Gu Xun had sustained internal injuries. He looked fine on the outside, but he was actually gravely wounded.

The doctor ordered him to remain on bed rest.

Thinking of Pei Yan’s shameless behavior, Gu Xun decided to be a little shameless himself.

"The doctor said I should move as little as possible. I’m afraid I’ll have to impose upon your estate for a while."

Since they weren’t married, it was highly improper for him to be staying with the Mei family.

But Gu Xun felt he had no choice. He couldn’t just let Pei Yan continue to harass Mei Wanying.

He had worked so hard for this opportunity, step by step growing closer to the woman he admired. He couldn’t bear the risk of losing her.

The estate had guest courtyards, so Mei Wanying didn’t refute Gu Xun’s words.

His recovery was what mattered most; it wouldn’t do to be left with a chronic ailment.

It was just that there were some things she needed to make clear to Gu Xun.

’The wedding is off. Pei Yan is a madman, and there’s no telling what he’ll do next.’

’I can’t keep dragging innocent people into this. This feeling of guilt is unbearable.’

’It’s best to make a clean break.’

"Mr. Gu..."

The moment she opened her mouth, Gu Xun had a bad feeling.

Not wanting to hear what she was about to say, Gu Xun forced a smile and cut Mei Wanying off.

"Today is New Year’s Eve, you must be very busy. And Ling can’t do without you. Why don’t you go on back? I’m fine here."

His attempt to evade the topic was obvious.

But Mei Wanying refused to let things drag on; that would only hurt them both.

She had already brought trouble upon Gu Xun. This time he was seriously injured. Would he lose his life next?

Pei Yan’s target was her and Ling. Anyone who got close to them would become his victim.

She didn’t want to wait until things reached that point, only to regret not cutting ties sooner.

Mei Wanying took a deep breath and continued, "Mr. Gu, I’m the one who dragged you into this, and I don’t want a similar situation to ever happen again. The engagement is canceled."

"The Mei family will take responsibility for quelling the rumors. Mr. Gu, I am truly sorry. You may also make a request, and the Mei family will do its utmost to compensate you."

She would also return the list of family assets he had entrusted to her, in full.

’I just pray Pei Yan stops this madness and doesn’t hurt any more innocent people.’

Leaning against the headboard, Gu Xun looked at Mei Wanying’s calm face and suddenly gave a self-mocking laugh.

’What right did I have to provoke Pei Yan?’

’Mei Wanying doesn’t have me in her heart either...’

Bitterness spread through his limbs, and even his mouth tasted sour.

Even after she had said all that, he still couldn’t bring himself to let go.

This was the woman he had fallen for at first sight. He had come so close to having her, only to lose her in an instant.

Gu Xun found it impossible to accept.

He couldn’t be as aggressive and obsessive as Pei Yan; all he could do was plead with Mei Wanying for a chance.

"I’m not afraid of him. Let him use whatever tricks he has. Don’t feel like you’ve dragged me down. I’m doing this of my own free will."

’Winning the heart of the woman you admire is supposed to come at a cost.’

’Wanying doesn’t want my power or fortune. If I don’t even have the courage to stand up to Pei Yan, what right do I have to love her?’

Gu Xun had always been measured and considerate with Mei Wanying, never putting her in a difficult position.

This was the first time he had insisted on a chance.

"Ah Yin, let me stay with you."

He had finally called her by that name.

Gu Xun’s ears burned hot, and his tongue felt strange, as if savoring the name.

Ah Yin.

Ah Yin...

He had wanted to call her that for so long.

Heaven only knew how jealous he was of Pei Yan, who had been able to call her by that name for years.

The man’s gaze was scorching, full of determination and fearlessness.

He was laying his heart bare before her, and it made Mei Wanying panic.

True sincerity was precious; she could not bring herself to trample on his feelings.

Being clear with him was the only way to show respect to them both.

