The city on a summer night was gradually shrouded in twilight, with neon lights starting to flicker.
At the "Fluorescent" club, the book club members from the Reading Society were enthusiastically playing the King game. Shen Cirong, holding a cup of fruit wine, sat in a corner watching them play and laugh, feeling a bit bored.
She had joined this self-initiated reading society at Qingwong University since her freshman year. Now as a junior, they had originally planned to have a dinner at a private restaurant near the school to celebrate the end of the salon activities. However, they were suddenly summoned to this high-end private club by Fang Liang, a second-generation rich member.
Shen Cirong was not at ease in such a lively scene. If it wasn’t for the club president's insistence, she would have found an excuse to slip away by now. After sitting for a while, she politely excused herself from everyone and left for the bar to find some peace.
The atmosphere behind her remained heated. A few people noticed Shen Cirong's absence and began to tease Fang Liang, "The goddess has gone. Aren't you going to seize the opportunity?"
Fang Liang took a sip of his wine and laughed boastfully, "Ah, it's not that easy. You're all just sitting and watching the show, what do you know?" Despite these words, his eyes sparkled with resolute confidence.
Club President Le Xing gave him a push, "Why aren't you going yet? You've had her invited, and now you're hesitating?"
Fang Liang gave everyone a smile, then stood up and walked towards the bar.
Shen Cirong was wearing a light green floral dress that accentuated her slender figure. Her black hair was softly draped over her shoulders, and under the light, her fair skin emitted a cool glow.
In this lively setting, she seemed particularly unique, like a pure and detached white lotus.
Fang Liang's throat became dry, and he moved almost instinctively to sit next to her. Glancing at the wine cup in her hand, he feigned calmness, "The fruit wine isn't bad, is it? I know a few with exceptional taste, do you want me to recommend some?"
Shen Cirong was immersed in her own little world, unexpectedly interrupted by someone, could not help but frown, coldly declined, "No need, this is enough."
Fang Liang, who had been snubbed, did not feel discouraged but moved closer to her, pretending to be curious, "Oh, this cup smells so good? I haven't tasted it before. Let me have a look, I might order one next time too."
Shen Cirong instinctively retreated a bit and coldly replied, "It's just a random choice."
Fang Liang became stiff, and the smile on his lips gradually froze. He straightened his back, a hint of displeasure in his tone, "Shen Cirong, we are from the same club after all, is there a need to be this indifferent?"
She furrowed her brows in confusion, "I really just randomly picked something, I'm not sure what kind of alcohol it is."
"You know that's not what I'm asking." Fang Liang's voice rose an octave, he abruptly grabbed her wrist, his grip startlingly tight.
He took a deep breath, releasing the words, "Are you really unable to see my feelings for you?"
"I joined this book club just to pursue you. I spent so much money on this salon reading event, and even brought everyone to 'Liu Guang' just to amuse you, didn't you notice at all?"
Shen Ci Rong's right hand was seized tightly. She attempted to jerk free several times without success, her tone immediately turning icy, "Let go of me."
"The moment I let go, you'll slip away, right?" Fang Liang, feeling the delicate sensation in his hand, was even less willing to let go.
High on alcohol, his courage grew too.
"Shen Ci Rong, why are you so hard to pursue? Always acting so aloof! I investigated you, your family isn't well-off, and your parents don't dote on you. Why don't you accept me? I'm so good to you, you can't possibly have not felt it."
Shen Ci Rong glaringly shot her head up, a cold glint in her beautiful eyes. "Did you actually investigate me?"
Fang Liang momentarily faltered, but still stubbornly responded, "So what if I did? She's my future girlfriend, I have to know about her!"
She coldly repeated, "Fang Liang, let me go. I don't like you, and I won't agree to go out with you. Learn to respect others!"
While she talked, she desperately tried to pry open the clamp on her right wrist with her free hand. Suddenly, a wave of dizziness hit, her head starting to spin.
Appalled, Shen Ci Rong's gaze darted between the fruit wine glass and Le Xing, the only other person who touched the glass. Le Xing, aware of her gaze, guiltily turned his face away.
Now, Shen Ci Rong understood; she'd unknowingly walked into someone's trap today. Eager to escape Fang Liang's entanglement, she knew if she didn't leave now, she might not get away.
But Fang Liang had no intention of loosening his grip, on the contrary, it grew tighter, and he tried to pull her towards him. Shen Ci Rong saw a greedy look emerging in his eyes. Feeling desperate, she picked up the glass of wine and splashed it in his face. Taking advantage of the moment he closed his eyes, she fiercely smashed the empty glass onto his wrist.
In pain, Fang Liang let go, and Shen Ciyong took the opportunity to turn tail and run.
Her head was spinning, her vision gradually blurring. She pinched her thigh hard, forcing herself to stay alert.
Without further thought, she ran directly out of the club.
The anxiety of not being able to hail a cab only added to her panic. Her brain was becoming unresponsive, inundated by an unstoppable wave of fatigue that left her weak.
Just then, a tall figure under the street lamp caught her eye—
He was a slim man, standing beneath the light, exuding an extraordinary air of nobility. A cigarette was clutched in his left hand, the swirling smoke blurred his cool, stern silhouette. Through Shen Ciyong's muddled gaze, this scene had an inexplicably deadly allure.
What was even stranger was that he looked vaguely familiar to her.
She couldn't help but walk towards him, her steps unsteady.
"Shen Ciyong!" a furious roar sounded behind her, causing her to quicken her pace.
The man under the street lamp turned around at the sound, his ink-black eyes rested on her.
As the man drew nearer, Shen Ciyong could feel her strength rapidly draining away.
"Help..." she managed to force out the word.
Just as she was about to speak again, she unexpectedly lost all strength.
This is the end...
Suddenly, a strong, forceful grip encircled her waist. Warm body heat seeped through her thin clothing. Her balance was instantly thrown off, and she fell into a firm embrace.
As his consciousness gradually blurred, a faint scent of cold wood lingered on his nose.
Huoh Huai Qin knitted his brows, bending down to look at the woman he was cradling single-handedly in his arms. His frosty gaze swept over the soaked man behind him who was frantically looking around.
The assistant drove the car over, and when he opened the door, he was taken aback by the sight of the woman in his boss's arms. He hastily opened the car door.
Huoh Huai Qin bent down carefully, gently placing the woman in his arms onto the seat, and then closed the car door.
As he turned to head towards the other side, his slender fingers removed the cigarette lodged in his mouth. His eyes, as dark as ink, swept over the man before slowly raising his hand and pointing lightly in the man's direction.
Suddenly, several shadows sprung out from the previously silent and shadowy corner, swiftly and precisely restraining Fang Liang before silently disappearing back into the night.
Except for the rustle of the night wind, it was as if nothing had ever happened.
