Chapter 17: Crisis—A Woman Driven to Despair

Li Chao sat quietly on the sofa in the corner, his gaze cutting through the noisy crowd and landing on Xie Long.

Xie Long was whispering with his lackeys, letting out wild, arrogant laughs from time to time, as if victory was already his.

Glancing at the menacing group, Li Chao felt no disturbance within; it was as though he had foreseen everything that was happening.

“Brother Long, please, don’t be rash,”

Xiangxue stepped forward, attempting to soothe Xie Long’s anger with her usual gentleness and tact.

“Xinping truly didn’t know that Ajie was your man. Had she known, she would have never acted as she did. Can we please sit down and talk this through?”

Xie Long shot Xiangxue a glance, a flicker of disdain crossing his eyes. He let out a cold laugh and replied,

“Talk things through? Easy for you to say. My brother’s been beaten like this, and you expect me to just let it go?”

Xiangxue tensed, but she didn’t retreat. She continued,

“Brother Long, I understand how you feel. But you know as well as I do, this is a bar—hardly the place to settle grudges. Why not move elsewhere and discuss things properly? I promise Xinping will give you a satisfactory explanation.”

Xie Long was silent for a moment, appearing to weigh her proposal. His eyes shifted between Xinping and Xiangxue before he finally nodded slowly.

“Fine, I’ll give you a chance. But if you try anything, don’t blame me for being ruthless.”

Relieved, Xiangxue quickly expressed her thanks.

“Thank you, Brother Long. We wouldn’t dare play any tricks.”

With that, she turned to Xinping, signaling her to follow.

Though Xinping’s heart was filled with anxiety, seeing the resolute look in Xiangxue’s eyes, she nodded and followed her out of the private room.

Before leaving, she glanced back at Li Chao, her eyes full of worry and a silent plea for help.

Seeing this, a wave of fear and guilt surged in Xinping’s heart like a rising tide. She couldn’t bear to watch Xiangxue endure such humiliation for her sake; courage welled up inside her, and she resolved to step forward.

She drew a shaky breath and approached Xie Long.

“Brother Xie…”

Her voice trembled, but her eyes were unusually steady.

“Xiangxue is my friend. She came here because of me. If she’s at fault, I’m willing to apologize on her behalf.”

Xie Long turned, squinting at this girl who dared to stand up.

A hint of amusement flickered in his eyes, as if he were watching an entertaining play.

“You? On her behalf?”

He sneered coldly, his tone dripping with contempt.

“And who are you to speak for her? What makes you think you matter at all?”

Xinping was left speechless by his words, but she did not back down.

She drew another deep breath and pressed on,

“I know I have no right, but please, for the sake of us all just being out to have some fun, don’t make things harder for us. We’re willing to compensate you for your losses—just let us go.”

Xie Long’s eyes flashed with scorn.

He waved a hand, signaling his men to stay put, then stared icily at Xinping and Xiangxue.

“Compensation? You think money can solve everything?”

His voice was thick with mockery.

“But, since you’re so sensible, I might give you a chance.”

Xinping and Xiangxue exchanged uneasy glances. They had no idea what conditions Xie Long would propose, but they had no choice but to brace themselves.

“You two stay tonight and keep me and my brothers company. That’ll settle things.”

His voice was absolute, brooking no refusal.

Despair washed over Xinping and Xiangxue. They knew agreeing to his terms meant losing their freedom and dignity. But if they refused, they couldn’t imagine what would come next.

Xie Long was enraged by Xiangxue’s words; his face darkened, eyes bulging with murderous intent, as if he might devour her whole.

He gestured for Ajie to stop, then strode toward Xiangxue, every step thunderous with menace.

“Who do you think you are?”

Xie Long’s voice was low and frigid.

“You think a few words will make me let you off? I’m telling you, none of you are leaving tonight!”

Xiangxue’s body trembled, but she stood firmly in front of Xinping, refusing to yield.

She knew she was the only shield Xinping had, even if it meant sacrificing her own life.

“Brother Long, I beg you.”

Suddenly, Xiangxue fell to her knees, her voice breaking with tears.

“I know we were wrong, but please, for the sake of us all just wanting to have a good time, let us go. I’ll take all responsibility—just spare Xinping.”

Xie Long looked at the kneeling Xiangxue, a complicated emotion flashing in his eyes.

He’d thought she would cower or run, not that she would go so far for a friend. A flicker of respect stirred within him, but it was swiftly overtaken by anger and resentment.

“You think this is enough for me to let you off?”

He sneered.

“You must give me an explanation tonight!”

When the news swept in like a violent storm, fury ignited at once, blazing through the room like a beacon fire.

Without hesitation, he summoned his most trusted men, who stormed the scene like tigers descending the mountain.

Ajie’s usually sleazy face now brimmed with excitement. Rubbing his rough hands together, he was eager to act.