Mei Wanying rose to her feet and said earnestly, "Mr. Gu, it was wrong of me to use you before. You have a bright future ahead of you. There’s no need to waste it on me." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

She was always like this, laying her thoughts out plainly.

She left no room for anyone to feign ignorance.

Gu Xun’s heart ached, but her frank honesty was precisely what he found most attractive about her.

He murmured, "I was the one who begged to be used by you. How could you be at fault?"

Who was right and who was wrong was no longer clear.

Mei Wanying said gently, "Just focus on your recovery. I won’t let any riffraff disturb you."

Though dejected, Gu Xun clung to a sliver of hope.

Mei Wanying had called off the engagement, but she hadn’t accepted Pei Yan, either.

As long as she remained unmarried, he still had a chance.

Gu Xun quickly sorted through his thoughts and stopped insisting on a chance.

’As long as I conduct myself well, there will be other opportunities.’

’I can’t be like Pei Yan; that would only push Wanying further away.’

Having figured this out, Gu Xun reverted to his usual dashing demeanor. "Then let’s do as you say. For now, we won’t get married."

’He still hasn’t given up.’

Mei Wanying felt a headache coming on. Gu Xun and Pei Yan were cousins, alright—both equally stubborn.

Saying anything more would be pointless. She could only let Gu Xun rest for now.

"Miss Mei, His Highness can’t seem to soothe the child. He asks that you return as soon as possible."

Wei Jue’s words fanned the flames of Mei Wanying’s fury once more.

Her emotions were once again on the verge of spiraling out of control.

Gu Xun ground his teeth. ’Pei Yan will even use a child. He’s more shameless than I ever imagined.’

He said understandingly, "You should hurry back. Ling doesn’t like strangers."

Wei Jue shot Gu Xun a look.

’This man deserved that beating,’ he thought. ’What does he mean, "stranger"?’

’That’s the child’s own father!’

’If His Highness were to hear this, a certain someone would be getting another thrashing...’

To Mei Wanying, Pei Yan was a dangerous presence. Fearing for her child’s safety, she had no choice but to hurry back to her own courtyard.

「The East Courtyard.」

Pei Yan sat bolt upright in a chair, holding his daughter with stiff arms and legs. His back was straight, and he dared not move an inch.

Ding Xiang and the other serving maids also stood frozen, hardly daring to breathe as they stared at him intently.

They were terrified he would drop the baby.

To Ling, Pei Yan was a stranger.

The large man and the small child stared at each other for a long time. Just when Pei Yan thought his daughter was starting to accept him, that she liked him, the little one opened her mouth and began to wail.

Ding Xiang said, "Your Highness, why don’t you let me try and calm her down?"

Pei Yan refused.

He was the child’s father. Ling had been alive for this long, and he hadn’t looked after her for a single day. It was a dereliction of his duty.

’I must do well today.’

He didn’t know how to say sweet things, so he could only repeat over and over, "Don’t cry."

Ling didn’t listen and continued to wail.

Sweat beaded on Pei Yan’s forehead.

He wanted to rock his arms—that was how Ah Yin had soothed the child the other day—but his arms refused to obey.

He didn’t dare move, terrified that any motion would make him drop his daughter.

Ding Xiang was mentally calculating the time. ’Ling should be due for a diaper change.’

She had wanted to "snatch" the baby back to soothe her, but now she wasn’t in any hurry.

She silently began to count.

A sudden warmth spread across the arm Pei Yan was using to support the child.

At first, he frowned in confusion.

Then, as realization dawned, his handsome face went slack.

When he saw Mei Wanying return, it was as if he’d seen his savior.

All thoughts of Gu Xun and jealousy were tossed to the back of his mind.

"Ah Yin, save me!"

"She peed on me!"

Mei Wanying, who had been rushing, slowed her pace upon hearing his words.

More than half of the anger pent up in her heart dissipated.

"Too bad she didn’t do it on your head!"

Pei Yan: "..."