After marrying the celibate officer, I lived as a widow for three years.

So, after being reborn, the first thing I did was rush to a bar to experience the joys of adulthood.

Just as I was “going braless” and letting a group of male models examine my body, my best friend, her face pale, asked me, “Aren’t you about to marry General Lu? Aren’t you afraid he’ll take advantage of you?”

I laughed carelessly and said, “Don’t worry, I’ve already changed my engagement with my stepsister.”

“What did you say?” My best friend’s eyes widened in astonishment.

I leaned close to her ear and shouted, “I said, I don’t need Lu Beicheng anymore!”

As soon as I finished speaking, the surrounding space fell silent.

I suddenly felt an inexplicable panic and unconsciously turned my head to look back.

Under the flickering lights, the veins on the man’s forehead bulged, his eyes bloodshot, and he crushed the wine glass in his hand.

——

01.

The next moment, he pushed through the crowd, strode forward, and lifted me onto his shoulder with one hand.

The stiff military uniform fabric rubbed against my skin, causing me excruciating pain.

“Lu Beicheng! Let me down! You bastard!”

I was both terrified and furious, punching him in the back and kicking wildly with my legs.

But he seemed unaffected, completely ignoring the astonished stares around him, striding swiftly like the wind, carrying me out of the bar, and shoving me into a black military-plated jeep.

“To the military base.”

“Understood, sir!”

The car started calmly, and I angrily reached out to pull open the door.

“Su Wan!” He grabbed my wrist, yanked me back into the leather chair, his eyebrows furrowed: “How long are you going to keep causing trouble?! You’re about to marry into a military family! The 《Code of Conduct for Military Family Members》 I gave you last time, the first rule is you must be home before nine o’clock at night, and you’re strictly forbidden from going to bars and nightclubs! Don’t you remember?”

“From today onwards, you’re not allowed to set foot in places like that again. For what happened tonight, write a ten-thousand-word self-criticism report and submit it to my office tomorrow!”

A ten-thousand-word self-criticism report? A code of conduct?

I was so angry I almost laughed, my chest heaving violently.

In my previous life, I was bound by that thick book of rules for my entire life!

I loved excitement, and he used the excuse of “causing a bad influence” to blacklist all the entertainment venues in the city.

I love freedom, yet he used the excuse of “safety” to confiscate all my identification documents, restricting my activities.

I’m passionate about fashion design, yet he considered my abundance of fabrics and designs as “frivolous play,” a single spark burning everything to ashes.

I almost went crazy, forcing myself to memorize all his rules, learning how to be a dignified and composed general’s wife.

But even so, when I was deliberately isolated and ridiculed by other military wives, he not only didn’t protect me, but publicly condemned me for “not understanding the rules and causing trouble.”

At that moment, I felt like I had fallen into an ice pit, my blood seemingly freezing.

I finally understood: Lu Beicheng wasn’t saying I wasn’t composed enough; it was that, in his heart, I had never truly been there.

Then, an accident ended my short and miserable life.

Waking up again, I was back before the night before my marriage registration with Lu Beicheng.

This time, I just wanted to live as myself, as the fresh, radiant, and free-spirited Su Wan!

My thoughts returned, and all my resentment and anger turned into a roar: “Writing a self-criticism! What does the military family rules have to do with me?! I’m not getting married anymore!”

The car immediately fell into a deathly silence.

Lu Beicheng spun around, his sharp black eyes fixed on me: “…What did you say?”

Seeing his expression, my initial impulse to blurt out that the fiancée had been replaced suddenly subsided.

He had treated me with such contempt; wouldn’t it be too easy for him to quickly tell him that his fiancée had been replaced?

Thinking about the wasted youth I’d experienced in the military in my previous life, I took a deep breath.

I deliberately wanted him to experience the feeling of being forced into a relationship with someone he didn’t like!

I suppressed the bitterness welling up inside me, tilting my head to look out the window: “…Nothing, just words spoken in anger.”

Lu Beicheng scrutinized me for a moment, the sharp glint in his eyes softening slightly, but his voice still commanding: “Tomorrow, come with me to the military district’s celebratory gathering. Dress formally and elegantly.”

“I’m not going. Find someone else.”

I flatly refused.

His expression darkened. Just as he was about to scold me, the car stopped right in front of my villa’s gate.

Without waiting for him to speak, I immediately pushed open the car door, jumped out, slammed the door shut with all my might, and walked away without looking back.

As I opened the door and stepped inside, I immediately saw my father, my stepmother Chu Li, and my half-sister Su Qing, sitting on the living room sofa, clearly having been waiting for a long time.

