Chapter 514 Protect Yourself Outside
Han Lingcui's wrist was pinched so hard that it hurt, and there was some dirt stuck in the cracks of Xi Muxuan's fingernails, like rusty iron pieces embedded in her skin.
The evening breeze suddenly turned cold, and the street lights that had just come on stretched the shadows of the two people very long.
Han Lingcui took a deep breath, forced himself to keep his voice steady, and quietly reached into his pocket with his fingertips.
The phone had slipped under the workbench when it was pulled just now. The screen was still on, and Shen Hanxing's video call request was flashing.
"Xi Muxuan, you still don't understand. It was you who followed Jiang Shutong down the wrong path."
"Wrong way?" Xi Muxuan suddenly laughed, her laughter was sharp and harsh, like scraping across rusty iron sheets.
"If you hadn't been in the way, Qi Moxun would have been mine long ago!"
She dragged Han Lingcui into the studio, the door panel was banged against with a loud bang, the small wonton doll on the table fell to the ground, and the word "Mom" written with colored pencil was rubbed blurred.
Han Lingcui leaned her feet against the door frame, her back against the cold glass, and her eyes quickly scanned the yard.
The lights in the flower shop diagonally opposite were still on, and the owner was probably sorting out the flowers.
The residual heat wafted from the bakery next door, and I could faintly hear the ticking sound of the oven cooling down.
She deliberately raised her voice, enunciating each word clearly: "Xi Muxuan, you are a wanted criminal now. Making trouble here will only make the police find you faster!"
"police?"
Xi Muxuan's eyes turned fierce, and her other hand suddenly reached into the canvas bag she was carrying, pulling out a folding knife. The blade shone coldly under the street light.
"I'm already in this state, what else do I have to be afraid of? Anyway, if I fall into the hands of the police, I'll go to jail. If I fall into your hands, the result will be the same. I might as well drag you along and see who finishes first!"
The blade was only half a foot away from Han Lingcui's chest. She could smell the scent of a cheap hotel and disinfectant mixed on Xi Muxuan's body, and could see the dark circles under her eyes and the white hair hidden in her hair.
This woman who was once so high-spirited in the design circle now has only paranoia and despair in her eyes.
Han Lingcui slowly slowed down his breathing, and his fingers quietly touched the wrench under the workbench.
"What do you want?"
Han Lingcui stared into her eyes and said in a calm voice, "Is it money, or do you want me to help you escape?"
She knew that what Xi Muxuan lacked most now was a sense of security, and delaying time was the only way.
Xi Muxuan indeed paused, shook the blade, and a hint of hesitation flashed in her eyes.
At this moment, a crisp voice of "Miss Han" suddenly came from outside the courtyard gate. It was the voice of the flower shop owner.
Han Lingcui felt relieved, but Xi Muxuan suddenly came to her senses and dragged her to the second floor, with the knife against her waist.
"Don't make a sound! Or I'll stab you right now!"
The folding bed on the second floor had not yet been made with sheets. There were several rolls of cloth piled in the corner, and the smell of light beige paint wafted in the air.
Xi Muxuan pressed Han Lingcui against the corner of the wall, and she herself stood by the window, watching the movements downstairs vigilantly.
The lady owner of the flower shop was holding a small lamp and walking around the yard. She saw the doll dropped on the ground, bent down to pick it up, and muttered to herself.
"Why did you throw things away..."
Xi Muxuan breathed a sigh of relief only after the boss lady's footsteps faded away. When she turned around, she saw Han Lingcui quietly retreating behind the pile of fabric, holding the wrench in his hand.
"You dare to move!" she shouted, and rushed forward, slashing the knife straight at Han Lingcui's arm.
Han Lingcui dodged sideways and the wrench hit the bed frame with a bang.
The moment sparks flew, she grabbed Xi Muxuan's wrist and the two of them wrestled with each other.
