Chapter 117: You Brought This on Yourself

When Gao Kunlun first started working for Shen Chi Yan, he was well aware of the complicated situation: his Fifth Master had both a "white moonlight" and a wife.

He hadn't interacted much with Song Qi Nian at first, leaving her something of a mystery. But as time passed, he came to know her as genuinely kindhearted, with a warmth that touched everyone around her.

He'd initially hoped that Fifth Master would grow to love his wife naturally. Then Miss Lin awakened, changing everything.

Despite understanding the history between them, Gao Kunlun found himself hoping Fifth Master would choose his wife over Lin Qiu Tong. He'd noticed how Shen Chi Yan came alive around Song Qi Nian, his usual reserve melting away. But with Lin Qiu Tong, something always felt off – as if an invisible wall stood between them.

A devoted supporter of the "Chinian Couple," Gao Kunlun pulled the car up beside Song Qi Nian and stepped out into the downpour to open the back door. "Madam, please get in."

Song Qi Nian's first instinct was to shield him from the rain, lifting her umbrella over his head.

Her eyes fell on Shen Chi Yan in the backseat, slumped back with an arm thrown over his face, clearly unwell. Beside him sat Lin Qiu Tong, clutching his arm and murmuring softly. She shot Song Qi Nian a pointed look before saying, "Ah Yan, I know you're not feeling well. We'll head home as soon as Miss Song gets in."

Seeing Song Qi Nian's face drain of color, Gao Kunlun felt his stomach twist with worry. "Madam..."

The pain in Song Qi Nian's chest made it hard to breathe. Shen Chi Yan had called Lin Qiu Tong to pick him up, and now this deliberate display of intimacy? She wasn't sure she could maintain her composure sharing the backseat with them.

If she let her jealousy show, if her face betrayed her true feelings for even a moment, she knew Shen Chi Yan would only despise her more.

Forcing a weak smile, she shook her head at Gao Kunlun and waved him off. "No need. I have something to attend to. You all go ahead."

"But it's raining so heavily..."

Shen Chi Yan cut through Gao Kunlun's protest, his voice sharp and cold. "Close the door."

Seeing the anger in Shen Chi Yan's expression, Gao Kunlun hesitated. He looked back at Song Qi Nian, who managed a smile and gestured for him to go ahead.

As the back door shut, Song Qi Nian risked one last glance at Shen Chi Yan. He was watching her too, his eyes like winter frost. The moment their gazes locked, she felt it - that bone-deep chill that made her shudder.

She quickly looked away, refusing to watch the car any longer. If she didn't look, maybe the ache in her chest wouldn't feel quite so raw.

Inside the car, silence pressed in from all sides.

Lin Qiu Tong could barely contain her satisfaction. Let Song Qi Nian keep her empty title as Shen Chi Yan's wife - she was the one truly by his side. She'd been watching Shen Chi Yan closely lately, and today's chance encounter at Yushan Hall couldn't have worked out better. She'd only been in the area for an event when she heard he was there, but running into Song Qi Nian was an unexpected bonus.

This must have crushed her. Perhaps now she'd finally file for divorce. Things would only get harder for her if she didn't.

Meanwhile, Shen Chi Yan's expression had turned dangerous - dark enough to make Gao Kunlun nervous as he watched through the rearview mirror.

"Fifth Master, where to?"

Lin Qiu Tong turned to Shen Chi Yan hopefully.

"The Lin residence."

Her face fell. "Ah Yan, you've had too much to drink. You're not well. Shouldn't we get you home first? Or... if you don't want to go home, we could find a hotel where you can rest."

"No need. We're taking you home first."

Seeing his resolve, Lin Qiu Tong fell silent. But still...

Lin Qiu Tong couldn't understand how things had gone so wrong. That day when Shen Chi Yan watched her paint, his reaction had been so intense, so emotional - she'd been certain he would divorce Song Qi Nian immediately.

Instead, nothing changed. He treated her exactly as he always had.

Where had she miscalculated?

Maybe she hadn't been clear enough about her feelings, leaving him uncertain? With Old Madam pressuring him, perhaps he didn't dare express his true feelings for her?

The more she dwelled on it, the more convinced she became - this had to be the explanation. She needed to act fast, before this chance slipped away.

After dropping Lin Qiu Tong at home, Gao Kunlun expected they'd head to Jingyuan. Instead, Shen Chi Yan directed him to Xiangshan Yue.

Back home, Song Qi Nian stepped into a scalding shower. The hot water warmed her skin but did nothing for the cold weight in her chest. Each time the thought hit her - that no matter how deeply she loved him, Shen Chi Yan would never love her back - the helplessness threatened to drown her.

She had barely settled into bed after her shower when her bedroom door crashed open. She jerked up to find Shen Chi Yan in the doorway, his face dark with fury.

Her heart slammed against her ribs - pure fear. Hadn't he left with Lin Qiu Tong? Why was he here?

"Get down!"

His expression, his eyes - they terrified her. She had no idea what she'd done to anger him this time. She hadn't gotten in their car - shouldn't that have made him happy?

The moment she lifted the blanket to obey, Shen Chi Yan shoved her against the floor-to-ceiling window. Outside, the rain kept falling, relentless and heavy.

Song Qi Nian pressed her trembling hands against the cold glass of the window, shifting uncomfortably under the weight of her own helplessness. Shen Chi Yan’s voice cut through the room like a blade.

“You like the rain so much, don’t you? Fine, watch it. Watch until you’ve had enough!”

Before she could turn to face him, he seized the fragile fabric of her nightgown and tore it open.

Her blood drained from her face, leaving her pale and trembling. She struggled harder, desperate to break free, but Shen Chi Yan’s fury only made him more unrelenting.

The sharp, unmistakable sound of a belt buckle being undone pierced the air. Panic surged through her, but before she could fully process what was happening, his body overwhelmed hers.

Each harsh, punishing motion sent shockwaves through her. She bit down on her lip, swallowing the scream lodged in her throat.

“The only person I’ll ever love is Lin Qiu Tong,” Shen Chi Yan spat through clenched teeth. “Don’t think for a second that I’d fall for someone like you!”

His words slammed into her like blows, but he wasn’t done.

“What even are you, Song Qi Nian? Why do you have to ruin everything in my life?!” His voice was raw with anger, but it carried something deeper—resentment so bitter it twisted the air between them.

She couldn’t see his face, couldn’t meet his gaze, but she didn’t need to. Every hateful word was like a knife carving into her chest.

Her throat burned, her heart splintered. She already knew the truth. She’d always known where his heart belonged. But hearing it over and over again from his lips was more than she could bear.

“Why do you have to turn my life upside down? Why?!”

Her fingernails dug into her palms as she clenched her fists, tears streaming down her cheeks. Her silence was her only shield against the storm of his cruelty.

“You brought this on yourself,” he growled. “You deserve this. You deserve me.”

At first, she fought back, kicking and clawing for her dignity, but his venomous words struck something deep within her. The fight drained out of her like water slipping through cracked hands.

Her body went limp, her spirit shattered.

In a single, brutal motion, Shen Chi Yan spun her around to face him. His face, framed by rage, was strikingly handsome but terrifying all the same.

“Don’t delude yourself,” he hissed, his voice dropping to a dangerous, quiet tone. “You’ll never get me to love you. Not unless…”