"You're not bad yourself, always laying traps with your words, waiting for me to fall into them," Wu Zhiming said with a smile.
Song Siqing smiled awkwardly and then asked seriously, "But, Wu Zhiming, let me ask you, if Yao Jing had really been taken into the grove and insulted that day, would you... still like her?"
"No matter what Yao Jing has been through, as long as she is my wife, I will fulfill my duties as her husband," Wu Zhiming replied.
"Such a flawless answer... it makes me even more convinced that you're a scumbag!" Song Siqing said.
"Why?" Wu Zhiming asked.
"Because only scumbags would answer like that. Scumbags always disguise themselves as perfect gentlemen, but in reality, they are just scumbags. The better their answers to certain questions, the more it proves they're scumbags!" Song Siqing said seriously.
"Maybe," Wu Zhiming shrugged. He wasn't going to argue about something meaningless.
"Back to the main point... that day, Yao Jing wasn't taken into the grove," Song Siqing said.
"Hmm?"
"After those thugs let me go, Jingjing walked with them for a while, and then they let her go," Song Siqing said.
"They let her go? Why?" Wu Zhiming asked in surprise.
"Because Yao Jing gave them a lesson on the law. Hahaha!" Song Siqing couldn't help but laugh.
"A law lesson?!" Wu Zhiming was taken aback.
"Yes, a law lesson! Jingjing told them how many years they would get if they did anything to her. She explained that since she was a minor, the punishment would be heavier. And because they were a group, it would count as gang rape, adding to their sentences. She even said that if they dared to touch her, she would report it and then commit suicide, which would cause a huge public outcry and lead to charges of involuntary manslaughter. In Jingjing's words, if they touched her, the lightest sentence they'd get would be life imprisonment. Those thugs, who hadn't seen much of the world, got scared and let her go," Song Siqing said.
"Incredible!" Wu Zhiming couldn't help but give a thumbs up. In that situation, even adults might be terrified, but Yao Jing managed to save herself by educating them about the law, which was beyond what most adults could do.
Wu Zhiming couldn't help but think about the time when Yao Jing was kidnapped. Back then, she also persuaded the kidnappers to take her to the company, buying enough time for Wu Zhiming to rescue her.
It seemed that Yao Jing was very good at persuading others.
"Of course she's incredible. That was the first time I admired Jingjing so much. I felt that Jingjing was a goddess; no ordinary person could do what she did! From that moment, I made it my mission to protect Jingjing! Jingjing can't bring herself to be bad, so I'll do it. Anyone who wants to get close to Jingjing has to pass my test! Why do you think I had so many boyfriends before? They were all guys who wanted to get with Jingjing, but none of them passed my test and ended up becoming my boyfriends! But I quickly dumped them," Song Siqing said.
"Is that why you dislike He Shuhui so much?" Wu Zhiming asked.
"When we were in school, because Jingjing and I were good-looking, other girls were jealous and spread all kinds of rumors about us. Jingjing didn't care, but I couldn't let her bear those false accusations, so I fought back against those girls. The easiest way to fight girls is to take away what they like. I stole at least five or six boyfriends, maybe even ten. Quite a few, actually," Song Siqing said.
Listening to Song Siqing, Wu Zhiming could understand her. He had been to school and knew what it was like for pretty girls. Not only girls would spread rumors, but boys would too. Some boys would boast about being with a school goddess to satisfy their vanity when they couldn't get her. This happened a lot, and a goddess's status naturally attracted negative attention, especially someone like Yao Jing, who was a stunning beauty.
It was clear that Song Siqing had helped Yao Jing deal with many unpleasant situations during their school years.
"Wouldn't that ruin your reputation?" Wu Zhiming asked.
"Many girls at our school called me a slut. So what? I know what kind of person I am, and so does Jingjing. We never expected others to understand us. As long as Jingjing was happy and comfortable, that was enough for me!" Song Siqing said.
Wu Zhiming propped his chin with one hand, tilted his head, and looked at Song Siqing. After a while, he suddenly said, "Could it be that you're... a lesbian?"
"You're the one who's a lesbian!" Song Siqing retorted angrily.
"Then why don't you find yourself a boyfriend, one that you really like?" Wu Zhiming asked.
"No guy is good enough for me," Song Siqing said arrogantly.
"I see," Wu Zhiming nodded. "That's usually what lesbians say."
"Wu Zhiming, you're slandering me!" Song Siqing said furiously.
