Shu Ying's emotions were conflicted. On one hand, she certainly wished for the scoundrel to receive a thorough beating. Yet, on the other hand, she did not want the one who stood in front of her to be the one to strike him. She could not bear the thought of the person protecting her being harmed because of her.
The moment she heard the scoundrel ask if he was there because of her, a wave of unease washed over her. When she heard him not deny it, that unease transformed into a subtle shyness, and her face flushed ever so slightly. In that instant, an impulse to throw herself into his arms almost overtook her.
However, the small fragment of rationality within her held her back. She could not do this, absolutely not!
If she did, it would not only harm him, but also endanger her mother. Just imagine, an ordinary person could never stand against the immense power and wealth of a young heir. The other party could find any excuse to make him "disappear."
Shu Ying dared not continue the thought. And as for her mother's company—without external financial support, it would undoubtedly collapse in an instant. Would her mother, having lost all her hard work, end up like those tragic figures in the news, climbing to the top of a building and leaping off?
Shu Ying's heart twisted in pain, and she resolutely refused to allow such a scene to unfold before her eyes. Thus, she turned down his good intentions and resolved to bear everything herself. Originally, this had been for her mother, but now, there was another person in her heart as well.
Yi Tianxing had long anticipated Shu Ying's reaction. At that moment, he looked with satisfaction at the man who had once placed so much pressure on him. "Did you hear that? She won't go with you."
"I heard," Xiang Ri replied, his gaze sweeping over the complex expression on the woman's face. He had already guessed her thoughts. He admired her willingness to sacrifice herself to protect her mother's efforts. The displeasure he had felt earlier, having been forced into the situation, was now transformed into a willing desire to assist her.
Coldly, he glanced at the second-rate scoundrel, "But I still intend to take her with me."
"You… what do you mean?" Yi Tianxing's face turned pale. Was he planning to use force? The memory of the punch that had sent blood and teeth flying from him still lingered in his mind. He regretted not bringing a bodyguard today. If the other man truly resorted to violence, given the power behind that punch, his chances of resisting were slim to none.
"Can't you see?" Xiang Ri's eyes gleamed coldly. "I'm telling you to get lost. The further, the better!"
"You have no honor!" Yi Tianxing, in a fit of anger, blurted out before he could think.
Xiang Ri burst into laughter. "Honor with a scoundrel? Besides, I never promised you anything!" His tone shifted, and he cracked his knuckles menacingly. "Are you going or not? If not, I'll make you."
Seeing the other man adopt a threatening stance, Yi Tianxing trembled, suddenly recalling that Xiang Ri was no gentleman who preferred reasoning—he was more a madman who enjoyed sudden, brutal attacks. The punch from the hotel was proof enough. Terrified, Yi Tianxing stepped back, glaring at him as he growled, "You'll regret this. I won't let you off!" With that, he stormed toward the door in a fury.
"Mr. Yi..." Shu Ying watched as he left, unable to ignore the obsession she felt for his retreating figure. She sprang to her feet, intent on chasing after him.
Though it was satisfying to see that bastard leave in defeat, now was not the time. If she angered him further, both her mother and that man would be in danger. All she hoped for now was to catch up with him, agree to his "condition," and put the matter to rest.
Unfortunately, before she could take a step, someone grabbed her.
"Could you please let go of me?" Facing the even slimmer figure before her, her voice trembled with a desperate plea.
Seeing her fragile demeanor, Xiang Ri's heart softened. "Don't worry, I understand your dilemma. But there's no need to chase after that bastard. I can help you."
Feeling the overwhelming confidence in his eyes, inexplicably, Shu Ying's nerves calmed. She ceased her weak struggles, her confusion giving way to hope. "You can help me?"
"Sit down first. A lot of people are watching us," Xiang Ri said, without answering her question immediately. He gestured for her to sit as the commotion earlier had drawn the attention of many diners.
Once she sat, he teased her lightly, "Honestly, making a beautiful woman cry like a willow in the rain... I feel a bit guilty."
Shu Ying, already flustered from the earlier attention, flushed even deeper. She lowered her head, muttering, "You flatter me."
