Betrayal and Revenge: The Gym Scandal That Destroyed Them All

When my girlfriend came back from the gym, I noticed something off—again. Her workout top had mysteriously vanished.

“Where’d it go this time?” I asked, eyeing her as she unpacked her bag.

Without looking up, she replied casually, “It was soaked in sweat, so I tossed it.”

I raised an eyebrow. The weather outside was chilly, barely above ten degrees Celsius. How intense could her workout have been to drench her clothes like that?

Lately, She kept saying she was tired when she came home. Her condition seemed to be getting worse every day—she often felt nauseous and on the verge of throwing up.

When her mother found out, she was deeply concerned, her voice filled with panic as she said:

“Hurry up and get married already! I’m ready to be a grandma!”

Just as I walked through the door one evening, my phone buzzed with a notification.

Ding—Your Family Card has been charged 499 yuan at Victoria’s Lingerie. Purchaser: Li Mimi.

Mimi, my girlfriend of three years, wasn’t new to this kind of behavior. Ever since she started hitting the gym, her lingerie had been “disappearing” just as frequently as her gym tops.

Not long after, she showed up at the door in her usual getup—tight yoga pants and a form-fitting tank top, her signature lazy smirk in place.

“Another one gone?” I asked, my voice colder than I intended.

“Mm-hmm,” she replied breezily, toeing off her sneakers. “Sweated through it.”

“All tossed in the trash?”

“Of course. They were sticky and gross—why keep them?”

I let out a dry laugh. “You’re quite generous, aren’t you?”

Her head tilted as she gave me a puzzled look. Then she smiled and sauntered over, her hand resting lightly on my waist. Leaning in close, she said in a teasing whisper, “Aww, Want me to give you a couple of pairs of my worn underwear to take with you on your next business trip?”

Have to admit, she was disarming—tall, with a slim waist and legs that seemed to go on forever. Even the simplest gestures left my throat dry. But just as I reached for her, she laughed, pulling back.

“Next time, okay? I’m really tired tonight.”

Her words landed like a bucket of cold water. My smile faded, and the frustration I’d been holding in finally broke free.

“What’s going on with you?” I snapped, louder than I intended. “Ever since you started going to the gym, it’s always ‘I’m tired, I’m tired.’ Every single time!”

“I am tired,” she shot back, her tone sharp. “Do you know how exhausting it is? My clothes get drenched in sweat every session!”

“Fine,” I said, not bothering to mask my irritation. “Then explain this.” I held up my phone, the transaction record glaring back at both of us. “Why does working out require lace and frills?”

Her eyes flicked to the screen, her expression darkening. When she finally spoke, her voice was icy. “What’s your problem? I’m doing this for you, you know? We’re getting married soon, and I want to look amazing for you. Don’t you want a girlfriend who turns heads?”

“For me?” I let out a bitter laugh. “You’re good at twisting things, aren’t you?”

My mind drifted to a few weeks earlier. I’d been bedridden with a high fever, too weak to even get myself a glass of water. I’d hoped, just once, that she’d stay home to take care of me. Instead, she’d been standing in front of the mirror, meticulously drawing her eyebrows.

“I’ve got a session with my trainer today,” she’d said, her makeup bag spread out on the table. “Canceling last minute would be rude.”

She spent an hour perfecting her look, trying on outfit after outfit. Just before leaving, she tossed a quick “Drink more water” over her shoulder, as if hydration was the cure for everything.

“Drink more water?” That was the moment something inside me snapped.

“Turning heads?” I repeated, staring at her. A bitter smile tugged at my lips. “We’ve been together for three years, lived together for one, and not once have you posted a single picture of us on your social media. What, are you embarrassed by me?”

If anyone should feel embarrassed, it was probably me.

I graduated from one of the top universities, landed a position at a prestigious tech company, and was earning a seven-figure annual salary. Her? She dropped out of school at fifteen or sixteen, drifting between odd jobs without ever holding anything stable.

When we first got together, my parents were firmly against it. I still remember how she sat across from them, explaining how her family was too poor to send both her and her brother to school. So, she sacrificed her education to work and support her brother’s studies. That image of selflessness and responsibility eventually softened my parents’ hearts.

But now, looking back, I felt like I’d been played.

“What’s that supposed to mean, Zhang Jiahao?” Mimi suddenly turned to face me, her expression shifting in an instant. Her voice rose, sharp and accusing. “You’re the one who insisted we move in together! What, now that you’ve had your fun, you’re ready to pretend none of this ever happened? Fine! Just you wait!”

