Chapter 50

Xu Xu had mentioned that he worked out at the gym, and it was true. At the very least, when he first lifted Shen Yu, it wasn't too strenuous. If it had been someone like Xu Qi, with his lanky frame, not only would he have struggled to lift Shen Yu, but she might have even accidentally crushed him with a slight counterforce.
Shen Yu had been exercising regularly and had lost over ten pounds since the school anniversary gala. She was now slightly underweight, but this physique suited dancing and being on camera, so she planned to maintain it.
Even though she was light, Xu Xu had lifted her multiple times and was bound to get tired. Even with a short break earlier, he couldn't immediately return to peak condition.
So when Shen Yu leaped toward Xu Xu, he was supposed to catch her and lift her directly. But his arms momentarily gave out, and he couldn't raise her. Instead, he had to wrap his arms around her and, like a weightlifter, brace himself before lifting her up.
Shen Yu was close to Xu Xu and could naturally feel his struggle. Not daring to resist, she did her best to cooperate, stretching her body to help him exert force and maintain their balance.
With one final burst of effort, Xu Xu finally managed to lift her and, following the choreography, spun her around.
Just then, Shen Xiao, sleeves rolled up and fuming with rage, stormed over with a menacing glare. "You, put her down!"
That gaze and tone were practically like a great demon king from hell.
Xu Xu, pinned by his stare, couldn't help but tremble, nearly dropping Shen Yu in the process. But in the end, he gritted his teeth and slowly set her down. The tall, 180-plus-centimeter guy instantly shrank behind Shen Yu, looking utterly pathetic.
Seeing Shen Xiao's expression, Shen Yu was also on edge. She called out softly, "Brother," and said, "Don't be so nervous. We've rehearsed this several times already, and it's been fine every time."
Shen Xiao narrowed his eyes, his hands clenched into fists, the muscles in his arms bulging so prominently they were visible even through his shirt. "He almost dropped you just now."
Shen Yu replied, "Even if I fell, it wouldn't be a big deal. Look, there are soft mats on the floor."
Xu Xu, seeing Shen Xiao's expression as if he wanted to devour him, felt a bit indignant. He had been extremely careful, how could he have almost dropped her? Unable to hold back, he retorted, "I've lifted her so many times and never once slipped. Brother, you can rest assured. In fact, Shen Yu might even find it thrilling and fun."
Shen Xiao: “…”
Shen Yu: “…”
Shen Yu hurriedly shot Xu Xu a warning look, signaling him to shut up. Even if he didn't know Shen Xiao was a lunatic, he should at least be able to read the room. Shen Xiao's expression was so dark right now, yet Xu Xu still dared to joke around, it was like dancing on the edge of a cliff!
Hearing Xu Xu's words, Shen Xiao's tightly furrowed brows suddenly relaxed. He curled his lips into a smile and said, "Thrilling? Fun?"
Shen Yu thought, It's over. That half-smile, half-sneer look is his signature move when he's about to lose it! Help!
Xu Qi stepped forward a few paces, his expression tense as he took in Shen Xiao's demeanor. Although he hadn't had any direct dealings with Shen Xiao, he'd heard of his reputation in the business world. His father, Xu Yongzhou, had only a few words to describe Shen Xiao: "a chaotic demon king."
So even without knowing Shen Xiao well, Xu Qi understood that this was someone you absolutely did not want to cross.
Given the current situation, he had no choice but to brace himself and step in to mediate.
But Shen Xiao completely ignored him. Instead, he turned to Shen Yu and asked, "Do you also think it's thrilling and fun?"
Shen Yu broke out in a cold sweat internally. But to shield Xu Xu from the lunatic's wrath, she had no choice but to bite the bullet and take the blame. After all, no matter how angry Shen Xiao got, he wouldn't actually do anything to her, she was confident of that.
So she said, "It's alright. I quite enjoy rehearsing. It's interesting."
Shen Xiao raised an eyebrow, nodded with a smile, then rolled up his sleeves a bit. Taking two steps forward, he stood in front of Xu Xu and said leisurely, "In that case, why don't you have a taste of the thrill too?"
Xu Xu didn't grasp his meaning at first, merely staring wide-eyed at the person now right in front of him. The next moment, he felt Shen Xiao grab the front of his shirt with one hand and support his waist with the other. With a surge of strength, Xu Xu was lifted horizontally into the air as if riding on clouds.
