After Ye Huanhuan and Tang Yi left, the Ye family villa finally returned to peace. Ye Haiming said to Gao Yalan, "The doctor said you need to rest. Huanhuan has left, so you should go and rest now."
After saying that, he instructed Wu Ma, "Wu Ma, help Madam upstairs."
Gao Yalan knew that Ye Haiming wanted to get rid of her so he could teach Ye Ru a lesson. She glanced at Ye Ru with some concern and instructed Ye Haiming, "Just talk to her nicely, don't hit her again."
Ye Haiming nodded. "Okay, I understand."
After Gao Yalan went upstairs, Ye Haiming sat on the sofa next to her. He looked at Ye Ru quietly and asked in a deep voice:
"Ye Ru, how have your mother and I treated you all these years?"
Ye Ru lowered her head slightly, not daring to look Ye Haiming in the eye, and answered softly, "Dad, you and Mom are very good to me."
Ye Haiming's voice carried a hint of disappointment and heartache as he continued, "Since you know that your father and mother are good to you, why did you repeatedly frame Huanhuan? You clearly know how much effort your mother and I put into finding Huanhuan. Why did you do this?"
His gaze was fixed on Ye Ru, hoping to find the answer in her expression.
Ye Ru's face turned pale, her lips trembled slightly, but she did not speak.
Ye Haiming sighed, his tone softening slightly, and asked again, "Do you feel like you're not our biological child, which is why you did this?"
Ye Ru looked up, tears welling in her eyes, "Dad, I...I don't know what to say..."
A hint of helplessness flashed in Ye Haiming's eyes as he said slowly, "Whatever you're thinking, you can tell me. We're family, there's nothing we can't talk about."
Ye Ru was silent for a moment, then choked up and said, "Dad, I've always been jealous of Huanhuan. Ever since the first day she came back, I've had the same dream every night. In the dream, you, Mom, and my brother don't want me anymore. You only have eyes for Huanhuan and can't see me at all. I'm scared..."
Ye Haiming frowned. "Those are just dreams. You're overthinking it."
Ye Ru shook her head, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I know it was a dream, but Dad, I just couldn't control myself..."
"But your act of framing Huanhuan will only make us more and more disappointed in you!"
"I...I know I was wrong...Dad, I'll never do it again..."
Seeing that Ye Ru seemed genuinely repentant, Ye Haiming sighed deeply and said earnestly:
"Don't do this again. Huanhuan and Tang Yi let you off this time only because of your mother. If it happens again, your mother and I really won't be able to protect you. Do you understand?"
Ye Ru nodded repeatedly: "I understand, Dad. I won't dare to do it again next time..."
"Alright, stop crying."
Ye Haiming rubbed his throbbing temples and continued, "Dad has found you a marriage partner. It's Sheng Tianxiang, the heir to the Dingsheng Group in W City. He's about your age. I'll arrange for you two to meet in the next few days. Xiaoru, don't bother Huanhuan anymore. Just live your own life, okay?"
Upon hearing this news, Ye Ting seemed even more excited than Ye Ru.
"Dad! How could you arrange a marriage for Xiaoru without considering her feelings? Did you even ask for her opinion?"
"Ye Ting, this has nothing to do with you! And there's no room for negotiation on this!"
Ye Haiming's face darkened. He glared at Ye Ting and continued, "Do you know what Dingsheng Group means? If Xiaoru can marry into their family, it will be entirely beneficial to our Ye family."
Ye Ru bit her lip, knowing she had no right to refuse, especially not at a time like this.
Ye Ting wanted to say something more, but Ye Haiming interrupted him, "Alright, this matter is settled. Xiaoru, get ready to meet Sheng Tianxiang in a couple of days."
After saying that, Ye Haiming stood up, turned around, and walked upstairs. Ye Ru silently watched his back, her heart filled with helplessness and grievance.
Ye Ting, his fists clenched in anger, waited until Ye Haiming's figure had completely disappeared before speaking to Ye Ru:
"Xiaoru, why didn't you resist just now? Do you also want to be with that Sheng Tianxiang?"
Ye Ru, with a mournful face and a helpless expression, said:
"Brother...do I still have the right to resist?"
“Xiaoru…”
Ye Ting looked unwilling and promised Ye Ru, "Don't worry, I won't let Dad marry you off to someone you don't like, whether it was Herbert back then or Sheng Tianxiang now!"
Ye Ru was deeply moved. She knew that in this family, only Ye Ting was truly sincere towards her. She suddenly threw herself into Ye Ting's arms, sobbing as she said:
“Brother, no need. I know you mean well, but Dad's decision isn't so easily changed. You've finally come back from W City, so don't upset Dad again…”
The more Ye Ru acted this way, the more heartbroken Ye Ting became. He hugged Ye Ru tightly, patted her back, and softly comforted her:
"Xiaoru, don't worry, your brother will definitely find a way."
Although Ye Ru kept shaking her head, her tears soaked Ye Ting's chest, and she choked out:
"Brother, it's really not necessary. I'm already very content with you caring about me..."
Ye Ting felt a pang of tenderness in his heart. He suddenly hated himself, hated his incompetence, hated that he couldn't even protect the people he cared about.
He hugged Ye Ru tightly and promised through gritted teeth, "Xiao Ru, don't worry, I will definitely stop this marriage!"
Ye Ru raised her head, suddenly stood on tiptoe, hooked her arms around Ye Ting's neck, and gently placed a kiss on his cheek.
"Brother, thank you. In this family, you're the only one who truly cares about me..."
Ye Ru's kiss stunned Ye Ting. His head felt like it was spinning, and an unnatural blush appeared on his face. He stammered, "..."
"Xiao...Xiaoru, what...what are you doing..."
Ye Ru smiled through her tears, raised her hand to wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes, rested her face against Ye Ting's chest, and murmured softly:
"Brother, you're so good to me. But don't worry, I'll listen to Dad and won't cause you any trouble. With you here, I'm already very happy. It doesn't matter who I'm with, it's all the same to me."
Ye Ting looked down at Ye Ru, and a strange feeling suddenly rose in his heart. This feeling made him want to take Ye Ru away and fly away.
His mouth moved faster than his brain; he blurted out, "What do you mean, Ye Ru?"
"Xiaoru, let's elope together?"
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