The room was bare.
Hu Fan's face flushed red, then turned pale.
Jiang Ping An stood before the table, looking down at Hu Fan with an impassive expression.
"You don't even have the courage to speak up for someone you like. What right do you have to call it love?"
Jiang Ping An did not raise his voice, but every word rang clear.
"People like you only dare vent your resentment at someone you think is weak in a place where no one else can hear. If I sent you outside to stand at the Military Camp gate and shout 'I like Li Xi' in front of everyone, you wouldn't have the courage."
"That isn't love or affection. It's the possessiveness you feel when someone else gets something good, a selfish desire."
"Even if you took my place and married into her family, ask yourself honestly: would you have the courage to bear everything that came with it?"
Hu Fan's face had gone scarlet, even to the roots of his ears. If his thick beard had not hidden it, he might have wanted to shove his head under the table.
He opened his mouth to argue, but his throat felt stuffed with cotton. No sound came out.
Jiang Ping An had not used a single curse, yet every sentence was a sharp dagger, tearing away the cloth that hid Hu Fan's shame and stabbing deep into his heart.
The humiliation of having his feelings laid bare hurt worse than a beating.
Sunlight slanted through the high window and fell across Jiang Ping An, while his huge shadow engulfed Hu Fan.
"Enough, enough!"
Hu Fan hurriedly raised a hand and waved it weakly. His voice dropped. "I only cursed you once. Did you have to cut me down like that?"
He