Chapter 1210: Chapter 1210

Even if they were heartbroken a moment ago, in the next second they could act as if nothing had happened, though inside they were still very sad.

Seeing that Liu Han Yan had already recovered, although he knew she was very sad inside, Xiao Zheng found himself at a loss for the right words to say.

After all, she wasn’t crying anymore, and saying something like "don’t cry" now would only be awkward.

After a long silence, Xiao Zheng finally spoke: "Is it because of the family matters the Fan Family mentioned to you today?"

Liu Han Yan nodded slightly. Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs novｅlfire.net

"So that call just now was them ensuring you haven’t changed your mind, right?" Xiao Zheng continued to ask.

Liu Han Yan nodded again.

"What do you plan to do?" Xiao Zheng asked after thinking for a moment.

But this time, Liu Han Yan shook her head, yet a moment later, she immediately nodded, saying, "They should know I won’t change my mind, and I absolutely won’t change my mind. I know that if I agree to this matter, my entire life will be ruined, but I have no complaints. For my family, I am willing to do these things, only..."

Xiao Zheng sighed and filled in for her: "Only they, although being of the same family as you, so easily sacrifice you to safeguard themselves, leaving you feeling disheartened, right?"

Liu Han Yan’s heart trembled slightly, surprised as she looked at Xiao Zheng. They hadn’t spent much time together, and Xiao Zheng only learned about her situation from today’s events at the café, yet her thoughts were already seen so clearly by him.

Sometimes being with someone doesn’t need much time for the other person to completely understand you, and this feeling is something most people cannot comprehend.

For a long time, Liu Han Yan felt like she was trapped in a cellar, cold and dark, with no one able to approach her, but now Xiao Zheng broke that notion in an instant, making her feel as if Xiao Zheng was an old friend she knew from years ago.

"I’m not in a great mood today. Can you accompany me for a drink?" Liu Han Yan suddenly said to Xiao Zheng.

Without a second thought, Xiao Zheng nodded because, in this situation, he didn’t have any reason to refuse.

So the two of them soon went to a nearby bar.

Sitting at the bar counter, both ordered some drinks, and Xiao Zheng fell into silence, while Liu Han Yan began to open up her heart.

She had so much pent-up inside, things she couldn’t even talk to Leng Ruobing about, her closest friend.

But if Leng Ruobing knew about these things, with her personality, she’d probably choose to intervene directly. Yet, even if she did, there might not be a good outcome, and in the end, she would still have to face the same issue.

She had been shouldering these burdens alone, but now she was too exhausted. That call earlier had completely broken her resolve, and if Xiao Zheng hadn’t been by her side, she even doubted if she could have held on.

It felt like being abandoned by the whole world in an instant.

Xiao Zheng hadn’t said a word from start to finish, quietly listening. Sometimes being a listener is what’s most needed, and comforting her at this point would serve no purpose, since what’s done is done, and Xiao Zheng couldn’t really help, so how could he comfort her?

Moreover, Liu Han Yan asked Xiao Zheng to drink with her not because she wanted his comfort, but simply because she had been holding it all in for too long and needed someone to talk to, nothing more.

Gradually, Liu Han Yan drank more and more. Xiao Zheng slightly frowned, not wanting her to keep drinking.

Seeing Liu Han Yan lift another glass of wine to her mouth, he quickly reached out and took it from her.

Liu Han Yan let out a self-deprecating laugh but didn’t insist on taking her glass back.

"I’ve been doing my best. For the sake of the family, I’ve given up so much. I’ve always followed their wishes, but this time they’ve let me down too much," Liu Han Yan said to Xiao Zheng.

Xiao Zheng opened his mouth, unsure how to respond, and then closed it, returning to silence.

Liu Han Yan didn’t mind, and after pausing to sort out her words, she spoke again, her expression looking somewhat pained: "When they first told me about this arranged marriage, I had already agreed, even though I was against it from the start. I never held any grudges against them because I know I’m a part of this family, and for this family, I’d sacrifice anything, even my life. But what about them? Have they considered me a part of their family? At this point, they still only think of themselves!"

After speaking, Liu Han Yan’s face looked even more pained, and she grabbed the glass from Xiao Zheng’s hand and drained it in one go.

Drinking too quickly, the alcohol burned, causing Liu Han Yan to cough violently, tears streaming down her face. Xiao Zheng patted her back with concern.

"That’s the sorrow of living in a big family; they’re too bureaucratic. They only think about interests, and those with true empathy can’t survive in such families," Xiao Zheng sighed and said.

"I understand... I understand everything you’re saying, but..." Liu Han Yan said painfully, not finishing her sentence, as the grievances she had been harboring surged up once more, and she began to cry, throwing herself into Xiao Zheng’s embrace.

Holding her soft and warm form, Xiao Zheng had no impure thoughts, only sympathy.

This woman, who seemed like a strong and noble queen on ordinary days, now sat in his arms, her body trembling like a frightened little deer.

She had been enduring too much, things that someone her age shouldn’t have to bear.

Now, with the entire family’s burden on her shoulders, the pressure is something most couldn’t withstand. That Liu Han Yan managed to handle it this far is an achievement in itself.

But unfortunately, her family pays no heed to this. All the family wants is for Liu Han Yan to help them peacefully achieve their goals, nothing more.

At this point, Xiao Zheng no longer prevented Liu Han Yan from drinking, only patiently advising her to drink less.