She grabbed her phone and dialed her mother. It wasn’t the first time she’d done this. Every argument ended the same way—with her parents barging in to “mediate.”

Sure enough, not long after, her parents arrived with her younger brother in tow, storming into my apartment like a whirlwind.

Her father wasted no time, grabbing me by the collar the moment he stepped inside. “You little punk! My daughter gave you the best years of her life, and now you want to dump her? Over my dead body!”

Her brother leaned lazily against the wall, a smug smirk playing on his lips. “My sister’s been killing herself at the gym just to look good for you. Instead of appreciating it, you’re out here complaining? Fine, I’ll just swing by your office tomorrow and let everyone see what kind of scumbag you really are.”

Meanwhile, Mimi was dabbing at her eyes, forcing out a few crocodile tears like she’d been dealt some unspeakable injustice. Her mother rushed to her side, stroking her hair as if she were a child.

“Oh, sweetheart,” her mom cooed, glaring at me. “Didn’t I tell you? Men are all the same—heartless. You never should’ve moved in with him. Well, now that he’s tired of you, he just wants to dump you.”

She turned her icy gaze on me. “You’re not even married yet, and this is how you treat her? Imagine how much worse it’ll get after the wedding! Speaking of which,” she added, her tone suddenly businesslike, “the betrothal gifts should go up—five hundred grand at least. That’ll show how much you truly value her.”

I didn’t respond.

Just then, Mimi bolted to the bathroom, the sound of her retching echoing through the apartment.

Her brother seized the moment, jabbing a finger in my direction. “See that? My sister’s health has been going downhill ever since she got with you! You two shouldn’t even be talking about marriage yet. You’ve got a lot to prove, man.”

I let out a dry laugh, feeling utterly drained. Over the years, I’d bent over backward to keep her family happy, hoping it would speed up the wedding process. Her dad’s expensive watch, bottles of Maotai liquor, cartons of premium cigarettes; her mom’s designer handbags and skincare products; her brother’s new phone and motorbike—all of it came out of my pocket.

But every time marriage came up, there was always some new excuse to delay it.

Mimi’s mom glanced thoughtfully at the bathroom door, her demeanor shifting as if on cue. When she turned back to me, her expression was strangely soft, almost maternal.

“Jiahao,” she said, her tone uncharacteristically gentle. “You and Mimi have been together for so long. I think it’s time to get married. Let’s not drag this out any longer—I’d love to see some grandkids soon.”

Before I could react, her brother jumped in. “Mom, we can’t rush the wedding. I mean, sis—”

“Shut it!” she snapped, silencing him with a glare.

Mimi emerged from the bathroom, confusion flickering across her face at her mother’s sudden change in attitude. Her mom took her hand, her voice syrupy sweet.

“Sweetheart, listen to me. Marrying sooner is better for you. Trust Mom on this.”

Then she leaned in and whispered something in Mimi’s ear. Whatever it was, Mimi’s expression shifted—shock, disbelief, then something I couldn’t quite place.

“Really? No way…” she murmured. Then, with a resigned sigh, she added, “Fine. I’ll agree to the wedding, but you have to promise to treat me well after we’re married.”

With that, her family left. But as they walked out, her mom turned back to remind her, “Don’t forget what I told you.”

That night, something strange happened. Mimi, who had been cold and distant all day, suddenly became unusually affectionate. She caught me off guard with her passion, initiating intimacy multiple times. It was so unexpected that I didn’t know how to react.

But as I lay in bed afterward, replaying the events of the day, a nagging unease crept in. Something didn’t add up.

The next morning, Mimi dressed up like usual and announced she was heading to the gym. Before she left, she blew me a kiss and flashed a bright smile. “Be good, hubby! Wait for me to come back!”

As soon as her car disappeared down the street, I threw on some clothes and hailed a taxi. “Follow that car,” I told the driver.

The old man gave me a skeptical look. “Kid, my shift’s almost over. Find another cab.”

“Come on, bro! I’m catching a cheater here!”

His eyes lit up, and he slapped the steering wheel. “Why didn’t you say so earlier? Buckle up!”

With a screech of tires, we sped off after her.

Sure enough, Mimi didn’t head to the gym. Instead, she drove out of the city toward a secluded wooded area. My stomach churned, but I told the driver to keep going.

