Chapter 14: The Heiress and the Illegitimate School Bully

Xiao Yi’s eyes sharpened like a hawk’s the moment he saw Song Qian being harassed by a group of thugs. Without hesitation, he surged forward and shouted with an unyielding authority, “What do you think you’re doing?”

The thugs were startled by the sudden roar and turned to face him. One of the more brazen ones swaggered over, sneering, “Kid, mind your own business!” But Xiao Yi did not flinch. In a flash, he threw a precise punch that struck the thug’s cheek. The man staggered back, wincing in pain.

Seeing this, the others lunged at Xiao Yi all at once. Agile and skilled, he dodged their attacks with ease, countering with fierce punches and swift kicks, each move radiating sharp intensity.

While fighting, he shielded Song Qian behind him, soothing her with a calm voice, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here.” Soon enough, the thugs were beaten back, retreating in disarray.

After driving them off, Xiao Yi turned to Song Qian. The fierce look in his eyes softened into infinite tenderness and concern. He raised his hand gently, hesitating to touch her for fear of being too forward, and asked in a husky voice, “Are you hurt?”

She clung to his waist, shaking her head slightly, though a lingering trace of fear remained in her gaze. The neon lights flickering outside the bar cast a subtle glow upon them, creating an atmosphere thick with unspoken emotions.

Xiao Yi gently pushed Song Qian back and looked into her eyes. “Then why did you come to this bar?”

She lowered her head slightly, a blush coloring her cheeks. Taking a deep breath, she said, “Actually, I came looking for you.

The day you confessed, I instinctively ran away—not because I didn’t want to accept you, but because I was overwhelmed. I never imagined you could like me. I was afraid I misunderstood, afraid it was all just an illusion.

Afterward, I searched for you in the library for days, almost turning every corner upside down. I asked so many people, but no one had seen you. It wasn’t until I had someone look into your information that I found you here.”

Song Qian lifted her head, her gaze sincere and fervent as she met Xiao Yi’s eyes. “I don’t want to miss you again. No matter what difficulties you face, I want to face them with you. I like you—with all my heart.”

Listening to her words, the hard walls inside Xiao Yi’s heart began to crumble. His eyes shimmered with emotion and tenderness.

The depth of her affection and hope flowed like a warm current through his chest. He gazed at her earnest face, feeling the ice within him melt. His lips trembled, as if countless words were on the verge of escaping.

Yet, at that crucial moment, it was as if a bucket of cold water doused all his passion. His thoughts were abruptly pulled back to his deteriorating health, to the hidden illness within him that could flare up at any time, to a future where he could never give Song Qian a complete happiness.

His eyes darkened instantly, and the hand he had just raised fell limply at his side. Turning his head away with a pained expression, he spoke with difficulty, “I can’t promise you that. Someday, you’ll find someone better.”

Xiao Yi turned away, struggling to contain the ache within. His hand clenched into a tight fist at his side, knuckles whitening. He dared not look at the fleeting disappointment in Song Qian’s eyes, afraid that one glance would shatter the fragile resolve he had just built.