Again, he hadn't taken part personally.
But he'd stood on the sidelines, laughing along.
Now that it was his turn to be pinned to a sofa and humiliated, Xiao Dong's only thought was that life no longer felt worth living.
For a man, this stuff was disgrace—worse than death.
Especially when the bearded lunatic kept kissing him all over.
The reek of sweat and cheap booze made him want to puke.
How's it feel, huh? Good, yeah?
At that moment he realized it wasn't just the alcohol churning in his gut.
It was also every scream he'd pretended not to hear.
Before blacking out, Xiao Dong knew this was payback.
He just didn't connect it to Jiang Cheng.
Had to be enemies of Green Hair and Linna.
Those two loved setting up little drug-a-thons.
He'd figured not joining in meant he was still a decent guy.
Now that the same poison was shoved down his throat, he realized how wrong he'd been.
Inside the private room the chaos kept climbing; the muscle-heads, high on pills and liquor, had lost their minds and turned Xiao Dong and the others into punching bags.
The crack of belts, filthy laughter and muffled sobs drowned the long-dead music.
Linna cowered in a sofa corner, one stiletto lost in the scuffle, her perfect makeup streaked into a muddy mess.
Watching Green Hair twitch like a dying rat and hearing Xiao Dong's slurred curses, she felt fear wrap round her heart like ivy.
These weren't the small-time punks she could handle; the madness in their eyes cast a real shadow of death.
Let me go... I'll pay, lots of money... she fumbled for her phone.
The moment she grabbed it, a meat-faced bruiser snatched it and smashed it to pieces.
Money? I drop six figures a month on pretty boys—keep your cash. Tonight I want your soft little hide to play with.
He grinned and yanked her by the hair.
Linna shrieked and jerked away.
She'd always been wild and arrogant, queen bee among her crowd.
No one had ever dared treat her like this.
Fury and terror fused, flooding her with sudden strength.
Flailing, she raked bloody scratches down his arm with her nails.
Get lost, or I'll wipe out your whole family!
Normally these guys would've backed off even drunk.
But with the drug in their blood they were seeing red.
Every week some drunk idiot kills a Girl for refusing to give him her WeChat—this was worse.
And Linna had just struck first.
Women hadn't been their main interest, but that scratch flipped a switch.
With a roar he hoisted her like a chicken and slammed her onto the glass coffee-table.
Cold marble cracked against her ribs, pain shooting through her chest.
Still scratching? Tough, huh? Let me show you tough! He snarled and smashed two brutal slaps across her face.
Stars exploded in her vision; her head rang like a gong.
Still she thrashed, trying to break free.
Her heel kicked wildly until another goon pinned her legs.
Don't touch me! Xiao Dong—help! she screamed toward the sofa where he was held.
Xiao Dong's head was being rammed by the bearded man; he hated Linna more than ever.
The man looming over her, fed up with her shrieks, snatched his belt from the floor.
Crack! The metal buckle split her cheek, raising an angry welt.
Fire seared her skin; a shrill cry tore from her throat.
Shut it! One more squeal and I'll cut your tongue out! he bellowed, voice echoing painfully in the cramped room.
The threat snapped her mouth shut; tears flooded down like a burst dam.
Suddenly a memory flashed: the terror in Lin Wei's eyes when she'd blackmailed her with photos—exactly what she felt now.
Regret surged, bitter and strong.
Why had she threatened Lin Wei at all?
Her gaze darted frantically around the room.
But the two women were nowhere to be seen.
Had Lin Wei sent these monsters?
Retribution, she thought—the word hammered in her skull.
While her mind reeled the man didn't pause.
Her blouse was ripped open; buttons pinged across the floor.
No... please... her sobs faded to whimpers, body shaking as her mind cracked.
A lanky muscle-head who'd stayed silent knelt, clutching a half-emptied bottle.
Eyes cold and vicious, he stared into her terror-wide pupils.
He jammed the neck between her teeth.
Drink up! Like the pretty boy—makes everything nice! he roared, voice tinged with madness.
Linna thrashed her head, refusing.
His iron fingers clamped her jaw, locking her in place.
The brute pinning her legs gave an ugly laugh.
He jerked her body hard, ramming her skull against the table edge.
A dull thud—her head struck cold marble, brilliant white light bursting behind her eyes.
