Ji Yanzhi took the torrent of criticism without getting angry, but he was still puzzled. "You still haven't answered my question."
Shen Mu Lan pressed a hand to his chest, closed his eyes, and drew a deep breath. "How about this? I've got a great idea. Go back right now and ask Ling Xi to return all the gifts you gave him, then give them all to Ji Ting. That way, you won't have to spend a cent, and you can save yourself the bank card too."
A wave of visceral revulsion instantly rose in Ji Yanzhi's chest. "How could I give Ji Ting things Ling Xi has used? Besides, Ji Ting would never want them."
"So you do know he doesn't want that junk?!" Shen Mu Lan was positively flushed with anger. "You keep insisting you've never liked Ling Xi, then turn around and say you're responsible for him. What's wrong with you?"
Ji Yanzhi frowned. "But I don't want to lie to him. Of course I have to tell the truth."
"Fine. The truth, right?" Shen Mu Lan gave up trying to reason with him. "Then let's put you in his shoes. What if Ji Ting told you he didn't love Ling Xi anymore, but he still had to make sure Ling Xi never wanted for food or clothing and lived a good life?"
Just hearing that made Ji Yanzhi's expression darken, storm clouds gathering across his face.
"Tell me, after hearing Ji Ting say that, would you think he had some unavoidable reason, or would you think he still had feelings for Ling Xi and loved him deeply?"
Ji Yanzhi said nothing. Clearly, he already had his answer.
Looking at how withdrawn he had become, Shen Mu Lan let out a helpless sigh. "Love is something people