As soon as Dad saw me, his face darkened: “Where did you run off to cause trouble again? Coming home so late! And dressed like this, what kind of behavior is that!”

I was too lazy to explain, and walked straight towards the stairs: “My affairs are none of your business. The engagement has already changed anyway, where I go, what I wear is my freedom.”

Su Qing immediately stood up and came to me, her face beaming with uncontainable joy: “Sister, Dad said… you voluntarily gave up your engagement with the Lu family to me, is that true?”

Looking at her fake demeanor, I felt nauseated: “Yes, I gave it to you. After all, aren’t you the one who likes picking up discarded things?”

“Su Wan! What kind of talk is that!” My father suddenly slammed his hand on the tea table, angrily shouting, “Bei Cheng is a rare and talented young general, a marriage prospect that countless families would covet! To be related to him is an honor for our Su family! Let me make it clear to you, I’ve already spoken to the old man of the Lu family about exchanging people, and they truly value Qingqing more than you! Don’t let yourself regret it later!”

I scoffed disdainfully, “Rest assured, Su Wan, I never regret what I do.”

Seeing this, Chu Li sneered, “Wan Wan, it’s not that Aunt Chu is criticizing you, but your temperament is truly too wild. Having lost your marriage to the Lu family, what respectable family would dare marry you again…”

My eyes suddenly turned cold, my gaze sharp as a knife piercing her: “Who do you think you are, to even dare to lecture me? A mistress who usurped someone’s place as a wife, you’d better focus on raising your own daughter! What you’ve stolen, you must have the ability to hold onto, don’t end up empty-handed and become a laughingstock!”

Chu Li’s pain was hurt, her face instantly turning pale and ashen.

I ignored them, turned around, and went upstairs to my room.

The following evening, Lu Beicheng forcibly took me to a social gathering, and Su Qing was among the guests.

The atmosphere at the party was formal yet warm.

I deliberately chose a strikingly eye-catching red backless gown, creating a stark contrast to Su Qing’s elegant and modest white formal dress.

During the opening dance, Lu Beicheng’s gaze lingered between me and Su Qing for a moment before he reached out his hand towards her.

A murmur immediately arose around us.

“Huh? Isn’t Chief Lu engaged to the eldest daughter of the Su family? Why invite the second daughter?”

“Isn’t it obvious? A person of Chief Lu’s status naturally needs a more stable and mature partner. Miss Su, the second daughter, is indeed more suitable.”

“Yes, Miss Su Wan is beautiful, but she seems too ostentatious. I’m afraid she might struggle to adapt to life in the military camp…”

Lu Beicheng seemed to ignore me. He looked at me, his tone calm: “You’re not good at this formal social dance. Take this opportunity to learn from Su Qing.”

After saying that, he linked arms with Su Qing and walked to the center of the dance floor.

One in a neat military uniform, with a cold demeanor, the other gentle and lovely, their dance moves perfectly synchronized. They immediately became the center of attention at the party.

I felt no jealousy at all, only that the atmosphere was artificial and boring, so I quietly slipped out to the balcony outside the banquet hall to get some fresh air.

However, not long after, a hateful figure followed me out.

It was Su Qing.

Her face still flushed with embarrassment after dancing, her eyes betraying an undeniable smugness and provocation.

“Sister, why are you hiding here alone? Did seeing me and Bắc Thành dancing make you uncomfortable?” She approached me, her voice low and laced with bitter malice, “But then again, you truly are pathetic. Your mother couldn’t keep your father back then, and now you can’t keep Bắc Thành either. Is this… the shared fate of you and your mother?”

If it were just ordinary provocation, I wouldn’t have paid any attention.

But she absolutely shouldn’t, she mustn’t insult my deceased mother!

My gaze instantly froze, and I abruptly turned around, raising my hand without warning and delivering a powerful slap to her face!

Slap! A crisp sound echoed.

Tô Tình’s head was knocked askew, five clear fingerprints instantly imprinted on her pale face.

She clutched her face, her eyes wide with disbelief: “Sister… you dare hit me?!”

“So what if I hit you?” I grabbed her wrist, pulling her forcefully to the edge of the balcony. “Who gave you the audacity to come looking for trouble with me alone? Tô Tình, have you forgotten? I’ve studied wrestling and grappling since I was a child. Dealing with a hypocritical, weakling like you is as easy as pie!”

Tô Tình was both terrified and furious, her voice trembling: “Tô Vãn! You dare!”

“Now I’ll show you whether I dare or not!”

Before I finished speaking, I lifted my leg and kicked her hard in the calf!

