Ai Wei’s right cheek was struck twice, solid blows that left her dazed.
That damned old woman!
Yet, she dared not retaliate, nor utter a single word of complaint.
"A Jing..."
Ai Wei collapsed onto the floor, clutching her face, tears streaming as she looked at Rong Jingyang.
She wanted to call out to him, to go to his side, but the terrifying, frenzied look on Feng Linwan’s face kept her frozen.
Rong Jingyang, suddenly addressed by his mother, was momentarily stunned. What was she saying?
His mother's two slaps had not only stunned Ai Wei but also caused a brief pause in his own thoughts.
"This?"
Without asking for reasons, she just hit?
Mother was never an arbitrary or unreasonable person, but because of Du Ruoxin, she had become the villain.
"I..." His gaze shifted to Ai Wei. Rong Jingyang looked at her disheveled, humble, and pitiful state, and all his words caught in his throat.
Before this, she was his only female friend.
From junior high, high school, to university, and even into adulthood, Ai Wei was his only female friend he could recall.
She understood him, knew him. She had even risked her life to save him.
Rong Jingyang could, to some extent, feel the depth of this affection.
But he was a married man.
On the night he married Du Ruoxin, he had told her he was married.
Her response at the time was: "Can't we still be friends after you get married? Rong Jingyang, are you going to abandon loyalty for your wife's sake?"
Of course, he wouldn't.
So, their friendship continued as before.
However, at some point, Du Ruoxin became increasingly out of control because of Ai Wei. His mother had also intervened several times because of Ai Wei.
This had already crossed the boundary of friendship.
So, if he were to say that he and Ai Wei were just friends, would anyone believe it?
Rong Jingyang felt a complex mix of emotions.
"A Jing, believe me, I didn't abort Du Ruoxin's child."
"I didn't do anything."
"They hit me first, I was just trying to dodge..."
Ai Wei stared at Rong Jingyang, shaking her head continuously, tears flowing.
Silently defending herself.
Rong Jingyang’s gaze sharpened, and he withdrew his eyes. He looked at Du Ruoxin on the bed—but what could he say?
That he never liked Ai Wei?
That he never thought of marrying Ai Wei?
Would saying these things bring Du Ruoxin back to his side? Would the child return?
Neither would happen.
Du Ruoxin watched the exchange of glances between Rong Jingyang and Ai Wei.
Was he heartbroken?
Heartbroken for Ai Wei, for being slapped twice by Feng Linwan? Pained? Reluctant?
Rong Jingyang, you are truly a scumbag!
The ultimate scumbag among scumbags!
"Heh..."
Du Ruoxin suddenly let out a cold laugh in her heart. They were divorced, after all. It was normal for a man to feel for a woman he liked.
What right did she have to call him a scumbag?
Du Ruoxin turned her head away, no longer wanting to look at him.
Feng Linwan had spoken and was waiting, but her son had not said a single word.
Seeing the atmosphere growing increasingly heavy, so awkward it could be carved into a two-bedroom apartment.
Her good-for-nothing son was still stuck, still exchanging "meaningful glances" with Ai Wei.
*%#@!
Feng Linwan was so angry she wanted to curse. She said furiously, "Rong Jingyang, give me a guarantee in front of Ruoxin."
"This life, never let Ai Wei step into the Rong family even half a step."
Rong Jingyang straightened his back and cleared his throat. "I—" I will not marry Ai Wei.
But the words caught in his throat. He found it truly difficult to utter such a meaningless guarantee.
Rong Jingyang, leaning on his cane, walked to the bedside. "Du Ruoxin, if you don't want to see me marry Ai Wei, then remarry me."