Chapter 161, let's end it here.
I want to take this opportunity to apologize to her. I want to say sorry to her face-to-face, even if she will never forgive me.
His voice trembled slightly.
"But I swear, I really have no ill intentions towards you. From the first time I saw you, you were like a clean breeze that blew into my gloomy life. I dare not defile you in the slightest."
"nonsense!"
Qiao Wanyin suddenly shouted, her voice rising abruptly.
She stepped forward, her face flushed, and pointed her finger directly at Lin Zhiming.
"This was all a setup by him! From beginning to end, it was a carefully orchestrated trap! You think he's a gentleman? He's the hunter, and you're the prey he chose!"
Qiu Zishu's heart was racing, and his ears were ringing.
Two voices were violently pulling and colliding in my head.
One is Sister Wanyin, who has loved and protected her since childhood.
One is the gentleman who has taken her to experience the world these past few days and has captured her heart.
Reason told her she should side with Wan Yin.
But emotionally, she couldn't see this gentle and polite man in front of her as a bad person.
"Sister Wanyin..."
Qiu Zishu broke free from Qiao Wanyin's hand.
"I know you mean well. But I'm not a child anymore; I have my own thoughts."
She took a step back, creating distance between them.
Qiao Wanyin looked at her, disbelief in her eyes.
"Zishu, you... how could you become like this? Who is he? How many days have you known him? How could he so easily pry open your heart?"
Her voice trembled.
"I've protected you for so many years, and you're going to push me away for an outsider?"
“Mr. Lin has been very respectful to me these past few days.”
Qiu Zishu spoke slowly.
"He took me to see exhibitions and lectures, and told me many things I had never heard before. He said that history is not just the rules and regulations in textbooks, but the struggles and choices of living people."
She looked directly into Qiao Wanyin's eyes, without flinching or avoiding them.
"Even if he made mistakes in the past, shouldn't people have a chance to correct them? Who hasn't been young? Who hasn't taken the wrong path?"
Lin Zhiming lowered his head.
"Thank you for believing me, Ms. Qiu."
His shoulders trembled slightly.
“I can understand Aqing’s feelings. If it were me, I would never forgive someone I’m closest to if I saw them being hurt.”
Lin Zhiming paused, his voice even lower.
"If my presence has damaged your relationship or ruined your friendship, I can leave immediately and never appear in your world again."
Upon hearing this, Qiu Zishu felt a sudden pang in her heart, as if something had gripped it tightly.
She felt a surge of intense guilt.
She wasn't heartbroken that Lin Zhiming was about to leave.
Instead, I felt sorry for him that he was willing to be so humble for a past experience.
Qiu Zishu turned to look at Qiao Wanyin, her eyes filled with disappointment and confusion.
There was even a hint of reproach in her tone.
"Sister Wanyin, why are you like this? Even if Mr. Lin wronged you in the past, that's all in the past."
"People change. You keep saying I've grown up, but why won't you let me see with my own eyes and judge with my own heart?"
“He’s a legitimate businessman now, and he’s also thinking about contributing to the country. Why can’t you give him a chance?”
Qiao Wanyin's face turned pale, and her nails dug deeply into her palms.
“Zishu, we grew up together, studied together, and shared hardships. When have I ever lied to you? When have I ever told you a lie? You and I both know who is truly good to you.”
Qiu Zishu's heart skipped a beat.
But her eyes still revealed stubbornness and obstinacy.
"This isn't about believing or not believing. I can decide who I befriend. You're my friend, but you're not me, and you have no right to decide for me! You can't stop me from seeing other people just because you've been hurt before! Are you that afraid of my happiness?"
The tea room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
The wind outside the window was blocked by the heavy curtains, and the air seemed to freeze.
Qiao Wanyin looked at Qiu Zishu and felt that he was a complete stranger.
Qiu Zishu was the only person she could confide in in the military compound.
Other children envy them for their good family background and powerful connections.
But only they themselves know how lonely the road to adulthood is.
The two accompanied and understood each other.
She cherished this friendship dearly.
So she simply couldn't bear to watch her jump into the fire!
Qiao Wanyin knew Lin Zhiming better than anyone else.
Behind those seemingly sincere smiles lies scheming and deception.
But now, she's being treated as the stingy and unreasonable one.
"OK."
Qiao Wanyin spoke, her voice cold.
"Since you've made up your mind, there's nothing more I can say. I've advised you and warned you; the rest of the path is your own choice."
Before she turned around, she took one last look at Qiu Zishu.
There was pain, hatred, and even more so, an unspeakable disappointment in his eyes.
"I just hope that by the time you discover his true colors, it won't be too late. Don't blame me for not warning you then."
After saying that, Qiao Wanyin left without looking back.
The sound of high heels echoed in the quiet tea room.
This made Qiu Zishu tremble slightly.
"Miss Qiu..."
Lin Zhiming called out softly, his voice full of heartache.
"I'm sorry, I really didn't expect things to turn out this way. I shouldn't have put you in such a difficult position, but... I just care about you so much that I couldn't help but want to get closer to you and want the people around you to accept me too."
Qiu Zishu stared at Qiao Wanyin's departing figure, unable to utter a sound.
She always felt...
There's an empty piece in my heart.
"No...it's not your fault."
Qiu Zishu answered in a murmur, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible.
Her fingers gripped the hem of her skirt tightly, her knuckles turning white.
My mind was a mess, filled with Qiao Wanyin's appearance and her questioning.
Lin Zhiming considerately handed over a clean handkerchief.
His movements were gentle, and his eyes were full of concern.
"Wipe your hands."
"Sister Qiao is just having a temporary mental breakdown; she'll understand in a few days."
Lin Zhiming continued.
"You two have been friends for so many years, surely you won't let a little misunderstanding ruin your friendship?"
These were meant to be comforting words, but they made Qiu Zishu feel a pang of sadness.
Misunderstand?
Is it really a misunderstanding?
She dared not think too deeply about it.
Qiu Zishu took the handkerchief, her fingertips touching the soft fabric.
A faint fragrance wafts from it.
The smell was a bit cold, a bit distant, like something from another world.
She rubbed her hands blankly, her movements mechanical and slow.
Qiu Zishu was in a state of confusion, constantly thinking about what had just happened.
Wanyin, why can't you just trust me this once?
She cried out silently in her heart.
Tears welled up in her eyes, but she stubbornly refused to let them fall.
She wished time could turn back.
If we could go back to that very first moment in the teahouse.
She could calmly explain, and she could hold Qiao Wanyin's hand and explain everything clearly.
But now, it's all too late.
Ever since that day when we had a falling out at the teahouse.
Qiu Zishu started avoiding Qiao Wanyin.
For seven whole days, the two did not see each other. Even when she made impulsive choices, he simply stood by and silently protected her.
But at this moment, his eyes revealed a rare determination.
“Li An, I just went to warn him—”
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