controlled person—one could even say somewhat cold-hearted.
But after being pushed away slightly, Bai Niao began to cry: “Is it not allowed, Brother? Do you dislike Niao Niao? Do you only not want me because you like someone else?”
Her shoulders were tinged with a lustrous pink, and the corners of her eyes were burned a vivid, brilliant red, like a fully ripened flower.
Bai Niao’s dress was made of light-colored thin gauze, and she cried while saying, “Then, then I’ll go find someone else and stop bothering you, Brother.”
These words finally ignited the man’s temper.
Even the most gentle and good-tempered man could not tolerate his fiancée saying such things.
Bai Niao ultimately achieved her goal. That night at the engagement banquet, she sat on his lap, her voice soft: “Brother, I want a baby.”
Her eyes were brimming with moisture, and her waist swayed lightly.
An eighteen or nineteen-year-old girl, still possessing a delicate childishness in her expression, she only acted spoiled and willful when she was rejected.
“You are still too young,” he said softly. “At least wait until you finish your studies.”
Only Bai Niao herself knew the darkness in her eyes; countless morbid and paranoid thoughts were driving her insane.
She did not care what others thought.
She simply wanted his child; she simply wanted to be with him.
For these years, he would regularly return to the country, and she would often visit him, but this long-distance way of being together left her without a sense of security.
Bai Niao lowered her eyes and obediently said “okay.”
She was very bad even back then, but at least she would listen to him.
But accidents always arrive before happiness.
When she learned that someone had compiled the evil deeds she had done into a folder and presented it to him, Bai Niao panicked instantly. Even more terrifying was the fact that her background had also become a problem.
The relationship between Bai Niao and her younger brother, Zhong Yu, was discordant; the two rarely spoke to each other after growing up.
When they did, it was only with cold sarcasm.
The Zhong family was an old, prestigious aristocratic clan, stressing morality and etiquette, and they carried that arrogant, aloof spirit in their bones.
Bai Niao was spoiled, stupid, greedy for money, and vain; her reputation in the circle of the powerful and wealthy was always poor, and many said she was the one who tarnished the reputation of the Zhong family.
Later, she did everything evil for a fiancé who did not love her, causing her reputation to plummet to the absolute bottom.
In fact, at that time, the only person left in the world who still believed she was well-intentioned was her fiancé.
Bai Niao was an extremely despicable person mean and heartless. She was cold and callous even toward the old servants who knelt in the pouring rain to plead with her.
She seemed to have no heart; only in front of her fiancé would she feign an innocent and naive appearance.
Long ago, Bai Niao had already rotted through to the bone.
She was morbid and paranoid, trapped in an obsession from which she could not break free, but she truly destroyed herself completely when she sought out that European businessman.
Bai Niao quarreled with Zhong Yu; he mocked her for disregarding everything for a man, and she secretly cursed him for wasting the rest of his life in a wheelchair, unable to even be a man.
The relationship between this pair of siblings was broken to a terrifying degree.
Yet, after Zhong Yu proposed that absurdly grotesque scheme, Bai Niao could not help but be tempted.
She never dared to gamble on that man’s love for her; his feelings for her had always been less about love and more about responsibility and habit.
He may never have loved her, but driven by morality, he could not bring himself to abandon her.
Especially at that time, when Bai Niao learned she was not Mrs. Zhong’s biological daughter, but rather a “cuckoo in the nest”—a fake daughter—she realized that the status of the eldest lady of the Zhong family was already so low in his eyes; if her identity were exposed, there would be no possibility for her and him.
So, she ultimately chose to take the risk.
That European businessman was something of a mercenary.
Before deciding to go through with it, Bai Niao first had him do some simple tasks in secret.
After three or four consecutive tasks were successfully resolved, she met him in person.
“My husband has had a change of heart,” Bai Niao said, wearing a black veil. “I want to win him back and have a child that carries both of our bloodlines.”
