Madam, Please Behave-Chapter 420: I Can’t

Those words sank into Li Wanran’s ears.

For a moment, she didn’t quite understand what he meant.

Over…?

What was over?

“I don’t know why you thought of coming to me. As I see it… the things she did wrong aren’t something I can fix…”

Liu Changqing paused, then continued after a moment.

“To put it accurately, her failure was inevitable. Back when she made those mistakes, she should’ve known she’d end up like this.”

“……”

“So…”

He looked at the woman standing before him, someone he had once spent a long time with.

This woman… who had never left behind any fond memories.

“I can’t help you.”

“……”

It was the answer she had expected.

Li Wanran had already guessed how this would go the moment she decided to come find Liu Changqing. But people always hold onto a shred of hope.

Even her.

She knew full well he’d probably turn her down, but she still wanted to try. What if… he was willing to help?

But reality had no room for what ifs.

Liu Changqing rejected her.

Though unlike the last few times, where his words had been laced with sarcasm, this time he didn’t say anything harsh.

Still… for some reason, it hurt just the same.

It felt like he was talking to a complete stranger.

“Liu Changqing…”

She softly called his name.

Trying, one last time, to do something.

“If you go to Uncle An… he might…”

“……”

“I… I can’t face him anymore. But if it’s you…”

“Li Wanran.”

Liu Changqing cut her off again, disappointment flickering across his face.

Why was she still like this, even now?

The look he gave her held a trace of pity.

“Can’t you wake up a little? It’s already a blessing that she didn’t drag you down with her. Why are you still trying so hard to get her out?”

“I…”

“I don’t want to say any more. There’s nothing I can do to help.”

With that, Liu Changqing looked away, no longer meeting her gaze.

His stance was crystal clear.

Hearing those words, Li Wanran couldn’t help but feel a wave of despair wash over her.

She lowered her head.

Stared at the floor.

Her clenched hands dug her nails painfully into her palms.

At that moment, it felt like she had thrown away the pride she’d always held most dear.

She opened her mouth, her voice trembling slightly.

“I… I’ve never begged anyone before, but this time…”

“Don’t.”

Once again, Liu Changqing cut her off.

His eyes fell on the cups sitting on the coffee table.

He spoke.

“Don’t make me lose respect for you.”

“……”

Time seemed to freeze again.

The only sounds in the living room were their soft breathing—nothing more.

As the seconds ticked by, Li Wanran slowly lifted her head.

Her eyes fixed on Liu Changqing, who was staring at the coffee table.

She stared at the side of his face.

Time hadn’t spared Liu Changqing. Compared to when he was in high school, he had clearly matured…

His personality had changed a lot too…

That boy who used to follow her everywhere, no matter how unreasonable her requests were, always finding a way to meet them…

Her mind drifted back to that year.

The cocky teenage boy who used to wait outside her classroom…

And the words he once said to her.

“I’ll only ever love you in this lifetime! I swear I’ll make you happy!”

I…

Was wrong.

She turned around and walked quickly toward the door.

Li Wanran didn’t say another word as she headed straight for the exit, her steps fast like she was trying to escape this place.

When she reached the door and opened it—

She stopped again.

She glanced back at Liu Changqing on the couch, then at her daughter’s room.

No one knew what she was thinking.

With the sound of the door opening and then closing, the living room was left in silence.

A short while later, An Yuanyao emerged from the bedroom.

She quietly walked over and stood before Liu Changqing.

Looking at him.

“She… she’s pretty pitiful…”

An Yuanyao couldn’t help but feel a twinge of compassion.

Even though Li Wanran had once brought her so much pain, now she didn’t feel the same hatred she used to.

If it hadn’t been for her… she might never have met Liu Changqing.

She wouldn’t have had… the two kids she had now.

Seeing her husband stay silent, An Yuanyao paused for a second, then told him what happened after he left with their daughter.

“She called me… said she wanted to see you.”

“So you let her in…”

“Yeah…”

She nodded, then slowly walked forward.

She sat down beside Liu Changqing.

Lifted her hand and held his.

As if reminiscing, she began to speak.

“I grew up with her. My dad and hers were close friends, so ever since we were little, we were always compared to each other… I never cared much about that, but… she was very proud.”

“……”

“She just… listened to her mom too much. Even when we took dance classes together back then, it was because…”

“Babe.”

Liu Changqing called out to An Yuanyao.

Finally turning to look at her.

“Anyone else can forgive her, but I can’t. So… please don’t talk to me about her anymore, okay?”

“Changqing…”

“I can’t tell you why, but… I’ll never forgive those two. No matter what. I’m sorry…”

“……”

An Yuanyao tightened her grip on his hand slightly. Seeing the struggle in his eyes—

She smiled gently.

Shaking her head, she said,

“It’s okay. You don’t have to say sorry to me…”

For some reason, she felt a pang in her heart. The look on her husband’s face right now was one she had never seen before.

She pulled his hand over and placed it on her belly.

She didn’t want to continue this conversation anymore.

Feeling her motion, Liu Changqing looked at her… at her smiling face, clearly trying to change the subject like a spoiled child.

“My tummy’s growling. I want something you made.”

An Yuanyao’s voice drifted into his ears.

He couldn’t forgive Li Wanran and her mother. From the moment he arrived in this world, that had been his truth. Maybe others could forgive them…

But not Liu Changqing.

Looking at An Yuanyao playfully leaning on him, Liu Changqing finally moved after a long pause.

He took her hand and stood up from the couch.

“What do you feel like eating?”

“Anything you make, I’ll eat.”

“Alright… let’s give Mom a break today. I’ll cook.”

“Mhm mhm. Honestly… I’m getting a little sick of her cooking.”

“Shhh, not so loud… Don’t let her hear you.”

“Heeheehee… She’s in the room with the kids. She won’t hear.”

An Yuanyao giggled as she said that.

Liu Changqing looked at her and couldn’t help but smile too. Reaching out, he gently touched her cheek.

And in his heart, a quiet thought surfaced—

Meeting you… was the best thing that ever happened to me.

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