Out of courtesy, Lin Xiao Tian did not use his full strength, merely restraining Cheng Li’s fist slightly.
However, this was Cheng Li’s full-powered punch. If Lin Xiao Tian didn't exert any force, it would be impossible to stop him. And it was precisely this sliver of strength that caused Cheng Li immense pain at that moment.
Cheng Li felt as if his fist was locked in a vice. The slightest exertion of force on his part would be met with a pain akin to bone-crushing pressure.
"Do... do you need something?"
Lin Xiao Tian calmly looked at Cheng Li.
Under normal circumstances, he would have taught Cheng Li a lesson by now. But today, they were guests, attending a gathering. To ensure Qin Yu Xiang had a pleasant time, Lin Xiao Tian did not wish to resort to violence.
Even if he had to, it would be after the party!
"Let go of me quickly!" Cheng Li said, feeling annoyed.
"Alright!" Lin Xiao Tian immediately released his grip.
But Cheng Li hadn't expected Lin Xiao Tian to actually let go. He reacted a moment too late and fell directly to the ground.
*Thump!*
Not only did Cheng Li fall, but due to his own momentum, he rolled several times on the ground.
When he finally picked himself up, he saw all his classmates looking at him, and his face turned beet red.
This was too embarrassing!
Cheng Li glared fiercely at Lin Xiao Tian.
"My apologies, you punched too quickly. Had I known, I would have helped you up," Lin Xiao Tian said with a polite smile.
Cheng Li was furious, but looking at Lin Xiao Tian, he was utterly helpless.
Fighting was clearly out of the question.
When Lin Xiao Tian had blocked his fist just moments ago, he hadn't even exerted much effort. If a real fight had broken out, his embarrassment would have been far greater than just a fall.
But accusing Lin Xiao Tian was also impossible.
Throughout the entire exchange, Lin Xiao Tian had done nothing out of line. His fall was his own fault. With Lin Xiao Tian in the right, arguing with him would be futile.
What if Lin Xiao Tian lost his temper? He would be the one to suffer.
After much thought, Cheng Li finally retreated to the side obediently, not responding to Lin Xiao Tian.
Lin Xiao Tian narrowed his eyes but said nothing more.
"Haha, why is everyone standing? Let's all sit down!" a classmate chimed in to ease the tension.
The other classmates readily agreed.
Cheng Fei Fei pulled Qin Yu Xiang to sit together, and Lin Xiao Tian naturally took a seat on Qin Yu Xiang's other side.
"Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Lin Xiao Tian," Lin Xiao Tian said with a slight smile. "I am Yu Xiang’s boyfriend."
Hearing Lin Xiao Tian's introduction, Qin Yu Xiang blushed slightly. However, she was gradually becoming accustomed to the title of "boyfriend."
As for the others, their reactions to Lin Xiao Tian's introduction varied.
The female students' attention was primarily focused on Lin Xiao Tian's appearance. Even in a crowd, someone as handsome as Lin Xiao Tian was instantly recognizable.
Compared to Lin Xiao Tian, the other men present seemed utterly outshone.
Such a handsome man was Qin Yu Xiang's boyfriend.
For a moment, the atmosphere became somewhat tinged with jealousy.
The male students, on the other hand, were more interested in Lin Xiao Tian's status.
Lin Xiao Tian's attire was simple, with no designer labels, and he didn't wear flashy gold chains or watches like some of them. Yet, his demeanor was refined, and his speech was neither humble nor arrogant – a bearing not typically possessed by someone from a remote mountain village.
Even without displaying any overt signs of wealth or status, Lin Xiao Tian commanded respect, making it impossible for anyone to underestimate him.
Just a few minutes ago, everyone had dismissed Qin Yu Xiang's boyfriend with disdain.
But now, no one dared to look down on Lin Xiao Tian.
Everyone realized that even if he revealed nothing, he was by no means someone they could easily trifle with.
Looking at Lin Xiao Tian, who remained calm and composed, Cheng Fei Fei was very pleased.
"Yu Xiang, congratulations!" Cheng Fei Fei whispered to Qin Yu Xiang.
"Congratulations for what?" Qin Yu Xiang asked, puzzled.
"Congratulations on finding such an excellent man like Xiao Tian."
"Fei Fei!"
Qin Yu Xiang playfully nudged Cheng Fei Fei, feeling a bit embarrassed.
The atmosphere became harmonious.
Only two people seemed out of place.
One was Cheng Li, who had just been put in his place by Lin Xiao Tian. His mind was filled with fantasies of crushing Lin Xiao Tian under his feet and basking in the admiration of the women.
But every time his fantasy reached a crucial point, Lin Xiao Tian's voice would forcefully pull him back to reality.
Cheng Li gritted his teeth and stealthily glanced at Qin Yu Xiang.
After so many years apart, Qin Yu Xiang had indeed become more beautiful.
Previously, it was just her face; now, it was her face and figure combined.
Unwittingly, Cheng Li even started to drool.
In contrast, Cheng Yu was more composed.
Although she watched Qin Yu Xiang's happiness with displeasure, she knew that Cheng Li was no longer a viable option, and Xiao Gang hadn't arrived to support them. Relying on her alone wouldn't achieve much.
However, even so, she didn't want Qin Yu Xiang to have an easy time.
"Oh?"
"Xiao Tian, did you just say you are Yu Xiang’s boyfriend?"
Cheng Yu looked at Qin Yu Xiang and Lin Xiao Tian with feigned interest.
"I recall Yu Xiang was married. Are you two still calling yourselves boyfriend and girlfriend even after marriage? How romantic!"
Cheng Yu said enviously. In reality, she had just learned from Xiao Gang that Qin Yu Xiang's husband was surnamed Li, while this handsome man in front of her was surnamed Lin.
Clearly, there was something to be made of this.
Since Xiao Gang wasn't here yet, she would make the first move.
Cheng Yu's question made Qin Yu Xiang's expression falter.
Did she have to reveal her divorce?
It wasn't something to be proud of, and Qin Yu Xiang didn't want to mention it.
But Cheng Yu's next words immediately broke her composure.
"I remember your husband's surname was Li, but if I recall correctly, Xiao Tian's surname is Lin. This..." Cheng Yu paused at the opportune moment.
It had to be said, her "green tea" performance was a perfect ten.
The image Lin Xiao Tian had just built up was now beginning to crumble under Cheng Yu's few sentences.
Qin Yu Xiang's face darkened.
She was already sensitive about her appearance, and with the conversation reaching this point, she knew she couldn't hide it anymore.
"I'm actually already..." Qin Yu Xiang intended to say she was divorced.
But before she could finish, Lin Xiao Tian interrupted her.
"Actually, we haven't gotten our marriage certificate yet, so we are currently referring to ourselves as boyfriend and girlfriend. I think this is perfectly fine. Yu Xiang is a rather traditional girl, and I respect her wishes."
"As for the surname issue you mentioned."
"I think... perhaps you are mistaken?"
Lin Xiao Tian looked at Cheng Yu.