Eventually, her car pulled over on the side of a deserted road, right next to a sleek luxury vehicle. My heart sank.

I couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh. What a cliché. It felt like a scene ripped straight from a bad drama.

I slipped out of the taxi, crouching low as I crept through the trees, keeping a safe distance.

What I saw next made my blood boil.

Mimi jumped out of her car without even turning off the headlights and practically threw herself into the arms of a man in casual clothes. She climbed onto his lap, clinging to him as his hands roamed freely over her body.

My fists clenched, my vision turning red. I picked up a thick branch from the ground, gripping it tightly. Every instinct screamed at me to storm over, smash their car to pieces, and drag them out.

Then the man patted her on the hip and asked, “Did you wear the pants I told you to buy?”

She giggled, her voice dripping with coyness. “Of course! I even fought with him over it yesterday. You owe me for that—make it up to me today, okay? Oh, and have you gone to the hospital yet? You’ve been getting worse lately.”

The man stiffened briefly, then shrugged it off. “Yeah, I went. The doctor said it’s nothing. Do you think he suspects anything?”

Mimi leaned lazily against his shoulder and snorted. “Him? Please. He’s so clueless. Even if one day my private parts got wrinkled from your inappropriate behavior, he would only praise and say ‘It looks so nice’.”

The man laughed loudly. “You’re such a little slut.”

The heavy breathing in the car filled the silence.

I couldn’t take it anymore. My grip on the branch tightened as I stormed toward the car, ready to confront them.

But as I got close enough to see the man’s face clearly, I froze.

It was him.

Zou Lei—an old friend of Mimi’s from her hometown.

He was a salesman for a real estate company. In fact, it was Mimi who had introduced me to him when I was looking to buy a house. Back then, he went above and beyond to help me—running around, securing a big discount, and acting like the perfect professional.

Grateful, I’d even referred clients to him. But now, as I replayed his strange looks and overly enthusiastic compliments, it all made sense. He’d been mocking me the entire time: This idiot doesn’t even know I’m sleeping with his girlfriend.

But I couldn’t act on impulse. Not yet.

If I confronted them now, what would I achieve? Beat him up? Break up with Mimi? That would be too easy for them.

I took a deep breath, pulled out my phone, and hit record, capturing every detail of their little rendezvous. Once I had enough, I slipped away quietly, my mind already working on a plan.

Back home, I sat at my computer and got to work. As a network engineer—often called a “hacker” by outsiders—digging into someone’s background was child’s play. It didn’t take long to pull up Zou Lei’s entire profile. He was married, with a three-year-old son.

I found his wife’s WeChat and sent her a friend request. When she accepted almost immediately, it felt as though she’d been waiting for this moment.

I didn’t mince words: “I have something to tell you about your husband, Zou Lei.”

Without hesitation, I sent her the video, along with a brief explanation of my plan.

To my surprise, she agreed without a second thought. Not only that, but she offered to cooperate fully.

Everything was falling into place.

When Mimi came home, she didn’t seem to notice anything unusual. She went straight to the bathroom to shower, leaving me in the living room. I pretended to be occupied, holding a large bottle of medicinal wine like I’d just unpacked it.

“What’s that?” she asked, towel-drying her damp hair.

“Wine brewed by soaking the penises of ten different kinds of animals. ” I replied with a serious tone. “It’s a powerful tonic—great for boosting kidney function, vitality… it’s basically an atomic bomb for your health.”

For a split second, I caught a flicker of excitement in her eyes, but she quickly masked it. She didn’t ask further, just placed the bottle casually on the table and walked away.

Later that night, after she fell asleep, I slipped her phone from the bedside table and installed a Trojan horse program, giving me access to monitor her activities in real time. To cover all bases, I also planted a miniature hidden camera inside the logo of her handbag.

The trap was set. Now, it was just a matter of waiting for the bait to take.

The next morning, everything seemed normal. I left for work at the usual time, carrying my briefcase. When I reached the entrance of our neighborhood, a black van with flashing hazard lights was parked discreetly nearby.

I climbed in. Inside, a wiry young man with spiky yellow hair greeted me with a crooked smile.

“Bro, is everything ready?” he asked, his tone casual but laced with curiosity.

I nodded, giving him a hard look. “Handle it carefully.”

“Don’t worry, bro,” he said confidently, tapping the steering wheel. “I’ll take care of everything.”

