Apology

"Apologize to Shiyu right now!" Bai Wenxuan barked, shoving his cold, angered face into Xia Yanxi's. 

Arching a taunting smile, Xia Yanxi chuckled. 

"Who are you to tell me what to do?" 

That taunting retort touched a nerve. Both hands that were flat on the table, were now clenched into fists with anger. 

Was she still the same girl? The one that was kind, understanding, full of empathy, slightly proud at times, the girl he grew up with, Xia Yanxi?

Throughout the years that she had invested in art school, she was condemned, albeit silently, by Bai Wenxuan. He did not want her to join the entertainment circle as he feared she would change, be it mentally or physically. Alas, she was a different person now, before even making an apperance in the said industry. 

Not only did she sleep with another man, she had even resorted to a flash marriage. And now… she's baring her fangs at her own little sister.

The feeling in his heart, complex and unexplainable, was torturing him. 

For all the years they had been together, Xia Yanxi had never once allowed him to kiss her or to touch her. For as long as he could remember, the girl was extremely conservative when compared to Huo Shiyu, a girl who knew exactly what he wanted, what he needed. Xia Yanxi was just not like her sister. 

"Yanxi, I understand you would feel somewhat affected by my engagement with Huo Shiyu but it was you who'd turn your back on our relationship. You owe me nothing nor I you. That doesn't give you the right to lash out at Shiyu! She's innocent!" Bai Wenxuan came in like a knight in shining armor, taking the teary Shiyu into his embrace, cuddling her and caressing her petite little head. 

"Don't cry now, Shiyu," he said, consoling the "poor" little "maiden" with a tone so comforting for some, but vomit-inducing for another. 

Xia Yanxi cocked her head, letting her hair slide over to the other side. The coldness in his eyes had intensified. She finally understood the man, and herself. She was blinded by love and wondered why she had ever loved such a vile man in the first place. 

Not wanting to witness this any longer, she turned away. 

"Unlike you, I'm married now. Henceforth, you are free to be engaged to whomever you like. I have no qualms, or rather, I do not give a crap about it. Frankly, I do not like Huo Shiyu. That is all. Don't jump in halfway thinking that everything revolves around you." 

Her words, like splinters, jabbed deep into his heart. His handsome face twisted as he spoke. 

"I know that love you have. The kind of love that means as much to you as salt to the sea. However, if you have anything to say, say it to my face. There's no need to hurt Huo Shiyu who is innocent. I won't hold back next time." 

The warning in his eyes, the determined flare of anger and contempt was real. No matter how tough a look Xia Yanxi was able to muster, she was inevitably hurt one way or another. 

She merely blinked at him. Not wanting to show any more emotion toward a man that did not deserve it. She turned back to the silent Huo Changsheng. 

"Mr. Huo. I want your verbal consent." 

His eyes reflected a mild confusion and deep-seated thought. He lifted his face, and looked at Xia Yanxi who shared a face that was eerily similar to her mother's. After a deep and long silence, he finally opened his fattened lips, "I will do as agreed upon. However, are you sure you want those shares?" 

Xia Yanxi nodded without hesitation. 

"I'm sure." 

Those were the shares left to her by her late mother. Why would she let the insolent fool that was her father hold onto it? 

"My lawyers will be in contact with you in two days' time." 

That was all she wanted to hear. WIth her objective accomplished, she no longer had reason to stick around with the vile creatures taking the form of humans in the dining room. She went upstairs, packed up all her and Mumu's belongings in a large suitcase. No one was bothered to tend to her as they were all sitting in the living room, enjoying an afternoon variety show. 

Before she was about to leave the house, Aunt Xu came running to her all of the sudden. Before she could even greet her, she shoved a bank card into Yanxi's hands. 

"Miss Xia, you and Master Xia are alone out there, without support. Aunt Xu has no place in this house. All I can do for you is this. I have my life savings in this bank account. Although they are for Lingwei… She's insisted on giving them to you… So, please… Take them!"