"Someone's coming."
"Who is it? They ran over here."
Surrounded by the crowd, Shen Shuangjian could no longer move an inch, but before he could completely succumb to anxiety, someone broke through the layers of people and rushed towards him.
" Shen Shuangjian!"
Xie Qingchi finally grasped his hand, and even her usually meticulously styled hair was slightly damp with sweat from their rapid run.
He quickly pushed through the approaching crowd and ran with Shen Shuangjian. He had no destination and no scruples; he just ran wherever the road took him.
He quickly left the photographer and camera behind, Xie Qingchi panting, his heart pounding as if it would explode.
The long run had exhausted him. Xie Qingchi led Shen Shuangjian and ran into the inner city, where noise and gatherings were not allowed, before finally stopping.
"Shen, Shen Shuangjian, are you alright?"
Shen Shuangjian also breathing lightly, but compared to Xie Qingchi's depletion of energy, Shen Shuangjian's condition was still relatively good.
After Xie Qingchi finished speaking, he realized that sweat had blurred his vision. He subconsciously turned to the side to avoid being seen by Shen Shuangjian.
Xie Qingchi a vain peacock, but his impression of Shen Shuangjian was already quite shattered.
He didn't want to appear worse before Shen Shuangjian.
Are you tired?
Xie Qingchi subconsciously swallowed back what he was about to say. He straightened up and changed the subject, saying, "I'm going to buy water. Wait here for me, just a moment."
Shen Shuangjian didn't speak, but only breathed slightly as he watched her Xie Qingchi subconsciously leaned against the wall on the side of the street, somewhat lost in thought.
A completely unfamiliar world.
Shen Shuangjian had never been so desperate for a familiar, safe environment, a place where he could calm down and not be disturbed by anyone.
He couldn't tell whether the encirclement and pursuit he had just experienced were expressions of affection or an overstepping of boundaries.
Who should he go to? And whose approach is safe?
In that instant, only a few faces briefly flashed through Shen Shuangjian's mind, encompassing almost everyone he had known in this world since he woke up.
But none of these people had anything to do with him. The only one who was connected to him in a worldly sense was Shen Sixian.
But it's just a TV show, isn't it? Nobody wants to hurt him, right? Shen Sixian hates being bothered by him the most, doesn't he?
Shen Shuangjian lowered her eyes, gently biting her knuckles, slowly gathering her confused and uneasy thoughts.
" Shen Shuangjian?"
A girl's clear, sweet voice suddenly rang in her ears. Shen Shuangjian subconsciously looked up and saw a girl in a long dress looking at her with a hint of doubt.
Shen Shuangjian subconsciously straightened his back, silently facing her, and after a moment, nodded gently.
He didn't recognize the girl in front of him. If it were before, even if Shen Shuangjian puzzled, she would hardly have thought of the reason.
Perhaps it was those letters from yesterday that gave him a false reason, but Shen Shuangjian her smile, she subtly raised her gaze slightly.
"I'm a fan of Gu Xuanlin."
She suddenly stopped smiling.
"I've liked him for a long time. He's always been a very clean-living person, never involved in scandals or forming couples with other celebrities."
Shen Shuangjian frowned in confusion.
"Can you stay away from him, Shen Shuangjian?" The girl's tone was somewhat sarcastic.
Shen Shuangjian subconsciously took a step back, but the girl was relentless. She didn't lose her temper or try to pull or tug at her, but she still wouldn't budge an inch.
"You're just good-looking, but you don't really think you're everyone's heartthrob, do you? Actually, they all just want to sleep with you, they want to sleep with you, you understand?"
"Can you understand what I mean? It means what you think it means: I like your body, I like your face, but we..."
Before she could finish speaking, she was interrupted by a cold, stern voice behind her. "Who are you?!"
As soon as Xie Qingchi got closer, he saw a woman in a skirt approaching Shen Shuangjian. He called out once, and she ran away.
What's wrong?
Xie Qingchi frowned and handed the water he had bought to Shen Shuangjian. "I just bought this water. If you're thirsty, have some."
Xie Qingchi extended his hand halfway, but then suddenly remembered a technique he had heard from a friend. He paused, then twisted the cap open himself.
But Shen Shuangjian didn't take the water he offered.
The stiff posture now seemed rather awkward.
"Shen... Shen Shuangjian, I have something I want to say to you."
Xie Qingchi subconsciously touched his forehead, which was already dry with sweat. He took a breath, but found himself vaguely afraid.
He knew very well the source of this fear.
It stemmed from the uncertainty about himself and Shen Shuangjian, from the fear of losing face and embarrassment, and from the mountain that had hung over his head for many years—his most respected uncle.
"You... you really like my uncle, don't you?" Xie Qingchi didn't dare to look up. He waited quietly for Shen Shuangjian's reaction, but then added, "If you don't answer, I'll pretend you don't."
Xie Qingchi let out a breath, as if she had finally regained her true self. "What I really wanted to tell you back in the desert was..."
The words that were on the tip of his tongue always seemed to be held back. Xie Qingchi swallowed hard and closed his eyes.
I want to say I like you.
Xie Qingchi wanted to express himself, but he hesitated to lower his proud head, always trying to save face and leave himself a way out.
"I will strive to inherit everything my uncle has to offer; what he can give you, I can give you as well."
"I'm younger than him, I've never been in a relationship, and I'm in better physical shape than him. In short, there are too many differences between you two."
"He's cunning and calculating. If he stops liking you, you'll get nothing. But I'm different; I can give you anything you want!"
No, that's not how you should say it.
Xie Qingchi's face flushed red, but he couldn't find the right words to express his feelings.
What he really wanted to say was...
Xie Qingchi.
A deep, cold voice suddenly rang out, like a muffled thunderclap shrouding gloom, exploding heavily in Xie Qingchi's ears.
Xie Qingchi had no choice but to look away from the silent Shen Shuangjian. He tried to move his neck, but found it difficult to turn.
Not far from the two, Xie Jinghui appeared at some point. He leaned against the car, his dark eyes sharp and icy.
He twirled the ring on his finger, his former composure and peace gone, replaced by the oppressive aura of a superior and a confrontational presence.
" Xie Qingchi, we haven't settled our score yet, and I don't want to leave you with absolutely no mercy."