My Alleged Husband

Chapter 574 - 553 Text Message_1

Ran Zhihan watched her husband’s retreating figure and could only stand there in silence, fuming with anger. She knew that the situation was not as simple as she had imagined; such matters couldn’t be changed with just a few words of pleading.

But now that it had happened, what method should she choose to salvage the situation? If her husband ever found out the truth, the consequences would be unimaginable; a risk no one could afford. So, she must not take such a risk with herself.

Thump, thump, thump...

When Ran Zhihan heard her cellphone ring, she quickly checked it and discovered a message from her so-called middle school classmate, Chen Gang. But why did her unease grow stronger upon reading such a message?

"Zhihan, I know you might not want to hear from me right now, and I admit I was too abrupt tonight. I shouldn’t have confessed so directly—it’s just that I couldn’t bear the thought of losing you again. My only wish is to have you by my side, which is why I made such a presumptuous move tonight. I hope you can forgive me.

Actually, your husband doesn’t love you. I can see the torment and agony in your heart. If that’s the case, why not leave him and take refuge in my arms? I’ve been pursuing you with no luck since middle school, yet you never even spared me a glance. Do I really mean so little to you? You wouldn’t even give me a look. Do you know how much I yearn to grow old with you?

I will be waiting for you at the bar tomorrow night. Don’t stand me up. If you don’t show up, I will wait there endlessly. If you still consider me your classmate or friend, then I beg you to meet me at least once!"

Reading such a message made Ran Zhihan’s heart feel even more distressed. She knew it was wrong, but worried about what might happen if she didn’t show up: Would he wait there all night in vain? She didn’t want to let that happen nor did she want to owe someone a favor. It was only when she steeled herself to go to the bar that she realized it was all a setup.

Zhang Yichen saw that his wife had stayed at home all day, convincing himself that she would not go out again to do anything embarrassing behind his back. But he hadn’t expected that in the middle of the night, his wife would sneak out again.

Ran Zhihan arrived at the bar and saw Chen Gang drinking heavily, with the place in disarray. For some unknown reason, her heart ached at the sight of him drinking like this. After all, he was just a classmate; why did she feel so distressed upon seeing him this way? Could it be because she once had feelings for him?

She recalled a time when she adored a man but couldn’t bring herself to confess. Although he was right before her eyes and had sincerely confessed to her, she had to cruelly reject him and against her own will, tell him it was impossible.

Back then, she felt unworthy of the man before her—he was so outstanding, with incredible academic performance. How could someone like her match his status and position? If she couldn’t give him the best, then she shouldn’t drag him down.

"Chen Gang, stop drinking. What’s the meaning of consuming so much alcohol this late? Don’t you know it’s worrying?"

"Zhihan, you’ve come? Don’t worry about me. No matter how much I drink, no one cares, not even you. Even if the whole world cared, it wouldn’t matter because it’s not coming from you. All I want is for you to look at me, talk with me a little longer. I know coming back this time has made it difficult for you, that saying this makes you feel terrible. But consider how I feel. After all these years of pursuing you, you’re married with children, yet I’m still waiting for you. Are you really that indifferent?"

"I’ve told you before, it’s not possible between us. I’m married, I have a husband and children now, I can’t be as willful as before. I admit I liked you in school, but I always felt so inferior, believing I could never compare to you, could never make you happy. So I couldn’t drag you down or block your future. I’d given up on you then, so why come back and say these things now? Don’t you think this just makes our relationship more awkward, uglier?"

"I know what you’re truly thinking. I don’t want my husband to be suspicious again. Because I got home so late last night, he’s already doubting me. I don’t want my hard-won marriage to shatter because of a few meetings between us. I don’t want such a thing to happen to me—even if you really do love me, or if there’s something in your heart for me. Please consider my feelings, don’t do something that will hurt me. I really can’t bear it!"

Ran Zhihan said her piece and was about to turn away when Chen Gang suddenly pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

Ran Zhihan’s eyes widened in shock. She hadn’t expected the man before her to kiss her forcibly. What would happen if her husband found out? All she could think of was the outcome she would face, the possible consequences, without realizing that her actions were deeply hurting the man before her and even more so her husband at home, who truly loved her.

"Let go! Do you know how despicable I find this? I’ve made it so clear to you, so why do you insist on being with me? You’re making me unsure of how to handle this.

We were never together, and we will not be together now. Don’t forget, I have a family, I have children. You’re not that pure girl anymore, you don’t need to try so hard to win me over.

Even if you could have me now, what you would get isn’t whole. This isn’t fair to anyone. Why not find a perfect girl and marry her, have children, and create a happy life of your own?"