Ji Yanzhi looked at the grief and indignation written all over his face. Not only was he unmoved, he found it absurdly laughable.
"I only made you recall what you did. If you consider that humiliation, then you brought it on yourself."
Ling Xi clenched his fists tightly, his hands trembling uncontrollably at his sides. "Did I bring it on myself, or are you so used to looking down on everyone that you enjoy trampling on other people's dignity?"
Ji Yanzhi gave a dismissive sneer. "I said a few words, and you blew them up into something this serious. Yet when Qin Zaiye actually violated someone's human rights, you called it doing his duty. So a knife only counts as sharp when it hurts you? When it's Ji Ting, he has to cover his bleeding wound and indulge your double standards?"
Tears glimmered in Ling Xi's eyes, anger mingling with sorrow. "Ji Ting isn't you. He wouldn't hate someone like that over a little disagreement!"
A little disagreement?
Ji Yanzhi's lips curled mockingly, but his eyes were ice-cold. "You should be grateful he isn't me. Otherwise, Qin Zaiye would be well on his way to his next life by now."
Overawed by the oppressive force bearing down on him, Ling Xi held his breath and glanced at Ji Yanzhi, then turned to leave.
"I'm warning you, Ling Xi." Ji Yanzhi's icy voice cut into him from behind. "If you know what's good for you, don't plead Qin Zaiye's case in front of Ji Ting. Otherwise, even with Ji Shize backing you, I'll make you regret opening your mouth."
Ling Xi's pale face looked utterly wretched. His nails dug deep into his palms, and humiliation filled his chest.
He left without another word, but to Ling Xi, that silence did not