"No, just a tear in my clothes."
Qin Si Ye glanced down at her, then took her small hand and started running forward.
"We can't stay here long, let's go quickly."
Shen Xi's heart trembled slightly. She wanted to pull her hand away, but feared she wouldn't be able to keep up.
It was better to escape this place quickly; nothing else mattered.
She was wearing casual clothes and flat shoes today. Although her strides weren't as large as Qin Si Ye's, she could still manage to keep up.
The two of them quickly ran out of the alley and onto the main street. There weren't many people on the street at this time; it was bustling.
Suddenly, someone behind them shouted loudly, "Chase them! They're over there."
Qin Si Ye looked back and saw over a dozen men in black rushing towards them.
He immediately quickened his pace, still pulling Shen Xi's hand as they ran forward.
Just then, they passed a bar, from which cheerful music and singing were emanating.
Qin Si Ye paused his steps and pulled Shen Xi inside.
A costume party was being held there, and everyone who entered received a mask at the entrance.
Qin Si Ye quickly grabbed two masks, put one on himself and one on Shen Xi, and pulled her inside.
As they reached an inconspicuous corner, they heard gruff voices at the main entrance, "Move aside! We're looking for someone. If anyone dares to stop us, we'll tear down your bar."
Qin Si Ye immediately took off his suit jacket and draped it over Shen Xi. He then pushed her against the wall, put his right arm around her neck, and leaned in slightly towards her.
The moment their eyes met, Shen Xi's eyes widened in astonishment, and her body stiffened.
What was this man doing?
"Don't move, it will be over in a moment." Qin Si Ye cast a lingering glance at her and then whispered into her ear.
Their movements were so intimate that, from another direction, they appeared to be a couple being affectionate.
At that moment, several men in black found them. The leader patted Qin Si Ye on the shoulder.
Qin Si Ye slowly turned around, his voice immediately switching to a Xicheng accent, "What? Haven't you seen people being affectionate before?"
The man took a closer look at them, quickly withdrew his hand, and a slight smile touched his lips, "Sorry, you continue."
He then led his group in another direction.
Qin Si Ye turned back and met Shen Xi's slightly angry gaze. He pretended not to see it, took her hand, and continued inside, running out of the bar through the back door.
The man in black stopped shortly after leaving.
Someone behind him asked, "Brother Yong, what's wrong?"
"Something's not right. Those two had a problem. They were both wearing masks, how could they be so intimate? It must be them, hurry back." The leader, addressed as Brother Yong, immediately turned and ran back to where they had been.
Upon arriving, they only saw the suit jacket that had slipped to the ground. Qin Si Ye and Shen Xi were nowhere to be seen.
Brother Yong, furious, punched the wall. "Ah! This Qin Si Ye is truly cunning."
"Brother Yong, what should we do now?" someone asked.
"A few of you go block the front entrance, the rest of you follow me to the back door." Brother Yong reorganized their deployment.
Outside, a fine drizzle was falling.
Qin Si Ye led Shen Xi through several alleys. Seeing that she was already breathless and could no longer run, he finally stopped.
They took off their masks and gasped for air.
After a minute, their breathing gradually evened out.
"Mr. Qin, wasn't what you did just now a bit too much?" Shen Xi stood up straight, looking at him angrily.
He knew it; with her personality, she would definitely settle the score later.
Qin Si Ye said with an apologetic expression, "I'm sorry, I apologize. It was just a panicked reaction at the time, I had no intention of taking advantage of you."
"Hmph!" Shen Xi glared at him and turned her face away, but her peripheral vision caught a patch of bright red on the white shirt of his left arm.
Her heart tightened. She immediately walked over, picked up his arm, and checked it. "You're bleeding."