There are still five minutes until the hero escapes from marriage.

In this season, the island’s weather is as capricious as a baby’s mood, often changing unpredictably.

Just yesterday it was pouring rain, almost like an apocalypse, but today the sun shines brightly.

Wen Zhao had prepared early, and the butler had confirmed everything. Rooms for the esteemed guests, food, and every detail without any issues.

She trusted his abilities; since arriving on the island, the butler had been flawless.

She calculated silently whether he could persuade him to return with her to Licheng before leaving the island to continue working for her.

“Boss, we’re here,” he reminded her.

Wen Zhao snapped back to attention and saw a white cruise ship approaching on the calm sea.

“Is everything settled with Mr. Xian?” She asked.

“I’ve spoken with him. He’s calm for now,” the butler replied.

She nodded approvingly. “Well done.”

The cruise ship slowly approached and docked. She greeted it with a bright smile.

Upon disembarking from the yacht, Jiang Xinyan and Chen Shan immediately saw the radiant Wen Zhao.

Jiang Xinyan carefully observed her. Satisfied that she hadn’t lost weight but had a healthier complexion, she breathed a sigh of relief and smiled genuinely.

“Zhao Zhao, you child, after such a big incident, why didn’t you tell us?” She scolded. “Regardless, resorting to violence was wrong.”

“Don’t blame Zhao Zhao; she did nothing wrong,” Chen Shan interjected, feeling guilty.

During the journey here, Jiang Xinyan showed her the full video. After seeing why Gu Xianting’s leg was broken and why Wen Zhao slapped him, Chen Shan felt conflicted, angry and guilty.

Facing Jiang Xinyan, Chen Shan felt uncertain.

“Mom, everything’s fine now. I can handle it,” Wen Zhao generously reassured, not hiding anything. “I didn’t want you to worry, so I didn’t say anything. It won’t happen again.”

Chen Shan looked at her, her eyes complex. Faced with Wen Zhao’s attitude, she didn’t know what to say.

Originally, after deciding to come here yesterday, she had a lot to say, such as even if there was a misunderstanding, such heavy-handedness wasn’t justified. After all, Gu Xianting was her son and had brought her so much dignity and honor from childhood to adulthood.

But now, those words were stuck in her throat, a mix of anger and guilt.

“Where’s Xianting? I want to see him,” she said.

“He is resting in the guest room because of his leg injury.” Wen Zhao replied.

The group headed towards the main building. Jiang Xinyan walked while observing her surroundings. Wen Zhao didn’t mention this island even to her. It was evident that she had put in a lot of effort here. One could imagine how much effort she had put into arranging everything here.

“Madam, watch your step,” a clear voice sounded beside her.

Jiang Xinyan came to her senses and noticed a step ahead. She turned back; beside her was a young man in a smart uniform.

The man looked under thirty, with a calm and restrained temperament, a polite and humble smile, and immaculate grooming.

“Thank you,” she said, slightly surprised. “Who are you?”

The man bent slightly. “I am the butler here. If Madam needs anything, you can call me directly. I am always available.”

“Oh, I see,” she said, somewhat surprised. Could such a person only be a butler here?

Once inside the villa, Chen Shan asked Wen Zhao directly which room Gu Xianting was in and didn’t let her accompany her.

After being forcibly brought to the island, Gu Xianting had to sleep in the same bed as Wen Zhao every day to disgust him. After completely tearing his face with Wen Zhao, he no longer humiliated himself and was sent directly to the second bedroom.

The so-called second bedroom is not small in area, and the furnishings are also quite good.

Chen Shan was angry and opened the door directly. Unexpectedly, she did not see Gu Xianting first, but she thought that she would never see Su Mengyao again!

At this moment, she was still wearing a maid’s uniform. Early this morning, Wen Zhao assigned her a new job to take care of Gu Xianting.

Before yesterday, she would be very happy with this job, but now… 

“Or, if you don’t want to, I will send you off the island, you go back.” So said Wen Zhao.

At first, she still thought that Wen Zhao would be so kind, but after seeing her expression, she suddenly realized what this “kindness” meant!

Now in Licheng or even the whole country, she knew the story of the third round must be boiling. Do not underestimate the ability of the fans, she was sure that all her data must have been disclosed, placed on the network.

“I want, I want!” Su Mengyao’s tone was very urgent.

In the beginning of being trapped on this island, she felt like a prisoner here. She yearned for freedom from the outside world, but now, she just wanted to stay here, at least until the netizens forgot.

