Is It Forbidden to Bully the Heroine of the Novel? - Chapter 38
Chapter 38
Jiang Yao swiftly pulled the person into the adjacent private room, even Jiang Ru didn’t have time to respond, reluctantly following inside and closing the door behind them.
“What’s the matter? You cry every time you see me, have I offended you?”
Jiang Yao, slightly stronger than an average woman due to her martial arts training, cautiously held Song Muyun, patting her back gently in an attempt to calm her down.
Song Muyun struggled against her embrace, refusing to stay in her arms. She clung to Jiang Yao’s arm as if it were welded, no matter how hard she tried to push, she couldn’t budge her. She could only “forcefully” lean on Jiang Yao, tearfully feeling utterly aggrieved.
She didn’t even know what she was feeling aggrieved about. Jiang Yao was at an age where she easily tired of the old and sought the new. It was normal for her to spend time with other girls after getting bored with her. However, her emotions surged like a burst dam, uncontrollable. The tip of her nose tingled sourly, and the tears kept streaming down.
She felt utterly embarrassed, crying like this in front of another woman. Surely, she’d be laughed at.
Song Muyun remained silent, leaving Jiang Yao to continue consoling her, suppressing the faint ache in her heart. She coaxed, “Don’t cry, it hurts my heart to see you like this.”
“Please, stop crying, can you?”
“Who bullied you? Tell me, I’ll help you get even.”
Song Muyun bit her lip, thinking sadly, You’re lying. You wouldn’t feel hurt for me. You have someone else you prefer, someone more worthy of your concern. What am I to you?
The glistening tears kept falling, some splashing on the ground, others landing on Jiang Yao’s hand, scalding hot, as if they could sear through to her heart.
Jiang Ru was still puzzled about what was happening, looking bewilderedly at Jiang Yao.
Jiang Yao instructed her, “Ru’er, go pour her a cup of tea to soothe her throat.”
“Okay.”
Obediently, Jiang Ru went, rinsed a cup with tea, and brought it over. Jiang Yao took it, offering it to Song Muyun’s lips. “Drink some; you’ve cried so much, you’ll dehydrate.”
Song Muyun remained motionless, staring at the tea and then at her. How long had they known each other? She was addressed so affectionately by her, treated so kindly… she had never been treated like this by her…
“Drink some water and tell me, who are you really angry with? Why do you keep venting at me? Have I really provoked you? But I haven’t done anything to upset you.”
Jiang Yao, also at a loss, had no idea what was happening. Jiang Ru habitually stood by Jiang Yao’s side, curiously looking at Song Muyun, thinking how exceptionally beautiful she was, even when crying.
“How about a drink? Just for my sake. You’ve cried so much, aren’t you thirsty?”
Her tears had soaked her entire sleeve.
When Song Muyun heard her speak again, a surge of anger rose within her. She forcefully pushed away Jiang Yao’s hand holding the cup, causing Jiang Ru to gasp softly as the water spilled over Jiang Yao’s hand.
Jiang Yao’s temple throbbed. If her brother had done this, he’d be lectured. But now, standing here was Song Muyun, whom she had protected for a long time. Looking into her watery, misty eyes, tears on the brink of falling, she seemed pitiable beyond measure. Though her words said their matters were unrelated and that she should leave, the shattered glint in her eyes seemed to convey, “It’s all pretense. It’s all anger. Don’t go, stay, comfort me, don’t leave me alone…”
Of course, Jiang Yao couldn’t leave. If Song Muyun had been normal, she might have left. But now, she was crying like this, looking fragile as if made of thin ice. If she left, Jiang Yao feared something might happen to her.
She couldn’t leave, she couldn’t.
Jiang Yao estimated that consoling her this time would be a massive undertaking. So, she turned to Jiang Ru, who looked on with concern, and said, “This is Muyun, my friend. She’s probably been bullied by someone. Just sit there for a while; I’ll comfort her first.”
