"You're our boss's granddaughter, so naturally, we can't stand by and see you wronged. Lift your head up," Liu Xian hissed.
Mu Anxiao frowned and tilted her face up to look at Liu Xian. "Are you crazy? I just wanted to..."
"Your nose," Liu Xian interrupted, pointing to Mu Anxiao's nose. He then glanced left and right at Mu Anxiao's reddened cheeks. "What exactly did you do?"
Mu Anxiao looked at Liu Xian's exaggerated expression and felt the pain on her face again. She said, "Can you give me a mirror?"
"This..." Liu Xian cautiously glanced at Fan Yan, who was giving him a subtle signal, and said, "Perhaps not."
"If you give it to me, I'll tell you," Mu Anxiao stated firmly.
Liu Xian's eyes darkened, and he nodded. "Alright, I'll give you the mirror." He then pulled a small folding mirror from his pocket.
Fan Yan nudged Liu Xian with his elbow. "Don't give it to her. She won't be able to handle it."
"It's fine," Liu Xian replied. He stepped forward, bent down, and offered the small mirror to Mu Anxiao. "Here."
Mu Anxiao took the small mirror, unfolded it, and looked inside. She bared her teeth. "Oh, I've been beaten this badly." As she spoke, she gently touched her bruised and reddened nose, hissing in pain.
"Who hit you?"
"Feng Qishi's mother," Mu Anxiao said, looking at herself.
"Ah?" Liu Xian exclaimed, turning to Fan Yan. "Was Feng Qishi that brat who smashed our wall?"
"Yes," Fan Yan nodded and asked, "Why did she hit you?"
"Her second son disrespected me, so I beat him up, and then she hit me," Mu Anxiao said, lowering the mirror and looking at the two of them. "Consider it even."
"You're too good-natured," Liu Xian said, stepping forward and crouching in front of Mu Anxiao. "Take me to her tomorrow. You're entitled to medical expenses."
"This is my business," Mu Anxiao said coldly.
Liu Xian's expression stiffened. "Aren't I showing concern for you?"
"My injuries don't require medical expenses, and even if I received compensation, I wouldn't share a single cent with you," Mu Anxiao said, instantly guessing Liu Xian's ulterior motive.
Liu Xian pouted and reached out to snatch the mirror. "Though we haven't known each other long, seeing you like this pains me."
"If I weren't your boss's granddaughter, you probably wouldn't have spared me a glance. In other words," Mu Anxiao said, "you'd just make wild guesses and wouldn't truly care about me."
Liu Xian felt awkward.
Fan Yan glanced at Liu Xian. "Don't let his usual flippant demeanor fool you; he's very caring. Saying that about him," he looked at Liu Xian, "is quite unfair."
Hearing Fan Yan's words, Mu Anxiao tilted her head and fixed her gaze on Liu Xian, who had stood up. "You're a good person, very kind. I can see that. Please don't take my earlier words to heart, but I believe they were also your honest thoughts."
Liu Xian chuckled at Mu Anxiao's muddled apology. "I admit that's what I was thinking, but I am also concerned about your injuries. You see, when I first came to the city, I was also bullied. I endured it back then, just like you. But seeing you like this reminded me of my past self." He lowered his gaze and continued, "I just want to tell you, as a young woman out there forging your own path, it's not easy. Protect yourself."