Not long after, Mimi’s car pulled out of the driveway. The young man started the van, expertly keeping a safe distance as he tailed her.

She drove far out of the city, heading toward a secluded hill on the outskirts. There, Zou Lei was already waiting. I felt my stomach churn. These two couldn’t even wait a day to see each other.

“Kill the lights,” I said quietly, gesturing for him to park in a hidden spot.

We watched as Mimi’s car came to a stop. Zou Lei wasted no time—he jumped into the passenger seat the moment she parked. The way they clung to each other was revolting.

I took out my phone and activated the Trojan program. Their conversation streamed through loud and clear.

“Baby, I missed you so much!” Zou Lei’s voice was thick with anticipation.

“We didn’t even finish last time,” Mimi teased, her voice laced with a playful sweetness that turned my stomach.

“Did you get enough last time?” Zou Lei taunted, his voice dripping with mockery. “Did you beg your husband for more?”

“Please,” Mimi scoffed, her tone filled with scorn. “He’s pathetic. He can’t even last a single round. He’s such a bore! I wouldn’t let him touch me again even if someone paid me. Not like you—you know how to make a girl feel alive.”

My blood boiled. My grip on the phone tightened until my knuckles turned white. I couldn’t see Zou Lei’s face, but I could already picture the smug grin plastered on it.

Every word felt like a dagger stabbing into my chest, each one deeper than the last. My fists clenched so hard that my joints cracked audibly.

I thought back to when we first met. Mimi had been the picture of innocence—demure, sweet, almost too perfect. She’d carried herself with traditional values, claiming she believed in restraint and purity. I’d admired her for it, treated her with utmost respect, and refrained from anything that might offend her delicate sensibilities.

But now, I saw her for what she really was. The “innocence” I’d fallen for was nothing but a mask. A carefully crafted façade. And I’d been the fool who worshipped her, tiptoeing around her as if she were some untouchable goddess.

A surge of fury coursed through me. My teeth clenched so tightly that the metallic tang of blood filled my mouth.

The young man in the van glanced at me, his cheerful demeanor fading as he noticed my expression. He reached out as if to pat my shoulder in comfort but hesitated and quickly pulled back when he caught the look in my eyes.

The conversation inside the car continued, each word hitting me like a hammer, fueling my urge to tear the vehicle apart.

“He’s not entirely useless,” Li Mimi said with a smirk, her tone laced with mockery so sharp it made my skin crawl. “Look at this—he brought it back last night.”

“What is it?” Zou Lei asked, his voice tinged with curiosity.

“Liquor brewed by soaking the penises of ten different kinds of animals!” Li Mimi giggled, her laugh dripping with ridicule. “They say it’s ridiculously effective. He bought it specially. In a way, he’s helping us out—though indirectly.”

“Oh?” Zou Lei’s voice brightened with amusement. “Then let me give it a shot! If it works, I might even owe him one, haha!”

That was the last straw. My patience snapped.

I threw the van’s door open and barked at Yellow Hair, “Go for it!”

Without hesitation, Yellow Hair slammed his foot on the accelerator. The van roared forward, crashing into the back of Li Mimi’s car with a loud bang.

Inside, the vehicle, which had been shaking moments earlier, jerked to an abrupt stop, as though someone had hit pause on the scene.

Yellow Hair climbed out of the van, strolling leisurely to the front of the sedan. He rapped on the window with the back of his knuckles. The glass slid down a crack, and Zou Lei’s irritated face appeared, his brows furrowed in frustration.

“What’s your problem? Who are you?” Zou Lei snapped.

Yellow Hair offered a wide, friendly smile, his tone infuriatingly polite. “Looks like you forgot to pull your handbrake. Your car rolled back and hit mine.”

Zou Lei’s eyes swept over him, taking in his plain clothes and unassuming demeanor. With a dismissive sneer, he tossed a crumpled wad of cash out the window. “Take the money and get lost. Don’t mess up my business.”

But Yellow Hair didn’t flinch. His smile widened. “This isn’t enough,” he said lightly. “Maybe you should come take a look at the kind of van I drive.”

Zou Lei’s lip curled. “You? Driving something worth looking at? Don’t make me laugh. Just take the money and scram.”

Yellow Hair tilted his head toward the van. “Don’t believe me? Step out and see for yourself.”