She wore a black evening dress and styled herself like a mature young matron.
The blonde European businessman had an elite air, and he was extremely rigorous and meticulous in carrying out such schemes.
Looking at the plan, as well as the villa that had already been prepared and the countless doses of tranquilizers, Bai Niao’s tense heartstrings gradually relaxed.
She was only going to imprison him briefly; she just wanted a baby.
He doted on her so much that even if he were angry with her, as long as she worked hard to win him back later, it would be fine, right? Especially once they had a child.
Everything went smoothly according to plan.
Bai Niao leaned back on the long sofa, already thinking that after it was all over, she would want to collaborate with this European businessman long-term.
She could, of course, do bad things herself, but doing too many for too long always carried the risk of being discovered. It was better to just find someone to act as the villain for her.
That was, if he hadn’t immediately turned against her after discovering the identity of her fiancé.
When he called, this foolish European businessman couldn’t even speak proper Chinese, with chaotic English words popping out: “Are you trying to get me killed, Miss?”
Bai Niao bit her lip, her heart pounding.
“I didn’t lie to you! I really am his fiancée,” she raised her voice. “We are just having some minor friction right now, and I just want a child of his.”
Bai Niao’s palms were covered in cold sweat.
She lowered her head and said, “After the task is done, I will give you a lot of money.”
Later, the recording of this conversation also fell into his hands.
They had known each other for nearly ten years, but that was the day they reached the point of no return.
All the truth was exposed before him with such cruelty.
Her despicableness, her viciousness, her malice—all were known to him.
Bai Niao’s eyes were swollen from crying, but at that moment, no amount of tears would be of any use.
Tears are only useful when cried for someone who loves you.
Bai Niao had been under his protection for many years; she only knew his gentle and noble side and had never known he possessed such a cold and cruel side.
The moment she saw their engagement contract being completely torn to shreds, she knelt on the ground like a madwoman, her face covered in tears.
The man who used to feel heartache at the mere sight of her frowning never looked back again.
Not long after, Bai Niao’s identity was exposed, and she was cast out of the house. It was his friend, Duan Xiran, who took her in.
Therefore, only Duan Xiran knew that her breakdown during those days was never because she was driven out of the Zhong family; the only thing that had truly brought her to complete despair was that man.
She had wielded power under his protection for many years, and not long after leaving him, the retribution came furiously.
The methods she wanted to use on him eventually fell upon herself.
When He Youting held her down on the bed to feed her medicine, when Cheng Yu pinned her ankles to spread her legs in the hospital room, when Duan Xiran grabbed her waist to take off her dress, and when Gao Zhan held her in his arms to inject her with tranquilizers.
When they kissed her forehead and said they wanted her to conceive a baby.
Bai Niao would always think of her crazy scheme from back then.
After leaving that man, she was finally no longer paranoid and frantic.
But the price was that Bai Niao might never be able to escape their cage, which was like an inescapable net, for the rest of her life.
She had once longed so much to be married and to have a baby, but later, just hearing those words would give her an urge to collapse.
On the day Cheng Yu was promoted to Major General, they took her out to celebrate. The atmosphere of the banquet was excellent; she was the princess surrounded by everyone, like stars around the moon.
Bai Niao sat in the center, but she suddenly burst into tears.
Because she knew so clearly that the higher their status, the less possibility there was for her to leave them.
Cheng Yu’s expression immediately turned ugly.
His look was cold and his eyes dark; that night, Bai Niao truly learned how terrifying he was when he was angry.
Over these years, to outsiders, Bai Niao lived very well. Even though she had been kicked out of the Zhong family, under He Youting’s protection, she still lived the life of a rich young lady, even more spectacularly than before.
Those who once hated Bai Niao to the core did not dare to touch her, and even had to respectfully greet her.
But only Bai Niao herself knew what kind of life she was actually living.
There were a terrifying number of trackers on her body; she had no communication devices, she had to report to them layer by layer every time she went out, she was followed at all times, and her bedroom was hidden with countless surveillance cameras.
