"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.’