“Ah—!!!”

Tô Tình screamed, losing her balance and tumbling straight down the steps!

Downstairs, cries of shock and commotion erupted.

I stood on the edge of the balcony, coldly watching Su Qing writhing and moaning below the steps, my heart completely unmoved.

Just as I was about to turn away, a hand from behind gripped my wrist tightly!

I turned around, meeting Lu Beicheng’s eyes filled with rage.

He gasped for breath, his voice icy: “Su Qing fell down the steps… was it you who did it?”

I forcefully shook his hand off, frankly admitting: “Yes, so what?”

Lu Beicheng’s expression instantly turned terrifying: “I told you to learn from your sister and be disciplined, and this is how you learn? Undisciplined, arrogant, and reckless! Come down with me immediately and apologize to her!”

“Apologize?” I felt like I’d heard the biggest joke ever. “She deserves it! Tell me to apologize to her? In the next life!”

“Su Wan, you really can’t be reasoned with!”

Lu Beicheng didn’t waste any more words, directly ordering the guards following him: “Take her back! Lock her in the disciplinary room! No one is to release her without my order!”

“Lu Beicheng! By what right do you detain me! This is illegal detention!” I struggled desperately.

He gripped my wrist tightly, his strength so great that my bones ached, and he said each word distinctly: “Just because I’m your fiancé! I have a responsibility to discipline your behavior!”

“Fiancé? We’ve long since…”

Before I could finish my sentence, two guards stepped forward, silently lifted me up, forcibly dragged me out of the party, and straight into the disciplinary room.

The iron door slammed shut with a bang, cutting off the last ray of light.

Absolute silence and a cold, tidal wave of darkness descended from all sides, instantly engulfing me.

The terrifying memory of being locked in a dark room by my father as a child, like a ghost, returned, relentlessly tormenting my nerves.

Just as my spirit was about to break, the door to the disciplinary room suddenly opened.

The blinding white light from the corridor pierced through the darkness of the disciplinary room.

A tall figure cut through the light and entered.

It wasn’t Lu Beicheng, nor a guard.

It was Yang Han – Lu Beicheng’s most trusted subordinate, a Major, and the person I had tried to avoid in the military district in my previous life. He always looked at me with a cold, judgmental gaze, considering me a “thorn in his side” of his superiors.

But at this moment, his expression was complex and incomprehensible, a mixture of suspicion, vigilance, and a touch of… helplessness?

“Miss Su,” Yang Han’s voice was still cold, but without the familiar contempt, “Commander Lu has ordered you to leave.”

I looked up, my eyes reddened with fear and resentment, and glared at him warily: “What kind of trick is this? Imprisonment followed by release? Does Lu Beicheng enjoy playing games with people?”

Yang Han frowned, but didn’t argue: “This is an order. Please follow me.”

He turned and led the way, his straight back in his military uniform exuding the rigid aura characteristic of a soldier.

I hesitated for a second, but thinking of the suffocating atmosphere and fear in this dark room, I finally stood up and followed him.

The path out of the disciplinary area was unusually long and quiet. The white ceiling lights shone down on the deserted corridor, only the steady sound of our footsteps echoing.

“Miss Su Qing,” Yang Han suddenly spoke, without turning around, “she has been taken to the military hospital. She has minor injuries, nothing to worry about.”

I chuckled softly: “So, you intend to accuse me?”

Yang Han stopped, turned to look at me, his eyes sharp: “I just want to know, why? No matter what conflict you have with her, using such extreme methods, aren’t you afraid… of losing your position?”

“Position?” I looked him straight in the eye, a cold smile on my face. “The position of ‘fiancée’ arranged by the family, or the position of ‘obedient ornament’ that Lu Beicheng wants? I don’t need it.”

Yang Han fell silent, his scrutinizing gaze fixed on my face, seemingly searching for any sign of lie. Finally, he sighed softly, turned around, and continued walking: “Chief Lu is waiting in his office.”

Lu Beicheng’s office was spacious and tidy, reflecting his personality: cold, rigid, and devoid of emotion.

He stood by the window, his back straight, the light from the hallway casting a faint halo around him, only further accentuating his aloofness and loneliness.

Hearing footsteps, he turned around. His handsome face now showed less anger than before, replaced by weariness and a subtle, unreadable confusion.

“I’ve heard Yang Han’s report.” He spoke, his voice low and deep, “Ting Ting… Su Ting said she didn’t intentionally provoke you. That matter, consider it settled.”

