The Down and Out CEO’s Pursuit of Her Wife [GL] - Chapter 1

The Grudges and Entanglements of Five Years Ago…

Five years ago, a university student named An Ruoning accepted a romantic confession from her tenant, Xu Jingyang, after a relentless pursuit aided by her pet dog, Little Grape. However, their relationship failed to receive the blessing of An Ruoning’s stepsister, An Ruoxuan.

As An Ruoxuan’s close friend and senior, Xu Jingyang knew perfectly well that Ruoxuan’s constant interference stemmed from her own secret feelings for Ruoning. Now that they were romantic rivals, Xu Jingyang saw no reason to maintain their friendship or professional ties. Following a heated argument, he severed all contact with Ruoxuan and officially resigned from the band she had organized.

The relationship between Ruoning and Xu Jingyang left Ruoxuan in a state of total collapse. Meanwhile, Su Feng, a band member desperate to secure a contract with a management agency for personal reasons, encouraged Ruoxuan to use drugs as a way to “numb” herself and find the energy to resume the band’s business affairs.

While the band’s progress remained stagnant, Ruoning happened to cross paths with Mu Shan, a successful senior alumna who was now a high-level executive at an entertainment company. Mu Shan’s decisive, valiant, and elite demeanor sparked a sense of deep admiration within the ordinary Ruoning. At the same time, Mu Shan found herself intrigued by the innocent and timid Ruoning, though her various advances and hints were repeatedly rebuffed.

Just as Ruoning was preparing to commit the rest of her life to Xu Jingyang, she discovered his betrayal. He had been fooling around with various men and women behind her back, including her own close friend, Luo Zinan.

Devastated by the infidelity, Ruoning moved into the home of her classmate, Yin Xiaoyu, to heal. Once she recovered, she returned to her normal life and forgave Luo Zinan, warning her friend not to harbor any expectations for a serial cheater like Xu Jingyang.

During this time, An Ruoxuan’s band faced mounting difficulties. If they couldn’t market themselves soon, all their hard work would go up in flames, and Ruoxuan’s financial situation would only worsen. Driven by desperation, Ruoxuan pressured Ruoning to use her connection with Mu Shan to pull some strings.

Mu Shan offered Ruoxuan a chance to join a new girl group, but the price was Ruoning’s body. Blinded by her professional ambitions, Ruoxuan tacitly agreed to the deal.

Mu Shan’s preferences regarding Ruoning were “dark and cruel,” and she frequently “mistreated” her in various ways. However, due to her admiration for Mu Shan and her own deep-seated insecurity, Ruoning gradually developed intense feelings and a sense of dependency within this “special” relationship.

After Ruoxuan successfully debuted and gained some fame, she repeatedly urged Ruoning to leave Mu Shan. Ruoning, however, chose to stay out of a deep obsession with her captor. The fact that Ruoning chose someone else yet again deeply wounded Ruoxuan.

Consumed by twisted jealousy and further provoked by Mu Shan, Ruoxuan lost her sanity and assaulted Ruoning. Witnessing the entire event, Mu Shan felt no pleasure, instead, she was overcome with an unexpected, searing pain in her heart.

Heartbroken by her own lack of control, Ruoxuan turned to alcohol and drugs to numb her conscience. Her manager, Sister Min, eventually discovered her erratic behavior and assigned staff to monitor her 24 hours a day to get her back on track.

The assault also shifted the dynamic between Ruoning and Mu Shan, and their intimacy began to fracture. To stall her parents’ demands for her to marry and have children, Mu Shan took Ruoning to meet them. Ruoning completely misunderstood this gesture, believing Mu Shan was finally serious about their relationship and that they were on the verge of starting a family, making her incredibly happy.

However, at this critical juncture, Mu Shan reverted to her old self, bringing other women home to fool around. She explicitly told Ruoning that they were not in a romantic relationship. Ruoning finally saw her true “status” in Mu Shan’s eyes and resolutely decided to leave.

Unwilling to let go of a “toy” she wasn’t finished with, Mu Shan locked Ruoning in a basement for her own amusement. Reaching the depths of despair, Ruoning begged Mu Shan’s assistant, Lin Ling, to set her free. In a moment of pity, Lin Ling complied. Leaving behind a final goodbye letter, Ruoning vanished completely.

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