What if she really couldn’t escape? What if something happened to her? What about her revenge? What was the meaning of her rebirth?
Throughout this journey, she had never been so afraid. During the drug incident, she could still rely on Ji Zhixian. But this time, she had no one to depend on.
However, at the moment her hand was controlled, she realized how weak she was.
Easily controlled by others.
She had used revenge as her armor, thinking it was invincible.
But now she knew she wasn’t that strong. She could be afraid, she could cry.
“Don’t cry. I’m here. No one can hurt you,” Ji Zhixian’s low and firm voice sounded.
Lin Xiaoman looked up, saw the suppressed heartache in his deep black eyes, and the last bit of strength supporting her collapsed. Her body suddenly went soft.
Ji Zhixian promptly caught her, carefully helping her sit on the sofa, then gently untied the rope on her feet. Her delicate ankles still bore red marks from the binding.
Ji Zhixian’s expression froze, his brow furrowing, his hand holding the rope tightening.
If he really hadn’t come, what would those beasts have done to her? Did she think that blade could protect her?
Ji Zhixian’s gaze grew colder.
“Thank you,” Lin Xiaoman’s voice suddenly sounded, low and gravelly, like raindrops falling on leaves.
Ji Zhixian’s heart softened, his tense face becoming gentle. He had no mind for anything else, only wanting to take her away from this place of pain. He stood up and bent down to pick up Lin Xiaoman.
“I—”
Before Lin Xiaoman could finish speaking, Ji Zhixian interrupted: “If you want to thank me, then be obedient.”
His tone was imperious but not at all unpleasant.
Lin Xiaoman looked up at him, fell silent, and tilted her head to lean into his embrace.
At this moment, after being strong for so long, she wanted to briefly depend on the person beside her. She closed her eyes, feeling that the embrace holding her was warm and reliable, creating a sense of attachment. Just for a moment, she told herself, just depend like this for a moment.
Ji Zhixian looked down at the girl in his arms, her thick eyelashes like butterfly wings trembling lightly, skin whiter than snow, lips like cherry blossoms, looking so obedient and heartbreaking. His ink-black eyes were filled with deep affection and worry.
Fortunately, he came.
The moment he opened the door and saw the bound girl in the room, he felt like a raging fire was burning in his chest, with overwhelming anger with nowhere to vent. But when he held her in his arms, he felt more afraid. Just like when he first learned of Tang Feifei’s death. He was afraid of losing the person in his arms. Ji Zhixian couldn’t help but increase his strength, holding the person in his arms tighter.
Lin Xiaoman felt his movement but didn’t open her eyes.
Two people descended to the parking lot. Ji Zhixian was about to place the person in his arms into the car when a sharp parking sound suddenly rang out, and a black Audi blocked their path. Lin Xiaoman opened her eyes, and two people ran out of the car. Xie Chi ran in front, with Xiao Bai following behind.
“Let her go,” Xie Chi said with wide eyes, glaring fiercely at Ji Zhixian.
Lin Xiaoman was about to get down from Ji Zhixian’s arms when she felt him hold her even tighter.
“Move,” Ji Zhixian said indifferently, glancing at the person before him and continuing to walk forward.
Xie Chi stepped forward, blocking his path again: “Quickly release Xiaoman!”
Ji Zhixian furrowed his brow slightly, his gaze falling on Xie Chi. Xie Chi, not good at making eye contact, felt an invisible pressure surge like turbulent waves, making it hard for him to breathe.
He wanted to dodge immediately, but seeing the girl in his arms, his gaze became resolute, and his voice grew louder: “Let her go, or I won’t let you off.”
“Xie Chi, you misunderstood,” Lin Xiaoman struggled to get down from Ji Zhixian’s arms, but he still held her tightly. She was eager to explain, “He saved me.”
Xie Chi’s face suddenly turned red. The courage he had mustered disappeared, and he lowered his head like a child who had made a mistake, saying softly, “I’m sorry.”
“Mr. Ji, please don’t blame him. He was just too worried about Xiaoman,” Xiao Bai, still catching his breath, said. “To get here quickly, he ran countless red lights.”
Xie Chi still kept his head down, his pale, sickly face tinged with a blush.
Lin Xiaoman’s eyes suddenly became moist, and her chest, previously filled with fear, now swelled with emotion.
After being captured, she had been constantly afraid and insecure, thinking she was fighting alone. But she never thought that two people were also desperately working hard for her.
“Thank you,” she walked out of Ji Zhixian’s arms, holding Xie Chi’s hands sincerely, “Thank you.”
Xie Chi slightly raised his eyes to meet her gaze, his previously anxious expression turning happy.
Ji Zhixian’s expression changed. He suddenly intervened, removing Lin Xiaoman’s hand from Xie Chi’s: “Let’s go, we’re going home.”
“Wait,” Xie Chi quickly grabbed Lin Xiaoman’s hand. “You can’t take her away.”
“Let go,” Ji Zhixian coldly glanced at him, “This has nothing to do with you.”
“Xiaoman’s matters are my matters,” Xie Chi gripped Xiaoman’s hand, “I won’t let you take her away.”
“This is between us and doesn’t concern you,” Ji Zhixian looked at him, his gaze growing increasingly cold.
He rarely saw anyone dare to disobey his orders. The man before him looked timid yet repeatedly dared to contradict him, which made him even more irritated.
Xie Chi was inwardly shocked.
That terrifying feeling swept over him again. This man was too scary. He was extremely afraid and wanted to retreat, but the cold wrist in his hand made him reluctant to let go.
He couldn’t let Xiaoman leave with this man.
He mustered his courage, his voice still slightly trembling: “Anyway… anyway, I won’t allow it.”
“I don’t need your permission,” Ji Zhixian pulled Lin Xiaoman closer, his cold eyes becoming gentle, his voice softer, “Let’s go home.”
Lin Xiaoman almost became lost in his rare gentleness, just like the moment she saw him when the black cloth was lifted, drawing her in completely.
But she quickly sobered up.
She remembered that she and Ji Zhixian had already terminated their contract and her decision to have no further relationship with him. This made her feel afraid.
“What are you talking about?” Lin Xiaoman shook off Ji Zhixian’s hand and took a step back. “We have no relationship anymore.”
Ji Zhixian’s hand was suddenly empty, feeling a void in his heart. He took a step forward: “We’ll discuss these matters when we get back.”
His voice carried a hint of pleading, something Lin Xiaoman had rarely seen him do.
Her heart softened momentarily, but thinking about her decision made her feel uneasy.
This absolutely couldn’t continue.
She took a deep breath, trying to sound calm: “Mr. Ji, I’m grateful you came to rescue me. But between us, there’s nothing more to say.”
“
With that, she no longer looked at Ji Zhixian and turned to leave.
“Let’s go.”
★ Chapter Forty-Three: Exposure
Xiao Bai felt he had discovered some earth-shattering secret.
He had always thought that between Lin Xiaoman and Ji Zhixian, Lin Xiaoman was the one being toyed with. But looking at the current situation, the one being toyed with and rejected seemed to be that idol who was popular among countless girls.
That’s why Ji Zhixian had angrily left that day but still, out of concern for Xiaoman, left behind evidence of Ji Yuan’s drug use. That’s why when Ji Zhixian received his call, he maintained a cold attitude on the surface but quickly rescued Xiaoman behind the scenes. That’s why Ji Zhixian was cold to other women but was most gentle with Lin Xiaoman, speaking to her in a soft, pleading tone.
