Don't meet me in your next life.

As Shen Mu spoke, he moved closer to him, his tone tinged with mockery: "I really don't understand you. You're just a poor student. What makes you think Xiang Yiyi is so devoted to you? Do you really think you can marry her?"

Shen Mu became more and more agitated as he spoke, and he reached out and grabbed the ashtray on the table, smashing it at Shen Che.

With lightning speed, Shen Che grabbed the ashtray and threw it aside, causing Shen Mu to fall into a chair.

Shen Mu lay sprawled on the ground, his face turning purplish-blue.

He struggled to his feet, unwilling to give up, and pointed at Shen Che.

"You...you actually dared to hit me! I'm warning you, if you dare lay a finger on me again, I'll make sure you never have a chance to recover!"

As he spoke, he angrily wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.

Shen Che's eyes instantly turned cold.

He bent down and grabbed Shen Mu's collar, warning him coldly, "You'd better tone it down."

"You—you let me go! Shen Che, you dare touch me and see what happens!"

Shen Mu was so overwhelmed by his weight that he could hardly breathe, and he pounded his shoulders with all his might.

Shen Che's expression remained cold and stern. He gradually tightened his grip, almost snapping Shen Mu's neck.

"Cough cough... You dare to strangle me!"

Shen Mu was breathing heavily, his wide eyes filled with disbelief.

"I told you, you'd better not talk nonsense." Shen Che coldly shook him off and turned to leave.

He disdained wasting time with someone like him; all he wanted now was an explanation from Xiang Yi, and he had to hear Xiang Yi's answer with his own ears.

Shen Mu was so dizzy from the fall that he could only watch helplessly as Shen Che left.

This scene was witnessed by Xiang Yi, who happened to be passing by.

She stared in utter astonishment at Shen Mu lying on the ground, then at Shen Che's departing figure, her heart suddenly stopping.

How did they end up meeting here?

Could it be that Shen Che has come to settle scores with her?

No!

She had to leave immediately.

She quickly turned to leave, but then heard an urgent shout from behind.

"Yi Yi, don't go."

Xiang Yi turned around and found that it was Shen Mu chasing after her.

She frowned and asked impatiently, "What? Is there something you need?"

"Is Shen Che here to cause you trouble?" Shen Mu asked anxiously.

“Yes, he came to me asking for money,” Xiang Yi said frankly. “I don’t have any, but he threatened to withdraw his funding to the Xiang family if I didn’t give him the money… I didn’t know what to do, so I came to you.”

Upon hearing this, Shen Mu immediately became furious.

He gritted his teeth and said, "That Shen Che is such a bully! He actually threatened you! I won't let him get away with it. Don't worry, I'll get justice for you!"

After Shen Mu finished speaking, he picked up the phone and dialed a number.

The phone rang twice and was connected.

He said directly, "Dad, a friend of mine's wife was beaten up because of gambling debts. I'm downstairs at the company right now. Could you come over?"

"Oh? You mean the owner of that bank?"

A deep, resonant voice came from the other end of the phone, sounding quite pleased.

"Yes, that's right." Shen Mu said, glancing at his watch, and urged, "Dad, please come quickly, I can't handle this by myself!"

Shen Mu's tone was very anxious.

Standing to the side, looking at his expression, Xiang Yi suddenly realized that he wasn't so bad after all.

After hanging up the phone, Shen Mu's expression softened slightly.

He looked up and glanced at Yi Yi.

"Wait a moment, I'll be right there."

After saying that, Shen Mu left in a hurry.

Looking at his back, Xiang Yi suddenly felt that his back looked very lonely.

For some reason, she felt that Shen Mu was truly in danger this time.

However, she couldn't help.

Thinking of everything Shen Mu had done for her, and of his past tenderness and consideration for her, Xiang Yi couldn't help but sigh.

If she could, she really hoped that Shen Mu and Shen Mu's father could turn hostility into friendship and live in harmony. Wouldn't it be better if the whole family lived in peace and harmony?

Unfortunately, she was just an outsider.

It's just wishful thinking.

Her gaze fell on the ashtray that Shen Mu had just thrown away, and a deep sadness suddenly welled up in her heart.

Why does she always have to face this kind of thing?

Why can't she escape this fate?

Just as Xiang Yi was immersed in her sorrow, her phone suddenly rang.

She quickly took her phone out of her bag, and when she saw the caller ID, her heart skipped a beat. After hesitating for a moment, she answered the phone.

"Hello......"

"Yi Yi, it's me."

Hearing that familiar voice, Xiang Yi felt a surge of emotion, and her eyes instantly welled up with tears.

She tried to calm her breathing and make her voice sound calm and even.

"What's up?"

"Nothing special, I just wanted to check if you're doing well. Are you still in the hospital?"

His concern and comfort brought tears to her eyes.

The person on the other end of the phone was silent for a moment, then sighed softly and said, "I'm fine, but how have you been lately?"

"Well, it's alright, not that bad," Xiang Yi said with a smile, but the deep pain in her heart was probably only known to herself.

Shen Che did not speak again.

Both of them fell into silence.

Xiang Yi felt awkward when she thought about Shen Che's attitude towards her, so she quickly changed the subject.

"Aren't you busy today?"

"Hmm," Shen Che replied indifferently, his tone distant. "There are some things that need to be resolved. I'll hang up now; you should get some rest."

He hung up the phone after he finished speaking, leaving Xiang Yiyi alone, staring blankly at her phone.

She stared at the phone screen where the call had been disconnected, unable to articulate her feelings for a long time.

Is he angry?

Why did she always feel that there was a thin film between them, as if the gap between them was getting deeper and deeper?

What are you talking about?

At this moment, Shen Mu had already walked over.

Xiang Yi snapped out of her daze, forced a smile, and put her phone away.

Shen Mu looked at her suspiciously and asked, "Who was it? Why did you hang up? It wasn't someone you like, was it?"

Xiang Yi shook her head.

She also harbored a secret in her heart.

Shen Mu didn't ask any more questions, but simply told her to go home early.

Xiang Yi nodded.

Watching his departing figure, a pang of sadness welled up in my heart again.

She couldn't help but ask herself, what were Shen Che's feelings for her—love or hate?

Perhaps, there isn't even love or hate...

Because he never made any promises or guarantees to himself.

He will only cause her trouble and create problems for her.

He just kept forcing her.

Moreover, when she was most helpless, he ignored her and left her to bear it all alone.

Therefore, there was absolutely no affection between her and him.

Xiang Yi sighed, a wave of bitterness washing over her.

Shen Che, I don't know if there's still a chance for us.

But let's forget about each other.

Forget our past grievances, forget the hurt we caused each other, forget the pain you inflicted on me.

Let's each live our own lives, okay?

......

One month later

On a sunny day, a black sedan drove towards the most bustling commercial street in City A.