She gestured towards the mahogany chair nearby; Jiang Ru, worried yet unsure how to intervene, obediently nodded and cautiously sat down.
Now it was Song Muyun’s turn.
Upon hearing Jiang Yao’s intention to comfort her, Song Muyun’s heart trembled involuntarily. Even though she was treated like this, pushed away, she hadn’t intended to leave, instead opting to stay and be comforted by her.
After a moment of stunned silence, her body found itself back in the warm embrace. This time, Jiang Yao didn’t say anything; she simply held her quietly, lightly patting her back.
This doesn’t seem like the behavior of someone who has found someone new.
How could someone who had found someone they preferred be patiently comforted like this by the one they used to like?
As the crying in her arms gradually subsided, Jiang Yao tried to pull her away. Yet, Song Muyun was unwilling, struggling to remain in her embrace.
Song Muyun had stopped crying, feeling good being held by her. But before long, when she reached out to pull her away, was Jiang Yao impatient? She didn’t want to leave, so when she subconsciously resisted, Jiang Yao didn’t pull her anymore.
Jiang Yao held the person who had cried herself tired but had now stopped crying, thinking that now she might be able to ask a few more questions. Her unconscious hand kneaded the woman’s soft waist slightly.
In her embrace, Song Muyun let out a whimper, then it seemed as if all her strength had been drained, and she fell weakly against her.
Jiang Yao could only feel that the person in her arms was heavily reliant on her, needing to lean on her completely to remain standing.
“Can you tell me now why you’re crying? I can only comfort you if you tell me. Are you angry with me?”
Although she felt she hadn’t done anything, just now, when Song Muyun forcefully pushed the cup from her hand and told her to leave, it didn’t seem like she was angry with someone else, but more like she had offended her.
Song Muyun lifted her face from Jiang Yao’s neck, looking at the meek figure sitting on the chair, elegant and gentle in temperament, obviously pampered and dignified. She noticed Song Muyun looking at her and even smiled at her, but… she was met with a glare instead, looking somewhat puzzled.
Finally, Song Muyun, in a hoarse voice, asked, “Who is she?”
She just wanted to know who this person was, so intimate with Jiang Yao. Apart from her, who could be this close to Jiang Yao?
Jiang Yao, pressing against Song Muyun’s face, heard her asking this question and was momentarily stunned. She then turned her head and met the eyes of her equally bewildered sister, scratched the back of her head, looking puzzled, “This is my sister. Didn’t I introduce you before? Her name is Jiang Ru, you can call her Ru’er.”
What?
You say she’s who?
In an instant, Song Muyun’s whole body stiffened. She couldn’t believe what she had just heard. That was Jiang Yao’s sister?
But she… she doesn’t look anything like Jiang Yao…
Her body trembled slightly for an unknown reason, and Jiang Yao hugged her tighter, rubbing her face against hers, concerned, “What’s wrong with you?”
Song Muyun wished she could go back to the moment when she first saw the two together. She wouldn’t have let her anger surge, wouldn’t have acted so unreasonably.
What had she done? She got angry for no reason, cried, let Jiang Yao console her, yet refused to tell her why she was angry. She even glared at Jiang Yao’s sister…
Song Muyun was truly exhausted now, slumping in Jiang Yao’s arms. Jiang Yao, flustered, held her tightly. “Wha… What’s wrong?”
The person in her arms spoke with a voice as light as a mosquito’s, tinged with a hint of weeping, very softly, “I-if, if I’ve done something wrong, will you forgive me?”
Jiang Yao was momentarily confused. She had been angry with her just a moment ago, and now she was asking for forgiveness?
But hearing the rising cries of the person in her arms, she didn’t have time to think. She hurriedly said, “I forgive, I forgive. Whatever you’ve done, I forgive you. Don’t cry, why are you crying so much?”
Her voice held helplessness, yet was incredibly indulgent.
