"I..." Ying Kongshi stiffened, his expression shifting as he sank into thought. Liu Qing and Shui Nai both watched him, waiting for his answer. After a short while, Ying Kongshi raised his head. He first looked at Liu Qing with an unreadable gaze, then turned to Shui Nai and said earnestly, "Maybe it has something to do with the young clan leader. Maybe it has something to do with our childhood. But my heart tells me that I want to take care of you!"
With that, Ying Kongshi let go of Shui Nai and walked over to Liu Qing, making to kneel again. This time, however, Liu Qing caught him in time. "A man shouldn't kneel lightly. Stop dropping to your knees over everything. I see you as family, as a brother, not as my slave!"
"I understand that you see me as family, as a brother, young clan leader. But the wrong I've done..." Ying Kongshi paused, then continued painfully, "I knew perfectly well that Shui Nai was your woman, yet I couldn't control my heart. I feel as though everything she does tugs at my heart. I want to take care of her... Kneeling is the simplest thing I can do to make amends for my sin!"
"Bullshit!" Shui Nai snapped shrilly, finding strength from somewhere as she cut Ying Kongshi off. "Since when did I become someone else's woman? I belong to myself!" Even after shouting at him, she seemed unable to vent her anger. She took several ragged breaths and continued yelling, "Get out, get out, get out! Who do you think you are? I don't need you to take care of me! I don't need anyone's pity!"
Shui Nai's sudden outburst stunned both Liu Qing and Ying Kongshi. The Shui Nai Liu Qing knew usually