After everyone left Yu Dong bowed formally in front of Grandma Fang, no matter what her grandson's reputation was questioned because of her and her carelessness, Yu Dong couldn't really forgive herself for it, so she profusely apologised " grandma Fang, I'm sorry about this. I should have paid better attention, if I took proper measures, the matter wouldn't have escalated so badly. I'm sorry, I couldn't do much to help you right now but I hope you won't take this matter to heart"
" it's alright, it's not your fault " Grandma Fang shook her head and then slapped Fang Chi's arm with the correct amount of force so as to not hurt him badly " it's the fault of this idiot who didn't think twice before acting, how can I blame you for his mistakes? If not for you, who knows if I would be able to see my grandson again - a night in the forest because you hurt your foot! By tomorrow morning even a bone wouldn't be left behind if not for Yu Dong who helped you, and yet you brought her so much trouble now what are you waiting for? Apologise to her this instant !"
" no, no it's alright," said Yu Dong waving her hands in an attempt to stop Fang Chi "it's not his fault either, anyone can tell that he was the most innocent one in this entire ordeal so there is no need for him to apologise to me "
" How is he the victim? If not for his foolishness nothing like this would have happened " insisted Grandma Fang " if he stayed at home like a good mer and didn't run amok then he wouldn't have tripped over anything and this matter wouldn't have arisen at all !"
" grandma is right, it's me who is in the wrong," said Fang Chi, too was feeling guilty. Because of him Yu Dong who kindly helped him gossiped about. He knew that even though Yu Dong successfully diverted the rumours and nipped them before they became vicious enough to bite them in the back, one or two mers would still talk about them. For example, Qiu Bai, that nosy old mer didn't seem like someone who would just let go of the matter sp easily " If not for me you wouldn't have been wronged like this, it's because of my carelessness that led to this matter happening"
" glad you know" muttered Ye Liu under his breath but went silent when Shen Li stomped on his foot. Why! Why was he beaten like this? He wasn't in the wrong dammit! If Fang Chi just stayed at his home none of this would have happened! But no - he had to run to the woods to cry, like a little cry baby. Look at him, he was beaten, sold and again beaten for a good deal of his life but he stayed put, has anyone seen him running away from home?
No? right!
Thankfully, Ye Liu's voice was barely audible and Fang Chi didn't hear him or else his already depressed heart would become even more depressed. Though Yu Dong heard him, she wasn't going to call him our for it either, as he'd husband it goes without saying that Ye Liu wouldn't be happy about seeing him with other mers, even if he trusts her.
Not wanting for the matter to escalate, she smiled and politely declined Fang Chi's apology " it's alright like I said you are the victim. it's not at all your fault, anyway, Grandma Fang take Fang Chi to your house and have the village physician do a check-up on him, I'm afraid his swelling is really bad, don't keep standing for long"
" you are right," agreed Grandma Fang though she was unhappy with Fang Chi, he was still her beloved grandson, so she nodded and agreed with what Yu Dong said " and thank you for your help, if not for you my grandson - aye, I will definitely make it up to some other day"
" Oh no, there is no need for that " Yu Dong shook her head and tried to refuse Grandma Fang but the latter didn't listen and walked away with a wave of her hand. Yu Dong watched the stubborn yet good-hearted Grandma Fang's back until she and Fang Chi entered their hut on the foot of the mountain before she turned to look at Shen Li and Ye Liu. Though she wasn't in the wrong, her smile was still full of helplessness and guilt as she looked at the two of them " I'm really sorry about this, I didn't think that the matter of helping an injured mer would get this bad. I just - I was just worried about him, if I left him behind and came to call for you two who knows what would have happened the forest is not a place one can just go in and out at will-" realising that she was making excuses, Yu Dong sighed and added " please forgive me, I won't do it again"
The mers at her home were already abused beyond belief and what they needed the most were care and affection. Their previous circumstances were so dire and when she took over the body of the previous Yu Dong, she promised she would treat them well but instead she almost made a mistake, if she somehow failed in stopping the rumours, who knows how much it would have hurt these two - ah, she was so useless, despite taking over this body she couldn't even protect her mers from being embarrassed, this was such a shame!
Shen Li noticed that Yu Dong was blaming herself, so he stepped forward and bravely pulled on her arm. He smiled and said " what happened today wasn't your fault, if you didn't save Fang Chi and something happened to him then the villagers would have called you ruthless and selfish for not helping an injured mer who needed your help. Now that you have helped him they are blaming you for being too close and tainting his innocent reputation, no matter what the villagers would have found a way to blame you no matter what. At least now you did something right and would have no regrets, as long as your heart is in a good place, and your intentions were pure - none of us will blame you no matter what the villagers say about you. You don't have to apologise to us, because if not for you, Our family might have starved to death, it's all thanks to you that we can live a comfortable life where we no longer have to worry about food and clothing ."
Shen Li wasn't just saying this to make Yu Dong happy, he was sincerely thankful to her. Three mers with no wife would be like a treasure without a chest if Yu Dong didn't take over their wife's body who knows what would have happened? What would have happened to their lives? It's all thanks to Yu Dong who came like a blessing to them, because of her they can eat three meals a day and wear good clothes without a single patch it them. What else they can ask from her? She was already doing her best... And in case if she really fell for someone then they will not stop her either because they were like responsibilities forced on her, and yet she was taking care of them without the slightest bit of complaint. So wasn't it only right that they let her be with someone whom she likes?
No matter how much their hearts hurt at the mere thought.