The fabric was torn and scattered all over the floor, and design sketches were scattered everywhere.
"Let me go!"
Xi Muxuan roared with astonishing strength. Han Lingcui's wrist was broken so hard by her that the wrench almost slipped out of her hand.
At this moment, hurried footsteps suddenly sounded downstairs, accompanied by a man's shout: "Han Lingcui! Are you in there?"
It’s Lawyer Li!
Xi Muxuan's face turned pale instantly. She pushed Han Lingcui away and turned to climb towards the skylight.
The skylight on the second floor was not closed, and there was a ladder used for decoration next to it.
Han Lingcui stumbled and bumped into the wall, watching her climb up the ladder and reach out to grab the edge of the skylight.
"Xi Muxuan, don't run away."
Han Lingcui stood up, holding onto the wall. His voice was a little hoarse, "You can't escape. There are police everywhere outside."
Xi Muxuan paused, turned her back to her, and her shoulders trembled slightly.
The footsteps downstairs were getting closer and closer, and Lawyer Li's voice was anxious.
"Han Lingcui, open the door! The police are here!"
Suddenly, Xi Muxuan turned around abruptly, her eyes red and the knife in her hand still dangling: "I won't run away! Why should I run away?!"
She suddenly pounced towards Han Lingcui, as if making a last-ditch effort.
Han Lingcui subconsciously raised the wrench, and at this moment, a "bang" sound came from the stairs.
Two uniformed policemen rushed in, grabbed Xi Muxuan's shoulders, and the knife fell to the ground with a clang.
Xi Muxuan struggled and screamed, her hair sticking to her face.
"Let me go! I'm not wrong! She's the one who hurt me!"
The police clamped her arms tightly and handcuffed her. The sound of metal clashing was particularly harsh in the small space.
Lawyer Li followed behind and was relieved to see that Han Lingcui was fine.
“Luckily I made it in time. Shen Hanxing couldn’t contact you and was so anxious that he asked me to call the police immediately.”
Han Lingcui looked at Xi Muxuan who was being escorted downstairs by the police. Her back was hunched, and she no longer had the fierceness she had just now. She only looked helpless and embarrassed.
She bent down and picked up the knife on the ground. There was no blood on the blade, only a thin scratch.
In the yard downstairs, the flower shop owner and several neighbors gathered at the door. When they saw the police escorting Xi Muxuan out, they were all whispering.
Lin Xiao also rushed over, holding the bread he had just bought. When he saw Han Lingcui standing at the door, he immediately ran over.
"Sister, are you okay? I just saw a police car coming this way and my heart was about to jump out of my chest!"
Han Lingcui shook her head. The red mark on her wrist had become swollen. She touched her pocket and remembered that her cell phone was still under the workbench.
Lawyer Li handed over a glass of warm water. "The police said Xi Muxuan left the country illegally and had been hanging around the old neighborhood. They might have been keeping an eye on you. Fortunately, they were there in time, so nothing serious happened."
"Thank you."
Han Lingcui took the cup of water, and when her fingertips touched the warmth of the cup wall, she felt her tense nerves slowly relax.
She walked into the yard, picked up the little wonton doll on the ground, and gently wiped off the dust on it. Although the word "Mom" written with colored pencil was blurry, it was still warm and eye-catching.
While the police were taking the statement, Han Lingcui sat at the workbench, watching the sky gradually darken outside the window.
"Ms. Han, the record is complete." The police closed the notebook and handed over a receipt.
"Xi Muxuan will be extradited back to China to face legal trial. If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact us."
Han Lingcui took the receipt and nodded.
After the police and Lawyer Li left, the yard finally became quiet, with only the rustling sound of the evening breeze blowing through the ivy.
Lin Xiao helped her pick up the scattered fabrics and looked at the "Shiguang" sign on the wall.
"Actually, I've seen Xi Muxuan before, on TV. She was so popular back then. I didn't expect..."
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