Since no matter what she said, Fu Yinxiu just wouldn't listen, Ming Yutong didn't know what else she could say.
"Fu Yinxiu, can you just let me go? I'm begging you to let me go, alright? No matter what you do, I won't be willing, and I won't ever like you again!"
She was actually afraid, afraid that Fu Yinxiu would keep doing more and becoming more humble in front of her, which might soften her heart and make her unable to resist forgiving him.
And then getting back together with him.
But if she forgave him, what about the past?
Ming Yutong still couldn't get past that hurdle.
Before she could, she didn't want to see Fu Yinxiu.
But Fu Yinxiu wouldn't give her that chance.
"I'm sorry…" Fu Yinxiu said quietly, "There's only this one request I can't agree to. Tong Tong, if you come back, as long as you're willing to come back, willing to forgive me, I'm willing to do anything you ask."
"I will never be like before, where I wouldn't easily agree to your requests, and I won't do anything to hurt or sadden you anymore. I'll listen to whatever you say." Fu Yinxiu took a step forward.
"I love you."
But Ming Yutong suddenly raised her hand to block the space between them. "Don't come any closer!"
Fu Yinxiu stopped, clearly distressed, and didn't dare approach her.
"You said you'd change. You said I'm not considered, only thinking of myself. I… I never knew, because besides you, I've never been with another woman. I don't know how to love, I have no experience."
Ming Yutong was stunned, completely taken aback.
He seemed to be with women constantly, yet he had only been with her?
Did that mean that in the seven years since then, he hadn't been with any other woman?
Not even… not even a brief relationship?
She found it hard to believe.
Not that she didn't believe, but that she couldn't.
It was too unbelievable.
After all, he was Fu Yinxiu!
"So, I need you to teach me," Fu Yinxiu said. "Starting today, I'll try to learn, change bit by bit, and become the person you like."
Ming Yutong pressed her lips together, unable to control a slight tremor. "No need."
The simple three words felt like a death sentence for Fu Yinxiu.
But he was unwilling to give up.
"Fu Yinxiu, some things cannot be changed once they've happened, some wounds can't heal. I can't even face you now. It's not suitable for you to beg in such a humble manner. Just leave."
Ming Yutong said tiredly, "I'm exhausted, really exhausted."
Fu Yinxiu remained silent, looking down at the thermal container in his hand. He held it out to her. "I asked… a traditional doctor."
Fu Yinxiu almost mentioned Mr. Zhang.
"The traditional doctor gave me a list of supplements. This soup is good for your health and will warm you up." Fu Yinxiu kept the thermal container in front of Ming Yutong, his voice hopeful. "Try it."
Ming Yutong glanced at the thermal container and then at his hand holding it.
Perhaps he was nervous, his hand gripping the thermal container tightly, the knuckles white.
Ming Yutong wondered if Fu Yinxiu could be nervous too.
Her throat tightened, and her heart felt like it was pricked with a needle, a sharp pain.
She couldn't accept it.
Since she wanted to draw a clear line with him, she couldn't keep entangling.
"No need, just take it back. Aunt Liu will bring me some at noon." Ming Yutong said blandly.
"Now that it's cold, drinking a bit more wouldn't be a burden. You can have a couple of sips this morning and have the soup from Aunt Liu at noon, alright? This thermal container keeps the temperature well, and the soup will still be hot by noon," Fu Yinxiu said softly.
"No need. I won't accept it," Ming Yutong replied coldly.
Fu Yinxiu persisted, holding out the container. The weight of the thermal container was not light, and the soup inside was even heavier, but he continued to hold it out.
"Since you just got injured and your body is weak, you should—"
"Just because I'm injured, you think you can make up for it, right?" Ming Yutong mocked. "Why don't you think about it? If it were the other way around and I gave you this, you would probably throw it away without hesitation. So now, why should I accept it?"
Fu Yinxiu's throat moved. "As long as you accept it, you can handle it however you like."
"You're still like this. Even if I don't like it, you force me to accept it." Ming Yutong laughed sarcastically. "Hmph, the things you just said were just for show, weren't they?"
"Tong Tong, this is—" the soup I made myself.
He didn't get to finish his sentence before Ming Yutong took the soup from him.
Fu Yinxiu's eyes lit up with joy, but Ming Yutong turned and went around the desk, so he didn't see it.
She went straight into the office's restroom, opened the thermal container, and poured all the soup into the toilet.
Fu Yinxiu hadn't added old duck or other Chinese herbs to the container, as the essence was in the soup and the meat was no longer good to eat.
Fu Yinxiu shifted slightly, not angry but deeply disappointed.
The soup he made had no chance to be tasted by Ming Yutong.
Ming Yutong shoved the thermal container back into Fu Yinxiu's arms. "Is it alright now?"
Fu Yinxiu suppressed the bitterness in his throat and asked politely, "You don't like old duck soup? What kind of soup do you like? I can bring that for you."
"No need! Fu Yinxiu, please don't make me become someone repulsive. I hate how I am now, and I hate wasting other people's goodwill. This soup was probably made by Aunt Huo, right? You know I won't accept your things, so don't make Aunt Huo work so hard. Can you just stay away from me?"