As he strode toward Xinping, his eyes glinted with greed and arrogance, as if the world was his to control.

Roughly, Ajie seized Xinping’s waterfall of hair and shoved her down onto the soft sofa.

A cruel grin split his yellowed teeth as he snarled,

“Look at you, dressed like such a tease. What can you do if I lay my hands on you?”

His voice radiated challenge and swagger, as if he truly believed Xinping would yield to his threats.

But Xinping was a strong girl. She struggled, trying to break free, but the difference in strength was too great. All she could do was sob helplessly, crying out with all her might,

“Xiangxue! Dandan! Help me!”

Her desperate, despairing cries echoed in the empty room.

Meanwhile, Xiangxue had already been beaten black and blue by Ajie’s men. Head bowed, her eyes brimmed with terror, she dared not utter a word.

Liu Dan, witnessing it all, felt a surge of fury. Seeing Xinping so helpless was agony, as if a thousand needles pierced her heart.

Unable to endure any longer, she sprang to her feet, her trembling voice pleading,

“Brother Long, please have mercy and spare this poor child! She’s just a naive girl!”

Though her voice quaked with emotion, her eyes blazed with resolve.

She knew she had to stand up now, to fight for Xinping’s chance at survival, however slim.

But Ajie was deaf to Liu Dan’s pleas and continued his brutal assault, unchecked.

In the wavering light, the shadows threw Xie Long’s figure into sinister relief. On his face was an ominous smile, his sharp gaze slithering over Liu Dan like a starving serpent, sizing up his next prey.

Liu Dan had not intended to speak, but the moment she did, Xie Long’s stare pierced the darkness like an arrow.

He had been too focused on avenging his brother to notice her before, but now his eyes widened, locking onto the beauty before him, unable to look away.

By nature, Xie Long was insatiably greedy, his lust for women almost pathological. He’d seen countless women in his life, but few as striking as Liu Dan.

Her figure seemed almost to burst from her thin clothes, and the slight flush of drunkenness only made her more alluring.

At that moment, Xie Long felt a rush of heat to his chest, as if a mischievous kitten were pawing at his heart.

“A true beauty! She could bring down a kingdom,” he marveled, his eyes growing more brazen.

He ignored Xinping’s tears, focusing all his attention on Liu Dan.

“So, this girl has some guts!” he thought.

A wicked smile curled at Xie Long’s lips as his gaze roved shamelessly over Liu Dan.

“If you want me to let her go, fine. But first, you’ll have to let me enjoy myself,” he sneered.

Liu Dan went pale as death, as if struck by lightning. Her eyes brimmed with terror and helplessness, and she shrank back instinctively until, with nowhere left to go, she huddled behind Li Chao, trembling like a frightened bird.

Li Chao was her closest friend, the only person she could rely on now.

But even he, facing Xie Long’s violent threats, felt powerless. Clenching his fists, rage filled his heart, but there was nothing he could do to protect Liu Dan.

From afar, Xinping noticed and a faint glimmer of hope flashed in her eyes. Summoning her strength, she shouted,

“Dandan, we’re as close as sisters! Are you just going to stand by and watch me die? How can you abandon me now?”

Her voice rang out in the silent night, tinged with sorrow and despair—a blade twisting in every heart present.

Xie Long sneered, his gaze flicking between the two women, secretly delighted. Both were captivating—he would let neither go.

He strode toward Liu Dan, each step a drumbeat on their hearts.

“Don’t be afraid,”

Li Chao took a deep breath, stepping in front of Liu Dan.

“I’m here. He won’t dare touch you.”

Though his voice was steady, Li Chao’s heart pounded with anxiety. He silently prayed he’d be able to protect her.

Xie Long halted, laughing coldly.

“Oh? You have some nerve. But in my territory, that’s not enough. If you’re smart, hand over the beauty—otherwise…”

He left the threat hanging, its meaning all too clear.

Li Chao and Liu Dan exchanged a glance, determination in their eyes.

Li Chao thought: We can’t retreat. If we do, not only will Xinping’s life be forfeit, but our own fates will be just as grim.

Liu Dan steeled herself: I must hold firm. I won’t let this villain succeed.

“Xie Long, don’t go too far!” Li Chao forced calm into his voice.

“We have no grudge with you. Why are you doing this to us?”

Xie Long snorted.

“No grudge? You ran into me here—just accept your fate!”

His gaze lingered hungrily on Liu Dan.

She felt sick under his stare, but drew herself up, meeting his eyes without fear.

“What you’re doing is illegal. You’ll be punished by the law!”

Xie Long burst out laughing.

“The law? Here, I am the law! You have no choice: hand over the beauty, or go against me.”

Li Chao clenched his fists, refusing to show weakness.

“Don’t push us, Xie Long. We won’t let you get away with this!”

He looked at them with disdain.

“You’re courting death. But that’s fine by me. I don’t mind adding two more corpses to the tally.”