Chapter Four: Is It So Hard to Apologize to Me?

“You all just now insisted I pushed Ning Lebao into the water, didn’t you? And you said I should pay the price. But now that the truth is revealed—that Ning Lebao is the real villain—shouldn’t she be the one to bear the consequences of her actions?”

Ning Huaizhi crossed her arms, calmly gazing at the four people before her.

Ning Lebao stiffened and shrank closer into their mother’s embrace, as if frightened.

Their mother held her tightly, heart aching, and said, “You and Lebao are sisters; why quarrel over this matter?”

“Pfft, really? Then why wasn’t that your attitude just now? You were the one making it so—so—easy—for me—to be the ‘good person,’” Ning Huaizhi deliberately drew out the words.

Their mother fell silent.

Ning Huaizhi then turned her gaze toward their father. “Dad, why don’t you say something? If this had happened to me, I’d be punished. But because it’s Ning Lebao, no punishment? Isn’t that unfair?”

“Second brother, weren’t you going to expose the truth and not let me off? So why aren’t you going after Ning Lebao now? She’s your sister, but I’m not? At least we share the same blood,” Ning Huaizhi rarely addressed them as “Mom” or “Dad.” She only did so now to sharpen the sarcasm—didn’t they look pale?

“What do you want?” their father asked sternly.

“I want her, in front of everyone, to admit her mistake and apologize to me.”

Ning Huaizhi’s smile faded, her voice deepening.

Everyone knew exactly who she meant.

It was impossible to settle things with Ning Lebao once and for all. Even if they reported it to the police, the Ning family would protect Ning Lebao, rendering such actions meaningless.

It was better to strike at her heart.

Ning Lebao cared most about her image in others’ eyes; otherwise, she wouldn’t have pretended to be the perfect sister in public—only this time, her facade crumbled.

Most people present were influential figures in the capital city. This blow could utterly shatter Ning Lebao’s pride.

Sure enough, after hearing Ning Huaizhi’s words, Ning Lebao’s face turned ashen.

She shook her head repeatedly, “No.”

Her pleading eyes turned to their father, as if threatening to burst into tears if he disapproved.

Their father almost agreed but swallowed the words back.

He still couldn’t bear to see his daughter wronged.

“I’m only asking for this one small thing, and you won’t even agree? Is it so hard to apologize when you’ve done wrong?”

Ning Huaizhi lowered her eyes, her long lashes trembling, masking all the emotion in her gaze.

She stood alone under the lamp, the pale light stretching her shadow long and thin, looking utterly lonely and pitiful.

And her parents and brothers stood firmly against her.

Among the crowd, some soft-hearted women couldn’t help but speak up.

“The Ning family has some influence now, yet they still act so petty. If someone’s done wrong, they should be punished. The girl isn’t making a fuss and only wants an apology, but they won’t even give that.”

“Shows how much he really loves his daughter. If he truly loved her, why favor a fake one over the real?”

“This kind can’t hold their ground. Partnering with someone like this—I’m afraid one day he’ll stab me in the back. When choosing partners, one must be more discerning.”

The last comment came from a woman in a champagne-colored gown, who had somehow slipped into the crowd unnoticed.

Hitting the problem at its core, Ning father’s greatest concern was Ning family’s business.

His expression changed instantly as he looked at Ning Lebao beside him. “Lebao, apologize.”

“But…” Ning Lebao still resisted.

“Apologize! Must I say it twice?”

Under their father’s stern gaze, Ning Lebao reluctantly bowed her head.

Once Ning father made a decision, no one could change it—not even his most beloved daughter.

Although the second son felt heartbroken, he could only stand aside and watch.

“I-I’m sorry.”

Ning Lebao whispered.

Ning Huaizhi rubbed her ear. “What did you say?”

Ning Lebao clenched her fists tightly by her sides.

“I said, I’m sorry! I shouldn’t have harmed you. Is that enough?”

After shouting this, Ning Lebao spun around and shoved through the crowd, storming away from the scene.

“Lebao!”

The second brother was startled by her sudden move and hurried after her.

Others were also shocked by Ning Lebao’s outburst. After murmuring complaints, they too prepared to leave.

The main player was gone; what was left to stay for?

No one noticed that in the farthest corner stood He Mingyuan.

Seeing everyone forget him, He Mingyuan exhaled in relief.

Better to be forgotten—best if no one took him seriously at all.

Just as He Mingyuan turned to leave, Ning Huaizhi suddenly called out, “He Mingyuan.”

Her words drew all eyes to him.

He stopped, quickly gathering his composure, turned around, and looked at Ning Huaizhi with a complex expression and a trace of helplessness in his smile.

“Huaizhi.”

“Don’t call me that. It’s disgusting. He Mingyuan, I don’t think I ever wronged you. So why did you team up with Ning Lebao to go after me?”

“I didn’t. Huaizhi, let’s find a place, and I’ll explain properly, okay?”

The events had unfolded too suddenly. He thought Ning Lebao would succeed and hadn’t prepared his defense, nor planned what to say.

But that was fine—Ning Huaizhi was easy to pacify. Just a private talk to lay everything bare, and she would understand.

The time on the way could help him figure out what to say.

“No need, He Mingyuan. If you have something to say, say it here and now.”

Ning Huaizhi coldly rejected him, catching He Mingyuan off guard.

He lowered his head and remained silent for a long moment.

“You can’t say it, can you? Let me say it for you: It’s because my standing in the Ning family is too low to help you. You want to climb higher, so you need new support—and that person isn’t me.”

“As for Ning Lebao, she’s not your real target; it could be anyone else. If I’m not mistaken, before coming to me, you also approached Miss Lin and exchanged contact info with her?”

As she spoke, her gaze casually swept toward Miss Lin.

Miss Lin fiddled with her phone, not paying attention.

He Mingyuan suddenly looked up, eyes darkening as he stared at her. “You…”

“You want to ask how I know? He Mingyuan, do you really think you can fool me? I just didn’t want to make it explicit. I know you want to use marriage to rise above others, but unfortunately, your dream is shattered.”

With today’s events, who would dare let their daughter have anything to do with He Mingyuan?

And this matter would soon spread through the mouths of everyone present, reaching the most prestigious families in the capital.

That’s why Ning Huaizhi chose to expose everything in front of everyone.

No one who has wronged her will escape unscathed.