CHAPTER 124: CHAPTER 124: ACTING?

Looking at the ongoing commotion in the live stream, Xia Liang simply said, "You all think I’m just acting, don’t you? Fine. She asked me to go to the city’s Protectors Office to give a statement. No matter how impressive I am, I can’t have the Protectors put on an act for me."

After speaking, Xia Liang waved his hand, signaling Su Yi to hurry up and follow.

They left the milk tea shop, got into a car, and headed for the city’s Protectors Office. Xia Liang didn’t seem to be faking, which made Su Yi all the more curious.

"Wow, you’re so amazing! How did you realize they were child traffickers? When I first saw that video, I also thought it was a honey trap."

"It was nothing," Xia Liang replied with a calm smile.

He then explained the whole incident, omitting only the part about using his Appraisal Technique. His tone was casual and nonchalant, but Su Yi and the live stream audience were on the edge of their seats listening to the story.

Fortunately, thanks to someone’s earlier reminder, many people went to search for the video of Xia Liang beating up the traffickers on the street. With that, no one was ridiculing him anymore.

When Su Yi heard the dangerous parts of the story, her face turned pale. If Xia Liang had been just a bit weaker, then...

Even though Xia Liang was unharmed, Su Yi couldn’t help but complain, "Those people are despicable! They even target men!"

Xia Liang just chuckled. "It wasn’t a big deal, was it?"

The tense emotions came and went quickly. Soon, the live stream returned to its normal state of casual banter. Amidst the chit-chat, Xia Liang arrived at the Protectors Office.

They got out of the car and walked to the entrance, where Yun Bing was standing and waiting. Xia Liang walked ahead, with Su Yi quickly following.

When Yun Bing saw Xia Liang approaching, she smiled and extended her right hand. "We meet again, Mister Xia."

Since she was being so polite, Xia Liang naturally wouldn’t cause any trouble. "Yes, this is our third time, isn’t it, lovely Miss Yun?"

Being called beautiful was a common occurrence for her, but hearing the praise from Xia Liang made Yun Bing feel a little shy. They shook hands, letting go after only a moment.

When Yun Bing’s gaze shifted to Su Yi, who was standing beside Xia Liang, she asked with a hint of confusion, "Is this your sister?"

"No!"

Before Xia Liang could answer, Su Yi had already responded. She stared at Yun Bing with undisguised hostility. Just moments before, she hadn’t thought much of it, but now she instinctively saw Yun Bing as a rival.

A woman’s intuition is a terrifying thing. She could tell with a single glance. This female Protector was interested in *her* Xia Liang! If it were someone less impressive than her, she wouldn’t have cared. But the moment she saw Yun Bing, a sense of crisis overwhelmed her. In terms of looks, they were about equal. Even with her ’loli bonus,’ the other woman had a ’uniform bonus.’ In terms of aura, the other was a Protector—naturally more imposing. It was a complete defeat. Her only advantage was that they had only met three times, while she had already shared a bed with Xia Liang... though, frustratingly, nothing had happened.

She puffed out her chest and declared, "I am Xia Liang’s girlfriend."

????

For a moment, everyone, including the people in the live stream, was stunned.

"What did Su Sannian just say?"

"She said she’s Summer God Hao’s girlfriend?"

"For real?"

"Wait, that’s not right. Even if she is, why would she say it now?"

"I’m so confused..."

...

Finally, the two people on the scene reacted. Yun Bing’s gaze toward Xia Liang changed completely. Her hand slowly reached for a pair of silver bracelets, preparing to slip them onto his wrists.

"What are you doing?" Su Yi sensed something was wrong and quickly stood in front of Xia Liang, her arms spread wide to protect him.

"Little sister, step aside. I just want to take him inside for some questions," Yun Bing said, her eyes now filled with disappointment as she looked at Xia Liang.

Because she had rushed out of the car, Su Yi hadn’t switched to the front-facing camera. Now, Yun Bing’s face appeared in the live stream, instantly causing a commotion among the viewers.

"Oh my god! I think I’m in love!"

"What heavenly looks!"

"Now I get why Su Sannian said she was Summer God Hao’s girlfriend."

"So she met her match and got scared, trying to stake her claim!"

"If I had to choose, forget Sannian. This Protector girl has my heart!"

"+1."

"Only kids choose. A real adult takes both!"

...

"Stop it!" Xia Liang gently pushed Su Yi aside and said to Yun Bing, "She’s not my girlfriend. Her name is Su Yi. We’re just friends. I was planning on accompanying her for her stream today."

Although a bit puzzled, Yun Bing nodded and was about to greet Su Yi, but Su Yi immediately put on a pitiful act.

"Brother Xia~ are you going to cruelly abandon me like this? On the bed the other day, that’s not what you said... You said..."

Hearing this, Yun Bing’s expression changed again. She had a strong sense of justice and was absolutely intolerant of such matters, even if Xia Liang was a man she admired.

Her tone immediately grew several shades more serious. "Mr. Xia Liang, perhaps you need to explain this."

Xia Liang felt a bit helpless but didn’t blame Yun Bing. After all, that was the nature of a Protector’s job. He adopted a sterner tone.

"Su Yi!"

Hearing his sharp tone, Su Yi’s heart skipped a beat. Her previously aggrieved demeanor vanished. She stuck out her tongue, made a face at Xia Liang, and then pretended to be angry.

"Alright, alright! I won’t get in the way of your flirting, okay?"

Xia Liang helplessly pointed at Su Yi and explained, "That’s just how she is. She’s 22 years old, name’s Su Yi, a junior at Qingyun Music University. If you don’t believe me, I can have her show you her ID."

After Xia Liang finished, Yun Bing was mostly convinced. However, to live up to her identity as a Protector, and to ensure her perfect image of Xia Liang remained untarnished, she still looked toward Su Yi.

Su Yi knew that if she caused any more trouble now, Xia Liang would get genuinely angry. She boldly pulled out her ID card and handed it to Yun Bing. "Here."

Yun Bing took it, and after a quick glance, she breathed a sigh of relief. Then her gaze fell back on Su Yi.

The astute woman had already figured it out. The young woman in front of her saw her as a rival. She was using this opportunity to declare her interest in Xia Liang and to show off that their relationship was close enough to make these kinds of jokes, hoping to make her back down. Undeniably, even though she’d only met Xia Liang twice before, his image was deeply imprinted on her mind: smart, brave, strong, righteous, handsome, wealthy, and talented. If he had a girlfriend, she would have accepted it. But she’d just learned a new piece of information: Xia Liang was single. Given his earlier reaction, he definitely didn’t have a girlfriend. He was, quite simply, the perfect man.