"Everything," Gong Li'an confessed, rooted to the spot, his voice laden with desolation. "I'm truly sorry for your feelings towards me. Despite having a wife and child—whom I neither love nor desired—I must uphold my responsibilities."

"I also regret the bullying you've endured. I will speak to her about dismissing that man, to ensure you're no longer mistreated. You shouldn't be put in such a position again."

Gong Li'an's righteousness might have been commendable to some, but to me, it was merely laughable.

My sister remains a subject of idle gossip, her suffering and injustice muted, while the wrongdoers are shielded and treasured, their betrayal overlooked.

Is there truly justice in this world? How can someone like Xie Weihuan, so vile, find herself a man as good as Gong Li'an?

Defeated by these thoughts, reflecting on my recent actions, I felt like a mere jester.

Yet, I still harbored the desire to wrench Gong Li'an, this precious gem of a man, from her clutches.

I couldn't discern whether my motives were purely vengeful towards Xie Weihuan or if genuine affection for Gong Li'an had taken root.

But none of that mattered.

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Someone burdened with hatred, potentially destined for a path of wrongdoing, could never be worthy of Gong Li'an.

His feelings towards me became inconsequential.

A mischievous impulse overtook me.

"Mr. Gong, why the concern for my well-being? Is it pity, or perhaps, have you developed feelings for me too, feelings you're hesitant to voice?"

With each word, I inched closer, diminishing the space between us.

I tiptoed, bringing my face near Gong Li'an's, yet he made no move to push me away.

His eyes, once gleaming, were now veiled by a haze, obscuring his emotions from me.

But I could sense his breath growing warmer, his gaze fixed on my slightly parted lips.

Gong Li'an intrigued me immensely; all his emotions were buried deep, never daring to surface, an enigma waiting to be unraveled.

Perhaps, teasing him more in the future would prove amusing.

I flashed a smile, maintaining our proximity for a moment longer before stepping back, his gaze lingering on me.

"Mr. Gong, worry not. Even if Madam makes things difficult, I'm determined to stay, just to be near you."

My declaration was far more resolute than Gong Li'an's, echoing with conviction.

"I'll be on my way then, see you tomorrow."

As I left Gong Li'an behind, my swift departure couldn't outpace the drumming of my heart.

Perhaps it wasn't customary for me to be so intimate with a man, and it wasn't Gong Li'an I was truly fond of.

Yet, as Jiang Lun's lips neared mine, my heart remained untouched, a stark contrast to my turmoil.

Turning the corner, a glance revealed Gong Li'an still stationary, a hint of crimson on his fingertips, his visage obscured by smoke.

So, he smoked—a detail I hadn't known. What else about him remained a mystery to me?

And Xie Weihuan's shamelessness knew no bounds; her thick skin had somehow managed to keep Jiang Lun forcibly ensconced within the Gong residence.