Chapter 3

Max, who was two years ahead of me in college, caught my eye during freshman orientation and it was love at first sight.

Clad in a white shirt and black casual pants, Max stood tall at six feet, boasting a lean and beautiful physique reminiscent of a masterpiece crafted by skilled sculptors. Emerging from beneath the lush camphor trees along the campus path, he waved and smiled, with the bright sunlight casting a dappled glow upon him, his eyes sparkling.

It was impossible not to be captivated.

Once we began dating, I learned that Max was enrolled in the Business School, while I pursued studies in the School of Foreign Languages. On the day we met, he mistook me for a Business School freshman and kindly carried my luggage all the way to my dorm.

It was only upon reaching the entrance to my dorm building that he realized I belonged to a different department. However, driven by his love at first sight, he boldly continued with his mistake.

He confessed to me that from the moment he laid eyes on me, he knew that if he let me walk away, he would regret it for the rest of his life.

When Max Jennings pursued me, he displayed both proactivity and romance. In the winter, I had a tendency to sleep in late. To ensure that I could enjoy a cup of hot coffee from the cafeteria, Max would purchase one early in the morning, keep it warm inside his jacket, and patiently wait beneath my dormitory until I slowly made my way downstairs. By the time I drank it, the coffee was still warm.

Whenever we went hiking, Max would pack a bag filled with snacks, fruit, and two flasks - one with cold water and the other with hot water. He ensured that regardless of whether I desired a cold or hot drink, he could instantly provide it. I felt like a pampered princess, and he promised a lifetime of gentle companionship and attentive care.

There are numerous examples of his thoughtfulness and devotion.

Even after we got together, Max's thoughtfulness and devotion never wavered.

Max came from a humble rural background. His father passed away early, leaving him with three older sisters who were all married with children. Raised by his mother under challenging circumstances, he grew up in a financially struggling household.

He once shared with me, "Jen, you probably can't imagine what it's like to fear that your house might be blown away during a storm, right? Having grown up in hardship, I've learned to truly cherish my loved ones and to respect my parents and elders."

A wise man once said, "People who grow up in hardship often develop psychological shadows that can lead to abnormal behaviors. These issues manifest as a persistent hostility towards society and people, an inability to trust anyone, and a lack of sympathy. Being overly frugal or excessively focused on money is just a minor symptom of these deeper psychological issues. In contrast, those who are broad-minded and insightful, despite growing up under difficult circumstances, tend to be more compassionate and generous. They understand life and appreciate its sweet and bitter aspects."

At that time, I believed Max was the latter; I felt proud of him.

During the summer of his second year in grad school, Max took on a job wearing a heavy mascot costume in the plaza to distribute flyers, all to buy me a necklace for my birthday. Despite the intense heat, when I brought him lunch, he was soaked with sweat but still insisted to me that he wasn't hot at all.

He said, "Jen, even though I can't afford expensive gifts right now, believe me, I will work hard to give you a better life."

He proposed to me, vowing that we would stay together forever.

That day, I brought him home for dinner to tell my parents that we were getting married and to seek their blessing.

It was Max's first time meeting my parents.

At the dinner table, Max appeared slightly tense. Despite normally exuding confidence and being outgoing as the head of the student council, that evening marked the first time I had seen him nervous.

Quietly, he led me out onto the balcony and asked with a touch of apprehension in his voice, "Jen, why didn't you tell me that your dad is the dean of our business school?"

I wrapped my arms around his waist and playfully asked, "Would you still pursue me if you knew my dad holds a prominent position here?"

Max's expression turned serious as he replied, "Absolutely! I like you for who you are, not because of your father's status!"

Nestling into his embrace, I felt content and said, "Well, that settles it. It doesn't matter who my dad is as long as we're together."

Later, after Max had left, my dad called me into his study for a heart-to-heart conversation.

He advised me to deeply consider marrying Max. Our families were not on equal footing, and marriage is a serious matter that requires careful thought.

Initially, I thought my dad was solely fixated on Max's background and family situation. I even accused him of being old-fashioned and clinging to outdated notions of social status.

But my dad shook his head and said, "Jen, marriage should not be based solely on impulsive feelings. Do you truly know the man you plan to spend your life with?"

My parents cautioned me against rushing into marriage and suggested waiting until after I completed graduate school. At that time, I had just been accepted into a postgraduate program and was mindful of the heavy workload ahead, so I agreed with Max to postpone our plans until after graduation.

Max was incredibly intelligent. He understood that my parents would not approve of our relationship. Holding me tightly, he said, "Jen, I will need some time to prove to your parents that I deserve their trust for a lifetime."

However, tragedy struck the following summer. My parents were involved in a car accident and passed away before I had the chance to say goodbye.

During those days, I was overwhelmed with grief, and tears were constantly streaming down my face.

Max was always there for me, holding me close and reassuring me, saying, "Jen, please don't cry. You are not alone. I am here for you, through thick and thin."

Three months later, Max and I got married.

We did not have a lavish wedding, as the pain of our loss was still fresh. Instead, we knelt before my parents' graves.

Max humbly bowed his head in front of their resting place and promised to be by my side for the rest of our lives.

However, even the most solemn promises can be broken over time.

Just in our second year of marriage, he strayed.

To make matters worse, it happened while I was pregnant with our child.