Chapter 22: Salvation

Wang Guang looked her up and down. Compared to her flamboyant outfits in Rong City, here in Haicheng she was dressed with understated elegance—a long ponytail at the back of her head, exuding the air of a workplace elite. This only made Wang Guang’s heart itch even more. She was stunning beyond reason, able to pull off any style with ease, mature and full of charm, enough to haunt a man’s dreams.

“Do you have the money to pay back what you owe me?” Wang Guang asked with a sly grin, his eyes lecherous and making Gu Shenshen’s skin crawl.

“Soon. Once the hotel is sold, I’ll be able to pay you back. President Wang, you’re a generous man—please give me a little more time.” At this moment, Gu Shenshen dared not confront him head-on and could only speak politely.

Wang Guang gestured toward a private room in the distance. “Alright, how about we have a drink? Last time in Rong City, my men acted thoughtlessly and scared you. Tonight, let’s have a proper conversation.” As he spoke, he moved to take her arm, but Gu Shenshen instinctively stepped back.

His hand missed, and Wang Guang’s expression darkened instantly. “You’ve slept with so many men in Rong City—what’s one more? Please me tonight, and maybe I’ll let you off the hook.” Wang Guang was a crude man, his desire written all over his face, as if he wanted to have his way with her right there.

“I’m here with my boss tonight. I still have to take him home later. President Wang, about the money…” she started.

“That rundown hotel of yours isn’t worth enough—even if you sell it, you’ll still owe. No one’s wanted it for ages, and it’s sure to fail at auction. The fire ruined its reputation.” Otherwise, with the Mulan’s former fame, someone would have snapped it up long ago.

Gu Shenshen gazed into the distance, wishing desperately that Zhou Ci would appear at that moment. In her heart, she was praying wildly for him to be her savior just this once. And, as if her prayers had been answered by the right god, she suddenly saw Zhou Ci step out of the private room. The man paused in the wide corridor, glancing left and right.

“President Zhou! I’m over here!” Gu Shenshen called out to him at the top of her lungs.

Wang Guang was startled by her sudden shout and reflexively turned around. Seizing the moment, Gu Shenshen dashed in Zhou Ci’s direction.

Unfortunately, as she ran past, Wang Guang reached out and yanked her back with brute force.

“You just won’t drink the wine offered to you—you’d rather drink the penalty cup, huh? Come with me!” Wang Guang’s temper flared as he roughly seized her by the hair, intent on dragging her away.

Meanwhile, Zhou Ci’s steps toward them were not hurried, but when he saw Wang Guang’s rough handling, he broke into a run, long strides closing the distance fast.

Wang Guang had thought she was bluffing, but when he saw the man really running over, a chill ran through him. As Zhou Ci drew near, Wang Guang caught the cold menace in his eyes—a look he, a man of the underworld, recognized instantly—a look that meant danger. Instinctively, he let go.

But Zhou Ci’s fist didn’t slow. Hard as iron, it crashed into Wang Guang’s fleshy face.

Wang Guang was terrified, his scream guttural and piercing as he staggered backward. If not for his bulk, he’d have collapsed to the floor.

Zhou Ci, wild with fury, showed no sign of stopping. Gu Shenshen, shocked by the violence, quickly stepped forward and grabbed him.

“Stop. He’s not from Haicheng—if something happens to him here, it’ll be a big problem.” Her strength was slight, yet it was enough to make Zhou Ci halt.