Therefore, when Chen Shan wanted to check out Gu Xianting, she saw Su Mengyao in front of her.

Su Mengyao saw Chen Shan in an instant, and her face changed. “Aunt.” She instinctively stepped back, but the next second, a slap still hit her head.

“Aunt?” Su Mengyao was hit by another slap in the face.

Chen Shan was so angry that she almost lost her temper. “Who is your aunt? I thought you were a human being. You have no shame, Su Mengyao!”

Su Mengyao covered her face, standing aside, her chest heaving violently. “Aunt, I came here with the intention to save someone, really… ah!”

Chen Shan couldn’t believe Su Mengyao was still trying to justify herself. She slapped her again out of anger. “Save someone? Who needs your saving here? You and Gu Xianting have no blood relation. He’s already married. Why can’t you leave him alone?”

Su Mengyao looked at her incredulously. In her understanding, Gu Xianting’s mother didn’t like her, which she could understand. However, she hadn’t expected her to humiliate her like this.

Knowing that she was coming to the island, Su Mengyao had actually hoped for a tiny bit of sympathy from her.

She was Gu Xianting’s biological mother. How could a mother turn a blind eye to her son’s suffering? Once Chen Shan understood the whole story, she might even start to resent Wen Zhao, which Su Mengyao could exploit to turn the tables in her favor!

“What’s with that look of yours, so defiant?” Chen Shan saw her expression and trembled with anger. “How can there be a woman like you in this world? Xianting and his newlywed wife came out on their honeymoon, and you shamelessly followed. What are you trying to do?”

“Even if he was forced?” Su Mengyao retorted, “Xianting didn’t want a honeymoon at all. You don’t know what he’s been through!”

“And what does that have to do with you?” She coldly pushed Su Mengyao out. “I don’t have time to deal with you now. Get out!”

With a bang, she slammed the door shut and Su Mengyao walked away, her face grim.

Inside, Gu Xianting, who had heard the commotion outside, struggled to get into his wheelchair and head out. He then saw Chen Shan enter.

He knew about her plan to come to the island and had been waiting for her.

He had also heard the argument between Su Mengyao and her just now. He could only blame Wen Zhao!

Wen Zhao did it on purpose, deliberately letting Su Mengyao take care of him. How could Chen Shan not lose her temper when she saw her in his room?

“Mom.” He saw her and shouted only to receive a slap from Chen Shan, who was infuriated.

“Don’t call me mom. I don’t have a son like you!” Her chest heaved violently, and her vision began to darken.

Gu Xianting raised his hand and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. His mother was really merciless; blood appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Looking at the blood on the back of his hand, he suddenly chuckled. “In that case, why did you come here? If you don’t want a son like me, why bother about me?”

She looked at him in disbelief, unable to say a word for a long time. “How did you become like this?”

Since childhood, he had been a very sensible child. He never caused trouble, was mature beyond his years, and was always polite to everyone he met. He was truly a child who put her mind at ease, who would understand her and stand in front of her when her father showed signs of trouble outside and had a man-to-man talk.

That was when he was in high school. She was in a lot of pain at that time. It was Gu Xianting and Wen Zhao who made her come out.

At that time, Gu Xianting was very disgusted with his father’s actions. He almost made a big fuss at that time. In the end, his father compromised and took back his probing foot, honestly not causing trouble.

“When did you become like this?” Chen Shan looked at him, her eyes pained. “You said you didn’t want to be like your father.”

The former Gu Xianting, when he mentioned Wen Zhao, his eyes were bright. Shei didn’t know when this light disappeared. In fact, after entering university, he rarely went home, and his contact with her decreased.

She thought that entering university would become harder and even busier to enter the Gu internship.

“I have no conscience like this.” He smiled coldly, as if he had completely broken the jar. “I have done everything wrong. Is that okay? I am a sinner. I deserve to die. Why don’t you just kill me?”

“Xianting.” She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. “Forget it…”

She took a deep breath again, but her heart was still very dull. She didn’t want to continue facing him. She didn’t expect that things would come to this. Gu Xianting didn’t think that she had any problems at all.

She turned around and wanted to leave.

He also thought something was wrong with her at that time. He was angry and said something he might not even be aware of. After seeing her shaky appearance, he frowned and his face showed a trace of urgency. “Mom, what’s wrong with you? Mom?”

Chen Shan, with her hand on the wall, wanted to leave, but after just a few steps forward, she fell forward!

“Mom!” He shook the wheelchair urgently and wanted to come forward.

But someone was faster than him and caught her, as she was about to fall down.

