"Do you hate me?" Ye Qianzhi turned his head and asked Jiang Ziyu.
Hate him?
Ye Ziyu couldn't say for sure.
Her hatred was directed at Jiang Wenbin. After he was finally sentenced and would spend the rest of his life in prison, her years of hatred vanished like a dark fog, allowing sunlight to shine in again.
Ye Qianzhi forced a smile. "You don't need to try to comfort me. I wronged your mother, so it's understandable for you to hate me."
"I don't hate you," Ye Ziyu said. "My mother should hate you, not me. She is gone, and hate is meaningless. All your suffering these past years stems from your betrayal of your love. You have been punished, and dwelling on it is futile."
People must move forward. He had been trapped by a mistake made in the past and could never feel happiness.
Ye Qianzhi looked at her with deep affection, shaking his head in感慨. "You and your mother are so alike."
"No, we are not alike," Ye Ziyu countered.
Ye Qianzhi looked curious.
"I won't be as insecure as she was. I believe in Di Mingjue's love for me, and we won't end up like you two," Ye Ziyu confessed.
Ye Qianzhi was at fault, but Lu Yuman, who was involved in the situation, also made mistakes. Her mistake was underestimating their love, and even more so, her impulsive marriage to Jiang Wenbin.
Everything has a cause and an effect; everyone must pay the price for their actions.
Ye Ziyu composed herself. "Don't mention things between you two again. Since it's in the past, let's look forward and live the rest of our lives well, without regretting anything."
After helping Ye Qianzhi to see things more clearly, Ye Ziyu left the study. She encountered Ye Shaoting, who was passing by in the hallway, and stopped to wait for him.
"What did Dad want to see you about?" Ye Shaoting asked with concern.
They were half-siblings, sharing only half of the same blood.
Ye Ziyu replied politely, "Nothing much, he just showed me some of my mother's belongings from back then."
"Let me know if you need anything. As your elder brother, I will make up for the grievances you suffered while you were away," Ye Shaoting said, his calm demeanor like that of a caring elder brother, offering warmth to Ye Ziyu.
"Mmm." Ye Ziyu was not moved by his words.
Compared to Ye Chenhan, Ye Shaoting's concern felt insincere. It was like visiting relatives she hadn't contacted in a long time; every action radiated a sense of distance.
"Rest early."
"You too, brother."
Watching Ye Shaoting leave, Ye Ziyu returned to her room with a heavy heart.
Di Mingjue had already tidied the room and prepared a basin of hot water for her.
"Sit here," Di Mingjue said, patting a chair.
Ye Ziyu sat down, and Di Mingjue reached out to remove her shoes and socks. He cupped her foot in his hand and tested the water temperature in the basin.
Finding the water suitable, he slowly placed Ye Ziyu's feet into the basin.
Facing Di Mingjue, Ye Ziyu didn't have to pretend. She could express her thoughts and feelings without reservation.
"Your identity is unique. Many people in the Ye family will be wary of you when you first arrive. Don't pay too much attention to their actions; just treat them with a clear conscience," Di Mingjue said, looking up at the weathered Ye Ziyu.
"My wife is beautiful and kind-hearted. After they get to know you for a while, they will like you."
"I don't care if they like me or not. I'm worried that you will be wronged," Ye Ziyu said, looking at Di Mingjue with concern.
He was starting a new life in Sijiucheng, having to begin everything from scratch. Just like Ye Shaoting's words at the dinner table, without connections, it was difficult to move forward.
Even if everything succeeded, people would misunderstand him as her husband, believing he only achieved success by relying on the Ye family's connections. In the end, all his efforts would be diminished.