Zhan Jingchun knew it was wrong to associate with the people who had hurt her behind her parents' backs, so after everyone left, she looked at them nervously and murmured.
"Daddy, Mommy..."
Before she could finish apologizing, Peng Fei stood up and knelt before the three of them.
"It has nothing to do with Chun Chun, it's all my fault. I'm sorry, you can beat me, scold me, kill me, or flay me, I deserve it all. It's all my fault, don't blame her."
"Mr. Zhan, a few days ago you kindly invited me home and bought me a plane ticket, but I didn't leave, betraying your good intentions. Knowing you didn't want me to contact Chun Chun anymore, I still came and pestered her. I'm shameless, hit me."
"Auntie, although this is our first meeting, I've heard Chun Chun mention you many times before. I know you're a very good person, you've raised Chun Chun so well, yet I kept her trapped in our mountain village, refusing to let her leave. I was ignorant and foolish, I made an unforgivable mistake. You hit me too."
"I am willing to pay for my crimes. If you still feel it's not enough, you can send me back to prison. I have no regrets, but Chun Chun is innocent. She is the victim. I only beg you not to blame her."
He was clearly a bad person who had done wrong and deeply harmed Chun Chun, yet he knelt there with an air of righteousness, as if he were noble.
Jiang Nan Fang, upon learning that Chun Chun had associated with him behind her back, and that Zhan Bei Jue had also dealt with him without her knowledge, had prepared a whole string of accusations to unleash upon arrival, intending to have a good angry outburst.
But after his kneeling, all her words were stuck in her throat.
After Peng Fei finished speaking, she stared at him for a long time before calming herself.
"Don't rush to apologize, lift your head and let me see you."
Peng Fei, pale with guilt and shame, tremblingly raised his head.
He dared not look at Jiang Nan Fang, his gaze fixed on an unknown spot.
Jiang Nan Fang carefully examined his features, bone structure, from head to toe, and began to understand why Chun Chun and Zhan Bei Jue had let him off the hook.
This young man, despite his unforgivable mistakes, had truly proper features and exuded an aura of integrity.
As the saying goes, "What the heart conceals, the face reveals." For him to look like this, his heart likely wasn't entirely bad.
In recent years, Zhan Bei Jue had become more Zen-like from being pestered by his children's romantic troubles. His approach to matters was no longer as sharp as in his youth; instead, he was willing to give second chances.
Therefore, as long as Peng Fei showed remorse and considering his youth, giving him a chance to start anew wouldn't be bad.
She had silently forgiven her husband and daughter for their mistakes in her heart, but she couldn't let Peng Fei off so easily.
"So you are Peng Fei."
"Yes."
Jiang Nan Fang had never bothered to pay attention to entertainment industry news, so she didn't know Peng Fei had been in the industry or that he had issued an apology statement.
She didn't understand Peng Fei's past or his psychological process of repentance and self-improvement.
She had her own perspective on him.
"Do you know what mistake you have truly made?"
Given the circumstances, Peng Fei admitted to everything: "I do."
"You do?" Jiang Nan Fang looked at him with a hint of amusement.
"Since you know what mistake you've made, why do you dare to pursue me to Nancheng? What is your state of mind?"
Peng Fei himself couldn't explain it.
To say he didn't want to be close to Zhan Jingchun, or have her return with him, was impossible.
But to say he wanted to be close to Zhan Jingchun and have her return with him, he didn't quite dare to think that way.
He no longer knew what he wanted.
Simply being by her side and watching her was enough.
But doing so was also harassing her.
Peng Fei dared not speak, and seeing his silence, Jiang Nan Fang answered for him.
"If I'm not mistaken, Chun Chun is the kindest, most beautiful girl who has brought you the most sense of accomplishment in your life, isn't she? That's why you can't bear to let her go, because you know that once you do, you'll never meet anyone better, right?"
Peng Fei couldn't deny that he indeed had such thoughts, so he nodded.
"Do you think you truly love her?"
Peng Fei believed he did, so he nodded again.
Jiang Nan Fang said, "No, this isn't love. Let me tell you what this is: this is vanity."
"With Chun Chun's beauty, intelligence, family background, and all-around qualities, she can provide you with things other girls can't, greatly satisfying your vanity. That's why you can't let her go. In truth, it's not that you can't let her go; if you were to truly start a life together, there are many girls suitable for you. You simply can't bear to part with the sense of vanity she brings you."
"For the sake of illusory vanity, you harass my daughter again and again, trapping her in her past difficulties, causing her self-torment. For this reason alone, I can be sure you don't love her."
Peng Fei felt her words were very reasonable. From this perspective, he truly didn't love Chun Chun enough.
Because he knew she deserved better, yet he kept pulling her back.
He felt immense guilt and distress, looking at Zhan Jingchun uncertainly, then at Jiang Nan Fang.
"I, I understand. I didn't do it intentionally. I won't do this again."
Jiang Nan Fang said, "The fact that you truly realize you're letting her down is the best compensation for her, so I won't do anything to you."
"Peng Fei, you are still young, and your life has infinite possibilities. Since you know this path won't work, change it early. I wish you all the best in the future."
After Jiang Nan Fang's lecture, Peng Fei seemed to truly understand how selfish his current actions were.
He thought he was helping Zhan Jingchun, but in reality, it was Zhan Jingchun who was helping him – helping him fulfill his inner fantasies, helping him calm his anxious emotions, and helping him delay the pain of not getting what he wanted.
But what had he given her?
No money, no status, no love, no sweetness, only trouble, time and time again.
He was truly so selfish, so utterly selfish.
Zhan Jingchun had never blamed him; she was truly good, so very good.
He finally realized the gap between them.
Mentally, he would never measure up to Zhan Jingchun's level.
Zhan Bei Jue and Jiang Nan Fang didn't make things difficult for him, nor did they make things difficult for their daughter, nor did they force her to return with them for the New Year. It was as if they had just come for a casual visit.
After they finished speaking, they reminded their daughter to be safe and to call them anytime if there was anything, and then they left so lightly.
Peng Fei was still kneeling on the ground. Zhan Jingchun didn't tell him to get up, and they looked at each other in silence.
After a very, very long time, Peng Fei calmly opened his mouth.
"I understand completely today and know what I should do. I'm sorry, Chun Chun, for harassing you for so long."
"You deserve a better life, you deserve a better person. I won't bother you again."
"Are you hungry? Shall I make you lunch before I leave? Do you still want to eat the food I make?"