Guilt and Self-Reproach

Zhao Wan Ru waved her hand, signaling Wang Tian Bi to leave first. Partly, it was because her evening gown was cumbersome, preventing her from walking quickly. Moreover, she was draped in Cai Leng Han's thick coat and felt no chill. But the greater reason was Zhao Wan Ru's worry that if she walked quickly after Wang Tian Bi, Cai Leng Han might overthink things again. So, Zhao Wan Ru continued to walk slowly and serenely beside him.

The two walked calmly side by side. As they neared the guest signing area, they suddenly heard a group of women chatting. Cai Leng Han and Zhao Wan Ru would not have paid attention, had the conversation not mentioned Zhao Wan Ru's name. It began with a whispered female voice:

"Hey, isn't that Zhao Wan Ru?"

Another female voice, clearer and more certain, replied:

"Yes, that's her."

"Why is she dressed so strangely for a party?"

The clear female voice responded, her tone slightly higher, tinged with mockery:

"Don't you know? Zhao Wan Ru just married a man who used to be a junk collector. Perhaps that's why her taste has become as common as trash."

Giggles of derision echoed. Cai Leng Han froze. His face remained icy, but his eyes were filled with fury. How dare these people speak of Zhao Wan Ru like that? However, looking around, Cai Leng Han could not deny the truth that amidst countless women in revealing, tight, flimsy gowns, Zhao Wan Ru, bundled in his oversized coat, indeed looked out of place. Furthermore, the reason Zhao Wan Ru was scorned and ridiculed by that group was precisely because she had to marry him, a man who once had to collect junk to survive. This was an undeniable truth. Cai Leng Han felt a heavy, massive stone pressing on his chest, making him choke, unable to swallow or push it out.

Zhao Wan Ru was calmer. After all, she had lived two lives. In her previous life, when she had to attend galas alone, enduring the biting cold, she had to listen to far more severe and direct taunts and mockery than this. Back then, Zhao Wan Ru could still use her elegance and politeness to make those people feel uncouth and fall silent. What's more, now she was enjoying the warmth of the coat, with Cai Leng Han walking beside her like a knight protecting a princess. Those people only dared to hide in a corner and mock her cowardly. Zhao Wan Ru simply regarded them as buzzing flies. Such envious words, to her, were not even as irritating as flies.

Thus, Zhao Wan Ru did not feel angry like Cai Leng Han. However, her composure only made him feel more remorseful and self-reproachful. It seemed that because she had to be the wife of a good-for-nothing like him, Zhao Wan Ru had frequently endured such contempt and ridicule. That was why she could be so calm. Was it because she was used to it, or because she disdained to be angry? Whatever the reason, the more Cai Leng Han thought about it, the more he felt he had wronged Zhao Wan Ru deeply. After a moment of suppressing his emotions, he whispered softly:

"I'm sorry!"

"Huh?"

Suddenly hearing Cai Leng Han apologize, Zhao Wan Ru was startled. He sniffed, continuing in a low voice:

"You... take off this coat!"

Only then did Zhao Wan Ru understand the reason for Cai Leng Han's apology. This foolish block of ice must have heard those gossiping remarks and started overthinking again. She smiled, gently saying:

"No need. They're just jealous that I'm warm. Even Tian Bi was jealous that you took such good care of me, wasn't she?"

Cai Leng Han was still uneasy:

"But... they said such unpleasant things..."

Zhao Wan Ru still smiled:

"Yes, they said very unpleasant things, so let's not listen. Anyway, they don't dare to say it to my face. Let them stand in the cold wind and speak their minds; let's see who gets a stomach ache, a cold, or a sore throat."

No sooner had Zhao Wan Ru finished speaking than, sure enough, behind her, there were sounds of coughing, choking, and sneezing. The smoldering anger in Cai Leng Han's heart quickly extinguished. Yes, let those gossiping flies receive their just desserts.