Lu Li unbuttoned the top button of his shirt, freeing his neck from its constraint. His gaze was hazy, far from clear. Suit jacket dangling from his hand, he swung it like a rag. Leaning against the foyer wall, he’d completely lost his bearings.

An Baili heard the commotion and stepped out from the living room.

"Li, you’ve been drinking again?"

"...No choice... business..." His words slurred, tongue tangling with his teeth.

He reached out, hoping she’d pull him up. A faint weakness in his legs kept him from standing straight. No support came. Blinking through bleary eyes, he murmured, "Help me up..."

"You promised to come home early. I’ve been waiting since six." Was she pouting? Complaining? Lu Li couldn’t tell.

"Business..."

"Do you even know what today is?"

He ransacked his foggy mind. "Meeting Director Li?"

"Today is our seventh anniversary of falling in love!"

Her tone blurred into static. His head felt stuffed with mercury—aching, heavy, icy. He tried to smile, but alcohol twisted it into a hollow chuckle. "Heh."

*This is bad... but so tired.*

"Help me... shower tomorrow... skip it today." Mumbling, he reached again.

An Baili didn’t take his hand. Under the bright living room light, he saw her carefully done makeup, the chestnut-brown dress—their first-date dress, faded and frayed at the edges yet lovingly kept. She looked ethereal, goddess-like. He giggled foolishly. "Venus... why are you here?"

Arm trembling midair, shoulder sore, he slumped forward and collapsed in the foyer. She shook him awake, silent. Clarity flickered. "What do you want?"

"You’ve stood me up again! Last time—shopping promise, but you met Chen Jianing!"

"...She’s a partner..."

"And the time before that—"

Lu Li pressed his temples. "Stop. I’m dizzy. Can I rest, dear?"

*Why again?* The thought flashed in both minds. He sighed. *She’s not a student anymore. Why can’t she understand? Who drinks with capitalists daily unless for family?*

"...No." An Baili pouted, gaze complex. "You *have* to stay tonight. I... I’m wearing black stockings..."

"Dear."

"Hmm..."

"Just let me sleep?" His voice cracked with pleading.

That tone pierced her heart. *Why does he always act like he’s indulging me?* Fourth time this year. She’d prepared excitedly each time; he returned reeking of alcohol. First time: gentle smiles. Second: silent care. Third: anger. Now: this.

*Why so happy with Wen Amber? So strained with me?* She bit her lip, gripped his sleeve—*tonight, he stays. To prove I’m not less than her.*

Lu Li’s patience frayed. "Baili."

She stayed silent, lips tight.

"Wedding anniversary, fine. Meeting anniversary, dating anniversary, *hand-holding* anniversary? Nearly a week each month on random dates! Do I not work? What are you thinking?"

"We have enough money!"

"What about our future kids? This lifestyle needs more! The company must run smoothly without me!" His voice rose.

"Blaming me for not conceiving?"

"Dear, no—I meant the checkup showed no issues..." *Strange. Both healthy. Why no pregnancy?*

"You promised love *even without children*!"

*I still love you!* He wanted to shout—but his mind sank, mouth open, words trapped.

*Sleep. Tomorrow, sweet words will fix it.* He closed his eyes. *Arguing with a drunk is foolish... and she’s being foolish.* Hurt swelling, she shook him. "No. You stay tonight."

He said nothing. Irritation simmered.

Seven years. She remained a girl playing wife. He played the patient father. Both pretending. Today, he realized: *She never changed. I changed for her.*

That first huge fight—he couldn’t recall his drunken words, only the mountain of tear-stained tissues beside her bed the next morning. He went to apologize, remorseful. But she found him first, humble to the point of vanishing. *Always like this.*

Only helplessness remained.

*Were we ever meant for each other?*

Hearing her sobs now, he remembered dried tears, a battered heart. He wanted love between equals—not him carrying an appendage and calling it love. *Why don’t you understand? Where does this obsession come from?* Leaning against the wall, his chest tightened.

Hardest to bear a beauty’s kindness. Hardest to repay her heart. Every choice deepened the mistake.

Only one solution: nip it in the bud.