Chapter 1: Betrayal
"Ah! I'm finally free!""Wang Xu, I swear, I'll make your life a living hell!"
Wang Xu stepped out of the prison gates. Seeing the outside world again felt incredible. His heart surged with excitement—mixed with endless hatred.
Five years ago, Wang Xu had been framed by Li Qiang, the son of the village tyrant, and sent to prison.He had lost five years of his youth, his freedom, and his once-bright future.
Dududu...
With a worn black canvas bag in hand, Wang Xu walked along the asphalt road back to his village. Just then, a wedding convoy drove straight toward him. Leading the line was a luxurious black Audi decorated with fresh flowers and colorful balloons—it looked romantic and festive.
As the Audi passed by, Wang Xu was shocked to see the bride in the front passenger seat—it was his ex-girlfriend, Zhang Lan!Three years ago, Zhang Lan broke up with him during a prison visit. After that, she never came to see him again.
Damn it! I just got out of prison, and you're getting married?Zhang Lan, are you doing this on purpose to show off to me?
Wang Xu's face twitched with rage. But then he thought—Zhang Lan was no longer his girlfriend. She could get married whenever she wanted. It was none of his business.
Clunk!
The Audi stopped right beside Wang Xu. The car door opened slightly, and a tall, slick-looking young man in a designer suit stepped out. Judging by his appearance, he was clearly the groom.
When Wang Xu saw who it was, a fire ignited in his eyes, and he clenched his fists.It was none other than his sworn enemy—Li Qiang!Zhang Lan actually married Li Qiang?!
Seeing one's enemy stirred deep rage. Wang Xu wanted to punch him to death on the spot.His fury burned even hotter upon realizing the groom was Li Qiang himself.
"Hey! Isn't this Wang Xu, the only college student in our village? Tsk tsk, what a pity—a college student turned murderer!""Loser! Zhang Lan is finally my wife. Can't handle that? I planned this wedding especially for today.Surprised? Hahaha!"
Li Qiang leaned against the open car door, grinning with contempt.Back then, both he and Wang Xu had pursued Zhang Lan. When she chose Wang Xu, Li Qiang's pride was crushed.So, he set a trap to send Wang Xu to prison and stole Zhang Lan for himself.
Learning that Wang Xu was being released today, Li Qiang deliberately scheduled the wedding for the same day and even waited for him along the road—just to humiliate him.
His words completely infuriated Wang Xu.
Thud!
Wang Xu took a step forward, reached out, and grabbed Li Qiang by the throat, lifting him into the air like a chicken.
"You—you dare hit me? Cough... cough..."
Li Qiang kicked frantically and tried to pry Wang Xu's hand away, but it was like trying to open a steel clamp.
He had no idea that the man before him was no longer the weak and naive college student from five years ago.
"Let go of Brother Qiang!"
Several groomsmen shouted, getting ready to act.
"Move one step, and I'll snap his neck!"
Wang Xu roared, his eyes filled with murderous intent. Holding a grown man effortlessly in one hand was terrifying.The groomsmen froze in fear.
As fate would have it, Wang Xu had encountered unexpected fortune in prison.He became the disciple of a prisoner named Zhao Tian, a legendary master in his sixties.Zhao Tian taught Wang Xu ancient healing techniques and martial arts. Wang Xu was no longer an ordinary man.
"Wang Xu, stop! Haven't you had enough prison time?!"
Seeing Li Qiang's face turn purple, eyes rolling back as if he might die, Zhang Lan—still in her wedding gown—hurried out of the car, screaming at him.
Her voice snapped Wang Xu back to his senses. He gritted his teeth and slammed Li Qiang to the ground.
He knew he couldn't act recklessly so soon after getting out—this wasn't the moment to settle the score.
"You bastard! I won't stoop to your level today. But once the wedding's over, you're dead!"
Li Qiang climbed to his feet, dusted himself off, and cursed at Wang Xu.
"Zhang Lan, why would you marry useless trash like Li Qiang?"Wang Xu ignored him and turned to Zhang Lan.
"Hmph! Marry a convict like you? You think you're still worthy of me?" Zhang Lan sneered coldly.
In her eyes, Wang Xu's anger was because he still had feelings for her.She didn't know that he had been framed by Li Qiang.
Back then, Wang Xu was the village's pride—the first to attend college. Handsome and promising.Zhang Lan had once placed all her hopes on him.But then he was sentenced for a hit-and-run, and his future was ruined. She felt he no longer matched her status.
Zhang Lan's cold tone and mocking look made Wang Xu burn with shame.
"You heard that? You're not even worthy of Zhang Lan! Still chasing after her? Any woman would look down on you!"Li Qiang felt satisfied and kept fueling the fire.
"Oh look, it's Wang Xu, just out of prison, huh?""A broke ex-con trying to steal someone's woman? Hilarious!""Haha! The guy must've gone stupid in jail!""Zhang Lan is the village belle. You think she'd pick someone like him?""Get lost! Don't humiliate yourself here!""Leave now! Or we'll call the police—ex-cons breaking the law get longer sentences!"
The surrounding relatives and guests joined in mocking Wang Xu.He felt like his dignity was being trampled into the dirt—he wanted to kill them all.
Screech!
Suddenly, a luxury BMW pulled up beside the wedding car. Just as Wang Xu was about to storm off in fury, a stunning woman stepped out—long legs, short denim shorts, and flowing hair. She swayed confidently as she walked toward Wang Xu.
Her beauty, both in appearance and presence, instantly made Zhang Lan—still in her wedding dress—fade into the background.Even Li Qiang was momentarily stunned.
"Sorry, darling. Traffic was awful—I couldn't get here in time. Forgive me?"
The beautiful woman walked up to Wang Xu, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him boldly on the cheek.
The entire scene fell into stunned silence.
The convict they had mocked… had such a stylish girlfriend?
Everyone felt as if they'd just been slapped in the face.
Especially Zhang Lan.
When she saw that gorgeous, confident woman step out of a luxury car, shame burned through her.She recalled the words she'd just spoken to Wang Xu—and her face turned red and pale by turns.