Volume One, Chapter 16: Restoring the Engagement, I Can Save Her
The second floor was an ‘L’-shaped corridor. Just past the corner, two bodyguards stood blocking the way. “This way is off-limits.”
Besides this spot, two more bodyguards stood by the restroom door at the end of the corridor.
Tang Ruan silently gripped the handle of her umbrella tighter.
From the end of the corridor came faint voices. “Miss Lin, Young Master Wang told me to check on you.”
“Miss Lin, if you don’t come out, I’m going to break down the door.”
“Miss Lin…”
The voice at the corridor’s end gradually merged with the one from the phone receiver.
“Move aside!”
The bodyguards didn’t budge an inch.
“This is South City, not Jiang City!”
Upon hearing this, the bodyguards’ expressions softened for a moment. But recalling their boss’s orders, they shook their heads resolutely. “No matter where this is, this route is blocked.”
If they let anyone through, they would lose their jobs.
The other side refused to yield, and the stalemate would only waste time. Tang Ruan fell silent, gripped the umbrella handle, and struck one bodyguard’s most vulnerable spot—
“Ah—!”
Bodyguard A doubled over in pain, clutching himself, and sank to the floor on his knees.
Bodyguard B instinctively shielded his own vulnerable area, trying to avoid the same fate.
“Step aside, or you’ll end up like him.”
A chill ran through Bodyguard B’s entire body, but he shook his head stubbornly. “No.”
Tang Ruan swung the long umbrella again but was met by Bodyguard B’s firm grip.
“Using the same trick twice? Do you think I—ah—”
Tang Ruan withdrew her foot, glanced at Bodyguard B’s body bent like a shrimp, then strode past.
“Stop! You can’t go any further!”
The two bodyguards by the restroom tried to block her.
Just then, the private room’s door opened.
Someone emerged slowly.
The bodyguards halted in place, respectfully greeting the newcomer: “Young Master Wang.”
Wang Chengzu had his hands in his pockets and didn’t even glance at the bodyguards.
Several young men about his age followed him out of the room.
Almost all familiar faces from the bar earlier.
Wang Chengzu looked at Tang Ruan, a smirk playing on his lips. “Miss Tang, we meet again.”
He knew who she was—the young lady of the Tang family in South City and Lin Jie’s close confidante.
She had come for Lin Jie.
But he had no intention of letting go.
Why would he relinquish such a juicy opportunity?
Especially when it was served right to him.
Tang Ruan didn’t respond to Wang Chengzu’s words but went straight to the point. “Young Master Wang, I’m here to take Lin Jie away.”
“Take her away?” Wang Chengzu shook his head. “You can’t.”
The Wang family’s power rivaled that of the Tang family. He had no reason to fear Tang Ruan.
Besides, she was just a woman who would eventually marry someone else. How could she compare to him, the Wang family’s only grandson?
The Tang family wouldn’t make enemies of the Wang family over a daughter who would one day belong to another family!
“Are you going to stop me, Young Master Wang?”
“You can leave,” Wang Chengzu extended a finger, waving it side to side, “but Lin Jie cannot.”
“Not a chance!”
The smile vanished from Wang Chengzu’s face, replaced by a cold glare at Tang Ruan. “Escort Miss Tang out.”
Bodyguards C and D approached Tang Ruan.
Wang Chengzu turned and entered the adjacent restroom, speaking softly and coaxingly: “Jie Jie, open the door. It’s me.”
A chill ran through Tang Ruan.
She glanced at the watch on her wrist, brows furrowing tightly.
Why hasn’t he arrived yet...
Just as Bodyguards C and D were about to grab her, a male voice rang out: “Stop!”
It was Huo Yanchuan.
He strode in large steps, followed by several carefully selected Huo family bodyguards.
Just standing there, their presence completely overshadowed Wang Chengzu’s men.
Tang Ruan secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Having grown up together with her and Lin Jie, Huo Yanchuan might dislike or even hate her, but at a moment like this, he wouldn’t stand by and watch her die.
“Huo Yanchuan, Lin Jie is inside. Please save her.”
Hearing Tang Ruan call him by name, Bodyguards C and D exchanged glances.
