Bai Tang paused, not expecting that he was still worried.
She had thought he was upset because they had accepted Feng Zi's challenge on their own today!
But instead, he was concerned about her safety!
For a moment, an indescribable feeling stirred in her heart.
How many years had it been since someone cared about her safety rather than what achievements she should make?
Sheng Qi looked at her, only to find her staring fixedly at him without speaking.
Her expression seemed to be looking at him, yet also looking through him at something else.
Sheng Qi couldn't help but frown. Such a look made him feel somewhat displeased.
"What are you thinking about?" Sheng Qi spoke, his voice cold, with a hint of barely perceptible irritation.
Bai Tang snapped back to reality and flashed a bright smile: "Thinking about you!"
Seeing Sheng Qi's expression turn sour, Bai Tang continued, "Beauty, I admit I was impulsive about today's matter, but if I had to do it again, I would still choose the same!"
"Zhang Xiaochu is my classmate and my friend. I don't want to see him get hurt."
"So you'd rather risk your life?" Sheng Qi's lips pressed tightly together, tinged with anger.
Was it really that hard to call him and ask for help?
Bai Tang shook her head: "I'm still alive, how could I be risking my life?"
Sheng Qi looked at her indifferent attitude, his expression darkening: "No racer on the track can guarantee they'll be one hundred percent safe."
Bai Tang smacked her lips, reached for the water beside her, and took a sip.
The beauty was so serious!
If she'd known, she should have just finished her meal quietly and left, regardless of whether he was angry or not.
She brought this on herself!
Why bring up the one thing she shouldn't have?
Sigh...
Bai Tang met his ominous gaze and had to continue, "Beauty, you said it yourself—no one can guarantee their own safety. That means even if you were on the track, you couldn't be sure you'd come out unscathed. So why should I make you do something so dangerous?"
"You're a beauty, I have to protect you."
Bai Tang felt this heartfelt confession was truly moving.
Too bad only she was moved.
Sheng Qi's face remained cold, clearly displeased: "Bai Tang, your life is yours. If you don't cherish it, who will?"
"I want you to cherish it!" Bai Tang smiled.
Sheng Qi's brows furrowed deeply. He said nothing more, just looked at her with a gaze of utter disappointment, a look that sent a chill down one's spine.
Bai Tang could tell he was genuinely angry this time.
Even the aura around him was different from usual.
Bai Tang looked at him, smiled, and continued, "I actually value my life a lot. If I didn't, Feng Zi wouldn't be in the hospital today—he'd be straight at the funeral home for cremation."
A faint smile hung on the girl's face, her tone playful, but Sheng Qi's gaze toward her shifted.
Bai Tang knew she had accidentally spoken her true thoughts, which had aroused the big shot's suspicion.
Subtly reining in her aura, she smiled and went on, "You know, after my mom died and my stepmom came in, I became a child no one loved or cared about."
"In my dad's eyes, I'm just a disgrace. You saw it last time—he doesn't even acknowledge me as his daughter anymore."
"I only have myself, so of course I have to cherish my life. I need to survive, and live well."
After saying this, Bai Tang looked at Sheng Qi and began to bluff earnestly: "Beauty, today's incident was completely unexpected. I just didn't react in time, that's all."