Ning Nan waved off the beautiful woman in front of him, raised his glass, and smiled. "By the way, big brother, where's sister-in-law?"
"I'm talking to you about Grandpa's birthday celebration. Don't change the subject." Ning Dong looked at his younger brother, who had always wanted different things since childhood and had never gotten along with Grandpa. He'd hoped growing up would improve things, but instead, it got worse—his brother even went into the entertainment industry.
"Big brother, this place is a mixed bag. Sister-in-law won't get into trouble, will she?"
"Stop worrying about your sister-in-law. With her skills, handling ordinary people is a piece of cake." Ning Dong's eyes practically sparkled when he talked about his wife, brimming with pride.
"Showing off your love life, huh? Bullying me for being alone?"
"You're not getting any younger. If you meet the right person..."
"Big brother, that's enough. Since when did you start caring about your brother's marriage? I haven't had my fill of fun yet. No rush on that."
Ning Dong looked at Ning Nan. Someone restless since childhood wouldn't exactly settle down as an adult. If he didn't stir up trouble, that was already a relief for the family. With that thought, Ning Dong dropped the subject.
"Yang Jinkuan has been lying low for a few years, quietly doing business. How is he still snatching women behind the scenes?" Xu Xiao pushed open the door, walking in as she spoke, then paused to think. "Ning Nan, do you know Yang Jinkuan?"
Know him? More than know him—he'd once had designs on her. Ning Nan sipped his drink. "Sister-in-law, is that why you took so long to come back?"
"Yeah, I watched a bit of a show. I just didn't expect there to really be such a foolish woman." Xu Xiao smiled.
"What happened? Spill it. I'm bored anyway."
Xu Xiao roughly recounted what she'd seen. The more Ning Nan listened, the more something felt off. After mulling it over, he asked casually, "Sister-in-law, did you catch the girl's name?"
"Kid, why are you so interested in that woman's business?" Ning Dong kicked him, his voice booming.
"Big brother, I'm your own flesh and blood! That hurt!"
Xu Xiao glanced at Ning Nan, thought for a moment, and said, "If I heard right, I think her name was Xia Yan."
"What?!" Ning Nan ignored Ning Dong's kick, shot to his feet, and stared at Xu Xiao. "Sister-in-law, are you sure you heard right?"
Xu Xiao gave Ning Nan a sidelong look. Ning Dong, sitting beside her, immediately got annoyed and kicked him again. "How dare you doubt your sister-in-law!"
"..." He clearly remembered his brother used to dote on him, but after marrying his sister-in-law, his status had plummeted.
Remembering the urgency, Ning Nan didn't dare delay. He quickly called Lu Zhengting, telling him to come to mS Bar immediately. The other two exchanged puzzled glances. Xu Xiao asked, "Xiao Ting?"
Hearing that, Ning Nan nearly jumped out of his skin. Xiao Ting? What a cute nickname.
"Sister-in-law, this Xia Yan is Lu Zhengting's girlfriend. Do you know which booth she was taken to?"
"Xiao Ting has a girlfriend? Why didn't he tell me?" Xu Xiao stared at Ning Nan suspiciously, her tone low.
"Sister-in-law, you'll have to wait for him to explain that. I'm just a bystander here."
Xu Xiao fixed her gaze on Ning Nan for a long moment, only looking away after feeling Ning Dong's intense displeasure. "I know where she is. Follow me."
******
Before coming to the bar, Xia Yan had been in her pajamas. She'd rushed out in a hurry, so she'd just thrown on a dress. That now worked in Yang Jinkuan's favor—her clothes had been torn during their chase. Facing him, her confidence had clearly waned.
"Xia Yan, you're not getting away tonight. Don't count on anyone saving you. Even if Lu Zhengting shows up, all he'll see is how irresistible you look beneath me..."
"Get lost!"
"I'll take good care of you."
Yang Jinkuan stopped playing cat and mouse. He grabbed Xia Yan's hand, snatched the knife away, and flung her onto the garish red bed. In an instant, he pressed down on her, looming over her, his rough fingers pinching her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze.
"Yang Jinkuan, Lu Zhengting will never let you off."
"Let's just enjoy ourselves."
Xia Yan's hands were cuffed and pinned above her head, her legs crushed under his weight. No matter how she struggled, Yang Jinkuan didn't let go. He raised a hand, lightly brushing her neck, then leaned in, breathing hotly against her ear. Xia Yan shut her eyes in agony—the smell of smoke mixed with his breath made her sick.
"Rip..."
The sound of tearing fabric was like a death knell. A chill ran down Xia Yan's spine, every nerve in her body taut with tension.
"That's the look. I love seeing that expression on you." Yang Jinkuan sat astride her, his eyes narrowing with a smile.
"Boom!"
The booth door was kicked open. Yang Jinkuan spun around to see two men and a woman standing at the entrance, their faces murderous. He froze, then roared, "Where are my men? Where the hell did they all go?"
