C7 Chapter 7

“Just because of that? Or are you playing hard to get?” Yubai suddenly leaned in. The heat of his breath hit her, and Anan shivered, instinctively stepping back. Both hands pressed against his chest as she froze.

Yubai had never been the one to close the distance. After all these years of chasing and being chased, she’d worn herself down—but now, she couldn’t read him anymore.

“I’ve made myself clear. Thirty million. I’ll pay you back—every last cent,” Anan said, forcing calm into her voice. Inside, her nerves were a mess. She didn’t even know what she was afraid of, but standing this close to him made her legs go weak.

Under the weight of Yubai’s presence, every word felt like torture.

“And after you’re done paying it back?” Yubai’s voice dropped even lower. A trace of temptation flickered in his cool eyes as his thumb brushed her lips, almost absentmindedly. Then his gaze turned sharp. “Anan, enough is enough.”

Her heart sank.

So even now, he still thought she was putting on an act. Bitterness rose in her throat. “Yubai, I mean it. I want a divorce. I loved you—but now I want to take that love back.”

Seven years. From the moment she stepped into the Luh family’s world, she’d loved the man in front of her. Marrying him had been her goal. He’d never cared—until the dream finally came true, and she realized how ridiculous her love had been.

“Yubai, you don’t love me. So why keep me tied to you?”

His face was cold and unreadable. Something complicated flashed through his deep eyes. He frowned, saying nothing.

Anan fell silent for a moment, as if gathering every ounce of courage she had, then spoke again. “From the start, you pushed me away. You pushed this marriage away. You pushed me away. So from the very beginning, you were rejecting my love.”

“...”

“So no matter what I do, it doesn’t change anything. I’m like this pathetic, infuriating kid, trying to claim a gift that was never meant for me. Even when I tiptoe around it and do everything I can, that gift still won’t ever be mine.”

“...”

“I’m tired, Yubai. I’m not putting on a show—I’m really tired. Loving someone wears you out. If this is just because you can’t swallow your pride, then fine—I can stay in my place as Mrs. Luh. But please, don’t come into my room anymore. Don’t sleep with me just for Grandpa’s inheritance. Because I’m learning how to stop loving you...”

In the dead-quiet room, only Qiu Anan’s voice filled the air. She lifted her chin, and she’d never felt this relieved. Turns out, when you stop holding back, it can feel like being saved. Looking at Luh Yubai’s silent face, she ached—but she also felt at peace.

At least she wouldn’t have to be the thorn in his side anymore. Wouldn’t have to rack her brain, begging the man in front of her for even a moment of tenderness.

After a long time, Luh Yubai closed his eyes. He paused, as if weighing something, then suddenly let go of her and slowly walked out of the room. They’d never been this calm.

“I understand.”

“Whew...”

Qiu Anan leaned against the wall, only then realizing her back was soaked with sweat. Facing Luh Yubai—the man she loved down to her bones—every word felt like torture. And yet, wasn’t she doing the same thing, pushing him away?