“Settled?” I felt like I’d heard a joke. “She insulted my mother, I taught her a lesson, and she deserved it. And you, without even asking for the full story, you locked me in the disciplinary room, and now you say ‘it’s settled’? Lu Beicheng, are your rules only for me?”

Lu Beicheng frowned: “What else do you want to do? This is a military district, not a place for you to cause trouble! Today you wore inappropriate clothing, deliberately caused trouble at the party, and even assaulted someone… Every single thing you did violated discipline!”

“Discipline, discipline, all you know is discipline!” I felt like I was about to explode. “So I ask you, did your discipline teach you to respect others? Did it teach you to stand up for what is right? Or did it only teach you to use power to oppress and force others to obey your will?”

He was startled, seemingly never expecting such a question. A flicker of emotion appeared in his deep eyes, but it was quickly masked by rigidity: “You’re being emotional. We need to talk calmly.”

“That’s unnecessary.” I shook my head, feeling utterly exhausted. “Lu Beicheng, we don’t belong in the same world. You continue to cling to your rigid rules and family responsibilities. As for me, I just want to live freely. The marriage… let’s forget about it.”

This time, I decided to be clear.

“What… did you say?” His voice suddenly became hoarse, as if something was choking him.

“I said, our engagement is officially canceled from today.” I looked him straight in the eyes, speaking each word clearly, “I’ve persuaded my father and the old man of the Lu family to change it to Su Qing. She’s dignified, virtuous, and qualified to be the ‘general’s wife’ you desire. Congratulations.”

The room instantly froze.

Lu Beicheng’s expression changed repeatedly, from surprise, disbelief, to anger, finally settling on an incomprehensible expression—it seemed… hurt? But it quickly vanished, replaced by his familiar coldness.

“Do you think marriage is a joke? That it can be changed so arbitrarily?” He stepped closer, his icy aura overwhelming, “Su Wan, where do you place the prestige of our two families?”

“Prestige?” I scoffed, stepping back to avoid his breath. “When you abandoned me to be ridiculed by others, when you locked me in the disciplinary room just because of a single word from Su Qing, did you ever think about the ‘prestige’ and ‘respect’ you should have for your fiancée? Lu Beicheng, stop deceiving yourself. Between us, there’s only been obligation, not affection. So, who else could it be?”

My words were like sharp knives, piercing his weakest point.

He stood still, his body tense, veins bulging on his clenched hands. His gaze fixed on me, as if trying to see through my heart, searching for traces of deceit or hesitation.

But I only showed him unwavering resolve and liberation.

Finally, he gently closed his eyes. When he opened them again, all emotion had vanished, leaving only profound calmness: “Fine. If that’s your choice.” He turned, gazing out the window at the night-shrouded landscape, his back straight and solitary. “Yang Han, take her outside. From now on… she’s not allowed to enter military areas without permission again.”

“Understood!”

I said nothing more, turning and leaving without a second thought.

Stepping out of the command building, the cool night breeze blew, dispelling some of the suffocation in my heart.

Yang Han walked beside me, silent for a long time, then suddenly spoke: “Actually… Commander Lu, it’s not entirely as you think.”

I stopped, looking at him with suspicion.

He avoided my gaze, looking into the distance where the guard’s lights shone: “That night at the bar, the commander intended to find you to talk about… postponing the wedding, giving you more time to be free. But he saw you… with other men. Afterwards, he drank a lot; it was the first time I’d seen him lose control like that.”

My heart pounded, but I tried to remain calm: “Why are you telling me all this?”

Yang Han turned to look at me, his eyes complex: “I just wanted to say that some things aren’t always what they seem. But… never mind. I wish you the freedom you desire in the future.”

After saying that, he performed a neat military salute and turned to leave.

I stood there, a strange feeling rising in my heart. But quickly, I shook my head to dismiss the thought.

Whatever Lu Beicheng’s motives were, it didn’t matter anymore.

My new life has truly begun.

Giving up my status as “General Lu’s fiancée,” I felt like a bird released from its cage.

Using my childhood savings and the money my mother left me (which I insisted on getting from my father), I rented a small design studio in the art district and began pursuing my long-held dream of fashion design.

Life was busy yet fulfilling. I attended professional courses, searched for materials, sketched designs, experimented with cutting and sewing… Every day was filled with hope and vitality. I also actively participated in industry networking events, making many like-minded friends.

Once, at a fashion exhibition, I coincidentally met Ta Van Khue—the young CEO of the “Destiny” fashion group. He was generous, enthusiastic, had a keen aesthetic sense, and particularly appreciated my free-spirited and individualistic design style.

