Nan Ziyun listened to Yu Jingchen's words and was stunned. She raised her small face and looked at Yu Jingchen. They stared at each other for a long time before Nan Ziyun smiled and said, "You're not His Majesty..."
Yu Jingchen's brow furrowed. The next moment, Nan Ziyun reached out and touched Yu Jingchen's eyes. Her fingertips were cool, her movements very gentle.
"His Majesty's eyes are not like this. His Majesty would not look at me like this. There is no me in his eyes, only disgust for me. Every time he looks at me, his eyes are cold, fierce, and terrifying... frightening," Nan Ziyun's voice was light, but it seemed to carry a thousand pounds, landing heavily on Yu Jingchen's heart, pressing him down until he couldn't breathe.
"His Majesty hates me the most. When I make a mistake, he always punishes me so severely. I feel like I can't hold on. And sometimes, even if I'm not wrong, he will punish me. He blames everything on me. No matter what I do, it's wrong. Those rods, planks, slaps, and the instruments of the Punishment Department are terrifying. They all fell upon me, and it hurt so much."
"I cried and begged him, but he wouldn't even look at me. He never showed me any mercy. He didn't want me to die... but it was a fate worse than death." Nan Ziyun's eyes were red.
Yu Jingchen felt an intense pain in his heart. I'm sorry... but how much weight could that simple apology carry? It was the cheapest thing, never comparable to the injuries Nan Ziyun had personally endured.
"It hurts... it really hurts, so much that I can't hold on anymore. Why do I like him so much, but he hates me so much? Why do I pursue him so arduously, but he always stays ahead, unwilling to turn back? Why, even though I've fallen at his feet, does he still ignore me, and instead, stomp on me?" Nan Ziyun was lost in her memories.
"Because he's stupid, a scoundrel, and doesn't know how to cherish, nor does he know how to see such a good young woman. Because he was blind and heartless, he cruelly hurt the little girl who loved him deeply," Yu Jingchen's throat felt choked.
"I'm uncomfortable~" Nan Ziyun's voice was tinged with tears.
"I'm sorry, Yun'er." Yu Jingchen truly regretted it. Why had he been so foolish before? Why didn't he calm down and truly look at her? Why didn't he try to feel it properly?
"Wuu~" Nan Ziyun clutched Yu Jingchen's clothes, crying with a suppressed, mournful sound. Yu Jingchen gently patted Nan Ziyun's back, letting her cry without stopping her. Since she was drunk, it was time to vent the things in her heart.
"But... His Majesty got better later." Nan Ziyun's emotions shifted quite quickly. Yu Jingchen, his heart aching, kissed her lips. It was all his fault.
Nan Ziyun looked at Yu Jingchen again, cupping his face. "You are like His Majesty later on. The later His Majesty treated me well. He protected me, he coaxed me. When I caused trouble or made mistakes, His Majesty wouldn't hit me, scold me, or punish me." Nan Ziyun grinned and started smiling again.
But Yu Jingchen couldn't smile. The young girl seemed too sensible, too easily satisfied. This Nan Ziyun truly made his heart ache, like being pricked by needles, a dense, throbbing pain. He would rather Nan Ziyun scolded him a few times than see her so well-behaved.