Chapter 1453: Chapter 1457 Please Believe in Me
“No… no…” Mi Sheng shook her head, crying. “It’s my fault… it’s all my fault…”
“Xiao Mi, this is not the time to blame yourself. Even if you don’t think of yourself, think about our baby,” Qiao Zui held her in his arms and softly consoled her: “You’re afraid, and the baby will feel fear too… Don’t worry, even though HIV/AIDS is incurable, it can be blocked. As long as Auntie and Situ Jinse take the preventive medications as prescribed, they won’t be infected!”
“Why won’t any of you listen to me?” An Keqing shouted anxiously, her voice rising. “I swear, when I cut them, I used a clean blade. I didn’t let my blood get into their wounds. They’re not in any danger at all. Why won’t you believe my explanation? What are you all so afraid of?”
“Because you hurt them,” Fang Yao said coldly. “To us, you’re the enemy. The words of an enemy aren’t worth trusting!”
“But I’m telling the truth, I swear!” An Keqing screamed in despair. “Yes! I have HIV/AIDS. Anyone who finds out treats me like a plague. I’m so sad, in so much pain, but I’ve never thought about hurting anyone! I’ve always been extremely careful—so careful. Ever since I knew I had HIV/AIDS, I haven’t even eaten in public places. I don’t want to hurt anyone…”
“Then why did you cut my aunt’s and Situ Jinse’s hands?” Yun Jue asked furiously. “What you’re saying is completely contradictory!”
“Because I was being blackmailed by Situ Lanyu!” An Keqing sobbed uncontrollably, barely able to form words. “Situ Lanyu said that if I didn’t do as she asked, she would expose that I have HIV/AIDS! I don’t care about myself anymore, but I have parents, I have a younger sister. If they found out I have this disease, their coworkers, friends, even our family members—everyone would look down on them, avoid them, fear them like they fear me… My little sister is still so young. She couldn’t bear that kind of disdain and fear…”
Yun Jue demanded: “How did Situ Lanyu find out you have HIV/AIDS? Didn’t you say…”
“First, explain how you didn’t use your blood to harm Situ Jinse and Beibei,” Gu Junzhu interrupted Yun Jue, his gaze fixed on An Keqing, deep and cold, as though he could see into the darkest corners of her soul. “What exactly did Situ Lanyu tell you to do, and what did you actually do?”
An Keqing cried as she spoke. “She showed me photos of two people and told me to remember them. Then, she took me close to Situ Jinse…”
“She used a blade to cut my hand, then ordered me to use the bloodied blade to cut Situ Jinse’s hand, to spread my blood on her wound.”
She lowered her head, covering her mouth as she wept uncontrollably, shaking her head with all her strength. “I didn’t want to hurt anyone. But if I didn’t obey her, she would expose my HIV status.”
“I had no choice but to agree to help her. But I secretly swapped the blade.”
She lifted her tear-filled eyes to Gu Junzhu and pleaded desperately: “Please, I beg you all, you must believe me! I truly didn’t want to harm anyone. While she wasn’t paying attention, I switched the blade to a clean one. I didn’t smear my blood on their hands…”
She turned to Ye Xingbei. “Please, believe me. I didn’t hurt Situ Jinse. I didn’t hurt you. Whether it’s Situ Jinse or you, I used a clean blade for both of you. I didn’t smear my blood on your wounds. Please, you have to believe me!”