Chapter 195: An Apology Cannot Erase a Life

The moment Xie An’an lunged toward Xie Rong, Wang Gege swiftly stepped in front of him, crossing her arms over her chest.

"For someone who has just awakened, you certainly have quite a lot of energy."

She smirked, tilting her head slightly before turning around and wrapping her arms around Xie Rong instead.

"In case your head is still a little confused after waking up, let this sister-in-law remind you..." Wang Gege smiled sweetly as she leaned against him. "This is your elder brother, and I am his wife."

Xie Rong looked down at the woman suddenly clinging to him, the corner of his lips twitching and his eyes closed beneath the blindfold, suppressing the urge to laugh.

Xie An’an, however, stood completely frozen. Her already pale face seemed to lose even more colour.

Her gaze moved from Wang Gege’s arms wrapped around Xie Rong to the hand Xie Rong naturally placed around his wife’s waist.

For several breaths, she simply stared. Then her brows slowly furrowed.

"Thi—this sister-in-law... I definitely remember..." She forced a smile, quickly trying to compose herself. "It’s just that I suddenly missed Brother. I thought I had already died back then and would never be able to see him again..."

"Ahhh... poor An’an..." Wang Gege pursed her lips, pretending to sympathize with her.

She then leaned closer to Xie An’an’s ear, lowering her voice to a whisper only the two of them could hear.

"Unfortunately, you couldn’t be reborn twice. And after doing so many evil things, do you really think Heaven would allow you another chance?"

Xie An’an’s face stiffened.

Wang Gege straightened, the innocent smile returning to her face as though she had said nothing at all.

"Luckily..." She turned to Xie Rong, blinking her eyes adorably. "She didn’t lose her memories..."

Xie Rong instantly chuckled at that, "Thank Heaven..."

Xie An’an bit her lower lip and lowered her gaze.

"This sister would like to apologise for everything this sister has done to both Brother and Sister-in-law..." Her voice was barely audible, hesitant and reluctant.

"Pardon?" Wang Gege asked, tilting her head as though she genuinely hadn’t heard her.

Xie An’an’s fingers curled slightly. She raised her head and glanced toward Master Xie, clearly unwilling to repeat herself a second time.

Master Xie, however, had already fixed her with a stern look. There was no need for words. Whatever she had to say, she needed to say it again.

Xie An’an lowered her gaze once more, her expression turning aggrieved.

Then, after a long pause, she finally spoke a little louder. "This sister apologises for everything this sister has done to Brother and Sister-in-law. I hope... Brother and Sister-in-law can forgive me."

Wang Gege narrowed her eyes slightly.

That apology sounded far too reluctant to be sincere. And judging from Xie An’an’s expression, she clearly wasn’t apologising because she suddenly felt remorseful.

She was apologising because someone had forced her to.

Wang Gege’s lips curved into a faint smile.

"Since you remember everything..." She deliberately paused. "Then you should also remember exactly what you need to apologise for, right?"

Xie An’an’s expression changed slightly. She looked at Wang Gege, then quickly lowered her eyes again, cursing under her breath, "This vile woman..."

A moment later, she raised her head again, a faint smile already settling on her lips as though nothing had happened.

"This sister apologises for stabbing Sister-in-law in the neck and causing the disturbance between the two of you..."

"That’s all?" Wang Gege’s brows lifted.

Xie An’an’s smile froze. "Isn’t that... enough?"

Wang Gege tilted her head, looking at her with an almost innocent expression. "Since you remember everything, why does it seem that your memories are missing quite a few parts?"

Xie An’an’s fingers curled beneath her sleeves. "I..."

Wang Gege glanced toward Master Xie before looking back at her, "Perhaps this sister-in-law should help you remember?"

Xie An’an’s eyes changed immediately. She knew exactly what Wang Gege was implying, and she could no longer hold back her patience.

Noticing the sudden change in Xie An’an’s eyes, Xie Rong instantly pulled Wang Gege to his side.

"That’s enough..." His voice was calm, but there was a clear warning beneath it.

Then his face swiftly turned toward his father, "Father, is this your plan to make up for all her sins?"

Master Xie remained silent for a moment before letting out a heavy sigh.

"This old man did not summon you here to make up for her sins."

His gaze shifted toward Xie An’an, his expression complicated.

"Your sister has only just awakened. Her mind is still confused, and she is clearly not in a state to recall everything properly. This old man merely wanted the two of you to hear her apology and settle the matter peacefully."

Xie Rong’s expression remained cold.

"Peacefully?" He repeated the word, almost as though tasting the absurdity of it.

Master Xie frowned. "Rong’er—"

"Father." Xie Rong interrupted him, his voice growing colder. "If she truly remembers everything, then why does she only remember the things that make her look pitiful?"

Xie An’an’s face paled.

Master Xie’s expression stiffened.

Xie Rong continued, "And if she truly does not remember, then what is the point of making her apologise for only what she can admit?"

His hand tightened slightly around Wang Gege’s.

"Either way, this is not an apology, and my stand remains the same as yesterday."

Master Xie’s expression grew heavy. He had clearly expected Xie Rong to relent after seeing Xie An’an awaken, yet his son was even more resolute than before.

"Rong’er, this old man understands your anger," he said solemnly. "But An’an has already admitted her mistakes. Must you really pursue every matter to the end?"

"Yes." Xie Rong answered without hesitation, "This son already said yesterday. A life was lost because of her actions. No matter what promise Father made to her mother, that life cannot simply be erased."

His gaze shifted briefly toward Xie An’an. "And if there are other matters she is responsible for, then they should be brought to light as well."

Xie An’an’s face turned pale.

Master Xie sighed heavily, "Even if doing so means destroying your sister’s life?"

Xie Rong’s expression did not waver. "Father, she was willing to destroy someone else’s life. Why should her own be protected from the consequences?"