Gu Xianting looked at him in amazement, the butler.

He caught her and took out an aerosol from his suit pocket to help her take medicine.

“Madam, don’t worry, it’s okay.” His voice was low and slow, as if it had the power to calm people’s hearts.

Between Chen Shan’s vague consciousness, she saw his concerned face.

“Thank you.” She thanked him, and with his help, she sat up.

“Mom, what’s wrong?” Gu Xianting’s urgent voice came over.

She looked at him, her eyes calm after disappointment. “I’m not dead yet. Aren’t you disappointed?”

Gu Xianting pursed his lips and didn’t say a word.

“Xianting, think about it yourself. What have you done these years? What else is there in your life besides lies?” She said calmly. After this sentence, she stood up with the help of the butler.

She didn’t want to see Gu Xianting for the time being, nor did she want to talk to him.

He sat in the wheelchair, looking at the butler supporting her out, and before long, the sound of the door closing came.

The room, which had been noisy just now, suddenly became extremely quiet, quiet to the point where his rapid breathing seemed noisy.

In his mind, he involuntarily began to recall her words.

These years, after meeting Su Mengyao, he seemed to always be busy, busy resolving things for her, doing things to please her, lying to Wen Zhao, breaking appointments, starting to dislike Wen Zhao’s existence…

Apart from these, what else was there?

His hands unknowingly held onto the wheelchair’s armrests.

Had his life these years been revolving around Su Mengyao?

In the corridor, Chen Shan was still in bad shape. She had originally wanted to talk to Gu Xianting properly. 

She wanted to at least hear his side of the story and find out what really happened.

But after seeing Su Mengyao, her rationality became precarious. After being provoked by Gu Xianting’s attitude again, she completely forgot her original intention.

“Thank you, Mr. Butler.” She turned her head to look at the butler who had been helping her, trying to calm herself down.

“It’s my duty to serve you.” He did not accept her thanks. “Shall I help you back to your room to rest for a while?”

“That would be troublesome.” She did not refuse. She was in no shape to meet anyone in her current state. She really needed to rest and calm down.

The room prepared for her by the butler was on the second floor of the villa, with a large balcony where one could see the vast sea. Opening the window would let sunlight pour in.

Everything in the room was in warm colors, not particularly luxurious, but everywhere there were considerate touches. Even the flowers in the vase were arranged in soothing colors.

It was evident that someone had put a lot of thought into decorating this place. She felt a pang in her heart. All this must have been prepared by Wen Zhao. 

“Rest, I’ll leave first. If you need anything, just find me or any other maids in the villa.” After the butler finished speaking, he considerately closed the door for her.

Coming out of the side building and walking down the corridor connecting to the main building, the butler saw Gu Xianting sitting in a wheelchair.

Upon seeing him, Gu Xianting’s face remained grim, but he reluctantly asked, “How is she? Is she alright now? Did you call a doctor to check on her?”

“If Sir could just avoid making Mrs. angry, perhaps she would be fine,” he replied calmly. “By the way, Mrs. wishes to rest for a while. It might be best not to disturb her now. I don’t think she would want to see you at the moment.”

With that, he walked past Gu Xianting and left.

Gu Xianting adjusted his wheelchair and glanced back at him, furrowing his brow slightly. Why did this man carry a nebulizer for treating asthma with him? And his handling of it seemed so familiar.

But this question flashed through his mind briefly as he looked out through the windows in the corridor.

Outside, the sun was shining brightly, yet his mind felt empty.

On the beach, Jiang Xinyan listened as Wen Zhao recounted the events of the past few days.

She didn’t conceal anything from her; some things didn’t need hiding.

“Zhao Zhao, you have to understand, I hope you can be happy,” Jiang Xinyan sighed.

Wen Zhao smiled, “Don’t worry, I’m quite happy now.”

There’s nothing more satisfying than tormenting enemies, watching those who hurt you struggle helplessly.

“What about that video? What really happened?” Jiang Xinyan asked. “I know you well enough. If you didn’t want to, that video would never have been sent out.”

“At first, it was indeed an accident, but later…” it turned into turning the tables.

“Alright, as long as you know, we’re not asking for anything else, just hoping you’re okay.” She squeezed Wen Zhao’s hand. “How do you plan to end this? And Su Mengyao, do you really want to keep her here?”

“Of course not,” Wen Zhao laughed, a smile with deeper meaning. “Once my net is cast, she can leave.”

“Okay.” Jiang Xinyan sighed, “I wonder how Chen Shan is doing.”