“You—” Zou Lei started to argue, but Li Mimi cut him off from the backseat. “Stop wasting time and go look!” she hissed, exasperated.

Grumbling under his breath, Zou Lei leaned farther out the window to inspect the back of his car. The moment his eyes landed on the van, his irritation flared. “You son of a—hey! Ahh! What the hell!”

Before he could finish, Yellow Hair grabbed him by the hair and yanked him out of the car. Zou Lei hit the ground with a thud, clutching his head and yelping in pain. His disheveled clothes only added to his pitiful appearance. Despite the obvious disadvantage, he tried to bluster, “You’re dead!”

Yellow Hair crouched over him, slapped him twice across the face, and grinned. “You crash into my van and still have the nerve to threaten me?” He yanked Zou Lei closer by the collar and sniffed theatrically. “Oh? Drunk driving? That’s dangerous, buddy. Someone’s got to teach you a lesson.”

Before Zou Lei could react, Yellow Hair started raining slaps across his face. Each blow landed with a resounding crack, turning Zou Lei’s face into a swollen, bloody mess. By the time Yellow Hair was done, his lips were bleeding, his cheeks puffed like balloons, and a few teeth had gone missing. Dazed, Zou Lei lay on the ground, his eyes glassy with shock.

Satisfied, Yellow Hair turned his attention to the car. He yanked open the door, revealing Li Mimi curled in the backseat, trembling and clutching at her disheveled clothes.

“What… what do you want?” she stammered, her voice quivering with fear. “Don’t do anything stupid! I’ll call the cops!”

Yellow Hair spat on the ground, his expression twisted with disdain. “Touch someone like you? Don’t flatter yourself. Go ahead, call the cops! Drunk driving is a crime. They’ll notify your family, and you might even end up in jail.”

Her face went pale. “You… you can’t hit him,” she whispered weakly.

Yellow Hair’s grin widened. He kicked Zou Lei, who groaned pitifully on the ground. “Can’t hit him? You were driving drunk and crashed into my car. How dare you shout at me! What do you think?” He turned to Zou Lei, leaning down with a mocking laugh. “Right, pal?”

Zou Lei, shielding his face with his hands, nodded frantically. “You can hit me! Just don’t call the cops! How much? I’ll pay you!”

Watching from behind the tree, I couldn’t suppress a quiet laugh. As expected, the coward was terrified of his wife. Zou Lei’s wife wasn’t just any woman—she was the kind of wealthy, vengeful woman people avoided at all costs. With her temper and her brother working as a prison warden, Zou Lei wouldn’t just be kneeling on a washboard if she found out about this—he might not even make it home.

Yellow Hair, relishing his role, pulled a document from his pocket and shoved it in front of them. “Sign this.”

Li Mimi’s eyes went wide when she saw the figure. “Five million? Are you crazy?”

Yellow Hair didn’t answer. Instead, he delivered a swift kick to Zou Lei’s groin, sending him rolling on the ground in agony. He chased him down and continued the beating until Zou Lei finally gasped, “Alright! I’ll sign it! Just stop!”

Their pitiful cries filled the mountainside, and for the first time in a long while, I felt a rush of satisfaction. But this was just the beginning.

I stepped out from behind the tree, hailed a taxi, and headed home. Not long after I got back, her whole family showed up at the door.

The moment the door swung open, her brother stomped in without so much as a greeting, kicked off his shoes, and sprawled out on the freshly cleaned sofa. The smell from his feet—clearly overdue for a wash—instantly filled the room, making me wince. To make matters worse, her mother didn’t even bother removing her shoes. She plopped herself onto the sofa, sitting cross-legged like she owned the place.

“Xiao Zhang,” she began, her tone sharp and commanding, “Li Zhi(her brother) has been dating that girl for a while now. It’s time they got married. The only thing missing is a house. You should buy one for your “brother-in-law”. Once you do that, you can marry my daughter. And don’t even think about skimping on the dowry!”

Her entitlement was so absurd I almost laughed out loud. It was as if I were nothing more than an ATM for her family.

I forced a troubled expression and asked, “Buy… a house? How much are we talking about?”

My hesitation made her face darken. She snapped, “What’s that tone? Haven’t we treated you like family? And now, when we ask you to buy a house for your brother-in-law, you’re acting all reluctant?”

Her brother, never one to miss a chance to stir the pot, rolled his eyes and sneered, “Zhang, do you even know how much my sister loves you? Or do you just not want to marry her at all?”

