Chapter 190 It turns out he was the one behind it all.

Ming Zhan's smile was somewhat bitter. "Big brother, there is no possibility between her and me anymore."

Mingxiao felt as if a pebble had been thrown into his heart, causing ripples to spread. His face remained calm. "How do you know it's impossible?"

Mingzhan asked, "Brother, what do you think of her relationship with Rong Zhi?"

Mingxiao looked slightly surprised, a hint of astonishment flashing in his eyes. "Isn't Rong Zhi going to marry Mingmei?"

A mocking smile appeared on Ming Zhan's lips. "Rong Zhi is already the head of the Rong family. How could he possibly marry a woman like her?"

Mingxiao's expression turned serious. "You mean he was just using Mingmei?"

Mingzhan took a deep breath, holding the porcelain bowl in both hands, his eyes darkening. "I don't know who's using whom. But I do know that he has absolutely no romantic feelings for her. The person in his heart..."

Ming Xiao had long seen through Rong Zhi's feelings for Sang Yuwan, but unexpectedly, even Ming Zhan had figured it out.

Such an obvious revelation is not a good thing for Sang Yuwan.

Mingzhan took a deep breath and calmed himself down. "Big brother, it's not hot anymore."

Mingxiao reached out, took the nutritious porridge he was offered, and began to eat it elegantly with a spoon in hand.

Mingzhan sat to the side, saying nothing more.

Knock knock—

A knock came at the door.

Mingzhan assumed it was the doctor coming to check on him, so he quickly got up and opened the ward door.

"Second brother..."

Standing at the door was a girl wearing sunglasses and a black mask.

Upon seeing Mingzhan, she greeted him with a pitiful expression.

Ming Zhan's expression changed drastically, his face turning cold. "Get out of here."

Mingmei sniffed, lowered her head, and twisted her hands. "Second brother, I know I was wrong. Please let me in to see eldest brother. I want to apologize to him in person."

“No need.” Ming Zhan’s chest heaved, his lips turning cold. “If you don’t leave now, I’m going to call for help.”

Mingmei's tightly clenched fingers trembled slightly as she slowly removed her sunglasses.

His left eye was bruised and purple, as if he had been punched.

Ming Zhan's pupils constricted slightly, and he sneered, "A self-inflicted injury ruse? Ha. No ruse will work on me."

Mingmei's eyelashes trembled, her lips pursed, and she looked on the verge of tears. "Second brother, I really know I was wrong. Please give me a chance to make amends and let me see eldest brother."

After saying that, she walked inside without a second thought.

Ming Zhan reached out and stopped her, glaring at her coldly, "Mingmei, how many mistakes have you made since you were little? Have you ever corrected them?"

Mingmei froze, her face turning bright red.

Ming Zhan's eyes grew increasingly dark, like a bottle of spilled ink, the intense black spreading. He took a deep breath and coldly rebuked again, "If you don't leave, you'll be sorry."

As soon as he finished speaking, he looked at the bodyguard at the door and said, "Take Miss Fourth away."

"Yes." The Ming family's bodyguard immediately stepped forward, making a move to grab Mingmei's arm.

Mingmei quickly put on her sunglasses and bit her lip hard. She spoke softly, "Second Brother, I know a secret about Sister Wan. Do you want to know?"

Ming Zhan's gaze darkened, a sharp glint appearing in his eyes. "What did you do to her?"

Mingmei's voice grew even softer, so that only the two of them could hear it clearly, "Second Brother, you should ask her what she did to me?"

Ming Zhan lost his patience, frowned, and angrily rebuked, "Even if she were to send you to prison now, I don't think it would be excessive."

"Second brother, I'm still your cousin, you..." Mingmei's voice tightened with anger.

Ming Zhan's patience ran out, and he said coldly to the bodyguard, "Take him away."

"Wait a minute," Mingxiao's voice came through.

Ming Zhan turned his head and looked over.

Unbeknownst to them, Mingxiao had already gotten out of bed.

Mingzhan rushed to his side, grabbed him, and said with great concern, "Brother, lie down quickly."

Mingxiao stood still, looking at Mingmei, whose pale face was devoid of color. "Let her in."

Mingzhan frowned, "Big brother, she..."

Mingxiao interrupted him, "What else can I do in this state?"

Mingzhan's chest heaved slightly, and he said helplessly, "Lie down first."

Mingxiao nodded.

Mingzhan waited until he was settled before letting Mingmei in.

He closed the ward door and angrily warned her, "If you dare to do anything reckless again, I will make you wish you were dead."

Mingmei took off her sunglasses again, curled her lips slightly, and said, "Second Brother, I've come here sincerely to apologize to Eldest Brother."

"Kneel down!" Ming Zhan raised his voice and suddenly shouted a rebuke.

Mingmei's body trembled, her knees buckled, and she was about to kneel down.

Mingxiao quickly called out, "Stand still."

Mingmei paused for a moment, then pursed her lips.

Mingzhan frowned. "Big brother, she's here to apologize to you."

“I’m not dead yet, there’s no need for me to kneel.” Mingxiao’s voice was weak, but every word carried immense weight.

Ming Zhan, his face dark, pulled out a chair and sat down.

Seeing this, Mingmei pressed her fingertips hard against her palm, forcing out a few tears. Looking deeply regretful, she said, "Brother, I really didn't know it would turn out like this... If I had known, I would have died rather than agree to Rong Zhi's request..."

Upon hearing this, Ming Zhan's heart clenched, and his eyes turned cold. "Such a lucrative opportunity, you wouldn't want to climb it?"

Mingxiao lowered his eyes slightly. "You mean, the one who truly wants Haitang Garden is Rong Zhi."

Mingzhan was startled and stared at Mingmei in disbelief.

Mingmei strained with every inch of her strength, her palms almost pierced by her fingertips. Tears streamed down her face like broken pearls.

Ming Zhan's anger intensified, and he said impatiently, "Stop acting. Tell me quickly. Is what Big Brother said true?"

With tears blurring her vision, Mingmei nodded.

"So it was him who was behind this?!" A chilling glint of malice flashed in Ming Zhan's eyes.

Mingmei took two deep breaths, choking back tears, "Second Brother, you're right. Who wouldn't want to climb such a high branch?"

Mingxiao handed her a tissue, his eyes devoid of warmth and emotion. "Wipe your tears and talk properly."

Mingmei feigned a touched expression, "Big brother, I'm sorry..."

Mingxiao said, "Mingmei, as long as you can explain yourself clearly, I will forgive you this time." Finally, he added, "I will persuade Dad and Wanwan to let you go."

Mingmei's eyelids twitched, and her lips twitched almost imperceptibly. "Big brother, I will definitely tell you everything I know."

Mingxiao nodded slightly. "Okay."

Ming Zhan's face turned ashen. "Hurry up and speak."

Mingmei trembled slightly, and slowly began to speak, "Rong Zhi said that as long as I can get the Begonia Garden, he will marry me..."

"Someone like you, would he marry you?" Ming Zhan mocked mercilessly.