Hong Cha awakened the next day to find herself tucked in her bed with a sleeping robe on.

  She grunted in pain because of her lower part. Her mood turned dark upon recalling how her very own system sold her to the male lead. She badly wanted to drag her system wherever it is and reprogram the system to be less horny!

  [Host, I can still hear what you're thinking.]

  She just snorted in anger. Hong Cha is about to retort when the door opens. Lin Xingjin was the one who entered. His expression was not good either. Hong Cha brightly smiled and hurried to get off the bed. However, her legs were too weak to comply. Fortunately, Lin Xingjin caught her on time.

  "Prince Brother, I thought you'd leave me." she comfortably leaned on his chest. Hong Cha will see what Lin Xingjin can do. In the story, he touched the second female lead too but he never took responsibility and married Zhao Xue as his only wife and empress.

  "Cha Hua, I'm sorry." Lin Xingjin closed his eyes and breathed out deeply. As he said this, the girl in his arms flinched. He loosened his hold on her and met her confused gaze. "I'm sorry, Cha Hua. But, you know I love Xue'er, the one you know as Divine Doctor Zhao Xue. I promised her that she'd be my only wife. Cha Hua, I'm really sorry. I can compensate you with anything you'd like except for affection and marriage. If you want a husband, I can help you so he will accept you too."

  "Sorry?"

  Hong Cha got off him. She looked at him in disbelief and tears accumulated from her eyes. "Sorry? That's all I get? Your money? Your support?"

  "Cha Hua, please understand my circumstances. I really can't." Lin Xingjin steeled his heart. He is used to being cold, even to his mother but Zhao Xue has always been the exception. Now, he can't believe himself but he has to hate her or be cold to her. Song Cha Hua has always relied on him since she was small. In the short three years he spent with her, he felt close to that sweet, small girl and protected her from those who bullied her.

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  "Lin Xingjin." she squeezed his name out of her teeth. Hong Cha wiped her tears that were threatening to spill. "Get out! Get out of here! I don't want to see you!"

  Lin Xingjin sighed. He really did go out of her room. Just as he took a step outside and closed the door, he heard a lot of crashing sounds from inside. Lin Xingjin thought of having a look when he heard her tearful cries. Ai Wen had just arrived after hearing some shouts. She knew what happened between the seventh prince and her young miss but she never told it to anyone.

  However, her young miss is crying, and Lin Xingjin leaves after seeing her. Ai Wen felt sorry for her young miss.

  The next day, Nian Xiaoyuan arrived at 'court' Hong Cha. He waited in the guest hall while chatting with Song Yue. Ai Wen arrived and whispered some words to his ears before turning to the imperial tutor.

  "Master, Miss is not feeling well and she wishes to see Minister Nian privately." Ai Wen lied. She never consulted Hong Cha but she must do this for the better. Nian Xiaoyuan didn't feel any suspicion and followed her as Song Yue parted differently.

  "Miss Cha?" Nian Xiaoyuan knocked on the door but there was silence.

  "Minister Nian, actually..." Ai Wen lowered her head. "Young Miss never asked for Minister Nian's presence but she is currently depressed. Nübi can't cheer Young Miss that is why nübi thought of bringing Minister Nian to coax her."

  *Nübi - this maid

  After saying this, Ai Wen left Nian Xiaoyuan. He raised a brow. Why is that demon girl depressed? Still, he knocked on the door without a response. Nian Xiaoyuan's patience ran out. He opened the door when he saw an unexpected scene.

  "Hey!" he quickly pulled her off a stool where she stood and a rope was in front of her. Nian Xiaoyuan is sure she will hang herself just now.

  "Let go of me!" Hong Cha struggled. Nian Xiaoyuan politely complied and pushed her to her bed. He stood in front of the bedside with his arms crossed.

  "What is this? Are you planning to catch Lin Xingjin's attention in this way?" Nian Xiaoyuan narrowed his eyes on her. He received a glare instead.

  "No. It's hopeless. I decided to stop." her nails dug on the bedsheets. To Nian Xiaoyuan's shock, she cried in front of him. In fact, she never cried before.

  "Look who's talking. Weren't you confident your plan would work? Why are you giving up now? Remember the Qi Qiao Festival incident. Lin Xingjin already knows I have a relationship with Zhao Xue. Isn't this the right time to break them apart?" Nian Xiaoyuan inclined closer with his arm on the bedpost.

  "I tried, alright!" she shouted back in anger. Nian Xiaoyuan was taken aback. Hong Cha curled herself and cried her heart out. "I tried, I gave myself to him but he still loves Zhao Xue. He wants to compensate me with his wealth and support. What does he see me as? A prostitute? Hateful!"

  Nian Xiaoyuan went silent. He lowered his gaze to notice her hands clenched tightly. Her sobs were pitiful, and her body was trembling too.

  "I never knew he would hurt you like this." he slowly said. Nian Xiaoyuan composed himself and turned his back. The little girl he likes to bully was bullied by the person who always protected her from him.

  What an ironic fate.

  The situation is now reversed. Nian Xiaoyuan stopped when he held the door's handle. "Little girl, don't kill yourself. If you do, they will accuse me since we've been seen together lately. I'll make sure we will have what we want."