Agony surged; a metallic taste flooded her throat.
She went limp, limbs twitching like a broken marionette slumped over the table.
Hey—she stopped moving? The man felt the change, the fight gone out of her.
He checked her breath; within seconds his own face drained corpse-white.
She's… not breathing…
The bearded man tearing at Xiao Dong's clothes spun around. When his eyes landed on Linna's neck, twisted and slack, his face froze in shock.
A dark-red froth had dried at the corner of Linna's mouth, stark against her bloodless skin—grotesque.
Shit, how'd she die?" the bearded man cursed, voice thick with regret and rage.
I… I barely touched her," the man who'd shoved her stammered, fear finally creeping in. "She ran into it herself…
The chaotic private room fell silent; only their ragged breathing remained.
The brawny men exchanged glances, panic eclipsing the high the drugs had given them.
Still drunk and half-high, their minds were too sluggish to think. No one dared call the police; no one knew what to do.
Stop gawking—move!" the bearded man rasped, as though something had him by the throat.
In frantic haste they wrapped Linna's body in a tablecloth.
A careless tug sent the corner trash can clattering.
Garbage spilled, mixing with the blood, releasing a sickly stench.
The bearded man swore under his breath.
They yanked the cloth back over her and slunk out the rear door, vanishing into the alley shadows.
Only Xiao Dong remained conscious in the room.
Yellow Hair and Green Hair had long since passed out.
His backside burned as if branded; pain blurred his vision.
Clenching his teeth, he crawled to the table, fumbled for his phone, and dialed his father.
Just as his thumb hovered over call—
A wave of vertigo hit; the room went black. The phone slipped, screen winking out.
At dawn the next day Cheng Gui sped to Jiang Cheng's apartment.
He'd already waited over an hour on the lobby sofa.
He'd arrived before eight, unable to sit still at home.
He politely told the Bodyguard not to wake Jiang Cheng; he would wait.
An hour dragged by—still no sound from upstairs.
Cheng Gui had seen every scene the business world could offer, yet being left to cool his heels this long was rare.
Fury simmered, but his smile never slipped.
Even when Xia Li refilled his tea, he thanked her with courteous grace.
Perhaps sensing something, Jiang Cheng woke to a sliver of sunlight through the curtains.
Beside him, Qiao Yinyin slept on, long lashes casting faint shadows.
He rose quietly, washed, and pulled on a loose linen shirt.
Halfway down the stairs he spotted Cheng Gui gazing out the window, graying temples bright in the morning light—nothing like the confident tycoon he'd last met.
Jiang Cheng lifted a brow.
Well, Old Cheng, why the early-morning meditation?" he asked, voice sudden behind the older man.
Cheng Gui startled, exhaustion flashing before he forced a calm smile.
Rising, he said smoothly, "President Jiang, you're up. Just passing by, thought I'd drop in."
President Jiang, good morning—hope I didn't disturb you. I was in the area and decided to visit."
As he stood, his knee knocked the sofa arm; he swallowed a wince.
Not at all," Jiang Cheng replied, feigning annoyance. "The staff should have told me. Sit, please."
Cheng Gui composed himself.
I told them not to. Age steals sleep; I get bored at home. Since you're in Chengdu, I thought I'd sample your breakfast tea—if you don't mind."
Mind? Have you eaten? Let's breakfast together."
Sure. Deer Lake's lovely—better than the old district. I might move nearby."
With your real-estate haul, that's easy."
Hearty laughter—then his phone vibrated wildly.
Caller ID: "Cheng Family Butler."
Cheng Gui lifted a hand. "Excuse me, I must take this."
So he still doesn't know about Xiao Dong, Jiang Cheng mused; the Security Team report had been waiting when he woke.
He almost pitied the old man—toppled by his own son.
He'd meant to give Cheng Gui face and let him handle it, but the fool couldn't catch the lifeline.
Fate, it seemed, had its own script.
Cheng Gui's greeting was answered by the butler's choked sob.
Master—terrible news! Young master… had an incident at the bar!"
The words struck like lightning; Cheng Gui's heart lurched, his mind filling with images of his son dead.
His chest heaved; composure shattered. Lips trembling, he managed only a strangled whisper.
Wh-what did you say? He's… dead?