After the groom ran away, I found someone else

Chapter 1

It’s been three years since I started chasing after Alex Zhao, and finally, he proposed.

But on our engagement party night, he never showed up. Not even until dawn.

When I finally found him, he was cozying up to some girl, laughing and drinking.

He said, “That girl? She’s such a pathetic puppy dog. I was using her as a joke; nobody else would put up with her but me.”

Later, he made a ring himself, a ring with my favorite jasmine flower, and came to my door to propose. But the door was answered by a muscular guy.

That guy had two scratch marks on his neck. He smirked at Alex, who looked utterly defeated.

“Proposing to a married woman? Shameless.”

…

Most of the gawkers had left. I was left sitting there, stunned.

My parents wiped away tears, saying, “Lily, it’s our fault. We shouldn’t have pressured you to get married. Who would have thought…”

My fiancé, Alex Zhao, had run off.

The man who was kissing my forehead last night vanished without a trace.

I cried until my makeup ran, staring at the ring on my finger, my heart aching.

I had a crush on Alex for three years, a crush so obvious everyone knew about it.

I packed his lunch every day, made sure he had hangover soup after his business dinners, and was always available, rain or shine.

A week ago, Alex got drunk again. He leaned against me in the backseat of the car, drowsy.

I pretended to be a comfortable pillow, my heart fluttering with his closeness.

Then he said, “Lily, do you… like me?”

I nodded stiffly, then remembered he had his eyes closed, so I quickly added, “Yes…”

Alex sat up, leaning close, his eyes sparkling.

He kissed my cheek, his voice low, “Then marry me.”

In that moment, fireworks exploded in my mind. I was overwhelmed with joy, my ears ringing.

The next day, Alex sent the ring through his assistant. It was a little big, but I treasured it like anything.

Until tonight. I found him at a bar through his friends’ social media, cuddling with that girl.

My dream shattered.

“Dude, seriously? You just ditched your wedding. What about your little… follower?”

Alex let the girl kiss his cheek, laughing heartily. “She’s such a pathetic puppy dog. I’m over it.”

“Besides, even if she’s mad, so what? Everyone knows she’s my puppy dog. Who else would want her?”

I stood at the doorway of the VIP room, feeling as cold as if I were standing in a snowstorm in the dead of winter.

Falling for Alex was easy.

He was my senior in college, handsome, kind, the perfect image of my future husband.

But soon, I realized the huge gap between us.

Once, when I took Alex on a picnic, he brought all his friends, all rich kids.

They arrived in multiple SUVs, and the picnic spot was one of their family estates.

Feeling awkward, I hid my humble picnic basket. But Alex saw it, took it out, and praised my simple sandwiches.

Sunlight filtering through the leaves illuminated his face, his smile made me blush uncontrollably.

Because of those small acts of kindness, I almost forgave his cold and harsh treatment over the past three years.

2

It started to rain. I hadn’t brought an umbrella, so I stood at the bar, trying to hail a ride-sharing app.

A black car pulled up. I checked the license plate, catching a glimpse of two matching numbers before the rain forced me inside.

“Thank you, sir. I…”

I looked up and saw a familiar face. Cheng Yingnan, my childhood neighbor.

He handed me a towel, observing me calmly. “I was coming to your engagement party. What happened?”

I sighed, slowly drying my hair. “Got dumped… But aren’t you supposed to be in some exotic place dealing with crocodiles? Why are you driving a ride-sharing car?”

Cheng Yingnan paused, then chuckled.

“I bet your mom didn’t phrase it that way. Maybe I studied finance abroad?”

He changed the subject. “Come on, I’ll take you home. One guy is not worth it. You deserve better.”

I forced myself to chat. “Yeah, like who?”

Cheng Yingnan dropped me off at my little apartment. He looked pleased with my surprised expression.

“Like, a crocodile trader.”

The next day, Alex deposited $50,000 into my account. It was nothing to him, but I accepted it as a breakup fee.

It still stung, but I have a strong ability to heal. I stopped clinging to the unattainable.

I’m an illustrator, and I had neglected my work to prepare for the wedding. Now, it was time to get back on my feet.

At the office, discussing a commission, I ran into an unexpected visitor.

The girl who was clinging to Alex at the bar.

She clearly knew who I was. We were alone in the elevator. She suddenly laughed.

“So pathetic, chasing after him here. Hilarious.”

I glared at her, only to see her mocking smile. “Even if you know Alex works here, it doesn’t matter. Let me tell you, he’s already put me here to support my career. Give it up.”

I rolled my eyes, staring straight ahead. “I work here. Don’t bother yourself. Don’t you think you’re drawing a lot of attention to yourself? Hilarious.”

“Seems like being Alex Zhao’s mistress doesn’t have many perks, huh? I thought you’d be my boss, so powerful. Don’t embarrass yourself.”

