It was unexpected that someone as stubborn as him would be willing to leave the village, realizing they had made a grave mistake.
Although Zhan Jingchun had waited a long time for this apology, what use was it now?
That memory would forever be etched in his bones, something he could never escape. He no longer cared about an apology.
She was simply stating facts, wanting to clarify the current situation and then leave, putting distance between herself and Peng Fei once more, never wanting to see him again.
"Enough, stop talking. I didn't come here to hear your apology, nor do I want to know why you're here. As long as you don't bother me again, that's all that matters."
"It's useless to bother you. Now you know who Zhan Bei Jue is, right? You can't afford to bother me."
Peng Fei knew, he deeply realized that he and Zhan Jingchun were worlds apart.
He was a toad, and if not for those immoral people, he would never have had a chance with the swan.
Now the swan had returned to the heavens, and he had no chance anymore.
But what else could he say besides apologize?
Zhan Jingchun didn't like hearing apologies, so he stopped talking. He stood there with his head bowed, looking at her beautiful slippers.
Similarly, Zhan Jingchun was also appraising his shoes, legs, and arms.
For some reason, she thought of him going to work in the mine when she left the village.
She couldn't help but imagine what he looked like while working, perhaps dusty every day like he was now.
Then, she thought of his pitiful sister.
Pale and thin, not even getting enough to eat, she wondered how she was doing now.
"Why aren't you talking anymore? Don't you want to explain yourself to me?"
After a few seconds of silence, Zhan Jingchun spoke again. Peng Fei didn't understand her meaning at first and looked up at her in confusion.
Seeing her skin so tender it looked like it could be squeezed for juice, her large, watery eyes, and her bright red lips, he couldn't help but stare, swallowing quietly.
He asked hesitantly, "Explain what?"
Meeting her sincere and lingering gaze, it was as if they were still in their old relationship.
Zhan Jingchun felt inexplicably that she wanted to speak to him in that manner again.
"Explain why your mother gave me away! Did you look down on me and instruct her to do it, or did you know nothing about it?"
This matter was a major concern for Peng Fei. If it weren't for the fact that his mother had raised the three of them with difficulty, he would have been so angry he wouldn't have been able to bear it. Discovering that she had given Zhan Jingchun away, he truly wanted to break ties with her.
"No, no, how could I possibly look down on you?"
"I like you. Everyone in our village knows I like you. I wish I could dig out my heart and give it to you to make you happy. How could I possibly look down on you?"
"My mother... I'm sorry, I know. I shouldn't speak for her, but she's my mother after all. I'm also very angry, but what can I do about her?"
"That's why I came to find you. I just want to tell you that I absolutely, absolutely do not look down on you. If I were there, I wouldn't let anyone hurt you. I'd risk my life for you anytime!"
He stood there alone, so tall and strong, young and brimming with masculine energy, like a leopard ready to dart into the depths of the jungle.
But when facing Zhan Jingchun, he was so dull, awkward, and sincere. Zhan Jingchun suddenly noticed his charm.
She was so amused by his explanation that she felt like laughing.
"Come on. In the end, your mother is more important. Every time you bullied me, you never dealt with it, hmph!"
She wouldn't have added that "hmph" if it weren't for the fact that her unconsciously charming tone made Peng Fei almost fall at her feet.
Her sweetness made his bones go soft, and his nose twitched. His eyes immediately welled up.
The way Chun Chun spoke to him was just like before. He really loved this feeling.
"In the end, it's all my fault. If I can't repay you in this life, I'll do it in the next by being your ox or horse."
Who wanted him to be an ox or horse?
As a grown man, couldn't he have a little more ambition?
Zhan Jingchun didn't want to continue this topic, so she waved her hand.
"If you leave, what about your sister? Your mother is so fierce. Aren't you afraid she won't let her go to school?"
She still remembered Fangfang?
Peng Fei was so happy he almost cried. He raised his hand and wiped his eyes.
"No, I've explained to my mother, and I've sent all my wages to them. Fangfang must go to school. She shouldn't dare to bother me anymore."
That's good. This way, Fangfang would have a chance to escape the mountains.
Zhan Jingchun no longer had any lingering feelings for that place. She turned her gaze to the house.
But Peng Fei suddenly asked her, "Can I ask you a question?"
He actually had a question for her?
"What do you want to ask?"
"Zhang Wei."
Zhan Jingchun knew about Zhang Wei. After enduring hardships, her family had finally brought her back from that place.
They still contacted each other occasionally, but Zhan Jingchun didn't want to say more.
"Your feudal and backward place will sooner or later be exposed to the light of day, and vulgar customs will eventually be stopped. Countless Zhang Weis will escape in the future. Don't you realize this?"
Peng Fei certainly realized it.
After leaving that secluded village, he understood how absurd the place he lived in was.
It was a pity that his strength was too small now. Otherwise, he truly wanted to do something to change those backward customs.
"I don't mean to blame you. I'm asking this question because I think you're very good and righteous. I've said everything I wanted to say."
She had said everything she wanted to say?
Was that all?
For some reason, Zhan Jingchun was a little angry.
She pointed at the house with a sharp tone and said, "Do you know how much each set of these houses costs? Do you know who designed the interior decoration? How much was spent on design fees alone?"
"Now that it's been ruined like this due to your dereliction of duty, do you know the consequences you'll face?"
Peng Fei didn't know, but he had a rough idea. Perhaps he would have to work for this family for the next few years.
"I don't know, but I won't run. I'll accept responsibility for my actions."
If you wanted to run, you'd have to be able to escape! Zhan Jingchun thought to herself.
However, these words were quite comforting, as it was typical of him.
This house had a total area of over 700 square meters, with a prime location. Including design and renovation, the cost was over 50 million.
Zhan Jingchun knew that relying on Peng Fei would be impossible, even in the next lifetime.
It wasn't that she pitied him, but she pitied Fangfang, who would have no chance to go to school without economic support and would be buried in that small mountain village for her entire life.
Out of consideration for Fangfang, who had treated her well in the past, she wanted to help Peng Fei.
"With your meager monthly salary, you won't be able to pay it back even if you work until the next life. Your family still relies on you to send them money, and you'll need to get married and have children in the future. Are you really this stubborn?"
Peng Fei: "..."
"Haven't you thought of any remedial measures? Are you just accepting it like this? Can't you have a little more ambition?"
Peng Fei had indeed thought of solutions. If Zhan Jingchun hadn't come, he would have already mobilized that person to go in and clean up the mess.