The first time they met, his gaze left her in a state of terror. Could it be that Huo Muchen had lost control again? She knew of his episodes of mania, but they usually occurred at night when he was at home, and she had long gotten into the habit of retiring early. As a result, Huo Muchen had never had an outburst in front of her. So, could this be because of Ji Ziyu?
Bai Nuanxi straightened her back and demanded of Ji Ziyu, "What does my leaving have to do with you?"
"I love you... Nuanxi, you're the one I love the most!" Ji Ziyu cried out, his voice raw with emotion.
Dan Fanxi raised an eyebrow, lounging on the sofa with a wine glass in hand, looking like he was merely here for the spectacle.
Yet, mania is not something easily resolved. If it were to erupt, leaving the patient alone could lead to self-harm. If he truly had an episode, it would be troublesome for everyone here.
"You love me?" Bai Nuanxi scoffed, "What you love is my status as Mrs. Huo, isn't it? With my position, you could effortlessly extract whatever information you wanted from me."
"Nuanxi, how can you say that? Wasn't it you who said you were unhappy by Huo Muchen's side and asked me to take you away?" Ji Ziyu fell to his knees, his face awash with tears.
Suddenly, Huo Muchen's grip tightened, his hands like iron bands around her waist, as if he could snap her in two. Bai Nuanxi frowned instinctively and placed her hand over his, looking up at him, "You're hurting me."
Her soft, gentle voice was like a cool stream soothing the furious volcano of his rage, calming the molten lava inside him. He released his grip, and in the next moment, Bai Nuanxi grasped his hand, intertwining their fingers.
Dan Fanxi raised his eyebrows in surprise, recalling the last time Huo Muchen had an episode—it had taken two whole days of destruction and a one-against-ten brawl in an underground fight club before he was spent. And now? He was pacified with just a few words???
"Ji Ziyu, I truly admire your shamelessness," Bai Nuanxi said. To use her for his own ends, Ji Ziyu would stop at nothing. Now, sensing her non-cooperation, he had already shed all masculine pride and was weeping like this!
In the past, if Ji Ziyu had cried and spoken like this, Huo Muchen would have flown into a rage, and she would have been taken back to the Huo residence, trembling under his wrath, growing ever more repulsed by him and his family. It must be said, Ji Ziyu's strategy was quite brilliant.
But now...
Bai Nuanxi arched an eyebrow. "What? Bai Jia'an isn't good enough for you? You actually have the nerve to dig up Huo Shao's corner?"
Huo Muchen paused, staring at the girl in his arms, unable to fathom how she could utter such words. But... unexpectedly, he found he liked it.
Ji Ziyu's expression shifted, as if she had punctured his fragile ego. He deflated, yet stubbornly refused to give up. "Nuanxi, what are you talking about? What does Jia'an have to do with this? I know you sisters have never gotten along, but there's no need to insult the pure friendship between us!"
Bai Nuanxi chuckled coldly. "If you don't want people to find out, don't do it. Do you think I can't uncover everything in less than half a day? Do you dare to guarantee that you left no trace? For instance, car surveillance, hotel records... should I check?"
Ji Ziyu's face instantly turned ashen. He closed his eyes, and when he reopened them, his tone had changed entirely, as if sobered up from drunkenness. "I... I'm sorry, Nuanxi, I've had too much to drink today. I said some nonsense, please don't mind me."
Bai Nuanxi nodded, stood up, and picked up a bottle of red wine from the table. "Too much to drink, huh? Fine, let me help you sober up!" With that, she lifted the bottle and smashed it over Ji Ziyu's head!
Smash! The sound of breaking glass and splattering wine startled everyone watching the drama.
"Are you awake now?!" Bai Nuanxi's voice was icy, her gaze piercingly cold. Ji Ziyu rolled his eyes and fainted on the spot.
Bai Nuanxi's chest heaved, her lips curving into a small, satisfied smile. Smashing that bottle on his head relieved some of her frustration. This is how it should be done. Scumbags like him and those despicable women think they deserve a happy ending?
Ha, one bottle to make you doubt your very existence!
She tossed aside the shattered bottle's neck and called over a bartender. Pointing at the man lying on the floor, she ordered, "Drag him out."
"Yes, ma'am." The bartender, without a hint of surprise, grabbed Ji Ziyu and began dragging him away.
After all, this bar was frequented by people of significant standing. Ordinary folks didn't even have the right to enter, and these big shots would naturally attract some opportunists trying to ride on their coattails. The staff's job was to deal with those who didn't know their place.
"Are you alright?" Bai Nuanxi asked calmly, turning to Huo Muchen.
If his mania was still flaring up, she figured it would be best to keep her distance for the moment—her life was more important.
The man's bloodshot eyes flickered at her, the depths seeming to suppress something turbulent. After a moment, he nodded, leaning back on the sofa and closing his eyes.
Bai Nuanxi thought for a moment and then took the initiative to walk over, moving behind Huo Yunze. She reached out and gently massaged his temples.
"Does this... help a bit?" Bai Nuanxi asked in a soft voice.
Yun Qianling approached, producing a stethoscope from who knows where, pressing it against Huo Muchen's chest.
Even as composed and unflappable as Yun Qianling usually was, he now showed a look of surprise. The mania seemed completely soothed?
This kind of condition, where even the patient could hardly maintain calmness, yet Huo Muchen had managed to hold on to a shred of sanity, was fortunate amidst misfortune. But now... it was as if boiling water had instantly cooled, even starting to freeze?
"His emotions... are very stable," Yun Qianling said calmly, returning to his seat.
Dan Fanxi reacted dramatically, "Wow, you must be joking!"
Yun Qianling closed his eyes to meditate, ignoring the joker entirely.
Dan Fanxi leaned over, hugging Yun Qianling, shaking him, "Speak up, little Yunyun."
Without opening his eyes, Yun Qianling raised a hand, a sharp scalpel sliding out from his sleeve, pressing gently against Dan Fanxi's neck.
Dan Fanxi: "..."
Bai Nuanxi paid no heed to their interaction, directly asking Huo Muchen, "Shall we go home now?"
"Shh..." Yun Qianling put a finger to his lips. "He's asleep."
Bai Nuanxi nodded, wary that her movements might disturb Huo Muchen's sleep, and stopped what she was doing. The moment she paused, Huo Muchen's eyes flew open.
Bai Nuanxi, caught off guard, was startled: "..."
His empty gaze bore into her, and Bai Nuanxi quickly resumed her massage, moving her hands slowly. After a while, Huo Muchen closed his eyes once more.