Chapter 81: Protecting Ling (6)

The entire crowd was dumbfounded. They hadn't even had time to fully grasp what was happening when the fierce-looking woman had already landed several powerful punches on the thug. Her movements were fast, precise, and ruthless, leaving those around her both shocked and frightened.

Seeing their companion getting beaten so badly, the hidden members of the gang could no longer sit still. One by one, they rushed forward, trying to stop Luo Xiu'en from continuing her brutal assault. However, the moment they made their move, the security personnel Luo Xiu'en had brought with her stepped forward as well, their imposing presence intimidating.

"Stand down!" Luo Xiu'en commanded, her voice sharp and cold. Her eyes flashed dangerously as she glanced at her security team. Immediately, they halted and took a step back, no longer advancing.

If Luo Xiu'en said to stand down, they stood down. That was the rule. It seemed clear that she intended to handle this personally. It was just as well, they thought—Luo Xiu'en was angry, and someone was going to take the brunt of it. Better that it was these punks than them; otherwise, they knew she'd come looking for a sparring match later, and they'd be the ones to suffer.

Without waiting for more nonsense, Luo Xiu'en, alone, took on the four gang members. They tried to surround her, hoping their numbers would give them an advantage, but they were sorely mistaken. Within moments, the four men were on the ground, completely overpowered by Luo Xiu'en's relentless assault. These thugs might act tough on the streets, but in reality, their physical condition was nothing to brag about. Lazy and indulgent, they spent their time drinking, partying, and staying up all night. They were no match for someone like Luo Xiu'en, who was well-trained and in peak physical condition.

Inside Ji Ming's apartment, Zhai Yunsheng and Yu Xi were comfortably watching the entire spectacle unfold via the live feed, while Ji Ming desperately continued his jump rope challenge. Both Zhai Yunsheng and Yu Xi had an unobstructed view of the events happening at the school gate.

Yu Xi couldn't help but comment, "Looks like the little rabbit doesn't need our help after all, Sheng Ye."

Clearly, someone had already stepped in to deal with the troublemakers. Although this person seemed a bit aggressive, she was definitely effective.

Puzzled, Yu Xi continued, "But how on earth does the little rabbit know someone from the Huiling Research Institute?"

At first, Yu Xi hadn't recognized the woman dishing out the beatdown. It wasn't until he watched for a bit longer that the realization hit him—he had seen this woman before. Last year, the Huiling Research Institute had held a conference at his family's hotel. By coincidence, Yu Xi had been there and had briefly met this woman. At the time, she had been dressed in a white lab coat and was a prominent figure in the academic community. 

Now, seeing her in a black trench coat, throwing punches with such ferocity, Yu Xi struggled to reconcile this fierce woman with the calm and composed researcher he had encountered.

What baffled Yu Xi even more was how Jian Yiling was connected to someone from Huiling Research Institute in the first place. The institute wasn't just any research facility; it was an extraordinary place with an even more extraordinary background. Though publicly it was known as a medical research institution, its real power was far deeper and more mysterious. The Huiling Institute wasn't aligned with any ordinary pharmaceutical company; they operated behind the scenes, and their influence was vast and difficult to fathom.

Even though the institute was located in Hengyuan City, prestigious families like Yu's had yet to uncover the identity of the institute's director. And as far as Yu Xi knew, there had never been any connection between the Jian family and the Huiling Research Institute. 

Meanwhile, inside the school, Hu Jiaojiao was still trying to persuade Jian Yiling.

"Jian Yiling, why don't you call whoever's supposed to pick you up and see if they can ask the school security to come help?" Hu Jiaojiao suggested, feeling anxious.

There were less than ten minutes left before the final bell, and Hu Jiaojiao feared that if they didn't do something soon, Jian Yiling would find herself in big trouble once school let out.

"I'm not calling her," Jian Yiling replied quietly, shaking her head. She didn't want to bother her grandmother with something like this.

"But…" Hu Jiaojiao wanted to say more, but she couldn't figure out what else to suggest. She felt completely out of her depth. If it had been her in this situation, she probably would have burst into tears by now.

After all, Hu Jiaojiao had never had any run-ins with gangsters before. The type of boys who styled themselves with outlandish, "killer" hairstyles, trying to look tough and dangerous—just the sight of them made her feel uncomfortable, like her skin was crawling.