At midnight, the long street is quiet, the moonlight hazy. Yet for the youth, this place signifies the beginning of nightlife. Vibrant lights, clinking glasses, looming shadows, whispers echo in the dance floor where men and women entwine to the rhythm of the music. Everything in this place hinted at a night growing increasingly bewitching?
"Xiao Xi, congratulations, you finally made it as the leading actress, I'm so happy for you. Come on, let's toast!" Zhou Yiwen raised her glass, saying with genuine laughter.
Seeing her friend downing the drink, Gu Xiaoxi, despite a weak tolerance for alcohol, also finished the drink in her glass.
Coughing a few times because the alcohol was too strong, she said, "The production team has not yet officially announced the chosen candidate, you still have a chance."
"Even though they haven't announced, I’ve heard that the production company has already asked for your agent, Sister Xian, to sign the contract tomorrow. And everybody could see the director’s satisfaction with your performance the last time. I am aware of my strengths and weaknesses – you are indeed more suitable for the role than I am."
Gu Xiaoxi smiled gently, saying nothing.
After a few drinks, Zhou Yiwen went to the restroom. She returned looking distressed and said apologetically to Gu Xiaoxi, "Xiao Xi, I’m sorry, but something came up at home, and I need to leave immediately. We will celebrate for you next time. I’m truly sorry!"
"Anything wrong? Do you need my help?" Gu Xiaoxi immediately stood up with concern.
"It’s okay. I can handle it. I’ve already called Sister Xian and asked her to come pick you up. You wait here for a while."
"Alright, be careful on the way home."
As she watched Zhou Yiwen leave, Gu Xiaoxi frowned. She never liked this kind of place- if it were not for Yiwen insistence, she definitely wouldn't have come.
After waiting a few minutes, Gu Xiaoxi sent a text message to her agent, Jin Xian, saying that she felt a bit under the weather, and she was heading home by herself.
However, just as she got up and was about to leave the bar, she felt a sense of wrongness in her body. She leaned against the wall, gasping for breath. Her throat felt dry and her head was spinning. Her entire body felt like it was burning up.
"Miss, you're drunk. Where do you want to go? Let me help you there." A man with a scar on his face reached out to take her arm.
With her head throbbing, Gu Xiaoxi raised her eyes to glimpse at the stranger and declined, "I don’t know you, please step aside!"
"How can that be acceptable? Since I've taken the money, I have to do the work. Otherwise, how can I keep my reputation in this circle?" As the man spoke, he dragged her away from the bar.
Gu Xiaoxi was well aware of the consequences if this man took her away.
However, she now felt weak throughout her body and had no strength to resist. Aside from calling for help, she could think of no other way.
But...
"Hel..." Before the call for help could fully leave her lips, Gu Xiaoxi was knocked unconscious by the scar-faced man.
When she regained consciousness, Gu Xiaoxi found herself being assisted into a hotel room by the same scar-faced man. Even though her head was spinning and her consciousness was hazy, she knew what was going to happen next.
Gu Xiaoxi reached into her coat pocket and tightly grasped the star-shaped key ring, the sharp corners of which scratched her palm. The pain sobered her up considerably.
But she also knew this clarity would not last long. So, while the scar-faced man was momentarily distracted, she kicked him in the groin. Writhing in pain, he let go of Gu Xiaoxi.
Now was the moment!
Gu Xiaoxi turned around, yanked open the door, and stumbled out. The hallway was deserted, except for a man preparing to unlock his door.
"You bitch! Stand still!" The scar-faced man was on the verge of giving chase. If he caught her again, the implications were too terrifying to contemplate.
In this desperate moment, Gu Xiaoxi threw caution to the wind and launched herself at the other man. The door behind them closed right as the scar-faced man charged forward, separating him from Gu Xiaoxi.
"Please help...help me..." Exhausted, Gu Xiaoxi collapsed into the man's arms.
With a frown, Lu Jingchen pushed away the clinging Gu Xiaoxi and opened the door. His voice was steady and cold. "Get out!"
The footsteps outside hadn't faded away, and the sudden opening of the door caused a palpable pause.
Gu Xiaoxi, who was pushed onto the ground, gripped the hem of Lu Jingchen's pants with her bleeding hand and begged in panic, "Please... save me..."
Lu Jingchen, ever the germophobe, saw the blood stain on his pants and was about to kick her away once again. But he unintentionally met her pleading eyes.
It's her!
