"Chen Yifan, I've already apologized! I was drunk! I wouldn't have touched her if she didn't throw herself at me!" Qiao He yelled, glancing back in terror as Chen Yifan closed in on him, causing him to stumble and crash to the ground.
In a swift and violent motion, Chen Yifan tackled Qiao He to the ground, attempting to drive the knife into his chest. Qiao He desperately gripped Chen Yifan's wrist, straining to deflect the blade just millimeters from piercing his flesh.
The market erupted in horrified shrieks as bystanders turned away, unwilling to witness the scene of Qiao He being stabbed.
Liu Xin, with her heart pounding in her chest, sprinted towards the struggling men without a second thought, fueled by adrenaline rushing through her veins.
In a decisive and swift motion, Liu Xin's foot connected with their intertwined wrists, the force causing Chen Yifan's fingers to involuntarily release their tight grip on the knife. The weapon spun through the air before landing with a menacing clatter on the hard ground.
Chen Yifan's furious gaze shot up to meet Liu Xin's, his face contorted with raw anger. "YOU—"
Liu Xin didn't let him finish; she kicked his head, sending him sprawling onto his side. As he struggled to rise and reach for the knife nearby, Liu Xin swiftly stepped on his hand, preventing his grasp. She seized the knife, pressing it against his throat while planting her left knee on his chest and keeping her other foot firmly on his hand, immobilizing him completely.
"If I were you, I wouldn't try anything," Liu Xin stated icily, tightening her grip on the knife. Her eyes bore into his with unyielding intensity.
The market had fallen eerily silent.
Chen Yifan's enraged expression melted into confusion and disbelief, quickly giving way to fear. He dared not even breathe, fearful that the slightest movement would result in the knife cutting his throat.
Suddenly, a voice rang out, slicing through the tense atmosphere. "LIU XIN, DROP THE KNIFE."
Startled, Liu Xin looked up to see the person she had been searching for this morning when the fishermen arrived.
Her heart sank and raced simultaneously as she watched him sprint towards her, his expression a mix of worry and anger.
Loosening her grip on the knife, she was about to stand up when a sudden impact struck her head, sending her sprawling to the ground.
Chen Yifan, seizing the opportunity, swiftly reversed their positions, pinning her beneath him. Yet, before he could assert control, Liu Xin deftly maneuvered the knife back to his throat.
Just as she prepared to speak, Chen Yifan was abruptly pulled away from her.
Liu Xin stood up, observing Liang Weijun seize Chen Yifan by the collar. As she moved to intervene, Liang Weijun delivered a forceful blow to Chen Yifan's jaw, his fury evident.
Frozen in place, Liu Xin tightened her grip on the knife, her breath catching at the sight of Liang Weijun's anger. He continued to rain blows upon Chen Yifan, blood soon staining the man's face.
"Sister Xin, are you okay?" Li Mei's voice broke through the turmoil, filled with concern.
Nodding faintly, Liu Xin took a deep breath, the weight of the moment settling heavily upon her.
However, a sudden throbbing pain gripped her head, causing her to grimace. Before she could react, the pain intensified, forcing her to clutch her head. Then, just as swiftly as it came, the pain vanished.
"Oh my gosh, Sister Xin, you're bleeding!" Li Mei's voice pierced through Liu Xin's daze, filled with concern.
"Ah?" Liu Xin responded absentmindedly.
"Your nose is bleeding!"
Liu Xin touched her nose and realized for the first time that it was indeed bleeding. As she stared at the crimson stains, her consciousness began to fade, slipping away despite her efforts to stay alert.
Just then, another memory flashed in her mind. She saw a dimly lit room, and a man different from anyone she knew now, looked at her with deep concern.
His eyes were soft yet intense, his hand reaching out as if to comfort her. "Are you alright?" he asked, his voice filled with genuine worry.
The memory was foggy, as though viewed through a haze, but the sense of familiarity was undeniable.
Back in the present, she felt a familiar touch on her face and a familiar embrace. She glanced up to see Liang Weijun's concerned expression.
"I'm..." Liu Xin tried to reassure him, wanting to ease his worry, but her words trailed off as darkness enveloped her.
The last thing she saw was the mysterious man's concerned eyes blending with Liang Weijun's, leaving her with a lingering sense of confusion and unease.