Before Xie Jinghong could once again “defend” Ning Shu, Mother Fang turned her furious gaze toward Ning Shu, unleashing another wave of unwilling and sorrowful rage. With tears streaming down her face, she questioned bitterly, “Ning Shu, I’ve always treated you well! I know Fang Chen loved you to the point of madness, and I liked you too. I was good to you, even if you didn’t marry my son. In my heart, I even saw you as my daughter-in-law. I knew you were the person my son loved most, but I never imagined… it would be you who pushed my son into the abyss, into eternal damnation!”
Pointing accusingly at Ning Shu, Mother Fang continued, “Why, Ning Shu? Why did you say such inexplicable things? Why did you push my son to his death with your own hands? He loved you so much, he never wronged you. Why couldn’t you spare him? Ning Shu, tell me, why? Why on earth?”
Mother Fang’s accusations cast an intensely oppressive atmosphere over the entire space.
Tears streamed down Ning Shu’s face as she found herself unable to defend against what was, to her, an utterly undeserved calamity.
Biting her lip in pain, she shook her head desperately, enduring the ache in her abdomen as her face turned as pale as paper.
She opened her mouth but couldn’t utter a single word. She wanted to defend herself, yet… she also felt guilty. If Fang Chen had truly gone to support the peacekeeping mission because of her words, how could she face herself? Even if Mother Fang didn’t blame her, she would be consumed by self-reproach.
Thus, she wanted to defend herself, yet also felt compelled to “confess.”
But she didn’t know whether to “defend” or “confess.”
To Mother Fang, her hesitation… seemed more like an admission of guilt, a sign of a guilty conscience.
Mother Fang’s emotions flared once again. In agony, she lunged toward Ning Shu, crying out in despair, “Give my son back to me!”
Ning Shu… still didn’t move.
She was filled with guilt and self-blame. If being seen as a sinner could give Mother Fang an outlet for her grief, then she was willing… to become this “innocent sinner.”
Or perhaps, she truly was guilty.
But though Ning Shu didn’t move, Fu Yanshen pulled her back, causing her to retreat two steps.
At the same time, Fu Yanshen embraced her, shielding her with his back from Mother Fang’s emotional lunge.
Ning Shu froze, stunned.
For as Fu Yanshen held her, Xie Jinghong also stepped in.
Xie Jinghong moved forward, positioning himself in front of Mother Fang.
Thus, Mother Fang’s lunge didn’t reach Ning Shu but instead landed her in Xie Jinghong’s arms.
Held by Fu Yanshen, Ning Shu’s gaze fell upon Xie Jinghong’s firm and resolute back.
The situation suddenly became somewhat “chaotic.”
Conflict was on the verge of erupting.
Tang Yue’ai and Zhuang Fu couldn’t help but step forward as well.
Mother Fang’s weeping was thunderous, filled with profound sorrow, threatening to escalate the conflict beyond control.
At that moment, Xie Jinghong’s voice rang out. He said, “I understand your feelings, and I know your anger. But… regardless of how Fang Chen thought about it, this was indeed his choice. As you said, Xiao Shu was the person Fang Chen loved most. If Fang Chen saw you blaming Ning Shu like this, he would surely… be more heartbroken than anyone.”
Xie Jinghong’s words abruptly silenced the emotionally charged Mother Fang.
They also struck her with precise clarity.
Mother Fang numbly pulled away from his embrace, her clouded, swollen eyes staring blankly at him.
Fu Yanshen also released Ning Shu and turned to look over.
Xie Jinghong looked at Mother Fang and said with deep sorrow, “Fang Chen willingly risked his life to become a hero for Xiao Shu, and he succeeded.”
Mother Fang’s tears surged uncontrollably. Choked with emotion, she murmured to herself, “He… succeeded…”
Xie Jinghong nodded. “Yes. Ning Shu did nothing to Fang Chen; it was his own choice. But his feelings for Ning Shu were so profound and precious, and yet you…”
He left the rest unsaid, allowing Mother Fang to reflect on her own actions.
His tone was steady and firm, grounding the chaotic and emotionally charged situation.
At that moment, Father Fang stepped forward, his voice hoarse as he tried to reason, “Jinghong makes a valid point. We can’t… blame Ning Shu. If we must blame anyone, it’s our son for his unwavering devotion. No one wanted this accident. Fang Chen would be heartbroken to see you treat Ning Shu this way.”
Father Fang’s words made Mother Fang break down in tears.
But the conflict was effectively and rationally diffused.
Ning Shu stood there, feeling lost and overwhelmed with mixed emotions.
Finally, she spoke in a strained voice, “Auntie Fang, I’m sorry.”
As soon as she said this, both Fu Yanshen and Xie Jinghong turned to look at her.
Ning Shu’s face was pale with worry. Fu Yanshen frowned slightly but ultimately took her hand.
Xie Jinghong averted his gaze.
Mother Fang, regaining a sliver of rationality, shook her head weakly as she cried.
Xie Jinghong glanced at Ning Shu again, placing a finger to his lips to signal her… to say no more.
There was no need to shoulder the blame.
Mother Fang’s emotional turmoil and misplaced accusations were understandable—a necessary outburst after being overwhelmed by unbearable grief.
She needed a “culprit” to temporarily bear the weight of her pain.
Mother Fang would need a long time to heal.
At this moment, saying too much would be futile.
However, just then, a weak voice suddenly spoke up, “Mom. Then what am I?”
That voice…
It was Meng Xuan!
Everyone was startled and immediately turned to look. They saw Meng Xuan, her face pale, biting her lip as she voiced her bitter question.
Mother Fang suddenly snapped out of her daze, remembering… Meng Xuan was her daughter-in-law!
And… she was carrying Fang Chen’s child!
In her emotional turmoil and confusion, she had been completely consumed by the pain of losing her son.
She had unwittingly forgotten Meng Xuan’s presence.
In front of Meng Xuan, she had declared that Ning Shu was the woman Fang Chen loved most.
How could Meng Xuan possibly cope with that?
Meng Xuan’s question was entirely justified—what was she?
Mother Fang finally pulled herself out of the heart-wrenching grief of losing her son, immediately overwhelmed with guilt and self-reproach.
This wave of self-blame was no less intense than Ning Shu’s.
“I’m sorry, Meng Xuan,” Mother Fang hastily apologized, her voice trembling. “It’s my fault. I was confused. I… I deserve to die!”
Mother Fang raised her hand and slapped herself.
Now… the situation shifted from Ning Shu being the most wronged and pitiable to Meng Xuan being even more tragic, innocent, and pitiful.
As Fang Chen’s widow, carrying his unborn child, she had to watch her mother-in-law declare that another woman was her husband’s true love.
So what did that make her?
Yes, what was she?
The situation had truly become an absolute battlefield.
If pushed further, Meng Xuan could even threaten to abandon the child in her womb.
Thus, Meng Xuan was the most tragic of them all, to the point of being utterly heart-wrenching.
It was too cruel.
The thought nearly shattered Mother Fang, filling her with dread. She immediately moved toward Meng Xuan.
But Meng Xuan, tears streaming down her face, shook her head and took two steps back.
Mother Fang was utterly terrified and frantic, even more desperate to step forward and try to salvage the situation.
Unexpectedly, Meng Xuan suddenly rolled her eyes back and fainted on the spot.
Everyone was jolted by the shock.
“Xuan’er!” It was Meng Lang’s voice.
After all, she was his own sister, and Meng Lang was burning with anxiety.
But just as Meng Lang cried out in panic, Fu Yanshen had already rushed over, scooping Meng Xuan up in his arms, and roared with desperate urgency, “Call an ambulance!”