Family? Love?

For years, they’d done nothing but take from me. Every holiday, every gathering—it was always something: designer bags, fine liquor, expensive gifts. Their excuse was always the same: “We’re family.” Meanwhile, my “mother-in-law”’s once-slender figure had grown plump, undoubtedly from all the “gifts” she’d received. I’d swallowed my pride for Li Mimi’s sake, but now? Now I’d had enough.

This time, they were going to pay.

I sighed, pretending to give in, and nodded. “Alright, I’ll do it.”

At my response, her brother’s face lit up with excitement. And her mother’s expression didn’t change much, but the gleam in her eyes gave her away. She put on an air of seriousness and said, “Now that’s more like it! If you can’t even meet such a simple request, don’t bother thinking about marrying my daughter!”

I forced a weak smile. “But… the money might take me some time. I’m not exactly swimming in cash right now.”

No sooner had the words left my mouth than her brother shot up from the sofa. “What do you mean? Are you messing with us?”

I quickly waved my hands in protest. “No, no, you’ve misunderstood! I’ll get the money. Just give me one day—I promise I can earn it!”

Her mother’s face lit up with exaggerated delight, her wrinkles folding into a smile. “Xiao Zhang is really something! Earning enough for a house in one day? My daughter sure has a good eye!”

With that, she dragged the brother out the door, leaving me alone in blissful silence.

Sure enough, less than an hour later, my “brother-in-law” came rushing back, eyes wide with curiosity.

“Zhang! You said you could earn enough for a house in one day—what’s your secret? Take me with you!”

Feigning surprise, I quickly hid my phone behind my back. “I… I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

His eyes narrowed as he grabbed the phone from my hand. The screen lit up, revealing the interface of a gambling app. He stared at it, then at me, his voice trembling with excitement. “You’re making money with this?”

I leaned in, lowering my voice conspiratorially. “Yep. It’s like picking money off the ground. Earning ten thousand in a day? Easy. But you can’t tell your sister! She’d kill me if she knew. This is just between us guys, alright?”

His eyes sparkled with greed, and he slapped my shoulder. “Don’t worry! Your secret’s safe with me!”

Just then, Li Mimi walked in, her face half-red. Her brother noticed immediately. “Sis! What happened to your face?”

I struggled to keep a straight face as he rushed over, acting all concerned.

“Sis, who did this to you? Tell me—I’ll make sure they pay!”

Li Mimi kept her head down, silent.

Impatient, the brother pressed her. “Say something!”

Say something? Would she dare admit that those marks were from getting caught cheating?

When she remained silent, his anger boiled over. He turned to me, grabbing me by the collar and shoving me against the wall. “Was it you? Don’t worry, Sis, I’ll handle this! I’m going to make big money soon, and no one will dare mess with us!”

Before he could get another word in, Li Mimi stepped between us. “It wasn’t him! I… I was at the gym, jumping rope, and accidentally hit myself. Also, you should be nicer to your brother-in-law.”

Her excuse was so ridiculous I nearly burst out laughing. Five clear fingerprints on her face, and she wanted us to believe it was a jump rope? Did the rope wrap itself around her head or something?

Her brother muttered something about getting ice and shuffled out of the room. Once he was gone, I handed Li Mimi an ice pack, barely holding back my amusement. She took it without a word, then, surprisingly, muttered a quiet word, “Thank you.”

I didn’t say anything. After all, this was just the beginning.

Later that evening, after Li Mimi finished her shower, she changed into a sultry lingerie set. Swaying her hips, she sauntered over to me, settling herself on my lap. Her smoldering eyes locked onto mine, her expression dripping with tenderness.

In the past, a moment like this would have made me lose all self-control. But now? My stomach churned, a wave of nausea rising so quickly I feared I might throw up. I pushed her away as gently as I could manage, forcing a calm tone.

“I’m just a little tired,” I said. “Not really in the mood. Let’s get some rest.”

Without waiting for her response, I turned off the lights and lay down with my back to her.

But she wasn’t ready to give up. She slid in behind me, draping her arm over my waist and pressing her body firmly against mine. Her voice dropped to a low, seductive hum, each sound a calculated attempt to reignite my interest.

In the past, her touch would’ve been enough to obliterate my defenses. But now, all I felt was disgust.

When I didn’t respond, she finally broke the silence, her voice soft and coaxing. “Honey, are you asleep? I need to talk to you about something.”

