Chapter 3: A Necessary Apology

As Jian Yiling stepped out of her room and made her way to the staircase, her mother, Wen Nuan, suddenly caught sight of her. Their eyes met, and Wen Nuan's expression shifted from surprise to sorrow, her lips trembling as if she were struggling to find the right words. 

Her daughter, whom she had cherished since childhood, had become a source of worry. 

Overwhelmed with emotion, Wen Nuan buried her face in her husband Jian Shuxing's shoulder, tears streaming down her cheeks. "It's my fault. I spoiled Yiling too much..." 

Jian Shuxing, a formidable presence in the business world, had never been one to show weakness or vulnerability. Yet today, he found himself fighting back tears. "It's not just your fault; I share the blame as well. Fortunately, it's not too late. We can still teach Yiling and help her grow," he said gently, stroking his wife's back in a comforting gesture.

Despite his usual stoicism, Jian Shuxing felt a heavy weight on his heart. He knew that among their four children, he and Wen Nuan had a softer spot for their youngest daughter. She was not only the baby of the family but also the only girl. However, their affection for her did not diminish their love for the other three. The gravity of Yunnao's accident weighed heavily on him; he felt an ache for both his son and his daughter.

The couple exchanged glances filled with sadness, regret, blame, and an unmistakable sense of helplessness. Such looks were foreign to Jian Yiling. 

In her past life, her parents had signed a contract with a research institute upon discovering her talents, essentially handing her over for their own gain. In return, the institute provided the family with a generous yearly compensation. As a result, Jian Yiling had seldom spent time with her parents, and during their rare meetings, their eyes had always held a cold detachment. Even their words of concern felt rehearsed, devoid of warmth or authenticity. 

But the expressions her parents wore now were different; they etched themselves into her heart, stirring emotions she had long thought buried. Perhaps they didn't fully trust her in this situation, but their love for her was genuine.

Suddenly, Wen Nuan broke free from her husband's embrace and rushed up the stairs to stand beside Jian Yiling. 

At fifteen, Jian Yiling was slightly smaller than her peers, a consequence of her being a premature baby. Her delicate, doll-like features still held traces of baby fat, making her look younger than her age. Seeing her daughter standing there in silence only deepened Wen Nuan's sorrow. 

In a sharp tone, she admonished, "Yiling, you must admit your mistake. Your father and I are going to visit your brother in the hospital, and you need to apologize to him! You need to ask for his forgiveness! What you did was unacceptable! If you don't make amends, your father and I will not forgive you!"

Wen Nuan had never spoken to Jian Yiling with such harshness before. 

Nodding slowly, Jian Yiling understood that any attempt to explain herself now would be futile. She realized that denying her intentions would only echo the mistakes of the original character in her past life, pushing herself further into danger. 

Later that evening, Wen Nuan had Aunty An prepare some nourishing soup and dishes, carefully packing them in a thermos before taking Jian Yiling along to the hospital. 

The Jian family's home sat on a hillside, nestled within an upscale neighborhood of Hengyuan City, a place reserved for the influential and affluent. The private hospital where Yunnao was admitted was half an hour away, and it was known as the best in the city.

As they approached the hospital room, Jian Shuxing and Wen Nuan's hearts ached at the sight of their son lying there, his arm in a sling, his complexion pale, lifeless, and devoid of spirit. 

The brothers, Jian Yunnao and Jian Yuncheng, shared about fifty percent of their features, both possessing delicate and defined facial structures. However, where Yuncheng's face held maturity, Yunnao's was still youthful, bearing the signs of his recent trauma. Now, his once bright and cheerful expression was marred by pain and despair, his eyes almost devoid of hope.

At only seventeen, Yunnao had suffered a blow that could shatter anyone's spirit. Next to him, Jian Yuncheng wore a stern expression, his silence heavy with unspoken words. His handsome features were overshadowed by a gloomy aura.

"Yunnao, Mom had Aunty An make your favorite food. Why don't you eat a little?" Wen Nuan approached cautiously, her movements gentle, trying to coax him.

Yunnao turned his head away, clearly struggling with his emotions. 

Wen Nuan understood. Her heart ached for her son, and she continued to gently reassure him, hoping he would open up. 

From the corner, Jian Yuncheng broke the silence. "Mo Shiyun came by earlier. She brought some food and helped feed Yunnao a bit."

Wen Nuan's heart tightened. "Thank you for telling me," she replied softly, her voice filled with gratitude. 

The atmosphere in the room was thick with sorrow, and it weighed heavily on everyone present. The gravity of the situation had transformed their lives, forcing them to confront their family dynamics and the implications of Jian Yiling's actions.

"Yunnao," Jian Yuncheng finally spoke, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside him. "You'll get through this. We're all here for you."

Yunnao's gaze fell to the floor, his thoughts a tangled mess of emotions. The physical pain was one thing, but the psychological torment of betrayal by his sister stung far deeper. 

In the midst of this emotional turmoil, Jian Yiling stood at the doorway, her heart pounding as she watched her family grapple with the aftermath of her actions. She felt a rush of guilt wash over her, a wave of realization crashing down on her that this was not just about her but the entire family. 

Finally, steeling herself, she took a deep breath and stepped into the room. "I'm sorry," she began, her voice shaking. "I didn't mean to hurt you, Yunnao. I... I made a terrible mistake." 

Her parents turned to look at her, their expressions a mix of surprise and hope. 

Wen Nuan's eyes widened, a glimmer of encouragement flashing across her face. "Yiling…" 

But Yunnao merely turned away, his silence a heavy response. 

"I know you're angry, and you have every right to be," Jian Yiling continued, her heart racing. "But please, I want to make things right. I'm truly sorry for what I did. I can't change the past, but I can try to help you heal." 

Jian Yuncheng observed his sister closely, his expression revealing nothing. The tension in the room hung thick as everyone awaited Yunnao's response.

After what felt like an eternity, Yunnao finally turned back to face her. "You pushed me, Yiling. You didn't think about what that could do to me," he said, his voice low but filled with pain. 

"I know. I was wrong, and I'll do whatever it takes to make it up to you," she said earnestly, tears welling in her eyes. 

Wen Nuan moved closer, placing a hand on Jian Yiling's shoulder. "Yiling, it's a start," she whispered, giving her daughter an encouraging smile.

Yunnao's expression softened slightly, but the hurt was still evident in his eyes. "It's not going to be easy. Trust is hard to rebuild." 

"I understand," Jian Yiling replied, her heart aching for her brother. "I'll work hard to earn it back. Just give me a chance." 

In that moment, Jian Yiling realized that the path to forgiveness would be long and arduous, but she was determined to take the first step. She would learn from her mistakes, face the consequences, and strive to be better—not just for herself, but for her family as well. 

As they stood there, the four of them, a fragile thread of hope began to weave its way through the room. It was a long road ahead, but together, they could face the challenges that lay ahead, no matter how difficult. The healing process would take time, but they were willing to begin the journey together.