Song Muyun sensed it; her slender fingers quietly grabbed Jiang Yao’s collar, continuing to whisper, “And if I’ve misunderstood you accidentally, will you forgive me too?”
Jiang Yao had intended to forgive her for everything, but suddenly sensing something amiss, she narrowed her eyes. “What have you misunderstood? Tell me.”
Song Muyun stiffened, too afraid to speak. She just gazed at Jiang Yao with teary eyes, delicate fingers grabbing Jiang Yao’s collar, shaking lightly, as if pleading for forgiveness.
Even the unintentional pitiful expression she displayed softened Jiang Yao’s heart. What would she do if she hadn’t been furious just now?
Upon regaining her senses, Jiang Yao realized there was a bigger issue at hand. Song Muyun must have misunderstood her at some point she wasn’t aware of, which led to these words! This misunderstanding was probably linked to the crying just now. Otherwise, why would she have been angry and wanted to drive her away, only to beg for forgiveness now?
Jiang Yao pulled her out of her embrace, placing her hands on Song Muyun’s shoulders. Watching her avoid eye contact, clearly feeling guilty, Jiang Yao bluntly asked, “What did you misunderstand about me just now?”
Seeming to already know, Song Muyun trembled in fear. Clenching her teeth, her eyes averted, and it took a while before she whispered, “I… I’m sorry.”
This confirmed the fact that she had indeed misunderstood her just now. Jiang Yao felt a bit stifled to realize that she had been treated that way due to a misunderstanding, but she suppressed her irritation. She needed to clarify what exactly Song Muyun had misunderstood.
“Saying sorry isn’t enough. Tell me what you were thinking, hmm?”
Song Muyun’s eyes darted nervously, quickly falling onto Jiang Ru.
Jiang Ru was still pondering why she had been glared at before. Seeing Song Muyun’s gaze, she immediately replied with those innocent, puzzled eyes.
She hadn’t done anything, yet she was glared at. Moreover, she was Jiang Yao’s own cousin, and Song Muyun felt apologetic towards her.
Suddenly, she spoke again, “Sorry.”
This time, her gaze was clearly directed at Jiang Ru. Jiang Ru felt perplexed, and Jiang Yao followed her gaze, looking even more confused. Just as she was about to ask why Song Muyun was apologizing to her cousin again, Song Muyun hooked her waist and walked outside.
Seemingly having something to say privately.
Jiang Yao only managed to instruct Jiang Ru not to wander around and to wait for her in the room before following Song Muyun.
The two stood in another empty room. Song Muyun looked somewhat apprehensive, her pristine wide sleeves wrinkled from anxiety. Her delicate phoenix eyes trembled, cautiously watching Jiang Yao.
Helplessly, Jiang Yao reached up to fix Song Muyun’s somewhat disheveled hair, her voice softening, “Speak up. What did you misunderstand about me? If you tell me voluntarily, I won’t be angry.”
Her tolerance gave Song Muyun a lot of courage.
Song Muyun, hesitant and nervous, looked at her for a while, ensuring she was as gentle as always, before lowering her head as if admitting fault, “I… I misunderstood your relationship with your cousin…”
She roughly explained the situation. At first, Jiang Yao didn’t understand and asked her to repeat it several times until finally grasping the situation. Her face darkened. Oh, so this little fairy in front of her thought she had found a better one and left her behind, causing a scene because of her emotions.
It was impossible not to be angry. Jiang Yao had been yearning for her return, only for her to misunderstand like this? And she was unhappy on top of that, can you believe it?! What use is it to cry incessantly without saying anything?
Seriously impressive.
Jiang Yao grimaced, “So, I didn’t do anything wrong. You misunderstood me?”
Song Muyun felt guilty and didn’t dare to lift her head. Jiang Yao could only see her dark, silky head nod slightly.
Damn, this is so infuriating.