Feigning grogginess, I mumbled, “What is it?”

Her tone was sweet, almost disarmingly so. “I’ve been thinking… I want to open a gym. You know how much time I spend at the gym already, and I’ve paid so much in tuition. Wouldn’t it be smarter to have my own gym?”

“How much would that cost?” I asked, keeping my voice neutral.

Her eyes lit up, sensing an opening. “Not much—just around two and a half million.”

Two and a half million? My jaw clenched. Typical.

Before Huang Mao had left, he’d made them record a damning video—Li Mimi and him together, boldly confessing to their affair. Worse, he’d threatened to release the video online if they didn’t come up with the money to pay him off within a month. From what I’d pieced together, they’d agreed to split the cost.

“Two and a half million?” I repeated, feigning shock. “That’s a lot. I don’t think I can manage that right now.”

As expected, her face hardened, and her voice turned icy. “What do you mean, you can’t? We’re about to get married, and you’re not willing to support my dream? Once we’re married, I’ll be yours in every way. What’s there to hesitate about?”

“No, no, you’ve misunderstood,” I said quickly, putting on a conflicted expression. “It’s not that I don’t support you—it’s just that all my money is tied up in investments. I honestly can’t get that kind of cash right now. I’ll need at least two months to free it up.”

“Two months?” Her tone rose in frustration. “That’s too late! I have a friend who’s selling their gym at a discount because they’re moving abroad. It’s only available for the next month.”

She paused, her eyes narrowing as she leaned closer. “I don’t care how you do it—you need to figure it out. If you don’t… there’s no way we’re getting married.”

I lowered my head, pretending to think deeply. After a long moment, I said slowly, “How about this: I know someone who lends money at high interest. We can borrow enough to cover the cost now and pay it back in two months when my investments mature.”

Li Mimi hesitated, her brows knitting together. Finally, she gave a reluctant nod. “Fine, we’ll do it your way.”

The next day, I took her to meet the loan shark. We borrowed over two million, with her signature on every document. She left the office clutching the cash, her smile as wide as it was oblivious to the predatory gleam in the loan shark’s eyes.

Not long after we got home, Li’s mother and brother barged in, dragging us along to check out houses. Her brother barely looked up from his phone, cycling between moments of excitement and despair—classic signs of a gambling addiction.

We ended up at a property sales office where Zou Lei worked. Zou Lei had wanted to handle the meeting himself, but I signaled for him to send the salesperson I’d arranged instead.

The salesperson greeted us warmly and began presenting a modest three-bedroom apartment, following the script I’d prepared. As she spoke, Li’s brother suddenly let out a deafening shout, startling everyone in the room.

“What the hell!” he yelled, waving his phone like a trophy.

The room fell silent, all eyes on him. Unbothered by the attention, he strutted over to us, grinning like he’d just hit the jackpot.

“Mom, forget this crappy apartment—I’m buying a villa!”

Li’s mother gawked at him, her voice trembling with disbelief. “A villa? Are you out of your mind? We can’t afford that! The down payment for this apartment alone is over four hundred thousand, and the monthly payments are more than ten thousand. I’m already struggling to afford it. There’s no way we can afford a villa!”

Her brother flopped onto the sofa, crossing his legs like he owned the place. “Relax, Mom! I made some money on my phone. I’m buying a villa today!”

Li’s mother seemed hesitant, but I quickly signaled to the salesperson. Catching on immediately, she shifted her pitch, steering the conversation toward a luxury villa worth nearly ten million. Li’s brother leaned in, nodding enthusiastically, putting on airs as though he were a billionaire in disguise.

Every time Li’s mother tried to interject, he silenced her with a dismissive, “Stop worrying, Mom.”

Sensing an opportunity, the salesperson smiled and said, “This villa is in high demand. We just had a client leave their contact information. If you’re interested, you’ll need to put down a one-million deposit today to secure it.”

Her younger brother, frantic with frustration, stomped his feet and demanded I hand over the money.

Li Mimi chimed in, piling on the pressure with a dramatic flourish. “If you don’t help my brother get this house today, don’t even think about marrying me!”

Feigning helplessness, I let out a heavy sigh. “I don’t have that kind of money. I only brought 400,000 for the down payment on a three-bedroom apartment.”

