Chapter 44: Stay Away from the Scoundrel

Li Mingye appeared in time, his expression icy as he looked at Gao Sihai. Gao Sihai, unwilling to concede, tried forcefully to pull his hand back.

“I’m warning you—mind your own business, or don’t blame me for beating you too,” Gao Sihai threatened Li Mingye recklessly, “This woman needs to be taught a lesson!”

Li Mingye’s face darkened. No sooner had Gao Sihai finished speaking than he was struck with a punch. “Say that again!” Li Mingye demanded.

Dazed by the blow, Gao Sihai spat out a tooth, blood mixing in his mouth. “Are you looking for death? Do you even know who I am, daring to hit me?”

Zhang Xiluo hurried to stand behind Li Mingye, never having expected Gao Sihai would become violent.

“Let’s go, he’s not worth it,” Zhang Xiluo urged, pulling at Li Mingye’s arm.

Li Mingye’s hawk-like eyes narrowed as he swept a cold glance over Gao Sihai, then left the restroom with Zhang Xiluo.

“Stop right there! You think you can walk away after hitting me? Not so easy!” Gao Sihai chased after them, trying to block their path.

Zhao Chengyi stepped in front of him, his fist pressed to Gao Sihai’s chest. “Get lost.”

“And who are you?” Gao Sihai sensed Zhao Chengyi’s anger and faltered, “Are you with them?”

“Idiot.” Zhao Chengyi looked at him with disdain, warning, “Get out of here before you bring more trouble on yourself.”

Defeated, Gao Sihai stood frozen, not daring to make another move.

Zhang Xiluo released Li Mingye’s arm after they left the restroom and quietly thanked him.

“Can you not be at peace unless you’re entangling yourself with some man?” Li Mingye frowned. If he hadn’t appeared in time, Zhang Xiluo would have suffered for it.

That thank you was really unnecessary, she thought, glancing up at him, her lips twitching with annoyance. “Right back at you. You’d better check on your precious little flower—she’s about to cry.”

Not far away, Zhou Yao sat watching Li Mingye, her gaze fixed on him, waiting for his return.

After speaking, Zhang Xiluo returned to Jiang Xueting’s side. Li Mingye—

“Why were you gone so long?”

“Xueting, listen to this first.” Zhang Xiluo handed her phone to Jiang Xueting.

Although Zhang Xiluo knew it would upset Jiang Xueting, she chose to tell her anyway. She’d rather Xueting be angry now than hurt later.

Jiang Xueting had barely listened to a sentence before Gao Sihai approached, his expression changed and doing his best to conceal his injuries. He avoided meeting Zhang Xiluo’s eyes on purpose.

“What happened to you?” Jiang Xueting put down the phone and stood to check on Gao Sihai.

“I just bumped into something. Anyway, something came up—I have to go. We’ll have dinner another time.”

“Wait.” Jiang Xueting stopped him, picked up a glass of water, and threw it in his face. “You can go, but leave your jacket, your pants, and your shoes.”

Furious, Gao Sihai shot Zhang Xiluo a venomous glare, realizing Jiang Xueting now knew everything.

He took off his jacket and pants, then finally his shoes, tossing them to the floor.

“Just wait—you’ll pay for this,” he threatened Zhang Xiluo before leaving, his face twisted with malice.

“If you dare touch her, I’ll wipe out your entire family!” Jiang Xueting hurled a pillow at his head. “Get lost, and don’t let me see you again—if I do, I’ll beat you every time.”

Off to the side, Zhao Chengyi unconsciously rubbed his own head, thinking this woman was truly fierce.

“Scum like that ought to be thrown into a vat of oil. Let’s eat!” Jiang Xueting kicked the clothes and shoes aside, then sat down as if nothing had happened.

Xu Xinyi looked at Zhang Xiluo, confused about what had transpired. Zhang Xiluo handed her the phone.

After listening, Xu Xinyi slammed the table in anger.

“All men are dogs! Bastards!” Jiang Xueting declared loudly. “Xiluo, Xinyi, we need to stay away from those mongrels.”

“Agreed. Treasure your life—stay away from trashy men.” Zhang Xiluo raised her glass in response.

She didn’t notice that Li Mingye’s face had grown dark, his gaze deadly as he looked at her.

“Li, is she talking about you?” Zhao Chengyi whispered. Li Mingye shot him a cold glance, and he shut his mouth immediately.

After dinner, Jiang Xueting suggested they go to a bar, and the two of them were willing to accompany their friend to the end.

Jiang Xueting had just discovered a new bar, the atmosphere lively and full of handsome men.

The bar was hosting a Christmas pre-party with special events. Jiang Xueting chose the booth in the very center, ordering a dozen drinks and some snacks.

“Are you really okay?” Xu Xinyi asked, pulling Jiang Xueting over, her concern sincere.

“I’m not okay—I’m furious. I finally liked a man, and he turned out to be scum.” Jiang Xueting was forthright, never one to hide her feelings. “So tonight, I’m going to let it all out.”

With that, she hugged Zhang Xiluo, insisting on a kiss.

“Thank goodness for you, Xiluo. Otherwise, I wouldn’t even know if I was sold off!”

There were many activities that night. The first was a drinking contest—whoever drank the fastest got a free tab.

They weren’t interested, so they cheered from the sidelines.

The second event was a hot dance competition, open to all. Everyone was given a rose to throw to the hottest dancer; the winner would receive a mysterious prize.

“Xiluo, you go—you have to!” Jiang Xueting pulled Zhang Xiluo up. “I remember how amazing you are at dancing—I want that mystery prize.”

She winked at Xu Xinyi, who joined in coaxing Zhang Xiluo.

“Yes, you dance so well!”

“Alright, I’ll do it,” Zhang Xiluo agreed, and Jiang Xueting didn’t forget to encourage her, urging her to win the big prize.

Zhang Xiluo stepped onto the stage, followed by four scantily clad, heavily made-up women. She stood out as utterly different.

As the music began, the others were already swaying their hips and flaunting their charm, but Zhang Xiluo remained still.

She pulled off her sweater and tossed it to Jiang Xueting below, unbuttoned her shirt, and tucked the hem into her bra, revealing her slender waist.

Moving with the rhythm, she swayed gently, loosened her ponytail, and ran her fingers through her hair.

Her movements were supple, her expression enticing, her body as sinuous as a boneless snake—poised, controlled, and graceful.

Her allure was innate, her charm evident in every gesture—far more seductive than those who simply shook their chests and flaunted their curves.

At that moment, Li Mingye and his group entered, instantly spotting Zhang Xiluo on stage.

He had never seen this side of her before. His gaze grew colder still—she was actually dancing for all these men!

A surge of inexplicable jealousy surged within him. He stormed onto the stage, grabbed Zhang Xiluo, and led her away.

“Li Mingye! Let go of me, I’m not done dancing!” Zhang Xiluo struggled, but he dragged her outside.

The cold hit her at once—she was shivering, not even wearing her sweater. Li Mingye took off his coat, wrapped her in it, picked her up, and tossed her into the car.

“What’s gotten into you?” Zhang Xiluo demanded, bewildered by his silent, forceful actions.

The car stopped at a nearby apartment complex. Li Mingye hoisted her out and carried her inside.

“What exactly do you want? Why bring me here for no reason?”

“Who said you could act so provocatively?”