I had always been quick-witted, but I held back because Alex didn’t like assertive women.

But this stranger had no right to belittle me.

The girl, furious, stormed out of the elevator.

But she was right. When I got to the editor-in-chief’s office, Alex was sitting there, watching me with amusement.

“Lily, this job isn’t for you. It’s too hard.”

“If you really want to work, you can be my personal assistant. You’ll earn more.”

Alex decided my fate, casually handing my opportunity to the girl who walked in right after me.

I heard my own voice, trembling with suppressed anger: “Alex, what’s wrong with you? Why are you deciding my life?”

Alex frowned slightly. “I’m your fiancé. What’s the problem? Still angry about the other day?”

He reached for my hand. “Why bother with all the formalities? You’re marrying me anyway, right?”

I stepped back, glaring fiercely. “We’re broken up. The engagement is void. Don’t touch me. I’m disgusted.”

3

Alex was angry and left without looking back. The girl followed him, smiling triumphantly, giving me a final, condescending look.

I went home, the sky darkening.

I sat in the living room until dark, then turned on my computer, wiping my tears under the dim light, submitting my portfolio elsewhere.

My phone buzzed twice. It was Cheng Yingnan, whom I’d added to my contacts last night.

He asked if I’d eaten.

“Are you still working on your art? I remember you’d forget to eat when you got absorbed. Are you free tonight? Dinner?”

I replied listlessly, “At home. Don’t feel like it.”

A moment later, my doorbell rang.

Cheng Yingnan was standing there with a hot food container.

“Food from Fu Rong Ji. My aunt says you like it. It’s still warm.”

He looked at me in the dim hallway light, his expression tightening. “Who made you cry?”

I sighed, letting him in, briefly explaining the situation.

“That’s it. I met the wrong person. He’s rich and powerful, and I can’t fight him.”

But Fu Rong Ji was delicious. As I ate, my mood improved.

But Cheng Yingnan’s face darkened. He sat at my computer, sending emails. He took off his coat, revealing a black shirt. His profile was stunning.

“Those companies aren’t very good. My company also has a similar department; come interview with us.”

I looked down for a moment, then burst into tears. “It’s not that. Why are you all so rich? What difference does one more rich person make?”

Cheng Yingnan laughed, relaxing. “So, consider my suggestion?”

I poked at my rice, uneasy. “But what if we fight someday, and you fire me?”

Cheng Yingnan leaned closer, staring at me intently. “You told me you’d be friends with me forever when we were kids. Don’t go back on your word.”

I stepped back, hesitant. “That was then. But what if you change…”

Cheng Yingnan shoved his phone into my arms. “Save my mom’s number. If I bully you, go cry to her.”

“I’ve seen your talent and effort. Don’t be afraid. I’m not that powerful to control you. The interview is up to you. Just try.”

Under his determined gaze, I calmed down and nodded slightly.

Several days passed peacefully. Cheng Yingnan moved into the apartment across from mine. Seeing him leave in the morning felt like old times.

I started to get replies to my applications. Aside from Cheng Yingnan’s recommendation, I had a few good options and decided to give them a try.

But the next day, the company I had an interview with rejected me.

“Ms. Li, as you know, we have zero tolerance for plagiarism. So, we’ve decided not to hire you.”

I was confused. Before I could explain, I was asked to leave.

Thankfully, the HR who called me showed me an interview video.

It featured Alex’s girlfriend, Su Xia, showcasing her hit webtoon.

The cover was almost identical to the one I’d submitted to my previous company, only the characters’ clothing and hair color were changed.

I frantically searched for her comic online.

Although only a few chapters were available, it was 80% similar to my incomplete draft, even the storyline.

I was struck by lightning.

My work had been plagiarized.

I rushed home, gathering evidence.

Chat logs with my former supervisor, submission dates, computer logs—I took screenshots of everything.

I posted about the plagiarism on my fan account, but before I could post the evidence, my account was reported and suspended.

Alex called. It was noisy on his end, like he was at a bar.

He said playfully, “Lily, I don’t like you defying me.”

My blood boiled. “Alex, you’re letting your girlfriend steal my work. Aren’t you shameless?”

Alex chuckled. “I don’t consider her my girlfriend. Don’t be so jealous.”

“I’m drunk and feel bad. Come pick me up. Let’s make up. I’ll handle this for you.”

I said nothing, calmly saving the call recording, and hung up.

Cheng Yingnan was helping me with my color palette. He glanced at me. “I’ll use my company account to speak out for you. Don’t worry, we’ll get justice.”

We worked until midnight, exhausted.

Then we heard the sound of the fingerprint unlock. Alex walked in, calling out my name.

“Baby, why didn’t you come get me…”

He squinted in the dim light of the entryway. “Lily, whose shoes are these?”