Chapter 254: Tension is high as if swords are drawn and bows are cocked Chapter 254: Tension is high as if swords are drawn and bows are cocked Nian Xun squinted his eyes with an indignant expression.

Under normal circumstances, Meng Fan would likely be in trouble.

However, today he was willing to be magnanimous on account of the other party being Wen Zhi’s friend and decided not to fuss about it.

His gaze fell on Wen Zhi, softening slightly as he extended his hand and said, “Let’s go.”

Wen Zhi looked at the hand Nian Xun extended, and somewhat unexplainably, placed her hand in his.

“No way! Zhizhi, don’t go with him, he’s a bad man!” Meng Fan immediately pulled Wen Zhi’s hand back.

Wen Zhi turned and looked at Meng Fan with eyes full of confusion, “A bad man?”

Seeing how obedient and soft Wen Zhi appeared, Meng Fan’s ‘maternal instincts’ overflowed as he nodded vigorously, “Yes, he’s a bad man, I am your best friend.”

Nian Xun’s gaze darkened, “Wen Zhi!”

It was the first time in months that Wen Zhi had heard Nian Xun call her name in such an angry tone.

Wen Zhi’s heart skipped a beat, and she almost immediately turned towards Nian Xun, responding, “I’m here.”

Nian Xun’s face was frosty, “Forgot what I said before we left the house?”

Wen Zhi quickly shook her head, “I haven’t forgotten, I remember everything.”

Nian Xun’s tone grew even colder, “Remember but still not coming here?”

Wen Zhi’s voice wilted as she replied with an ‘oh’, then pulled her hand out of Meng Fan’s and walked towards Nian Xun.

Meng Fan watched as Wen Zhi pried her hand away, forbidding any further touch, and grew increasingly anxious, “Zhizhi…”

Wen Zhi felt reluctant, but still resolutely returned to Nian Xun’s side and said honestly to Meng Fan, “Let’s meet up later; I have to listen to Nian Xun now, otherwise he won’t take me out anymore.”

Upon hearing this, Nian Xun: “…”

Meng Fan’s eyes widened as she glanced at Nian Xun and then back at Wen Zhi, this time she forcefully pulled Wen Zhi toward her, “Oh, so you were threatening Zhizhi.”

As Meng Fan pulled Wen Zhi back, Nian Xun also took action, grabbing Wen Zhi’s wrist.

Just like that, Wen Zhi was caught between the two, with Meng Fan and Nian Xun each holding one of her hands, neither willing to let go.

The atmosphere was as tense as drawn swords.

Nian Xun had two subordinates behind him, he directly commanded, “Get this woman out of here!”

The subordinates obeyed, moving toward Meng Fan.

Meng Fan, seeing the two men approaching her aggressively, knew she was about to face trouble but refused to let go since she had only just reunited with Wen Zhi and needed to protect her.

One of the men placed a hand on Meng Fan’s shoulder and applied some force, “Miss, since you’re not being sensible, I apologize for the offense.”

Meng Fan’s shoulder began to ache, but she held on firmly.

As the man applied force once again.

Along with a scream of “Ah—”, someone fell to their knees.

Meng Fan, startled by the scream, broke out in a cold sweat and instinctively closed her eyes.

She felt someone embrace her.

It was a very warm, familiar embrace, giving her a sense of security.

When she opened her eyes, she saw a face filled with worry approaching closer, close enough for his breath to spray upon her face.

She swallowed and called out meekly, “Zhizhi…”

Seeing Meng Fan about to cry, Wen Zhi hurriedly patted her back and softly comforted, “Don’t cry now.”

Meng Fan’s voice was choked with emotion, “I knew you would protect me.”

The man earlier had gripped her shoulder so tightly, she thought it was the end.

Just thinking about the frightening moment, she heard Wen Zhi say, “It wasn’t me just now, it was your… boyfriend.”

Wen Zhi didn’t know the relationship between Meng Fan and Rong Huaishen, but she presumed they were a couple?

At this, Meng Fan’s sobbing hitched, and she looked up at Wen Zhi, “My boyfriend?”