Ning Nan spotted Xia Yan tied to the bed and his heart sank. Little ancestor, please don't be in trouble, or Lu Zhengting will kill me.
"Yang Jinkuan, years later, and you're still into these games?" Xu Xiao crossed her arms, staring calmly at the man still reeling. She glanced at Xia Yan on the bed and breathed a sigh of relief.
"Who are you? How dare you mess with my plans?" Yang Jinkuan squinted, addressing the people at the door.
Xu Xiao rolled her eyes, reached out, and flicked the light switch. "Take a good look at who your auntie is!"
"Miss, Miss Xu?"
"Good, you still remember your auntie." Xu Xiao walked up to Yang Jinkuan with a sly smile, her tone flat. "Daring to touch my sister-in-law? Tired of living?"
"This... since when is Xia Yan your sister-in-law?"
"Is that any of your business?" Xu Xiao shoved Yang Jinkuan aside, grabbed a sheer scarf to cover Xia Yan's exposed body, and noticed the handcuffs on her wrists. She shot a glare at the stunned Yang Jinkuan. "Unlock them now!"
"Right away."
Seeing this, Ning Nan and Ning Dong moved to approach, but Xu Xiao immediately stopped them. "Stay right where you are. Don't come over."
"Sister-in-law, is Xia Yan okay?"
"Yeah, she's fine. Probably just a bit shaken."
Xia Yan stared at the sudden appearance of Xu Xiao, her lips trembling. "Who are you? Why are you saving me?"
"Me? Call me 'big sister,' and I'll tell you." Xu Xiao smiled.
The others in the room exchanged looks. Ning Nan wiped a cold sweat. "Sister-in-law, taking advantage of Lu Zhengting like that—he'll kill me."
"Yeah, but he won't be killing me." Xu Xiao eyed the red scarf on Xia Yan, raised an eyebrow, and added weakly, "Wrapped in this, it's even more tempting."
Hearing that, Xia Yan froze slightly, offering no comment.
Lu Zhengting arrived quickly. After hanging up on Ning Nan, he drove straight through countless red lights, even causing traffic jams, to reach mS Bar in record time. He stormed into the booth radiating menace. Ning Nan, spotting him, instinctively shrank into the shadows—without Xu Su around, no one would protect him.
"Where is she?"
"Xiao Ting, don't worry. I've kept your girl safe." Xu Xiao helped Xia Yan over to Lu Zhengting, amused by his instantly constipated expression.
Xia Yan hadn't cried the whole time. Even when tears welled in her eyes, she bit her lip to hold them back. But now, seeing Lu Zhengting here, the tears poured out uncontrollably. She stood dumbly beside Xu Xiao, unable to take the first step.
Lu Zhengting's expression was terrifying, radiating raw fury. He swept a cold glance over Xia Yan, then strode to Yang Jinkuan and threw a punch. "Mess with my woman?"
"Lu Zhengting, you—" Yang Jinkuan's head snapped to the side. He worked his jaw, tasting blood, and spat out the words.
Another punch landed on Yang Jinkuan. Xu Xiao watched, then said calmly, "Xia Yan's not in great shape. Leave this to us. Take her home and calm her down."
Hearing this, Lu Zhengting frowned, glanced at Xia Yan, shoved Yang Jinkuan aside, and strode over to her. She was indeed in bad shape—her cheeks flushed, clothes torn, hair tangled behind her, a trace of blood at the corner of her mouth.
Without a word, Lu Zhengting scooped Xia Yan into his arms and walked out. "I want Yang Jinkuan."
Xu Xiao nodded. "Got it, got it."
Lu Zhengting carried Xia Yan out of the booth, leaving the chaos behind. The men outside had already been dealt with by Xu Xiao and Ning Dong—handling them was child's play for the two, no challenge at all.
The path was clear. Xia Yan curled up in Lu Zhengting's arms. Even in the sweltering summer night, she felt a persistent chill. Sensing her pressing closer, Lu Zhengting's gaze unconsciously dropped to her trembling body, and he tightened his hold.
Once in the car, he settled her in the passenger seat, buckled her seatbelt, and drove straight home.
Traffic had thinned by night. Xia Yan slumped weakly, her head lolling to one side, half-closed eyes watching the window until the car came to a smooth stop. Lu Zhengting got out, carried her into the villa as before, and headed for his room.
He laid her flat on the bed and started to remove her clothes, but Xia Yan suddenly tensed up. "Don't touch me."
"Xia Yan, it's me, Lu Zhengting. Look at me."
At that, Xia Yan cracked her eyes open and looked at him. She blinked. "I know."
Know?
Xia Yan sobbed as she cried. "If you'd come any later, I'd have been done for."
"Weren't you at home? How did you end up at the bar again?"
"It was Xiao Jia. She... wait, where's Xiao Jia? She's still in Yang Jinkuan's hands."
"You can't even save yourself, and you're still thinking about her?" Lu Zhengting stared at Xia Yan, his voice cold.
"No, Xiao Jia got dragged into this because of me. Did you see her when you came?"