"Mu Jing Chen, you speak so nicely to me, but how can I trust you now?"
Yan Xi looked at Mu Jing Chen and suddenly smiled, but the smile was tinged with a hint of sorrow.
Yan Xi had always trusted Mu Jing Chen unconditionally, considering him her closest relative.
However, Yan Xi never expected that Mu Jing Chen would be in league with Old Mr. Yao.
"Of course, Xi Xi. I have never plotted against you, used you, or done anything to hurt you. The reason I did this was only to become strong, so I would have the chance to protect you. My intentions were all for your own good. Do you understand?"
"Mu Jing Chen, you know, I used to be so proud to have you as a friend. But when did we become so distant? I feel like I don't even recognize you anymore. The Mu Jing Chen I used to know wouldn't do such wicked things, but you repeatedly do them now. You've really surprised me."
"Xi Xi, I'm sorry."
Facing Yan Xi's accusations, Mu Jing Chen didn't know what else to say besides "I'm sorry."
Yan Xi smiled. In truth, Yan Xi didn't want Mu Jing Chen's apology. What she wanted was for Mu Jing Chen to deny it. Yan Xi hoped that she and Mu Jing Chen weren't on opposing sides, but it seemed unlikely now.
"Xi Xi, where are you going?" Seeing Yan Xi turn towards Yao Wan Qi's room, Mu Jing Chen quickly grabbed her wrist and asked softly.
Yan Xi turned to look at Mu Jing Chen, offering no response.
Seeing Yan Xi's silence, he spoke again. "Xi Xi, I know you're still blaming me, but this isn't the time to blame me. Listen to me, quickly disguise yourself as a maid and sneak out. Hide in my car, and I'll take you out later."
"Mu Jing Chen, no need. I don't want to owe you too much."
Mu Jing Chen knew Yan Xi was speaking out of anger. He couldn't help but frown, studying Yan Xi. After a moment of silence, Mu Jing Chen asked calmly, "Xi Xi, no matter how many wicked things I've done, I've never hurt you, and I've always protected you. You can't deny that."
"Yes, I am grateful for everything in the past. But Mu Jing Chen, gratitude is not affection. No matter what you do to me, I cannot forgive you, because you hurt Fu Yan Ting."
"Xi Xi, is Fu Yan Ting really that important to you?"
So important that Yan Xi would do things to hurt him for Fu Yan Ting's sake.
Perhaps Yan Xi didn't know, Mu Jing Chen loved her deeply, even more than Fu Yan Ting.
Mu Jing Chen truly considered Yan Xi his entire life. Even if he lost everything, even if he paid a heavy price, Mu Jing Chen still couldn't bear to harm Yan Xi even a little.
"Mu Jing Chen, don't you already know the answer to that question?"
Yes, Mu Jing Chen knew from the beginning about Yan Xi's feelings for Fu Yan Ting. It was precisely because Yan Xi knew this that Mu Jing Chen resorted to such desperate measures, all to crush Fu Yan Ting and keep Yan Xi by his side.
"Mu Jing Chen, I can let anything pass, but I cannot forgive you for hurting Fu Yan Ting."
"Xi Xi, must we really come to this point between us?"
Yan Xi glanced at Mu Jing Chen and offered no reply.
Hurt flickered in Mu Jing Chen's eyes. He knew Yan Xi had always deeply loved Fu Yan Ting, willing to go through fire and water for him.
But his feelings for Yan Xi were just the same.
"Xi Xi, whatever resentment you have towards me, let's talk about it after you leave here, okay? We're running out of time. If you don't leave now, staying here will only lead to a dead end. I'll tell you the truth: your maternal grandfather has found a female college student in the Traditional Chinese Medicine department of the medical college for the drug's formula. Her name is Liang Shuang, and she'll be coming to the Yao family tomorrow to study this herbal formula. And your maternal grandfather will kill you."
Old Mr. Yao killing Yan Xi was within Yan Xi's expectations.
Yan Xi had not followed Old Mr. Yao's instructions and had not deciphered the drug's formula for him. It was only natural that Old Mr. Yao harbored resentment towards her.
Yan Xi had long known her fate.
But even so, Yan Xi couldn't just leave alone.
She didn't know where Xiang Jing Chen was being held captive by Old Mr. Yao.
And the real Yao Wan Qi had also been hidden away by Old Mr. Yao.
Yan Xi knew very well that if she left, everything would be over.
But what about those she cared about?
Yan Xi couldn't abandon them to their fate. They were the closest people to her in this world.
"Xi Xi, please, I'm begging you. If not for yourself, then for me, can you be a little selfish? I will slowly atone for my actions regarding Fu Yan Ting later, but you cannot stay at the Yao family any longer. If you continue to stay, it will only lead to your death."
"Mu Jing Chen, you don't need to persuade me anymore. I've already made up my mind, and it won't change."
After speaking, Yan Xi turned and walked towards Yao Wan Qi's room.
Mu Jing Chen tightly held Yan Xi's hand, refusing to let go. Yan Xi couldn't help but frown. Without turning back, she said indifferently, "Mu Jing Chen, let go of me."
"Xi Xi, I can't let go of your hand. I can't just watch you be in danger and not help you."
As Yan Xi and Mu Jing Chen struggled in the courtyard, Old Mr. Yao suddenly appeared.
Seeing Yan Xi and Mu Jing Chen clinging to each other, Old Mr. Yao's expression turned extremely grim.
He looked at Mu Jing Chen and Yan Xi and asked indifferently, "What are you two doing?"
Hearing Old Mr. Yao's words, Mu Jing Chen stiffened.
Yan Xi, however, remained calm. She turned around, smiled at Old Mr. Yao, and replied softly, "We're just catching up, aren't we? Can't you even tell that, Grandfather?"
Facing Yan Xi's sarcastic tone, Old Mr. Yao was slightly angered, but he didn't show it.
He looked at Mu Jing Chen and responded with a playful tone, "So you were just catching up? I thought you were rekindling old flames."
Old ginger is spicier.
Old Mr. Yao knew very well that Yan Xi loved Fu Yan Ting.
And Yan Xi had now seen Mu Jing Chen's true colors and knew what kind of person he was.
His words were undoubtedly meant to provoke Yan Xi, to add to her distress.
As expected, after hearing Old Mr. Yao's words, Yan Xi awkwardly pulled her hand away and retreated shamefully into Yao Wan Qi's room.
Throughout this exchange, Old Mr. Yao's face remained wreathed in smiles.
Only after Yan Xi returned to her room did Old Mr. Yao drop his smile and look coldly at Mu Jing Chen...