"Mom, I’m in the middle of a competition right now! Whatever you have to say, wait until I’m done!"
Song Song was extremely anxious. If it were a solo competition, it wouldn’t matter, but now three people were tied together.
She knew the result might be a loss, but even if they lost, it should be after giving their all, not being pulled off halfway.
In an instant, the mother and daughter became the focal point of everyone present, countless pairs of eyes watching them intently. Many media attendees raised their cameras, snapping away, thinking this was an exclusive scoop that would surely go viral!
Qiao Yu stood aside watching the abruptly appearing woman, her brows slightly furrowed. This woman was indescribably beautiful, and more importantly, she felt she had seen that face somewhere before but couldn’t recall where.
She quickly took out her phone and discreetly snapped a photo of the woman’s face.
Song Song’s words instantly touched Song Xueqin’s nerve. "Who allowed you to participate in this competition? And who allowed you to stand on that stage openly? I’ve told you since you were young, you’re not qualified, understand? Not qualified!"
"..."
Tears were welling up in Song Song’s eyes. She stood there, her small hands clenched tightly. "Mom, why can’t I? You know how much I love it, so why not? Is it that I really lack talent, or is there another reason?"
"As long as you can give me a reasonable explanation, I’m willing to never touch it again!"
Song Xueqin stared at her daughter, her eyes complicated, speaking coldly, "There’s no reason! My words are the reason. If I say you can’t, you can’t!"
"Mom, you can’t..."
Halfway through her sentence, Song Song saw the raised hand and instinctively closed her eyes.
"Slap!—
But the anticipated slap did not land on her face. She opened her eyes in confusion to see the man’s broad back and familiar stance.
At that moment, the only thought in Song Song’s mind was that he was protecting her, taking the slap from her mother on her behalf.
The tears in her eyes couldn’t be held back any longer, falling silently yet as forceful as crashing waves.
Everyone present was stunned, all with mouths agape, even Zhou Yunxian’s expression was intriguing.
Song Xueqin hadn’t expected to hit the wrong person, feeling embarrassed for a moment, "Mr. Xiao, I’m sorry. I intended to hit my ungrateful daughter. Why did you rush over?"
Even after taking a slap, Xiao Jinghuai’s expression remained composed, dominating the room with his powerful presence. "Aunt, this is a live broadcast now. It’s not appropriate for you to do this. Let Song Song finish the competition first, then discuss whatever you need to afterward."
"No way! I absolutely disagree!" Song Xueqin insisted.
She grabbed Song Song, who was being shielded by Xiao Jinghuai, "Let’s go!"
"Mom..."
Song Song stumbled as she was dragged away, continually turning back to the man for help. Seeing the faint redness on his face made her heart ache inexplicably, as if it hurt more than if she’d been slapped herself.
In a small voice, she said, "Uncle, I’m sorry!"
Xiao Jinghuai understood the girl’s lip read, his gaze fiery as he watched the girl being forcibly dragged out of the competition area.
It seemed the situation was much more severe than he had imagined.
Once outside, Song Song tried to break free, but her strength was too weak, and she was no match for Ms. Song.
Song Xueqin strode ahead, "What exactly is your relationship with that man, that he would silently take a slap from me in front of so many people?"
Song Song’s heart tightened, her small mouth slightly open, "He, he is..."