It was the first time Shen Lingxing had been insultingly labeled a pretty boy, and it was natural for him to be unhappy. Just as he was about to speak, a crisp slap landed on Li Jia's chubby face. The words that were about to come out of Shen Lingxing's mouth got stuck, and he looked at Li Jia's rapidly reddening right cheek, then somewhat stunned, he gazed at Mi Jing, who had just slapped her.
Han Xiujie was petrified on the spot, unable to process the sudden scene. Meanwhile, Li Jia was on the verge of going mad. She reached out to touch her burning cheek, glared viciously at Mi Jing, and yelled angrily, "Mi Jing, you bitch! How dare you hit me!"
"Why wouldn't I dare? If you insult my man again with your filthy mouth, I'll tear it apart."
Mi Jing had wanted to slap away the smug, arrogant, contemptuous, and mocking look on Li Jia's face five years ago, but unfortunately, her roommates had held her back then. Her roommates had unanimously believed that revenge could wait ten years, and it wasn't worth giving Li Jia a chance to hit back just for a momentary impulse.
Mi Jing had endured this pent-up anger for five years. The feeling of sending Li Jia a slap was immensely satisfying, and instantly, Mi Jing felt a whole lot better and her mood improved significantly.
"Han Xiujie, why are you just standing there! Didn't you see Mi Jing hit me?" Li Jia was so furious that it seemed she could breathe fire. She kicked the wooden-like Han Xiujie standing by the side.
Unexpectedly, Han Xiujie blurted out, "You owed her that!"
Han Xiujie's words were like a sharp arrow piercing straight into Li Jia's heart, delivering an unexpected and heavy blow.
"Han Xiujie, you! You bastard!" After cursing Han Xiujie, Li Jia grabbed her bag and with a fierce expression, was about to smash Mi Jing's face, but fortunately, Shen Lingxing had quick eyes and hands. His strong hand firmly caught the spiked handbag aimed at Mi Jing.
"Miss, it was you who spoke rudely first. Please show some respect!" Shen Lingxing's eyes were sharp, his voice cold, filled with dangerous warning.
Li Jia was intimidated by Shen Lingxing's powerful aura, her fearful gaze flickering. Her instincts told her that this outstanding man in front of her was far from ordinary. Although reluctant, she dared not continue her tantrum.
"Let's go." Having vented her anger, Mi Jing was satisfied, and since the wedding was about to begin, she tugged gently on Shen Lingxing's arm, speaking deliberately softly.
"Mm." Shen Lingxing gave a barely noticeable nod and allowed Mi Jing to escort him away.
Li Jia gritted her teeth, glaring at the departing figure of Mi Jing, her reddened eyes full of hatred.
"Li Jia, let's break up. I want to get back with Mi Jing." Han Xiujie seemed to think that Li Jia wasn't humiliated enough and spoke each word cruelly.
Li Jia looked up coldly at Han Xiujie. There wasn't a trace of guilt or hesitation on his face, and he didn't even look at her once. His gaze had been fixed on Mi Jing all along. His ruthless demeanor and lingering affection for Mi Jing infuriated Li Jia, "Han Xiujie, you promised me yesterday that you wouldn't break up with me. Did you forget?"
Han Xiujie had a good memory; he hadn't forgotten what he said yesterday. He came from a poor family and had just returned to the country. To establish himself in Jin City, he needed to accumulate his own connections, so Li Jia, with her wealthy businessman father, was still valuable to him. That's why he made promises to Li Jia.
But he had changed his mind now. Seeing Mi Jing standing sweetly by another man's side, fiercely defending his dignity, he felt jealous! Mi Jing used to revolve around him, her heart and eyes only for him. She used to like him so much, and he couldn't bear the thought of the love she once gave him being transferred to someone else.
For the past five years, he had kept Mi Jing deeply buried in his heart. Although Li Jia had been by his side, to him, she was merely an annoying moving object.
Han Xiujie ignored Li Jia's questioning and walked away resolutely. He felt neither guilt nor sympathy for Li Jia. The moment she had blackmailed him into being with her by offering a foreign study opportunity, a seed of hatred had been planted in his heart. He stayed with Li Jia for his future prospects and to use his ruthlessness to avenge her supposed love. Therefore, the more upset and miserable Li Jia was, the more satisfied Han Xiujie felt!
As he walked away, Mi Jing vaguely heard Li Jia's furious roar, but she didn't look back. No matter what was happening behind her, she had no curiosity to explore.
Mi Jing walked with Shen Lingxing to a quiet corner and then gratefully thanked him, "Thank you for earlier."
"You're welcome." Thinking of the coffee Mi Jing had treated him to, Shen Lingxing was still quite willing to help her with this small favor.
"You're such a good person." Mi Jing couldn't help but exclaim.
Actually, the reason Mi Jing was so unhesitating in pulling Shen Lingxing to act as her boyfriend was that she thought he was a pretty good person. If he weren't such an agreeable person, he probably wouldn't have responded kindly in the café when she impulsively asked him to pretend to be her boyfriend last time.
"What makes you say that?" Shen Lingxing raised his well-groomed eyebrows in curiosity.
"Just a hunch," Mi Jing answered honestly.
Shen Lingxing said nothing, his lips slightly curving into a faint smile on his handsome face.
Can you please stop smiling so charmingly! Shen Lingxing's attractive smile made Mi Jing feel a tinge of jealousy. She thought to herself that at this moment, standing next to him, she must appear quite insignificant!
After some contemplation, Mi Jing glanced towards the hotel entrance not far away, checked her watch, and said, "The wedding is about to start. I'll treat you to coffee next time. I have to go now."
"Wait." Shen Lingxing called out to Mi Jing, asking, "Are you a friend of Bai Lulu?"
"Yes, do you know Lulu?" Mi Jing stopped in her tracks, feeling quite surprised.
"Mm, I'm Bai Lulu's colleague. Can you do me a favor and give her this red envelope?" Shen Lingxing took out a red envelope and handed it to Mi Jing.
Mi Jing frowned slightly as she accepted the red envelope, asking with confusion, "You're not going in?"
"I have another important gathering." Shen Lingxing had arranged to meet some close friends at the shooting range, and there were only fifteen minutes left until their agreed time. He was close to being late.
"Oh." Mi Jing nodded in understanding. She examined the red envelope carefully and, seeing that there was no name written on its surface, reminded him, "You didn't write your name."
"It's written inside," Shen Lingxing explained.
"Alright then, I'll go. Goodbye." Mi Jing turned and walked briskly towards the hotel entrance. Her steps were a bit too quick, and not paying attention, she twisted the heel of her high-heeled shoe. Instantly, she lost her balance, her body wobbling and almost falling to the ground.
"Careful!"
Shen Lingxing, who had been watching Mi Jing as she nearly stumbled, quickly called out in warning.
Luckily, Mi Jing reacted swiftly, and her sense of balance was quite good. After a brief wobble, she didn't fall or twist her ankle.