Stranger from more than three years ago

The anticipation was palpable as the plane touched down on the tarmac. Excited whispers and nervous fidgeting filled the air, as people eagerly awaited the moment they had been waiting for. The God of War was supposed to make a grand appearance upon their arrival, but as the plane came to a halt, it was evident that something was amiss.

As the minutes ticked by, and the plane door opened, it became apparent that the God of War was not going to make an appearance. Everyone felt a sudden wave of disappointment wash over them. The soldiers lowered their weapons, the government officials looked crestfallen, and the civilians let out a collective sigh of disappointment.

What has gone wrong? Where is the God of War?

Meanwhile, a private jet landed in a secluded landing post. A handsome young man accompanied by one person only came down from it. It was our MC, Wu Mengyao, and his close subordinate, Qi Yong.

"My lord, are you sure you don't want to greet them?"

"Yes. It would reveal my identity, no? It will not be beneficial to my future missions."

"Oh, I see."

Wu Mengyao's words struck a chord in Qi Yong. In a world where social status is of the greatest value, his lord's stance was refreshing. If it were other people in his shoes, they would certainly make the world know their greatness. Yet, his lord chose to stay out of it and still think about his future mission.

Wu Mengyao secretly showed a bittersweet smile. His biggest reason for choosing not to reveal his identity as the God Of War was because it would alert those people who were the cause of why he was suffering for many years before his youth.

"Anyway, Qi Yong…"

Wu Mengyao glanced at Qi Yong. "I want you to find someone," he said with determination. Qi Yong, who had always been dependable and obedient, answered with a resounding "Yes, My lord!"

Wu Mengyao handed Qi Yong a picture of the person he wanted him to find. As soon as Qi Yong saw the picture, his eyes were glued to it. It was not just any ordinary person, but a woman of unparalleled beauty. His lord, Wu Mengyao, was known for not showing interest in any of the peerless beauties who tried to win his affection on the frontline. However, the woman in the picture was on a whole different level.

"What's the matter?" Wu Mengyao asked when he noticed Qi Yong's silence.

"I'll do everything to find her, My lord," he said without any question.

Wu Mengyao nodded. "By the way, that picture was taken over 3 years ago, so expect some little changes in her physical appearance."

"Alright."

Until this time, Wu Mengyao could not forget that night. He could not forget that stranger more than three years ago.

…

The story of Liu Lijuan's return home more than three years ago is a heartbreaking tale. As she walked through the gates of her family's mansion, she never could have imagined the chaos and turmoil that awaited her inside.

Upon entering, her usually calm and composed father was livid with anger, hurling insults and accusations at her. Aside from that, how did her father know about this? She hasn't told him yet. Liu Lijuan thought, wondering.

"Is the person who was with you last night the second son of the Zhao family?"

Liu Lijuan widened her eyes. How did her father know about that too?

Seeing her expression, there was a frown on her father's face. "In that case, I want you to marry him for the sake of our family's honor."

"No way…" Liu Lijuan muttered in disbelief. She could not be with someone whom she didn't even love even a little. In fact, nothing happened between her and that second son of the Zhao family.

"Father, nothing happened between me and the second son of the Zhao family. I managed to escape from his clutch. Thanks to my little knowledge of self-defense. I don't know but the second son of the Zhao family is surprisingly weak!"

"What…!" Her father's surprised face only lasted for a moment before it was replaced with a pleasant expression. However, that didn't put Liu Lijuan at ease because she felt more guilt at that very moment.

"That means my daughter is pure and untainted?!" A sigh of relief could be heard.

Hearing their father's words, Liu Liling who was secretly listening to them widened her eyes in disbelief. "What? Is that Zhao Bai a big idiot? How did he waste his chance?" She muttered, then gritted her teeth.

Seeing her father's expression, Liu Lijuan wished she was a liar, but she could not do it. She couldn't lie, especially to her father.

"Actually, father….." Liu Lijuan clenched her hands against her chest, then she explained about her accidental encounter with a stranger after she left the hotel. A dark expression emerged on her father's face as he was listening.

"A poor stranger…?"

Her father's dejected mutter reverberated in her mind like a curse. Contrary to him, there was a grin on Liu Liling's face.

"From now on, I don't want to see your face. Get out!"

"What? How about my studies?"

"I said get out!"

"No way…"

"Do you wish to go against me?!"

Her father's angry words hit her like a ton of bricks, leaving her stunned and confused. No matter how hard she tried to make her father understand that she was just a victim, he refused to believe her.

Feeling desperate and alone, Liu Lijuan turned to her sister for help. After all, she had always believed that her sister would be on her side no matter what. But to her dismay, her sister threw even more hurtful words at her. She couldn't understand why her sister would turn against her, as she wouldn't be in this situation if it weren't for Liu Liling.

Liu Lijuan was just a victim in all of this, but her family couldn't see that.

That night in question, she was invited by her younger sister, Liu Liling, to have dinner at an expensive hotel. Liu Lijuan had wanted to decline the invitation as she had an important study session. Her dream to enter the Elite Academy was always her top priority. However, she couldn't say no to her sister's persistent requests.

She never expected it would lead to her predicament.

With a heavy feeling in her chest, she left the Liu family mansion.

Using the money she had saved, Liu Lijuan stayed in a cheap hotel after she was sought out of their house.

A month later, she found out she was pregnant. The news reached her family and her sister came to visit her.

"The second son of the Zhao family wanted to marry you despite your condition. They even offer a huge sum of money. If you're willing, I can ask our father to forgive you."

Secretly clenching her fists under the table, Liu Lijuan, answered resolutely. "I can't marry someone who I don't love."

"Sister, why are you so stubborn? Why can't you be glad that someone still wishes to marry you despite not being pure?! How do you think you'll raise your child?!"

"I can raise it by myself!"

"Tsk! Ungrateful!" Liu Liling pounced the table and left those words with heavy steps. Deep inside, she was happy at what was happening to her sister.

At last, she was her father's favorite. The only princess of Liu mansion. On top of that, her beloved Xue Wenyan stopped admiring her sister. Fufu, the world finally revolved around her. She thought.

Tears fell from Liu Lijuan's eyes after her sister left. This wasn't the future she envisioned. All her dreams shattered after a one-night incident.

She touched her stomach. "Don't worry, my child, I'll promise to raise you."

…

A week after Wu Mengyao's return, while enjoying the expensive tea he brewed himself inside his cheap apartment, he received a report from Qi Yong.

"My lord, I finally found the person in the picture."

"Really?"

"Yes."

Qi Yong never failed him. That's why he had high expectations of him.

Qi Yong then handed a photo and said. "As you said, My lord, she looked a little bit different now. She looked a little bit more mature than the one in the picture…"

Wu Mengyao could see his point. "So, where is she now?"

"She's working as a clerk in a supermarket."