Chapter 186 Giving Pei Zhi a Chance

“I know you don’t want to rely on others, but it’s okay to rely on them appropriately, not to be weak.”

Ye Wanning suddenly felt a pang of sadness. She knew Pei Zhi was right, but her past life experiences told her...

The only way to protect herself is to become strong enough that no one dares to hurt her.

"I don't need your support," Ye Wanning said stubbornly. "I can solve all my problems myself, you don't need to meddle."

Pei Zhi's eyes darkened, a hint of disappointment in his heart, but he still smiled and said, "Alright, I won't interfere."

I'm always here whenever you need me.

After saying that, he turned to leave.

"Pei Zhi!" Ye Wanning suddenly called out to him.

Pei Zhi stopped and turned to look at her: "What's wrong?"

Ye Wanning watched his retreating figure, her guilt growing ever stronger. She wanted to thank him, and also wanted to apologize.

But the words stuck in his throat.

Finally, she simply said to him, "It's nothing, be careful on the road."

Pei Zhi smiled and said, "Okay."

Watching Pei Zhi's departing figure, Ye Wanning felt a mix of emotions. She knew her words had been hurtful.

But I just can't control myself; I don't want him to feel like he can't live without me.

That night, Ye Wanning sat in her room, unable to fall asleep.

She remembered everything Pei Zhi had done for her, his gentle eyes, and the injuries he sustained protecting her.

My mental defenses began to crumble.

"Miss, you're still awake?" Chun Tao came in carrying a bowl of late-night snack. "I made your favorite red bean paste cake, would you like to try some?"

Ye Wanning looked at the red bean paste cake and suddenly remembered that Pei Zhi also liked to eat it. A thought struck her, and she said to Chun Tao:

"Chuntao, make some more red bean paste cakes, pack them up, and send them to someone for me."

"Who is it for?" Chuntao asked curiously.

“Pei Zhi,” Ye Wanning said softly, “Don’t say it was from me, just say… it’s a small token of our appreciation from the branch.”

Chun Tao paused for a moment, then understood, and said with a smile, "Okay! I'll go do it right away!"

Watching Chun Tao leave happily, Ye Wanning's face flushed slightly.

She knew this was awkward, but she really didn't know how to face Pei Zhi, so she could only resort to this method.

Express gratitude and guilt quietly.

When Chuntao delivered the red bean paste cake to the Pei residence, Pei Zhi was busy with something in his study.

"Lord Pei, this is a red bean paste cake that the branch sent me to deliver, saying it's to thank you for your previous help." Chun Tao deliberately avoided mentioning Ye Wanning.

Pei Zhi picked up a piece and put it in his mouth. The sweet aroma filled his mouth, but his heart was even sweeter than the red bean paste cake.

Of course he knew it was Ye Wanning who sent it. Only she knew he liked red bean paste cakes, and only she would send them over in such an awkward way.

"Please thank Madam Ye for me," Pei Zhi said with a smile. "Tell her not to worry about the medicinal herbs."

"If you need anything in the future, just let me know."

“Yes, Lord Pei.” Chun Tao nodded and turned to leave.

Pei Zhi looked at the still-warm red bean paste cake on the table, and the smile on his lips lingered for a long time.

He knew that Ye Wanning already had feelings for him, but she wasn't ready yet and needed more time.

It's okay, he can wait, until she truly lets go of the past and is willing to accept him.

When Ye Wanning and Chun Tao returned, they learned that Pei Zhi had accepted the red bean paste cake and had told her to contact him if she needed anything.

The weight has finally been lifted off my shoulders.

She knew that things were truly starting to ease between her and Pei Zhi. Perhaps, she could truly let go of the past.

Give Pei Zhi a chance, and give yourself a chance too.

Just then, Jiang Ruoyan learned that Ye Wanning's problem with medicinal herbs had been solved, and she was so angry that she gritted her teeth.