Huo Yanchuan—the young master of the Huo family in South City?
The men’s eyes flickered with caution.
Bodyguard C turned to report this to Wang Chengzu.
Although the Tang and Wang families were evenly matched, and the young master said he wasn't afraid, the Huo family was another matter—they had to be wary.
“You want me to save her?”
Tang Ruan nodded. “Yes.”
Tang family people hadn’t arrived yet; for now, she could only hope for Huo Yanchuan’s help.
“I can save her,” Huo Yanchuan said softly, then added slowly, “but you must apologize to me, restore our engagement, and marry me as promised.”
Tang Ruan’s expression stiffened instantly.
She looked at him in disbelief. “Restore the engagement? Marry as promised?”
Huo Yanchuan nodded.
Unable to hold back, she asked the question that had troubled her for days: “You have someone else you like. Why marry me?”
He was so fond of Lu Xiaorou—why not choose to marry her?
She had already stepped aside willingly and was no longer an obstacle between them!
“Xiaorou’s nature is too gentle, not suitable to be Mrs. Huo.”
At least, not now.
“Young Master Huo, I’ve heard so much about you,” Wang Chengzu returned, smiling as he extended his hand toward Huo Yanchuan.
Huo Yanchuan cast a sideways glance at Tang Ruan, then shook Wang Chengzu’s hand.
In the past, he never regarded second-generation heirs like Wang Chengzu, much less deigned to shake hands with them.
But now, he was more than happy to use Wang Chengzu to pressure Tang Ruan into making a decision.
For Lin Jie’s sake, Tang Ruan would surely yield!
Huo Yanchuan’s features relaxed as he awaited Tang Ruan’s submissive acceptance.
“Do you have a good relationship with Jie Jie?” Wang Chengzu probed.
If Huo Yanchuan and Lin Jie were close, he would have to reconsider the next steps.
There were plenty of women in the world; no need to offend Huo Yanchuan over one.
It wasn’t worth it.
Huo Yanchuan looked at Tang Ruan, silent, waiting for her answer.
His response depended on hers.
Tang Ruan clenched her jaw tightly, her chin trembling.
She hated that Huo Yanchuan was taking advantage of the situation, but she had no choice.
“I will—”
“What are you doing?!”
Tang Ruan’s eyes suddenly flashed bright, and she swallowed the rest of her words.
Reinforcements had arrived; there was no need to continue yielding to Huo Yanchuan’s threats!
Looking in the direction of the voice, a group of people marched in.
Leading were several police officers in uniform, followed by Tang family bodyguards.
“Officer Tang, they are illegally detaining my friend,” Tang Ruan preemptively declared.
Wang Chengzu’s face darkened as he instinctively denied, “I am not.”
Officer Tang waved, and a female officer stepped past the group, following Tang Ruan into the restroom.
Soon after, Lin Jie emerged, her face flushed, limbs weak, clearly in a disturbed state, supported on either side by Tang Ruan and the female officer.
Facts spoke louder than words.
“She was drugged with a love potion,” the female officer gritted out.
Officer Tang said, “Take her back.”
The police raised handcuffs to arrest Wang Chengzu, but he shoved them away. “Do you know who I am?!”
Officer Tang stepped forward, grasped Wang Chengzu’s hand, ignored his struggle, and firmly cuffed him. “No matter who you are, if you commit a crime, you must face the consequences.”
Wang Chengzu’s gaze swept over the officer’s chest as he ground his teeth. “Tang Che, I will remember you!”
Tang Che raised an eyebrow, indifferent, waving his hand. “Take him to the station.”
Many want to remember him; he doesn’t mind adding one more.
“Officer, we need to take her to the hospital first,” the female officer reminded.
“Alright, I’ll go get the car.”
Passing Huo Yanchuan, Tang Che glanced at him briefly before looking away expressionlessly.
“Tang Ruan.”
Suddenly called by name, Tang Ruan responded instinctively, “Second Brother.”
“You finally did something right.”
Tang Ruan looked puzzled. “What?”
“Breaking off the engagement.”
“Very wise.”
Huo Yanchuan’s face darkened.