Su Ning tugged gently at Zhou Yi's sleeve, her eyes gleaming with a trace of stubbornness. It was clear that she didn't want him to leave, yet she remained silent.
The young woman pursed her lips, her defiance tinged with an endearing childishness. Her eyes were rimmed with red, but still, she refused to utter a word.
Zhou Yi lowered his gaze, his voice carrying a faint detachment as he asked, "So, is it really that difficult for you to lower your head and say you're sorry?"
For Su Ning, it was indeed no easy task.
She had been pampered all her life, growing up without any obstacles or challenges.
Apologize? Those words had never once appeared in her vocabulary.
Even when she had made mistakes in the past, no one had dared to reprimand her, nurturing her unyielding pride.
But this time, Su Ning realized that if she didn't speak up, Zhou Yi might truly begin to resent her.
After wrestling with her thoughts, she bit her lip, a soft blush spreading across her delicate lips.
"I… I'm sorry, Zhou Yi."
The apology finally slipped from her lips, marking the first time this spoiled princess had ever bowed her head.
Zhou Yi said nothing, merely watching her intently.
Su Ning took a deep breath, summoning her courage once more.
"I went too far before. I shouldn't have said those things to you, and I shouldn't have struck you."
A fleeting smile flickered across Zhou Yi's lips, vanishing so quickly that Su Ning failed to catch it.
"Will you forgive me?" she ventured softly, her voice trembling with vulnerability.
After speaking, Su Ning stole a cautious glance at him.
Her hand still clung tightly to his sleeve, and with her reddened eyes, she looked like a frightened rabbit.
"Why are your eyes red?" Zhou Yi remarked casually, his words sending a jolt through Su Ning.
"They're not!" she protested, covering her face as she stepped back. "It's just… the wind today—it's too strong!"
How could she possibly be crying? Zhou Yi must be making things up!
Su Ning hid her face, avoiding his gaze, but the boy stepped closer.
The only sounds around her were the rustling leaves stirred by the breeze, and she could almost hear the pounding of her own heart.
Zhou Yi leaned down slightly, tapping her forehead lightly with his fingers.
"You're so stubborn," he murmurred, his tone laced with both exasperation and tenderness. "What will become of you in the future?"
Su Ning slowly lowered her hands from her face.
Zhou Yi's gentle gaze filled her vision, sunlight illuminating his features like a halo. In that moment, Su Ning understood—this was what it meant to be captivated by someone.
She couldn't tear her eyes away from him.
[Her heart skipped a beat, warmth blooming within her chest.]
"So, Miss Su," Zhou Yi began, his voice measured, "do you wish for me to stay as far away from you as possible—or… do you have other thoughts?"
He was testing her.
Su Ning bit her lip, her heart whispering something she couldn't quite grasp. She didn't want to become a stranger to Zhou Yi—not anymore.