C17 Forget about Him!

Tears welled up in Xu Huanxi's eyes, but with a determined effort, she pushed them back. Life had taught her to be strong, and she found her calm once again.

"I don't want to cause an ugly scene. He was just drunk," she said.

She couldn't bear for their shared past, once filled with genuine affection, to end in such a sordid way, so she readily made excuses for Jiang Tunan.

Chu Rusi could see Xu Huanxi was in denial. If that scoundrel had the audacity to force himself on her, what wouldn't he do?

He gazed into her eyes and cautioned her, each word deliberate and heavy, "Denying the truth comes at a price."

She shook her head slowly, choosing forgiveness for the first time, "Rusi, we loved deeply once. He... he just lost control of his emotions. I believe he wouldn't hurt me."

Chu Rusi decided to hold his peace. She wasn't ready to face reality, and any more words from him would be futile. In a calm voice, he offered, "Let me take you home."

She nodded, proceeding in silence. She didn't want to impose on Chu Rusi, but fear lingered—what if Jiang Tunan persisted?

Jiang Tunan had always been relentless, pursuing her for a long time with sincerity and care. How else could he have won her over?

Her silhouette seemed solitary against the backdrop of the street, as though a gust of wind might carry her away.

Chu Rusi stepped closer and enveloped her in his arms without a word, "Everything will be alright. You'll forget him."

Xu Huanxi managed a strained smile, not resisting. Overwhelmed with anxiety and sorrow, she saw no reason to reject the kindness of another.

Reaching her doorstep in silence, Xu Huanxi fished out her keys to unlock the door, then suddenly, it dawned on her to ask, "Why are you here?"

Chu Rusi leaned in, whispering confidently by her ear, "We're married. Naturally, I'm coming back to our home."

His proximity startled her, causing her hand to jerk and the door to swing open.

Warm light from inside the house bathed them as they stood beneath the glow of the lamplight.

Quiet.

Then, the distinct sound of a cup shattering on the floor jolted the silence.

Xu Yinuo instinctively covered her mouth to stifle a scream.

Xu Huanxi whipped her head around and caught sight of Xu Yinuo's bare feet, as well as the spreading water stains on the floor, which instantly gave her a headache.

Xu Yinuo picked up the cup with a calm demeanor but with teeth clenched, he demanded, "Mommy, who's been bullying you?"

Seeing Mommy's rumpled clothes and the handprint on Chu Rusi's face, he was pretty sure he had pieced it together.

Someone had the nerve to bully his mom? They were asking for trouble!

But he was not one to act on impulse. Never. Ever. Impulsive.

Xu Yinuo held back, his grip on the cup so tight it nearly shattered. He fixed a hard stare on the two people at the door. "Well? I'm waiting for an explanation!"

Xu Huanxi took a deep breath, finding the absurdity of the world almost laughable. She struggled to steady her thoughts; she couldn't worry Xu Yinuo with the truth that she had nearly been assaulted. So instead—

She shot Chu Rusi a look that clearly said, "Watch yourself."

Chu Rusi caught the hostile glare and a very bad, very ominous feeling washed over him.

With resignation, Xu Huanxi covered her face and pointed at Chu Rusi, as if resigned to her fate, "Him! He's the one who bullied me!"