Savage Kiss - Chapter 16

The dinner was held in a large private room, with a total of twenty to thirty people in attendance.

In such settings, Xu Qingyi always felt out of place, she was merely a background figure. No one would toast her, and no one would pay attention to a minor character like her.

At least, that’s what she thought.

But as the atmosphere warmed up, someone deliberately raised a glass and approached her. “Xiao Xu, right? You’re outstanding.”

The community leader leaned in and whispered to her, “That’s Manager Zheng, the organizer.” Then he signaled for her to pick up her glass and respond.

Xu Qingyi smiled politely, stood up, and took a small sip.

Manager Zheng’s gesture set off a chain reaction, others chimed in, saying they were deeply impressed by her, even suggesting she could venture into the entertainment industry.

Xu Qingyi knew these were just polite remarks, but she had to keep smiling and take a few more sips. Her face burned, and the noise made her head throb.

The community leader, who had been kind earlier, now seemed oblivious to her discomfort and even encouraged her to toast others.

“Boss…” She hesitated.

Ignoring her reluctance, he poured more wine for her. “This is a great opportunity. Do you want to embarrass Manager Zheng?”

He even lifted the glass and brought it directly to her lips.

Xu Qingyi couldn’t possibly down an entire glass in one go… it would kill her.

She turned her head away, and the pungent alcohol spilled all over her clothes.

The table fell silent for a moment, but then everyone carried on as if nothing had happened.

The leader feigned concern, though his gaze lingered on her soaked chest. “Oh no, what a mess!”

He had seen the outfit she wore during the competition and now suggested, “Why not change into a team uniform for now?”

Coincidentally, someone had just returned from a cheerleading event elsewhere and had spare clothes with them.

Xu Qingyi had swallowed that sip too quickly and now felt nauseous. Gagging, she grabbed the uniform someone handed her and rushed out to the restroom.

It was the first time she had ever felt her throat so raw it was suffocating.

In that moment, panic set in.

She wanted to leave, but she didn’t know how to excuse herself. Yet if she stayed, something bad might happen tonight.

That sense of helplessness surged when she suddenly saw Shen Yanzhou’s WeChat message:

[Finished yet?]

Though abrupt, she knew he must still be in the hotel.

For some reason, seeing his message made her feel like a helpless child who had finally found her mother, instantly vulnerable.

Setting aside their recent tensions, she called him.

“Hello?” His voice was deep and steady.

But when she opened her mouth, her throat tightened, and no words came out, only shaky breaths.

Shen Yanzhou immediately noticed her distress. “What’s wrong?”

“You…” She struggled to speak normally, her voice faltering. “C-could you… come up and get me?”

His voice grew even heavier. “What happened to you?”

Since Xu Chen fell into a coma when she was fourteen, no one had ever asked her, “What’s wrong?” or “Are you okay?”

Tears welled up instantly, choking her voice.

“Xu Qingyi, talk to me.” His low voice was tense but gentle, careful not to frighten her. “Tell me the floor.”

She finally managed to answer, but by the time she hung up, she realized she was so overwhelmed she couldn’t even stand.

Until Shen Yanzhou’s voice came through the phone again: “I’m here.”

She steadied herself against the wall as she stepped out of the restroom.

Almost instantly, her eyes locked onto him.

It was like some strange instinct, everything else in her vision blurred, leaving only him in sharp focus. The hallway was crowded with guests, but to her, they all faded into an indistinct haze.

Shen Yanzhou had one hand holding the phone to his ear, still talking to her, while the other rested on his hip, his posture tense.

“Here,” she called out.

Shen Yanzhou’s jaw tightened when he noticed the disarray of her clothes, and he strode toward her with long, purposeful steps.

But he didn’t ask any questions.

Xu Qingyi had mostly recovered by now. She said she needed to go back to the private room to say something.

Shen Yanzhou frowned but eventually nodded. “Fine, I’ll go with you.”

