Chapter 158: I’m So Scared

Crunch, crunch.

Xu Yinsheng, just another bystander, stood inconspicuously within the crowd, watching the family drama unfold while munching on popcorn.

Zhao Yicheng was watching the spectacle as well.

He furrowed his brow and glanced over at Xu Yinsheng, lowering his voice.

“Was that you?”

“Guess.” Xu Yinsheng shrugged, completely unfazed.

“Don’t make it a habit.”

“Nope.”

Xu Yinsheng swallowed a piece of popcorn, stuck out her tongue at Zhao Yicheng, eyes sparkling mischievously.

Before Zhao Yicheng could retort, a small hand shoved a piece of popcorn into his mouth, sealing his lips.

“Watch the show, watch the show.”

“If you act up again, you’re sleeping on the couch tonight.”

Xu Yinsheng smiled brightly and made a “stop” gesture at Zhao Yicheng, then turned back to eagerly watch the family ethics drama continue.

Zhao Yicheng swallowed the popcorn, disliking the taste, and instinctively grabbed a handful for himself.

Seeing this, Xu Yinsheng immediately glared.

“Was that you?!”

***

A sharp female voice suddenly pierced the crowd.

Bai Ruoxi grabbed Jin Xinnuo tightly among the onlookers, her grip strong enough to crush bones.

“Did you and they team up to slander me? Speak! Say it!”

At this moment, Bai Ruoxi looked utterly disheveled—hair messy, eyes bloodshot, face flushed with anger. There was no trace of the once imperious heiress.

“Miss Bai, please don’t do this.”

Jin Xinnuo frowned and tried to break free from Bai Ruoxi’s grip.

She knew that showing weakness now would only make Bai Ruoxi more brazen.

“If you think I’m at fault, we can settle it in court.”

“Court? You still want to go to court? You—bitch! It’s all your fault!”

Bai Ruoxi’s emotions nearly broke.

She raised her arm and slapped Jin Xinnuo across the face hard.

A hand caught Bai Ruoxi’s incoming slap and forcefully pulled it back.

Bai Ruoxi lost her balance and fell sideways, kneeling hard on the cold ground.

A mocking smile tugged at the corner of Xu Yinsheng’s lips as she helped the girl up and dusted off her clothes.

“In public, as the Bai family’s heiress, Miss Bai, please show some restraint.”

“Was it you!”

“Wasn’t it her, then it was you! You homewrecker! Bitch!”

Bai Ruoxi’s eyes practically burned with fury.

She was framed—there was no doubt about it!

Xu Yinsheng snorted lightly.

“If you don’t want people to know, don’t do it.”

“Bai Ruoxi, haven’t you done enough bad things already?”

Hearing this, Bai Ruoxi trembled slightly, her face paling.

Then she stood up and charged straight at Xu Yinsheng, eyes blazing with rage.

“I’m going to beat you to death, you bitch!”

Xu Yinsheng didn’t confront her head-on.

She took a few steps back and quickly hid behind Zhao Yicheng, looking pitiful.

“Big Brother Yicheng, someone wants to hit me~”

“Waaah~ I’m so scared~”

Zhao Yicheng held his popcorn, twitching at her words.

Disheveled Bai Ruoxi grit her teeth, glaring at Xu Yinsheng hiding behind Zhao Yicheng, wishing she could strangle her on the spot.

“You bitch! This is all your doing! I’ll kill you!!”

“Zhao Yicheng, are you trying to protect her? Move aside!”

Xu Yinsheng hid behind the man’s broad frame, rolling her eyes and fanning the flames.

“Miss Bai, calm down! Think about it—maybe you’ve done so many bad things that heaven can’t stand it anymore.”

“This is a blessing in disguise!”

“Isn’t your family Christian?”

“Now God is showing His power!!”

“Mu! Qing! Wan!”

(Xu Yinsheng’s current alias) Bai Ruoxi ground the words through clenched teeth.

“I won’t let you off!”

She lunged at Xu Yinsheng in blind fury.

Zhao Yicheng immediately blocked her.

Faced with Bai Ruoxi’s nearly predatory glare, his expression remained calm and steady like a mountain.

He pointed behind Bai Ruoxi.

“Look behind you.”

