Gong Li'an had arrived. In an instant, Jiang Lun was lifted and struck down, revealing the extent of my plight to Gong Li'an's eyes.

Wrapped in a cocoon of warmth as he enveloped me in a blanket, I gazed through tear-streaked eyes at him, a faint smile breaking through my pain, "Have you come to rescue me at last?"

Before our confrontation, I had sent Gong Li'an a cryptic message hinting at the danger I faced, delaying the inevitable in hopes of his intervention. Yet, he arrived later than expected.

Gong Li'an reached out, his touch hovering over my bruised cheek, his eyes filled with remorse. "I apologize for my tardiness," he softly uttered.

I turned away, cocooning myself from his gaze, seeking solace in my own embrace, away from the world that had failed me.

"Jiang, explain yourself," Gong Li'an demanded, his patience wearing thin as Jiang Lun's justifications fell on deaf ears.

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Jiang Lun's plea was cut short by Gong Li'an's unwavering resolve, his actions speaking louder than any words could. The room was filled with the sound of justice being served, yet the expected relief eluded me. Instead, a seed of hope took root within my heart.

Was Gong Li'an's anger a sign of his concern for me? Perhaps my plan was coming to fruition.

Xie Weihuan's entrance, frantic and demanding, momentarily halted the reckoning. Gong Li'an stood unyielding, his resolve firm as he carried me away, her venomous gaze following us, a chilling reminder of her malice.

In the seclusion of the study, Gong Li'an's tender care provided a fleeting sense of peace. Yet, my heart remained burdened with sorrow and the faintest glimmer of hope.

"Why have you come for me?" I dared to ask, locking eyes with him.

"And why did you signal me?" he countered, his gaze as inscrutable as ever.

Feigning indifference, I masked my inner turmoil. "Because I admire you, Gong Li'an. Isn't it every heart's wish to be saved by their hero in times of peril?"

My facade crumbled, revealing the depth of my despair. "Thankfully, you arrived, Gong Li'an. You're the only one who's ever come to my aid."

If his intentions were anything but genuine, he shouldn't have come. I couldn't bear the thought of becoming a burden, an obsession for a lifetime.

His silence was telling, confirming the unspoken bond between us, even as I lay there, swathed in grief and the faintest flicker of hope.