Over on the side, Lin Aizhen came to her senses and began to shout, "Someone, help—"
Before she could finish her cry, Xiao Man flicked a finger. A pinecone from the ground somehow appeared in her hand, then flew weightlessly through the air to strike Lin Aizhen in the throat. It wasn't thrown with much force—not enough to cause injury—but it was enough to make Lin Aizhen feel a sharp pain. She clutched her neck and began coughing uncontrollably, her face turning crimson.
At that moment, no one was passing by this stretch of path, but there were people nearby. If Lin Aizhen managed to cry out, they would surely be surrounded by onlookers.
Xiao Man hated the hassle; less trouble was always better.
