Professor Xie, isn't this a case of forcing customers to buy products that don't match the

The small open space in front of the apartment building was not as quiet and deserted as usual.

Three black SUVs were parked there quietly, their lines cold and hard, their windows still a distinctive dark color, gleaming coldly under the dim streetlights.

Beside each car stood at least two men dressed in dark casual clothes, tall and dignified, like statues.

Their gazes converged on Shang Song the instant he appeared.

The gaze wasn't fierce, but rather carried a professional scrutiny, as if calmly confirming the "target."

Silence.

Absolute silence.

This is... a pre-arranged encirclement, waiting for its prey to walk right into its trap.

Shang Song's pupils contracted sharply, and all the blood in his body rushed to his head, only to freeze in an instant.

His fingers, which were tucked into his coat pocket and holding his keys and phone, instantly turned icy cold, and his fingertips trembled uncontrollably.

He turned around abruptly and saw Xie Jing slowly walk out behind him, stopping three steps away.

Xie Jing didn't look at the menacing convoy or the silent entourage; his gaze fell on Shang Song's face, which was filled with horror.

His expression remained calm, even more detached than when he was upstairs, as if the scene before him that could frighten anyone was nothing more than the most ordinary daily occurrence.

Shang Song stood frozen in place, his throat tight, as if his breath had stopped.

Then, he saw Xie Jing slightly raise his hand and make an extremely simple gesture.

The SUV parked directly opposite the apartment building entrance had its back seat silently pulled open, revealing a dark interior.

Shang Song looked at the open car door, then suddenly turned around to look at Xie Jing behind him.

There was no way forward or backward.

A chilling night wind howled past, ruffling the hem of Shang Song's thin coat. Shang Song shivered, and his blood began to flow again.

"Xie Jing!" He whirled around, facing Xie Jing directly, his voice rising with agitation and rage: "What do you mean?! These people... these cars... what are you trying to do?!"

He raised his hand and pointed to the silent convoy, his fingertips trembling uncontrollably. This situation was hardly something to be discussed!

This is clearly the prelude to a kidnapping!

"Where are you taking me? I'm not going!" He subconsciously took a half-step back, growling, "I'm not going anywhere! Say what you have to say right here! Or... or go to the police station!"

The thought of calling the police flashed wildly through his mind, and he subconsciously tucked his right hand, which was holding the phone, into his coat pocket even tighter.

Xie Jing looked at him quietly.

In the dim light, Shang Song's face was exceptionally vivid with excitement.

Those wide-open eyes were filled with resistance, anger, and... terror.

"It's not up to you." Xie Jing finally spoke, his voice colder than the night wind, his left hand, which was hanging down naturally, clenched into a fist unnaturally.

The next instant, he loosened his fist, and then, without any hesitation, walked straight towards Shang Song.

Shang Song's pupils suddenly contracted and then slowly dilated. His whole body stiffened like a bow. He wanted to retreat and run away, but found that his feet were nailed to the ground as if they were filled with lead, and he could not move an inch.

He watched helplessly as Xie Jing approached him against the light of the apartment lobby, his tall figure casting a shadow that completely enveloped him.

Then, Xie Jing extended his left hand.

The movement was slow, even... rigid, as it grasped Shang Song's left wrist.

Despite the thin cotton cuffs of Shang Song's coat separating them, Xie Jing proactively and firmly grasped Shang Song's wrist.

Shang Song felt an irresistible force gripping his wrist, the force neither too strong nor too weak, yet it made his whole body tremble violently.

He looked up in disbelief and met Xie Jing's eyes, which were inches away from his own.

Those eyes, however, seemed as calm as ever.

"You... let go!" Shang Song roared, struggling wildly. He tried to pry Xie Jing's fingers off with his right hand, twisting his body violently and using all his strength to break free in any possible direction.

"Xie Jing! Are you crazy?! This is kidnapping! Let me go!!"

Xie Jing seemed oblivious to his struggles and screams, simply gripping the wrist that kept trying to escape. Then, he turned around, took a step, half guiding and half dragging, forcing Shang Song to follow his steps, staggering towards the car door that had been open for a long time.

"I'm not going! You bastard! Let go! Help—! Is anyone there?!" Shang Song was being dragged forward by him, his feet desperately bracing against the ground, but he was still moving forward in vain.

The neighborhood was deserted late at night, and his cries for help only drew the light from a few scattered lights in the apartment building.

They were finally led to the car.

Shang Song's eyes were bloodshot as he tried to break free with his last bit of strength, only to feel his collar being half-lifted by a force.

Then, like a disobedient cat being picked up, he was shoved into the back seat of the car without any explanation.

In a dizzying moment, Shang Song stumbled into the car, landing on the soft leather seats, feeling nauseous.

As soon as he reached the seat, he immediately tried to get up and pry open the car door.

"Bang!"

The car door closed.

Xie Jing had already gotten into the car from the other side, his tall figure instantly filling the space next to Shang Song.

In the dimly lit carriage, only the pale blue light of the watch face shone into Shang Song's panicked eyes, reflecting Xie Jing's calm and composed profile.

"Drive," Xie Jing instructed the person in the front seat, his voice calm and steady. "Back to Xishan."

The engine started with a low rumble, and the car glided smoothly out.

Shang Song slumped into the leather seat, his back stiff against the car door. The spot on his left wrist where he had been gripped still throbbed with pain, a reminder of what had just happened.

He watched the car silently drive out of the residential area and merge into the sparse traffic of the late night.

Outside the car window, the familiar city night view rushed past, the streetlights became sparser, the tall buildings became fewer, and the scenery outside the window became increasingly unfamiliar.

Shang Song could no longer maintain her facade of silence. She abruptly turned around and glared at Xie Jing beside her. "Where exactly are you taking me?!"

Xie Jing maintained the same posture he had when he got into the car, his face turned to the side, leaving only a silent and calm silhouette.

Not getting a reply, Shang Song became even angrier.

He suddenly sprang to his feet, reaching out without hesitation and grabbing the front of Xie Jing's cashmere coat.

He seemed to be using all his strength, trying to force a response from the other party, "What Xishan? What kind of place is that? Why are you taking me there?! Xie Jing! I'm asking you a question!"

He was practically shouting, because they were so close, his warm, rapid breath brushing against Xie Jing's chin.

Xie Jing's body stiffened almost imperceptibly the moment Shang Song lunged at him.

The veins on the back of his hand suddenly became prominent.

But he didn't move, didn't push away, and didn't even block.

It was as if she was enduring it, or as if she was forcing herself to adapt to this kind of physical contact.

He lowered his eyes, his gaze falling on Shang Song's hand that was tightly gripping his clothes.

His gaze lingered on the hand for two seconds.

These were the same hands that once carefully turned the pages of books in the ancient book reading room, clumsily recording the exegesis he casually uttered.

These same hands had just tried in vain downstairs to pry open his grip.

And now, Shang Song is clutching his clothes with those hands, questioning him in despair.

He looked up and met Shang Song's panicked and angry eyes, and replied:

"The place where I live."

"Where do you live?" Shang Song repeated, this time genuinely laughing in anger, but the smile froze on her lips for a moment. "Why would I go to where you live?! Xie Jing! Wake up! We've broken up! What you're doing is illegal detention! It's kidnapping!"