An Yunxiu remained in the hospital due to her condition.
An Nuan had been worried about the medical fees, but Ye Qingcheng had paid them all.
She had repeatedly expressed her gratitude, but eventually, she realized that beyond saying thank you to Ye Qingcheng, she had done nothing else for him.
A self-deprecating smile tugged at the corner of her lips. What could she do for Ye Qingcheng? She could do nothing.
Ye Qingcheng had everything, and her existence had only brought him considerable trouble. She felt she was merely a burden.
In fact, Xu Ruowei had not said anything wrong.
If it weren't for her, perhaps her mother wouldn't have died.
Perhaps she had indeed indirectly caused her mother's death.
Xu Ruowei had said that if she had obediently listened and left Shen Xizhou's side, her mother might still be alive and well.
And it was because of her that her mother had died.
If anyone was to blame for this, she was the one most deserving of blame.
Her brother had also ended up like this due to her negligence. If she hadn't been so eager to see Shen Xizhou back then, her brother wouldn't have had an accident. Then, her brother would likely still be whole.
Shen Xizhou had said that the person who most deserved to die in this world was her, and all retribution should fall upon her. But why must all the suffering be borne by her loved ones?
That feeling of helplessness, of being unable to do anything, of wanting to struggle, of self-reproach, crushed her, leaving her breathless.
She wasn't afraid of death. Or rather, she had contemplated ending it all. Death would mean no more worries, a complete cessation of everything.
But she couldn't. There were still people in this world who needed her care, people she cared about.
Her brother needed her.
She dragged her heavy body back.
She had rested long enough; it was time to go back to work properly.
With Ye Qingcheng taking care of her brother, she felt a considerable sense of relief.
Returning, she found the door ajar, with a sliver of light emanating from the room.
At that moment, she was terrified and instinctively flinched back. Perhaps because she was too scared, her foot stepped on a broom, making a noise.
The light from the gap under the door was blocked, and it seemed someone was approaching.
An Nuan was extremely frightened.
She instinctively turned to flee.
But at that very moment, she was forcibly dragged inside.
She kept her head down, not daring to look up at the person before her.
Perhaps, this way, she could save her life.
"An Nuan, what's wrong? Feeling guilty and scared? You know fear now, don't you?"
"Heh, Ye Qingcheng said he would protect you for a lifetime, and you actually believed him?" Shen Xizhou said coldly. "He was just playing with you. Don't tell me you naively thought he was truly that invested in you."
A bitter smile curved An Nuan's lips. Heh, he always said the same things. Had he never thought of changing his words?
He didn't even need to say them; she could recite them by heart.
But shouldn't he be comforting Xu Ruowei right now? What was he doing here, at her place?
Heh, it was utterly ridiculous.
Did he come here just to hurl these humiliating words at her?
Actually, he didn't have to.
An Nuan wearily closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and looked directly at the man. She just wanted to rest well; she had to go to work later.
She had no money; she needed to earn it.
She owed Ye Qingcheng, and she would find a way to repay him as soon as possible.
She didn't want to owe anyone any favors anymore.
"What's wrong? Did I hit a nerve, leaving you speechless?"
Shen Xizhou's eyes, filled with a bloody rage, stared at the woman before him, like a demon from hell. It was as if with a slight touch, he could tear An Nuan to shreds.
The next moment, An Nuan would be tortured to death by him.
"An Nuan, didn't I tell you that people like you don't deserve happiness? And you completely disregarded my words?"
"Do you think Ye Qingcheng is your salvation? No, he isn't. You will harm Ye Qingcheng."
"Right, you wouldn't be obedient, would you? You think as long as Ye Qingcheng is here, I can't touch you, right? Well, what if I make Ye Qingcheng disappear forever? How about that?"
Shen Xizhou was furious. He grabbed An Nuan's neck, his hand tightening. His eyes were filled with rage, and his entire being was violent.
He had always believed that An Nuan would be obedient and live obediently in hell.
But she didn't listen. She was truly skilled. First, it was Zhou Chumou, and now it was Ye Qingcheng. So, who would it be next? Would there be other men?
Recalling how she had gotten involved with Huo Yunshen at the very beginning, and now Zhou Chumou, and Ye Qingcheng.
She was truly constantly testing his limits.
"With so many men, who will it be after Ye Qingcheng?"
An Nuan looked at Shen Xizhou mockingly, a cold smile playing on her lips.
He had said these words countless times.
"Mr. Shen, who I have a relationship with, and who I am involved with, does that have anything to do with you?"
"Mr. Shen, don't forget, if your fiancée Miss Xu knew you came to see me and questioned me like this, wouldn't she be mad with jealousy?"
"Moreover, don't you find it ridiculous, Mr. Shen, to ask these questions? Even if I were involved with the men you mentioned, that would be my ability. By what right do you get angry here?"
"Who I choose to be with is my business. It has nothing to do with you."
She admitted it? She actually admitted it. In the past, she would have tried desperately to explain, to make him believe that it was all a misunderstanding.
But now, she admitted it with a smile on her face.
Hearing her admission, Shen Xizhou's expression turned extremely grim, his eyes filled with terrifying killing intent.
She should have explained. How could she have admitted it?
Her indifferent demeanor deeply pierced his eyes.
He tightened his grip, radiating a terrifying aura, becoming even more enraged.
He said sinisterly, "An Nuan, Ye Qingcheng has done so much for you. He even calls you his fiancée. Have you agreed to marry him?"
Perhaps, in the past, she would have explained, she would have said no.
She would have struggled, because the pain would be unbearable, making it impossible to breathe. But now, it seemed she didn't feel pain, as if it were all ordinary.
She just stared intently at the man before her, offering no explanation.
She really wanted to explain, but what happened after every explanation? Disbelief, suspicion, and humiliation still rained down, and they became increasingly chilling. It was better to say nothing, to explain nothing.
After all, the outcome was the same, wasn't it? It wouldn't change anything.
However, if she didn't say anything, Shen Xizhou didn't seem inclined to let go.
He intended to wear her down. He had plenty of time, but she didn't.
Her icy voice finally broke the silence, "Mr. Shen, what kind of answer do you want to hear?"