s.h.i.+ Yao pursed her lips tightly in anxiety as she pushed the door with greater force than before .

The door still wouldn't budge . She couldn't see what was going on inside, but she could hear the foul insults and the sounds of punches and kicks sinking into flesh . . . and vaguely, the sound of someone groaning in pain as well .

Did that voice belong to Lin Jiage? Is he injured? Will he be okay?

He's only one person . He's facing against a gang of people, how can he possibly win?

s.h.i.+ Yao knew that the rational choice in this situation would be to leave .

But it was as if someone had nailed her feet to the ground—she couldn't move at all . She smacked the door anxiously, frantically shouting Lin Jiage's name, wis.h.i.+ng that he would just respond to her so that she'd know that he was still safe . . .

But despite her efforts, the person on the other end didn't speak a word .

And this left her feeling even more terrified and panicked .

She shouted his name to the point where her throat started to hurt . An unknown amount of time after she struck the door, a crack finally opened .

She saw that elegant young man kneeling down on his knee before her . His clean, white s.h.i.+rt had been stained with many footprints, and his neat and charming hairstyle had been messed up .

s.h.i.+ Yao opened her mouth, but the voice which had been desperately calling out "Lin Jiage" all this while wouldn't make a sound .

She was so frightened when Qin Yiran and her gang surrounded her and blocked her way . In that instant, she didn't know where she found the courage, but she dashed unhesitatingly into the crowd to hug him tight .

She wanted to ask if he was in pain and whether he was really okay .

She wanted to beg Qin Yiran to stop hitting him, and if she was still angry and indignant, she could come for her instead .

But before she could say a word, Lin Jiage was already roaring at her like a ferocious beast, "I told you to f*cking run away!"

But as if oblivious to his rage, she continued to run towards him, wanting to protect him from the attacking crowd .

Yet, somehow, he—who was just roaring at her a moment ago—had already pulled her into his embrace to protect her .

With her in hand, there was no way he could continue to fight back . Yet, Qin Yiran still had no intention of sparing him .

Completely protected by him, s.h.i.+ Yao didn't feel the slightest pain from the gang's barrage of blows . However, she could still feel their punches and kicks through the tremors .

These men had been drinking, so the strength of their blows was completely unrestrained . Even though she couldn't feel a thing, she knew that it was bound to be extremely painful .

Yet, as if nothing was happening at all, he spoke with that familiar nonchalant and deep voice that she knew, "Shorty, are you dumb? I told you to run, so why did you come back here?"

This was the first time she felt that the term 'Shorty' coming from his mouth didn't sound that hateful .

She didn't respond to his question, and she had no idea how she should have responded either .

He spoke once more, "Shorty, what time is it now?"

How could you still be concerned about the time given our current situation!

"Forget it, you probably wouldn't know either . . . " Without waiting for her to respond, he continued, " . . . But, it's definitely not midnight yet…"

"Soft Bun, happy birthday . "

"Happy birthday, s.h.i.+ Yao . "

Soft Bun, happy birthday . Happy birthday, s.h.i.+ Yao . . .

Without any warning, s.h.i.+ Yao's vision blurred . Tears began streaming down her cheeks .

While Qin Yiran couldn't hear their conversation, the whispers between them had caused her eyes to redden with fury .

Losing all rationality, she grabbed a nearby stick and swung it heavily toward Lin Jiage's head—

But before the stick could land, a racing car with blinding headlights abruptly stopped in front of the courtyard house with a piercing screech .

s.h.i.+ Yao pursed her lips tightly in anxiety as she pushed the door with greater force than before . The door still wouldnt budge . She couldnt see what was going on inside, but she could hear the foul insults and the sounds of punches and kicks sinking into flesh . and vaguely, the sound of someone groaning in pain as well . Did that voice belong to Lin Jiage? Is he injured? Will he be okay? Hes only one person . Hes facing against a gang of people, how can he possibly win? s.h.i.+ Yao knew that the rational choice in this situation would be to leave . But it was as if someone had nailed her feet to the ground—she couldnt move at all . She smacked the door anxiously, frantically shouting Lin Jiages name, wis.h.i.+ng that he would just respond to her so that shed know that he was still safe . But despite her efforts, the person on the other end didnt speak a word . And this left her feeling even more terrified and panicked . She shouted his name to the point where her throat started to hurt . An unknown amount of time after she struck the door, a crack finally opened . She saw that elegant young man kneeling down on his knee before her . His clean, white s.h.i.+rt had been stained with many footprints, and his neat and charming hairstyle had been messed up . s.h.i.+ Yao opened her mouth, but the voice which had been desperately calling out Lin Jiage all this while wouldnt make a sound . She was so frightened when Qin Yiran and her gang surrounded her and blocked her way . In that instant, she didnt know where she found the courage, but she dashed unhesitatingly into the crowd to hug him tight . She wanted to ask if he was in pain and whether he was really okay . She wanted to beg Qin Yiran to stop hitting him, and if she was still angry and indignant, she could come for her instead . But before she could say a word, Lin Jiage was already roaring at her like a ferocious beast, I told you to f*cking run away! But as if oblivious to his rage, she continued to run towards him, wanting to protect him from the attacking crowd . Yet, somehow, he—who was just roaring at her a moment ago—had already pulled her into his embrace to protect her . With her in hand, there was no way he could continue to fight back . Yet, Qin Yiran still had no intention of sparing him . Completely protected by him, s.h.i.+ Yao didnt feel the slightest pain from the gangs barrage of blows . However, she could still feel their punches and kicks through the tremors . These men had been drinking, so the strength of their blows was completely unrestrained . Even though she couldnt feel a thing, she knew that it was bound to be extremely painful . Yet, as if nothing was happening at all, he spoke with that familiar nonchalant and deep voice that she knew, Shorty, are you dumb? I told you to run, so why did you come back here? . This was the first time she felt that the term Shorty coming from his mouth didnt sound that hateful . She didnt respond to his question, and she had no idea how she should have responded either . He spoke once more, Shorty, what time is it now? How could you still be concerned about the time given our current situation! Forget it, you probably wouldnt know either . Without waiting for her to respond, he continued, . But, its definitely not midnight yet… Soft Bun, happy birthday . Happy birthday, s.h.i.+ Yao . Soft Bun, happy birthday . Happy birthday, s.h.i.+ Yao . Without any warning, s.h.i.+ Yaos vision blurred . Tears began streaming down her cheeks . While Qin Yiran couldnt hear their conversation, the whispers between them had caused her eyes to redden with fury . Losing all rationality, she grabbed a nearby stick and swung it heavily toward Lin Jiages head— But before the stick could land, a racing car with blinding headlights abruptly stopped in front of the courtyard house with a piercing screech .