"I heard from Yao Jing that on our wedding day, you almost came to fight me?" Wu Zhiming asked.
"Yes!" Song Siqing nodded, "When I found out that Jingjing was going to marry a man like you, it was the first time I wanted to kill someone! But Jingjing stopped me. She said you were a victim too."
Wu Zhiming smiled and said, "Looking back now, she was right."
"But, Wu Zhiming, let me tell you, Jingjing is the best girl I've ever met. You absolutely cannot let her down, understand? If you do, even if it costs me my life, I'll kill you!" Song Siqing said seriously.
"You don't need to tell me that," Wu Zhiming shook his head.
Just then, Wu Zhiming's phone rang. He picked it up and said, "We're on the second floor, by the window."
"Who's coming?" Song Siqing asked.
"You'll see," Wu Zhiming replied.
Soon, three people appeared at the nearby staircase. When Song Siqing saw them, her face changed slightly. They were Yao Jing, Zhou Wenwei, and He Shuhui.
Song Siqing had guessed that Yao Jing might come, but she never expected Zhou Wenwei and He Shuhui to show up.
Seeing them, Song Siqing stood up nervously.
"Why are they here too?" Song Siqing asked quietly.
"This meeting was organized by Jingjing," Wu Zhiming said with a smile.
"Jingjing organized it?" Song Siqing looked at Yao Jing in surprise.
At this moment, Yao Jing led He Shuhui and Zhou Wenwei to their table.
"Siqing!" Yao Jing greeted Song Siqing.
Song Siqing stiffly nodded and then looked at He Shuhui.
He Shuhui looked back at her.
"What's wrong? Are you unhappy to see me?" He Shuhui asked.
"No, no!" Song Siqing shook her head repeatedly and then asked, "How did you all come together?"
"We're all classmates. It's normal to get together for a meal, isn't it? Zhiming, have you ordered?" Yao Jing asked.
"I've ordered a few dishes, but not many. We can add more later. Everyone, please sit," Wu Zhiming said.
Everyone took their seats.
Song Siqing looked awkward and remained silent.
"Shuhui, how's the baby?" Yao Jing broke the silence.
"The doctor said everything is fine," He Shuhui replied with a smile.
"If I remember correctly, you're the first one among us to get pregnant!" Yao Jing said with a smile.
"I didn't even know. It was after our last gathering that I found out. I was scared because I drank that day, but thankfully, everything is okay," He Shuhui sighed with relief.
"Shuhui, actually, today's meeting was organized by Siqing. She wants to apologize to you," Yao Jing said, looking at Song Siqing.
"Didn't you already apologize over the phone?" He Shuhui asked, looking at Song Siqing.
"Well..." Song Siqing felt embarrassed. The meeting was indeed organized by Yao Jing, and bringing He Shuhui and Zhou Wenwei here clearly meant she wanted Song Siqing to apologize in person.
Song Siqing, being someone who values her pride, found it difficult to apologize in person. However, she knew she was in the wrong before. If she didn't apologize in person, He Shuhui might say she forgave her, but deep down, there would still be a rift.
"It was all a misunderstanding," He Shuhui said calmly, seeing Song Siqing's hesitation. "After going through your chat logs, I saw that although your words were provocative, you didn't say anything too explicit. The fault lies with my husband for being weak-willed. He fell for it without much effort."
Zhou Wenwei said awkwardly, "I know I was wrong."
"Siqing, owning up to your mistakes makes life easier in the long run," Yao Jing said, holding Song Siqing's hand.
Song Siqing looked at Yao Jing and saw encouragement in her eyes.
Taking a deep breath, Song Siqing turned to He Shuhui and sincerely said, "Shuhui, I'm sorry, I was wrong. I've always suspected you of spreading rumors about Jingjing and me, so I intentionally said things to your husband that could be misinterpreted. I'm apologizing not because you're pregnant but because I realize how childish my behavior was. I sincerely apologize and hope you can forgive me."
"I've already forgiven you. If I were in your shoes and had rumors spread about me in school, I'd hold a grudge too," He Shuhui said.
"Zhou Wenwei, I apologize to you too!" Song Siqing said to Zhou Wenwei.
"No need, no need!" Zhou Wenwei shook his head repeatedly.
"Anyway, Siqing has prepared this meal and sincerely apologized. I hope this matter ends here," Yao Jing said seriously.
Song Siqing, He Shuhui, and the others nodded in agreement.
Wu Zhiming watched with a fatherly smile. He was very pleased with Yao Jing's actions.