C17 Carving

Inside the car, silence reigned. Chu Yang and Meng Jingxian were savoring the quiet when suddenly, the vehicle screeched to a halt, apparently striking an elderly person.

Chu Yang instructed Jingxian to remain in the car while he stepped out to assess the situation. Before he could utter a word, the old man pointed at him, accusing, "Your car hit me. You owe me compensation."

Onlookers, eager for a spectacle, quickly gathered around.

Chu Yang shut his eyes, inhaling deeply. The world's greatest challenge wasn't just encountering the unreasonable, but those who, despite being clearly in the wrong, persisted in their obstinacy, especially when they held a seemingly vulnerable status in the public eye.

"Madam, let me repeat myself. You were already on the ground before our car was anywhere near you. You're confused from the fall," Chu Yang said, moving to assist the seated elder, only to have his hand sharply slapped away.

"You're lying! It was your car that struck me. If I had merely fallen, why can't I stand?" the old man retorted.

The murmurs of the crowd grew louder, with some seizing the opportunity to voice their opinions, emboldened by the anonymity of the group. They shouted, as if casting blame on Chu Yang would somehow affirm their integrity.

"This is typical of the wealthy—hitting someone and refusing to own up," one spectator jeered.

"Such disrespect for the elderly!" another chimed in.

"Exactly, the poor woman has been on the ground all this time, and he hasn't even bothered to help her up," added a third.

A dissenting voice from the side piped up, "But didn't he just try to help her? She's the one who refused and pushed him away."

"With that arrogant air, do you really think he'd help someone? He's just putting on a show. You're probably one of his kind, defending them," someone accused the defender.

Jingxian watched the unfolding drama from the car, her head tilted. The vehicle's soundproofing was so effective that she couldn't hear a thing from outside. All she could see was the growing crowd, gesturing and talking animatedly. The old woman remained on the ground, unwilling or unable to rise, and the situation seemed to be escalating.

"Master, what's happening outside? Why isn't it over yet?"

Meng Jingxian's gaze was fixed outside, her lovely brows furrowed in concern.

The driver, seasoned from years on the road, had seen it all.

"Don't worry, Miss. The gentleman out there is dressed in expensive attire and drives a nice car; he's simply being targeted as an easy mark."

"That won't do. I need to see for myself." Meng Jingxian grew more anxious after hearing this. She reached for the door handle, ready to step out.

Outside was chaotic, and Meng Jingxian had only recently recovered from her illness. Though she was treated, no one could guarantee the duration of her wellness. A relapse during the commotion was a risk the driver couldn't take. He quickly locked the door, preventing the young heiress from exiting. Meng Jingxian tugged at the door, finding it locked. "Master, why have you locked the door?!"

"Miss, you've just recuperated. It's too risky with the chaos outside. And what assistance could you offer as a young lady? Mr. Xian seems to be handling the situation well; he might resolve it shortly. If you're recognized, you'll only add to the complications." The driver, aware of Meng Jingxian's special regard for the doctor who treated her, pressed on her vulnerabilities.

Meng Jingxian bit her lip, her large eyes blinking rapidly as she wrestled with indecision, but eventually, she relented.

"I'll wait and see how things unfold. Master, please unlock the door. I won't go out."

"Alright!"

With Meng Jingxian's concerns addressed, the driver turned his attention back to Chu Yang, who was making no headway.

A crowd buzzed with gossip and pointed fingers. If they truly cared, they would have lent a hand. Instead, they stood back, leaving the elderly lady in a void of indifference, as if an invisible barrier kept them at bay. Onlookers were busy recording and snapping photos, yet no one bothered to call the police or dial for emergency services.

Chu Yang's patience was wearing thin.

"Quiet down!" he commanded.

Until now, Chu Yang had been focused on assisting the fallen elderly woman, ignoring the surrounding criticism. But with his shout, those close by clamped their mouths shut, startled. The murmuring from the back ceased as the silence spread.

The individuals who had previously been causing a commotion were now visibly intimidated. The man ahead, with his fine clothes and luxury car, was clearly no ordinary individual. They knew they were out of their depth; if they truly enraged him, a few hired toughs and a wad of cash would easily settle any score.

In a moment of trepidation, they quickly tugged at their companions, retreating a couple of steps to increase the distance between themselves and the elderly woman ahead.

"Madam, if you're concerned about your injuries and the cost of medical care, I can take you to the hospital right now for comprehensive treatment. It won't take long, and I'll cover all the expenses," Chu Yang offered, his patience clearly wearing thin after being harangued for so long. His irritation was palpable, silencing the onlookers.

"No way! You wealthy folks might have time to spare, but my granddaughter is waiting for me to cook her dinner. She's about to get out of school. Should I just leave her locked out while I go to the doctor with you?"

