Chapter 69: A Timely Rescue

Confronted by Qiao Zhen's relentless barrage of questions, Li Manya forced a faint smile to the corners of her lips. "He's been quite good to me."A flicker of disappointment crossed Qiao Zhen's face, his gaze burning fiercely as if he wished to devour her whole."That's enough, Manya. The promises I made you back then still stand. If one day you part ways, you can always come to me."Li Manya shivered under his predatory stare, her entire body uneasy from head to toe. She nodded hastily and rose."Sorry, I'm feeling unwell and would like to leave first.""Alright, wait here a moment. I'll use the restroom and settle the bill.""Mm."As soon as Qiao Zhen departed, Li Manya exhaled deeply, the oppressive discomfort ebbing away. After waiting for more than ten minutes with no sign of his return, she pulled out her phone and messaged a number she hadn't contacted for years.I'm waiting for you by the entrance.Suddenly, she bowed her head while walking and accidentally collided with someone."Sorry!" Li Manya hurriedly apologized.It was the foreigner who had spoken with Qiao Zhen earlier. He frowned, his eyes scanning her from head to toe before rattling off a stream of English she couldn't comprehend, leaving her dizzy and unable to respond except with repeated apologies.Without warning, the foreigner grabbed her wrist with a grip that suggested he had no intention of letting go."Let go!" Li Manya snapped irritably. "You're being rude!"Amid the bustling crowd, they tugged and struggled, the deafening music drowning out the commotion. Li Manya was no match for him and was dragged forcefully toward a private room in the bar."Let me go!" Her voice trembled, panic rising.Su Wanwan watched silently, downing the last sip from her glass. From her vantage point, she could see Qiao Zhen lurking nearby, eyes sharp and poised to intervene.This was clearly a staged hero rescue scene. In a foreign land, which woman wouldn't be terrified in such a predicament?Just as Li Manya was on the verge of mental collapse, Qiao Zhen would swoop in, incapacitate the villain, and hold the damsel gently in his arms. Tender embraces and heartfelt concern might just spark something between them."Cliché."Slipping the candy wrapper aside, Su Wanwan popped the pink sweet into her mouth. Grabbing her bottle, she strode purposefully forward.Reaching behind the pair, she stood on tiptoe and slapped the blond man hard on the back."What the hell! Mind your own business—"Smack—crash! Without a word, Su Wanwan struck his forehead with the bottle. The shattering glass mingled with the gasps of onlookers. Before he could react, the blond man collapsed to the ground.Su Wanwan tossed the bottle aside and yanked Li Manya's arm, pulling her toward the exit.Backstage staff rushing over recognized Su Wanwan and silently messaged their boss:Second Master, Miss Three's causing trouble again!Qiao Zhen stared in disbelief, surprised by this unexpected turn. Just as he prepared to move, Su Wanwan's eyes met his from the crowd. The icy cold within those dark pupils froze his legs in place, rendering him immobile.By the time he snapped out of it, Su Wanwan had vanished.Li Manya, utterly drained, was flung against the wall as her wrist was wrenched free.Su Wanwan stood before her, voice calm and detached."Next time, be more cautious. Meeting an old acquaintance after all these years and immediately being dragged to a bar—what good could possibly come of it?"Li Manya lowered her gaze, tangled strands of hair obscuring her expression, her body trembling faintly."And that man, he…" Her hoarse voice trailed off."Do you think I'm doing you a favor?" Su Wanwan arched a delicate brow."You just want to see me humiliated…""Su Wanwan, you got your wish. I've embarrassed myself utterly before you. You can laugh all you want now!" Li Manya growled with bitter anger, her breath catching with suppressed tears.Su Wanwan crossed her arms, leaning casually against the wall beside her."If I wanted to mock you, why would I help?"Li Manya's eyes reddened as she suddenly lunged forward, palm pressed against Su Wanwan's temple, glaring fiercely."Because you want me to owe you!""You want me to be grateful to you!""Dream on." Su Wanwan uttered with a soft 'oh.'They were so close that Li Manya could smell the sweet scent of candy on Su Wanwan's breath."It seems we don't have any deep-rooted grudges between us, do we?" Su Wanwan mused, her hand resting thoughtfully on her chin.She was such a well-behaved person, least likely to stir trouble, yet Li Manya regarded her as an adversary."There are." Li Manya spat the word through clenched teeth.As Liang Yi's attention slowly drifted away from her, she and Su Wanwan had already become enemies."Don't think that just because you helped me this time, I'll be thankful.""Our score is far from settled."Su Wanwan's expression remained indifferent."Fine, take your time settling the accounts."Li Manya glared venomously and turned sharply to the right.Su Wanwan kindly corrected her:"You're heading the wrong way; the hotel is to the left."Li Manya halted, shooting her a fierce glare before walking left.Watching her retreating figure, Su Wanwan sighed,"If you'd shown that kind of spirit earlier, maybe that man would've fled."She reached the roadside, hailed a cab, and sent a WeChat message to her second brother.I've been waiting forever and you didn't show. I'm leaving; we'll reschedule.You little troublemaker, I just got to the bar entrance. Heard you got into a fight?Yep.Don't worry, leave it to me. I'll handle it.Su Wanwan smiled softly.Thanks, bro.Oh, and remember to transfer the medical fees. Treatment here is expensive, I'm out of cash.Su Wanwan's smile faltered slightly.Have you ever seen a red exclamation mark?...Su Wanwan and Li Manya returned to the hotel one after the other and slept until dusk before rising.At dinner, Li Manya deliberately avoided sitting with Su Wanwan and barely spoke throughout the meal."This hotel's quite nice. It must be expensive to stay a night here.""Over three thousand yuan, in fact! Manager Qiao is truly generous.""Well, since we have connections, you all know how well-networked Sister Manya is."Li Manya forced down a few bites, then irritably stood."I'm full. I'm heading back to my room.""Sister Manya, you're here so rarely. How about going out for a walk together?"