Chapter 23: The Beautiful Woman, Lonely in Her Boudoir

“Dan, you really can’t keep drinking like this! This is just self-destruction!”
Li Chao frowned deeply, his eyes full of worry as he stared at the woman before him, his voice brimming with concern and anxiety.
He knew all too well the harm excessive drinking could do to the body, especially for a woman. Seeing Dan so careless with her health set his heart on edge.
“And that so-called best friend of yours—she’s no good at all! You’d do best to stay far away from her, cut off all contact with her from now on!”
As Li Chao spoke, his tone grew heavier.
He pleaded with her earnestly, every word spoken from the depths of his heart, hoping she would truly listen.
He was aware his words might not be easy to hear, perhaps even hurtful, but they came from genuine care and affection.
All he wished for was that Dan would look after herself and never allow anyone the chance to hurt her, not even a little.
Liu Dan nodded softly and replied in a low voice,
“Yes, I understand.”
“It’s just that I’ve been stuck at home for so long, endlessly bored, almost suffocating from it. That’s why I wanted to get out, clear my head, change my mood a little.”
“How could I have predicted things would turn out like this!”
Li Chao watched her in silence, his worry growing heavier.
He knew Liu Dan possessed a kind and simple heart, always too quick to trust others.
This experience must have dealt her a heavy blow.
“Ah, life is truly unpredictable,” Liu Dan sighed deeply, her face etched with helplessness and sorrow.
Her once-beautiful face seemed to be shrouded in gloom, its former radiance lost.
Her deep, striking eyes were clouded with confusion and uncertainty, as if the future held nothing but doubt and unease.
Her gaze was like a ship lost in a thick fog, unable to find its way forward, stirring compassion in anyone who saw her.
Li Chao carefully reached out and gently patted Liu Dan’s shoulder, his voice warm and steady as he comforted her:
“Don’t keep dwelling on it. What’s done is done.”
“We should learn from this experience, and never again trust so easily.”
“You must learn how to protect yourself, do you understand?”
Liu Dan nodded in agreement, but tears welled endlessly in her eyes, sparkling like clear pearls.
She looked at Li Chao, her eyes full of gratitude, and said softly,
“Thank you, Li Chao. With you by my side, I feel so much calmer.”
A gentle smile warmed Li Chao’s lips. He replied in a soft voice,

“There’s no need to thank me. No matter what difficulties or challenges you may face, I’ll always stand by your side, supporting and helping you with all my strength.”
Listening to Li Chao’s sincere words, a warm current flooded Liu Dan’s heart, bringing her a comfort and reassurance she had never known before.
In that moment, she realized she was not alone, for someone as trustworthy as Li Chao was always near.
This bond between them only drew them closer, giving Liu Dan new courage and strength to face whatever uncertainties the future might hold.
She understood deeply that no matter what hardships she encountered, Li Chao would always be behind her, her most steadfast support.
In this vast world, to have someone who cared for and cherished her so genuinely filled her heart with contentment and happiness.
“All right, don’t blame yourself so harshly,” Li Chao said gently, his words filled with understanding and sympathy.
It was no easy feat to shoulder an entire household alone.
Softly, Li Chao suggested,
“Why not try calling your husband home? That way, the two of you could look after each other.”
Liu Dan nodded in silent agreement, but the sorrow and helplessness in her eyes lingered on.
She sighed, her breath carrying all her pain and resignation, and said slowly,
“Call him back?”
“Heh…”
“I’m afraid he’s already lost himself in that world of endless pleasures out there.”
“Perhaps he never really cared about this home at all.”
“To him, maybe both me and this house are nothing, dispensable…”
Li Chao listened quietly, a pang of sadness for Liu Dan tightening his chest.
He knew all too well that, for her, this marriage had become an unbearable burden, yet she bore all the pain and bitterness alone, without a word.
Her voice trembled as she went on,
“Once, the two of us shared such a happy and sweet time together.”
“But the good days didn’t last; as time passed, his heart slowly changed.”
“Now, he’s probably long forgotten all that we once weathered together, let alone what this home should mean to him.”
Li Chao held her trembling hand tightly, hoping to pass along some strength and support.
He said softly,
“Maybe he’s only lost his way for a while and needs time to find the right path, to clear his mind.”
“You could try talking to him again, let him truly understand how you feel and how much this home means to you.”
Liu Dan looked up at Li Chao, a faint gratitude shining in her gaze.
But after a moment, she gently shook her head, her voice tinged with endless sorrow and disappointment, murmuring,

“I’ve tried so many times, but every time it ends in bitter arguments or cold indifference.”
“He seems not to care about my feelings anymore, or whether this family even survives.”
Li Chao gazed tenderly at the woman before him, exhausted by grief, unsure how to comfort her wounded heart.
He knew all too well how hard it is to mend a relationship that’s already broken, especially when one party has lost all sense of responsibility and commitment to the family.
Still, Li Chao steadfastly encouraged Liu Dan not to give up so easily.
He believed that as long as there was love and the willingness to work for it, no matter how many obstacles lay ahead, the clouds would one day part and reveal the moonlight.
He spoke with conviction:
“No matter what difficulties and setbacks you face, you must make yourself stronger.”
“Even if he can’t be with you right now, never forget your own strength and the warmth you’ve built in this home together!”
“You can seek out and pursue the happiness and joy that belong to you alone, and in doing so, rediscover the true meaning of life.”
After hearing Li Chao’s heartfelt words, Liu Dan indeed felt lighter and more at ease.
She knew that if she allowed herself to remain trapped in endless sorrow, it would do nothing to help her—in fact, it would only make things worse.
Only by summoning her courage to face reality, and by striving to create a brighter future for herself and her family, could she make the wisest choice.
At last, Liu Dan smiled gratefully and replied,
“Thank you truly for all your care and encouragement.”
“From now on, I’ll do my best to pick myself up and live each day with renewed joy and purpose.”
At this, Li Chao’s lips curved into a gentle smile as well, and he said softly,
“There’s no need to be so polite with me!”
“As long as I see you smiling with that sunlight-bright radiance, my heart is at peace!”
“If you ever run into trouble, just let me know anytime!”
At that moment, Li Chao watched Liu Dan in silence, his gaze full of tenderness for her.
Time itself seemed to slow, and her sobs gradually faded away.
She slowly raised her head; her eyes, once clear as water, were now red and swollen from crying, yet they still shone with gratefulness and deep attachment to Li Chao.
As she heard his words, her body trembled slightly, and tears once more streamed down her cheeks.
But this time, the tears no longer spoke of pain or sorrow, but of a profound sense of being moved and filled with happiness.
These tears seemed to wash her heart clean, sweeping away the shadows of the past, and filling her with warmth and comfort as never before.