The evil deeds she had once committed had not vanished; instead, they had transformed into near-terrifying retribution, all of which landed on her.
Yet, no matter the time, Bai Niao never resented that man.
She only regretted that she was too young at the time and had made many mistakes; she only regretted that she was too stupid back then and did not understand how to treat a relationship.
Bai Niao looked at the blonde-haired, blue-eyed European businessman, the anger in her heart nearly burning to ashes.
She was someone who was very good at surviving.
If someone with a slightly weaker mentality had been in her position being dumped, being driven out of the house they might have already given up on life.
But Bai Niao hadn’t. She not only lived well until now, but she also lived very well and very beautifully.
She had grown a few years older, and her once slightly childish face had gradually blossomed, like a new flower in full bloom, bursting with stunning beauty and charm.
Bai Niao completely ignored the possibility of Cheng Yu returning at any moment. Her fingers were clenched into a fist, and she restrained herself with all her might to keep from hitting the European businessman in the face right then and there.
“You damn guy,” her eyes were burning with rage, “if you want to go to heaven, you can go to hell instead!”
Ever since her body was taken over by Zhuang Han, Bai Niao had focused all her energy on this matter.
She used to be spoiled and willful, and she would make a scene if her pudding wasn’t to her liking.
But now, all of Bai Niao’s anger was directed at Zhuang Han and the system.
It was all because of this imposter that she couldn’t eat or sleep well, and it was all because of this bastard system that she was forced to do boring things every day.
But after seeing this European businessman, all of Bai Niao’s anger poured out onto him.
She really wanted to kill him right now.
Bai Niao had almost never hated a person so much; this bastard businessman, who had absolutely no sense of contract, had ruined her life. Her mood had only improved slightly after learning that he had been sanctioned and deported.
She hadn’t expected that he would still be alive and, furthermore, would dare to stand before her, completely unscathed.
Did he really think she wouldn’t dare to kill him?
“Please don’t curse me like that, even if you’re angry,” the European businessman said, spreading his hands with some helplessness. “The will of God will not change because of what you say.”
Bai Niao was furious to death this damned lunatic.
Just as she was about to curse him a few more times, his expression suddenly changed.
“Okay, okay, I apologize for being abrupt,” the European businessman said with a smile. “I really didn’t expect you to be so young and already have a husband.”
“You and your husband are truly a perfect match.” He bowed, the smile on his face dissolute, like a common rake.
Bai Niao was stunned for a moment before she reacted.
Her heart was filled with intense lingering fear, but her body reacted instinctively.
Bai Niao trotted over to Cheng Yu’s side and hugged his arm, pursing her lips as she called out: “Husband, why did you take so long to get here?”
Her hemline was only at her knees, and her fair calves, wrapped in short silk stockings, revealed a very beautiful shape, carrying a sense of blurry beauty in the dimly lit high-end restaurant.
The seats by the window were semi-circular, and there weren’t many people around, but such a scene could hardly fail to attract the attention of others.
However, Cheng Yu had countless attendants who blocked all the surrounding gazes.
Cheng Yu pulled Bai Niao’s waist and took her into his arms.
His expression when he had looked at the European man just now had not been kind, and when he cast a glance back, his eyes were clearly filled with coldness.
Bai Niao had not liked to go out much in recent years and had been locked at home for a long time; occasionally, when she encountered things on her own, she was unable to handle them.
In short, she was a bit shy of strangers.
Cheng Yu guarded Bai Niao very tightly. Before he brought her to the military district, he didn’t let anyone leave her side for a single minute.
When he had time, he was even more inseparable from her.
But Cheng Yu also knew that Bai Niao didn’t like being watched closely, so he would occasionally deliberately create a free and relaxed atmosphere for her. He just hadn’t expected that someone would be so bold as to try and make a move on Bai Niao right under his nose.
He looked at the man with typical Germanic features, his eyes deep and dark.
