Lin Mian turned on the shower, letting hot water fall over her head, washing away all the mess.
In the following days, Lin Mian never saw Shi Lin again.
Even though he lived across the hall, she never ran into him.
She left early and came back late every day, following Qin Li to construction sites during the day to learn design and studying diligently at night.
Qin Li praised her for learning quickly and having a knack for it, which motivated her to work even harder.
In the blink of an eye, a week went by.
Lin Mian started accompanying Qin Li to hospitals daily for site visits, keeping herself busy and fulfilled.
As the work day neared its end, Lin Mian carried a pile of tools to the parking lot. She and Qin Li now lived in the same community, often hitching a ride with him after work.
If Qin Li was not around, she would wait in the parking lot for a while.
Suddenly, a Lamborghini pulled up next to her. Lin Mian instinctively moved aside, but the car door swung open, and a few men jumped out.
"Hey, Lin Mian, have you attached yourself to a big shot?"
The familiar voice...
Lin Mian looked up and immediately recognized the lead figure, Song Zeyuan.
It had been a long time, and he was still the same carefree guy.
Lin Mian didn't want to engage with them, tried to move away, but Song Zeyuan blocked her path.
"Why are you running? It's been so long, don't you recognize your big brother?" Song Zeyuan joked, grinning.
"Look at you, following Professor Qin and working on some construction project, getting yourself all dirty and messy,"
"That little face of yours is all dirty, let me help you clean it up," he said as he reached out to touch her. Lin Mian instinctively backed away, furrowing her brows.
"Don't touch me."
"Oh, after not seeing you for a while, you've grown quite temperamental. A fiery temper is even more fun. Since I'm in a good mood today, will you come with me? I'll take you home."
"No, thank you. Just go on your way," Lin Mian rejected coldly.
The smile on Song Zeyuan's face disappeared. "What, you look down on me?"
Before he could say more, one of his buddies beside him mocked mercilessly, "Brother Ze, what home are you talking about taking her to? Are you planning to take her straight to your place?"
"Hahaha..."
"A bed is a bed, for sleeping. It's all the same, right?"
"Are you talking about sleeping or... sleeping with someone?"
"Hahaha..."
The group beside him joked lewdly, making Lin Mian feel extremely embarrassed. She tried to run, but Song Zeyuan unexpectedly grabbed her wrist tightly.
The more Lin Mian struggled, the more he persisted.
In desperation, Lin Mian yelled, "Song Zeyuan, your uncle is upstairs. Do you dare touch me and see?"
"Oh, daring to use my uncle to threaten me, huh? Who do you think you are? Just because my uncle saved you once, you think he'll remember you? Stop putting on airs for yourself! Even if I were to do something to you here right now, my uncle wouldn't say a word."
Song Zeyuan forcefully grabbed her waist and tried to push her into the car.
Lin Mian struggled and screamed loudly, but she was no match for the strength of the several men. In desperation, she took out a tool from her bag and swung it fiercely—
"Ah..."
With a scream, blood gushed from Song Zeyuan's forehead.
"Dammit, you little b*tch, catch her for me!" Song Zeyuan, holding his bleeding forehead, angrily ordered the others.
The men immediately went to chase after Lin Mian. Despite being a girl, she was soon caught and brought back.
"Brothers, tonight we feast, take turns with her," Song Zeyuan ordered viciously.
This woman had repeatedly caused trouble for him without getting her just deserts, so he was eager to teach her a lesson.
Just as Lin Mian was about to be forced into the car, an angry voice rang out from a distance.
"Stop all of you!"
Not far away, Qin Li stormed over with a grim expression, pulling Lin Mian behind him without hesitation. When he looked up, his eyes were filled with intense coldness.
It was as if he was ready to kill.
"So it's Teacher Qin," Song Zeyuan grinned smugly. "Teacher Qin, Lin Mian is the woman I want. Since it's after work, she's not under your care anymore, right? How about you let her be with me for one night, considering the help I've provided you?"
"Get lost!"
Qin Li snapped coldly, using some strong language. "If you dare to provoke her again in the future, don't blame me for being rude to you."
Song Zeyuan sullenly said, "I've never seen you care about any woman before..."
Before he could finish, Qin Li turned to Lin Mian and said, "Mian Mian, go wait for me in the car. I'll be there soon."
Lin Mian, still shaken, obediently nodded and hurriedly left with her toolbox.
Only after she got into the car and closed the door did Qin Li turn around. The casually gentle expression on his handsome face was suddenly replaced by a fierce and cold look.
"Song Zeyuan, don't you dare touch her," he warned coldly. "Otherwise, with the things you've done, I can easily have you sent to jail."
Unwilling to back down, Song Zeyuan retorted, "We are all tied together, if I go down, do you think you can escape?"
Qin Li coldly narrowed his eyes and replied, "Then try it and see, whether you die quickly or I fall first."
Song Zeyuan: "..."
To be pushing things to the limit for a woman?
He really is bold.
Qin Li gave him a cold stare before turning and heading back to the car.
Song Zeyuan stood in place, holding his head and watching as Qin Li's car disappeared into the underground parking lot, furrowing his brows in confusion.
What's been going on recently, why is everyone so protective of that Lin Mian?
His uncle was, and now Qin Li as well.
She's just a plain and innocent girl, right?
It's like seeing a ghost.
Song Zeyuan grumbled irritably, then suddenly locked eyes with a figure dressed in a chilly manner. His whole body froze on the spot.
"U-Uncle?"
Shi Lin stood not far away, hands in his pockets, giving him a cold, piercing stare. It was unclear how long he had been standing there.