Wen Zhi pointed at the man standing next to Meng Fan.

Meng Fan turned her head and saw Rong Huaishen standing beside her at some point.

Rong Huaishen was tall and imposing, his mere presence brought an intangible oppression.

Especially at that moment, his expression cold as frost, it sent shivers down one’s spine.

“Mr. Nian, you are reprimanding my wife in my presence, don’t you think you owe me a reasonable explanation?” Rong Huaishen asked coldly.

Nian Xun met Rong Huaishen’s gaze, his smile not quite reaching his eyes, “So this is Mrs. Rong.”

It wasn’t that Nian Xun couldn’t tell, from the moment Rong Huaishen appeared, he knew this woman was associated with Rong Huaishen.

However, he had always been unrestrained by custom and would not openly break face unless necessary, but if someone angered him, he would teach them a lesson regardless of their status.

Rong Huaishen stepped forward, stopping right in front of Nian Xun. The two men were of similar height, their imposing auras clashing evenly.

“You must have seen what happened just now, Mr. Rong,” Nian Xun slowly stated, implying that Meng Fan was unreasonable first.

Rong Huaishen’s narrow eyes slightly narrowed, “I only saw Mr. Nian ordering his men to lay hands on my wife.”

Nian Xun’s expression still bore a smile, “Wasn’t she stopped by Mr. Rong?”

Rong Huaishen, “A hand on the shoulder is already laying hands.”

The last traces of a smile disappeared from Nian Xun’s face, “What would Mr. Rong like to do about this?”

When two equally matched men confront each other, resolution through brute force is often the most straightforward.

But clearly, the current situation did not allow it.

In the end, the ones to calm down this furious dispute were Wen Zhi and Meng Fan.

Wen Zhi pulled Nian Xun away.

Meng Fan pulled Rong Huaishen away.

Inside the elevator, Wen Zhi immediately let go of Nian Xun’s hand. She stole a glance at his cold expression, coughed lightly twice, and said, “You were indeed wrong just now.”

Nian Xun glanced sideways at her, eyes full of a stern warning.

Wen Zhi’s neck retracted in fright, but she still bravely stated, “You were wrong. No matter what, a man should be a gentleman and should not bully a woman.”

Nian Xun’s expression turned as cold as a storm brewing, his cold laugh sounded, “What, do you no longer wish to go out?”

Wen Zhi shut her mouth.

Nian Xun, seeing Wen Zhi finally understanding, showed a hint of satisfaction.

But soon, Wen Zhi, who had quieted down out of prudence, opened her mouth again due to stubbornness, raising her voice, “Go out then! If you are going to threaten me like this every time, do I have to bow down to your tyranny every time? I refuse!”

Nian Xun scoffed, “Very principled. Just remember what you’re saying now.”

“I’ll remember,” Wen Zhi answered quickly, her heart fluttering with unease.

She knew Nian Xun would do as he said. But since she had voiced her defiance, she naturally wouldn’t retract and appease him now.

She decided, if he must be so authoritarian, then she would drive him mad; after all, he cared most about his reputation in public.

The elevator ‘dinged’ as it arrived at the floor of the Dragon Phoenix Hall.

Nian Xun stepped out first, Wen Zhi cautiously followed behind him.

In another elevator,

Meng Fan stood beside Rong Huaishen, not daring to get too close, only occasionally stealing glances at his expression.

“If you have something to say, say it,” Rong Huaishen said coldly.

Meng Fan swallowed hard, finally gathering courage to ask, “Did you really stand up for me just now?”

Rong Huaishen glanced sideways, speaking indifferently, “Stand up for you?”

Just hearing his tone, Meng Fan already felt heartbroken.

She should have known better than to ask.

Pretending that he defended her would have brought some joy, but now, there was no joy, only more distress to herself.

Meng Fan withdrew her gaze, her expression slightly awkward, “Of course, I know you were doing it for your own reputation. After all, Mrs. Rong being bullied right in front of Mr. Rong is clearly a slap in Mr. Rong’s face.”

Rong Huaishen did not respond, which was not a denial.