Yan Xi noticed the unfriendly gazes directed at her. Instinctively, she wanted to flee, but clad in an evening gown and high heels, escaping wouldn't be easy.
Yan Xi thought of Fu Yan Ting. She had been gone for a while; he must have noticed and would come looking for her.
A flicker of hope ignited within her. Her gaze shifted towards Fu Yan Ting's direction. She saw him talking to Director Zhang, his expression growing exceedingly grim. Director Zhang, however, continued to speak volubly, undeterred by Fu Yan Ting's displeased face.
Witnessing this, Yan Xi couldn't help but frown. It seemed unlikely he would come to her rescue.
At that moment, despair washed over Yan Xi. She knew these people were prepared, and any attempt to escape was futile.
Yan Xi closed her eyes in utter despair.
At the critical juncture, Mu Jing Chen suddenly appeared, like a warrior. He materialized before Yan Xi just as she was about to be overwhelmed.
Trembling with fear, Yan Xi curled up on the ground, hugging her shoulders. The sight pained Mu Jing Chen's heart. He had never wanted to hurt Yan Xi, but this time, to ensure she completely left Fu Yan Ting, he had to do this.
Mu Jing Chen told himself that Fu Yan Ting was to blame for everything. If not for him, Yan Xi wouldn't have to endure so much. He directed all the fault towards Fu Yan Ting, which offered him some solace.
Yan Xi's mind was racing. Seeing Mu Jing Chen appear before her, a tension snapped within her. She rushed forward, embraced him, and began to cry.
Mu Jing Chen felt Yan Xi's shoulders shaking. He knew she was truly terrified, which was why she revealed such a vulnerable side to him. While his heart ached for her, Mu Jing Chen did not regret his actions. If given another chance, he would make the same choice. If he didn't, Yan Xi would never realize how unreliable Fu Yan Ting was.
With this thought, Mu Jing Chen hardened his resolve. He gently patted Yan Xi's back, comforting her. "Xi Xi, don't be afraid, I'm here. No matter when, no matter what happens, I will never leave you. I will always, always be by your side."
Hearing Mu Jing Chen's voice, Yan Xi regained a sliver of her sanity. She pushed him away, wiped her tears, and shook her head. "I'm fine. They didn't do anything to me. Jing Chen, why are you here?"
Mu Jing Chen had anticipated this question. He replied calmly, "The Mu family has business dealings with Fu Corporation. I'm here representing the Mu family to attend Fu Corporation's anniversary celebration."
Yan Xi knew that Mu Jing Chen's relationship with the Mu family wasn't very good. However, regardless of their strained ties, he was still a Mu, with Mu blood flowing through his veins. Thus, she didn't doubt his explanation.
Seeing that Yan Xi didn't want to discuss further, Mu Jing Chen didn't press the matter. As they were chatting, the thugs suddenly appeared and lunged at Mu Jing Chen with a fruit knife. This was not part of Mu Jing Chen's plan, so when they attacked, he couldn't react in time to dodge. The knife plunged into his back. With a swift movement, it was pulled out, stained red. Mu Jing Chen, bleeding profusely, collapsed onto the ground.
Yan Xi, horrified, called for an ambulance. Soon, emergency services arrived. Mu Jing Chen's sudden collapse disrupted Fu Corporation's anniversary celebration, preventing it from concluding perfectly.
At the hospital, Mu Jing Chen was in emergency surgery. Yan Xi stood by, seemingly stunned, motionless and silent. Fu Yan Ting noticed bloodstains on Yan Xi's face and arms. He frowned, a strange reluctance surfacing within him, a desire for Yan Xi not to bear any trace of Mu Jing Chen, not even accidental bloodstains.
Fu Yan Ting instructed Xin Yi to buy tissues and clean the bloodstains from Yan Xi. Throughout this, Yan Xi remained unresponsive. Fu Yan Ting understood she was truly traumatized.
He knew that Mu Jing Chen's presence at the Fu Corporation anniversary celebration was no coincidence. He also regretted listening to Director Zhang's nonsensical plan. If he had stayed by Yan Xi's side, none of this would have happened. This thought further hardened his expression.
Noticing the late hour and the chill in the air, Fu Yan Ting took off his suit jacket and draped it over Yan Xi's shoulders. Yan Xi looked up, her eyes meeting Fu Yan Ting's. He spoke softly, "Xi Xi, if you're tired, lie down and rest for a bit. I'll wake you when Mu Jing Chen is out."
"Fu Yan Ting, do you think I'm a jinx? When I lived with the Yan family, Yan Jia Peng said I brought bad luck. Ever since I went there, their business declined. I didn't believe it at first, but so many things have happened now. I've realized that anyone connected to me seems to meet a bad end."
"Xi Xi, don't overthink things. You are wonderful. Yan Jia Peng's business problems were his own doing, and they have nothing to do with you. Don't take all the blame onto yourself; it will exhaust you." It was rare for Yan Xi to open her heart to Fu Yan Ting, and he patiently listened and advised her. However, Yan Xi seemed unable to hear him. Whether it was Fu Yan Ting, Mu Qing Xiang, the Yan family, or the Yao family, it seemed that anyone who interacted with Yan Xi, anyone whose life intertwined with hers, met an unfortunate fate.
"Xi Xi, you're tired. Rest for a while. I'll call you when Mu Jing Chen is out." Seeing Yan Xi standing there blankly, Fu Yan Ting gently guided her to a chair in the waiting area, allowing her to rest her head on his shoulder and close her eyes. Even as she leaned against him, Yan Xi's mind was consumed by the evening's events at the banquet. The scenes replayed in her mind like fragments of a movie.