The icy sensation of the teacup pressed against my palm did nothing to soothe the anxiety burning in my chest. That "gust of wind"—or rather, a gale-force blow—had certainly not been a friendly pat on the shoulder. Thank goodness my hearing was still intact; I caught the sickening "thud" before I even felt the pain. As it turned out, having a flying porcelain vase smashed against the back of your head was hardly a recommended way to de-stress.
"Sister Su!" Xiaotao, my loyal but somewhat over-dramatic maid, dove in front of me like a feathery shield. God bless her; she couldn't speak, but her scream could shatter glass—or at least distract an assailant long enough to keep me from being flattened into a pancake. I fell heavily to the ground, a sharp, searing pain radiating from my skull. My vision blurred, and the world spun like a dizzying kaleidoscope. This wasn't a "psychedelic trip"; it was more of a "concussion emergency."
Even through the chaos, I saw it: a cold glint of light aimed directly at Xiaotao’s vulnerable back.
Chapter 104