The study remained quiet after Xi Wenzhe’s words fell.

Li Mei stood motionless before the desk, her hands folded neatly in front of her. Although her heart felt heavy, her expression remained composed.

She knew this conversation was inevitable.

The moment she had been assigned to Su Yueqing’s courtyard, she had already understood that Xi Wenzhe was aware of everything.

Trying to deny it would be foolish.

Making excuses would be even worse.

After several moments of silence, she finally lowered her head slightly.

"Young Master, I know you are aware of what happened."

Xi Wenzhe’s gaze remained fixed on her.

"What happened?" 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

His voice was calm.

Li Mei immediately understood the meaning behind the question.

He was not giving her an opportunity to soften her actions with gentle words.

He wanted her to acknowledge them properly.

So she did.

"I know you are aware of my wrongdoing."

Xi Wenzhe’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"Wrongdoing?"

He leaned back in his chair.

"No."

His gaze remained steady.

"I am aware of your crime."

The room fell silent.

Li Mei accepted the correction without protest.

Because he was right.

A servant could commit wrongdoing.

A noble lady could commit wrongdoing.

But deliberately creating a situation that endangered another person’s life was not a simple mistake.

It was a crime.

After a moment, she nodded.

"You’re right."

The straightforward admission caused Xi Wenzhe to pause.

Li Mei slowly raised her eyes.

"I could say that I never intended for things to become so serious."

"I could say I only wanted to frighten her."

"I could say I never expected the fire to spread."

She gave a small, bitter smile.

"But none of those things would change the result."

Xi Wenzhe remained silent.

Li Mei lowered her gaze again.

"The truth is that I acted out of jealousy."

There was no hesitation in her voice.

No attempt to avoid responsibility.

"I knew better."

"And yet I still allowed my emotions to control my judgment."

A flicker of disappointment appeared in Xi Wenzhe’s eyes.

"At least you understand that much."

Li Mei nodded.

"How could I not?"

She looked toward the open window.

"The moment the fire started, I realized I had crossed a line."

A quiet sigh escaped her lips.

"Not because I was caught."

"But because I frightened myself."

The room became silent again.

Xi Wenzhe studied her carefully.

For years, Li Mei had always been calm.

That was one of the reasons he had trusted her.

Which was precisely why her actions had shocked him.

Finally, he spoke.

"I am disappointed in you."

Li Mei smiled faintly.

A sad smile.

"I know."

"You didn’t have to like Su Yueqing."

Xi Wenzhe’s voice remained steady.

"I never expected that."

Li Mei nodded.

"Nor did I expect to."

"However, disliking someone should never have led to this."

Li Mei lowered her eyes.

"You’re right."

After a long pause, Xi Wenzhe rubbed the bridge of his nose.

"I had everything planned."

Xi Wenzhe looked toward the papers on his desk.

"Marrying Su Yueqing was something I did because it was expected of me."

His expression became complicated.

"It was a duty."

Li Mei remained quiet.

Then Xi Wenzhe continued.

"I intended to fulfill my obligations first."

His gaze shifted toward her.

"And when the time was right, I intended to bring you into the household."

Li Mei’s fingers tightened slightly.

Not from excitement.

But because she suddenly understood where this conversation was heading.

Xi Wenzhe let out a quiet breath.

"Tell me, Li Mei."

His voice was calm.

"How am I supposed to convince my mother now?"

"How am I supposed to convince Grandmother?"

"How am I supposed to defend someone who nearly caused another person’s death?"

Li Mei lowered her head.

Because she had no answer.

And as emotionally intelligent as she was, she knew this was not the moment to ask for reassurance or forgiveness.

So instead she said quietly,

"You shouldn’t."

Xi Wenzhe froze.

Li Mei met his eyes.

"You shouldn’t defend me."

"If I am truly worth defending, then I should first prove that myself."

For the first time since the conversation began, Xi Wenzhe looked genuinely surprised.

Li Mei offered a faint smile.

"It was my mistake."

"Therefore the consequences should also be mine."

The study became silent once more.

Xi Wenzhe looked at her from the corner of his eye and let out a quiet sigh. He tapped lightly on his table, settling back as a moment of silence passed between them. Li Mei was still standing there, her head lowered.

He then said, "Why are you standing over there?"

"Come here," he instructed in an authoritative tone.

But Li Mei knew that tone very well. No matter how angry he was with her, he was still a man with a soft spot. All she had to do was act as though keeping her distance was part of her punishment, and he would end up feeling as if he were the one being punished instead.

"Young Master, is there anything you need? This humble servant will go and get it for you," she said with a stoic expression.

Xi Wenzhe’s gaze lingered on her for a moment longer before he finally spoke again.

"Come here."

His voice was calm, but it carried the kind of authority that did not invite refusal.

Li Mei hesitated only briefly before she stepped forward and stopped at a respectful distance from his desk.

He clicked his tongue softly, as though mildly dissatisfied with something only he could see.

"Have you eaten anything today?"

Li Mei shook her head.

"No, Young Master."

His brows lifted slightly. "Why not?"

She answered without hesitation, though her tone remained careful.

"This servant woke up early and had to attend to several duties. By the time I finished, I only had a short break before reporting to the Young Madam’s courtyard, so I did not have time."

A faint silence settled after her explanation.

Xi Wenzhe exhaled lightly through his nose, then pointed toward a tray of food placed nearby, still warm from earlier.

"Eat something," he said simply. "Take whatever you want."

Li Mei immediately shook her head.

"This servant cannot—"

"Stop talking," he interrupted flatly.

But instead of reaching for the food, Li Mei turned slightly as if preparing to leave.

That small movement made Xi Wenzhe’s expression darken almost imperceptibly.

In a single motion, he stood, closed the distance between them, and before she could properly react, he caught her wrist and pulled her toward him, seating her directly onto his lap with a controlled but firm motion that left no room for resistance.

"Still stubborn," he muttered under his breath.

Li Mei stiffened for only a second before she settled, clearly already accustomed to his unpredictable behavior, though her ears turned faintly red.

Xi Wenzhe reached toward the table, picked up a piece of food, and brought it to her lips without further discussion.

"Eat."

Li Mei paused, then obediently took a bite.

Only after confirming she had eaten did he release her hand slightly, though he did not let her move away from him.

His gaze lowered to her wrist, where a faint burn scar was still visible beneath her sleeve.

Without a word, he opened one of the drawers beside him, retrieved a small jar of ointment, and uncapped it.

Li Mei watched quietly, not resisting, not asking.

Xi Wenzhe gently took her hand, his thumb brushing over the scar as he applied the ointment with careful precision.

His voice, when it came again, was quieter than before.

"Even if you choose to punish yourself for your mistakes," he said, "do not do it by hurting your body."

Li Mei looked at him for a brief moment, her expression unreadable, before she lowered her gaze.

"Yes, Young Master," she replied softly.

’Li Mei.. what were you afraid of.. you still have this idiot wrapped around your finger.’