Seeing me falter, her brother turned to their mother, his voice sharp and insistent. He pressured her relentlessly until she caved, scraping together the million-dollar deposit by emptying her savings, borrowing from relatives, and even mortgaging her house.

After a grueling night of desperation and negotiation, they finally managed to collect the money. By morning, their faces gleamed with triumphant smiles as we all gathered to sign the contract. They carried themselves as if they’d just won the lottery.

The handover day arrived, and the sales office was packed with onlookers. To celebrate the sale of the prestigious “King’s Tower” villa, the LED screen prominently displayed the words: “Congratulations on the King’s Tower!”

Li’s mother beamed with pride, calling up every relative she could think of to boast about her son’s “accomplishment.”

Scanning the room, I spotted Zou Lei standing with Li Mimi. Their flirtatious glances, exchanged shamelessly in front of everyone, made me sneer. How utterly brazen.

I slipped to the back of the room and handed a USB drive to the salesperson I’d prearranged. Then, I returned to the front just as the signing ceremony began.

Amidst applause and cheers, Li Mimi and her family strutted onto the stage to sign the contract with the property owner. Once the papers were signed, Zou Lei stepped forward and suggested they stay on stage for a “moment of excitement.”

When passing the microphone, he took the opportunity to brush his hand against Li Mimi’s. She didn’t flinch. Instead, she accepted it gracefully, her voice saccharine as she addressed the crowd, thanking everyone for their support and expressing her joy.

I stood near the back, smirking. Calmly, I pulled out my phone and opened the Trojan program I’d prepared in advance.

The crowd was still buzzing with applause when the LED screen suddenly flickered. The celebratory animation vanished, replaced by a scandalous video of Li Mimi and Zou Lei “working out” in a car.

The air went dead. Silence fell over the room before gasps rippled through the crowd. People instinctively pulled out their phones, recording the unfolding chaos. Parents scrambled to shield their children’s eyes.

Li Mimi’s family stood frozen, their expressions morphing from confusion to sheer horror. Li Mimi stared at the screen, her face draining of color. As realization dawned, she collapsed to the stage, screaming, “This isn’t real! It’s AI-generated!”

The crowd wasn’t buying it. Whispers and laughter broke out among them, one person even exclaiming, “What a juicy scandal!” while filming the screen.

Li’s mother, pale as a ghost, stumbled over to me, trembling. “Xiao Zhang, this must be a misunderstanding! Don’t worry, we’ll fix this!”

I yanked my hand away coldly. “A misunderstanding? Oh, I assure you, there’s no misunderstanding. I recorded it myself.”

Li Mimi, furious, staggered to her feet and stormed toward me, screaming, “Zhang Jiahao! Why are you doing this to me? You’ll die a horrible death!”

Her outburst only made me laugh. “Die horribly? Let me tell you something, Li Mimi,” I snarled, pointing at her family. “I’ve sacrificed everything for you people, and you dare cheat on me? Today, I’m going to make you pay!”

She lunged at me like a madwoman, but I sidestepped her easily and delivered a swift kick, sending her sprawling to the floor.

Her brother rushed to her side, trying to console her. “Don’t worry, Sis! I’m making money now, and we have a villa! Leaving him won’t be so bad!”

I couldn’t help but scoff. “You really think that gambling app is going to save you? You’re more naïve than I thought.”

They’d forgotten—I’m a programmer. Developing a gambling app was child’s play for me. When the time came for them to pay the final balance on the villa, I wiped out their funds remotely.

When they failed to make the payment, the contract was voided, and the seller kept their million-dollar deposit.

A few days later, the young man with yellow hair delivered 3.5 million to me: 2.5 million for the loan, and 1 million for the villa deposit. Everything had gone exactly as planned. The loan company? I found those people and arranged the whole thing. The owner of the villa? Same.

As for Zou Lei, he wasn’t spared either. He was caught and reported for embezzling company funds. To top it off, a wealthy woman he’d wronged exposed his affair with Li Mimi, plastering their scandal across the city. She handed out flyers, rented billboards, and ensured their shame was visible 24/7.

Li Mimi’s family spiraled into ruin. Harassed by loan sharks and robbed of everything valuable, they eventually lost their home to the bank.

Li Mimi came crawling back to me multiple times, but I kicked her out every time.

Years later, I heard rumors about her. She’d become a shadow of her former self, wandering the city as a ragged, emaciated madwoman. Locals said she spent her days muttering incoherently about “villas” and “rich families.”