After a long while, she said, "What if I don't agree? Will you abandon me again?"
He replied, "Yes."
She then asked, "Aren't you afraid my father will come after you?"
He answered, "I've lived on the edge of a blade for too long, it matters little."
"And what about me? Did you never consider me?"
For a moment, Antina felt truly heartbroken and desperate. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't seem to win Xiao Cheng's affection.
Did he really like Meng Jingwei that much?
Antina simply couldn't understand what it was about Meng Jingwei that made Xiao Cheng like her so much.
"Heh."
Antina laughed.
Her laughter was laced with helplessness and weariness.
Looking down at the ground, her gaze drifted to her abdomen. With a myriad of emotions churning within, she finally said, "I'll help you."
Xiao Cheng was puzzled.
He looked at Antina, trying to comprehend her words, as if he had misheard.
"Cheng, I like you, and I love you. I admit that in the beginning, I used despicable means to force you into marriage, and I betrayed you afterward. So, this time, I want to help you. I only hope you can forgive me and give us a chance to start anew."
Antina's willingness to help Xiao Cheng was her way of making amends for her past mistakes, hoping to win his genuine affection through her actions.
As she spoke, Antina's gaze was sincere and deeply affectionate, moving even Xiao Cheng.
Yes, moved.
He had never imagined he would be moved by Antina one day.
He had assumed he would detest her, push her away, and resist her. But the truth was, humans were emotional beings, easily touched by certain people and events.
"Do you know what you're saying?" Xiao Cheng didn't want Antina to act on impulse. He reminded her, "Your so-called 'help' will inevitably go against your father's wishes. Are you sure you can bear the consequences? Antina, we are not children. We need to think carefully before acting."
He uttered these words and walked past her.
"I know!"
The moment the man brushed past her, Antina grabbed his wrist. "Of course, I know what I'm saying, and I know what I want to do."
Antina moved in front of Xiao Cheng, looking up at the increasingly mature and cold man before her.
His dark features, accentuated by a scar on his face, further highlighted his masculinity. His eyes, dim and unfathomable, were like a vast ocean, bottomless yet holding a hint of mystery that compelled one to explore.
She held his hands, feeling the roughness and warmth of his fingertips, everything feeling incredibly real and clear.
"Honestly, I never thought I, Antina, would lose to a man. My daddy provided me with a superior life, and I considered myself a little princess, meant to be admired by men like you. I also believed I wouldn't surrender to anyone. But honestly..."
Antina smiled, a self-mocking, bitter smile gracing her face. "Since you left last time, I've truly thought a lot and reflected deeply. Perhaps because my daddy gave me too much, I lacked nothing except genuine love. This time, I don't want to make another mistake."
People learn and grow, even if the path of growth is fraught with thorns that cause unbearable pain.
During that dark period, Antina finally understood what she truly desired. Now that Xiao Cheng was back in her life, she only wanted to do her best to satisfy his every need.
"What you all said before was right. It's your freedom to like Meng Jingwei, and it's not her fault for not liking you and choosing to keep her distance."