Chapter 28: I'm Here

"If you don't drink, we'll force you to!" In the blink of an eye, Li Chengxi, whose suppressed desire had long been on the verge of exploding, darted forward. The man grabbed a bottle of alcohol, poured it into a glass, and forcefully pulled Xixia over, attempting to pour the liquid into her mouth!

"Let go of me, Li Chengxi, you lunatic!" Shang Xixia screamed, utterly disgusted by the extent of his depravity. Her hands flailed as she bit and struggled, but the man's strength was overwhelming. The petite girl was clearly no match. However, her fierce resistance meant Li Chengxi couldn't completely get his way!

"Hu Ye, what the hell are you doing? Help me out!" Li Chengxi's expression twisted into a demonic snarl as he turned to Hu Ye and roared!

"I can't, Chengxi! I'm already having a hard time holding Zhou Xingyan down over here!" Hu Ye shouted back, flustered.

"Help! Somebody, please help us!" Zhou Xingyan and Shang Xixia screamed in desperation, their voices raw from shouting. Their hair was disheveled, tears streaming down their faces, painting a tragic picture of despair!

But the soundproofing in the KTV room was excellent; outside, their cries for help were utterly drowned out.

"These fiery little things—after we're done with them, we must take some photos and videos. It'll be handy for later. They won't ever dare to act smug again!"

Hu Ye grumbled furiously. Having lost patience with Zhou Xingyan, he picked up an ashtray on the table and smashed it against her head!

"Help... Xixia... run..." Zhou Xingyan used her last ounce of strength to yell out those words before collapsing to the floor, motionless!

"Hu Ye, get over here! I'm not finished yet!" Li Chengxi was still grappling with Shang Xixia. Though her slender frame seemed fragile, her fierce determination burned brightly. Her resistance only served to waste more of his time!

Overwhelmed by lust and envy, Li Chengxi couldn't bear the thought of Hu Ye succeeding before him!

"Fine, I'll handle it!" Hu Ye reluctantly got up, ashtray in hand, and moved toward Shang Xixia.

"It's over!" Seeing her unconscious friend Mo Yang lying on the floor, Shang Xixia's tears poured forth, filled with the weight of despair!

"Bang!" At that moment, the door was kicked open with a resounding crash. Gu Jingchen's sharply defined face was cold and formidable, exuding an air of absolute dominance. His presence carried an aura of bloodthirsty fury as he stood at the doorway!

Xixia's tear-streaked eyes shimmered with a flicker of hope. The rays of light cut across the doorway, illuminating the man's tall, imposing figure. She felt as though she was seeing a giant standing before her!

"Bang, bang!" Mighty fists rained down on Li Chengxi and Hu Ye's heads and bodies. Gu Jingchen's skill was extraordinary!

In mere moments, both assailants collapsed, unconscious, onto the ground.

"Xixia, Xixia?" Gu Jingchen, feeling as though his heart had been torn apart, was gripped with intense pain that made his very breaths laborious.

The man, his strength failing him, held Shang Xixia tightly. Always calm and composed, he clumsily shrugged off his suit jacket, wrapping it around her disheveled body before gathering the petite woman securely in his arms!

"Wah!" The girl, who had been trying to hold herself together, broke down in tears at that moment. Breathing in the man's comforting warmth and strength, she let her cries of anguish pour out unrestrained!

"Don't cry. I'm here, I'm here," the man murmured softly, gently soothing the woman he held so dear. Without hesitation or disdain, he reached out with his shirt sleeve to wipe away her tears and smeared makeup.

"Let's go, Xixia. We'll head to the hospital for a check-up!" Summoning all his willpower, Gu Jingchen steadied his emotions and spoke gently. Seeing the redness and swelling on her delicate face, his voice softened further.

By this time, Gu Jingrui had rushed to the KTV. His presence there was purely coincidental; earlier, he'd overheard his elder brother's phone call with Grandpa when Gu Jingxin returned home.

The sudden tension between the twins had cast an uneasy pall over the vast mansion. With his lips pressed tightly together, Gu Jingrui had decided to drive off and locate his brother after hanging up the call.

Reaching the KTV's second floor, he was greeted by the chaos unfolding within: Zhou Xingyan unconscious on the ground, and the horrific aftermath of violence. Gu Jingrui swiftly shed his jacket, scooped Zhou Xingyan up, and strode determinedly toward the exit!

"Rong Hao, stay here, preserve the scene. That alcohol—they clearly tampered with it. Make sure to force it down those two bastards' throats—don't leave a single drop. Lock the room afterward, search them for drugs of any kind. If you find anything, shove it down their throats as well. Wait here until I return!"

With just a single glance, Gu Jingchen understood exactly what had transpired. Though he wouldn't stoop to their level, it didn't mean he wasn't aware of their vile tactics. "If you like playing dirty, I'll make you experience it for yourselves!" he said coldly to his assistant before carrying the woman he cherished and walking away.

The KTV was now in pandemonium. Yu Tingting had caught wind of the drama. Her petite frame was trembling in fear, her face drained of color. She rushed down the stairs, almost tripping over herself in haste, and scrambled into Gu Jingchen's car as they raced toward the hospital!

An hour later, the hospital confirmed the results of Xixia and Zhou Xingyan's examinations. Thankfully, neither of them suffered any serious problems. Only then did Gu Jingchen exhale in partial relief.

"Xixia, let me take you home to rest," Gu Jingchen said, working to suppress his emotions and appear composed. His gaze lingered on the woman he cared for most.

"Thank you, Brother Jingchen. Whenever I'm in trouble, you're always there for me." Shang Xixia's white teeth gleamed slightly as she lowered her long lashes, giving him the faintest, sweetest smile.

"Ah..."

"I just happened to be discussing business with a friend," Gu Jingchen replied, masking his feelings with a kind lie.

After all, what could he say? That he showed up just to be near her? That he was always keeping an eye on her?

Gu Jingchen understood that love was a gradual process. If he confessed outright, given Shang Xixia's personality, the young woman would undoubtedly feel burdened.