As Li Na walked out of the school gates, Xiao Mei and her friends called out to her. Li Na tried to ignore them and walk away, but they quickly caught up to her and surrounded her.
"Hey, Li Na, we just want to talk to you," Xiao Mei said, trying to sound friendly.
Li Na was too tired to deal with their antics and replied, "No thanks, I have to go home and study. "Li Na knew better than to trust them.
Xiao Mei and her friends exchanged a knowing look, and Li Na knew that they had something planned. Before she could react, they grabbed her arms and started dragging her towards a deserted alleyway.
As they dragged her to towards the alley, Li Na noticed that they had a bucket of water and some eggs with them.
"What are you doing?" Li Na shouted as they pushed her against the wall.
"We just want to teach you a lesson," Xiao Mei hissed, as she picked up an egg. "We're just having a little fun, Li Na. Don't be such a spoilsport."
As Xiao Mei and her friend were about to throw the egg at Li Na, a loud roar suddenly echoed through the alleyway, causing them to turn around in surprise. They watched a sleek silver Rolls-Royce Ghost pull up, and the window pulled down to reveal the cold and handsome face.
He looked at them with a sharp gaze and said, "I suggest you put that egg down and leave this place. Now."
Xiao Mei felt a bit of fear as she saw the man's cold and handsome face. She stubbornly clutched the egg, "Who are you to tell us what to do? This is none of your business."
Tang Zheng replied with a piercing gaze, "This is my business now. You're causing trouble and disturbing the peace."
Xiao Mei scoffed, "Oh really? What are you going to do about it? Are you going to stop me?"
Tang Zheng stepped out of the car with a graceful stride, his muscular body exuding a menacing aura. His eyes flashed as he said, "If I have to, I will."
Xiao Mei felt a cold sweat on her forehead as she saw him standing up close. She didn't want to look like a coward in front of her followers, so she squared her shoulders and glared at him. She called out to her friends, who looked at each other nervously. They weren't so brave anymore, but they reluctantly gathered around her.
Tang Zheng put his hand in his pocket and remained unruffled. "I suggest you drop that egg and walk away before things get ugly," he said coolly.
Tang Zheng turned to his assistant, who was standing a few feet away, and gestured him to handle the situation with Xiao Mei.
Tang Zheng assistant, a towering man with a stern look on his face, approached Xiao Mei and her friends. He spoke in a low and threatening voice, "Who gave you the right to attack someone in broad daylight? Do you know who you're dealing with?"
Xiao Mei and her friends cowered, overpowered by the two men's towering figures. They wondered if they would be beaten up. They stammered out apologies and hastily ran away, leaving Li Na and Tang Zheng alone in the alley.
As the girls fled, Tang Zheng turned to Li Na and their eyes met. He looked at Li Na, and she couldn't help but feel her heart race.
"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice deep and smooth.
Li Na nodded again, grateful she said softly, "Thank you for stepping in."
Tang Zheng merely nodded, his expression still unreadable. "It was nothing," he replied curtly.
Li Na smiled, feeling grateful for his help. "I owe you one,"
Tang Zheng nodded. "Don't worry about it. Just be careful next time."
"I would have beaten the crap out of them even if you hadn't showed up." she turned to the direction the fled.
Tang Zheng looked at her expression and a small smile formed on his face.
As Tang Zheng's assistant watched the scene unfold, he saw a rare sight: his boss's lips curling up into a small smile. His eyes widened in shock and disbelief, hardly able to believe what he was seeing.
He quickly adjusted his expression "I'll be on my way."
Tang Zheng walked away from Li Na and headed to his car, his assistant following close behind. The assistant opened the car door for Tang Zheng, who got in and shut the door. The car drove away, leaving Li Na standing there, watching it disappear into the distance.
A couple minutes ago
Tang Zheng had just finished a business meeting in the same district as Li Na's school. As he was walking towards his car, he heard a commotion coming from a nearby alleyway Tang Zheng's sharp senses immediately picked up on the sound of girls arguing.
Curiosity getting the best of him, Tang Zheng walked towards the alleyway, when he heard the sound of an egg smashing against a wall. As he turned the corner, he saw Xiao Mei and her friends, with an egg in hand, and Li Na cornered against the wall.
As Tang Zheng closed his eyes in the car, his mind kept replaying the image of Li Na being cornered by Xiao Mei. He couldn't shake the feeling of anger and protectiveness that stirred within him, even though he barely knew her.