Chapter 61 What Right Does He Have to Represent Qin Shuyi?

Chapter 61: By What Right Did He Represent Qin Shuyi

The man, who looked aloof and cold, held Qin Shuyi firmly in his arms in a completely protective stance.

The heavy ceiling light crashed onto his back, and decorative pieces scraped across the back of his neck, leaving glaring red marks.

He didn't utter a sound, merely shielding the woman in his embrace completely.

Screams broke out in the cafe, but Chi Yu's mind flashed back to the positions everyone had been in just moments before.

His reaction had been swift, yet the man who had already turned away moved even faster to save her. This could only mean that man had been silently watching Qin Shuyi all along, and when danger struck, his body moved on instinct before his mind could catch up.

Meanwhile, Shi Qilan, standing at the periphery, remembered the names of the blind date couple next door in that split second.

Initially, her mind was on the collaboration proposal, and the woman's name had only rung a faint bell, without really registering it.

But now she remembered—Miss Qin, wasn't that Qin Shuyi?!

She was certainly aware of this person, but given what happened with Tao Wangxi, she hadn't specifically had anyone look deeply into her.

Moreover, in Shi Qilan's view, if anyone was least likely to remain entangled with an ex, it was Ling Jue.

Yet at this moment, she cast a meaningful glance at Ling Jue, who had suddenly erupted with benevolence and self-sacrifice.

Tsk tsk, it seemed everyone had misjudged.

...

Qin Shuyi, still dazed, found herself falling into a familiar embrace, followed by chaotic cries, a muffled groan from the impact, and the faint scent of blood.

Cafe staff rushed over anxiously. "Sir, are you alright?"

Ling Jue, frowning, released Qin Shuyi.

"I'm fine."

He offered no explanation for saving her, as if he had merely rescued a stranger on a whim.

Straightening up, he walked straight out, injuries and all.

Shi Qilan quickly spoke up. "Master Jue, let me take you to the hospital."

After all, she was the one who had chosen this place. If he were seriously injured, she couldn't bear the responsibility.

"Unnecessary," Ling Jue replied coldly.

Shi Qilan gritted her teeth.

That heavy "thud" she heard sounded painful; how could he possibly be fine?

Men. Too proud for their own good.

But she was helpless; when Ling Jue refused to do something, no one could persuade him otherwise.

The staff also seemed hesitant to speak.

"Ling Jue." A cool, clear female voice called out to him.

The man with his back to the crowd halted his steps.

Qin Shuyi's brows were tightly knit. "You're injured; it needs treatment."

Ling Jue's body tensed. "It's none of your concern."

Qin Shuyi looked at his retreating back, took a deep breath, and said, "You got hurt saving me. Are you sure you don't want me to ask, don't want me to care, want me to simply not mind?"

...

Ling Jue clenched his fists at his sides.

He knew that if he said yes,

Qin Shuyi would truly let go immediately and push this matter out of her mind.

As for any debt of gratitude for saving her life—someone who didn't even cherish himself would only make her angry when she thought of him later.

No one in the cafe spoke, their eyes drifting among the several exceptionally attractive men and women.

Shi Qilan watched with keen interest, while Chi Yu glanced at the two in a standoff, not stepping forward to interrupt, lost in his own thoughts.

Ling Jue wasn't the type to be easily persuaded. Just as Shi Qilan thought he would continue walking out the door, the man turned around, slowly walked back, and silently returned to his original seat where he had been drinking coffee.

Even though he still wore that aloof, unapproachable demeanor, Shi Qilan could detect a hint of helpless, aggrieved obedience about him.

She was amused.

Qin Shuyi's expression also softened slightly.

She first asked a server for an emergency first-aid kit, then left Special Assistant Li's contact information with them to handle subsequent compensation matters.

Then she looked at Chi Yu, her eyes apologetic. "I'm sorry, I can't leave just yet. He just helped me; I need to make sure he's alright."

Chi Yu nodded understandingly. "It's fine, but..." He smiled slightly. "With a doctor right here, perhaps I can be of some assistance?"

Seeing Qin Shuyi ask for the first-aid kit, he knew she likely intended to stop Ling Jue's bleeding first.

Qin Shuyi's eyes lit up.

Of course, it would be best if Chi Yu could help.

Chi Yu walked closer to her with a smile, reassuring, "It's alright. Let me take a look at this Good Samaritan first, then we can take him to the hospital together later."

His words subtly grouped the two of them together.

Qin Shuyi then looked inquiringly at Shi Qilan, as she was the one who had come with Ling Jue.

Shi Qilan smiled broadly and generously. "That's perfect. Having a doctor here puts my mind at ease. I was worried I wouldn't know how to treat the wound."

As their conversation ended, a server came jogging over with the medical kit.

However, when Chi Yu approached the table, ready to open it and retrieve the tools, another pair of slender hands—not forceful, yet resolute in attitude—pressed down on the lid.

The two men, one seated and one standing, one stern and the other gentle, caused the air to shift subtly once again.

Chi Yu remained unperturbed. "Sir, your injury requires prompt professional treatment."

Ling Jue did not release his hold. "A minor injury hardly warrants troubling an orthopedic surgeon."

Chi Yu's gaze darkened.

Just as he thought, those interjections from next door were no coincidence.

He smiled. "Don't worry about it. You saved Shuyi, after all, so checking you over is the least I can do."

An even colder air settled around Ling Jue.

*Shuyi?* Getting that familiar on a first meeting—this guy was clearly no good.

Had they even known each other two hours?

And who gave him the right to treat *me* on Qin Shuyi's behalf?

Shi Qilan glanced from one to the other, her eyes darting thoughtfully before she turned a beaming smile toward Qin Shuyi.

"Miss Qin, Master Jue seems pretty suspicious of strangers. Why don't you do the honors?"

She bet that even if this male doctor were Hua Tuo reincarnated today, Ling Jue wouldn't let him lay a finger on him.

In contrast, if it were Miss Qin, even if she treated him straight into the emergency room, he'd probably just say he was too fragile.

Qin Shuyi could only sigh in resignation.

Ling Jue could really be such a child sometimes.

Was a doctor really going to do a worse job than she, an *embalmer*, would?

She gently patted Chi Yu's forearm. "Don't worry, I've got this."

Chi Yu paused, then stepped aside.

Qin Shuyi stood by the table, looking down at Ling Jue, whose lips were pressed tightly together. "Hand. Off."

Ling Jue lifted his hand from the medical kit.

Next, Shi Qilan and Chi Yu witnessed the man who had just been as stubborn as a mule obeying every order.

Qin Shuyi told him to turn around, and he turned; told him to take off his jacket, and he took it off; told him to lower his head, and he lowered it.

He was so obedient he seemed like a different person from the intimidating man of moments before.

The injury on Ling Jue's back from being hit needed an X-ray at the hospital, so it wasn't a good time to remove his clothes for inspection. Qin Shuyi focused on treating the cut on the back of his neck.

Seeing the wound, the furrow between her brows deepened.

Fortunately, the shard hadn't pierced deeply, but it had left a gash half the length of her palm. While he had been stubbornly resisting, it had kept bleeding, staining the white collar of his shirt red.

Thinking of how he had acted as if nothing was wrong earlier, she cleaned and bandaged the wound with some annoyance, applying a bit more pressure than necessary to stop the bleeding.

A tremor ran through Ling Jue's body.

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