Getting Cuckolded?

She stared blankly at herself in the bronze mirror, her eyes dim and devoid of any will to live.

Her red hair cascaded like a waterfall, her waist was slender, her figure graceful, and her beauty remained peerless—phoenix eyes, snow-white skin. Yet there was no life in her gaze, as if she were an empty shell without a soul.

Xiao Chen froze. Was this still the proud, fiery goddess from that day?

The light in her eyes had vanished!

But on second thought, it made sense. Huang Yelang had domineeringly announced before everyone that he would forcibly marry Fire Phoenix and treat her as a plaything, without the slightest regard for her wishes or feelings. No one would feel good about that.

"You're here," Fire Phoenix said softly, still staring at her reflection in the mirror.

"Mm. Are you alright?" Xiao Chen asked.

Fire Phoenix turned around and gave a bitter smile. "Do I look alright to you?"

Xiao Chen fell silent. He knew his question had been foolish, but he truly did not know what to say.

"Everyone envies me. They say I was born noble, that my beauty and talent are unparalleled, that I am a divine phoenix of the heavens. But who understands that I am merely a tool for marriage alliances, a puppet manipulated by my Lineage!"

Fire Phoenix was in a terrible mood, stripped of her usual warmth and liveliness.

"What did your parents say?" Xiao Chen asked.

"My parents love me. They do not want me to do things I dislike, but they must listen to the patriarch as well. In the patriarch's eyes, there is only the Lineage's interest. He does not care whether I live or die."

Fire Phoenix spoke miserably. She was truly desperate. Huang Yelang had once at least feigned