Fu Jingxuan looked at Wang Xuerou with deep apology and said, "Xuerou, I truly didn't know things would turn out this way. If I had, I would never have laid a hand on An Nuan."
"It's true, An Nuan said those things, but I thought that after someone did certain deeds, they would never admit it. That's why I acted. I know it was somewhat despicable, but Xuerou, I was simply too enraged."
Wang Xuerou stared at Fu Jingxuan. In truth, she had already regretted her words the moment she spoke them. However, with Xu Ruowei by her side, she could only say what Xu Ruowei dictated.
When Fu Jingxuan was leaving, she had already hinted to him not to harm An Nuan. Fu Jingxuan had promised her then.
Yet, she had never imagined that Fu Jingxuan would agree, but his subsequent actions were utterly incomprehensible.
He had actually attacked An Nuan. If he had been even a moment later, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
She felt fortunate that Nangong Jin had arrived early. If he had been any later, and if everything had already unfolded, she would have carried the burden of guilt for the rest of her life.
Later, she discovered that Xu Ruowei had no evidence whatsoever.
Wang Xuerou had also come to a realization. She would openly confess to the terrible deeds she had committed.
Naturally, she would explain everything to Fu Jingxuan.
At that point, she would no longer have any leverage against her.
Xu Ruowei would no longer be able to threaten her.
And she herself would no longer have to constantly worry about her past actions being exposed.
If Fu Jingxuan could forgive her, it would be a blessing. If not, she wouldn't force him.
After this incident, she understood how agonizing it was to be threatened.
Furthermore, if she obeyed Xu Ruowei this time, there would be a next time, and a time after that. She would forever be under Xu Ruowei's control, manipulated by her.
No, she refused.
She didn't want to live like this anymore.
All she wanted now was a peaceful life.
Wang Xuerou looked at An Nuan with an apologetic expression. All of this had happened because of her. If not for her, An Nuan would never have endured such a terrifying ordeal.
In truth, she was the one who deserved damnation.
Wang Xuerou walked up to An Nuan and knelt down, apologizing to her.
She confessed everything.
She looked at Fu Jingxuan and said calmly, "Fu Jingxuan, what I just said is all true."
"Yes, I am the villain. The grievances An Nuan suffered years ago were all orchestrated by Xu Ruowei, and I was her accomplice."
"The reason I was injured and hospitalized was also Xu Ruowei's doing. Xu Ruowei held over me the fact that I had helped her commit those acts as leverage, constantly threatening me into doing her bidding."
"And I, in order to stay by your side, obediently followed Xu Ruowei's instructions and plotted against An Nuan."
"In reality, An Nuan is the most innocent person."
"An Nuan knows nothing about any of this. She has done nothing wrong. It was solely because Xu Ruowei wanted to ruin her that she endured so much hardship and suffering."
"Xuerou, I..."
Fu Jingxuan struggled to process what he had just heard. He even wondered if he was hallucinating.
No, it was impossible. His Xuerou was so kind; she wouldn't do such malicious things.
However, he simply didn't want to admit it, didn't want to face it. He couldn't believe Xuerou could do such a thing.
After a long pause, Fu Jingxuan seemed to have understood something. Looking at the tearful Wang Xuerou, his heart ached.
He pulled Wang Xuerou into his embrace and whispered in her ear, "No, don't say any more."
"What's past is past. Don't speak of it anymore, don't dwell on it."
"Xuerou, I believe you had no choice back then."
Hearing Fu Jingxuan's words, Wang Xuerou's tears flowed.
She never expected that upon hearing these words, Fu Jingxuan would not be angry, but would instead comfort her.
How could she deserve it?
She was unworthy.
Nangong Jin looked at An Nuan. He desperately wanted to step forward and act. In his view, he would never forgive anyone who hurt An Nuan, regardless of the reason. However, facing An Nuan's pleading gaze, he ultimately suppressed all his anger.
"An Nuan, let's go. Let's leave here first." Nangong Jin picked up An Nuan.
An Nuan nodded.
She was truly exhausted, so tired that she longed for someone to lean on. Nangong Jin's appearance at this moment was that warm reliance.
This was the reliance she had chosen.
Fu Jingxuan looked at Wang Xuerou. Seeing her displeasure, her grim expression, he said ingratiatingly, "Xuerou, please don't be angry. I know this is my fault."
"I'll go apologize now. They're currently upset, so they definitely won't give me a good reception, and they certainly won't forgive me. Next time, I'll find a suitable opportunity to apologize in person, alright?"
Wang Xuerou sighed, filled with self-recrimination.
In fact, while she blamed Fu Jingxuan, she blamed herself more. All of this had been caused by her.
If she had stepped forward earlier to clarify everything, such a situation would not have occurred. She had had many opportunities to prevent this from happening, but her selfishness had led everything into a dead end.
It had almost resulted in irreversible harm.
"Actually, this matter isn't your fault. The one at fault has always been me. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have acted against An Nuan. It was me; everything is my fault. And what right do I have to say these words to you?"
Wang Xuerou sank into self-blame, seemingly unable to escape it.
Wang Xuerou thought of someone and looked at Fu Jingxuan. "No, even if we are both at fault in this matter, we were merely used by Xu Ruowei. Everything originated from Xu Ruowei."
"In reality, the instigator is Xu Ruowei."
"Yes," Fu Jingxuan quickly agreed.
Fu Jingxuan hadn't initially considered this, but with Wang Xuerou's reminder, he felt that it was indeed so.
He naturally understood the underlying reasons.
An Nuan had told him many times that Xu Ruowei was manipulating things.
In fact, everything was Xu Ruowei's doing.
Yet, even though he had heard it, he hadn't believed it at all.
At that time, he didn't believe it; he had even kicked An Nuan and insulted her.
And he himself, just moments ago, had even sought to take An Nuan's life.
He now felt that he had been played for a fool by Xu Ruowei.