"Make way."
A cold, stern voice cut through the crowd, small but commanding, impossible to ignore.
Among the crowd, there were naturally those who recognized him.
"Mr. Fu?"
"It's Mr. Fu!"
In the midst of the commotion, the crowd automatically cleared a path.
Fu Hanjiang strode forward, his long legs covering ground swiftly until he reached the scene. The corners of his lips lifted slightly, a smile that wasn't quite a smile.
"What's going on here?"
His tone was light, as if discussing... what a nice day it was today.
"Fu, Mr. Fu..."
But Yu Hongliang was already panicking.
Mr. Fu had actually arrived? Wasn't that old man Wu just bluffing? Was everything he said true?
This was bad!
Fu Hanjiang didn't even spare him a glance, as if he hadn't heard him speak.
Seeing the girl he was dragging, still wearing her performance outfit and a mask on her face, her long hair completely disheveled as she sat on the ground, he sighed lightly.
"Ha."
Fu Hanjiang chuckled softly, showing no interest in exchanging words with Yu Hongliang. Suddenly, he raised his arm, swift as lightning.
*Smack!*
A crisp sound rang out.
Before anyone could react, Yu Hongliang was sent flying like a ragdoll.
"Ah!"
Yu Hongliang screamed in pain as his back slammed into the wall.
But it didn't end there. Instinctively, he covered his face where he had been slapped, and a hot liquid rushed into his mouth.
With a metallic taste, it was blood!
"Pfft..."
Yu Hongliang spat it out, a mixture of blood and saliva, with even a tooth in it! He had lost a tooth from that slap!
Clearly, Fu Hanjiang's strength was immense!
"Mr... Mr. Fu."
Yu Hongliang was in too much pain to care about anything else. Now he believed it; this girl S was indeed someone Mr. Fu was interested in!
Who in Jiangcheng didn't know? Over the years, Mr. Fu had never taken an interest in any woman. This was the first time he had gone to such lengths for one.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know, I didn't know she was yours..."
"Get lost!"
Fu Hanjiang didn't have time to listen to his nonsense. His gaze was fixed on the girl cowering on the ground.
"Ah, alright..."
By now, Yu Hongliang's drunkenness had mostly worn off. Ignoring any sense of dignity, he crawled away as fast as he could.
Fu Hanjiang took a few steps closer, stopping in front of Sheng Xiangsi and offering her his hand.
"It's okay now, get up."
Sheng Xiangsi didn't react as if she hadn't heard him, showing no response.
"Miss Sheng?"
Finally, Sheng Xiangsi reacted slowly.
She slowly raised her head, staring blankly at him, tears still fresh in her eyes.
Their eyes met, and Fu Hanjiang held his breath, his Adam's apple rolling as he raised his hand, reaching for her face.
"Don't worry, I won't touch you."
Sheng Xiangsi closed her eyes, and Fu Hanjiang's hand grasped the mask lightly, pulling it off.
Then, her face was revealed...
Sheng Xiangsi.
Suddenly, Fu Hanjiang closed his eyes, gripping the mask tightly in his hand.
So that's why he had felt such a strange sense of familiarity with her from the first time he saw her perform! So that's why she always seemed to exude a strange charm that attracted him!
Yes, Sheng Xiangsi was a dancer!
And he had never connected the dots!
"You..."
Fu Hanjiang suddenly stood up, shock turning into anger.
He pointed at Sheng Xiangsi. "Sheng Xiangsi, what are you doing? Do you know where this is?"
Heh.
Sheng Xiangsi smirked, innocent but mocking. "Yes, I'm here. You, Mr. Fu, are a regular here. Do you not know what this place is?"
"You know I'm here, and you still came?" Fu Hanjiang felt she was unreasonable.
"What's wrong?" Sheng Xiangsi blinked innocently, "You can come, but I can't?"
"Nonsense!"
Fu Hanjiang was furious, veins bulging on his forehead.
"I'm here to spend money! What about you? What are you here for? You're here to sell yourself! Sheng Xiangsi, you're a daughter of the Fu family, don't you know any shame?"
Shame?
Sheng Xiangsi clenched her fists, her heart bleeding.
She had long lost such things!
First and foremost, one had to survive before they could talk about those noble things!
"Speak up!"
Fu Hanjiang thought she was guilty and spoke even harsher, "You said you wanted to rely on yourself, but are you relying on selling your appearance? Showing off your arms and legs in front of a group of men?"
"Yes, I sell myself!" Sheng Xiangsi's lips curved into a smile, but her eyes were full of mockery. "Then what about you, Mr. Fu? You're a buyer. What right do you have to criticize me?"
"You..."
Sheng Xiangsi lifted her chin defiantly, refusing to back down.
"I'm here to dance, relying on my own skills, not stealing or robbing, not breaking the law. What's wrong with that?"
"You're quite eloquent!"
Fu Hanjiang squinted his long, narrow eyes, "Haven't seen you in a few years, but your mouth has become quite sharp! I won't argue with you about these irrelevant matters. Pack up your things, and come with me immediately! The Fu family can't afford to have someone like you!"
"It's impossible."
Sheng Xiangsi raised her chin, stubbornly. "This is my job, and I won't leave."
"Huh?"
Fu Hanjiang was taken aback, his gaze suddenly freezing. He gritted his teeth and warned her, "Believe it or not, if you don't come with me today, I'll smash this place! I'll make sure you have nowhere to sell yourself!"