Chu Yang's brow furrowed, and just as he was about to respond, he sensed something amiss. With a swift dodge, he reached out, grabbed the other person by the arm, and yanked, causing the man to stumble and nearly fall.

The man steadied himself and rose, glaring at Chu Yang with fiery eyes.

"Think you're something special with your money? You're just bullying people with the power of your ancestors. The old lady said she doesn't want to go with you. Why not just pay her the medical fees and be done with it?"

"Are you a doctor?"

"No! But can't you see she's hurt?"

"Fine, then you tell me: how severe is her injury, are there any internal damages, and how should we compensate her? How much money are we talking about?"

The man's face turned red with frustration as he pointed at Chu Yang, struggling to find the words. His fists clenched, ready to strike once more.

The tension outside was escalating, and a fight seemed imminent. Chu Yang could see that the man was strong and formidable, making it clear who had the upper hand. Chu Yang was Meng Jingxian's guest, and she couldn't bear the thought of him getting hurt on her account. Even if he could win the fight, the man had only intervened to defend the old lady. Any injury would only complicate matters for Chu Yang. With these thoughts racing through her mind, Jingxian couldn't stay put any longer. She flung open the car door and stepped out.

"Stop right there!"

"Ah, isn't that the young Miss Meng from the Meng family?"

Meng Jingxian was frequently ill and seldom left the house unless necessary. Her parents had tirelessly sought renowned doctors to treat her, and the local community was somewhat aware of her condition. The Meng residence wasn't far from here, and a few observant onlookers quickly recognized the girl before them as bearing a resemblance to the Meng family's ailing beauty.

"Quit the gossip. Isn't the girl from the Meng family bedridden? How could she possibly be out?"

"You're behind the times. She's already recovered."

"Why did you come out? Didn't I tell you to wait in the car?"

Though the question seemed like a scolding, it actually clarified why Meng Jingxian had remained in the car until now.

Moreover, the statement was straightforward, preventing others from suspecting that she was deliberately shirking any duty. Rather, it suggested that staying in the car was the expected behavior.

She was assuming full responsibility.

This subtle act of protection warmed Meng Jingxian's heart, further affirming her trust in the person before her.

"You're out here about to get into a fight, how could I not come out? This isn't your forte. I'll take care of it."

Before she could finish, she moved from in front of Meng Jingxian to her side. Meng Jingxian was puzzled but trusted Chu Yang enough not to question him further, simply looking up at him with a curious gaze.

"There's someone taking pictures."

In the midst of such chaos, it wasn't unusual for a couple of low-profile reporters to slip in. But such incidents typically didn't make headlines. Now, with the appearance of Miss Meng, especially seen in a car with an unfamiliar young man and displaying considerable closeness, the reporters envisioned a windfall. The prospect of promotions and salary raises seemed within reach, and they were thrilled.

Chu Yang gently tapped Meng Jingxian's head, "I've got this handled. You go take care of your own business."

Meng Jingxian nodded in agreement. Reporters snapping photos wasn't a major issue, but if someone with an agenda decided to spin a story, it could be far more problematic than a simple scam.

We absolutely cannot let him get away!

Meng Jingxian strode purposefully in the direction Chu Yang had indicated. The crowd parted for her, no one daring to obstruct her path, as if by unspoken agreement.

A reporter was eagerly reviewing his photos, lost in dreams of striking it rich, when he looked up and found Meng Jingxian standing right before him. Startled, he nearly dropped his camera, but quickly secured it.

"Sir, your unauthorized photography is a serious infringement of my portrait rights. Hand over the film," she said, her voice soft and gentle, yet her stance was unwavering and clear as she extended her right hand toward the reporter.

"Miss Meng, as journalists, we seek the truth in firsthand news. I must honor my profession, regardless of your consent," he replied with a tone of moral conviction.

"In that case, sir, can you assure me that your story is accurate and not sensationalized fiction designed to attract attention? Your actions could tarnish my reputation. If the information is false, my personal attorney will be in touch," Meng Jingxian countered, her mix of truth and bluffs sending the reporter into a sweat, his grip on the camera unyielding. The story was too significant for him to relinquish easily.

He fumbled with his camera, speechless. After a pause, he looked up at her, his gaze indecipherable, leaving her feeling distinctly uneasy.

"Regardless of what you say, Miss Meng, I cannot surrender the photos."

Silence fell around Meng Jingxian; no one dared to speak. Chu Yang's predicament was no better. As soon as Meng Jingxian appeared, the onlookers were more convinced than ever that he was exploiting the Meng family's influence to push people around. Some speculated that his relationship with Meng Jingxian was far from ordinary. Why else would she go to such lengths to defend him, risking her own reputation in the process?