Just as she was about to eat, Liang Fu suddenly remembered something, checked the bowl, poured out the cold water, refilled with hot water, and added brown sugar before saying with a dark face: “It was cold; how stupid are you to eat something like this?”
Ruan Ning wanted to roll her eyes. She had been hungry all day; having something to eat was already good enough!
She wolfed down the bowl, with Liang Fu sitting beside her, his expression constantly changing.
Ruan Ning finished a bowl but wasn’t full and hesitated, unsure if there was more. While glancing at the table, Liang Fu cursed: “Idiot, there’s more in the pot. Serve yourself!”
Ruan Ning stood up but remembered she was supposed to be faking a stomachache, so she moved slowly, covering her stomach and supporting herself on the table to reach for the pot.
However, Liang Fu snatched the pot away, furrowing his brow with resentment yet still pouring porridge into the bowl, adding hot water and brown sugar before placing it in front of her.
What a tsundere; she could see he had softened.
Ruan Ning squatted by the table to continue eating. Liang Fu suddenly said: “Why are you squatting? Don’t you know how to sit? How stupid!”
Ruan Ning cursed in her heart but replied softly: “I was afraid you wouldn’t let me sit.”
Liang Fu snorted but said nothing, so Ruan Ning sat on a nearby chair, softly saying: “Thank you, Brother Chongsi.”
Her whispered “brother” seemed to crawl directly into Liang Fu’s heart, causing an unexpected sensation.
If she had ever taught him like this, even just once, perhaps he wouldn’t hate her so much.
But she hadn’t. She only lowered her stance and tried to coax him when she was cornered.
Liang Fu was both hateful and loving, staring at her, replaying her past arrogant face and the insults she had hurled at him. Yet, the woman before him seemed increasingly different, as if they were not the same person at all.
Ruan Ning quickly finished eating, timidly looking up at him, as if waiting for his permission. Her eyes were beautifully shaped, with long eyelashes supporting her dark pupils, appearing innocent and pure with a hint of fragility. If he didn’t know her past, Liang Fu thought he might fall for her.
As he ladled porridge into her bowl, a soft voice came from outside the door: “Cousin, have you found Sister Ning?”
Huo Rou was satisfied; her words demonstrated magnanimity and kindness while successfully provoking Liang Fu’s hatred.
She walked closer and held Ruan Ning’s hand, her voice slightly choked: “Ning, you’ve suffered.” Her eyes reddened slightly. If Ruan Ning hadn’t seen the original text, she would surely have been touched. Unfortunately, she knew that Huo Rou never spent effort on anyone else.
She excelled at expressing sympathy and winning people’s hearts verbally.
Pretending to be moved to tears, she choked out, “Sister Rou, I missed you so much. I thought I would never see you again and wouldn’t be able to apologize.”
Both Huo Rou and Liang Fu were shocked.
The original owner cared about status, and since Huo Rou came from an ordinary background and was Liang Fu’s cousin, she was not well-liked. When the male lead fell for Huo Rou, the original owner became even more furious, often embarrassing Huo Rou at girls’ gatherings. This behavior garnered sympathy for Huo Rou from Liang Fu and the male lead.
Liang Fu never expected that her first action upon seeing Huo Rou would be to apologize.
Huo Rou quickly reacted, stopping Ruan Ning’s confession and displaying her kindness: “What are you saying? You’ve just escaped danger and must have many things to settle. If you need help, just tell me, and I will do my best.”
“I am a sinner and have offended you in the past. How dare I ask for your help?” Ruan Ning said, squeezing out a tear that hung pitifully on her eyelashes, blinking at Huo Rou.
Although she claimed not to dare, it was clear she needed help.
Huo Rou was very unhappy.
The original owner had often troubled her before, and Huo Rou noticed that Liang Fu still harbored romantic feelings for her. This made her feel a bit jealous, but to maintain her white lotus persona, she said, “Ning, don’t be formal. We are relatives. You must tell your sister everything.”
She emphasized “relatives” since the Huo and Ning families were not actually related, only intertwined through Liang Fu and Ning Ruan’s engagement.
This provoked Liang Fu, who snorted and said sarcastically, “Do you believe her? A noble lady from a prestigious family would really seek help from us?”
Seeing him respond as she had hoped, Huo Rou felt more at ease. She gently shook her head and said, “Cousin, Ning is already so pitiful. Can’t you be a bit more tolerant?” She cleverly referenced how, during the years of humiliation by Ning Ruan, people had advised Liang Fu to be patient, a sentiment he despised.
Liang Fu bristled at the mention of “tolerance,” wanting to retaliate against Ruan Ning, but she interjected, “Good sister, Chongsi has been kind to me. I was the one who wronged him. If anyone should be patient, it should be me.”
Though not very smart, she was always on guard against Huo Rou and deliberately said things contrary to Huo Rou’s intentions.
The small flame of rage in Liang Fu was extinguished as he looked suspiciously at Ruan Ning, wondering if she had truly changed.
Against the bright white snow, he saw two young girls before him, one enchanting and one gentle, like blooming begonia flowers. Liang Fu recalled the historical practice of having a wife and a concubine, and he unconsciously swallowed.
Huo Rou felt blocked inside. Was she truly transformed or just becoming smarter? She concluded that even if Ruan Ning had changed, given the humiliation she had suffered, she would never let her off.
Huo Rou softly said, “Ning, your temperament has changed so much that I barely recognize you.” This was also a reminder to Liang Fu that she might be pretending. Ruan Ning quickly responded, “In the past, I was spoiled at home and did many wrong things. After this ordeal, I suddenly understood many principles. From now on, I will definitely turn over a new leaf and become a better person.”
Liang Fu was moved again; indeed, she had changed dramatically, almost reborn. Even her appearance now seemed more attractive than before.
Huo Rou noticed Liang Fu’s expression and sneered inwardly. Before she could speak, Ruan Ning grabbed her, pale and tearful: “Sister, I’m so cold, my stomach hurts, I’m so scared…”
As she trailed off, Ruan Ning began to slide down. Huo Rou feigned support without using much strength, but Ruan Ning clung to her, causing Huo Rou to stumble. Fortunately, Liang Fu stepped in to support her and then reached out to Ruan Ning as well.
Huo Rou felt resentment. How could Liang Fu help that despicable woman?
“So cold, sister, I’m so cold…” Ruan Ning sobbed, leaning against Huo Rou.
Huo Rou took off her red feather satin cloak and draped it over Ruan Ning, saying softly: “Good sister, wear this first.” She thought that if Ruan Ning accepted it, she would feign illness, making her the culprit.
However, Ruan Ning quickly took the cloak off, returning it to her: “Good sister, I deserve to be cold and hungry. Don’t worry about me.”
Huo Rou lowered her eyelids, suppressing her disgust. She recognized this routine, having used it herself.
Hinting at wanting something while refusing, making the other party eager to give it, and then accepting it with a clear conscience—when did this woman learn this trick?
As she was about to drape the cloak over Ruan Ning, Liang Fu stopped her and took off his outer garment, placing it on Ruan Ning.
“Bro, don’t, you’ll get frozen,” Huo Rou said quickly.