Jiang Yao stormed out. Her movements were too quick, startling Song Muyun, who hurriedly caught up, grabbing Jiang Yao’s arm at the door, not allowing her to leave. She sounded a bit aggrieved, “Y-you said you weren’t angry just now.”
Jiang Yao, sternly, “That was just now. This is now!”
In terms of being unreasonable, she was entirely unreasonable.
Song Muyun didn’t expect her to respond like that, looking bewildered, and even appearing a bit cute.
Jiang Yao thought to herself, though her face remained stern, “You were trying to drive me away. Fine, I’ll leave.”
She was sure Song Muyun would stop her. As expected, as soon as her hand touched the door, Song Muyun urgently pulled her back.
As she tried to use her other hand to open the door, both hands were seized by Song Muyun and held tightly against her. Jiang Yao turned her head, meeting those beautiful black eyes, now even more teary. It seemed that if she left, she’d start crying.
Jiang Yao had to admit, in front of Song Muyun, her proud self-control meant nothing. She always ended up giving in.
Seeing Jiang Yao standing still, Song Muyun finally relaxed a bit and hurriedly said, “Don’t go. I didn’t really want to drive you away. I was just… just very upset. If you don’t want me anymore, I don’t know what to do…”
The color had faded from her lips, making her appear even more pitiful and sad, with tiny shimmering tears in her eyes.
If Jiang Yao had a flaw, it was being too soft-hearted, ready to relent at any moment.
The two stood staring at each other for a long time. Eventually, Jiang Yao relented first, sighing deeply. Her tone was resigned but much gentler than before, “Should I feel honored that I’m as important to you as your parents?”
Song Muyun pursed her lips and shook her head, looking somewhat obedient, shaking her head, “You don’t have to… Just don’t be angry with me.”
Jiang Yao almost laughed in exasperation but seeing Song Muyun’s anxious and troubled eyes, she found it hard to bring herself to do so.
Suddenly, she pulled her hand out of Song Muyun’s grasp, pinched the slightly plump cheek she had finally managed to raise, a gesture she’d usually evade. But now… Jiang Yao was still upset with her.
She stood still, allowing the pinching, just hoping Jiang Yao would be less angry and not leave.
“Am I really that good in your heart?”
After pinching her for a while, leaving red marks on her otherwise pale face, Jiang Yao finally let go and asked her.
Song Muyun stared at Jiang Yao intently, as if afraid she would dart away when not paying attention, and nodded gently, “You’re really good. You’re my only friend.”
She had a few close friends before the incident at the Song family, but they had disappeared afterward. She could understand them, but she couldn’t consider them friends anymore. Therefore, Jiang Yao was her only friend.
This statement finally made Jiang Yao feel a bit more comfortable. She poked Song Muyun’s head, causing her head to tilt backward. With a playful tone, she said, “Do you have such a possessive nature even with friends?”
People tend to have a sense of possession over their belongings, but it’s rare for someone to feel possessive about their friends. Generally, isn’t it the husband a woman should feel possessive about?
Jiang Yao thought to herself, but she didn’t dislike this feeling.
However, Song Muyun was caught off guard by this question. With a pitiful expression, she replied, “If I had many friends, I wouldn’t feel this way. But you’re my only friend. I’m afraid if you get closer to someone else, you won’t come to see me often. You know, I’m just a daughter of a sinner, I can’t go to find you myself…”
She lowered her head, revealing her slender and fair neck, looking fragile and beautiful. It seemed like she truly thought so, but only the deeper recesses of her heart knew the turmoil these words had stirred within her—possessiveness?
How could she have such thoughts about her friend? Even among the few close friends she had in the past, she had never considered making them exclusively hers… never had such possessiveness before.
Song Muyun’s heart trembled slightly. Her fingers, hidden in her wide sleeves, quietly clenched, unsure of what was happening to her.
In truth, she had long noticed her eagerness for Jiang Yao’s arrival every day and her uncontrollable happiness upon seeing her.
