Yan Xinxin shut her eyes tightly in fright, hugging herself as she leaned against the cold iron door behind her, when she suddenly heard a man's deafening scream, like the sound of a pig being slaughtered.
Her racing heart compelled her to open her eyes, where she saw the same arrogant man grimacing in pain, his face twisted in agony.
Yan Xinxin froze in shock and confusion before quickly turning to step back.
As she backed away and lifted her chin, her eyes immediately captured the breathtakingly stern face of someone—his presence radiating an icy aura!
Yan Xinxin gasped, her small mouth slightly agape.
Through the narrow bars of the iron door's gap, she saw Mo Chuxi's powerful right hand gripping the perverted man's paw that had been reaching towards her.
Dressed in a black shirt, his ruggedly handsome face bore a trace of a menacing chill, devoid of any other emotion.
His deep, impenetrable icy eyes pierced the man like sharp blades.
Yan Xinxin held her breath as she watched Mo Chuxi's elegant hand—its unseen force seemingly making the man howl in pain again and again.
"Let go, let go, quickly... ah!"
The sleazy man begged for mercy, his voice broken by his torment.
Mo Chuxi coldly flung his hand aside with a force so great the man staggered and nearly fell to the ground.
The other suspects confined behind the iron gate were stunned speechless by what they witnessed.
Sharp-eyed onlookers quickly recognized Mo Chuxi, their gazes shifting onto him all at once.
Mo Chuxi remained indifferent to their stares, his stern gaze returning from the man to Yan Xinxin. As he noticed her torn clothing, his brows furrowed slightly.
The guards hesitated briefly before stepping forward to unlock the iron door.
"Yan Xinxin, regarding the child trafficking case, it has been confirmed that you are not involved. You are free to leave."
The feeling of clearing her name and being vindicated washed over Yan Xinxin in that moment; it was bittersweet and overwhelming.
She felt like a student wrongfully accused of cheating by a teacher, her heart cluttered with conflicting emotions.
As Mo Chuxi spotted Yan Xinxin standing dazed and motionless, he strode forward with authority, his imposing presence causing the sleazy man to retreat several steps in fear.
Mo Chuxi extended his palm abruptly and clasped Yan Xinxin's cold hand. At that fleeting touch, Yan Xinxin froze in surprise, her wide, startled eyes darting up to meet his.
When her gaze collided with his warm and protective one, an instantaneous wave of security surged through her heart.
He held her hand firmly and led her decisively out of the space.
"Tsk, with a face like hers, she's only good for warming a man's bed,"
Just as Mo Chuxi and Yan Xinxin stepped past the iron gate, they heard the sleazy man mutter such words under his breath.
Yan Xinxin's steps faltered alongside Mo Chuxi's, as a suffocating chill surged forth. Before she could react, Mo Chuxi released her hand, turned abruptly, grabbed the man's collar, and dealt a bone-rattling punch to his face.
Even if it was true that Yan Xinxin was what the despicable man implied, starting now, she'd belong solely to Mo Chuxi!
With a thunderous "bang," the man hit the ground in a daze, while onlookers watching nearby winced instinctively as though feeling the punch themselves.
Yan Xinxin, too, was left completely stunned.
Having taught the man a harsh lesson, Mo Chuxi shot him a sharp, cutting glance and then casually turned away. As he reached Yan Xinxin, his long arm naturally slipped around her shoulders, pulling her protectively close as he strode forward powerfully.
Yan Xinxin, still reeling from the shock, could only follow stupidly in Mo Chuxi's steps, letting him hold her as they left this tumultuous place behind.
Night had long since fallen ominously around them, as Mo Chuxi walked with Yan Xinxin to his car.
A gust of night wind swept past, and Yan Xinxin couldn't help but sneeze softly, prompting Mo Chuxi's brows to knit together in concern. He reached out again, opening the car door and gently—albeit with a commanding air—pushed the slightly bewildered Yan Xinxin inside.