After the wounds on Xu Rui's face healed, she gradually became more cheerful, which put Director Xu and Ji Haocheng at ease. However, neither of them expected that Xu Rui had not let go of that incident and would often wake up from nightmares.
When Ji Haocheng visited her, Xu Rui proposed wanting to go back to see the place. Ji Haocheng did not agree immediately but asked for her reasons. Xu Rui then told him about the nightmares she had been having. Ji Haocheng felt very sorry for her in this state and did not want to see her continue to be trapped in the shadows of the past.
In the end, he took Xu Rui to the local prison. Seeing the person who had once loomed over her like a mountain now being suppressed by others, Xu Rui felt a sense of vindication. Ji Haocheng also told her that he received this punishment because of Xu Rui's bravery. He had harmed girls like this more than once, and Xu Rui was the first to expose him, leading to the appropriate punishment for everyone involved.
After leaving the prison, Xu Rui wept uncontrollably, crying out all the grievances in her heart. Ji Haocheng did not stop her but watched over her silently from the side. Passersby looked on with curiosity, wanting to inquire, but Ji Haocheng's gaze deterred them.
When the two returned, Ji Haocheng thought Xu Rui could start a new life. But fate had not spared her. News of her face healing somehow reached her parents. They had the audacity to show up and try to play the emotional card.
However, Xu Rui no longer trusted them and naturally refused to see them. Her parents did not give up and started causing a scene at Grandpa Xu's place. Uninformed neighbors thought Xu Rui was being disobedient. Those who knew better were few, and those who wanted to speak up for her were verbally abused by her parents.
If it were someone else, Ji Haocheng would have had ways to help, but these were Xu Rui's parents. He had thought of intervening, but Xu Rui refused. Xu Rui was extremely bothered by this situation, but she rejected all the solutions Ji Haocheng offered, leaving him at a loss.
Ji Xingmi frowned after hearing what her elder brother had told her and asked, "What solutions did you suggest for her?"
"I suggested severing ties! Didn't she say she didn't want to deal with them anymore? Besides, with Director Xu around, it wouldn't make much difference!"
"She doesn't want to sever ties?"
"She said her parents also have it tough, and if she severed ties, it would affect them too! She said she didn't want people to call her unfilial."
Upon hearing this answer, Ji Xingmi glanced at Ji Haocheng, who was still scratching his head, and after some thought, said, "Big brother, are you absolutely sure about her?"
Hearing his sister's question, Ji Haocheng looked up at her with a confused expression. Ji Xingmi did not flinch and let him look. After a while, Ji Haocheng finally asked, "Why do you say that?"
"If you are absolutely sure about her, I will help you find a solution for her situation. If you are also hesitating, then I think this girl is not suitable for you."
Ji Haocheng fell silent. He had actually discussed this matter with their mother before. Their mother had told him the same thing after learning about it and had analyzed the reasons for her opinion. However, Ji Haocheng was still hesitant. He genuinely liked Xu Rui and admired her courage, but he gradually began to notice her own contradictions. At first, he attributed it to her having gone through too much, but later, he realized that many things began to change after her face had healed.
Ji Xingmi was not very good at comforting people. She herself was a source of "toxic positivity," so expecting her to console someone heartbroken would be unrealistic. She stood up, patted her elder brother's shoulder, and went upstairs. It was best to let him have some quiet time. He probably already had an answer in his heart but was hesitant to make the decision, and there was nothing she could do to help with that. As Ji Xingmi went upstairs, she looked back at Ji Haocheng, who was still sitting there, feeling like a scoundrel for bringing up his troubles and then leaving him alone.
But there was nothing she could do. He needed time. It wouldn't do any good for her to go over and tell him, "You're not compatible with her, break up immediately!"
When the Ji couple returned from their date, there was no one downstairs. Naturally, they were unaware of what their daughter and son had discussed. Ji Mingxue, holding his wife's hand, returned to their room. The atmosphere had reached a point where he had no time for other matters.
The next morning, everything was as usual. Ji Xingmi kept observing Ji Haocheng but noticed nothing out of the ordinary. Ji Haocheng indeed showed no signs of sadness; once things are figured out, they often resolve themselves. Instead, Mr. and Mrs. Ji had exceptionally good complexions that day, and they looked at each other with affectionate glances. If Ji Xingmi hadn't been focusing on her elder brother, she might not have been able to eat breakfast.
Finally, Ji Mingxue cleared his throat, informed everyone, and left for work with his briefcase. Ji Haocheng left with his father. Mrs. Ji was not in a hurry and was still talking to Ji Xingmi at the dining table.