As a tragedy was about to unfold, both customers inside the store and passersby were so frightened by what they saw that their hearts stopped beating. Some were even so scared that they closed their eyes and dared not look anymore.
However, after a piercing "Watch out!" and a screeching sound, the scene suddenly fell silent.
This eerie silence didn't last long, and was immediately followed by a loud exclamation. "Wow!"
Xia Zhiyi released Gu Miaomiao's waist, a faint smile still on her lips, and said gently, "I'm sorry, the situation was urgent, I apologize for the offense."
Gu Miaomiao had just managed to steady herself, was still somewhat shaken. After a while, her brain processed the meaning behind his words, and she shook her head stiffly. "It's okay."
Besides this, she didn't know what else to say at that moment.
That was so close!
That's so exciting!
In that critical moment, Gu Miaomiao herself didn't know what thought flashed through her mind, but her body automatically lunged forward, trying to push Xia Zhiyi away from the impending danger.
She hadn't even considered what she would encounter if she did this.
Now, after what happened, Gu Miaomiao reached out and held onto the lamppost at the shop entrance, staring at the car that Xia Zhiyi had kicked to a total loss not far away, her mind still reeling.
Not only her, but everyone around who witnessed this scene was probably stunned.
Is this something a human can do?
Aliens have invaded Earth?
Have humans secretly evolved behind the backs of everyone on Earth?
Or is the car just that badly made, so it's totaled after being kicked?
The front of the car is so badly dented it's unsightly!
Xia Zhiyi put one hand on her hip and used the other to partially cover half her face, letting out a long sigh, "Oh dear, this is troublesome."
The situation was urgent. Although Xia Zhiyi could have easily led Gu Miaomiao to avoid the oncoming vehicle, the out-of-control car would have crashed into the store behind them.
In that situation, Xia Zhiyi wasn't sure if there was anyone behind her, but her dwindling conscience led her to choose to violently stop the car instead of simply dodging it, given her ability to do so.
Don't be surprised that he kicked an out-of-control car several meters away and dented its front end; he knows martial arts, after all.
In the martial arts world that Xia Zhiyi had experienced, martial arts practitioners could easily shatter a small mountain with a single palm strike, so his martial arts prowess was actually within a reasonable range.
Well, it's certainly not as extreme as the world of fantasy and martial arts.
However, to others, this effect was already quite stunning.
Helpless, Xia Zhiyi took out a mask from her pocket, put it on, and waved to Gu Miaomiao: "There's nothing I can do, I'll go first, goodbye!"
After saying that, without waiting for Gu Miaomiao's reaction, he turned around and jumped several times in the direction with the fewest people, disappearing without a trace.
They didn't give those who realized what was happening a chance to surround them.
Coming to her senses, Gu Miaomiao found herself completely surrounded. "..."
ah.
They run so fast.
After leaving the scene, Xia Zhiyi pondered for a few seconds, then took out her phone in a deserted alley and called Li Jing's boss. She briefly described what she had just done and said, "That's it. I'm not sure if anyone happened to film it, so just in case, I wanted to let you know. Could you please help me block the message?"
"Although I could have my boyfriend arrange for someone to intercept the message, I know you guys would be more thorough in handling this kind of thing, right?"
"Hmm? You mean why we need to block this kind of message?" Xia Zhiyi's free hand unconsciously touched the wall, felt a chill from the cold surface, then withdrew her hand and put it back in her bag, muttering, "It's simple, I'm an actress. If this video causes people to have a fixed impression of me, it will affect my future career development."
"Hmm? Such a small matter... How can this be considered a small matter? I take my acting dream very seriously. The scripts I'm getting these days are all for roles with high combat abilities, which is quite frustrating for me."
"Besides, if I don't make any requests, it will be difficult for you guys, won't it?"
At this point, the person on the other end of the phone fell silent.
After a long pause, the other party finally spoke with a sigh, "What you said isn't wrong, but... fine, I'll take care of this for you."
Xia Zhiyi's tone clearly conveyed a smile, although his face didn't actually show much expression at the moment. "Thanks then."
"I prefer to be more honest, so we can avoid some pitfalls in our communication, right?"
"Yes, you're right."
Xia Zhiyi: "Let's leave it at that for now. I'll visit you later. Although the materials aren't fully prepared yet, I should be able to pick out suitable collaborators in advance, right?"
After receiving an affirmative reply, Xia Zhiyi hung up the phone with satisfaction.
The call had barely ended when another call came in. Xia Zhiyi glanced at the caller ID, her eyebrows twitching slightly, before answering.
"Wow, what did you just say to the boss? His expression was like a chameleon, so interesting!" Li Jing's lively voice rang out from the other end of the phone.
Xia Zhiyi: "Didn't you hear what I said when you were right next to me?"
Li Jing: "No, I didn't eavesdrop on your phone calls."
Xia Zhiyi: "Oh."
Li Jing: "So what did you two just talk about? Is there some problem with the collaboration?"
"You want to know?" Xia Zhiyi said, drawing out her words.
Li Jing: "Yes!"
I won't tell you.
Li Jing: "..."
Before Li Jing could speak again, Xia Zhiyi's smile faded, and her tone became serious. "Considering you're practically my student, I'll give you a special favor."
"At the latest, I'll be visiting your department the day after tomorrow to select participants for Heavenly Net Project. I'm choosing based on merit; if you're not qualified, I won't lower my standards just because we know each other."
"Don't let your guard down, Li Jing."
Li Jing: "... Understood. My skills will definitely not disappoint you."
Xia Zhiyi: "See you then."
Li Jing: "See you then."
After hanging up the phone, Xia Zhiyi put away her phone and stood in the deserted alley for another fifteen minutes.
There was no one around, and the nearby surveillance cameras couldn't capture Xia Zhiyi's expression from this angle. Most of his face was covered by a mask, and he lowered his head, allowing only a hint of the coldness in his eyes to escape.
The accident just now was clearly aimed at him.
Although the incident was sudden and the situation was urgent, Xia Zhiyi never relaxed his observation and vigilance of his surroundings, especially after he officially began to fight that being, it was even more impossible for him to let his guard down.
If Gu Miaomiao had stood still at that time, she probably wouldn't have even suffered a scratch.
If Xia Zhiyi didn't have the ability to protect herself and couldn't avoid the collision in time, she might be killed instantly.
That's really going too far.