Xia Wanqing looked at Ji Wenyun with tears in her eyes, touched. She thought Ji Wenyun wouldn't stand up for her and that she would be harassed by those people.
But Ji Wenyun directly stepped forward and spoke for her.
She excitedly thought that Ji Wenyun still had feelings for her, and that whatever he had said before was all An Nuan's fault. Perhaps Xu Ruowei was right; she should target An Nuan, make Ji Wenyun see An Nuan for who she truly was. That way, she could win Ji Wenyun back.
Xu Ruowei had told her to keep texting Ji Wenyun, even if he didn't reply, to keep sending messages. After all, Ji Wenyun would see them.
She had done as she was told all this time, but had received no response, leaving her extremely disappointed.
She inwardly resented Xu Ruowei, even blaming her, thinking that everything she had said was a lie.
But now, as she thought about it, Xu Ruowei had been right all along, and she had been wrong to blame the "little person" all this time.
Xia Wanqing thought that after this matter was resolved, she would have to thank Xu Ruowei properly.
Xia Wanqing walked out, her arm linked with Ji Wenyun's. Once outside, she smiled and said, "Wenyun, I knew you still cared about me."
"I knew you would come back to me."
"I knew you truly cared about me. And that you must have had other reasons for treating me like that before."
Ji Wenyun, however, directly shook off Xia Wanqing's hand and said coldly, "Xia Wanqing, get rid of that disgusting expression and those venomous eyes."
"Heh, you don't actually think I'd be moved by you, do you?"
"You don't actually think the words I just said were genuine, do you?"
Xia Wanqing looked at him with confusion and disbelief, even surprised at how things had turned out.
Everything had been fine just a moment ago. He had been speaking to her so affectionately. But now? He had completely turned on her.
What was the reason for this?
Ji Wenyun said fiercely, "Xia Wanqing, do you know how ugly your face looked just now?"
"But, I was worried you would still find ways to trouble An Nuan, which is why I said those things."
Xia Wanqing's eyes widened, looking at him with utter disbelief.
"I... I didn't, I..."
"Wenyun, you've misunderstood me."
"Wenyun, has someone been badmouthing me to you? That's why you misunderstand me? That's why you're saying such hurtful things?" Xia Wanqing was almost in tears. She had thought her good days were about to begin, but now it seemed that was not the case.
This was all a trap, and she had willingly stepped into it, step by step.
Ji Wenyun directly flung Xia Wanqing away, his eyes filled with a bloodthirsty chill and said, "Xia Wanqing, let's just let this matter go."
He reached out and grasped Xia Wanqing's neck, saying coldly, "You'd better behave yourself and don't even think about making a move against An Nuan."
"Do you know why I took you out in front of so many people just now?"
Xia Wanqing shook her head, bewildered, and asked, "Why? You were looking at me so affectionately just now, you said such loving words to me, I..."
"Because, you would have tried to slander An Nuan there. The best solution was to take you away, so that no one else could trouble An Nuan."
Xia Wanqing felt a surge of defiance in her heart, but ultimately, she followed Ji Wenyun. She knew that she had no one else but Ji Wenyun now.
Even if Ji Wenyun made things difficult for her, she couldn't leave.
...
Meanwhile, An Nuan was still surrounded by many people, who showed no intention of leaving. After all, with so many people present and a good show to watch, they naturally didn't want to miss it.
However, the words they spoke were extremely unpleasant.
Naturally, An Nuan, standing there, could hear them all clearly.
Nangong Jin could also hear them clearly, even though the voices were hushed.
Nangong Jin would not allow anyone to slander An Nuan, the woman he cherished and doted on. How could he permit someone to defame her in front of so many people?
Nangong Jin wanted to rush forward, his face contorted with anger, seemingly impulsive enough to destroy everyone around him.
Just as Nangong Jin was about to act, An Nuan directly grabbed his hand and pleaded, "Nangong Jin, let it go."
"I don't care what they say."
"After all, once they've said it, it's over."
Nangong Jin looked at An Nuan with heartbreak and said, "An Nuan, these people are clearly deliberately making things difficult for you. And what they're saying is simply slander."
"An Nuan, can you just tolerate this?"
Nangong Jin glanced at An Nuan's pale face, and then, as if something occurred to him, he hesitated for a long time before speaking, "An Nuan, I didn't mean it that way. I meant..."
An Nuan let out a light laugh and said calmly, "Nangong Jin, you don't have to be so cautious. I understand."
Upon hearing this, Nangong Jin's face turned grim.
An Nuan said she understood.
No, how could that be possible? She understood? No, she couldn't possibly know.
Nangong Jin shot a fierce glance at the surrounding people, who dared not say anything more.
An Nuan looked calmly at Nangong Jin, held his hand, and shook her head earnestly, "Nangong Jin, you really don't need to. I..."
"An Nuan, you think it's not necessary. But in my eyes, this is very necessary."
Nangong Jin embraced An Nuan, and whispered in her ear, "An Nuan, you don't need to endure so much. You don't need to live such a hard life."
"An Nuan, you have me by your side now. Remember, as long as I am here, no one will be able to trouble you."
"An Nuan, I can't bear to see anyone make things difficult for you."
"The woman I, Nangong Jin, protect is not to be looked down upon by anyone."
An Nuan looked at Nangong Jin, wanting to speak. But meeting his gaze, she ultimately remained silent.
Perhaps, on some matters, she should listen to Nangong Jin.
After all, everything he did was for her own good.
Without Nangong Jin, where would the current An Nuan be?
And for those who had been constantly making trouble for her, wishing for her to live like a dog, why should she plead for them?
These people, facing a tragic end, could be said to have brought it upon themselves.