Ding Jinshi left a few reminders for He Zhilan, then he and Chen Shan left.
The truths were like a sharp blade plunging into He Zhilan’s heart, causing a discomfort more torturous than any physical ailment.
"He Zhilan," He Teng, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke. His tone was as chilling as a winter breeze. He stood by He Zhilan’s bed, with sullen eyes and a stoical face. "What did you promise me before? What reassurances did you give me? It’s only been a few days and you’re already sneaking around with Gu En behind my back? Do you really enjoy meddling with Gu En and his crowd that much? He Zhilan, what are you really thinking? Could it be that all your good behavior was merely pretense when you were around me? All so you could deceive me? That’s why you could run around with Gu En behind my back when I wasn’t aware? He Zhilan, were you trying to make a move into Gu En’s circle so you could abandon the He Family once you climbed to the high social ranks? He Zhilan, the He Family has raised you for twelve years only to turn you into a wolf in sheep’s clothing?"
He Teng’s reprimand frightened He Zhilan and she bit her lip, shaking her head.
"Did you even consider the He Family’s position when you did as you pleased? Did you really think I wouldn’t dare do anything to you? Do I have to forcibly take your freedom away? Tell me, is your dream Capital University or is it freedom in the capital? If you insist on lofty ambitions, then don’t blame me for grounding you. I can let you study in the capital, but I can just as easily send you back to the small village where you came from!"
"No, brother~" He Zhilan shook her head hurriedly, "I never thought of entering high society, I never meant to deceive you."
"Still pretending? He Zhilan, if you intended to deceive in the first place, why not remain deceitful instead of letting me find out?" He Teng sneered. "The He Family has tolerated you for twelve years, nurtured you for twelve years. Did the He Family ever fail you? Our father loves you more than Dongxue. What else do you find unsatisfactory? In the village, who leads a better life than you? Who, from childhood to adulthood, hasn’t had to work a day in the fields like you? He Zhilan, you were admitted into Capital University, you were the pride and joy of our father. But you? You’re nothing more than an ingrate!"
When a typically silent person suddenly became articulate, accusing He Zhilan with an intensity he had never shown before, he was also suffering, his disappointment outweighing his anger.
But for He Zhilan, she was equally heartbroken.
She worked hard on her marriage to He Teng and just as things were starting to look up, her own foolishness ruined it.
"Brother, I was wrong~ I really know I was wrong. From now on, I will have no more dealings with Gu En!" He Zhilan didn’t know if it was too late for her confession now. When she agreed to Lan Song’s demand, she was being selfish. She only thought about finding her family but never considered how disappointed He Teng would be when he found out.
"Brother, can you give me one more chance, trust me one more time? I really wasn’t pretending. I know, in the past, I was very bad, disappointing both father and you. I really do want to be good from now on and stay that way. It was my fault this time, Gu En manipulated me, and I deserve it. Brother, please don’t send me back to the countryside. I want to stay by your side, I still want to study. Brother, I promise, I will never get involved with Gu En’s crowd again. From now on, I will go to the school everyday and only come to you from there!"