“I am truly sorry,” the European businessman apologized with a smile. “I did not know this young lady already had a husband. As an apology, let me pay for your meal today.”
Cheng Yu was not a good-tempered person.
Major General Cheng was resolute and decisive in his actions; it was only in front of Bai Niao that he would display his usual gentle, spring-breeze-like demeanor.
Bai Niao leaned into Cheng Yu’s arms; she had been very excited just now, her adrenaline had been soaring, and she hadn’t felt the pain of her bleeding tongue at all.
Now that she had calmed down, she realized just how painful it was to have bitten her tongue.
Bai Niao’s eyes were wet, and she tugged on Cheng Yu’s sleeve, calling out timidly: “Husband, the tip of my tongue hurts so much.”
Her mouth had a faint metallic taste, and her eyes shimmered with watery light.
Bai Niao only called him that when she was pushed hard in bed, but now she was like a stressed-out kitten, wanting to burrow into the man’s arms. Her long, curly hair was draped over her shoulders, brushing against the back of his hand as she shook lightly.
The frown on Cheng Yu’s forehead gradually smoothed out.
He had no time to deal with irrelevant people; it was rare that he brought Bai Niao out for a trip, and making her happy was the most important thing.
After Cheng Yu shifted his gaze away, the European businessman hurried away quickly: “I am truly sorry, truly sorry.”
Bai Niao’s appearance was beautiful and charming, and people would always cast glances at her when she went to unfamiliar places.
They often helped her deal with such matters.
Bai Niao was quite an idiot when it came to feelings; in the past, she didn’t know how to handle even the simplest unwanted advances, usually offending people completely and then relying on her fiancé’s power to suppress them.
Although this method was very stupid, they were all very satisfied with it.
Cheng Yu didn’t pay any more attention to the European businessman; too many people like that appeared around Bai Niao, and he had dealt with so many that he couldn’t even be bothered to care.
Bai Niao’s ignorant, low cry made his heart soften even more.
When Niao Niao was well-behaved, she really could make people want to offer her everything.
Cheng Yu picked Bai Niao up and put her on the sofa, then knelt half-way on the ground, coaxing her gently: “Open your mouth and let your husband take a look. How is it?”
He followed her words, but her face flushed suddenly.
Bai Niao was spoiled and willful, but she couldn’t really handle being teased. Upon hearing Cheng Yu’s words, her half-open lips suddenly closed.
Cheng Yu pinched her chin and coaxed her in a low voice: “Niao Niao, does it not hurt anymore?”
His voice was gentle, with a hint of a smile at his lips, his tone like that of coaxing a child.
The seat by the window had a great view, allowing one to see the river scene nearby, and the semi-circular sofa could block the gazes of others, but his attendants were standing right to the side.
Bai Niao’s face grew redder and redder. Forced, she opened her lips to reveal the bright red tip of her tongue.
Cheng Yu held a medicine bottle and gently sprayed a little medicinal mist onto the wound on Bai Niao’s tongue tip. The mist condensed into a thin film, wrapping around the red and swollen wound and isolating the intense pain.
This medicine was very powerful, capable of stopping pain quickly without affecting her eating.
Bai Niao felt much more comfortable immediately.
She liked the era she lived in very much; apart from anything else, the advanced technology and medicine alone made her very satisfied.
Bai Niao had no yearning for the distant Republican period or the Imperial era; she didn’t think that classical things were inherently good—she just liked this comfortable, high-tech era.
Thinking that Zhuang Han had once stayed in a world without the internet for so many years, she felt it was simply incredible.
After the medicine was applied, Bai Niao sat in Cheng Yu’s arms, waiting for the meal to be served.
She was letting her imagination run wild in her head, and the little face that had been wrinkled from the pain in her tongue tip gradually relaxed.
When the pre-meal dessert arrived, Bai Niao’s wound was mostly healed. Since it was so hard to come out for a meal, she certainly wouldn’t waste time.
