You Huan said, “I know this feeling might end up being just one-sided, but I just want to give myself a chance. I won’t regret it.”
Ruan Xingyao couldn’t help but scratch her head, unsure of how to handle the situation.
After a moment of hesitation, she asked, “So all those gifts you sent me in the livestream… that was also because you wanted to help him?”
You Huan nodded and said, “That’s one reason. Another is because your livestream is really fun.”
Ruan Xingyao gave an awkward smile and said, “You didn’t have to flatter me like that.”
You Huan looked a little apologetic. “Sorry, I really didn’t know what else to do.”
She had even quietly visited Ruan Xingzhuo in the hospital, and seeing him lying weak and pale on the bed genuinely broke her heart.
Ruan Xingyao said, “Since you’re being so honest, I don’t need to hide it from you either. Xiaozhuo has already woken up, and in a little while, he’ll be able to leave the hospital.”
“Really? That’s wonderful!” You Huan’s eyes immediately lit up.
The next second, her eyes turned red and her voice choked with emotion.
She kept repeating, “It’s wonderful… really wonderful…”
Ruan Xingyao couldn’t fully understand You Huan’s feelings for Ruan Xingzhuo, but now that she had become his sister, seeing a girl so wholeheartedly care for her younger brother was undeniably touching.
However…
Ruan Xingyao remained silent for a moment before saying, “You Huan, I really appreciate your intention to help Xiaozhuo. By helping him, you’ve also helped me. But we have to keep things separate—I still need to return the money you gifted me.”
You Huan opened her mouth to say something, but Ruan Xingyao didn’t give her a chance.
She said, “You Huan, I really like you. If in the future you and Xiaozhuo end up together, I will be your sister. Even if you don’t, I will still treat you as a friend. So I can’t in good conscience accept your gifts.”
It really would be too inappropriate to do otherwise.
You Huan bit her lip and said, “I just wanted to make things easier for you both.”
Ruan Xingyao smiled and said, “I understand your intention, but I also hope you can understand my position, okay?”
You Huan looked at Ruan Xingyao for a long while before asking, “Then… will you still help me pursue Ruan Xingzhuo?”
Ruan Xingyao sighed helplessly, scratching her cheek. “I can take you to meet him, but I won’t force him to do anything. How things develop between you two depends entirely on you both.”
You Huan instantly slumped like a deflated balloon, her whole demeanor downcast.
She lowered her head and murmured, “Then I probably really won’t be able to pursue him.”
Ruan Xingyao watched her for a long moment, curiosity getting the better of her. “You Huan, you’re beautiful, kind, and even wealthy… so why do you seem so lacking in confidence?”
You Huan bit her lip and, after a moment, said, “Xingyao… if I tell you, will you promise not to look down on me?”
Ruan Xingyao nodded reassuringly, “Don’t worry, I won’t.”
You Huan took a deep breath before saying, “Because I’m not clean anymore… I’m not worthy of Ruan Xingzhuo.”
Ruan Xingyao furrowed her brow and asked, “What do you mean by that?”
You Huan’s eyes were red, as if she had made a huge decision, and she spoke quietly but firmly.
“I was sexually assaulted by male teachers at school… it lasted for an entire semester, and it wasn’t just one teacher,” You Huan said, tears finally spilling down her cheeks.
Ruan Xingyao hadn’t expected this at all and was momentarily speechless.
You Huan lowered her gaze, not hearing Ruan Xingyao speak, and felt a bit disappointed.
She said, “You probably think I’m not clean too, right? If you think I don’t deserve to pursue Ruan Xingzhuo, I won’t bother you two anymore.”
“So despicable!” Ruan Xingyao suddenly slammed her hand on the table.
You Huan looked up at Ruan Xingyao and saw her eyes full of pain and her face filled with anger. “Have those animals been punished yet? If not, tell me who they are—I’ll take my army of stray cats and dogs to get revenge for you!”
Too much time had passed, and the law might not be able to immediately deal with those scumbags, but she could let stray cats and dogs punish them.
Destroying their tools of crime would be a piece of cake!
You Huan opened her mouth but didn’t make a sound for a long while.
Finally, her tears fell in heavy drops.
She wiped her eyes and stared intently at Ruan Xingyao. “Xingyao… you really don’t think I’m dirty?”
Ruan Xingyao, still fueled by anger, heard the question and immediately swore, “Bullshit! Who said you’re dirty! I’ll kill anyone who said that!”
You Huan looked at Ruan Xingyao’s face and realized she truly wasn’t disgusted by her.
This completely broke You Huan’s emotional restraint, and she began to cry loudly.
Ruan Xingyao walked around the table and gently pulled You Huan into her arms.
She patted her back softly, offering silent comfort.
You Huan cried for a long, long time, until her eyes ached, before gradually calming down.
After grabbing a few tissues to wipe her face and blow her nose, You Huan finally said, “Ever since those things happened, everyone called me dirty and ruined… that’s why I was sent abroad. No one ever thought to get revenge for me.”
Ruan Xingyao was the first to ask about those scumbags, and the first to genuinely care for her.
Ruan Xingyao gently patted You Huan on the top of her head and said, “This was never your fault. They are the ones who deserve to die, and those who blamed you are the hateful ones.”
You Huan tilted her head and leaned against Ruan Xingyao’s shoulder. “Xingyao, you know… when I told my family about what happened, all they cared about was that, as a daughter of the You family, I had gone through such a filthy ordeal. They wanted me to keep it a secret. Otherwise, if anyone found out, the You family’s reputation would be completely ruined.”
Hearing this, Ruan Xingyao felt even more heartache for You Huan.
If even her own family treated her like that, one could only imagine how much she must have suffered.
Sensing Ruan Xingyao’s concern, You Huan pulled back slightly from her embrace.
She feigned a lighthearted tone. “But it’s not all bad. The You family, to keep me quiet and make me bury this secret, gives me 100 million in pocket money every year. Along with funds and shares, I’m now a bona fide wealthy woman—worth tens of billions.”
You Huan grabbed Ruan Xingyao’s arm, shook it slightly, and said, “So, Xingyao, you don’t have to worry about my money. I have plenty, and I’m willing to give some to you and Ruan Xingzhuo.”
Ruan Xingyao smiled. “You Huan, if you keep saying that, I really won’t be able to resist temptation.”
After all, she was inherently a money-lover.
To avoid being swayed, Ruan Xingyao changed the subject.
She asked, “But You Huan, I still don’t quite understand… why do you like Xiao Zhuo so much?”
— The end of the Chapter–
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