Chapter 29
The night in the ancient town of Jiangnan is enveloped in the damp air and the aroma of food. The riverside food stalls are bustling with noise and full of lively atmosphere. Lin Xiaotang and a group of old classmates sit around a large round table, which is piled with crayfish, kebabs, stir-fried snails and ice-cold beer.
The atmosphere was lively and noisy, with everyone reminiscing about embarrassing moments from their youth, laughter filling the air. Xie Junhao was clearly the most active one that night; he had drunk quite a bit, his dark face flushed, and his gaze was almost glued to Lin Xiaotang across from him. The intensity and focus in his eyes were so obvious that it drew cheers and whistles from the classmates around him.
"Brother Hao, your eyes are about to pop out!"
"That's right, Xiaotang, look at our Junhao, after all these years, he's still your number one fan!"
Lin Xiaotang felt a little embarrassed by their teasing, her cheeks flushing slightly. She was already used to Xie Junhao's gaze and her classmates' jokes, usually just laughing it off or retorting. But tonight, perhaps it was the alcohol, or perhaps it was the more persistent and intense gaze than usual, but she felt a subtle embarrassment and an urge to escape.
"Aren't you guys annoying?!" She glared at the two who were making the most noise, pretending to be angry, and stood up. "I can't be bothered with you. I'm going to get some fresh air over there."
She smiled, pushed back her chair, and walked towards the slightly quieter riverside railing next to the food stalls, trying to create some distance so the night breeze could dispel the heat on her face and her slight unease. Behind her, she could still hear the good-natured laughter of her classmates and Xie Junhao's loud rebuttals.
She had just stood by the railing, gazing absently at the gurgling river in the darkness, when suddenly, a figure burst out from the dimly lit alleyway to the side like a runaway train!
Before she could react at all, a pair of strong arms had already gripped her tightly, pulling her into a hard and violently trembling embrace!
The embrace was incredibly strong, almost breaking her bones, carrying a near-desperate madness and a violent trembling from something lost and then regained. A familiar masculine scent, carrying the dust of travel and a faint smell of tobacco, instantly enveloped her.
Lin Xiaotang's mind went blank, and her blood seemed to freeze instantly. She stiffly let the other person hold her, even forgetting to struggle.
It is Perth year.
He couldn't utter a word, only burying his face deep in the crook of her neck, his rapid and hot breath burning her skin, his arms tightening around her, as if he wanted to completely crush her and embed her into his body.
How did he get here? How did he find this place?
Countless questions and shocks crashed over Lin Xiaotang's nerves like a tidal wave.
However, this sudden silence and eerie embrace lasted for less than a few seconds.
"Holy shit! Who the hell are you?! Let her go!"
A furious roar, like a thunderclap, rang out from behind!
It was Xie Junhao! He had clearly witnessed this astonishing scene, and the alcohol and long-suppressed emotions instantly ignited, transforming into a raging inferno. Like a maddened leopard, he charged forward, and without a word, swung his fist and smashed it hard into Bai Sinian's cheek!
Bai Sinian was completely absorbed in the immense excitement of finding Lin Xiaotang and the ecstasy of regaining her, so he was completely unprepared. The punch landed squarely on his face, the force of which made him groan, his arms around Lin Xiaotang suddenly loosened, and he staggered backward, almost falling to the ground.
Blood instantly seeped from the corner of his mouth.
But Xie Junhao's anger did not subside; on the contrary, it surged even more fiercely because Bai Sinian released Lin Xiaotang. He lunged forward, grabbed Bai Sinian's collar, and rained blows on Bai Sinian's body and face with his other fist, roaring angrily as he did so.
"You bastard! How dare you touch her! I'll beat you to death! I'll teach you to touch her!"
Persian was initially stunned by the attack, but he quickly recovered and began to fight back and parry. The two men wrestled like primal beasts on the riverbank, amidst the astonished gazes of many diners, knocking over several empty tables and chairs and making a jarring noise.
"Stop hitting them! Xie Junhao! Stop!" Lin Xiaotang finally snapped out of her shock. Looking at the out-of-control scene before her, she turned pale with fright and screamed, trying to rush forward to pull them apart.
The surrounding classmates and the food stall owner also realized what was happening and rushed forward to try to break up the fight. The scene was chaotic.
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