Chapter 324: Pity

Xi Cheng was about to dip his fingertips into the gown to touch her soft skin when the woman in front of him suddenly pushed him away with a strong force…

Ding Rong’s face turned red and she quickly stood up to glance at Xi Cheng’s gloomy expression.

Ding Rong quickly explained, “Our topic just now is far from what we wanted to talk about at the start. Let’s quickly return to the topic at hand.”

Although Xi Cheng knew that Ding Rong was not deliberately rejecting his closeness, he still felt a little uncomfortable. He snorted in a spoiled manner with an aggrieved expression on his face. “What else is there to say? Didn’t I get the butler to teach that man who dared to behave inappropriately at the banquet a lesson and had him get someone to throw him out? This matter can be ended here.”

“It’s true that the man has indeed been punished, but the harm that a girl suffers from his words won’t disappear because of that.” Ding Rong sighed softly, looked at Xi Cheng, and said gently, “I didn’t say that because that girl is Huo You. I just feel that no girl should suffer like this at our home.”

Xi Cheng’s heart softened when he saw Ding Rong’s gentle and solemn expression. His tone softened unconsciously as well. “I understand what you’re thinking. You were so kind and tolerant when you were young. So many years have passed, but you haven’t changed at all. You make me feel a little ashamed of myself.”

Towards the end, there was a hint of sigh in Xi Cheng’s tone.

Recalling back when the two of them had just gotten to know each other, Ding Rong was as sincere and kind as she was now. Back then, he had still retained the bright side of humanity as well. However, after so many years of power struggle, he had long changed beyond recognition. When he looked at something, the first thing he considered was the gains and losses. However, Ding Rong was still the same as before, always able to look at everyone gently…

Xi Cheng let out a long sigh and patted Ding Rong’s shoulder gently. “You don’t have to explain things to me, nor do you have to worry that Tiantian will misunderstand that you still treat Huo You as your daughter. She’s as kind as you are and will understand your feelings. That’s why you can do whatever you want.”

“I know my daughter better than you.” Because her thoughts had been seen through, Ding Rong looked a little embarrassed. “Then I’ll go over to Huo You’s side to check on the situation and console her a little. Her current family, sigh…”

Ding Rong only sighed and did not continue.

Although Ding Rong had only had a simple chat with Huo You outside the small courtyard the last time, she also had a simple understanding of the Huo Family’s situation. She felt that if Huo You told her parents about her grievances, she probably wouldn’t be gently comforted and protected.

At the thought of this, Ding Rong felt a little upset. It was not because she still had motherly feelings toward Huo You, but as a woman who came from an unfortunate family, she felt pity for every girl who could not feel kinship from her parents.

Ding Rong stood up, bent over, and planted a soft kiss on Xi Cheng’s face. She suddenly said without rhyme or reason, “I’m really glad that I chose you to be my husband, allowing me to not have to worry about my daughter suffering such grievances.”

After saying that, Ding Rong seemed to look shy from having taken the initiative to kiss him.

She didn’t say anything else and turned to leave.

Xi Cheng was the only one left in the small reception room. He sat on the sofa in a daze, looking a little stunned. After a long while, he raised his hand and gently caressed the place where he had just been kissed. Flowers seemed to instantly bloom in his heart and he unconsciously felt a little light-headed…

When Ding Rong arrived at the dressing room, Huo Feng had just left and the hairstylist was tidying Huo You’s hair.

Ding Rong pushed the door open and saw Huo You sitting in front of the mirror in a daze. She was like a soulless puppet, letting the hairstylist work on her hair.

Her eyes were dim and lifeless. Even though Ding Rong had long understood that she had nothing to do with Huo You, her heart still ached uncontrollably when she saw her like this…

Huo You’s eyes went blank and her thoughts were in a mess. One moment, she was replaying the words Huo Feng had said to her, and the next, she couldn’t help but think of the only period of time in her two lifetimes when she had received warmth.

The thoughts in her mind were locked in a tug-of-war.. Was she really going to use the last gentle feelings in her heart as a bargaining chip in exchange for benefits?