Chapter 21: Do You Have to Manage This Too?

"Why are you finally willing to show up and call me now?"

"Why is it so noisy over there? Did something happen?"

Jin Shixun's voice came through the phone. Hearing his voice at this moment, I actually felt a glimmer of relief. Although Jin Shixun was still holding me accountable for my disappearance, he was at least willing to answer the call.

"I've been surrounded. Follow the address I gave you and come here now."

"If you don't want to see me lying in the hospital with serious injuries, you'd better hurry." The situation was too complicated to explain in a few words, and the rich kid was still standing there with his gang of lackeys, watching us with predatory intent.

I spoke as concisely as possible before hanging up the phone. I had no idea how long it would take for Jin Shixun to reach the school.

"Prepare the car!" Upon receiving Qinxin's call, Jin Shixun did not hesitate for a second and immediately ordered his men to get the vehicle ready.

"Oh! Calling for backup, are you? I'd love to see who you could possibly summon." The arrogant rich kid was completely unfazed, waiting nearby with his group of followers.

On the other side, Jin Shixun arrived at the school quickly.

His black Rolls-Royce Phantom cut through the silence of the campus like a streak of black lightning, pulling to a slow halt amidst the astonished gazes of the crowd.

"My God, what kind of VIP is this? I've never even seen a car like that before."

"Exactly. I've heard that this car isn't something just anyone can afford—not even that rich kid's family could buy one." As the students caught sight of Jin Shixun's car on campus, they began to chatter and whisper.

The people on the playground were also drawn to the scene.

The car door opened, and Jin Shixun stepped out with a steady, powerful stride. He wore an exquisitely tailored suit, its sharp lines accentuating his tall, upright frame. His deep eyes held a cold, imposing majesty, as if he carried an aura so powerful that the very air around him seemed to freeze.

"He's too handsome! Who is he here for?"

"He drove right onto our playground. Could it be related to that rich kid's family?"

"Maybe it is. You know that rich kid—he bullies people and then calls for help when things get tough." The crowd on the playground gossiped among themselves. Those who had been reluctant to help before now retreated even further back.

"Jin Shixun!" The moment I saw him step out of the car, I shouted his name.

The rich kid followed my gaze and looked back. However, the moment he saw Jin Shixun, his arrogant demeanor visibly crumbled, though he still tried to feign composure.

Jin Shixun walked straight toward us, each step sounding like a heavy blow against everyone's heart.

"Are you hurt?" Jin Shixun reached me and immediately scanned me with his eyes, asking with palpable concern.

"I'm fine." I pulled the still-shaken Sha Xiaoqi and stood directly beside Jin Shixun.

At this sight, the rich kid and his group didn't dare to utter another word.

Only then did Jin Shixun finally turn his gaze to the group in front of him. He lifted his chin slightly, his eyes sharp as blades, staring coldly at the rich kid in silence. Under his scrutiny, beads of sweat began to form on the rich kid's forehead, and his eyes began to dart around nervously.

Jin Shixun then pulled an exquisite metal lighter from his pocket and toyed with it, the metal glinting with a cold luster in the sunlight.

"You know who I am, don't you? Bullying someone of mine—you must have grown tired of living."

"While I haven't lost my patience yet, take your people and get out, or face the consequences!" He walked unhurriedly to the rich kid's side and whispered a few words into his ear.

But those few words carried immense weight.

The rich kid's face turned deathly pale in an instant. His body trembled like a leaf in the wind, and his knees went weak, nearly causing him to collapse to the ground.

"Yes, yes... let's go! Move!" After hearing what Jin Shixun said, the rich kid stumbled away, with his followers scrambling to follow close behind.

The group that had been so arrogant and insufferable just moments ago was now fleeing in disgrace.

"Thank you." Watching Jin Shixun resolve the matter so easily, I felt a sense of relief and thanked him aloud.

However, when Jin Shixun looked at Qinxin, there was a trace of imperceptible gloom in his eyes.

"Is Sha Xiaoqi okay? Was he scared?" After the others had cleared the playground, I held Sha Xiaoqi and looked him over from head to toe.

"Sister Qinxin, I told you I'm fine. Besides, you were the one standing in front of me blocking them—if anyone was going to get hurt, it should have been you." Sha Xiaoqi said this with a look of guilt, his heart aching as he saw the scrapes on my hands.

"I'm fine. These little scratches are nothing."

"If you run into something like this again, you must let me know immediately. Don't try to be a hero on your own." I reached out and patted Sha Xiaoqi's head, feeling helpless as I looked at his stubborn expression.

Sha Sha only had this one younger brother left now; I had to protect him no matter what.

"Are you finished? It's time to go." Just as I was about to give Sha Xiaoqi a few more instructions, Jin Shixun's indifferent voice drifted over.

"Alright, you go back and rest first. Call me if anything happens." Knowing Jin Shixun was there, I couldn't say much more, so I gave a few final words of caution before leaving with him.

On the way back to the car, Jin Shixun, who had been walking in front, suddenly stopped and turned to face me.

"Do you have nothing you want to say to me?" His gaze locked onto mine, giving me a rare sense of guilt. His eyes were filled with questioning and suspicion.

"I... I..." My heart tightened suddenly, and I subconsciously avoided his gaze, looking away in a panic.

Jin Shixun narrowed his eyes slightly, his brows furrowed as if deep in thought.

My breathing grew rapid with tension, and I struggled to calm myself, frantically searching for a way to respond.

"Get in the car first." Seeing my hesitation, Jin Shixun opened the door and got in.

Back in the car, Jin Shixun sat in the driver's seat, his hands gripping the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles turned white. He remained silent for a long time, the atmosphere inside the car so oppressive it was hard to breathe.

I sat to the side, my palms sweating. I snuck a glance at Jin Shixun, only to find him looking right at me. I quickly lowered my head, my heart pounding like a drum.

"Don't you think you owe me an explanation? An explanation as to why you suddenly disappeared? Hmm?" Jin Shixun looked at me with suspicion, making my heart sink.

"I was just in a bad mood and wanted to go out and clear my head. What? You want to control that too?" I didn't answer truthfully, choosing to make up an excuse instead.