Chapter 20: In the Face of Crisis, Only He Comes to Mind

I picked up the phone, and immediately, Sha Xiaoqi’s counselor spoke with an anxious tone.

"Are you Sha Xiaoqi’s sister? There is an urgent matter regarding Sha Xiaoqi that has spiraled out of my control. You need to come to the school immediately." The counselor’s voice was laced with urgency, and my heart instantly sank.

"Please, go on! What happened to Sha Xiaoqi?" I asked frantically, stepping into a corner and lowering my voice.

"It’s hard to explain in a few words. The other party involved is a wealthy young master, someone no one dares to provoke lightly. You really should come to the school and see for yourself." The fact that the counselor put it this way proved the situation was dire. After hanging up, I felt as if I were burning with anxiety.

Qi Yuzhou noticed my restless demeanor and walked over to ask, "What’s wrong?"

"I have to go back now; there is something I need to handle." Hearing Qi Yuzhou’s voice brought me back to reality. I spoke to him in a rush while pulling out my phone to book the earliest flight.

Qi Yuzhou frowned immediately upon hearing my words, clearly displeased.

"Besides, I have already repaid your kindness, so there is no need for me to stay here any longer." My gaze held a rare firmness, as if it were beyond debate, causing even Qi Yuzhou to pause for a moment.

I grabbed my bag and hurried out of the company, immediately heading to the airport for the next flight.

"Teacher! Teacher, hello, I am Sha Xiaoqi’s sister!"

"Where is Sha Xiaoqi?" As soon as I sprinted to the school and spotted the counselor standing at the entrance, I grabbed them anxiously to ask.

"This... you should see for yourself. They are on the athletic field now, and I couldn't stop them." The counselor looked helpless and tugged me urgently inside, clearly distressed.

"Why did you stop talking? Keep going! I heard your sister just died and you’re an orphan now! You still dare to talk back to our boss?"

"I think you have a death wish. Why don't you apologize to us now and kowtow a few times? Maybe we’ll let you off."

"Hahahaha!" The jeers and insults filled the school’s athletic field.

I followed the counselor to the center of the field and saw a crowd gathered, chattering away. A sense of inexplicable panic surged within me. I rushed over and saw Sha Xiaoqi surrounded by a group of flamboyantly dressed, arrogant-looking young men.

"I’m telling you, you’d better kneel and apologize, otherwise, don’t blame us for being impolite."

The ringleader, a second-generation rich kid with multicolored hair and exaggerated ear studs, was bossing Sha Xiaoqi around. His lackeys behind him looked equally arrogant, casting malicious grins at Sha Xiaoqi. The ringleader swung a golf club, tapping it against the ground periodically to produce a chilling sound.

"You... you are going too far!"

Sha Xiaoqi’s face was flushed red, his eyes filled with anger and defiance as he stared at them, his fists clenched at his sides. Although a large crowd had gathered, no one dared to step forward. Standing among them, seeing Sha Xiaoqi in this state, I felt a mix of heartache and urgency. I knew I couldn't fight these people, but Sha Xiaoqi’s safety was paramount. I could not let anything happen to him.

"Who gave you the courage to lay a hand on him! Don’t you know that injuring someone is against the law?" I pushed through the crowd and, under the shocked gazes of these thugs, stood in front of Sha Xiaoqi and pulled him behind me.

"And who are you?" The ringleader walked toward me, unafraid, his eyes filled with confusion.

"I am his sister! Are you sure you want to start trouble with us here? Let me tell you, I am not someone you can afford to mess with." I stood firm, shielding Sha Xiaoqi, trying to appear fearless. I looked calmly at the intrigued ringleader; he didn't seem to think I was lying.

"Are you alright? Did they do anything to you? Are you hurt?" I turned to look at Sha Xiaoqi, trembling with worry.

"I’m fine, Sister Qinxin, but they have too much influence. Maybe we should just let it go." Sha Xiaoqi stood behind me, panicked, fearful that I might get hurt on his account.

"It’s okay, they definitely won't do anything to us." I gripped his arm tightly, trying to comfort him, though only I knew that my voice was trembling, betraying my inner panic.

The ringleader paused, his expression thoughtful. He didn't make a move right away, and the atmosphere grew eerily tense.

"Boss, are we really just going to let them go?" The lackeys nearby, unwilling to give up, continued to stir the pot.

"I don't care who you are. Today, no one is stopping me. What are you waiting for? Get him!" The ringleader didn't hesitate further. He waved his hand, and the group of followers swarmed forward.

"You! What are you doing!"

I panicked as they surged toward us, but I stood my ground in front of Sha Xiaoqi. They shoved and pushed us; I felt sharp pain everywhere I was struck.

"I'm fine, just protect yourself," I said, struggling to stay upright while shielding Sha Xiaoqi. I used my body to block their attacks, but they were too numerous, and no one in the crowd dared to help. The situation spiraled out of control, and I was forced back step by step.

"Ah!" In the chaos, I was shoved aside, losing my balance. My phone was knocked to the ground, its screen shattering instantly. I watched it slide away as I fell, my hands scraped, and I could only scramble to pick it up.

"Sister Qinxin, are you okay?" Sha Xiaoqi asked, still being shoved by the lackeys but clearly worried for me.

I knew I couldn't handle this alone; if this continued, both of us would be in danger. Suddenly, the image of Jin Shixun flashed through my mind. He was a young master of the Jin family; if he could intervene, all this trouble would be resolved. My heart was a mess of conflict, helplessness, and resentment, but I looked at Sha Xiaoqi, still surrounded and in danger, and made my decision.

With trembling fingers, I dialed Jin Shixun’s number on the shattered screen.