Stannis didn't even raise a hand in defense. He stood there, silent, as Jian Rui's fury washed over him like a storm. He knew he was wrong and knew he had gone too far. And worse, he feared the silence more than the anger.
Jian Rui had blocked him once before, cut him off completely. Well, he was still blocked. What he was most afraid of was that Jian Rui might not want to see him again.
"You have gone too far," Jian Rui said, voice low and final. His grip loosened, and he stepped back. "Get out."
Stannis had never panicked like this in his life. He had commanded fleets, crushed rebellions, and stood unshaken on blood-soaked battlefields. But in front of Jian Rui, he was nothing but a man stripped bare.
He walked forward, slowly, and wrapped his arms around Jian Rui from behind. His voice cracked. "Rui… I was wrong. I was wrong. Please don't… don't throw me away. I will do better. I promise."
