Chapter 137

Xie Shiqing pressed her lips together, thinking, in this world, anyone might compromise—except you.

The word "compromise" probably didn't even exist in Zhong Ning’s dictionary.

If she ever became someone who compromised, then Xie Shiqing might as well call herself the kindest and most loving person in the whole world.

"But, Ning Ning, you should be careful of Zhong Zinuan. She likes to use disgusting tricks. They’re not presentable, but they can cause a lot of trouble."

Xie Shiqing said seriously, "She seems good-tempered on the surface, but in reality, she’s easily triggered, like a powder keg. Now that you've established yourself in the company, she’ll definitely retaliate."

"I’ll be careful," Zhong Ning said. "Don’t worry. It’ll be fine."

Xie Shiqing’s lips moved slightly, as if she wanted to say something but hesitated, and then hesitated again after stopping. Zhong Ning grew curious just watching her.

"What is it you want to say, Shiqing? Just say it. Don’t be afraid, you can tell me anything you want to say."

"About what happened with Liu Rushi before..." Xie Shiqing bit her lip, clearly uncertain.

Zhong Ning’s brow twitched, and a flash of realization struck her. Her eyes widened. "It was her who did it?"

Xie Shiqing gave a small nod.

Zhong Ning opened her mouth and let out a breath, murmuring, "I really didn’t expect that… wow… I really didn’t."

Xie Shiqing added, "Things were too chaotic at the time. I was afraid the pressure would be too much for you, so I didn’t say anything. Ning Ning, do you blame me?"

"Of course not, Shiqing." Zhong Ning quickly set aside the matter of Zhong Zinuan and took her hand seriously, her tone also turning sincere. "I will never blame you for keeping some things to yourself. Everyone has things that are hard to talk about. But no matter when you choose to tell me, that moment will always be the best time—the most fitting moment. It's never too late."

"I'm really happy you’re telling me now."

She leaned forward and pressed a kiss to the soft corner of Xie Shiqing’s lips. Her words drifted out from between her lips like floating dandelions brushing gently past the ear, "You were worried about me, afraid I’d fall into a bad person’s trap, thinking of me—that’s love, isn’t it? How could I ever blame you, Shiqing? You love me. I’m not even done being happy about it."

"I love you too. Thank you for telling me this."

When Xie Shiqing brought up the matter of Zhong Zinuan, she hadn’t been without anxiety and hesitation.

Back then, what had gone through her mind when she chose to hide it? Oh, now she remembered—she’d thought that Zhong Ning had just arrived and didn’t know the true nature of the Zhong family members. She’d been afraid that Zhong Ning would be hurt, because she seemed to genuinely like Zhong Zinuan, truly treating her like an older sister.

But in truth, she hadn’t needed to overthink it. The feelings she’d tried to hide had already begun to reveal themselves in subtle ways—her subconscious had spoken clearly; she just hadn’t noticed.

And now, it was that same deep care that led her to confess the little secret she had kept hidden. She hoped the one she loved would take it seriously, because after all, people with no principles or bottom lines were capable of anything.

But she still felt uneasy.

Zhong Ning despised deceit the way one might loathe a thieving bandit, or the taste of rotting fruit, or the sight of an executioner wielding a blade at the scaffold. By speaking out now, it was tantamount to admitting she had once hidden the truth, that she hadn’t been completely honest.

Would she be angry?

Would Zhong Ning be angry? Would she leave her? Would she react like she did those two times before—disappointed in her?

But Zhong Ning had said it before. She had encouraged her to be honest, to come clean. Again and again, she had said, it’s okay. She had said it didn’t matter.

Thoughts raced through her mind like lightning. No one could know just how much unease and torment Xie Shiqing experienced in those few seconds while her lips parted. Two conflicting thoughts tugged at her, as if she were suspended in mid-air by spider silk, swaying with the wind, unable to tell which way she would fall.

In the end, she chose to trust—just this once.

In that brief span of seconds, she placed her trust in Zhong Ning above her own judgment.

She gave trust, and received trust in return.

Zhong Ning’s words turned into a thick, soft cloud, catching her as she wavered, slowly and gently lowering her to the ground.

“Ning Ning… I…”

Who could understand her state of mind in that moment, who could know how turbulent her emotions were just then?

Even Xie Shiqing herself didn’t know why, but tears suddenly began to pour down in streams, catching even her by surprise.

Why was she crying? She didn’t understand. Why was she smiling? She didn’t understand that either.

The tears were her own, and so was the upward curve of her lips.

She was overwhelmed by unfamiliar emotions, by a strange and wonderful feeling—like someone who had lived in a polar region their whole life, suddenly stepping into sunlight for the first time, smelling flowers, hearing the crisp chirping of birds.

Completely unfamiliar information and sensations flooded into her mind. She couldn’t analyze them. She couldn’t rely on any past experience to respond.

“What’s happening to me?”

It was like a confused child tasting soup that hadn’t quite cooled. The heat didn’t burn the tongue, but it startled her nonetheless. It was a good kind of heat—one she’d never tasted before.

In confusion, she reached up and touched her own face, fingers brushing against the still-warm tears.

Zhong Ning pulled her over, hooked an arm under her knees, and settled her into her lap.

Her gaze was filled with emotions too complicated to unravel.

She spoke softly, “These are tears of happiness. They’re a symbol of joy. Thank you for being willing to trust me, Shiqing.”

Zhong Ning spoke the first half gently and steadily. The second half came between the soft touch of lips and forehead.

Xie Shiqing was still confused, still lost. She could, in an instant, analyze the darkest, most despicable thoughts of twisted people and describe them clearly, like a master criminal profiler—or a seasoned butcher who could carve a person’s intentions apart as easily as deboning a chicken. Within minutes, she could extract a complete skeleton.

But she didn’t understand love.

Disappointment and rebuke always trailed behind her, while orders and pressure pulled her forward.

Xie Shiqing had grown used to this. That if she ever wanted anything in return, there were always conditions—some out in the open, some hidden.

She had never experienced unconditional love. Never experienced that after attempting to speak her heart, she would be met with understanding, and told: it doesn’t matter who you are, I will always love you. I will always wait for you.

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