"Shang Ziqian."
Xie Jinyi gritted her teeth and glared at him, "Can you act like a human being!"
Shang Ziqian was unconcerned, but in the next second, his pupils contracted.
A black bag appeared out of thin air and hit his wrist.
The knife fell to the ground.
Wen Tingxue quickly pulled Xie Jinyi behind her, then looked towards where the bag had come from.
A person jumped down from the empty alley.
Black clothes, black pants, black hat, black mask, completely covered.
Only a section of snow-white neck and the dazzling blonde hair on the side of the neck, slightly curled, were visible.
From a distance, he exuded a powerful presence. Even without seeing his face, one could tell he was a very, very handsome guy.
He spoke, his voice clear and cold like snow on a high mountain.
"Shang Ziqian, are you looking for death?"
"Oh."
Shang Ziqian stood up and looked at him, his gaze full of interest. "It's really been a long time. You're still alive."
The young man walked over, his legs long, reaching Wen Tingxue in a few steps.
He was tall, about the same height as Yu Wenli, and she had to look up at him.
The young man glanced at her indifferently, with no extra emotion.
Then, he turned to stare at Shang Ziqian.
While rolling up his sleeves, he asked, "Do you want to fight? Or just let go?"
The black jacket made his skin exceptionally pale, and his hands were naturally elegant, as if born for the piano.
Shang Ziqian sneered, "How can I be so arrogant as to fight you? Is it necessary?"
After speaking, he looked down at Wen Tingxue, a smile of unknown meaning curving his lips.
"Little girl, you're quite lucky. Next time, it might not be the same."
He kicked the knife on the ground and Shang Ziqian left with his men.
The taut string in Wen Tingxue's heart finally relaxed, and her legs felt weak as she leaned against the wall.
When she remembered to thank him, the young man had already picked up his black cross-body bag and left.
The tall, indifferent figure was so aloof that even the sunlight couldn't warm him.
She opened her mouth to call out, but suddenly found her throat constricted, unable to make a sound.
Xie Jinyi still had an injury on her waist. When the bag was thrown, the knife pressing against her lower back inevitably scratched her.
"It's fine, it's not deep."
Seeing her worry, Xie Jinyi smiled with pale lips.
Wen Tingxue's tears streamed down her face, and she said intermittently, "I'm sorry... I'm sorry..."
If it weren't for her, she wouldn't have suffered such grievances and injuries on this day.
She still had to compete, what should she do?
The more the young girl thought, the more anxious she became, and her tears fell harder.
Xie Jinyi hugged her, a mix of tears and laughter, her hands gripping her shoulders with great force.
"Don't cry, I'm not badly hurt. I can still go on stage and dance..."
She paused and added, "I *must* go on stage and dance."
Wen Tingxue looked up sharply, objecting, "No! Your waist..."
"You don't understand."
Xie Jinyi interrupted softly, "I have to go on."
She looked into the distance, her gaze deep and far-reaching.
Wen Tingxue followed her gaze, her pupils contracting.
On the steps of the art center, a man in a suit and tie was passionately kissing a woman in a flowing gown.
That man... was Xie Liangzhe.
And the woman in his arms was not Madam Xie.
If she wasn't mistaken, it should be Xie Jinyi's dance teacher.
Judging from the back, she was elegant and charming, possessing a allure that Madam Xie could not match.
But... shouldn't he be at Xie Corporation waiting for Madam Xie right now?
How could he suddenly...
Xie Jinyi sneered sarcastically, "If he didn't get me and my mother out of the way, how could he openly kiss that bitch here?"
The light was dim, and a gentle breeze blew.
Xie Jinyi, her skirt fluttering, stepped onto the stairs, walking step by step towards the oblivious couple, her expression exceptionally calm.
Wen Tingxue followed by her side, always worried she might do something impulsive.
Yet, she couldn't bring herself to dissuade her.
Just seven steps away from exposing everything, Xie Jinyi's phone rang.
The person who had confiscated her phone had placed it on the nearby steps when they left.
They hadn't taken it with them.
The sudden ringtone shattered the romantic atmosphere, and the embracing couple instinctively separated.
As if they were accustomed to such actions.
Xie Jinyi sneered, then answered the call with a calm expression.
Madam Xie's voice came through, choked with tears, "Xiao Yi, have you seen your father? He's not at the company... Where do you think he would be..."
Xie Jinyi stared at the figure in front of her and drawled meaningfully.
"You're talking about Dad..."
Just then, Xie Liangzhe turned around, a flicker of imperceptible coldness flashing across his lustful face.
Upon seeing his daughter's face, he quickly frowned, his emotions fluctuating before finally settling into a calm.
A terrifying calm.
As if he didn't care at all whether she discovered him or not.
Even Wen Tingxue's heart tightened, her breathing becoming strained.
Let alone Xie Jinyi, his daughter.
She clenched her left hand tightly, her fingernails almost digging into her flesh, managing to keep her tone gentle.
"He's already at the art center, talking with my teacher."
Madam Xie fell silent instantly, and even the teacher glanced at her.
Xie Liangzhe's expression softened, and he said with a gentle smile, "It's your mother's call, isn't it? Give it to me."
He reached out, seamlessly transitioning from the persona of the perfect father to a scumbag.
Xie Jinyi obediently handed him the phone, playing the role of the dutiful daughter.
There was no trace of her anger just moments ago.
Wen Tingxue felt the Xie family was so twisted for the first time.
Xie Liangzhe coaxed Madam Xie in a simple manner, even simpler than how he coaxed the woman he kept outside.
A few sweet words were enough to pacify her, without even needing to spend money.
Xie Liangzhe was very pleased with Madam Xie's sensible nature, and his mood brightened accordingly.
"Dad came to watch your performance, but he didn't know the way, so he asked Teacher Mi to come down and pick him up."
Perhaps because he was in a good mood, he casually offered this explanation.
Xie Jinyi smiled without complaint, "Dad could have called me too."
Xie Liangzhe replied, "Dad was afraid you were putting on makeup and it would be inconvenient."
After speaking, realizing that his daughter's words might not be right, as if he had sensed something, he added, "Teacher Mi just got something in her eye, and Dad was helping to blow it out. You didn't misunderstand anything, did you?"
The question was asked so righteously that even the soft-hearted Wen Tingxue couldn't help but scoff.
Yet, Xie Jinyi, with remarkable restraint, smiled and said, "Of course, I wouldn't misunderstand Dad."
She had never believed him, nor had she ever held any expectations for him.
She was merely dependent on him for now, waiting for the day when she would have her own wings...
A fierce glint flashed in Xie Jinyi's lowered eyes, and when she looked up again, she was still the obedient and filial daughter.
Xie Liangzhe patted his daughter's head with satisfaction and turned to walk towards the art center with Teacher Mi.
"Teacher Mi's eyeshadow looks good today." Xie Liangzhe's praise drifted on the wind.
Wen Tingxue subconsciously glanced at Xie Jinyi's expression, and as expected, saw a cold smile.
The dignified father had not noticed the bloodstain on his daughter's waist, but had paid close attention to the teacher's eyeshadow.
It was truly absurd and laughable.