Whether in her past life or this one,
Su Qingnuan had never held a place in Li Hengyan’s heart.
The one in his heart had always been her—
Shen Nanci.
That never changed.
In any lifetime, Shen Nanci was never a substitute for Su Qingnuan. If they shared any resemblance,
it was Su Qingnuan who resembled Shen Nanci.
If anyone was the stand-in, it was the Su family’s eldest daughter, Su Qingnuan, who served as a replacement for the Shen family’s third daughter, Shen Nanci. Li Hengyan had never felt even a flicker of affection or attraction toward Su Qingnuan.
The rumor that Su Qingnuan was the white moonlight of Li Hengyan, the CEO of the Li Group, was just that—a rumor.
A story Li Hengyan had spread himself.
Not only did the public believe it, but even Su Qingnuan herself was convinced that Li Hengyan loved her deeply and that she was destined to become the mistress of the Li family—
the esteemed, unattainable Mrs. Li.
…
In their past life, Li Hengyan loved Shen Nanci but could not win her heart.
Unable to possess her love, he took possession of her body instead.
Even so, Li Hengyan remained tormented. He went to great lengths to confine her, restricting her freedom—forbidding her from working or seeing anyone,
including her friends.
She was like a canary he kept in a gilded cage,
never smiling, never speaking.
To make Shen Nanci jealous, Li Hengyan grew close to Su Qingnuan. They were seen together everywhere, and he granted Su Qingnuan’s every request.
Eventually, the entire socialite circle came to believe—
that Li Hengyan was deeply in love with Su Qingnuan, while she, prioritizing her career, enjoyed his devotion without accepting his pursuit.
Thus, Su Qingnuan became his white moonlight.
(This was the origin of the so-called white moonlight. Until her death in that past life, Shen Nanci never knew that the one Li Hengyan truly loved, the white moonlight in his heart,
had always been her.)
…
Recalling the events of their past life, pain flickered in Li Hengyan’s eyes.
As he touched Shen Nanci’s cheek, the warmth of her skin made him momentarily lose himself,
fearing she might be an illusion—
that she might vanish at any moment.
Panic and fear gripped Li Hengyan’s heart.
He could not lose her!
“CiCi, don’t look at me with such confusion. Every word I’ve said is true.
I love you. The one I love has always been you, never anyone else.”
In every lifetime,
the one Li Hengyan loved was Shen Nanci.
“As for Su Qingnuan, she was merely a distraction—a way to get your attention, since you despised me so much.
CiCi, I want no one else.
I only want you.”
Shen Nanci stared blankly at Li Hengyan,
remaining silent for a long time.
In truth, her mind felt sluggish, struggling to process his words. The impact was too overwhelming,
and she couldn’t digest it all at once.
For some reason, a phrase of Li Hengyan’s surfaced clearly in her mind.
Instinctively, she retorted, “I’ve never been in a relationship. I’ve always been single, and in my heart, I’ve also…”
She trailed off.
Another term suddenly sprang to mind, and belatedly realizing its implication, Shen Nanci frowned deeply,
her expression darkening.
She asked Li Hengyan, “Equivalent exchange?”
With a cold, mocking tone, Shen Nanci pressed, “The price of an equivalent exchange? You were trading me too, weren’t you?”
A pang of hurt stirred within her.
She couldn’t stand that term.
It disgusted her.
Because of equivalent exchange, Shen An used such despicable means to sell her cheaply and deliver her to Li Hengyan’s bed.
Whether as a bed companion or a plaything, Shen An simply didn’t care.
He already had two daughters. Losing one who had never been valued or liked since childhood in exchange for business benefits—this deal was not a loss.
And then there was Cheng Yuqiao.
Li Hengyan used her, an equivalent exchange where each took what they needed!
Shen Nanci really wanted to hit someone!
“What do you mean by the cost of equivalent exchange? Li Hengyan, I admit it was my father who treated me as a gift, a cheap commodity, or a tool to please you.”
“What if I don’t love you? What if I don’t want to be with you? How would you deal with me—drain my blood or take my life?”
This man was far more terrifying than Shen Nanci had imagined.
His mind was too profound.
His methods and resolve were far colder and more ruthless than she had ever thought.
But Shen Nanci didn’t feel afraid.
Only angry and wronged.
She had thought that if her secret crush turned into an open one, and if Li Hengyan wasn’t just playing around but genuinely liked her, she would be willing to accept it.
To move toward him in a mutual relationship.
But to Li Hengyan, what existed between them seemed like nothing more than a fair, reasonable, and equivalent transaction.
It was best if the goal was achieved.
If it wasn’t reasonable, fair, or equivalent, and she couldn’t give him the response or feedback he wanted, if she didn’t want to develop things with him…
Then, what would Li Hengyan do?
Kill her?
Or would he slaughter her and bury her?
Or perhaps break her legs, imprison her, lock her up, and trap her??
She had almost forgotten what kind of person the real Li Hengyan truly was—cold-hearted, ruthless, and merciless!
Shen Nanci’s expression changed repeatedly.
She suddenly struggled to get up, furious. “Let go of me! Who wants to engage in an equivalent exchange with you? Bastard!”
She was so angry!
Shen An traded her, and Li Hengyan traded her too!
So, she was just a tool, her fate and future entirely in the hands of others!
She had no autonomy at all!
Why?!
Why did they all treat her this way?!
Unable to break free, Shen Nanci was furious. No matter how hard she struggled, she couldn’t escape the man’s restraining arms, so she bit Li Hengyan’s shoulder. Filled with anger, frustration, and the urge to cry, she grabbed his collar tightly!
She wanted to hit him hard, beat him to death, damn it!!
This dog of a man!
This scheming man—it was likely that Shen An’s transactions involving people and money were all silently calculated by this man.
But what good would hitting him do??
How much strength did she have? Even if she hit him hard, it wouldn’t hurt him.
Shen Nanci lifted her face, raised her chin, and angrily kissed Li Hengyan’s mouth, biting him hard once, then biting him again.
It was her turn to punish him!
Completely consumed by anger, Shen Nanci could be quite fierce when she wanted to be.
Li Hengyan’s lips were bitten by her teeth, and blood quickly welled up.
Li Hengyan winced in pain. “Hiss—”
The man didn’t say anything, but instead…
Shen Nanci’s eyes reddened slightly.
She climbed onto him, kneeling on his legs, cupping Li Hengyan’s face in her hands. The girl’s voice was filled with grievance, yet also somewhat cold and hard.
“Li Hengyan, you’re a bastard, you know that? What about Fu Yunlin? I never liked him!”
“Do you know why I came to Li Corporation and applied to be your secretary?”
“I just wanted to work hard to get closer to you, to stand by your side, so that you could see me.”
“Even if it’s just one more glance at me.”
Shen Nanci’s eyes held sorrow and bitterness.
His voice trembled slightly.