Chapter 9: Begging for Forgiveness
Chu Fufeng knew this time he had been too impulsive, but the thought of bowing to Hua Mian made him feel deeply uncomfortable.
Still, one thing was clear: since he had made a mistake, he had to take responsibility. This incident was entirely his fault, and no matter how Hua Mian treated him, he would endure it.
With that, Chu Fufeng knelt in the corridor outside Hua Mian’s room.
Yu Jin said, “She doesn’t know when she’ll wake up. Don’t kneel for now.”
Chu Fufeng didn’t move. “It’s fine.”
Yu Jin understood that Chu Fufeng feared Hua Mian’s anger might somehow harm Yan An. This was his decision, and there was no point in persuading him otherwise.
Now, there was a calmness in Chu Fufeng’s eyes that hadn’t been there before.
As Yu Jin entered the room, he saw Chen Xueji gently supporting Hua Mian, lifting her chin and giving her medicine with careful, delicate movements, afraid of hurting her.
Chen Xueji’s cautious approach was rare for him; Yu Jin felt a bit speechless.
“You came at the right time. I want to change my clothes,” Chen Xueji said.
Yu Jin then noticed the damp marks on his chest—probably from spilling the medicine.
After Chen Xueji left, Yu Jin quietly sat by the bed and looked down at Hua Mian.
She didn’t seem to dislike them as much now… why?
After thinking it over, there was only one possibility: after learning that Chen Xueji worked to support the family, she realized she couldn’t do without them.
The high-and-mighty little princess, when faced with a survival crisis, had improved her attitude toward them. Though this reasoning seemed a bit illogical, there was no better explanation.
When she wasn’t tormenting them, things seemed… okay? At least she was willing to comfort Chen Xueji.
Chen Xueji returned soon after, his hair slightly damp, which didn’t match his usual perfectionism.
“You go rest. I’ll stay with her.”
Yu Jin gave him a long look and then left.
When Hua Mian woke up, it was already the next morning.
She turned and met a slightly weary but still handsome face.
“Chen Xueji?” Her voice was hoarse from not speaking for a long time.
“You… madam, how are you feeling?”
Chen Xueji meant to ask kindly, but the words reminded Hua Mian of Chu Fufeng’s inexplicable accusations. Her pale little face hardened, and her gaze toward him grew unfriendly.
Hua Mian initially didn’t want to respond, but as she tried to sit up, a sharp pain shot through her left wrist.
Looking over, she saw it was bandaged.
Chen Xueji, perceptive as ever, helped her sit up and gave her half a cup of water. Only then did her throat feel less bitter and hoarse.
“Don’t you have anything to say?” Hua Mian’s voice was weak and lacking energy, but the questioning tone was unmistakable.
Anyone who had suddenly suffered such an ordeal, nearly dying, would hardly have a pleasant expression.
Chen Xueji’s heart sank, and his Adam’s apple moved.
“Madam, I’m sorry for letting you suffer.”
No sooner had he spoken than the bedroom door opened.
“I’m the one who caused your injury, not them. Punish me as you wish,” a hoarse male voice said, sounding even more like a patient than her.
Hua Mian saw Chu Fufeng kneeling at her bedroom door, lips cracked, looking miserable—but his eyes showed little remorse.
“How long has he been kneeling?”
Hua Mian’s gaze swept over the oxidized crimson stains on his clothes, and she asked, vaguely amused, “Since I lost consciousness?”
“Since you fainted. Almost a whole day,” came the reply.
“Oh? What is he trying to do? Gain my sympathy? Force me to forgive him?” Hua Mian scoffed. Though weak, her sarcasm was sharp.
Chen Xueji knew she had misunderstood, and just as he was about to speak, Chu Fufeng broke the silence.
“Whether you forgive me is up to you, but I will bear the consequences of my actions alone.”
Chen Xueji knew something bad was coming.
“I’ll tell you—I won’t forgive you. And because of your mistakes, I also no longer have a good impression of the others. This is all your doing.”
Cough, cough… “Also, your little act of suffering won’t work on me. From now on, don’t appear in front of me.”
By the end, her voice was weak, barely audible, but every word hit them like a hammer.
Even Yu Jin and the others in the corridor froze mid-step at the sound.
Chu Fufeng’s face drained of color. He seemed to want to speak but resigned himself instead, slowly standing and staggering away.
Yu Jin helped him slightly, noticing his reddened eyes and the mixture of guilt and helplessness within them.
Yu Jin patted his arm carefully, then entered the room.
“Madam, I made some porridge. Please eat a little first.”
After speaking so sharply, Hua Mian looked even paler. She sipped the porridge slowly and then lay back down.
Yu Jin gritted his teeth, about to say something, but Chen Xueji stopped him with a look.
“Madam, Fufeng is young and impulsive. He did wrong this time, and it was also our fault for not restraining him. Please punish him.”
Chen Xueji knelt first, followed by Yu Jin, Chi Rui, and Yan An at her bedside.
“Madam, I didn’t report my whereabouts to my brothers, which worried them and caused you to get hurt. Please punish me,” Yan An said, trembling.
Hua Mian was momentarily speechless at how much he cried. She had never seen someone cry so much.
Her gaze then landed on Chi Rui, who was sneakily watching her. He quickly lowered his head.
“I don’t like foolish idiots. Don’t let him appear in my sight again,” Hua Mian said calmly.
After all she had suffered, why should Chu Fufeng act as if he had done nothing wrong?
Moreover, she hadn’t ordered him to kneel. Pretending to suffer to manipulate her? How disgusting.
She especially hated being misunderstood without cause!
Chen Xueji knew Chu Fufeng had truly angered Hua Mian this time, but the fault lay entirely with him. There was no fixing it.
After finishing her porridge, Hua Mian had Chen Xueji stay with her while the others left, and she fell asleep again.
Chen Xueji still felt a little uneasy. Once comforted, he would always recall the first time he met Hua Mian, leaving him somewhat lost.
Yu Jin went to check on Chu Fufeng.
He was sitting in a desolate room.
“Don’t worry, she doesn’t blame Yan An,” Yu Jin said.
“That’s good,” Chu Fufeng’s voice was low, fragile like it could be blown away by the wind.
“Yu Jin, I brought Yan An along. I couldn’t help worrying about him. Her past treatment of Yan An made me instinctively fear she had done something to him again.”
“I know. It’s not your fault.”
“I was too impulsive. She was right. I made her impression of you all worse—especially Yan An. He’s timid, yet he dared to face her alone…”
It was clear he felt guilty.
“What’s done is done. Nothing more can change it. Better to look forward. She didn’t like us before anyway,” Yu Jin patted Chu Fufeng’s shoulder.
“But from now on, you can’t lay a hand on her. She’s female, and injuring her already breaks the law. The fact that she didn’t report you is mercy,” Yu Jin continued.
“And if she really had died, we’d all be doomed too. Not worth it.”
Chu Fufeng nodded seriously.
“Rest now. I brought a restorative potion. Drink it.”
After Yu Jin left, Chu Fufeng was still lost in thought, reflecting on how he had been spared…
