Chu Xiao was speechless at the worldview-shattering remark. "Feelings don't have to follow a timeline, but people should have a sense of propriety. Since Bai Xi and that man like each other, why are you trying to interfere? I really don't know what your 'Mengmeng' likes about you when you treat relationships like this!"
Han Rui chuckled, "It's even better if she doesn't like me, as I've found someone who can help me and elevate me more than she can. You'd best go back and have a good talk with her, tell her not to overthink things. All the kindness, gentleness, and consideration I showed her in the past was just an act to secure investment from the Chu family. I never liked her as a person."
His words thoroughly enraged Chu Xiao. "Han Rui, stop right there!"
With that, Chu Xiao lunged forward and punched Han Rui in the face.
Han Rui staggered from the blow but didn't fall. Blood trickled from the corner of his lip. He raised a hand, wiping it away with his finger. His smile remained as he said, "Mr. Chu, since you've brought so many people today, I'll leave this food for your subordinates to have for lunch. Whether you give the rest away or take it home, just remember not to waste it."
He then staggered away.
As he reached the main gate, his bright, captivating smile vanished, replaced by a deep solemnity.
"Bai Xi, you saved my life. I suppose I've returned the favor this time."
Chu Xiao was a proud man. When he learned Bai Xi had a boyfriend, he felt a flicker of hostility towards that man and a reluctance to give up.
That's why he had said those things.
When Han Rui stood on a moral high ground to criticize him for his unscrupulous actions and his pursuit of personal gain through emotional manipulation, those thoughts completely dissipated.
Often, people can discern right from wrong in others' actions but find ample excuses for their own. After berating himself, he felt disgusted and no longer wished to be someone he despised.
However, the Chu family's sponsorship would likely be lost, a considerable blow.
Lost in thought, a slight blockage formed in his chest, and a mouthful of blood surged up. He leaned against the hotel's exterior wall and collapsed diagonally, his lips stained crimson.
A middle-aged man nearby saw this and rushed forward to support him. "Young Master, are you alright? How did you get injured again?"
Han Rui waved his hand and, leaning on the man's support, steadied himself. He raised a hand, gently wiping the blood from his lip. "I... I'm fine, Uncle Zhang... I'm sorry."
Uncle Zhang was momentarily taken aback but quickly recovered. "Young Master, it's not your fault. You didn't want this to happen. Besides, Young Master did his best to subsidize us. It's his honor that Xu'er could help you."
Han Rui saw some inner monologue beside Uncle Zhang's face: "It's not the young master's fault; he didn't want this. It's just... if only I had been the one to protect the young master yesterday."
The bodyguard who had gone to report to the Chu family was Uncle Zhang's son. He had been stabbed multiple times but had stubbornly gotten up after being abducted to seek help from the Chu family.
Chu Xiao had told him about this on the way to the hospital yesterday. If not for that bodyguard, Bai Xi would not have known he was in trouble so early and wouldn't have arrived at the opportune moment to save him.
Both Bai Xi and himself were his saviors. But for the life that had been lost, all he could do besides compensation and ensuring his family lived comfortably was to hope the perpetrator would face justice.
Han Rui smiled slightly. "Uncle Zhang, help me to the hospital. Didn't they say I had to get an injection this afternoon?"
Uncle Zhang looked at Han Rui, his heart filled with concern. "Let's go, I'll help you. The car is parked over there."
Han Rui smiled. "Thank you, Uncle Zhang."
In his mind, however, he saw Bai Xi's hands intertwined with Han Mo's.
He couldn't read the thoughts of the man beside Bai Xi, and... when he saw him, he felt an inexplicable fear. Why was that?
After Bai Xi and Han Mo left the hotel, they began walking aimlessly.
She looked up and saw Han Mo walking ahead of her. This seemed to be the first time he had ever walked in front of her.
And... he was silent.
In the past, when Tong Xiaoxiao was immature, she had flirted with several boys. One day, two of those boys clashed, and they fought until they were bloody.
Tong Xiaoxiao felt extremely guilty. She apologized to the parents of both boys and paid a significant sum of money. Only then did the incident pass. After that, she had indeed restrained herself considerably.
So, did Han Mo think she had flirted with those two lunatics?
After hesitating, she tentatively spoke, "Han Mo, I used to think Han Rui had saved my life, so I came to Shangyang to repay that kindness. Later, I learned the secrets of the Han family, which is why I didn't leave. As for Chu Xiao, we only met yesterday. I genuinely don't know what he was thinking."
Tong Xiaoxiao had said that all misunderstandings arise from a lack of communication.
Therefore, she would absolutely not let such a thing happen.
Han Mo said nothing, continuing to walk forward.
Bai Xi hesitantly asked, "Are you angry?"
She knew she wasn't usually very patient, but since Han Mo was her chosen partner and she was in the wrong this time, she had to appease him, right?
Han Mo finally replied faintly, "No."
His voice seemed devoid of emotion but still felt a bit cold.
Bai Xi tried hard to think of how to appease him. "Please don't be angry, okay? Otherwise, I'll take you shopping for clothes, bags, and shoes later?"
The manga Tong Xiaoxiao had pestered her to read together depicted this: when the female lead was unhappy, the male lead would give her gifts. This method of appeasement was simple and effective. After just a few pages, the couple would reconcile, and the rest of the story would be filled with scenes unsuitable for children.
As she was thinking, they arrived at a small alley. The moment they entered, Han Mo turned around abruptly, pressing one hand against the wall behind Bai Xi. His light-colored eyes appeared incredibly calm, as serene as the sea before a storm.
Bai Xi looked at him, completely unafraid.
His gaze at that moment was entirely different from his usual demeanor. In the past, he was gentle and elegant but always seemed to hide something. Now, although he appeared dangerous, even frightening, she could sense that this was his true self.
This charm was even more captivating than before.
She knew from looking into his eyes that he was indeed angry, and this time, there was no pretense. She really needed to think carefully about how to appease him. "If you don't like bags and shoes, that's fine. Tell me what you do like!"
Han Mo blurted out without hesitation, "I like you."
Bai Xi was stunned for a moment.
In that moment of stunned silence, Han Mo's lips met hers.