Bai Ruoxi turned her head and saw a group of middle-aged women rushing over.

Her face shifted, and without sparing another glance at Xu Yinsheng, she grabbed her handbag and fled hurriedly.

She hailed a taxi, got in, and vanished in a flash.

With the female lead of the farce gone, the crowd quickly dispersed.

Jin Xinnuo came over to thank them, and the middle-aged women were pulled away by Li Ri, who sobbed as she cursed “fox spirit,” “inhuman,” and more.

The drama had finally come to an end.

After scolding Xu Yinsheng a few times, Zhao Yicheng went to the parking lot to get the car.

Xu Yinsheng tossed the empty popcorn bag into the trash and stood still, twirling a small silver button between her fingers.

The button spun twice, transforming into a drop of silver liquid before dissolving into her palm…

***

Late at night.

Tianlin City.

Old district, a rundown alley.

Four black-clad bodyguards cornered two men and a woman at the dead end.

After a brutal beating, accompanied by cries of pain, Bai Ruoxi emerged from behind the bodyguards.

Her face plastered with bandages, her forehead bruised, she stood under the cold moonlight, eyes cold as she looked down at the three beaten, bruised, and barely conscious figures curled on the ground.

“Miss Bai, what are you doing? Don’t burn down the house to kill the landlord.”

Li Ri, battered and bruised, blood staining the corner of his mouth, slurred his words.

“Hmph!”

Bai Ruoxi pointed at her wounds angrily.

“They beat me like this and you ask what I’m doing? Is this how you handle the job you were paid for?!”

“Isn’t this what you asked for, Miss Bai?”

Li Ri’s face was pale from the pain, but he gritted his teeth to answer.

“You asked us to play the victim in front of your fiancé to stir up his protective instincts. We were just doing what you wanted.”

“What?! I asked for this?!”

Bai Ruoxi’s face twisted in fury, but the pain from her injuries forced her to grit her teeth.

“Who is she?”

Bai Ruoxi pointed to the middle-aged woman, also barely conscious from the beating.

“The tooth hag.” Li Ri spoke up.

“What?”

“A human trafficker.”

“Ahhh~”

The woman moaned in pain, her voice full of begging and sorrow.

“Miss Bai, Granny Bai, please spare me this once. I won’t dare again, I swear~”

Bai Ruoxi didn’t even glance at her.

Frowning, she stepped back behind the bodyguards.

Her pride had been utterly shattered today.

“Beat them!”

“Beat them to death!”

“Go all out!”

“The people Second Brother recommended really aren’t reliable. I’m so pissed off!”

At the order, the bodyguards grinned wickedly and charged forward.

Fists rained down like bullets.

Soon, agonized screams, pleas for mercy, and sounds of bones breaking echoed through the dilapidated alley—harrowing and chilling to the bone.

***

Zhao Family Villa.

Bedroom.

Having just showered, Xu Yinsheng lay on the bed in her pajamas, her hands covering her face.

Slowly, her delicate, fair hands moved away to reveal a translucent, exquisite face.

A petite nose, youthful cheeks, slender eyebrows, and an air of superiority—there was no mistaking the resemblance to Bai Ruoxi.

Perhaps life had been too peaceful lately—Zhao Yicheng had forbidden her from racing or drinking—and Xu Yinsheng was itching for some fun.

Like messing with Bai Ruoxi, or… now?

Heh heh heh.

A mischievous smile tugged at Xu Yinsheng’s lips.

This was going to be fun~~

Creak!

The door pushed open by a long, slender hand.

Xu Yinsheng quickly reverted to her usual expression, burying her head in the blanket, her backside facing the door.

Zhao Yicheng entered in deep blue pajamas patterned with several blue dolphins.

Just as he stepped in, his phone in his pocket rang inconveniently.

He frowned and impatiently answered the call.

The next second.

“What?”

Zhao Yicheng’s brow furrowed deeply.

“Okay, I’ll be there soon.”

“What’s going on?”

Xu Yinsheng lifted her head, curious at his unusual expression.

“Nothing. I’m going back to the company for a bit. Stay home.”

Hanging up, Zhao Yicheng turned and left.

Xu Yinsheng quickly stood up and followed behind him.

“I’m coming with you.”