Jiang Lulian's expression grew dim, "So, even if I change, it's still useless?"
"No, I'm glad you're changing because you're becoming a better person. And a better you deserves a better woman. Right now, I'm not good enough."
"But I think you're good enough," Jiang Lulian said.
"I don't want to get married," Ming Yutong said softly, but her gaze was firm, making it clear to Jiang Lulian that this wasn't just an excuse—she truly felt this way.
"I will never get married in my life. You need a wife, a family, an heir. I don't want to get married or be in a relationship. I've always been alone, so I'm not good enough."
Ming Yutong took a deep breath, "You're a great person, and I'm happy to have met you. If possible, I'd like to be friends with you. But beyond that, I'm sorry, I can't do it."
"I don't believe that people's thoughts never change," Jiang Lulian said. "I might not be able to spend my whole life pursuing you, but I can set a deadline for myself. I'm still young, and although my family has been looking for potential wives for me, they haven't pressured me. So, until then, I'll keep pursuing you."
Ming Yutong was surprised that despite her clear refusal, Jiang Lulian still persisted.
When did she become so attractive?
"You have the right to not like me, but I also have the right to pursue you," Jiang Lulian said with a slight smile and confidence. "I'll do my best to avoid causing you trouble. Things like today won't happen again. I'll try to avoid things that make you uncomfortable. If I do something by mistake, just tell me directly, and I'll correct it."
"I…"
"Whether or not you eventually agree to be with me, at least I've made an effort. I won't have regrets if I've tried. If I give up just because of a few words from you, I'd look down on myself and regret not persisting."
Jiang Lulian looked at her deeply, "Yutong, you deserve this kind of persistence from me."
Ming Yutong was at a loss for words, unsure how to respond to Jiang Lulian.
It wasn't worth tearing his face off for this matter.
He hadn't really done anything wrong.
"The persistence is useless," Fu Yinxiu's voice cut in coldly.
Both Ming Yutong and Jiang Lulian looked in surprise as Fu Yinxiu appeared silently behind Ming Yutong.
In one swift motion, Fu Yinxiu pulled Ming Yutong into his arms, encircling her shoulders from behind.
The action was so quick that neither Jiang Lulian nor Ming Yutong had time to react.
Ming Yutong started to struggle, but Fu Yinxiu wrapped his other arm around her as well.
His warm palms pressed against her flat stomach, and his body pressed tightly against her back.
Ming Yutong's entire body went rigid, her breathing quickened, and her face turned pale as she glared angrily at Fu Yinxiu. "Let go of me!"
Fu Yinxiu gave her a cold look, remembering how she had hit him the night before and was now involved with Jiang Lulian.
"Everything you said to me was just nonsense?" Fu Yinxiu's voice was icy.
Before Ming Yutong could process what was happening, Fu Yinxiu turned his gaze to Jiang Lulian. "Pursue her? But she's already been with me. What will you do about that? Long before your families were discussing a marriage alliance, she was already in my bed."
Ming Yutong turned to look at Fu Yinxiu in disbelief.
How could he… How could he insult her like this?
Her face turned completely white, her pupils fluttering in her eyes.
How could he demean her like this?
"Fu Yinxiu!" Jiang Lulian, now completely disregarding Fu Yinxiu's strength and his previous intentions to befriend him, said, "Are you proud of defaming a woman? Just because you can't have her, you try to ruin her reputation. Is that how a man should act?"
"Defamation?" Fu Yinxiu sneered. "You can ask her yourself if you don't believe me."
Before Jiang Lulian could look at Ming Yutong, she closed her eyes.
She didn't regret being with Fu Yinxiu, but hearing him speak like this made her feel so worthless that she couldn't even face Jiang Lulian's gaze.
He had trusted and defended her, but she wasn't worth it.
Tears spilled from her tightly closed eyes.
Well, it didn't matter.
She wasn't going to accept Jiang Lulian anyway, so why waste his time and let him persist?
Even if, after today, he only had contempt for her, it was fine.
"Yes," Ming Yutong forced herself to open her eyes, looking at Jiang Lulian through her tears. "What he said is true. I'm sorry for disappointing you."
Fu Yinxiu didn't feel any satisfaction. He knew that hurting her this way was causing her pain, but he couldn't stand to see her entangled with another man, even if it meant she would hate him.
Seeing her cry because of their past and because Jiang Lulian knew about it, Fu Yinxiu was consumed by a furious rage.
Was she really so concerned about Jiang Lulian's opinion?
She kept saying she would be alone for the rest of her life, but wasn't she showing affection for Jiang Lulian?
"You…" Jiang Lulian was at a loss for words.
"I…"
The news was too sudden for him to process immediately.
"'You you' what?" Fu Yinxiu said impatiently. "I've seen, touched, and kissed every inch of her. Do you need to see it with your own eyes to be satisfied?"
Ming Yutong trembled with anger and struggled fiercely. "Fu Yinxiu, let me go!"
But Fu Yinxiu held her tightly, like an iron grip.
No matter how much Ming Yutong struggled, it was futile.
She couldn't care about anything else now, struggling desperately in Fu Yinxiu's embrace.