Chapter 23: All Reason Shattered

Shen Tang was unaware of what had happened to her in the past. Shen Tang had never liked Yu Ruonan; any woman who could befriend Li Xinchu was hardly trustworthy.

“What does she want? We’ll know as soon as we see her. Tang, wait outside for me. If anything goes wrong, come in and get me.”

She insisted on going, and Shen Tang willingly agreed to protect her. “Alright, I’ll meet Yu Ruonan as well.”

After hanging up, Li Jiuwei headed for the bar.

Once she left, Jiang Huaiping appeared in the room. Where was she going so late at night? Jiang Huaiping followed.

At the bar, the air buzzed with music and chatter. When Li Jiuwei entered, many men eagerly tried to strike up conversation with her—such beauty was rarely seen. She was a vision in red, dazzling and eye-catching.

“Hey, where did this stunning woman come from? Brother Su, look!” Feng Su, holding his glass, sneered. No matter how beautiful, none could compare to Li Jiuwei. That woman was born with an allure, seductive as a succubus in bed.

Feng Su glanced over indifferently, but his gaze suddenly froze. Those useless men flocking around her were infuriating.

To be out playing at a bar at midnight—she certainly knew how to have fun. Feng Su downed his drink in one gulp. What a restless enchantress!

In the VIP lounge, only Yu Ruonan waited inside. Li Jiuwei scanned the room, confirming no one else was present.

“Jiuwei, have a seat.”

“Tell me—who were those two?”

Yu Ruonan handed her a drink and said, “Why so hasty? Let’s talk terms first.”

“Alright. What do you want?”

“I want to join Jiang Group, in the jewelry design department.”

Li Jiuwei’s gaze deepened. “Why?”

“The Jiang Group’s jewelry department is the best. Their products are sold nationwide and overseas, with a loyal clientele. I want to launch my own designs there.” She had no room for growth in smaller companies.

Jiang Group was her best option. Besides, someone important worked there. A shy glimmer flashed in Yu Ruonan’s eyes, too brief for Li Jiuwei to catch.

Li Jiuwei pondered for a long moment. “I can help you get in. Now, I want my answer.”

“Besides Gu Rufeng, the other two are Ye Zheng and Liu Niande. I went to great lengths to find this video.”

Yu Ruonan forwarded the video to Li Jiuwei. In it, two men left the lounge, one after the other.

Li Jiuwei’s gaze sharpened. Ye Zheng—his name belied his character. Second master of the Ye family, notorious for his exploits, countless women had fallen in his hands. He was known as the unstoppable silver spear, famed for “slaying” thousands.

Liu Niande was cut from the same cloth as Ye Zheng—together, they’d once played with a woman until she ended up in the hospital, only settling the matter with a hefty sum.

Both men were old enough to be her father.

Yu Ruonan said, “Maybe it wasn’t them. Maybe it was Gu Rufeng.” At least Gu Rufeng was handsome—better than being humiliated by two old men.

Yu Ruonan relished the misfortune. No matter who it was, Li Jiuwei had been sullied.

As for who took Li Jiuwei’s innocence, all three were equally suspect.

“Remember what you promised me. Otherwise, don’t blame me for breaking my word.” Li Jiuwei warned her again.

Yu Ruonan’s face stiffened, but she managed a smile. “I won’t tell anyone, I swear.”

Li Jiuwei gradually regained her composure. Yu Ruonan sighed inwardly—she really could endure. To ease the awkwardness, Yu Ruonan said, “Let’s have a drink to celebrate our cooperation.”

Li Jiuwei watched the glass before her, making no move.

Yu Ruonan downed hers in one gulp. “There’s nothing in it.”

Li Jiuwei took a sip and stood. “Report to the company tomorrow.”

“Alright.” Yu Ruonan was ecstatic. As Li Jiuwei took a step, a sudden wave of heat swept over her. She glared fiercely at Yu Ruonan. “Did you drug me?”

“I didn’t! I swear, I wouldn’t dare offend you when I want into Jiang Group!” Yu Ruonan was panicked, recalling her last lesson vividly—she would never do such a foolish thing.

She didn’t know why this was happening.

Outside, Shen Tang pushed the door open.

Seeing Li Jiuwei’s condition, she strode over and grabbed Yu Ruonan by the hair.

“No… it hurts… it wasn’t me, really wasn’t me…”

“Tang, it’s not her. Take me to the hospital.”

Li Jiuwei leaned weakly in Shen Tang’s arms, gasping, her body burning.

“I’ll settle this with you later.”

Shen Tang carried Li Jiuwei out. Yu Ruonan, left behind, clenched her hands in panic. How could the drink be tainted? Who had done it?

As they exited, they ran straight into Feng Su, who immediately noticed something was wrong with Li Jiuwei.

Feng Su reached to take her, but Shen Tang blocked him. “I’ll take Jiuwei to the hospital.”

“She’s my woman. I’ll take care of her.” Feng Su forcefully lifted Li Jiuwei. As Shen Tang tried to intervene, a smiling man stepped forward.

“Kid, don’t interrupt my brother Su’s business.”

Kid?

Shen Tang sized up the young man, her lips coldly uttering, “Blind fool.”

Zhou Hui, the one insulted, dropped his smile. “Apologize to me!”

Annoyed, Shen Tang turned and left; Zhou Hui followed doggedly.

Feng Su, carrying Li Jiuwei, was tense, the woman in his arms restlessly writhing.

“Behave, or I’ll take you right here.”

Even in this state, Feng Su dared threaten her.

Li Jiuwei, clinging to a shred of sanity, bit his lip, her gaze full of provocation.

Feng Su endured, whispering in her ear, “Keep tempting me, and you’ll regret it.”

She smiled, hooking her arms around his neck, kissing him wildly, slowly eroding Feng Su’s rationality as she watched it unravel completely.

Feng Su’s eyes reddened, a blazing fire burning within, ready to consume everything.

His hand traced her waist; tormented, he was about to go further—

The car stopped abruptly.

“Master, we’ve arrived at the People’s Hospital.”

Pfft!

Li Jiuwei couldn’t help but laugh. She patted Feng Su’s handsome face, her voice hoarse. “You’re so cute right now…”

Feng Su, already aflame, darkened further, his aura dropping.

He carried Li Jiuwei out of the car, sneering, “Don’t worry, when you’re well, I’ll pay you back twice over. Sister, you’d better protect your waist.”

Li Jiuwei could barely hear the rest.

Feng Su stayed at the hospital all night.

When Li Jiuwei woke again, she found herself in the hospital room, her gaze lingering on Feng Su.

Remembering last night, she smiled softly, waking him.

Feng Su held her hand, worry flickering in his eyes. “Do you feel unwell anywhere?”

He studied her carefully, so attentive!

Li Jiuwei’s heart fluttered.

“I’m fine now,” she said.

“I’ve already investigated last night. Someone delivered the wrong drinks to the lounge. From now on, avoid bars. If you must go, I’ll accompany you. If I’m not there…”

“Even if you’re not, Tang will take me away. Everything is under…”

“Everything is under your control, isn’t it? Li Jiuwei, you’re always so thorough. You can predict this and that—but tell me, could you foresee my sincerity toward you?”

Feng Su placed her hand over his heart.

These words were hardly praise.

Li Jiuwei fell silent.

The atmosphere grew colder.

Getting no response, Feng Su stood. “I have things to do. I’ll be going now.”

He left.

Li Jiuwei stared at her palm. Suddenly, the door crashed open—Jiang Huaiping stormed in, furious.

He rushed over, tugging at her clothes, as if searching for something.

“You’re insane.”

Li Jiuwei pushed Jiang Huaiping away.