Chapter 124: Why Can He Do It, but I Can’t?

"Yes, I am scared. I am truly scared to death." Jiang Yao pushed He Yunqing onto the bed. "If you really wanted to sexually harass someone, wouldn't you have had countless opportunities? By now, your scandals would have been all over the headlines."

He Yunqing could not say he was entirely unacquainted with the actress named Feng Xiao. They had met briefly at an event last year. At the time, Feng Xiao was alone in the dressing room, and He Yunqing had simply walked into the wrong place. That single, simple encounter was enough to be blown out of proportion. Because there was no evidence, a single word from the actress was all it took to make it impossible for He Yunqing to clear his name, no matter how much he tried.

Even though they could not convict him, the public only chose to believe what they wanted to believe. People saw only a weeping, fragile, and victimized woman, and a well-dressed, hypocritical beast of a man. The disparity in their status only caused everyone to pour all their hatred and filth onto He Yunqing. After all, too many people harbored an innate resentment toward those stronger and more accomplished than themselves.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, Jiang Yao looked at He Yunqing’s unfocused eyes and felt it was deeply ironic. If those people were actually standing in front of He Yunqing, they would likely be scrambling to curry his favor—cowards who only dared to clamor online, hiding behind their screens to act tough.

"Ah, the living room hasn't been cleaned yet." He Yunqing stood up abruptly and staggered toward the living room.

Jiang Yao grabbed him. "You get back here."

He Yunqing was pulled back; he gave Jiang Yao a brilliant smile, then turned to grab a broom, intending to clean the bedroom.

"Put it down." Jiang Yao pointed a finger at him, as if scolding a child. "Don't move."

He Yunqing actually set the broom down obediently, but unable to stay still, he pulled out a tissue and began silently wiping the table next to him.

Jiang Yao looked at him helplessly. "He Yunqing, can you hear me? He Yunqing?"

He Yunqing’s wiping slowed slightly.

"I know you didn't do it. I believe you wouldn't do such a thing. It's their problem that they are slandering you. Please, don't be like this."

He Yunqing slowly raised his head, looking at Jiang Yao’s sincere expression. Suddenly, he crumpled the tissue into a ball, swung his hand, and tossed it directly into the trash can. He cupped Jiang Yao’s small face in his warm, large hands, his chest heaving with every breath.

Jiang Yao watched her own reflection in his eyes. "He Yunqing?"

Without a word, the man leaned down, and a fierce, scorching kiss descended upon her.

"Mmph..."

Jiang Yao’s eyes widened, and she pushed against him with all her might. But the man was too strong; all her struggles were in vain.

He Yunqing swept her onto the soft bed, his tall frame looming over her. He kissed her lips, her jaw, her neck...

Jiang Yao began to feel afraid. Gasping for air, she tried to push him away. "He Yunqing, what are you doing? Let me go!"

"He Yunqing!"

The man’s scorching hands pressed against her slender waist through her clothes. Just as his fingers were about to undo the buttons of her top, he heard her cry out. He Yunqing looked up, staring fixedly at Jiang Yao. In his bottomless eyes lay a heartbreaking mixture of restraint and redness.

"Let me go," Jiang Yao repeated softly, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Why? He can have you, but I can't?" The man’s voice was low, the words squeezed through his clenched teeth.

"What?" Jiang Yao looked at him, confused.

A self-deprecating smile touched the corner of He Yunqing’s mouth. His fingertips moved slowly downward, gently pressing against Jiang Yao’s lower abdomen. Why did she allow Cheng Yanchi to touch her, and yet, why was she so resistant to him?

Jiang Yao’s body shuddered. She quickly pulled away from his embrace, sitting two body-lengths away. "It seems you’re really drunk. You... get some rest."

He Yunqing lay back on the bed, slowly closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. His expression was so calm, yet as Jiang Yao watched him, she felt as though she were enveloped in a profound sorrow—a sorrow so deep that her own heart began to ache along with his.

"He Yunqing..." Jiang Yao hesitated, then leaned back over toward him. She whispered into his ear, her voice trembling, "No matter what happens, you must remember that you are the best He Yunqing..."

In her world, he was like a star in the sky... a He Yunqing who would never be stained by a speck of dust. A He Yunqing who would never allow anyone to splash a drop of filth upon him.

Daybreak came.

Jiang Yao woke up in He Yunqing’s arms. She looked around, dazed, and then suddenly realized where she was. She sprang away like a coiled spring, moving several meters away. Only after confirming that he was still asleep did she finally pat her chest in relief.

When he wakes up, he’ll be hungry. Jiang Yao decided to go buy breakfast for him.

The owner of the breakfast stall carefully packed the porridge and buns for her. "Miss, it's been a while since I've seen you."

Jiang Yao smiled and nodded. "I moved away."

"So, you're revisiting your old neighborhood today?"

Jiang Yao chuckled, about to reply, when a familiar figure flashed before her eyes. Her heart throbbed with pain. Forgetting even the breakfast, she stared blankly and began to run after the figure. Across the street, the person stopped, as if looking at her from afar.

With tear-filled eyes, Jiang Yao looked at him. "Mr. Chen, Mr. Chen..."

The person smiled at her gently, just as he had all those years ago.

"How can this be?" Jiang Yao choked back a sob. "I miss you so much, Mr. Chen. I listened to you; I've been living well..."

As she spoke, she prepared to dash across the street toward him. A large truck roared past. At the critical moment, an arm grabbed her clothes just in time.

"Miss, what's wrong with you?"

Jiang Yao blinked, realizing it was the breakfast stall owner who had pulled her back.

"I..." Jiang Yao felt dazed for a moment and quickly looked back across the road. On the other side, there was no sign of Chen Zui—there wasn't even a soul in sight!

The owner handed the breakfast bag to her. "Who pays for food and then runs off without it? You're quite the character, Miss."

Jiang Yao clutched the bag and pointed across the street. "Sir, did you see anyone over there just now?"

The owner scratched his head. "Are you kidding? There’s nobody there!"

That’s right. There was nobody there. Chen Zui had been gone for eleven years. He would never appear in Jiang Yao’s life again.

A piercing buzzing sound began to fill Jiang Yao’s head. She furrowed her brows, rubbing her temples, and walked down the street, looking lost and broken. She knew that her illness had worsened again.