She struggled out of Cheng Yu’s arms, wanting to hold the dinner fork and start eating by herself, but Cheng Yu directly clamped her wrist. He said teasingly: “Still mad at me, not allowing me to feed you?”
These words had been spoken the last time Bai Niao had a temper tantrum.
Cheng Yu, a man who seemed peaceful, was actually particularly vengeful.
He was focused on coaxing her now, and she had no reason not to accept.
Bai Niao was very hungry, but she was also very lazy. She twisted on Cheng Yu’s lap, her voice soft: “That’s fine.”
The dress she was wearing was very beautiful—a light silver like flowing moonlight—and the tassels on the hem were as magnificent as frost and snow. This dress made her look especially like a little princess.
Especially when paired with the headgear and earrings in her hair.
Although there had been some twists and turns when the dinner began, Bai Niao was extremely happy after finishing it.
She really liked this restaurant and would come often if she had the chance in the future.
Bai Niao even thought about whether the money in her hands was enough to acquire this restaurant.
Life in a wealthy family was dull and tedious; her mouth had been spoiled, and ordinary delicacies could no longer satisfy her.
Cheng Yu carried Bai Niao to the car; she started to get sleepy once she was full, and not long after she leaned into his arms, she began to doze off.
He had only looked at the messages for a while before she fell asleep.
One very prominent advantage Bai Niao had was that she was very bold. If one said she was timid, there was nothing she didn’t dare to do; if one said she was daring, even a small matter could make her become stressed and reactive.
Cheng Yu looked at the information about the European businessman sent by his attendant, and the blackness in the depths of his pupils grew deeper.
Bai Niao was lying on his chest; he was not as soft as a little bear, and his abdominal muscles were hard, so she was not sleeping very comfortably. She let out a low, muffled grunt and called out in her sleep like a murmur: “Husband…”
The tone was so delicate, and it was sweet and greasy enough to pull at the heartstrings.
Cheng Yu looked down at Bai Niao, his eyes filled with surging storms.
She would never be able to settle down. There had been countless times in the past when she had stabbed them in the heart when their guard was at its lowest.
But after raising her for so many years, providing for her with fine clothes and food, and pampering her by granting her every request, even if she were just a little bird, she should have developed some feelings, right?
People are such contradictory existences.
Initially, of course, he had thought that Bai Niao would never fall in love with them, but now, at this point in time, who could remain entirely calm?
Long ago, Cheng Yu had thought that if one day Bai Niao felt something different for him, he would end this absurd game regardless of the cost and marry her home to cherish her in every way.
But it had not happened.
After so many years, apart from that man, it seemed as if Bai Niao really had never felt a heart-throb for anyone else.
It was already late at night when Bai Niao was sent back to the He family by Cheng Yu.
She was exhausted, but when she saw He Youting, she still couldn’t help but be angry: “Why did you send me to the nursing home?”
Bai Niao was so tired she could barely open her eyes.
He Youting carried her to the bed, and he leaned over to kiss her forehead: “Your brother’s surgery was successful; don’t you want to go see him?”
The relationship between the few of them was very close, and many of their decisions were consistent, but on some specific matters, they would always have disagreements.
Cheng Yu did not like Zhong Yu very much.
But He Youting was different; he always wanted to restore Bai Niao’s identity to the Zhong family, and then use that to raise her status.
Bai Niao’s identity was special, and wanting to raise her status was a very troublesome matter.
She lay on the soft, large bed and reached out to hold her little bear in her arms: “I don’t want to see him, I just want to stay at home.”
Bai Niao was sleepy, and she no longer had the energy to think properly, but her words were very sincere.
He Youting chuckled and said softly: “Then just rest at home tomorrow.”
Bai Niao became happy, her voice sweet: “Okay!”
After coaxing her to sleep, He Youting left her bedroom; there was a new message on his communication device from Cheng Yu.
It was the information about the European businessman.