Chapter 112: Sorry, Madam, I’m Sorry!

As Shi Runrun listened to him reminisce, she felt a sudden, sharp ache in her heart. To lose a first love—someone he had loved so deeply—to a car accident... He must have been devastated at the time.

Before she could press for details, he looked at her, his voice hoarse. "Zaozao was never meant to leave. She did it to save me. The truck that hit us was originally heading straight for me. In the final, desperate moment, Zaozao pushed me aside, and she was the one who was struck..."

"What..." Shi Runrun gasped, her heart feeling as though it were being torn apart.

So, this Chi Zaozao had been his savior. She had died for him. The realization left Shi Runrun utterly shaken. She couldn't fathom how deeply Chi Zaozao must have loved him to be willing to sacrifice her own life. A beautiful girl of only eighteen, with her whole life ahead of her, had chosen to give it all up for her boyfriend.

Shi Runrun’s almond eyes widened, her breath catching in her throat. Any lingering hostility she felt toward Chi Zaozao vanished, replaced by a profound sense of awe. She wondered, if their roles were reversed, would she be willing to give up her life for Xiao Xuezheng? She didn't know—she truly didn't know. Perhaps she would in that final, critical moment, but she couldn't give a definitive answer now.

The next moment, Xiao Xuezheng leaned down and pulled her into an embrace, his arms gently wrapping around her neck. His touch was light, as if he feared she might shatter, but his strong arms slowly tightened around her. His voice began to tremble.

"So, Runrun, tell me, how could I ever forget her? I can't... I can't erase her from my heart. I couldn't do it. Zaozao gave me a second life; without her, I wouldn't be who I am today."

"That day, on her death anniversary, I went to the park near our old high school to mourn her. I had some to drink, and I got drunk. I ended up at a hotel, and when I woke up and walked out, you saw me. You thought I had betrayed you."

He intentionally omitted the fact that Chi Wanwan had lured him there. He saw no need to mention it—he would never have any contact with her again—and he didn't want to cause Shi Runrun unnecessary distress. After all, he had remained faithful; he hadn't cheated, and he never would.

Listening to the raw, trembling pain in his voice, Shi Runrun felt her heart being violently pulled. She lay on the bed in his arms, shivering uncontrollably. Now that she understood his past and the truth about that day, she realized he was a pitiful soul, too. Unable to hold back any longer, she pressed her forehead against his chest, closed her eyes, and let the tears fall.

On one side was a savior and a lost love; on the other, a new love she had just begun to embrace. It was truly a cruel dilemma for him.

Shi Runrun was not an unreasonable person. If she put herself in his shoes—if her first love had sacrificed their life to save her—she knew she would never be able to forget them either. It was human nature. She wasn't so selfish or narrow-minded as to demand that Xiao Xuezheng forget Chi Zaozao. Her previous anger and doubt had stemmed from his refusal to tell her the truth. Now that he had finally laid it all out, she felt a profound pity for him. Her heart ached for him.

Tears flowed in a steady stream, soaking his white shirt. The resolve she had felt to end their marriage began to crumble. With everything laid bare, she found she could no longer hold onto her anger.

His slender fingers threaded through her dark hair. He looked at her and asked in a low voice, "That is my explanation, my dear. Can you forgive me? I’m sorry for hurting you again, for sending you to the hospital. I’m so sorry..."

Proud and noble as he was, he had whispered "I’m sorry" to her repeatedly. Tears welled up in Shi Runrun’s eyes instantly. She couldn't help but ball her hands into fists and strike his chest, every blow fueled by her pent-up grievances.

She sobbed, her voice raspy. "Why didn't you tell me sooner? Why didn't you just say it..."

"I'm sorry..." he sighed, whispering.

She continued to cry. "Do you have any idea? When I saw your expression that day, I was so worried. I waited until the middle of the night for you to come home, and then you left again. I was so anxious. When Huanhuan said you were at the hotel, I was so scared I ran after you... If you had just told me it was the anniversary of her death, I would have been prepared. I wouldn't have let my imagination run wild... I wouldn't have run out in the rain... I wouldn't have fallen into the river... You’re a jerk! You’re such a jerk!"

"I’m sorry... my dear. I should have told you sooner. Leaving you at home to worry, leaving you to cry alone, you falling into the river—it was all my fault. It was all my doing... please, forgive me..."

A man usually so reserved, he poured out words he had never dared to speak before. Shi Runrun was stunned; her shattered heart was suddenly enveloped by the warmth of his raw emotion. Her tears kept flowing, soaking his shirt. She had thought her own life was miserable, but she hadn't realized that even a man of his stature was far from happy.

It seemed that two miserable souls were destined to be together.

Her fists fell limply from his chest, but a moment later, she reached up to caress his chiseled, handsome face. She cradled it gently, as if she never wanted to let go. Looking at him, she wept and spoke, "I'm sorry, too... I was being too willful... I didn't try to see things from your perspective... I'm sorry..."

Xiao Xuezheng looked at her, his thin lips pressed tight. Seeing her face covered in tears, his heart overflowed with tenderness. He reached out to wipe away her tears, his heart pounding. Yu Nan was right; she was a truly sensible and simple girl. Whoever treated her with kindness and opened their heart to her, she would return that love in kind.

Holding back the surge of emotion in his chest, he leaned down, buried his face in her neck, and kissed her softly, sighing deeply, "Runrun, I have fallen in love with you... I cannot live without you..."

Shi Runrun was silent. Her breath hitched. Her mind, her ears, and her heart were all suddenly filled with that single, profound admission.