"Did you already know that Han Li would get into a fight tonight?" Wu Mei looked at Xin Yibin and couldn’t help but ask, "Since you knew about this, why didn’t you tell me, why didn’t you tell his dad? If you had told us earlier, things wouldn’t be like this now! I really don’t understand. You know how I’ve treated you over the years. Why can’t you treat us well too?"

Wu Mei’s eyes turned red, filled with bloodshot veins.

"I really don’t understand. Even if you hate me, don’t take it out on Han Li..."

Probably overwhelmed by sadness, Wu Mei vented all her anger onto Xin Yibin.

It was the first time she lost her temper at Xin Yibin, and after getting angry, she couldn’t help but bury her head in Xin’s father’s arms and sob. Xin’s father knew she hadn’t been feeling well lately, and this time Han Li getting into a fight and getting stabbed really upset her.

Faced with Wu Mei’s sudden outburst, Si Ruoran was startled. She couldn’t quite understand the relationship between Xin Yibin and his stepmother. Her first reaction was to look at Xin Yibin, only to see him stand there motionless.

He seemed a bit pale, and upon closer inspection, any change was imperceptible.

"Alright, Ayi, your auntie is just anxious for the moment, she didn’t mean any harm, don’t take it to heart." Xin’s father comforted his son and patted his wife’s back, calming her anger.

Xin Yibin still stood unmoved, his lips moved as if to say something, but he didn’t. From Si Ruoran’s angle, she seemed to catch a fleeting glimpse of hurt in his eyes.

On this night, the breeze lightly lifted his locks, his gaze lost in the darkness. So stubborn, he didn’t speak a word in his defense, just silently bore it all.

Was he heartbroken?

Si Ruoran suddenly felt very sympathetic, knowing that his parents’ divorce from a young age had left an indelible shadow in his heart, and now he was being endlessly criticized.

Who wouldn’t feel hurt inside?

"Auntie, it’s not Xin Yibin’s fault." Si Ruoran couldn’t stand it anymore, her eyes firmly fixed on the couple as she spoke each word clearly, "When Xin Yibin first heard about Han Li’s involvement in the gang fight, he immediately..."

"No need to say more." Xin Yibin pulled Si Ruoran over, took her hand, and suddenly walked towards the hospital entrance.

Xin’s father opened his mouth, wanting to call his son back, but closed it again. He knew he hadn’t paid enough attention to his son; with so much on his plate, he had no energy left for family matters.

He owed his son.

Si Ruoran and Xin Yibin ran straight to the hospital entrance. Si Ruoran looked up at him, clearly sensing the turmoil inside him.

He let go of her hand and suddenly sat down on the side.

"If you want to cry, just let it out." Si Ruoran sat beside him, holding his left hand. "Actually, many times, we can’t choose certain things in life, but we can change them. I believe your stepmother didn’t mean any harm. Many times, everyone gets hurt. But don’t be afraid; I’m here with you, aren’t I?"

Upon hearing this, Xin Yibin’s body suddenly stiffened for a moment.

He turned his head and saw the girl’s bright smile, deeply etched into his eyes under the dim light.

His Adam’s apple moved slightly. He wanted to ask, "Will you really always be by my side?"

But he didn’t ask. Instead, his eyes filled with bright, shimmering tears. This side of Xin Yibin was something Si Ruoran had never seen before. His eyes so pure, so beautiful, made her heart skip a beat.