He tricked the female lead into becoming his boyfriend, but then went on to criticize the male lead.

Lin Luoluo is the second young lady of the Lin family. She comes from a top-tier wealthy family with a powerful background. Although her family is not as powerful as the Wen family, it is still far from being an ordinary family.

She and Jiang Shangyu are related by family.

Li Ruoxi, who was standing nearby, immediately became interested and leaned closer to ask, "Sister, tell me quickly, how did you manage to win him over?"

Sang Jiuning recalled calmly, "I sent him friend requests on WeChat every day, day after day, for a whole month before he finally accepted. After that, we naturally got together."

"My God, you're so brave!" Lin Luoluo couldn't help but exclaim. "Wen Zhaoci has always been indifferent and cold-hearted. The fact that you managed to win him over proves that you are the only person who has ever entered his heart."

Sang Jiuning frowned slightly, somewhat puzzled: "We haven't been together for very long, and our feelings are still shallow. If we don't get along in the future, it's normal to break up. How can you be so absolute?"

At this moment, Gu Shichan spoke slowly, his tone carrying a hint of understanding: "You don't yet understand Wen Zhaoci's past and family."

"From a young age, he was rigorously raised by the Wen family as their heir. His father was ruthless and never showed him any tenderness. When he was seven or eight years old, he was cruelly thrown to a deserted island to survive alone for a week, under the pretense of tempering his character."

His mother died of illness when he was six years old. A year later, a scheming stepmother came into the family. She gave birth to a pair of younger siblings and schemed against and ostracized him at every turn.

His long-term repressive upbringing, coupled with a lack of family affection, fostered his cold, aloof, taciturn, and unambitious personality.

Countless heiresses from prominent families had tried to win his favor and pursue him relentlessly, but he had always only shown disgust and distance, never giving anyone a chance to get close.

But it's different with you. He's willing to accept your advances and agree to be with you, which proves that you are a unique exception in his heart.

Sang Jiuning lowered her eyes and remained silent, slowly recalling the moments they had spent together.

It must be admitted that Wen Zhaoci is exceptionally considerate and attentive in private, always accommodating her and cherishing her dearly.

However, due to the female protagonist's destiny bound to the original plot, she always harbored the thought of breaking up with him.

Seeing her lost in thought, Li Ruoxi asked softly, "What are you thinking about?"

"It's nothing." Sang Jiuning came back to her senses and gently shook her head.

Gu Shichan looked up at the dark sky and frowned slightly: "It looks like it's going to rain tonight, and there will be thunder."

After chatting for a while longer, as night deepened, Sang Jiuning got up alone and went back to her room.

After a quick wash and shower, she changed into soft pajamas and lazily lay down on the bed.

The phone screen suddenly lit up; it was a WeChat message from Wen Zhaoci.

ZC: [Baby, are you asleep?]

The ruffled-hair little Totoro: [Not yet, what's wrong?]

ZC: [It's about to thunder, I'm scared.]

Sang Jiuning stared at the screen and sighed helplessly.

The aloof, cold, and domineering Wen Zhaoci is actually afraid of thunder? Besides, he's sharing a room with Chi Nanli tonight, so he's not lonely at all.

The bristling little Totoro: [You don't live alone, so if anyone's scared, it's me.]

Less than a minute after the message was sent, there was a clear knock on the door.

"Who?"

Outside the door, a deep, magnetic male voice rang out: "It's me, your darling boyfriend."

Sang Jiuning got up and opened the door, only to see Wen Zhaoci carrying a thin quilt. He walked straight into the room and placed the quilt next to the bed.

"Wen Zhaoci, what are you doing?"

He looked up at her, his eyes filled with a deliberately aggrieved expression: "Aren't you afraid of thunder? I'll stay with you tonight."

"When did I ever say I was afraid of thunder?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than a blinding flash of lightning streaked across the window, followed by a deafening rumble of thunder.

Wen Zhaoci took a step forward and pulled her into a tight embrace, resting his chin on the top of her head, and said in a muffled voice, "Baby, I was scared."

Sang Jiuning raised her hand to push him away, her tone helpless: "Wen Zhaoci, stop pretending."

The man refused to let go, slowly burying his head in the soft crook of her neck, his warm breath brushing against her skin, his voice tinged with a suppressed hoarseness: "I wasn't pretending."

When I was a child, my dad left me on a deserted island and I was alone for seven days. For three days in a row during that week, there were torrential rains and thunderstorms.

From then on, I became most afraid of thunder. Whenever there was thunder, I couldn't sleep peacefully all night.

"Chi Nanli is still in your room."

"It's different." Wen Zhaoci tightened his arms around her, clinging to her affectionately. "No one else will do, I only want to sleep next to you."

"No way." Sang Jiuning refused decisively.

"I'll just lie quietly next to you. I even brought the blanket. I promise to behave myself and never touch you."

"That won't work either."

A layer of melancholy instantly clouded Wen Zhaoci's eyes, and she softly asked, "Baby, don't you love me anymore?"

Sang Jiuning was speechless for a moment: This has nothing to do with whether or not you love someone.

Seeing her remain silent, he took the opportunity to soften his tone, his voice becoming pleading and cautious: "Okay? Just comfort me, and you can rest after I fall asleep, alright?"

Another deafening clap of thunder exploded, and the man in her arms visibly trembled slightly.

Seeing his vulnerable and weak appearance, Sang Jiuning's heart softened, and she reluctantly gave in: "...Alright."

A glint instantly lit up in Wen Zhaoci's eyes. She immediately and obediently climbed into bed, nimbly slipped under the covers, and carefully tidied the bedding around her pillow before quietly lying down on her left side.

After Sang Jiuning lay down, she immediately heard the man's soft, dependent urging: "Baby, quickly comfort me."

Telling stories was obviously inappropriate, so Sang Jiuning had no choice but to imitate how she coaxed a child, slowly reaching out and gently placing her hand on his back.

She gently patted him, again and again, soothing the man who was afraid of thunder.

The gentle patting sound echoed slowly in the quiet room, while thunder rumbled in waves outside the window, sometimes near, sometimes far.

Wen Zhaoci curled up next to Sang Jiuning, leaning against her obediently. His usual cold, aloof, and unapproachable demeanor had completely disappeared, and he was like a docile and clingy kitten who lacked a sense of security.

His breathing gradually became steady, but he still stayed close to her, refusing to let go even a little. His arm was carefully placed on her waist, with very light pressure, for fear of upsetting her.

Sang Jiuning was stiff all over and dared not move.

She knew perfectly well that the man was faking it, but the way he looked so vulnerable and helpless nestled in her arms made it impossible for her to have the heart to push him away.

She couldn't help but let her mind wander.

Now, all his tenderness is reserved for her alone.

But the more she did this, the more guilty she felt.