Startled by his abrupt action, she lifted her head to peer at him in bewilderment. He was brooding sullenly with his penetrating stare on her.

"Xingze, you…"

"Moments ago, that woman accused you of being a third party and an unwed mother."

His thin lips parted slightly, and words tumbled from them chillingly. "How did you feel when you were being humiliated like that?"

She was taken aback by his question and could not respond for a time.

"Why so quiet? Is this your final answer?"

He glared at her, antagonized. "Yun Shishi, is this your final decision? Why do you want to cheapen yourself in this way?"

"What do you mean?"

"What can he give you? Wealth, splendor, status, or fame?! And then, what else? Endless slander, humiliation, abuse, and contempt, do you really want all that?!"

His words shocked her immensely.

Despite his frigid look and icy tone, she could nimbly catch a fleeting pain in his eyes.

Was his heart… aching for her?

She did not know what to say next.

The supe