Cheng Su and Ning Ge glared at each other furiously, their battle making everyone around them feel uneasy.
Ying Xiaoya pulled at Ning Ge and said, "Ning Ge, stop talking!"
"Isn’t it true? We’ve done so much for her, and what about her? She’s just afraid of being implicated. We sincerely considered her a friend." Ning Ge was truly disappointed, having thought his actions would be met with gratitude, only to be spurned.
Cheng Su was disappointed too and sneered, "If that’s what you think, then I really misjudged you. Ning Ge, behaving in life isn’t about just following your impulses. Haven’t you read enough books to know that ’With reason on your side, you can travel all over the world’?"
Ning Ge turned his head away and said nothing.
"You act on your impulses, fine, let’s set aside whether or not you’re my friend. By using these dirty tactics at Liao Shifa’s place, how are you any different from those thugs? And even if we step back a bit, you’re used to being bossy, fine, you’re tough and bossy. But you’ve dragged Xiao Ya into this, claimed she’s your girlfriend—whether or not that’s true is known to us, but do outsiders know? You act all high and mighty here, and if things don’t go your way, you just walk away with a slap on your own backside. What about Xiao Ya? What about her reputation?"
Ying Xiaoya pulled at Cheng Su and said, "Susu, I’m fine."
"Fine, in today’s open era, breaking up with a boyfriend or girlfriend isn’t a rare occurrence. But you’re blackmailing others, using County Chief Ying’s name. How do you think the other party will see it?" Cheng Su added another line.
A hint of change appeared on Ning Ge’s face.
"Everyone wants to do things their own way without considering the consequences. You’re proud and overbearing; you can leave behind a mess and just run back to Beijing. But what about the people here? Xiao Ya and County Chief Ying? One is a young woman, meant to marry and have a family, the other is pursuing a political career. Is reputation not important? What will people think if they find out that the county chief’s daughter is a blackmailer? Have you ever thought about that?" Cheng Su’s voice became even sharper.
She was disappointed, not so much because Ning Ge misunderstood her, but because she was disappointed that he acted without considering the consequences, without regard for others’ feelings.
A person, to be mature, must handle things properly without leaving any room for criticism, and that is what winning gracefully looks like.
And had Ning Ge and his group ever considered the unpleasant consequences that might follow the thrill of their actions?
People must be responsible for themselves and for those around them.
Ying Xiaoya and Ning Ge were both somewhat at a loss.
"Susu..." Ying Xiaoya pleaded.
Cheng Su let out a long sigh and said, "You’re both adults. Adults should act with the decorum of adults. What’s the use of throwing fits like children out of some misguided sense of loyalty?"
Ning Ge moved his lips and pursed them.
"Cheng Su, forget it, this all started because of me. I’ll go and apologize to Liao Shifa; I think he should still give me some face!" Old Song said, having entered at some point.
Cheng Su and the others were startled.
"Old Song, this has nothing to do with you," Cheng Su said.
"No, if it weren’t for me, he wouldn’t have thought of targeting us. It’s okay, I’ll have a few words with him. It won’t involve the county chief either, don’t worry," Old Song laughed heartily.
Cheng Su glared at Song Xiaojang, who shrugged and walked away.
"Uncle Song, no need to go. We’ll go ourselves!" Ying Xiaoya pulled at Ning Ge: "Right?"
Ning Ge remained silent.
"If you go, it’ll be admitting to the blackmail. If I go, it shows you were just being immature!" Old Song’s voice carried a note of authority.
Cheng Su then said, "I’ll go with you!"
Ning Ge’s expression changed, and glared at Cheng Su, his fists clenched tightly, unable to utter a word.