197: Chapter 197 Helping Shang Youya

Shang Yuya looked as if she had received a promise; a faint smile tugged at the corners of her mouth before she leaned forward and kissed Cao Kun's lips.

At the warm and soft sensation, Cao Kun's body stiffened momentarily before he stopped suppressing his feelings and returned her kiss.

Outside the window, the sunlight gradually faded, and the light in the room grew dimmer until only the sound of their intertwined breathing remained.

Holding Shang Yuya, Cao Kun felt her body trembling and her dependence on him. There wasn't a trace of profanity in his heart, only the heavy weight of redemption.

After an unknown amount of time, the movement in the room gradually subsided.

Leaning against Cao Kun's chest, Shang Yuya's breathing had returned to normal, and the flush on her face had faded significantly; the effects of the drug had finally worn off.

The atmosphere inside the room gradually settled as the twilight outside completely enveloped the old residential building.

Shang Yuya curled up in the soft bedding. The heat in her body had long since dissipated, replaced by a bone-deep coldness and despair.

She slowly opened her eyes and looked at Cao Kun lying beside her. Her eyes instantly turned red.

Everything that had happened today replayed in her mind like a nightmare from which she could never wake up.

From falling into South Lake to Lou Dong watching her struggle and doing nothing to save her.

From the loan sharks coming to demand payment to Lou Dong personally pouring the aphrodisiac down her throat to save his own life.

From those thugs grinning as they told her that her husband had handed her over to be defiled, to finally, Cao Kun breaking down the door and pulling her back from hell.

Every image was like a sharp knife, shredding all the love, persistence, and tolerance she had held for the past two years into pieces.

She finally believed it completely—every word Cao Kun had said at the convenience store entrance back then.

Lou Dong had never changed. His tenderness was fake, his repentance was fake, and his love for her was even more so.

From beginning to end, this man only loved himself.

For the sake of gambling debts, he could subject her to long-term domestic violence.

To save his own life, he could plot to kill his wife for the insurance payout.

To save his own hands, he could personally push her into hell to be trampled upon by others.

Shang Yuya closed her eyes as a stream of clear tears slid down the corners of her eyes, soaking the pillowcase.

She had once broken ties with her biological parents for him, becoming estranged from friends and family, and guardedly stayed in this broken marriage all alone. She thought that as long as she was tolerant and persistent enough, she could change him and have a home.

Only now did she realize that all her sacrifices were worthless in Lou Dong's eyes.

Cao Kun felt the person beside him trembling. He turned on his side and looked at Shang Yuya's pale, fragile face. There was no trace of disrespect in his eyes, only a faint calm.

He stood up, took his clothes from the side, and dressed himself unhurriedly. Then, sitting by the bed, he asked in a low, steady voice, "Feeling better?"

Shang Yuya opened her eyes and looked at Cao Kun, her gaze filled with gratitude, guilt, and endless regret.

She opened her mouth, her voice incredibly hoarse. "Mr. Cao... thank you... if it weren't for you, today I..."

She couldn't finish the sentence. Just the thought of what had happened made her feel cold all over, and she couldn't stop shivering.

"No need to thank me," Cao Kun said flatly. "I saved you simply because I can't stand scum like Lou Dong."

Shang Yuya lowered her head, her tears falling even harder. "Before... I even misunderstood you, thinking you were a bad person trying to drive a wedge between us, and I spoke harshly to you... I was so stupid."

She wished she could slap herself a few times now.

Cao Kun had reminded and warned her time and again, yet she had been blinded by Lou Dong's facade and remained obstinate, eventually ending up in this state.

"It's in the past," Cao Kun didn't hold it against her. "It's enough that you're clear-headed now."

Shang Yuya took a deep breath, wiped away her tears, and her gaze became determined.

She looked up at Cao Kun and said word for word, "I want to divorce Lou Dong."

She had repeated these words in her heart countless times.

She no longer wanted this marriage that had left her covered in scars. She wanted to leave this monster and start her life anew; even if she had nothing, it was better than struggling in hell.

She thought Cao Kun would agree with her decision, but to her surprise, he just shook his head slightly.

"Divorce?" A cold arc curled at the corner of Cao Kun's mouth. "That's too easy on him."

Shang Yuya was stunned and stared at him blankly. "What?"

"Do you think a divorce is enough to make him pay the price?" Cao Kun's gaze was sharp as he looked directly at Shang Yuya.

"He has done so many heartless things to you—domestic violence, insurance fraud, attempted murder, selling your body. Are you satisfied with just a divorce, letting him go scot-free?"

Shang Yuya's body trembled as the hatred in her heart surged up.

She wasn't satisfied.

How could she possibly be satisfied?

Two years of her life had been ruined by him; she had been tortured until she was neither dead nor alive and pushed to the brink of death. Just a divorce was indeed too easy on him.

But besides divorce, what else could she do?

She was just an ordinary woman with no power or influence. Facing a piece of scum like Lou Dong, she had no choice but to run away.

"I... I have no other choice," Shang Yuya's voice carried a sense of powerlessness. "I can't beat him, and I can't outfight him. I can only leave him."

Cao Kun looked at the cowardice and helplessness in her eyes without a hint of mockery.

He knew that a woman who had been under long-term domestic violence and mental control had long since had all her edges worn away, leaving only fear and obedience.

If he wanted her to take revenge, he first had to shatter the last of the weakness in her heart, make her recognize Lou Dong's evil deeds, and make her understand that forbearance wouldn't bring peace—only fighting back could truly set her free.

Cao Kun softened his tone, but every word struck a nerve: "Shang Yuya, think carefully about how Lou Dong has treated you these past two years."

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