Unable to resist the pitiable expression of the delicate little fairy, Jiang Yao finally surrendered. Her words were too heartwarming, and even though she was still a little upset, she couldn’t continue being angry at her.
“Alright, wipe away your tears.”
Jiang Yao raised her handkerchief and gently wiped Song Muyun’s eyes herself.
Only then did she realize that, unknowingly, Song Muyun had started crying again.
Except for the days when the Song family was raided, she only started crying after meeting Jiang Yao. It seemed like she was becoming more fragile, easily brought to tears.
Song Muyun sniffled, her beautiful eyes slightly swollen. Her jade-like fingers, hidden in her sleeves, quietly grabbed Jiang Yao’s sleeve. “Are you… are you still angry with me? Please don’t be angry anymore. I know I was wrong, and I won’t misunderstand you again in the future.”
She was being coquettish, with a hint of bitterness.
Jiang Yao clicked her tongue, allowing Song Muyun to hold onto her sleeve. She then made a request, “If you’re upset with me in the future, you have to tell me directly. You can’t just cry and make me guess. We martial artists are used to being straightforward; even if I rack my brains, I can’t figure out why you’re upset.”
After this incident, Song Muyun believed she wouldn’t dare to easily anger Jiang Yao again. She quickly nodded in agreement and blushed slightly at Jiang Yao’s mention of her incessant crying, feeling embarrassed.
“Alright, I forgive you.”
Jiang Yao seemed reluctantly willing, and Song Muyun’s starry eyes instantly brightened, glittering as she looked at Jiang Yao.
She was too alluring. Taking advantage of this, Jiang Yao ruffled her furry head. Song Muyun didn’t say anything but tacitly agreed.
“Shall we go back now? It’s not good to leave Ru’er alone for too long.”
Hearing her mention her cousin, Song Muyun suddenly remembered something, feeling somewhat nervous. She switched from holding onto Jiang Yao’s sleeve to holding her finger. Jiang Yao lowered her head to look at her hand, then raised her head to look at her, not understanding what was happening.
She then heard Song Muyun’s anxious voice, “I was… so rude just now. Will your sister not like me?”
Jiang Yao was about to reassure her not to worry, but suddenly she realized something was off about that statement. Why was Song Muyun concerned about whether her sister liked her? Didn’t she say she was her only friend, afraid her sister would take her away?!
Why was she now worried about her sister’s opinion of her?
Despite feeling a little unhappy and thinking that what Song Muyun said didn’t match her actions, Jiang Yao still feared she might worry. She tried to reassure her, “Ru’er’s temperament is good; she won’t get angry.”
Song Muyun obediently nodded, but she couldn’t help feeling anxious. If only she hadn’t looked at her… and glared at her. Why couldn’t she control herself?
Jiang Yao pulled Song Muyun back to the adjacent room. The way Jiang Ru was sitting before was the same as now—obedient and well-behaved.
Jiang Ru looked up as she heard someone enter, seeing the beautiful sister who had been crying earlier but had stopped now, following closely behind her sister.
She stood up, placing her hands in front of her abdomen, and called out sweetly, “Sister.”
After hesitating for a moment, she also called out to Song Muyun, “Elder Sister Muyun.”
The more well-behaved Jiang Ru was, the more guilty Song Muyun felt. She took the initiative to pour a cup of tea for Jiang Ru and handed it over, “Ru’er, I was impolite earlier. I apologize to you. Can you forgive me?”
Jiang Yao looked puzzled at the two of them. In her eyes, Song Muyun was only crying with her, so what concern did she have with Jiang Ru that required such a solemn apology? Jiang Ru, seeing the situation, stepped back in a panic, very amiable. “I wasn’t angry to begin with, so there’s no need for forgiveness. Sister, you’re overreacting.”
The more Jiang Ru was like this, the more guilty Song Muyun felt. She sought help by looking at Jiang Yao.
