Shi Xinxin opened her phone and found many missed calls, with Yue Ran and Xiaomi having the most. She figured Xiaomi must have been extremely worried, so she quickly called Xiaomi.
"Hello? Is this Xinxin?" The call was answered quickly, and Xiaomi asked anxiously.
Shi Xinxin walked to the side and said, "Xiaomi, it's me."
Xiaomi breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness, it's good you're okay. You scared me to death."
Shi Xinxin's heart warmed. "Xiaomi, I'm fine. I made you worry. I'll explain later."
After chatting with Xiaomi for a while, Shi Xinxin hung up the phone. When she returned, Yue Ran and Alice were deep in conversation.
During their casual chat, Shi Xinxin learned about how Liu Jia had kidnapped her.
Glancing at the time, it was already late. Yue Ran and Shi Xinxin said goodbye to Alice and prepared to leave.
Alice called out to them. Seeing them stop, she asked, "Yue Ran, Miss Shi, how do you want to deal with that woman over there?" She pointed to Liu Jia, who was lying on the ground.
Shi Xinxin heard this, looked at Liu Jia on the ground, then lowered her head in silence, pondering something.
Yue Ran looked at Liu Jia, then at Shi Xinxin, and asked, "Xinxin, what do you think?" Shi Xinxin, hearing Yue Ran ask her, looked up and thought for a moment, but still didn't speak.
Alice was about to ask Shi Xinxin again when Yue Ran raised a hand to stop him and shook his head. Alice stood to the side, remaining silent, waiting for Shi Xinxin's decision.
Shi Xinxin thought for a long time, her face contorted in indecision. Finally, she made up her mind and said, "Alice, just rough her up a bit is fine." In the end, Shi Xinxin couldn't bring herself to be ruthless.
Alice seemed surprised. He raised an eyebrow and looked at Yue Ran, as if asking, "Are you sure you want to do as she says?" Yue Ran nodded. Alice then said, "Alright, Miss Shi, I'll escort you out first."
After Yue Ran and Shi Xinxin left, Alice called David and the others, gave them a few instructions, and then returned to his room, leaving the rest to them.
Aaron looked at Liu Jia, smacked his lips, and said, "You guys go ahead. Just don't kill her." He then sat aside, ready to appreciate the subsequent display of violent aesthetics.
Liu Jia, sensing trouble, struggled on the ground, muffled sounds escaping her. Aaron kindly removed the gag from her mouth.
Liu Jia quickly begged, "Aaron, please, please let me go! I already gave you money!" Aaron listened, then fiddled with his ear and said, "Our deal is over. Get started!"
David and the others, hearing Aaron's words, began to beat Liu Jia. Although Liu Jia was a woman, these rough men showed no mercy, even deliberately aiming punches at her face.
At first, Liu Jia desperately pleaded for mercy, but eventually, she was beaten so badly that her face was bruised and swollen, and she was too weak to speak.
Yue Ran and Shi Xinxin remained silent on their way out of Alice's house.
Yue Ran recalled Alice pulling him aside as he escorted Shi Xinxin out.
Alice had conspiratorially pulled Yue Ran aside and said, "I know you like Shi Xinxin. This girl is great, so you better hold onto her tightly. Don't let someone else snatch her away."
Yue Ran gave him a look and said, "You don't need to worry about that." He then turned and walked towards the car.
Alice shouted from behind, "You gotta keep trying, man! I'm rooting for you!"
Thinking back to what had just happened, Yue Ran smiled, a hint of helplessness in his expression.
At this moment, Shi Xinxin broke the silence. "Yue Ran, thank you today. I didn't expect anyone to come and save me, let alone that it would be you."
"Anyway, thank you for today." Shi Xinxin expressed her gratitude to Yue Ran.
Yue Ran felt a bitter smile in his heart. "That's not what I wanted to hear." Yue Ran remained silent, wanting to see what Shi Xinxin would say next.
To his surprise, after expressing her thanks, Shi Xinxin paid no further attention to Yue Ran.
After a long wait and still no word from Shi Xinxin, and nearing Shi Xinxin's home, Yue Ran became restless. "Shi Xinxin," he said, "saying thank you requires sincerity. How about you treat me to a meal?"
Shi Xinxin thought about the immense favor she owed Yue Ran. Treating him to a meal seemed appropriate, so she agreed. She nodded and said, "Okay, when?"
Yue Ran's heart leaped with joy when Shi Xinxin agreed. He smiled and said, "Anytime!" As he spoke, they arrived downstairs at Shi Xinxin's home. Shi Xinxin opened the car door to get out. Yue Ran said, "Xinxin, let me walk you up. You're carrying things."
"No, it's fine. I can go up myself. Thank you again today." Shi Xinxin refused and turned to leave.
Yue Ran watched her retreating back and called out, "Don't forget you owe me a meal!" Shi Xinxin didn't reply, nor did she turn back. She just left, and he wasn't sure if she had even heard him.
Yue Ran watched Shi Xinxin walk away until she was out of sight, then turned and left.
After returning home, Shi Xinxin threw the things in her hands aside. She walked into her room and lay on the bed, thinking about the day's events.
She had gone out shopping happily today, only to encounter such an unpleasant incident. However, it seemed she had emerged unscathed.
Thinking of Liu Jia, Shi Xinxin couldn't help but regret her soft heart. She wondered what Alice and the others had done to her.
Shi Xinxin patted her face and sat up. "Oh, no more thinking. Time for bed!" Shi Xinxin didn't bother to wash up, as she had already showered at Alice's place. She changed her clothes and got into bed to rest.
Soon, Shi Xinxin fell asleep, sleeping soundly as if she hadn't just experienced a life-threatening ordeal.
She slept soundly, without dreams, until morning.
"Knock, knock, knock..." Shi Xinxin was woken up by the sound of knocking early in the morning. Groggily, she got up to open the door.
As soon as the door opened, Xiaomi rushed in and hugged Shi Xinxin. With Xiaomi's bear hug, Shi Xinxin nearly fell to the ground. Her sleepiness had also mostly vanished.
Shi Xinxin steadied herself and patted Xiaomi. "Xiaomi, let me go! You're squeezing me to death!"
Xiaomi released Shi Xinxin and pulled her up, examining her from head to toe as if checking for injuries. After her inspection, Xiaomi breathed a sigh of relief. "Shi Xinxin, you scared me to death! What happened to you? Yue Ran didn't explain clearly yesterday."
Shi Xinxin closed the door and led Xiaomi into the living room. "This matter is a bit complicated. Sit down first, and I'll tell you slowly."
Shi Xinxin recounted the events of the previous day to Xiaomi from beginning to end. When Xiaomi heard that Liu Jia was behind it, she exclaimed angrily, "I knew this woman was no good! She's full of schemes. Last time she tried to harm you and failed, and this time she's gone too far, even trying to kill you!" She then glanced at Shi Xinxin and continued, "Xinxin, your heart is too soft! Liu Jia harmed you so much, and you only told them to teach her a lesson? I don't know what to say about you."