C3 A Hero Saving a Beauty
Xu Huanxi dabbed at the wine stains at the corner of her lips. Ever since she had uncovered Jiang Tunan's true identity, she had fled to Australia for work. Had it not been for her grandmother's sudden cancer diagnosis, she wouldn't have come back so soon.
She knew her relationship with Jiang Tunan was over.
If Jiang Tunan were just an average guy, maybe she could have clung to some hope. But he was the heir to the Jiang Shan Group empire.
Yet, her great-grandmother remained oblivious, still harboring grand dreams of Jiang Tunan joining the family as her grandson-in-law.
Her grandmother had toiled her whole life to raise her; Xu Huanxi couldn't bear the thought of her passing with any unrest. A spark of resolve lit up in her eyes. Today, she was here to find someone suitable to marry.
Her best friend, Soong Ci, had already scoped out an excellent prospect.
Handsome, a skilled actor, and highly efficient.
Above all, he was affordable and reliable.
Who knew what kind of man he would be, marrying her.
Xu Huanxi felt a buzz from the alcohol, her inner turmoil growing, her desire to drown in drink intensifying. But her glass was empty. She rang for service, but after a long wait, no one came.
She decided to leave the VIP suite and staggered to the bar for a refill.
Propped against the bar, her long legs dangled enticingly from the high stool as she downed one glass after another. How could she simply cast aside a year's worth of feelings?
Deep down, she knew she was still holding on to Jiang Tunan.
In love and unable to let go.
...
A beauty drinking solo is bound to draw attention.
A man approached Xu Huanxi and, with a tentative hand on her shoulder, said, "Hey gorgeous, how about I treat you to a drink?"
Xu Huanxi, who always loathed the lecherous glint in men's eyes, felt a wave of nausea. Her mood was foul today, and she had no patience for pleasantries. "Not interested."
The man sheepishly rubbed his nose and slid a glass of wine toward her. "Let's call this my way of saying sorry."
Xu Huanxi just wanted to lose herself in the liquor. She reached for the glass, but a hand suddenly pressed down on the rim, stopping her.
She peered through the haze of dim lights and vibrant colors, barely making out the man's face amidst the chaos. He was tall and his gaze was fierce. Who did he think he was, some kind of big shot?
Chu Rusi slid the drink back across the bar to the man who had approached him and simply stated, "Drink it."
The man's face darkened. What was this guy's deal? What turf did he claim? Couldn't he see that he was about to seal the deal? Frustrated, he shoved at Chu Rusi, demanding, "Who the heck are you?"
With swift precision, Chu Rusi countered, pinning the man against the bar. His grip tightened, offering a stark choice: "Drink? Or be disabled?"
Sweat beaded on the man's face as panic set in. His hand... it felt like it was breaking! Desperate, he snatched up the glass and gulped it down, plastering on a sycophantic smile. "Drank it, I drank it."
"Get lost!" Chu Rusi's sneer was cold as his grip intensified. He had always loathed such despicable characters.
Drugging someone? Such dirty tactics. He'd take it upon himself to teach the man a lesson, considering it a public service.
The man's pained cries, drenched in cold sweat, drew the eyes of everyone nearby.
All the while, Xu Huanxi sipped her drink, seemingly detached from the unfolding drama.
After tossing the man aside, Chu Rusi turned to his assistant, Wen Qingfeng, and gave a simple command, "Handle this."
Wen Qingfeng stepped forward, sparing a brief moment of pity for the man. Their boss detested drug use, and if it weren't for the law, he might have exacted a much harsher punishment.
Chu Rusi then turned his attention to Xu Huanxi, who was slumped over the counter, her hands too weak to even grasp her glass.
He gave her back a gentle pat. He owed her for a past favor, and a woman alone and inebriated in a bar was a recipe for trouble. He'd consider helping her out as repaying a debt. "Where's your home?" he asked.
