Feng Ran watched Huang Qianqian's delicate, pitiable appearance. Clearly, she was the one who had done wrong, yet she acted as if Feng Ran was to blame. Her demeanor was as if she had suffered immense injustice. Unknowing onlookers would pity Huang Qianqian greatly, while viewing Feng Ran as utterly wicked.
But Feng Ran paid no mind to what others thought. What did it matter how they perceived her? She wouldn't concern herself with such things. Even if the recent events hadn't occurred, the people around her already held prejudices. So why should she change herself?
Previously, she had tried to appease these people, thinking that human hearts were made of flesh and blood. If she behaved well, eventually they would cease to trouble her. But in the end, everything unfolded contrary to her expectations. Later, she gradually stopped caring about those people. She cared even less about what they thought.
Feng Ran did not verbally forgive Huang Qianqian, but instead let her continue kneeling. Those present did not understand why Feng Ran was being so stubborn. Since Huang Qianqian had apologized, it would be sufficient to let her go. Moreover, she had claimed it was unintentional. Why should Feng Ran be so overbearing?
The surrounding crowd was in an uproar. Although the fault originally lay with Huang Qianqian, her acting was so superb that the onlookers completely believed Huang Qianqian was being tormented by Feng Ran. Huang Qianqian, kneeling on the ground, had expected to get up soon. She never imagined that Feng Ran wouldn't immediately tell her to rise, but would keep her kneeling. At this point, she was starting to falter.
Those nearby were constantly defending Huang Qianqian, painting Feng Ran as heartless. Huang Qianqian's knees ached fiercely. As more people gathered, her voice, thick with emotion and choked with tears, pleaded, "Feng Ran, I have already knelt and apologized to you. Don't you forgive me?"
"Feng Ran, tell me, what must I do for you to let me go?"
Feng Ran looked at the person kneeling on the ground, desperately begging for forgiveness, with an innocent expression. She said with confusion, "Huang Qianqian, you apologize to me? But with such a contorted face and a hateful gaze, how can you expect me to believe you are apologizing to me?"
Sheng Yi paused for a moment, her eyes filled with understanding as she glanced at Huang Qianqian. So that was it. Huang Qianqian wasn't sincerely apologizing; she was only doing so because of the crowd, fearing she would lose face. It was not a genuine apology.
Huang Qianqian knelt on the ground, her tearful appearance, rather than an apology, seemed to be telling everyone that she was not apologizing willingly; she was forced. She even presented herself as if she had done nothing wrong at all. However, with so many people watching, the situation would likely escalate, and the unfolding events might put Feng Ran in an even more difficult position. Sheng Yi did not want Feng Ran to be implicated in these matters.
Sheng Yi walked over to Feng Ran, took her hand, and gently patted her, saying, "Feng Ran, since she has apologized, let it be."
"After all, it's best not to dwell too much on those who act inhumanely."
Feng Ran nodded, glanced at Huang Qianqian still kneeling on the ground, and said earnestly, "I did not ask you to kneel; you chose to kneel yourself."
"Get up. You are kneeling in front of so many people. Are you truly apologizing to me, or are you trying to humiliate me?"
Huang Qianqian remained kneeling on the ground, not because she was unwilling to rise, but because she had been kneeling for too long, and her legs could no longer stand straight. Feng Ran then reached out and helped Huang Qianqian up.
Huang Qianqian was stunned. For a moment, she was completely at a loss for words. In her estimation, Feng Ran should have been kicking her while she was down. But instead, Feng Ran reached out and supported her. This was completely contrary to her expectations. Shouldn't Feng Ran seize this opportunity to make things difficult for her? Her mind was in a complete mess.
Before Huang Qianqian could react, Feng Ran took her hand and whispered in her ear, "Huang Qianqian, did you really think I didn't know your tricks? I simply couldn't be bothered to deal with you."
"Huang Qianqian, taking action against someone like you, I only feel it would soil my own hands."
Hearing Feng Ran's words, Huang Qianqian froze. So, Feng Ran had known what she was trying to do from the beginning, but simply didn't want to bother with her. And here she was, feeling smug. Now, she felt like a clown performing a cheap act. Feng Ran must be laughing at her, she thought. Ha, so she was the joke all along.
Sheng Yi watched Feng Ran and Huang Qianqian talking, observing them closely, worried that Huang Qianqian might do something to Feng Ran. Sheng Yi looked at Feng Ran with great tenderness, saying, "Feng Ran, you are clearly the one who was slandered and wronged. Yet, why are those people able to speak such malicious words to you with such righteous indignation?"
Sheng Yi said with concern, "Feng Ran, don't be afraid, and don't worry. I am here, and nothing will happen."
"If some people want to frame you and harm you, I will not let their schemes succeed."
Sheng Yi's words changed the way people looked at Huang Qianqian. Indeed, this matter was not Feng Ran's fault from beginning to end. Yet, somehow, the blame ended up falling on her. Some things were truly peculiar. Sheng Yi's words caused everyone around to point fingers at Huang Qianqian. Finally, feeling too ashamed to stay any longer, Huang Qianqian chose to leave. The matter thus came to a close.
...
Half a month later, Feng Ran had recovered significantly. She proposed to Sheng Yi that she could start receiving guests again. She understood clearly that her ability to rest during this period was all thanks to Feng Ran's constant support. She couldn't make Sheng Yi endure any more hardship. Sheng Yi had already suffered enough because of her affairs.
Sheng Yi wanted to say more, but Feng Ran's pleading finally wore her down, and she reluctantly agreed to Feng Ran's request. Feng Ran walked out of the side room, even imitating the others, but ultimately, she couldn't shake off her inhibitions. She could only stand there quietly, her gaze somewhat vacant. As those wicked eyes fell upon her, she instinctively wanted to evade them. She even wanted to flee, to escape from all of this. She remembered what Xuanyuan Heng had told her: "Feng Ran, live a lowly life for the rest of your days."