154: Chapter 154 Love-Obsessed

That encounter was like a seed, taking root in Tian Ningning's heart.

Later, Zhang Genshuo began to deliberately approach her, sending her messages every day without fail.

Good morning, good night, eat on time—he meticulously cared about her work and life.

When Tian Ningning worked the night shift, no matter how busy he was, he would drive to the hospital downstairs to wait for her and bring her warm late-night snacks.

If Tian Ningning occasionally caught a cold or fever, he would be more anxious than anyone, immediately bringing medicine and staying by her side to care for her, feeding her water and taking her temperature, more considerate than her own family.

Tian Ningning remembered that once she had a severe cold, with a fever of 39 degrees, her whole body ached and she was too weak to move, lying in bed.

Upon learning this, Zhang Genshuo canceled his so-called company meeting, drove overnight to her rental apartment, gave her physical cooling, cooked light porridge, and stayed by her side all night.

The next morning, when she woke up, she saw the man sleeping with his head on the bedside, his eyes bloodshot, yet he still smiled and asked her, “Ningning, are you feeling better? Do you want to sleep a little longer?”

At that moment, Tian Ningning completely fell for him.

She felt she had met the best man in the world—gentle, considerate, devoted, and successful in his career, fulfilling all her expectations for love.

Zhang Genshuo understood women's hearts well; he never gave expensive gifts but always managed to impress a simple girl like Tian Ningning with the cheapest things.

He would pick a wild flower by the roadside, weave it into a wreath, place it on her head, and say she was the most beautiful princess.

He would spend a dozen yuan to buy a pair of couple bracelets, wear them on their wrists, and say they were a testament to their love.

On rainy days, he would hold an umbrella, tightly shielding her, letting half of his body get drenched, but smiling and saying, “As long as you don't get wet, it's fine.”

These inexpensive little romantic gestures, in Tian Ningning's eyes, were more precious than diamonds.

She had lacked love since childhood, longing to be valued and cared for. Zhang Genshuo precisely grasped her weakness, using meticulous consideration and sweet talk to gradually break down her psychological defenses.

He would hold Tian Ningning and softly whisper sweet nothings in her ear.

“Ningning, I've never cared for a woman this much. You are the first, and the last.”

“I work hard to build my career just to give you a stable home. When my company is a bit more stable, we'll get married, okay?”

“I don't care if you have money, I only care about you.” Tian Ningning would always lean into his arms like this, her face full of happiness.

And that's exactly what Zhang Genshuo wanted to hear.

He feigned deep affection, feigned devotion, and pretended to be a responsible good man, completely fooling Tian Ningning.

Tian Ningning, with her love-struck mind, was completely swept away by love, believing Zhang Genshuo's words implicitly, thinking that this man truly loved her and wanted to spend his life with her.

Less than a month into their relationship, Tian Ningning handed her salary card to Zhang Genshuo, saying, “Genshuo, your company needs capital turnover. Feel free to use my salary, I trust you.”

Zhang Genshuo feigned refusal at the time, looking troubled: “Ningning, how can I spend your money? I'm a man, I should be supporting you.”

But in his heart, he was already overjoyed, secretly cursing Tian Ningning as a complete fool.

This was his tactic: playing hard to get, first showering her with tenderness and consideration to make the woman completely fall in love with him, then using excuses like “business difficulties,” “capital turnover,” and “emergency funds” to gradually swindle money. And simple, love-struck fools like Tian Ningning were his easiest targets.

In just a few months, Tian Ningning not only gave Zhang Genshuo her entire monthly salary of over ten thousand yuan but also maxed out her credit cards and even secretly borrowed tens of thousands in online loans, all transferred to him.

She never doubted Zhang Genshuo, even though she lived frugally and couldn't bear to buy a new piece of clothing, she was willing to give all her money to this man she loved.

She thought she was helping the man she loved overcome difficulties, and that once his career succeeded, they would usher in a happy future.

Little did she know, she was just one of Zhang Genshuo's many prey, an ATM for him to satisfy his extravagant lifestyle.

Zhang Genshuo took the money he swindled from Tian Ningning and immediately went on dates with other women, buying designer clothes, smoking expensive cigarettes, frequenting high-end entertainment venues, living a carefree life.

He currently had six official girlfriends.

And over a dozen ambiguous relationships.

These women were all very beautiful.

And each woman was completely charmed by him, believing she was his only one.

In the Fenghua Li Residential Complex, in this very building, besides Tian Ningning, there were two other women he had fooled: one was an office worker doing micro-business, and the other was a recent college graduate. Both were completely taken in by his sweet talk, continuously giving him money.

Yet these three women, living in the same building, on different floors, never knew of each other's existence, nor did they know that the man they deeply loved was a complete swindler.

At this moment, under the candlelight, Zhang Genshuo looked at the blissfully happy Tian Ningning before him, a flicker of imperceptible disdain and greed flashed in his eyes, quickly masked by a gentle smile.

He put down his wine glass, reached into his pocket, pulled out an exquisite red velvet box, and gently pushed it towards Tian Ningning, his tone mysterious and tender: “Ningning, a birthday gift, open it and see.”

Tian Ningning's eyes instantly lit up. With trembling hands, she picked up the box and carefully opened it.

Inside the box lay a sparkling diamond ring. The diamond, illuminated by the candlelight, refracted dazzling light, appearing exceptionally brilliant.

Tian Ningning gasped, covering her mouth, too surprised to speak: “Genshuo... this, is this a diamond ring? It's too precious, I can't accept it...”

Although she didn't understand jewelry, looking at the style and luster of the ring, she thought it was a genuine diamond of considerable value, feeling both moved and uneasy.

Zhang Genshuo held her hand, his fingertips gently caressing the back of her hand, his gaze so affectionate it could drip water: “Silly girl, in my heart, you are more precious than any diamond.”

“This is a diamond ring I specially customized for you, representing my eternal and unchanging love for you. Ningning, will you wear it?”

Tian Ningning's tears instantly welled up. She was so moved that she choked up, nodding rapidly: “Yes, I'll wear it, I'll wear it!”

She tremblingly put the ring on her ring finger; it fit perfectly. The diamond rested on her skin, cold and dazzling.

Tian Ningning looked at the ring, her face beaming with a happy smile, feeling like the happiest woman in the world.

But she had no idea that this seemingly glamorous diamond ring was just a glass imitation Zhang Genshuo bought online for 9.9 yuan with free shipping.

Its cost was less than one yuan; it would break with a single fall and couldn't even be considered an ornament.

Zhang Genshuo watched Tian Ningning's moved expression, sneering inwardly, cursing her as hopelessly stupid.

A 9.9 yuan fake could make her devoted to him; this deal was simply too good.

The time was right.

Zhang Genshuo held Tian Ningning's hand, which wore the fake diamond ring, and sighed softly, a troubled and forlorn expression appearing on his face, his brows slightly furrowed, his eyes showing a hint of fatigue and helplessness.

This demeanor instantly made Tian Ningning's heart clench.

“Genshuo, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?” Tian Ningning immediately put away her smile, looking at him with deep concern, reaching out to touch his forehead.

“You don't have a fever. Did something happen at the company?”

Zhang Genshuo was waiting for this exact question.

He feigned hesitation, wanting to speak but holding back, remaining silent for several seconds before gently shaking his head, forcing a smile: “It's nothing, Ningning. Today is your birthday, let's not talk about unhappy things, let's just enjoy our meal.”

“No!” Tian Ningning immediately interrupted him, her tone firm.

“We're lovers, your business is my business. You must tell me if you have difficulties, I can help you!”

“Is there a problem with the company? Tell me quickly!”

...