Song Meimei summoned all her strength, lunging fiercely with a sharp blade towards Ye Fan’s back.

She was a frail woman with no power to bind a chicken, yet the blade in her hand could cut hair with a single blow, an exceptionally sharp weapon. However, none of that seemed important to her, as she didn’t consider that.

Her only thought was to end this matter quickly, so she could be free from the struggle and pain. She was desperate to end the torment she was going through before making her move.

Song Meimei was ruthless, and when a woman becomes vicious, it’s truly terrifying. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be sayings like ’the most poisonous thing is a woman’s heart.’

"I’m letting you die swiftly to spare you further torment. I don’t want to see your accusatory gaze, so I have to kill you. I hope to deliver a lethal blow so you die painlessly," Song Meimei murmured.

Ye Fan had left his back exposed to Song Meimei, trusting her even in such a perilous moment.

He could never have imagined that by risking himself to save Song Meimei, he would instead be the target of her deadly attack.

"Thunk!" came a sound, faint but unmistakable, of flesh being torn.

Traces of crimson blood splattered forth.

For Song Meimei, the sound was like muffled thunder, reverberating in her mind; taking this step meant she could never turn back.

Song Meimei’s blade pierced into Ye Fan’s back.

In that instant, time seemed to stop.

The guards ceased their assault voluntarily, leisurely watching unfold.

The elders gazed with hope; they sincerely wished that Song Meimei’s stab had killed Ye Fan.

After succeeding in her strike, Song Meimei hurriedly retreated, stumbling and falling to the ground.

Her expression became apprehensive, filled with tension and unease.

Ye Fan turned to face Song Meimei, feeling the blade still embedded in his back, with a look of icy disdain.

Luckily, as he was moving to fend off the guards, Song Meimei’s strike lacked precision; otherwise, just with this stab, she indeed could have endangered his life.

Yet, even now, her strike had seriously wounded him.

Though not fatal, the injury from her blow was still remarkably severe.

"What are you doing?" Ye Fan stared at Song Meimei with indescribable coldness.

"I’m sorry, truly sorry." Song Meimei, her tears glistening, sobbed in apology, eyes flickering, unable to meet Ye Fan’s gaze.

"Sorry? Do you think sorry helps?" Ye Fan responded with displeasure, "Sorry only comforts those who did wrong; it does nothing for the injured. Do you know that?"

"I didn’t want this, truly didn’t," Song Meimei cried, trying to explain, "They threatened me with the lives of my entire Song Family; I had no choice. I just had no other option."

"You..." Ye Fan looked at Song Meimei, at a loss for words, feeling empty inside. Is this still the carefree Song Meimei from before? Her explanation only received a sympathetic gaze from him.

He coldly admonished, "Take care of yourself."

Song Meimei felt deeply pained, sobbing, "I know this is wrong, and it hurts you deeply, but for the sake of the Song Family, I’d rather act this way. Let me bear all the suffering alone."

She was deeply hurt by Ye Fan’s indifferent gaze, feeling sorrow beyond measure.

"I’ve done what I promised you; I hope you’ll keep your word," Song Meimei looked at the elder and others before focusing her gaze back on Ye Fan, affirming, "If I had a choice, I’d rather stab myself than you, but I was left without options. The stab I gave you, I return it to you."

Song Meimei, enveloped in desolation, picked up a fallen blade from the ground and thrust it into her abdomen.

"Foolish woman!" Ye Fan rushed forward, grabbing her hand, and loudly asked, "Who told you that the Song Family members were under threat? It’s completely baseless; how could you believe such nonsense?"

"My father said it; he wouldn’t deceive me. My grandmother, my mother, my younger brother, and all the Song Family members were controlled by them," Song Meimei fervently explained, stunned by Ye Fan’s shout and spoke candidly.

"Nonsense! I surrounded them with my men; no matter how capable they are, they cannot threaten you, let alone all Song Family members. Even if they were stronger, they wouldn’t have the time," Ye Fan calmly responded, "You’ve been tricked; to be precise, your father deceived you."

Listening to Song Meimei’s words, Ye Fan realized some insights associating with Song Tianba’s character. It seemed highly probable Song Meimei was deceived; Sky Net wanted to threaten Song Family members, but time didn’t allow for it.

There simply wasn’t enough time; Sky Net couldn’t accomplish that.

Song Meimei and Song Tianba at Sky Net Headquarters wasn’t hard to understand. Perhaps Sky Net exploited hatred between him and Song Tianba, collaborating to achieve their goal. Song Tianba had his reasons to seek Sky Net’s help, so they could reach an agreement.

"What? Impossible, my father wouldn’t lie to me," Song Meimei fell into deep grief, her spirits plummeting.

Ye Fan’s words instantly shook her trust towards her father.

Ye Fan took the blade from Song Meimei, resignedly stating, "You’re truly foolish, always acting foolishly."

"Father, where is my father?" Song Meimei urgently asked, looking towards the elder and others.

"Song Tianba, stop hiding, come out," the elder called out calmly.

After all, they wouldn’t survive, so their arrangement with Song Tianba didn’t matter. Ultimately, they simply maximized their use of Song Tianba, leading to Song Meimei’s ordeal.

Song Tianba sluggishly emerged from a corner, his expression grim and unwilling to meet his daughter’s gaze.

Earlier, when Song Meimei attempted to harm herself, Song Tianba was terrified, rushing out frantically, only to hide again once Ye Fan had stopped her.

"Father, did you deceive me?" Song Meimei’s face lined with sorrow, she asked loudly.

"I..." Song Tianba faltered, unable to reply.

"Let me tell you, Song Tianba’s words were indeed deceiving you. It’s true. It was Song Tianba himself who came up with the idea to counter Ye Fan. Once Song Tianba learned we threatened Ye Fan, knowing Ye Fan was likely to fight us in a deadly battle. He believed Ye Fan would surely die, so he gladly cooperated with us," the elder chuckled.