Ashamed to Be in Their Company

But now, Tang Wulin was trembling.

Like a dog scared out of its wits.

A feeling he could neither explain nor name welled up in Xie Xie's heart. It was not pity, nor worry, but something darker—something he was unwilling to admit: disappointment.

He felt Tang Wulin should not have been like this.

He felt Tang Wulin should have been the one standing at the front, shielding him from every storm.

But Tang Wulin was not.

Xie Xie shifted his gaze away from Tang Wulin and looked at Situ Xuan.

His eyes burned with jealous hatred.

It was this guy.

It was this guy who had made Gu Yue leave Tang Wulin, leave their team, and caused the little group that could have kept going forever to fall apart. Although Gu Yue had never said why she left, Xie Xie had decided it was Situ Xuan.

Not because he had any proof, but because he needed a reason.

A reason to hate.

A reason to pour out all his anger, resentment, jealousy, and loss.

Xie Xie's lips moved as he tried to say something. He wanted to say, "Situ Xuan, who the hell do you think you are?" He wanted to say, "You think you've won?" He wanted to say, "You're nothing but trash who bullies the weak."

But his mouth opened, and no sound came out.

Because he saw what Tang Wulin looked like.

Tang Wulin was still trembling, still breaking out in cold sweat, his face still white as paper. The person Xie Xie had always regarded as both support and companion now looked like a rabbit with its throat caught in a beast's jaws, without even the strength to struggle.

Xie Xie's throat bobbed.

The words on the tip of his tongue no longer dared to come