"I'm speaking the truth, not complimenting you." Xiang Ri couldn't help but admit that the woman before him was too shy—her face turned crimson at a mere word. To prevent her from becoming further embarrassed, he shifted the conversation. "By the way, you're not upset with me for not letting you chase that bastard, are you?"
"No, not at all!" Shu Ying murmured, remembering his reassuring gaze earlier. Suddenly, she looked up, meeting his eyes with a surge of trust. "I believe in you!"
"That's good!" Xiang Ri glanced at her with some confusion, unable to understand where her confidence came from. However, this was not the time to dwell on such things. First, he needed to help her. "Actually, I know... you approached that scoundrel for the sake of your mother's company, right?"
"Ah?" Shu Ying gasped in surprise, covering her mouth. "How did you know?"
"Because..." Xiang Ri, who had been about to reveal the truth, suddenly hesitated, quickly realizing that if he told her the full story, it would only benefit a certain woman who called herself "Aunt." He would be the one putting in the work and money, but in the end, someone else would be the one receiving the gratitude. Such a transaction would be far too costly for him.
So, after a brief moment of hesitation, he decided to tell a white lie: "Do you remember the first time we met? Back then, it seemed like you weren't entirely willing. And the scoundrel by your side... it was clear he wasn't a good person. A gentle and beautiful girl like you shouldn't have to suffer, so I went to great lengths to learn about your situation, hoping to help you."
"Thank you!" The flush on Shu Ying's face, which had just faded, returned in an instant. Although his words were vague, she could still feel the genuine "affection" in them.
Shu Ying, still at an age where she imagined some prince on a white horse might one day come to rescue her from the flames, found his tone undeniably suggestive.
"Beautiful and gentle" in her mind was another term for him being interested in her, and "going to great lengths" only further confirmed his deep intentions. If she connected the dots, his words could easily be seen as a subtle confession of love.
Unaware that his casual lie had caused a beautiful woman to place her heart in his hands, Xiang Ri was now focused on solving the problem and heading back as soon as possible. He didn't want to waste time and risk his two women at home growing suspicious. He asked bluntly, "Can you tell me how much funding you need?"
Shu Ying, now thinking of him as her boyfriend, showed no pretense. Slowly, she held out five fingers. "Five hundred million!" Filled with hope for the future, she believed her mother would no longer have to sigh deeply in the middle of the night. Though she didn't know the extent of her future boyfriend's wealth, the fact that he had investigated her situation and was offering help made her certain he had the ability to do so.
"Five hundred million?" Xiang Ri's eyes widened in disbelief. How could it only be five hundred million? Didn't that "Aunt" mention ten billion? The discrepancy was too great. Before he could question it further, he quickly suppressed the doubt. It seemed that "Aunt" was indeed good at business; if he had foolishly given her ten billion, at least half would have likely been swallowed up.
"Is that too much?" Seeing the look on her "future boyfriend's" face, Shu Ying thought she had perhaps scared him with her figure, but in truth, this was the most conservative estimate she could come up with.
However, she also knew that anyone, even the wealthiest man, would react like this upon hearing such a sum. Cautiously, she looked at him and, in a tone that suggested negotiation, added, "It could be less, if..."
Before she could continue, Xiang Ri cut her off, "It's not too much. I think you're underestimating the amount you need."
At a table across several spaces in the restaurant, a group of women were discussing the situation.
"Your Majesty, isn't that the devil himself, Xiang?"
"Susan, mind your language! Mr. Xiang saved us. We should show him the respect he deserves."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Susan lowered her voice, chastised. "But, Your Majesty, the woman beside him doesn't seem to be that police officer."
"I saw that too. I never imagined that Mr. Xiang was such a romantic," the Queen remarked, her face betraying a faint, almost imperceptible shift in expression.
"He's too much of a heartbreaker. He has someone as beautiful as Miss Tie as his girlfriend, yet he's out here flirting with other women."
"Susan, did you forget what I just told you?" The Queen's voice was calm but firm.
"Apologies, Your Majesty!" Susan quickly apologized.
"Alright, I'm not angry. But you're right, Mr. Xiang's behavior is a bit excessive. Miss Tie has done so much for us, and I think we should return the favor!" The Queen smiled meaningfully.
"Your Majesty, do you mean we should go over and sabotage him?"
"Of course not! We are the side of justice. We're merely going to help Miss Tie, nothing more!"