n

n

nHe released her hands just so he could wipe her unending tears with his thumbs as he gently held her face.

"I may have used you as my pawn but… that was the biggest mistake I made, Mengjie so I won't ask for your forgiveness. You don't have to love me back... just let me stay as the bad guy in your life.

"

nHer trust was shattered so easily by him, but hearing his words at that moment,she felt that those smashed pieces were being picked up one by one, and he was putting them together again. As she looked at him with his eyes that only reflected her, she knew in herself that he deserved to have a chance to redeem himself to her.

n

"A-and yet…

" Her voice croaked.

"You also wanted to stay by my side…

" She chuckled a bit, somehow finding what said of him sweet.

nThe feeble smile on his lips only showed how vulnerable this man was inside. It made her want to reach out, so she slowly raised her arms, carefully wrapping them around his waist. She leaned forward, resting her head on his chest. She couldn't bear to see him like this. Not like this.

nThe man wasn't expecting the hug but when he felt her warm embrace, he couldn't help but hold her back, pulling her completely to him.

"I'm sorry...

" He whispered.

nEven if he was not asking for her forgiveness, she couldn't help but give it to him. This was the kind of reason that she wanted to hear from him that night, a reason that could make her keep on holding on to him.

nA small smile appeared on her face. No, she was not being kind, nor was she feeling pity for him. It was all because of the love she has for this man. He has given her enough reason to trust him again even after the cruel words he spat, words that he didn't mean. Han Yizhou may have said that he was the mastermind, the reason behind what happened to her but that was only because he blamed himself for what happened to her so he took advantage of the situation and made her hate him.

n

"You should detest me…

" He whispered weakly.

n

"I can't… not anymore.

"

nHe released her and pulled away. When he did, Lu Mengjie saw the pain in his glossy eyes.

"Mengjie…

"

n

"Mother is right. Love is complicated.

" She wiped her tears from her cheeks before she faced him with a smile.

"I guess I am my mother's daughter after all. I ended up falling for a difficult man like my father.

"

nShe couldn't help but suddenly admire her mother for staying with a man like Lu Xian Yu. She knew that he was a dangerous man but after finally accepting him into her life, their love was worth more than a thousand words. That was the beauty of love. You would never be able to guess what it has prepared for one's life.

n

"Stop…

" She heard his voice crack, probably because of the lump on his throat when he tried stopping his tears. He inhaled sharply before whispering,

"stop… I only deserve to be hated right now.

"

n

"The man I hate is Yong Liwei… not Han Yizhou.

"

nHis lips were stretched out into a thin line. It was as if he was being reluctant to tell her something else.

"This was a mistake.

" He breathed out before running his fingers through his hair in frustration.

"You don't understand anything.

"

n

"Then make me understand.

"

nHe had no choice but to tell her everything. It was for her sake, for her safety. He shouldn't have followed her. He was suddenly regretting his decisions.

nHe opened his mouth and spoke,

"you're so pathetic.

"

nLu Mengjie was startled by the sudden change she noticed in him. His eyes became cold, the same eyes that pierced through her the other night.

n

"This is why I've been so against this plan in the first place. You're still weak.

"

nShe furrowed her brows in confusion. What was he suddenly saying?

nThe man in front of her finally landed his gaze at her. A bone-chilling smile appeared on his face. The broken man in front of her was gone. There was no hint of warmth on his face.

nWhat was happening? Why did it feel like he had suddenly turned into someone else?... Again?

n

"Who…

" she blurted out subconsciously.

n

"The man you hate.

" The smirk on his lips grew as he stretched out his hand to her but was suddenly stopped in the air as if something- no, rather, it was someone who was trying to keep him from touching her. His eyes darkened.

"You're still resisting?

"

nTwo words entered Lu Mengjie's mind at that moment when she saw the changes in the man. Those words were… split personalities.

nHe balled his hand into fist before he lowered them back once again.

"Let me properly introduce myself to you. I am the real Yong Liwei.

"

nThe… real Yong Liwei?

"What do you mean?

" She was perplexed at how things were unfolding in front of her.

n

"I know that you're not stupid, Mengjie.

" He turned and walked away.

"I'm pretty sure that you already have an idea.

" He sat back at the couch he was sitting earlier and crossed his legs. He rested his elbow on the armrest of the chair before he threw his empty gaze back at her.

n

"Then are you saying that… you have a split personality?

"

n

"Dissociative identity disorder,

" he corrected.

"I believe that other night should be our first official meeting.

"

n

"First… meeting?

"

n

"I was quite surprised actually.

" He lazily rested his chin on his palm.

"The man you hate is Yong Liwei, not Han Yizhou, right?

" He chuckled in amusement.

"That statement, I never imagined that you would actually say something like that.

"

nSo did it mean that all this time… the kind gentleman who has been treating her well was his other alter? It was confusing, hard to believe that there was such a person but… she was seeing it right in front of her eyes. The changes were so obvious. One was good and the other dangerous.

n

"Now, then do you still want to deal with someone like us?

"

n