Shen Xizhou looked at Xu Ruowei as if waking from a dream, instantly becoming clear-headed. He quickly focused his attention on Xu Ruowei, took a deep breath, as if making a momentous decision.
"Ruowei, don't say any more. I know, and I believe you more. You wouldn't do these things," Shen Xizhou said to Xu Ruowei, his voice filled with emotion and conviction.
Xu Ruowei seized the opportunity, sobbing loudly, and then collapsed into Shen Xizhou's arms. Shen Xizhou stole a glance at An Nuan, who stood not far away, and a thought suddenly struck him. He instinctively held Xu Ruowei tighter. Because Xu Ruowei clung to him tightly, he wanted to push her away but found it was already impossible.
Shen Xizhou spoke to Xu Ruowei, but his attention was fixed on An Nuan.
Ironically, An Nuan refused to even spare him a glance.
Xu Ruowei had long noticed Shen Xizhou's changed demeanor, and her mood soured considerably.
At this moment, Xia Wanqing, standing nearby, suddenly said, "An Nuan, look. No matter what you do, Shen Xizhou will never look at you. His heart belongs only to Ruowei."
"And you will never measure up to Ruowei."
"Shut up."
Xia Wanqing, who had been feeling smug, turned ashen upon hearing Ji Wenyun's words.
Everyone looked at Xia Wanqing with amused eyes, as if watching a clown.
Xia Wanqing yelled at the people around her, like a madwoman, screaming incessantly.
Meanwhile, Yang Ren, standing in the crowd, saw the person he cherished and protected so dearly being treated this way, and his heart ached.
Ignoring Xia Wanqing's warning, Yang Ren rushed forward, pulled her aside, and shielded her protectively. "Ji Wenyun," he said with deep affection, "Are your eyes blind? Wanqing is being ridiculed by everyone here, and you can't even stand up for her?"
"Do you know how much Wanqing has done for you?"
"How much she's sacrificed?"
"To be with you, Wanqing even aborted our child."
"Do you know how much I love Wanqing? But Wanqing said that her heart only has you, and without you, she would die. So, for Wanqing, for her happiness, I've quietly watched and accompanied her. "
"But what have you done, Ji Wenyun? Why can't you consider Wanqing's feelings?"
"Shut up, Yang Ren. Shut your mouth and get out," Xia Wanqing screamed, her face contorted with rage. She wanted to shut Yang Ren up. She didn't need him saying anything here right now.
Most importantly, with so many people present, how dare Yang Ren say such things?
The gazes of the surrounding people shifted towards Xia Wanqing. They were utterly shocked by this explosive revelation, and even more so that Xia Wanqing had apparently cheated on Ji Wenyun.
"I can't believe Xia Wanqing is this kind of person, doing such a shameless thing."
"Yes, she was just lecturing An Nuan. Hmph, it turns out the one doing such despicable things was Xia Wanqing herself. She's like a thief shouting 'stop thief'."
"I've met shameless people before, but someone this shameless, this is truly the first time."
"Just now, I thought Xia Wanqing was quite innocent, just caught up in the mess. Now, it seems things are not that simple."
"Ji Wenyun, he's truly a victim."
Whispers and gossip filled the air, and Xia Wanqing felt like she was on the verge of collapse. She had become a pariah.
Yang Ren, who had been about to speak further, finally noticed the people around him.
He instinctively reached out to grasp Xia Wanqing's hand, looking at her with deep remorse.
"Wanqing, I'm sorry, I'm truly sorry. I didn't know things would turn out this way."
"Really, I didn't. I just couldn't bear to see you wronged, so I spoke up."
"Wanqing, but don't worry, there are still many things I haven't revealed."
What, there were still many things he hadn't revealed? It seemed the news they had just heard wasn't explosive enough.
Hearing Yang Ren's words, they cast blaming glances at Xia Wanqing, wondering why she had stopped Yang Ren from continuing. They wished she had let him speak.
Everyone looked at Ji Wenyun with pitiful eyes.
It seemed Ji Wenyun was truly unfortunate.
However, they craved more gossip, for people are inherently curious and enjoy such tales.
"Yang Ren, what nonsense are you spouting?" Xia Wanqing's face turned extremely grim. She even lunged forward and slapped Yang Ren, screaming hysterically, "What are you talking about? I don't know you. Who is it, and what did they give you to make you say these things?"
"Was it An Nuan? It must have been An Nuan who bribed you to treat me like this."
"What else did An Nuan tell you? How else does she want you to deal with me?"
"No, Wanqing. I'd rather kill An Nuan than listen to her. I wouldn't do anything for her, no matter how much money she gave me."
"Wanqing, I haven't forgotten, our child was harmed by An Nuan."
"How could I possibly listen to An Nuan?" Yang Ren said fiercely.
An Nuan watched Xia Wanqing with amusement. Had Xia Wanqing orchestrated this?
If it were her plan, then these things wouldn't be happening.
It seemed something had gone wrong between these two, leading to the current situation.
Suddenly, she felt no urgency to leave. She even wanted to stay and listen further.
After all, with such explosive news, not knowing the rest of the story would leave her feeling unsatisfied.
An Nuan looked at Xia Wanqing, a look of disdain on her face.
Now, Xia Wanqing was probably starting to panic.
Heh, wasn't this a case of lifting a rock only to drop it on her own feet? Truly self-inflicted suffering.
Of course, An Nuan wasn't the only one eager to witness the unfolding drama. The people standing around also wanted to see what would happen next.
No one dared to leave, nor did they dare to make a sound, as they were all anticipating more drama.
However, just as everyone was expecting further spectacles, Ji Wenyun walked up to Xia Wanqing, embraced her, and said gently, "I believe in Wanqing. She wouldn't do such things."
"I believe in her even more. She loves me so deeply, she would never do anything to betray me."
"I trust Wanqing's character. Perhaps there's some misunderstanding here."
After speaking, Ji Wenyun took Xia Wanqing's hand and prepared to leave.
He didn't want to linger in this place of turmoil.
Xia Wanqing had never imagined that things would escalate to this extent.