Chapter 835: Revealing True Feelings

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation  Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

In the past, she harbored deep-seated hatred towards Zhong Yating for usurping her position. After today’s events, she vowed to use every means possible to dethrone Zhong Yating from her position as Huangfu Ruixiang’s wife.

Li Yi gazed at Li Yiran with a complex expression, a hint of sorrow in his eyes. “Yiran, don’t you even care about my safety? Do you realize? I am no longer a part of the Master’s entourage. I no longer have the privilege to freely come and go in the Hidden World. If the Enforcement Team discovers my current actions, do you know what consequences I’ll face?”

The former Zhongyu Yiran was his goddess, a dream he could never attain in his lifetime. But looking at Li Yiran before him, he couldn’t help but doubt if she was truly the same person he had admired for so many years.

Or perhaps, had Li Yiran always been this way, and he had been deceived by his own dreams all these years?

He had sacrificed everything for Li Yiran. Was it truly worth it? Now, he had undertaken numerous perilous tasks for her sake. Yet, Li Yiran only cared about her own interests, never considering his safety. What was the point of his efforts?

Li Yi found himself lost in confusion for a moment.

Seeing Li Yi’s expression, Li Yiran’s heart skipped a beat. Then, her expression changed, resembling that of someone on the verge of tears. “Brother Li Yi, it’s not that I don’t care about you. It’s just that too much has happened today. Because of Zhong Yating, I suffered immense humiliation. That’s why I’m so concerned about this matter.”

At this point, Li Yiran stepped forward and reached out to hold Li Yi’s hand, speaking earnestly, “You’ve always been an important brother to me. I have no family left, only you.”

Observing Li Yiran’s sincere emotions, Li Yi felt a sense of relief. He even reproached himself for his earlier impure thoughts.

He was now ensnared in Li Yiran’s tender trap, oblivious to the occasional flicker of disdain in her eyes.

“Don’t worry, Yiran. I will protect you.”

As he gazed at the gentle Li Yiran before him, Li Yi’s heart swelled with tenderness. He almost made a solemn vow. “No matter what happens in the future, I will always stand by your side, safeguarding you forever.”

Though he cherished Li Yiran deeply, she only regarded him as an elder brother. He couldn’t force her otherwise. Furthermore, despite no longer serving the Master, he remained loyal to the Huangfu family.

Now that Li Yiran belonged to Huangfu Ruixiang and had borne his child, as a member of the Huangfu family, he harbored no desire for her.

“Brother Li Yi, thank you so much,” Li Yiran expressed, deeply moved. “From now on, you’re my true brother. I’ll treat you as such. Whatever you need in the future, just ask, and I’ll do my best to help.”

“Just focus on living your life well,” Li Yi said earnestly, his face reflecting sincerity. “My only wish now is for your happiness.”

“Brother Li Yi, you’re too kind. Meeting you is the greatest blessing of my life.”

Though tears welled in her eyes as she spoke, a hint of bitterness tainted Li Yiran’s expression at the end.

Seeing Li Yiran in such a state, Li Yi immediately recalled the words she had just spoken. Then, he began to ask, “Yiran, earlier you mentioned being humiliated because of Zhong Yating. What exactly happened?”

Today was the Huangfu family’s sacrificial ceremony, as Li Yi had heard from Li Yiran before. Moreover, at that time, Li Yiran had excitedly informed him that she would be attending the ceremony.

However, it seemed that things didn’t go as smoothly as expected.

“I’m fine.” Li Yiran shook her head, attempting to force a smile, but it came out bitter. “Today’s ceremony went smoothly, nothing happened.”

Observing Li Yiran’s insincere demeanor, Li Yi knew that things weren’t as simple as she made them out to be.

So, after repeated probing, Li Yiran finally relented and revealed what had happened today.

Li Yiran’s face bore sorrow as she recounted her inability to participate in the ritual and her child’s exclusion from the family tree.

Of course, she deliberately placed all the blame on Zhong Yating. She even claimed that it was Zhong Yating’s vehement opposition that led to her predicament.

In the end, Li Yiran seemed unable to contain her tears, her voice tinged with endless sorrow. “I know Zhong Yating doesn’t like me. But the child is innocent! It’s because of her opposition that my child can’t even be listed in the family tree. If I were the third person between her and Huangfu Ruixiang, then I would accept it as my punishment. But I’m not. In fact, I met Huangfu Ruixiang first, and we were together before they got married. Even our child was born before their marriage. I truly don’t understand what I did wrong, why she treats me like this!”

Seeing Li Yiran’s distress, Li Yi felt a pang of heartache. He quickly reached out and gently patted her shoulder, offering comfort, “Yiran, this isn’t your fault. Zhong Yating is simply intolerant. She must fear that your child will threaten her position, hence her targeting you like this.”

“I lost my composure because of today’s events,” Li Yiran apologized, looking at Li Yi with regret. “Brother Li Yi, it’s not that I don’t care about you. It’s just that so much has happened today, and I couldn’t think clearly.”

Witnessing Li Yiran’s remorseful expression, Li Yi’s heart ached. He regretted his earlier interrogation. At that moment, he wished he could slap himself.

“It’s alright. It’s my fault for not understanding the situation and losing my temper. It won’t happen again.”