Jiang Xinyan worried that Chen Shan would blame Wen Zhao for Gu Xianting’s plight, after all, he was her biological son.

“Let’s go back and find out.” Wen Zhao said.

They walked back together. She noticed that the ground was empty in one place on the island. “What happened over there?”

“There was originally a sunflower.” Wen Zhao said, “Later, I thought it was in the way, so I had it pulled out and planned to plant something else.”

After returning to the villa, Jiang Xinyan learned from the butler that Chen Shan had been upset by Gu Xianting. On the one hand, she was slightly relieved that Chen Shan was so angry that she shouldn’t blame Wen Zhao for Gu Xianting’s plight. On the other hand, she was worried about her friend’s health.

“I’ll go see her.” She said and went to the side building.

Wen Zhao sat down on the sofa, took the tablet handed to her by the butler, and casually said: “Thank you for today. By the way, how come you have a nebulizer with you?”

The butler’s expression didn’t change at all. “As a qualified butler, I naturally do my homework in advance. This is just something a butler should do.”

“Mr. butler is still so humble.” She became interested, “I may be going back to Licheng City in a few days.”

He gently grasped the hand behind him. “Indeed, this is just a vacation resort, and Boss will return.”

Wen Zhao looked at him and suddenly asked, “Mr. butler, would you like to go back with me? I think you are are fully capable of being my assistant.”

“Boss is joking. First, you already have a suitable assistant secretary. Second, I enjoy life on the island.” He smiled and refused.

“Well, that’s a pity.” She seemed a little regretful, but soon immersed hersself in work.

Currently, online public opinion was overwhelmingly positive. Everyone’s anger was focused on Gu Xianting and Su Mengyao. Many people had dug up Su Mengyao’s background information, and some had even dug up the early signs of Gu Xianting and her flirtation behind Wen Zhao.

However, some people had started to investigate who exactly exposed this matter online and maliciously smeared Wen Zhao.

At this point, it was Xu Nian’s turn. He slowly revealed the things she gave him.

So enthusiastic netizens who had been exposed for a long time, suddenly found that the person who released the video was actually Gu Xianting’s sister, the youngest of the Gu family, Gu Ruoxian!

This time, netizens went crazy!

What did it mean, the youngest of the Gu family, openly supported the third party? What family ethics drama is this?

And some people directly dug out that the reason why Su Mengyao chased to the honeymoon place was also because Gu Ruoxian paid and sent her personally!

Wow, what did this sister want to do? This is not just bad, it’s downright malicious!

For a while, many people rushed to Gu Ruoxian’s Weibo, questioning her what she was thinking, why she did such things.

Wen Zhao looked at Gu Ruoxian’s Weibo, tens of thousands of questions, and felt very good.

In the previous life, it was Gu Ruoxian who really brought down the Wen family.

It was interesting to talk about. Gu Ruoxian wanted the power of the Gu family, Su Mengyao wanted Gu Xianting. They wanted something very clear, so they collaborated seamlessly and got what they wanted.

Wen Zhao’s cell phone rang at this moment, and the person who called was none other than Gu Ruoxian.

She answered the phone, “Ruoxian sister, why didn’t you come to the island with mom?”

The breathing on the other end of the phone was a little heavy, “Wen Zhao, what do you want to do?”

Gu Ruoxian now has no interest in circling around with her!

Now, public opinion was pointing directly at her, she spent a lot of money to pull out many times the search, however, it didn’t work.

At this point, how could she not know that she was being calculated!

“This should be my question to ask you, Ruoxian sister.” Wen Zhao smiled lightly, “I am Xianting’s wife, you sent a woman who coveted my husband, what did you want to do?”

On the other end of the phone, Gu Ruoxian’s pupils suddenly contracted. How could Wen Zhao know about this? Could it be Su Mengyao, that troublemaker?

“Zhao Zhao, is there some misunderstanding about this?” She tried to steer the conversation away.

“No misunderstanding,” Wen Zhao’s voice was nonchalant, “It was Su Mengyao herself who told me. Did you want us to confront each other?”

Gu Ruoxian nearly fainted with shock!

“Zhao Zhao, we’re family now. It’s not good to escalate things like this,” she regretted underestimating her. “I was wrong before. I apologize. Or I can hold a press conference on Weibo, whatever you want. I misunderstood for a moment. I won’t meddle in your affairs again.”

“Anything, you say?” Wen Zhao interrupted her long explanation.

“Yes, anything to make you feel better,” Gu Ruoxian sighed in relief, hoping Wen Zhao would still negotiate, leaving some room for compromise.

