The sound of a car engine starting echoed in the courtyard, quickly fading into the lawn. Lu Yebai was gone. Lady Lu let out a lengthy sigh and turned to look at Meng Xi'er, her head hung low. "Xi'er, don't be sad. I know you like Yebai," she softly said. "It'll be alright, Yebai will marry you."
"..."
"Don't be afraid. Besides, you two have your marriage."
"..." At Lady Lu's words, Meng Xi'er's body shivered. She seemed like she wanted to say something. She glanced at Lady Lu, then bit her lips, remaining silent.
Lady Lu looked at Meng Xi'er's pale face, filled with pity. She reached out to stroke her hair, saying with a slight heartache, "Ah, how did you end up like this..."
Meng Xi'er lowered her eyebrows; one hand lightly clutching her wrist that was wrapped in a bandage. She could feel her scar starting to throb painfully.
Yes, how did she end up like this...
The thing she regretted the most in her life was falling in love with Lu Yebai. She was so naive back then, thinking if she persisted in pursuing the person she loved, he would eventually return her feelings. Who in the entire S City didn't know that Mayor Meng's single-child daughter was taken with Lu family's eldest son, Lu Yebai? At her most audacious, she had blocked Lu Yebai at the school gate with a group of young delinquents to confess her love.
Back then, Meng Xi'er was arrogant and domineering. She believed her father's power made her invincible and she could even steal love.
She was blinded by love, unable to see the growing disgust in Lu Yebai's eyes. She thought that if she kept pursuing him, he would one day see her sincerity and be with her.
Until the day, Lu Yebai ended up with Yun Qiyan...
...
"Xi'er, what's wrong?"
Meng Xi'er seemed to snap out of her daze, distancing herself from the memories.
She lifted her head and gave Lady Lu a gentle smile. "Nothing."
Nothing.
She dare not love Lu Yebai anymore.
Yes, it's not that she doesn't love him, but she dare not to love him anymore.
*************************************
Meng Xi'er's arrival caused a ripple of gossip in the Lu family.
Who was Meng Xi'er?
Both the old and new members of the Lu family staff educated each other: she was the only child of the former Mayor, a spoilt and unruly young woman. Her affections for the eldest son of the Lu family, Lu Yebai, ran deep.
There was even a rumored that the first time she saw Lu Yebai in front of her parents, she demanded to marry him.
Lady Lu, guiding Meng Xi'er down the stairs, silenced the whispers in the main hall. Seeing her family staff engaged in gossip, Lady Lu scowled instantly. "What are you all standing around for? Shouldn't you be preparing dinner? What time is it now!"
The servants scattered. Lady Lu led Meng Xi'er to the sofa, looking at her pale face with concerned eyes.
"Did you suffer a lot in jail?" she asked in a gentle tone.
"No." Meng Xi'er dropped her gaze. "I only have myself to blame, there's no one else to resent."
"Ah..." Lady Lu sighed, "Why did you do such a thing back then...Nevermind, it's all in the past. Let's say no more."
"..." Meng Xi'er didn't reply. With her gaze lowered and her lips lightly pursed, one hand was constantly pressing the wristband on her right wrist. Hidden underneath it were a dozen intersecting scars...