Unexpectedly, Song Weiyan overheard Shi Zhili's words.
Recalling Shi Zhili's consistent attitude towards Chen Sangruo, Song Weiyan couldn't help but become wary: "Waiting for our junior sister? What are you planning to do?"
Song Weiyan looked Shi Zhili up and down warily. "You've gone to all this trouble to gather so many of us here. You're not thinking of something new to cause trouble for our junior sister, are you?"
Shi Zhili: ...
He fell silent for a moment, but his prejudice against Shen Sangruo was already deeply ingrained in people's minds, so it was no wonder that Song Weiyan thought of him that way.
Even though he had "turned over a new leaf," Shi Zhili was still somewhat unhappy to be thought of this way by his former friends.
He decided to maintain this image for the time being, adopting a look of incomprehension and impatience.
"What's wrong? Is Chen Sangri that important to you? I haven't done anything yet, and you're already protecting her?"
"Can't you see how important our junior sister is to us?" Song Weiyan retorted without any politeness. "Isn't your only problem that you're still bothered by the fact that our junior sister is our sect's young master?"
Shi Zhili's prejudice against Shen Sangruo stemmed from this; he didn't understand why such an important position as the young sect leader should be given to an "outsider."
Moreover, they had serious doubts about her abilities, feeling that she had "stole" Ye Huai's position and also her rival's position.
"Let me tell you, let alone the young sect master, even if Ninghua Sect were to be renamed 'Sangruo' Sect tomorrow, everyone in our sect would wholeheartedly support it."
Shi Zhili: ...
He felt that Shen Sangruo probably wouldn't want to have her name listed on the sect's website.
"Can't you see how outstanding our junior sister is? She even saved you once in the secret realm," Song Weiyan said indignantly. "I didn't expect you to still be so stubborn."
During the time they were talking, Shen Sangruo had already arrived in front of everyone.
Song Weiyan was about to tell her to stay away from Shi Zhili, but Shi Zhili ignored him and gave Chen Sangruo a bright and refreshing smile.
"Sang Ruo, you've come!"
She was a completely different person from when she was confronting Song Weiyan just now.
His warm tone made it seem as if he and Shen Sangri were longtime friends.
This sudden change of attitude, faster than turning the pages of a book, left Song Weiyan, who was preparing to continue her outburst, completely bewildered.
Song Weiyan: ? ? ?
No, what's going on?
Just now you were so arrogant, how come you're calling me "Sang Ruo" now?
Ye Huai and his companions, who hadn't reacted much before, instantly became alert upon hearing this.
Shi Zhili immediately felt as if countless eyes were on him, but he didn't care.
Sigh, being born the center of attention is also a kind of trouble.
Little did they know that this was a “death stare” from someone.
Shen Sanruo did not expect Shi Zhili to start with zero frames right away.
Being able to do it so naturally, as if nothing had ever happened, without the slightest embarrassment, is a skill in itself.
She thought to herself silently.
"I gathered everyone here only to apologize to you in public for my previous behavior. I don't know why Song Weiyan misunderstood my intentions. A kind word warms the heart for three winter months, while a harsh word chills the heart for six summer months."
Shi Zhili explained what had just happened, looking aggrieved and heartbroken after being misunderstood.
Everyone fell silent for a moment, as if a tea aroma was wafting out.
The Taoist Master Jingxin, standing to the side, couldn't bear to look at him and refused to acknowledge that this was his disciple.
Oh well, at least I apologized to them. So what if it's unbearable?
Song Weiyan was even more confused. How could this person have made him a villain and made him the one who was wrong in just a few words?
"I truly want to apologize to you from the bottom of my heart, Sang Ruo." Shi Zhili's tone was quite sincere.
Before she could say anything more, Song Weiyan interrupted her with her incoherent chatter:
"Stop, stop, stop! How dare you call our junior sister by her nickname? Who's that close to you? Stop trying to get close to our junior sister!"
Song Weiyan realized Shi Zhili's intention and quickly shielded Shen Sangruo behind her, bristling like a mother hen protecting her chicks.
"Ah, I just wanted to ease the tension between me and Sang Ruo," Shi Zhili feigned innocence.
We've been friends for years, so of course I know how to annoy the other person.
Song Weiyan indeed bared her teeth and grimaced, "Are you deliberately trying to disgust me? Are you deliberately trying to go against me? If you call our junior sister by her nickname again with that half-dead look, I'll definitely tear your mouth apart!"
“But your junior sister hasn’t said anything yet.” After Shi Zhili finished speaking, both of them looked at Chen Sangruo.
It was as if they were waiting for her, the "upright and just official," to solve the case.
So, under Shi Zhili's expectant gaze, she smiled and slowly uttered a few words: "I still prefer your previous unruly self."
Shi Zhili: ...
"Alright, alright." Shi Zhili shed the strong smell of tea and instantly returned to normal.
He wasn't quite used to this tea ceremony.
Shen Sangruo remained silent, waiting for Shi Zhili's next move.
Just now, it was as if I was using the tea ceremony to put on a mask for myself, and my behavior was quite unrestrained.
Now that he was back to his true self, Shi Zhili couldn't help but feel a little nervous and awkward.
He took a deep breath, clasped his hands in a fist and bowed deeply to her, saying in an extremely solemn tone:
“Fellow Daoist Shen, in the past, I had no understanding of you and made subjective judgments based solely on my own thoughts, which led to a great prejudice against you and I spoke ill of you. This was not the behavior of a gentleman.”
"After getting to know you over this period of time, Fellow Daoist Shen's character and abilities are impeccable. Your position as the young sect master of Ninghua Sect is beyond doubt. Even when I showed obvious prejudice against you, you were still able to put aside your grudges and save my life when I was in danger in the secret realm."
"Such magnanimity and character make me feel ashamed and unworthy of it. Including the rescue of Ya Lan and the restoration of my soul, Fellow Daoist Shen has saved me three times. I will remember this kindness in my heart."
"Today, in front of so many people, I sincerely apologize to Fellow Daoist Shen for all the mistakes I have made. I hope Fellow Daoist Shen can forgive me without holding a grudge."
Shi Zhili spoke clearly and loudly, each word carrying the weight of his spiritual power to the ears of everyone present, without the slightest hint of deception.
They showed their full commitment.
Very few people can openly admit their mistakes, let alone do so in front of so many people.
It is evident that Master Jingxin put a lot of effort into teaching etiquette.
Aside from his lack of manners, well, it's probably hard to turn things around now.
"I accept your apology." Shen Sangruo did not make things difficult for Shi Zhili and generously forgave him.
Second update! Thank you all for your support! *tweets*
(End of this chapter)
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