“Don’t look at me like that. I can’t bring myself to do it.”

Time stopped in a strange manner in an instant, and everything in the world seemed to have lost its voice. The soft whisper that was supposed to be gentle and loving was made terrifying when it came from Xie JIngxing.

Xie Jingxing lowered his eyes. The place under his palm was slightly warm, as if he could feel her eyelashes fluttering slightly, like the wings of a fluffy butterfly that wanted to escape but couldn’t

“Gao Yang, get out,” Xie Jingxing said.

Gao Yang frowned. “What do you mean?”

“Go out first,” Xie Jingxing said calmly.

Gao Yang glanced at him and did not say anything. He picked up the cloth bag and walked out. After the footsteps were gone, Xie Jingxing slowly let go of her.

He opened his hand. Under the light, there seemed to be a crystal flickering in his palm.

Just now, Shen Miao seemed to have shed tears.

Xie Jingxing said lazily, “It’s just death. What are you crying about?” He wanted to say something, but when he saw the girl’s expression, he suddenly stopped.

Shen Miao’s eyes were clear, and even the little bit of childishness on her face was covered by the coldness on her face. Her eyes were as clear as water, but she did not look sad at all. Just now, her crying was probably just an act, and she was not afraid at all. As Xie Jingxing was thinking, he saw Shen Miao suddenly raise her elbow and hit him in the chest. This time, she was ruthless and accurate. If it were anyone else, they would probably be knocked to the ground by her. However, Xie Jingxing only swayed slightly and grabbed Shen Miao’s left arm. Shen Miao was pulled by him and almost fell into Xie Jingxing’s arms. Without him noticing, Shen Miao took out something from inside her sleeve and stabbed Xie Jingxing with it decisively.

The hairpin was small to begin with, so it could not be seen if one didn’t look at it carefully enough. Shen Miao did not hold back at all and the hairpin pierced into his arm. Xie Jingxing’s eyes darkened. He raised his hand and threw Shen Miao back to the stone wall again.

Xie Jingxing immediately placed his hand on Shen Miao’s neck, as if he was ready to break it at any time. His voice was low and carried a hint of anger. “As expected of someone from the General’s Mansion. You’ve learned a lot about sneak attacks.”

Shen Miao’s gaze landed on Xie Jingxing’s arm. Half of the hairpin was inside his arm, and blood was gradually flowing out, dying his sleeve red and sticking to his arm. Xie Jingxing followed Shen Miao’s gaze and smiled indifferently. “Even if it’s poisonous, I’ll make sure you die before I’m killed by the poison.”

His eyes were extremely beautiful and well-shaped. When he looked at people casually, he was the most charming. If the girls in the capital saw him now, they would probably scream in excitement. However, in that pair of eyes, Shen Miao saw a coldness that was well hidden.

What kind of person was Xie Jingxing? He seemed to be very complicated. In the capital, he struck people as a cynical and rebellious young man who couldn’t be disciplined and wouldn’t have a bright official career. However, at this moment, Shen Miao couldn’t help but suspect if Xie Jingxing was really like the way people saw him. He was indeed arrogant and unruly, but did he really have no ambition for the dynasty and the throne?

Xie Jingxing seemed to be unhappy with her absent-mindedness. He approached her and stared at her. “Shen Miao, if I kill you today, no one will protect the Shen family in the future.”

Shen Miao’s gaze darkened, and she saw Xie Jingxing smiling evilly at her. He continued, “Shen Yuan has already returned to the capital. With the second and third branches of the Shen family working together, what are the chances of Shen Xin winning?” He slowly grabbed her throat tighter and said, “The Fu family is eyeing the Shen family covetously. Shen Xin’s path will be difficult in the future. What you want and what you are planning will be ruined by me today. If you want to take revenge, you have to wait for your next life.”