Chapter 222 The Ruthless Patriarch 31 (1/2)

Zi Xi's cold gaze slowly swept over the faces of those who had been the most vocal in their commotion just moments before, but now they were all looking away from her with guilty consciences.

These classmates may have misunderstood something based on Lin Chen's few words, or perhaps they meant well.

But more or less, they were all just watching the show.

Zi Xi's words weren't particularly harsh, but every single one felt like a slap across her classmate's hypocritical face.

Pei Mozhi's tense body relaxed almost imperceptibly the moment Zi Xi spoke angrily.

The arm that was wrapped around Zi Xi's waist adjusted its position slightly, no longer the kind of restraint that almost strangled Zi Xi, but a support full of protective meaning.

He tilted his head slightly, his chin gently resting on the top of Zi Xi's head. This silent yet incredibly clear gesture declared to everyone the undeniable intimacy between them.

"Sister Xixi, it's so noisy here, and the air doesn't smell good either. Shall we go home?"

Pei Mozhi spoke again, his voice still deliberately soft, hoarse with a hint of grievance.

This masterful skill in handling green tea left Zi Xi with no energy left to look at the colorful faces of her classmates.

Zi Xi responded softly with an "okay".

Pei Mozhi carefully used his arm to protect Zi Xi's shoulder, while his other hand still tightly gripped her wrist, encircling her in his arms in an absolutely protective posture.

Pei Mozhi turned his head, his gaze no longer showing any grievance or vulnerability, but only a tangible warning, as he slowly swept his gaze over these so-called classmates.

However, just as they were about to walk through the crowd toward the door, Pei Mozhi paused almost imperceptibly.

His gaze was sharp as a hawk's, instantly fixing on a man in the crowd who was trying to shrink back, and on an unopened bottle of mineral water on the table in front of that man.

"Baby, who... is that person?"

Pei Mozhi turned his head, his voice extremely low, carrying a seemingly casual intimacy, his lips almost touching Zi Xi's earlobe, his breath warm.

He gave a precise look to the man whose expression suddenly became somewhat tense.

"Li Feng is our class's academic representative."

Zi Xi looked in the direction of his gaze, puzzled.

Why did Pei Mozhi suddenly ask this?

Did he hear some shocking inner monologue again?

Pei Mozhi did not answer her question, but instead held Zixi and continued walking as if he were just casually passing by Li Feng's table.

In the instant they brushed past each other, he acted completely naturally, as if he were just extremely thirsty, and reached out to pick up the bottle of mineral water on the table.

Without the slightest hesitation, he unscrewed the cap, tilted his head back, and gulped it down.

The Adam's apple bobbed rapidly with each swallow, and the cold liquid vanished quickly.

He drank the entire bottle of water in just a few gulps.

The empty bottle was carelessly tossed back onto the table with a soft thud.

The whole process was so fast it happened in the blink of an eye.

After doing all this, Pei Mozhi slowly turned his head, his gaze precisely capturing Li Feng's face, which had instantly lost all color.

Pei Mozhi's lips curled into a very shallow, provocative arc.

This sudden action stunned Zi Xi, and her doubts reached their peak.

"It's nothing, I'm just thirsty. Let's go."

Pei Mozhi withdrew his gaze, tightened his embrace around Zi Xi, and walked away without stopping for a moment.

*

"Baby, sit down, I'll go get you a glass of water."

After returning home, Pei Mozhi spoke with his back to Zi Xi, his voice returning to its usual lazy tone.

But if you look closely, you can see that his neck has started to turn red and warm.

As Zi Xi watched his retreating figure disappear into the kitchen, a strange feeling lingered in her heart.

He was a little unsteady when he got out of the car, and he felt like something was wrong.

The sound of running water from the faucet came from the kitchen, followed by the crisp sound of glasses clinking together.