Chapter 19: Choosing the Former
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The situation was clear to Shen Yichi at a glance, yet he could only ask knowingly, “President Xu, what is this about?”
Xu Jingcheng remained composed, improvising on the spot, “Nothing, just a little quarrel with my girlfriend.”
Before Shen Yichi could speak, Shen Yihuan cut in hurriedly, urging, “Brother, let’s go. When couples are having a fight, we shouldn’t interfere.”
After saying this, she clung to his arm, trying to pull him away.
Her eagerness did not go unnoticed by Song Yanzi.
Sheng Zhiyi had been silently watching the whole time, showing no emotion and sensing nothing amiss.
He simply assumed Shen Yichi was greeting a friend.
After all, the last time at the restaurant, the four of them had shared an awkward but decent meal together.
Shen Yichi remained still, calm and steady as he reminded, “This is a public place. Isn’t it inappropriate to be pulling and tugging like that?”
His gaze shifted toward Song Yanzi.
Their eyes met; she appeared calm and composed, but the panic flickering in her eyes was caught by him.
He waited for her to speak.
Shen Yihuan was both anxious and worried, afraid her brother might intervene and that Sheng Zhiyi might catch on, which would be disastrous.
Xu Jingcheng forced a sheepish smile, “President Shen, you’re right.”
In those few seconds of eye contact, a brief plea for help flashed across Song Yanzi’s eyes, but it vanished almost immediately.
Faced with the imminent danger and the trouble that seeking help might bring, Song Yanzi decisively chose the former.
She ceased struggling and followed Xu Jingcheng into the elevator.
As the elevator doors closed, a cold gleam flickered across Shen Yichi’s eyes.
Well played, Song Yanzi!
Outside the hotel, Shen Yihuan and Sheng Zhiyi were already seated in the car. Seeing Shen Yichi still standing outside, she asked, “Brother, aren’t you coming?”
Shen Yichi answered after picking up his phone, “Mm, got it.”
After hanging up, he said coldly, “Have the driver take you back. I have some matters to attend to.”
Sheng Zhiyi said nothing. Shen Yihuan leaned out her head, “Brother, it’s so late. What could be so urgent?”
Shen Yichi’s tone was indifferent yet imposing, “Do I owe you a schedule report?”
His neutral words carried a hint of warning.
Shen Yihuan felt wronged, “I’m just concerned, why are you so harsh?”
He remained cold and unyielding, “I have business to discuss with Director Lin.”
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He was fully aware of Shen Yihuan’s little schemes.
Sitting back in the car, Shen Yihuan was sulking. Sheng Zhiyi smiled politely at the man outside, “You focus on your work, we’ll leave now.”
Before leaving, she thoughtfully added, “Rest early after you finish.”
Elsewhere.
Xiao Yi hurried to the sixteenth floor and witnessed the scene.
In the hallway, Song Yanzi stood still while a man lay curled up in the corner.
The man was clutching his groin, pale-faced and grimacing in pain.
Xiao Yi immediately approached Song Yanzi, asking if she was hurt.
Upon confirming she was fine, he breathed a sigh of relief.
Song Yanzi had already called the police, and soon the officers arrived.
Everyone was taken away for statements.
Surveillance footage from the lobby and elevator clearly showed Xu Jingcheng was the aggressor.
The evidence was irrefutable, leaving Xu Jingcheng speechless.
His attempted misconduct was thwarted; Song Yanzi’s actions were deemed self-defense.
After finishing the statement with Song Yanzi, Xiao Yi came out; it was already eleven at night.
At the entrance, Xiao Yi offered to escort her home.
Song Yanzi politely declined, “No trouble, I’ll take a taxi myself. Thank you for tonight. I’ll treat you to dinner sometime.”
Since her falling out with Shen Yichi, she had no contact with Xiao Yi.
She was somewhat surprised by his appearance and help but mostly grateful.
Xiao Yi smiled wryly, “No need to be so formal, it was nothing.”
After he left, Song Yanzi pulled out her phone to hail a cab. A sleek black Phantom stopped before her.
The window rolled down slowly, revealing the sharply defined profile of a man.
He commanded, “Get in.”
Putting away her phone, Song Yanzi opened the passenger door and got in.
The car quickly vanished into the night.
At Shuilanting, Shen Yichi noticed her awkward gait.
“What’s wrong with your foot?”
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“Nothing.”
Song Yanzi tried to walk away, but Shen Yichi strode over and without a word lifted her into his arms.
He tossed out a few words without emotion, “Stop pretending to be strong!”
In the living room, he sat her down on the sofa.
Shen Yichi crouched down, gently lifted her right foot, slipped off the high heel, and examined it carefully.
The ankle was swollen and red, appearing sprained.
Looking up at her, his tone turned slightly cold, “I asked if you were hurt in the car just now. Why didn’t you tell the truth?”
She had said no, and he believed her.
Song Yanzi answered honestly, “I didn’t notice at the time.”
From the hotel to the police station, she had been on edge, too tense to pay attention.
Still uneasy, Shen Yichi carefully checked again.
He discovered marks on her neck and wrists.
The dim light in the car earlier had hidden them.
He cursed silently: Damn it!
Helping her put on her shoes again, he lifted her up and headed out.
“What are you doing?”
“Going to the hospital,” he replied curtly.
Song Yanzi didn’t want to make a fuss, “It’s just a sprain. A bit of ointment will do.”
However, he was always domineering and obstinate.
At the hospital, Shen Yichi carried her all the way inside.
Song Yanzi reminded him, “There are too many eyes here. I’ll walk myself.”
He ignored her and went straight to the emergency room.
The doctor on duty happened to be Nan Xi.
Seeing them arrive, she was momentarily startled.