Chapter 34: As Long As You Can Escape

Gu Shenshen caught sight of Zhou Yili standing behind Shen Qiqi. He appeared gentle, yet there was little kindness in his gaze.

When Zhou Yili suddenly appeared, Zhou Ci let out a mocking, cold laugh. “You really know how to play, don’t you? There’s something special about a married woman, isn’t there? Then again, you’ve always had a thing for women like her.”

Shen Qiqi’s expression changed instantly. “Mr. Zhou, mind your words!”

“Take your woman and get lost!” Zhou Yili’s tone held no anger, but it was far from friendly.

The bar was noisy, but her voice cut through the clamor. Both Zhou Ci and Gu Shenshen heard her clearly.

Shen Qiqi frowned. In this situation, she couldn’t possibly let Zhou Ci just walk away with her.

“Mr. Zhou—” She had barely started before Zhou Yili covered her mouth.

With an unreadable expression, Zhou Ci dragged Gu Shenshen away.

From behind, Zhou Yili all but enveloped Shen Qiqi in his arms. “Zhou Ci is a madman. Don’t provoke him unless you have to. Whatever trouble Miss Gu brings upon herself, it’s not your burden to bear.” His actions were brazen and unrestrained, unsettling Shen Qiqi to her core. She worried someone might snap a photo, or she might run into an acquaintance here by sheer misfortune.

“I need to go back, Mr. Zhou. Please let me go, will you?” she pleaded.

Zhou Yili brushed his nose lightly against her cheek. “Back for what? To take another beating from him?”

Shen Qiqi stiffened, unconsciously drawing a deep breath. In the next moment, she broke free from Zhou Yili’s grasp with all her strength, retreating several brisk steps. “Please behave yourself, Mr. Zhou,” she said coldly. Without a backward glance, she turned and hurried away, as if afraid he might pull her back if she lingered even a moment.

Zhou Yili watched her departing figure, his eyes narrowing, a trace of cold amusement flickering at the corners of his lips.

…

Dragged out of the bar by Zhou Ci, Gu Shenshen’s legs gave way as they passed a decorative tree. Like a person possessed, she broke free of his grip and clung desperately to the trunk.

“What are you doing? I’m warning you—if you even think about hitting me, I’ll report you for assault!” she shouted, eyes wide with terror. She trembled uncontrollably, her face drained of color.

This was a street lined with bars, teeming with all sorts of people. Scenes like theirs were nothing out of the ordinary; passersby barely spared them a glance.

Zhou Ci wore a black suit and a white shirt, undone at the collar, looking both sharp and carelessly relaxed. He unbuttoned another button, gazing down at her with an icy, deranged intensity that felt like a nightmare. Gu Shenshen was overwhelmed by despair.

Before long, his assistant pulled up by the curb.

Gu Shenshen was nearly petrified with fear. Even clutching the tree, she felt no safer; it was as if his fist could strike at any moment.

“I’ll give you a chance,” Zhou Ci said. “You can try to run now. If you manage to escape, I’ll consider it my loss.”

Her face turned even paler, a wave of helplessness washing over her. Zhou Ci had laid a vast net for her in North City—where could she possibly go?

“Zhou Ci…” She hadn’t finished her sentence before he seized her without mercy, and after only a few steps, tossed her into the car.

On the ride back, Zhou Ci sat stone-faced and silent. When they arrived at the garage and the assistant departed, Gu Shenshen couldn’t help but glance his way several times. He shot her a blank look and got out of the car.

Her heart pounded furiously as she followed him out, trailing at a safe distance, filled with apprehension.