She knew Wen Zhao would never completely sever ties with the Gu family no matter how much she caused a scene. By exposing everything to public opinion, was she trying to force the Gu family, to force Gu Xianting?

“I want you to completely withdraw from Gu Corporation,” Wen Zhao said. “The portion of shares you own, I want them as a gesture of apology.”

Upon hearing her words, Gu Ruoxian almost thought she misheard. “What did you say?”

“I won’t repeat myself. I know you heard me,” Wen Zhao’s tone remained indifferent, but the implications were enough to send Gu Ruoxian into a frenzy!

“Wen Zhao! Don’t push it!” Her face turned pale. One moment, she was immersed in the joy of solving her troubles, the next, she was dragged down from heaven to the brink of hell.

“Didn’t you say I could ask for anything? Now that I’ve asked, why are you angry?” Wen Zhao chuckled. “Are you and your brother always like this, or is it a family trait? Don’t promise things you can’t fulfill, it really makes you look low!”

Wen Zhao hung up without waiting for a reply, leaving Gu Ruoxian to angrily sweep everything off the table.

After hanging up, Wen Zhao felt remarkably refreshed.

Every time she saw Gu Ruoxian before, there would always be some passive-aggressive remarks. Gu Ruoxian introduced her as her best friend, claiming there were no other implications, but everyone knew better.

Thinking about it now, Wen Zhao found it quite miraculous how easily she believed everything Gu Xianting said. Had her mind been stolen? Why hadn’t she found it strange that she believed every word he spoke?

Realizing this, she sensed something was amiss.

Mainly… she refused to believe she was that foolish!

Wen Zhao took out Gu Xianting’s phone, lit up the screen, and coldly asked, “After my eighteenth birthday, after meeting Su Mengyao, every time he lied to me, I didn’t suspect a thing. Why?”

The phone played dead, so Wen Zhao picked it up and threatened to drop it on the ground.

The screen lit up in the next moment.

[I told you before, everything in this world is predetermined! Every choice you make, everything you do, is scripted!]

“So you’re saying I mindlessly believed Gu Xianting because of the script?” She frowned unhappily. Could the power of the script be that strong? Could it really reduce someone’s IQ so much? Was she that weak?

[Yes, in the script, you would believe everything he said to you. You deeply loved him, unconditionally believed him, willing to forgive him over and over, as long as he was willing to come back to you. You could do anything.]

“According to you, I’m just following the scripted content in everything I do. Why do you call me an unstable factor? Have I done anything outside the script?” She was curious.

In her previous life, according to the script, she would be thrown into the sea by Gu Xianting, ending up buried at the bottom of the ocean.

She hadn’t deviated. So why did the system call her a disruptive element, even requiring her to be reborn, to complete the task of redeeming the villainess and helping the main couple?

“After I was thrown into the sea, wasn’t the happy ending of the main couple supposed to be the end of the script?” She didn’t understand. She felt the system wasn’t telling the whole truth.

The system started playing dead again.

Wen Zhao sensed something unusual.

“Is it because someone secretly loves me and can’t bear to see me end up like this?” She made a cheeky guess. “You originally wanted me to help the main couple and then live my own life. Is the next step for me to meet someone, and that person is the one who paid the price for me to be reborn?”

The system refused to answer this question!

“Are you kidding me?” She had casually guessed, unable to think of anyone like that after thinking about it in a circle. Moreover, as the system said, everyone was predetermined, so how could there be exceptions?

“Then why did I get reborn? Don’t tell me it’s some nonsense about completing tasks well and rewarding me with rebirth.” This nonsense felt like rubbing her IQ on the ground!

[You’re free now, can you stop asking?] The system was reluctant to answer.

“No, I’m curious,” she said. “Besides, if you can let me be reborn once, what if it happens again? Or maybe someone else will be reborn next time?”

[Do you think rebirth is some kind of big gift bag that can be casually given out? Letting you be reborn once has nearly exhausted me!]

The system was extremely resentful. Why did it have to end up like this?

“By the way, what exactly are you?” Wen Zhao had always been curious, but she had been too busy messing with the main couple to pay much attention to it. “What is your purpose? Are you forcing me to help the main couple and achieve the original ending because there would be consequences if I didn’t?”

If it had a face, it would definitely be a look of despair right now.

Instead of answering the last question, the system would rather answer this one.

[Because in your previous life, after you fell into the sea, you didn’t actually die.]

Wen Zhao’s phone fell onto the table with a snap.

“What are you talking about?”

“How could someone survive falling into the sea?”