How Can There Not Be Hatred

Lola's reaction made Neil Zhao breathe a sigh of relief.

He had thought Lola would fight him, and honestly, he was a bit scared.

But now, seeing Lola clinging to his leg and sobbing in pain, Neil Zhao found his courage. He knew now that Lola couldn't leave him. Even if he hit her, she wouldn't dare hit back.

Not worried about being hit, Neil Zhao looked at Lola crying and, with a look of disgust, said, "Since you know you were wrong, get out and sleep somewhere else! This bridal chamber is for a pure bride, not for someone like you!"

Lola hugged Neil Zhao's leg even tighter, as if clinging to a sliver of hope. "Husband, I'll do whatever you say, just please don't abandon me!"

Neil Zhao pointed to the side room, which was meant for maids on night duty, and said to Lola, "Filthy thing, from now on, you sleep in the side room. If I don't let you come over, you stay put, understand!?"

"I understand, husband. I'll sleep in the side room from now on. Just please, please don't abandon me..." Lola looked terrified of being cast aside, her face full of fear and helplessness as she gazed at Neil Zhao.

Neil Zhao, ever observant, could tell how desperately Lola feared being abandoned.

So Neil Zhao said, "Even though you deceived me about something so important, since we're already married, I won't press the issue tonight. But from now on, it depends on how you behave. If you prove your sincerity, maybe I'll forgive you. But if you disobey or defy me, I'll write a divorce letter and send you back where you came from!"

Lola nodded frantically. "I'll behave, I'll behave!"

"Well then, get out! On our wedding night, you, a filthy thing, are just an eyesore here! You're suffocating me!" Neil Zhao snapped.

Lola didn't dare talk back, terrified Neil Zhao would hate her and send her away. She picked up her clothes from the floor, one by one, and stumbled to the side room.

The side room was meant for servants on night duty. It had a small cot, but since tonight was the wedding night, no one was assigned there, so there were no bedding or blankets.

Lola, aching all over, climbed onto the little cot. With no covers, she wrapped herself in her robe and lay down.

The slap mark on her face still stung, but Lola was too distraught to care. She curled up, overwhelmed by the fear of being abandoned.

She heard Neil Zhao in the next room, blowing out the candle and going to bed.

Lola felt cold and wanted to find a blanket, but as soon as she sat up, she lay back down, afraid of waking Neil Zhao and making him angry.

Tears streaked Lola's face as she curled up, covering herself with her clothes, and drifted into a fitful sleep.

In the bridal chamber next door, Neil Zhao blew out the candle and lay on the bed, still unable to shake his disgust.

Lola's attempt to deceive him stuck in Neil Zhao's throat like a bone, fueling his suspicions and dark thoughts.

The feeling was all too familiar, like being bullied by the Zhao family in the past.

In front of others, those uncles and elders of the Zhao family always acted loving and kind, showing off their authority and benevolence as respected seniors.

But behind closed doors? They repeatedly insulted Neil Zhao's mother.

Where outsiders couldn't see, they took turns humiliating Neil Zhao and his mother.

That's why Neil Zhao hated hypocrites most of all.

Tonight, it wasn't just Lola's lost innocence that bothered him—the lies and deception hurt even more.