With a solemn face, Jiang Yao walked forward, half embracing Song Muyun. She pinched her slender waist, almost making her sit down, then turned and gave her an unimpressive glare. “Muyun felt she was a bit rude in front of you today, so she came to apologize. As long as you’re not mad at her, it’s fine.”
Song Muyun didn’t know what to say and had sought Jiang Yao to speak for her.
Jiang Ru hurriedly shook her head. “I’m not angry.”
She was very obedient, polite, and had a good temperament.
Song Muyun lowered her head. She wasn’t good with words, and upon hearing that the other wasn’t angry, she breathed a sigh of relief.
Both of them were not proactive individuals, so they let Jiang Yao continue to oversee the situation. She suggested they all go sit in the backyard together, which was where she had intended to lie down earlier.
Jiang Ru wasn’t familiar with the place, so she naturally followed Jiang Yao’s lead. Song Muyun didn’t object. The person who had just been fiercely driving Jiang Yao away was now obediently dependent on her, lightly holding onto her sleeve with five fingers.
As Jiang Yao moved, she noticed her sleeve being tugged back. When she looked down, it was Song Muyun. It was something she had long gotten used to—Song Muyun’s habit of grabbing her clothes.
The three walked along the corridor, almost reaching the end, when suddenly a private room door was forcefully opened from the inside, and two women emerged, not restraining their affectionate behavior.
One of the women in red, Jiang Yao recognized as Miss Yanjin from Moon Pavilion. As for the other, she knew her too—Deputy Battalion Commander Meng Lichu.
The problem was… both of them were women, so why were they hugging as they came out of the room? Moreover, the room seemed to only contain the two of them…
Jiang Yao, Song Muyun, and Jiang Ru stood at the door.
Seeing people outside, Meng Lichu quickly withdrew her groping hands from a certain unspeakably soft place. Miss Yanjin’s cheeks flushed; it was clear she had just been stimulated. Her legs seemed weak, and she leaned against Meng Lichu.
When Meng Lichu saw Jiang Yao staring at them wide-eyed, she inexplicably felt nervous. She nudged Miss Yanjin, signaling her to stand properly, then bowed in respect, “Miss Jiang.”
Jiang Yao’s tone was uncertain, “You… why did you come out in that posture?”
She was sharp in her senses and even detected a certain scent, feeling like she had unwittingly opened the door to something entirely new.
Meng Lichu felt embarrassed for being so straightforward. Her lips quivered, unable to speak. It wasn’t until Miss Yanjin had rested and her legs had finally steadied, albeit still leaning on Meng Lichu, that she covered her mouth and chuckled, “What’s the matter with being happy? Men have their ways, and women naturally have their own ways. Don’t tell Miss Yanjin that for all these years you’ve never touched her. Even if you say it, Miss Yanjin won’t believe it.”
She teased with a touch of rouge on the corner of her eye, looking askance in a way that could steal a person’s soul, but that was only effective on others. Jiang Yao remained completely puzzled, looking at them and then glancing at Song Muyun after a while.
Song Muyun, although not understanding these things, could sense the implications in their words. Realizing they were discussing such private matters in the corridor, she was extremely embarrassed and grabbed Jiang Yao, “Let’s go back, I’m a bit tired.”
Jiang Yao, hearing that she was tired, naturally put aside her doubts. She hurriedly escorted Song Muyun to the backyard. However, in her mind, she planned to inquire at the Meng residence tonight. If she didn’t understand how women enjoyed themselves, she feared she wouldn’t be able to sleep all night.
Song Muyun let Jiang Yao hold her hand and support her waist as they walked. She couldn’t help but glance back at the flirtatious posture of Miss Yanjin leaning against the other woman. Women with women… could that also be possible?
When Jiang Yao left, she decided she needed to find Miss Yanjin for a thorough inquiry!
Author’s Note:
Both of them are trying to avoid revealing their newfound understanding to each other! Only Jiang Ru is genuinely innocent.