{“Impartially, she also gave Shen Qi a slap.” 1}

A man is not enough to justify my reason for coming to you—

“It was from the moment you recklessly came toward me that I decided I had to hit you.”

“If you had even the slightest self-awareness or basic human decency, you’d always remember that it was I who raised your two helpless children. It was I who, while you indulged in your pleasures, tirelessly used my meager scholarship to ensure they didn’t starve to death during the harsh winters in America.”

Cheng Shuangyi was infuriated by the two swift slaps that left her no time to react.

She had initially planned to make Qian Xu “shut up” immediately, but she realized something terrifying—this woman before her was naturally savage. In the face of absolute power, Cheng Shuangyi knew she was no match. Her so-called “best friend,” Xu Jun, who she had brought along, turned out to be utterly useless—easily restrained with just a light pull by Qian Xu’s friend.

But she couldn’t suppress her anger.

Cheng Shuangyi’s eyes widened as the exaggerated logo earrings she wore swung with her movements. Taking a deep breath, she said, “Qian Xu, stop flaunting yourself everywhere. Is this how you often cozy up to Shen Qi, pretending to be innocent to gain his trust?”

Qian Xu had originally intended to stop.

But Cheng Shuangyi seemed truly oblivious to others’ boundaries.

Accustomed to a life of privilege and impunity, Cheng found it hard to believe that someone like Qian Xu would dare to lay a hand on her. She saw her excesses as a privilege of her station.

Qian Xu’s voice turned cold: “I already said, this has nothing to do with men. You keep dragging Shen Qi into this—what’s the point of that?”

Cheng Shuangyi visibly began to panic. Realizing what might come next, she quickly covered her swollen face with both hands.

“You dare to do it but don’t dare admit it?”

Cheng Shuangyi, nearly fleeing the scene, hesitated as she left. Her eyes burned with unwillingness, and she shot back a warning: “You’ll pay for everything you did today.”

Since childhood, her biological parents had treated her like a treasure, never once laying a finger on her.

Yet this coarse woman dared to treat her so harshly.

The reason she didn’t flip the table right then and there wasn’t due to restraint, but fear that Qian Xu might lose her mind and escalate things. She was alone, Xu Jun was useless—a liability who couldn’t even muster a defense in critical moments.

Cheng Shuangyi wasn’t the type to fight battles she couldn’t win. Since that was the case, she decided to leave and report everything to her lawyer.

She had expected Qian Xu to be somewhat audacious but never imagined her arrogance would reach such heights.

Qian Xu seemed to anticipate her thoughts: “My lawyer is always ready, Miss Cheng.”

However, Qian Xu was nothing like Cheng Shuangyi had assumed. Not only had she earned a degree in the U.S. (even if it was from a so-called “second-rate” university), but she also seemed well-versed in domestic law. She showed no signs of nervousness, appearing as though she had prepared for such situations, much like those diligent, annoying students in class who were always ready.

“When the time comes, I’d like to see what kind of punishment Miss Cheng will face for publicly insulting and slandering others.”

Qian Xu turned her face slightly, her expression shadowed by the lighting. She smiled faintly, and it was at that moment that Cheng Shuangyi realized Qian Xu was no simple character.

She had underestimated her opponent.

With a cold snort, Cheng Shuangyi prepared to drag the useless Xu Jun away. But as she turned, she noticed Shen Qi standing behind her.

Shen Qi stood calmly, creating the illusion that he was there to back her up.

For a moment, Cheng Shuangyi felt less aggrieved—thinking that her suffering hadn’t been in vain.

Another pair of eyes observed everything from the shadows, seeing clearly through the hypocrisy and malice hidden beneath Qian Xu’s facade.

Cheng Shuangyi immediately changed her tone, whining, “Ah Qi, this woman hit me…”

Shen Qi’s response was indifferent: “Then you were hit.”

But he didn’t completely distance himself from the situation. Walking unhurriedly between the two women, he seemed almost able to deduce what had transpired. The details of the argument no longer mattered—what mattered was that Qian Xu was willing to hit someone for him.

He slowed his steps, stopping in front of Qian Xu. Looking at her wrist with concern, he asked, “Does your hand hurt?”

Cheng Shuangyi would probably never forget this moment—Shen Qi, standing before her, showing concern not for her injuries but for the hand of the one who had struck her.

The sheer disparity in treatment was unbearable.