"I've been seeing Mom in low spirits these days, which has really affected her health. So... I specially bought her some tonic."
"But..."
Ming Zhirou pulled away from Ming Chuyan and slowly raised the crumpled gift box, stained with dirt, in her hand.
Ming Mu glanced at the gift box. The pity that welled up in her heart immediately dispelled the slight unease she had felt moments before.
She staggered to her feet, "Rou'er, what... what happened?"
Ming Zhirou's tears fell like a torrent.
She buried her head in Ming Chuyan's arms, sobbing as if the world were ending.
Her suppressed grief.
Ming Mu seemed to guess something.
She suddenly looked up at Ming Zheng, who was standing on the steps, "It was you! Did you bully Rou'er?"
Ming Zheng's eyes were languid. She casually lifted an eyelid and cast a glance.
Then, she pulled Chi Xian and walked upstairs.
Ming Zheng's behavior was interpreted by Ming Mu as a sign of guilt!
As expected...
It was Ming Zheng's doing.
Ming Zheng was bullying Rou'er again!
How could she be so wicked?!
Ming Mu's chest heaved with anger.
Ming Zhirou was slightly taken aback when she heard this.
Ming Zheng was also here?
What a coincidence.
Then, she followed Ming Mu's gaze.
She indeed saw the figures of Ming Zheng and Chi Xian.
Upon seeing their intertwined hands.
Ming Zhirou's tear-streaked beautiful eyes suddenly darkened.
That wretched woman...
When they were at the Chi family's place.
She had deliberately used the influence of Si Lin's assistant to drive her away!
So that she could seize the opportunity to seduce the head of the Chi family!
That man clearly belonged to her, Ming Zhirou!
Ming Zhirou trembled with rage, her eyes burning with palpable jealousy and hatred.
Ming Zheng: "..."
She turned her head and looked at the man beside her.
Her eyebrows rose, "Your 'peach blossom'."
Chi Xian kept his long, slender eyelashes lowered, standing lazily beside Ming Zheng. His long fingers toyed with hers.
His posture was nonchalant.
Upon hearing Ming Zheng's words.
He casually lifted his eyelids, "Hmm?"
Ming Zheng tilted her chin towards Ming Zhirou.
Chi Xian looked over.
Ming Zhirou's jealous expression instantly shifted to a feigned shyness and a pitiable allure.
Chi Xian turned his gaze back to Ming Zheng after just one look.
"Mmm... Zheng Bao, she's an eyesore."
He leaned a little closer to Ming Zheng, his ink-black eyes fixed on her intently, "I need Zheng Bao to wash my eyes."
Ming Zheng let out a snort and chuckled.
If Ming Zhirou could hear his evaluation.
She would probably be furious.
Ming Zhirou's affected expression froze and unfroze on her face.
Wretch!
Was she deliberately showing off their affection in front of her to provoke her?
Ming Zhirou clenched her fists.
She took a deep breath.
Suppressing all her emotions.
It's okay...
As long as the Ming family stood by her.
Chi Xian would eventually belong to her!
Ming Zhirou tucked her head deeper into Ming Chuyan's embrace.
Waiting for Ming Mu to stand up for her.
But...
She waited and waited.
After a long while.
She still hadn't heard Ming Mu rush forward to scold Ming Zheng.
Nor did she hear Ming Fu or Ming Chuyan speak up for her.
Ming Zhirou: "???"
What's going on?
What happened to them?
At this time, according to the usual pattern.
Shouldn't they have immediately rushed forward and severely taught Ming Zheng a lesson?
Shouldn't they have angrily cursed Ming Zheng as a vixen for stealing her man?
Ming Zhirou waited for another few dozen seconds.
Still nothing.
She looked up from Ming Chuyan's arms with a touch of bewilderment.
Only to see Ming Fu with his arm around Ming Mu's shoulders, whispering something to her.
Both of them wore peculiar expressions.
Ming Chuyan was simply holding her, his face ashen, his gloomy eyes fixed on Ming Zheng.
Yet, neither of them confronted Ming Zheng.
What was going on?
Could it be...
They were wary of Chi Xian?
Ming Zheng took in every subtle shift in Ming Zhirou's expression, understanding her thoughts perfectly.
Didn't Ming Zhirou understand the inherent flaws of the Ming family yet?
When it didn't affect their own interests.
They were willing to give her what she wanted.
But now...
Ming Mu's hands needed support, they needed her.
Even if Ming Mu wanted to stand up for Ming Zhirou.
She would have to consider her own hands.
Therefore, she could only suppress all her anger.
Still expecting the Ming family to stand up for her?
The Ming family themselves were struggling to cope.
Ming Zheng raised her eyebrows slightly.
Deciding to fan the flames at this moment.
Her crimson lips curved into a half-smile.
She turned to the man beside her, "Darling, they're not sincere at all."
She sighed, "Since they're not sincere, let's not waste darling's mealtime. Let's go eat."
The words "Darling"
Instantly struck a chord in Chi Xian's heart.
A tingling sensation spread through his chest.
His deep, dark eyes filled with a tender, beautiful smile.
Even his voice had a lingering, soft charm, "Okay."
Hee hee hee.
Zheng Bao called him Darling.
This was Zheng Bao calling him Darling proactively.
The first time.
Chi Xian was so happy that his handsome eyebrows curved.
Seeing that they were actually about to leave.
Ming Mu immediately panicked.
She quickly called out, "Wait... wait!"
Ming Zheng did stop, tilting her head lazily, a playful, amused smile on her face, "What? Madam Chairman Ming, are you trying to lose all shame?"
"You..." Ming Mu's face flushed crimson.
Ming Fu placed his arm around Ming Mu's shoulders, his eyes, suppressed with anger, glared fiercely at Ming Zheng, "Are you serious? If I kneel and beg you, you will treat Youran?"
Ming Zheng tilted her head, smiling but saying nothing.
Ming Fu clenched his fists, his ashen face contorting slightly.
A moment later.
His gaze shifted to Ming Chuyan and Ming Zhirou, who were embracing.
Ming Chuyan's heart skipped a beat, "Dad, could it be that you..."
Ming Fu interrupted him, "Rou'er, for your mother, go and beg Ming Zheng."
The moment these words were spoken.
The entire hall fell silent.
Ming Chuyan's expression changed slightly, and he softly called out, "Dad..."
"Are you going?" Ming Fu glared at him warningly, "Ming Zheng hates Rou'er the most. Ming Zheng deliberately made this demand purely to get revenge on Rou'er. Therefore, the best candidate right now is Rou'er!"
Ming Chuyan's mouth opened and closed.
In the end, he could not bring himself to say he would kneel before Ming Zheng in Ming Zhirou's stead.
Ming Zhirou, however, was completely stunned at this moment.
No!
It was one thing that the Ming family wouldn't stand up for her and cause trouble for Ming Zheng.
Now they were forcing her to kneel before Ming Zheng?
Making her kneel before Ming Zheng?
Were they insane?
Ming Zhirou's eyes widened, disbelief etched all over them.
"Sixth Brother..."
Ming Zhirou, with teary eyes, pitifully called out to Ming Chuyan.
Hoping he would speak up for her.