When Xu Qingyi returned, her boss frowned. “Why didn’t you change?”

Shen Yanzhou shot him a cold look, had he poured that drink on her just to see her change clothes?

Even now, the boss was handing her another glass, telling her to make up for the one she’d spilled on Mr. Zheng earlier.

Shen Yanzhou stepped forward, reached past her, snatched the glass from the boss’s hand, and slammed it onto the table.

Turning to her with a gentler expression, he said, “Wait outside.”

Xu Qingyi shook her head, signaling him not to cause trouble. There were too many important people here, unlike that seaside restaurant last time.

He’d be the one at a disadvantage, and she couldn’t afford to owe him any more favors.

Ignoring her, Shen Yanzhou pulled her out and then locked himself inside the room.

Xu Qingyi panicked instantly.

Her first instinct was to call the police.

The call connected slowly, and they asked for all sorts of details. How was she supposed to know the exact street name? Frustrated, she couldn’t answer.

Then, the door opened.

“Are… are you okay?” She quickly scanned him, relieved to see no injuries.

But Shen Yanzhou was now only in his shirt, the buttons undone, his body and hair splattered with alcohol, a complete mess.

“Let’s go,” he said with a slight nod.

Xu Qingyi glanced suspiciously at the private room, no one had actually chased after them.

Worried they just hadn’t reacted yet, she grabbed his hand and hurried away.

Only once they were in the elevator did Shen Yanzhou finally look at her furtive expression. “No one’s coming.”

“I beat them up first, then got on my knees to apologize. If they didn’t accept it, no one was leaving tonight. People like that are terrified of someone who doesn’t care about their own life. Once they’ve vented with alcohol, they’re done.”

Got on his knees to apologize?

He said it so casually, but Xu Qingyi’s heart ached.

“Why go that far?”

Shen Yanzhou raised a brow slightly. “Rich people value their lives. When you’re at a disadvantage, act like a reckless madman, they’re all afraid of that.”

“If I didn’t, tomorrow or next time, they’d do the same to you. Understand?”

Xu Qingyi felt a pang of sorrow. Did he often resort to this? Fighting desperately because he was at a disadvantage?

Ding! The elevator doors opened.

Shi Qing’s face suddenly appeared, he looked like he was about to head upstairs.

Xu Qingyi froze.

Shi Qing, however, smirked. “Did you know I was coming? Planned this little encounter?”

Having grown familiar with him, Xu Qingyi managed to banter back, shedding some of her earlier fragility. “If I’d known you were here, I’d have stayed far away.”

Shi Qing frowned as he saw them stepping out. “Leaving already?”

Shen Yanzhou, probably unwilling to let another man see him in such a state, didn’t wait for her and walked straight out. “I’ll get the car.”

She nodded and made to follow.

“I’ll take you,” Shi Qing said, walking out with them. “It’s on the way.”

Xu Qingyi: “…”

He’d just arrived, how was this on the way?

Keeping her distance, she tucked her hair over her shoulders to hide any signs of disarray. “Don’t trouble yourself. It’s a long drive.”

Shi Qing smirked mischievously. “Found someone new to like, huh?”

Xu Qingyi shot him a glare.

If we’re talking about old and new, then Shen Yanzhou was the old one.

Shi Qing snorted playfully, mischief in his tone, “Then should I hop in too? Three’s company?”

Xu Qingyi lowered her voice, “Keep it up and I’ll delete you.”

This kind of threat usually worked on Shi Qing.

He knew full well she meant “delete,” not “slap,” but he still cheekily raised a hand to cover his face. “You’d really do it to this handsome face? Fine, fine.”

To Shen Yanzhou, their banter looked like a couple flirting. He tapped the horn impatiently.

After saying her goodbyes, Xu Qingyi got into the car.

Shi Qing leaned down by the window to remind her, “Text me when you get home safe-”

Before he could finish, Shen Yanzhou rolled up the window and hit the gas, speeding off.