"An Nuan, it's alright. I won't believe a single word Shen Xizhou said."
"I know, he was definitely talking nonsense."
Ye Qingcheng's comforting words stopped An Nuan's sobs. She raised her eyes, her gaze falling seriously upon him.
What if she told Ye Qingcheng that everything Shen Xizhou said was true? How would he see her then?
How could she explain?
Before, she could have said whatever she wanted to Ye Qingcheng without reservation. But now, she hesitated. She didn't seem to want Ye Qingcheng to know about her past, about the things that couldn't see the light of day.
Those things, which even she despised, how would Ye Qingcheng view her if he heard them?
In the end, influenced by Shen Xizhou, all the warmth she had was incinerated, leaving nothing behind.
Perhaps, it was just as Shen Xizhou said, she didn't deserve warmth, and warmth would never belong to her.
Shen Xizhou, are you satisfied now? All the warmth around me is gone.
Now, I can only live in the hell you created for me.
Meeting Ye Qingcheng's burning gaze, An Nuan took a deep breath and finally spoke, "Yes, everything Shen Xizhou said is true."
In fact, if Ye Qingcheng investigated these matters, he could uncover them immediately.
And these things couldn't be hidden.
"Dr. Ye, Shen Xizhou is right. I am indeed an unfortunate person, and everyone who gets involved with me will become unhappy."
"And as Shen Xizhou said, I am indeed 'very dirty.'"
She looked at Ye Qingcheng and said, "Dr. Ye, actually, Shen Xizhou is right. I haven't agreed to be your girlfriend yet. Saying this will cause me unnecessary trouble."
"Dr. Ye, thank you for helping me, for believing in me. But someone like me doesn't deserve your trust. Doesn't deserve you doing so much for me."
An Nuan told him everything, though she did omit some details.
For example, how Xu Ruowei threatened and framed her. For example, her younger brother Yun Xiu was gone. For example, her mother died because her insistence offended Xu Ruowei.
What was the point of speaking about these things that had already happened?
Besides, even if she knew Xu Ruowei was responsible, what then? She had no proof, and no one would believe her.
She lowered her head, afraid to look at Ye Qingcheng.
These words were difficult to accept.
Let alone Ye Qingcheng, even she herself couldn't accept them.
After a long silence, hearing no response from Ye Qingcheng, a self-deprecating smile touched An Nuan's lips.
"Dr. Ye, although Shen Xizhou's words were harsh, some of them were true. Staying away from someone like me is the best choice."
Just as An Nuan was about to speak, she was enveloped in a warm embrace. Ye Qingcheng held her tightly and whispered in her ear, "An Nuan, don't say these things. You really don't need to slander yourself. In my heart, you are the most beautiful."
"I don't care what others say about you. I only believe what I see."
"I know what a good person you are."
"You don't need to say such self-deprecating things to drive me away from you."
An Nuan's tears finally flowed uncontrollably.
She had thought Ye Qingcheng would surely leave. But he hadn't. He still chose to believe her, to protect her.
"Ye Qingcheng, thank you for always believing in me."
An Nuan said softly, "I've worked so hard, I've been enduring. No matter what they say, no matter what they ask me to do, I've obeyed quietly. I just wanted to protect Yun Xiu..."
"But no matter how hard I tried, in the end, Yun Xiu was still gone because of me..."
At this moment, An Nuan felt as if she had found a harbor. She cried, seemingly pouring out all the grievances in her heart.
She had been suppressing herself, not allowing herself to cry, because she couldn't. She had to persevere.
But at this moment, in front of Ye Qingcheng, all her perseverance broke, and she cried, crying heartily, not out of grievance, but with abandon.
Ye Qingcheng looked at An Nuan, gazing at her, and said with profound affection, "An Nuan, give me a chance, a chance to protect you properly, okay? I can do many things for you."
"I'm not forcing you to agree to be my girlfriend," Ye Qingcheng said cautiously. "I just want to protect you. I don't want to be forcefully shut out by you."
"Ye..."
Before An Nuan could finish her words, Ye Qingcheng interrupted her, saying with unwavering resolve, "You can't refuse me. I just want to be by your side, silently."
An Nuan remained silent, and Ye Qingcheng did too.
A week later.
An Nuan had been investigating Yun Xiu's matter during this time. Knowing that Xia Wanqing and Xu Ruowei had conspired together, and being weak and alone, she was no match for them. She could only investigate cautiously, so as not to alert Xu Ruowei and Xia Wanqing.
However, Xu Ruowei and Xia Wanqing had been very secretive, making it difficult to find any flaws.
An Nuan was working at a coffee shop when she saw Xu Ruowei sitting in a corner, seemingly waiting for someone. Her furtive demeanor caught An Nuan's attention.
Wang Liang, she knew him. He seemed to be someone who pursued Xu Ruowei. However, Xu Ruowei had been solely focused on Shen Xizhou back then, and had barely given Wang Liang a glance.
But now, she was meeting with Wang Liang, and so secretively. It seemed there was something fishy going on, otherwise, why would she be so clandestine?
An Nuan continued to observe from her work. Finally, she steeled herself and asked for leave.
She didn't leave the coffee shop but found a spot nearby, within earshot of Wang Liang and Xu Ruowei's conversation, and sat down.
When Wang Liang saw Xu Ruowei, his eyes were full of light, and his hands were restlessly moving over Xu Ruowei.
Surprisingly, Xu Ruowei didn't push Wang Liang away but allowed him to do as he pleased.
Although Xu Ruowei didn't push Wang Liang away, the disgust and disdain in her eyes were incredibly obvious.
Wang Liang looked at Xu Ruowei and said triumphantly, "Ruowei, I truly love you. Why are you engaged to Shen Xizhou? I can give you happiness too."
"You said you don't want that short-lived ghost to live, and I'll help you get rid of him. So, shouldn't you give me some benefits?" Wang Liang said with a sinister smile in his eyes.