Xu Xu: !!!
Everyone: !!!
At that moment, no one was questioning why Shen Xiao was performing such a bizarre act of lifting someone. Instead, they were all stunned by his sheer strength. Xu Xu had to be at least 180 centimeters tall and fairly built, yet Shen Xiao had lifted him so effortlessly and smoothly. Was he born with superhuman strength??
Shen Yu's heart nearly leaped out of her throat. She rushed forward, worried that Shen Xiao might hurt Xu Xu or himself. "Brother, put him down quickly! Don't hurt your hands!"
Shen Xiao sneered, deliberately twisting his body to swing the lifted Xu Xu in a circle before asking him, "How was that? Exciting? Fun??"
Xu Xu, already too terrified to speak clearly, quickly begged for mercy, "Bro-brother, I was wrong... Please put me down, I'm about to pee myself!"
Everyone: ...
Only then did Shen Xiao disdainfully release him, doing so with rough movements. The moment Xu Xu touched the ground, his legs gave way, and he rolled onto the floor. When he sat up, his face was deathly pale.
Shen Yu finally breathed a sigh of relief.
But as soon as her worry subsided, anger surged within her.
Why was he like this? He never listened to explanations or communicated properly, always doing whatever he pleased.
Earlier, when Xu Xu had lifted her, it was because the script required it. Xu Xu had been exhausted but still cooperative. Yet the moment Shen Xiao showed up, he started causing trouble and vented his anger on Xu Xu, it was utterly unreasonable!
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. Shen Yu shot Shen Xiao a fierce glare, then turned to Xu Qi and said, "Senior, let's call it a day. We'll rehearse another time. I'm heading back first."
Xu Qi, still stunned by Shen Xiao's earlier display of strength, quickly nodded upon hearing Shen Yu's decision. "Go ahead."
Please take this demon away quickly, it's too terrifying!
Shen Yu picked up her backpack and coat, bid farewell to everyone, and walked out without looking back.
Shen Xiao frowned, walked over to the sofa to grab his own jacket, and strode after her.
As the elevator descended, Shen Xiao broke the silence, "This kind of stage play isn't worth performing anyway!"
Shen Yu pursed her lips and retorted, "Am I only allowed to stay at home forever, going nowhere and knowing no one? Is that the best life for me?!"
Shen Xiao thought that indeed sounded ideal, but he knew better than to say it outright. After a moment's thought, he replied, "It's too exhausting. You could find something easier."
They stepped out of the elevator and headed toward Shen Xiao's car. Shen Yu said irritably, "I don't find it exhausting. This is something I truly enjoy!"
Shen Xiao opened the car door for her, waited for her to get in, then walked around to the driver's seat. After fastening his seatbelt, he remarked, "What's so good about it? The environment is too complicated. Look, most of the people there are men."
So, after all that talk, this was the real point he wanted to make, don't get too close to other men?!
Furious, she snapped, "Who I interact with is my freedom. How many times do we have to discuss this?!"
How could someone be so domineering? It was as if he wanted complete control over her life, leaving her no room to breathe.
Shen Xiao turned the steering wheel and said, "Since we've discussed this so many times, why can't you just be obedient?"
Their perspectives were worlds apart, it was simply impossible to communicate!
After a moment's thought, she patiently explained, "I need a social circle too. You can't treat all my friends as enemies. If you do, how will I have any friends left?"
Shen Xiao scoffed, "Why do you even need friends? Isn't having me enough?"
Shen Yu: “…”
It was like talking to a brick wall, completely pointless!
Too furious to continue, Shen Yu hugged her backpack and turned to stare out the window, refusing to engage with him any further.
Shen Xiao drove on for a while, occasionally glancing at the back of Shen Yu's head. Though he couldn't see her expression, he could tell she was angry, probably already calculating how many days she intended to give him the cold shoulder.
Gritting his teeth, Shen Xiao took a deep breath, steeling himself. When they reached a red light, he pulled over, reached out, and turned her to face him.
Then, with utmost seriousness, he said, "Don't be mad. How about this, I'll agree to date you. That way, you won’t have to keep pining for me in secret. What do you say?"
Shen Yu: “…”