Half an Hour Earlier
Xu Qing hurriedly left the company, heading to Fengyuan Hotel.
Moments ago, she had received a call from her father, saying something had happened at Fengyuan Hotel and urging her to come quickly.
Xu Qing deeply cared for and respected the father who had raised her through hardship. Hearing he was in trouble, she immediately asked Hu Yuanyuan for leave.
On the way, Xu Qing speculated about what could have happened to her father. He didn’t smoke or gamble, only enjoying a bit of wine. How could he suddenly be in trouble, and at Fengyuan Hotel no less? Though not Tianhai City’s top hotel, it was still upscale, a place her father had never visited.
Lost in confusion and doubt, Xu Qing’s car soon arrived at Fengyuan Hotel.
Without overthinking, she parked and walked inside.
As she entered, a voice called out, “Assistant Xu, you’re finally here.”
Xu Qing turned and her expression shifted. The speaker was none other than the crew-cut man who had accompanied Zheng Haoyuan to Fengyuan Group earlier that day.
“What’s the matter?” Xu Qing said coldly. Because of Zheng Haoyuan, she had a poor impression of his lackeys. Birds of a feather flock together—Zheng Haoyuan was scum, and his men were likely no better.
“You’re here for your father, right?” The crew-cut man grinned, his sharp gaze raking over Xu Qing. Zheng Haoyuan had promised him a chance to “play” with her after the job was done. Seeing her now, especially her alluring figure, a surge of desire rose within him.
Xu Qing’s expression darkened as she glared at him. “How do you know?”
“Your father broke one of Young Master Zheng’s antiques and can’t afford to pay. He’s waiting for you to settle it,” the crew-cut man said casually.
“Zheng Haoyuan?” Xu Qing’s face changed completely. She recalled the threats Zheng Haoyuan had made when leaving the company. In that moment, she realized this was a trap set by him, with her as the target.
She felt an urge to flee, but the thought of her father in Zheng Haoyuan’s hands, and the hardships he’d endured raising her, made her hesitate.
“Assistant Xu, come with me,” the crew-cut man sneered and turned toward the elevator.
Xu Qing hesitated but followed.
Hearing her footsteps, the crew-cut man smirked triumphantly.
Soon, they reached a presidential suite. Upon entering, Xu Qing immediately saw Zheng Haoyuan lounging on a sofa, eyeing her smugly.
“Assistant Xu, didn’t expect to see you so soon,” Zheng Haoyuan laughed, his leering gaze roaming over her.
“Where’s my father?” Xu Qing demanded coldly. His stare made her skin crawl, and she nearly turned to run, but the thought of her father held captive forced her to suppress the impulse.
“Don’t worry, your father is eating and drinking well. No need to fret,” Zheng Haoyuan said with a chuckle.
“What do you want?” Xu Qing asked.
“What do I want?” Zheng Haoyuan’s smile faded, his gaze turning cold. “Earlier at Fengyuan Group, weren’t you quite bold, Assistant Xu? Why so timid now, like a frail little girl? Where’s that fiery temper?”
Xu Qing glared at him. If she’d known how despicable Zheng Haoyuan was, she would’ve found a reason to have the police arrest him at the company.
Zheng Haoyuan stood and approached her, eyeing her beautiful face with a sleazy grin. “Assistant Xu, I must say, you’re a stunning beauty. Perfect face, perfect figure—sinking fish and shaming flowers, those phrases were made for someone like you, weren’t they?”
He reached out to touch her.
“What are you doing?” Xu Qing stepped back, watching him warily.
“What am I doing?” Zheng Haoyuan made a grabbing motion with his hand, sneering. “What do you think?”
“Shameless!” Xu Qing’s face flushed with anger.
“Shameless?” Zheng Haoyuan chuckled, baring his teeth. “Which tooth am I missing? Don’t worry, tonight these teeth will leave marks all over you.”
Xu Qing’s face turned ashen with rage and anxiety. If it were anyone else, she might have found a way out, but facing Zheng Haoyuan, with his two lackeys and her father in his hands, she was at a loss.
“Are you thinking of how to escape?” Zheng Haoyuan gave her a knowing smile. “Do you think you can leave Fengyuan Hotel safely after coming here? Forget the hotel—this room. Without my permission, you’re not going anywhere. Isn’t that right, boys?”
His last words were directed at the crew-cut man and the bespectacled man.
“Young Master Zheng is right. Assistant Xu, there’s no chance of leaving today.”
“Forget Assistant Xu—even the Princess of England couldn’t leave without Young Master Zheng’s say-so.”
“Assistant Xu, Young Master Zheng has his eye on you. Just follow him, and you’ll live in luxury.”
“Yeah, women need a man. Assistant Xu, Young Master Zheng is your only choice.”
The crew-cut man and the bespectacled man chimed in, eyeing Xu Qing’s curvaceous figure. Zheng would feast, and they’d get scraps. The thought of “playing” with a beauty like Xu Qing set their hearts ablaze.
Xu Qing’s expression was grim. She’d seen Zheng Haoyuan’s skills at the company—security guards were no match for him, let alone her, a mere woman. And with his two lackeys by his side, her situation seemed hopeless.
Was there no escape today?
Despair welled within her.
“Remember what I said at Fengyuan Group?” Zheng Haoyuan smirked. “I, Zheng Haoyuan, always keep my word. Not just you—Hu Yuanyuan will also learn the consequences of crossing me.”
Xu Qing glared at him and pulled out her phone to call the police.
“Calling the cops?” Zheng Haoyuan sneered, his figure blurring as he snatched the phone from her hand.
“Give me back my phone!” Xu Qing hadn’t expected him to be so fast—she didn’t even know how he took it.
“Haha, you handed me your phone yourself. Heaven’s on my side!” Zheng Haoyuan laughed, looking at her pale face. “I was just wondering how to lure Hu Yuanyuan here, and you gave me the perfect chance.”
“What? You…” Xu Qing stared at him in disbelief. She hadn’t imagined Zheng Haoyuan was targeting Hu Yuanyuan too.
“Surprised? I told you, neither you nor Hu Yuanyuan will escape me. Hmph, anyone who dares oppose me will regret it,” Zheng Haoyuan sneered.
Using Xu Qing’s phone, he sent a WeChat message to Hu Yuanyuan, then grinned at Xu Qing. “I hear you and Hu Yuanyuan are like sisters. She’ll surely rush to Fengyuan Hotel when she sees your message.”
“You…” Xu Qing’s face changed drastically. Zheng Haoyuan wasn’t content with targeting her—he wanted Hu Yuanyuan too. Shock and anger surged within her. If Hu Yuanyuan came because of the message sent from her phone, Xu Qing would bear the blame.
“Don’t get too excited!” Zheng Haoyuan smirked triumphantly. “Tonight, I’ll have a grand time with both you and Hu Yuanyuan.”