“Miss To, your work has a lot of soul.” Tạ Văn Khuê took my sketch, his eyes shining brightly, “It reminds me of the image of free-spirited, unyielding women in Western films of the 1960s. Are you interested in collaborating? Our corporation is looking to launch a new high-end product line targeting independent, self-reliant women.”

This was the opportunity I had always dreamed of. We quickly reached a cooperation agreement.

During our work together, Ta Van Khue proved to be a professional partner and an interesting friend. He respected my ideas and offered many practical suggestions. Occasionally, after work, we would go for coffee together, chat about art and life, and sometimes go on short trips to ancient towns to find inspiration.

Being with him, I felt comfortable and respected. He encouraged me to express myself, and didn’t hesitate to praise my beauty and talent. This was a feeling I had never experienced when I was with Luc Bac Thanh.

However, the peace didn’t last long.

One evening, as Ta Van Khue and I were leaving a restaurant and about to say goodbye, a familiar military jeep braked sharply in front of us.

The door opened, and Luc Bac Thanh stepped out, still in his neat military uniform, but his demeanor was somewhat somber. His gaze swept over Xie Wenkui, who was standing beside me, narrowed slightly, then focused on me.

“There’s something I need to talk to you about.” His voice was dry, carrying an undeniable command.

Xie Wenkui gently stepped forward, slightly shielding me, and offered a polite but firm smile: “And this gentleman? Miss Su and I have other matters to attend to.”

Lu Beicheng completely ignored him, his eyes still fixed on me: “Private matters. Just the two of us.”

I sensed the tension between the two men. Taking a deep breath, I turned to Xie Wenkui and said, “Mr. Xie, it’s alright. I need to take care of something; we’ll talk later.”

Xie Wenkui looked at me with concern, but finally nodded: “Okay. Be careful. Call me if anything happens.”

After Xie Wenkui left, Lu Beicheng pulled me into the car. The atmosphere inside the car was stifling.

“What do you want to say? Say it quickly.” I was impatient.

Lu Beicheng said nothing, only drove to a quiet lakeside in the park before turning off the engine.

The dim streetlights illuminated his face, making it even more difficult to read.

“Who is that man?” He finally spoke, his voice tense.

“Friends, business partners.” I replied briefly.

“Friends?” He turned to look at me, a fire in his eyes that made me uneasy. “Su Wan, how long have you been away from me? You’re already rushing off with someone else? Do you know what kind of person he is?”

The skepticism and assertiveness in his words ignited my anger: “Lu Beicheng! What right do you have to question me? We no longer have any relationship! Who I choose to befriend is my freedom! And you, haven’t you already found a new, virtuous and gentle fiancée? Why do you still care about me?”

“New fiancée…” He repeated the phrase, a bitter smile playing on his lips, “Su Wan, do you really think I would agree to change the engagement so easily?”

My heart pounded: “What do you mean…?”

“Old Mr. Lu agreed, your father agreed, even… your ‘new fiancée’ agreed.” He spoke slowly, each word like a drop of ice falling into my heart, “But I never agreed.”

“The original engagement was between you and me. It can’t be changed just because of your unilateral decision.” He leaned closer, his hot breath fanning my face. “Su Wan, you’ve run away enough. It’s time to come back.”

“You’re crazy!” I pushed him away, opened the car door and was about to get out. “I’m never coming back! You and Su Qing can be happy together, don’t drag me into it!”

His arm reached out, pulled me back, wrapped around me, and locked me in place. His low voice whispered in my ear, carrying an unprecedented pleading and determination: “Su Qing isn’t the one I want. The one I want, from beginning to end, is only you.”

“But I don’t want you!” I struggled, but couldn’t escape his iron grip. “Lu Beicheng, don’t you understand? Love can’t be forced! You want me, but have you ever truly understood what I want, what I like, what I hate? Or do you just want a docile, obedient Su Wan, fitting the image of a ‘general’s wife’ in your eyes?”

My words were like a bucket of cold water, leaving him completely stunned.

Taking advantage of his shock, I pushed him away with all my might, opened the door, and jumped out of the car.

“Lu Beicheng, let me go, and let yourself go too.” I stood outside the car, looking at him through the window, and said my final words, “I have found my life and happiness. I hope you have too.”

After saying that, I turned and walked away into the night.

This time, I didn’t hesitate.

I know there may be many storms ahead—from my family, from public opinion, and perhaps even from Lu Beishang himself, unwilling to accept the situation.

But I’m not afraid.

Because I am now my own Su Wan, with enough courage and ability to face everything, to claim the freedom and happiness that truly belong to me.

The city lights twinkle ahead, painting a brilliant future.

My journey has only just begun.