"Damn it! Who's helping Ye Wanning behind the scenes?"

Jiang Ruoyan slammed the teacup on the table onto the floor: "I've already warned all the suppliers, who would dare to supply her now?"

Her personal maid said, "Miss, I heard that the medicinal herbs were sent by an anonymous merchant, and no one knows who it was."

However, only Lord Pei possesses such great ability and dares to oppose you.

Pei Zhi! It's him again!

Jiang Ruoyan's eyes were filled with malice: What's so good about that bitch Ye Wanning that Pei Zhi would protect her like this!

The maid said, "Miss, since running out of stock isn't working, why don't we try another method? For example... tamper with her medicinal herbs."

"She ruined someone's life by treating them badly!"

Jiang Ruoyan's eyes lit up: "Great idea! How come I didn't think of that? Go and contact Su Biao right away!"

"Make him find a way to tamper with Ye Wanning's medicinal herbs, so she'll regret it!"

"Yes, Miss!" The maidservant acknowledged the order and left.

Jiang Ruoyan stared out the window, her eyes filled with malice: "Ye Wanning, let's see who can save you this time!"

I will make sure you are utterly disgraced and leave Pei Zhi forever!

She hadn't expected that her words would be overheard by Pei Zhi's guards.

The guard returned and reported to Pei Zhi. Upon hearing this, Pei Zhi felt a chill run down his spine.

"Jiang Ruoyan, Su Biao..." Pei Zhi murmured the two names, "It seems I should teach them a lesson."

They won't stay put.

He immediately ordered his bodyguards: "Monitor Su Biao. Stop him if he makes any move, and gather evidence."

I will make them pay for their actions!

"Yes, Lord Pei!" The guard acknowledged the order and left.

Pei Zhi stood by the window, filled with worry. He knew that Jiang Ruoyan and Su Biao were both ruthless people.

They certainly won't let this go.

The morning in Jiangnan was still shrouded in a thin mist. Ye Wanning, along with Su Xiao and Chun Tao, concluded their free clinic in the suburbs.

Walk along the mountain road towards the branch campus.

There were also several packets of herbs in the bamboo basket, which were prepared for the elderly living alone in the village.

Ye Wanning walked at the front, her steps light and quick, humming a nursery rhyme her mother had taught her, looking unusually relaxed.

"Master, many grandfathers and grandmothers have recovered from this free clinic, and they even said they want to send a banner to the branch hospital!"

Su Xiao skipped and jumped behind, panting with excitement.

"No need to see them off, they're having a hard time," Ye Wanning said with a smile as she turned around. "As long as they're healthy..."

That's better than anything else.

Chuntao nodded: "Miss is right, but it's a good thing to gain everyone's approval."

The three were chatting and laughing when, just as they rounded a bend in the mountain road, a dozen or so people suddenly emerged from the woods on either side, each carrying knives and clubs.

The leader, with a face full of scars and a frightening scar over his left eye, was none other than Su Biao, a remnant of Master Su's gang.

"Ye Wanning! I've finally waited for you!" Su Biao grinned, revealing yellow teeth, his eyes as fierce as a wolf's.

"Pay with your life to compensate the Su family for their losses!"

“Su Biao, Master Su has committed numerous evils. His exile three thousand miles away is what he deserves. What does it have to do with me?”

Ye Wanning said calmly, quickly scanning her surroundings for an opportunity to break through.

"What's it to you?" Su Biao roared. "If it weren't for your meddling, how could our Su family have fallen?"

How could my elder brother be exiled? Today I will not only kill you, but also steal the "Secret Essentials of the Green Bag," leaving you with a gruesome death!

The bandits behind him jeered and brandished their knives and clubs, pressing closer and closer with murderous intent.

Chun Tao was terrified and tightly gripped Ye Wanning's sleeve: "Miss, what should we do? There are too many of them!"

Su Xiao was a little scared, but she still mustered up her courage and said, "Master, I'll fight them!"