Qiao Zhisheng suddenly grabbed the blond-haired man’s hand, turned around, and effortlessly twisted his arm behind his back in a reverse hold.
Lin Jianxi stared in shock, having forgotten that Qiao Zhisheng was a fourth-degree black belt in Taekwondo.
The music in the bar abruptly stopped, time seeming to freeze as everyone’s eyes fell on the center of the dance floor, all fixed on Qiao Zhisheng.
The blond-haired man cried out in pain.
Qiao Zhisheng released his arm, disdainfully patted her hands, and curled her red lips into a faint smile, her tone lazy. “How boring.”
“Damn, this girl is fierce!”
“You can tell she’s trained—what a vibe.”
Qiao Zhisheng glanced at Xie Zhiyun, who was watching from the sidelines, feeling utterly exasperated. Xie Zhiyun claimed to like Lin Jianxi, yet he hadn’t even noticed she was missing.
Xie Zhiyun instantly understood her look. He turned around and saw the booth was empty. A flicker of anxiety crossed his handsome face as he jogged toward it.
Lin Jianxi was gone. The red wine in her glass was still unfinished, but her bag and phone remained.
Xie Zhisheng picked up Lin Jianxi’s bag and phone, forcing himself to stay calm. “Let’s split up and look. I’ll check the usual spots; you go check the restroom.”
“Okay.” Qiao Zhisheng grabbed her jacket from the booth, put it on, and hurried toward the restroom.
When Qiao Zhisheng arrived, she saw a slender figure leaning over the sink, vomiting.
Lin Jianxi was retching violently, her beautiful eyes tinged with an unyielding redness, her exposed skin flushed a faint pink, and the smell of alcohol heavy on her.
“Xixi.” Qiao Zhisheng stepped forward and gently patted her back, her eyes filled with unconcealed concern.
Lin Jianxi took a few rapid breaths, her voice hoarse and strained. “Sheng, you’re here…”
“You silly girl, why did you drink so much?” Qiao Zhisheng pulled tissues from her bag to wipe the corners of Lin Jianxi’s mouth, then took out her phone to call Xie Zhiyun.
Lin Jianxi forced a bitter smile. She had wanted to numb herself with alcohol, hoping it would stop her mind from being consumed by thoughts of Jiang Xu. At least if she got drunk, she could sleep soundly.
Qiao Zhisheng gently brushed aside the strands of hair clinging to Lin Jianxi’s face. “Xixi, you and my brother…”
“It’s nothing, we’re fine.” Lin Jianxi cut her off, not wanting Qiao Zhisheng to know that she and Jiang Xu were on the verge of divorce.
“It’s something, it definitely is!” Qiao Zhisheng raised her voice. “You two are definitely hiding something from me.”
Lin Jianxi: “…”
Seeing her frozen in silence, Qiao Zhisheng sighed inwardly. “Xixi, do you still need to vomit?”
Lin Jianxi shook her head, smiling bitterly. “I haven’t had enough yet! Let’s go back and keep drinking!”
Qiao Zhisheng: “…”
Meanwhile, at Lanyuan Villa.
Cold, white light fell on Jiang Xu, accentuating the depth and sharpness of his features. His eyes were dark, concealing an unfathomable emotion.
Zhong Sao bent over to pour a glass of water and placed it on the coffee table in front of Jiang Xu. “Young Master, the young mistress went out with friends. She said she’d be back later.”
Jiang Xu gave a faint “Mm,” glancing at the time on the wall. “Zhong Sao, you may go rest.”
Zhong Sao nodded. “Very well.”
About ten minutes later, Jiang Xu picked up his phone from the table and dialed. The call rang for a second or two before being abruptly cut off on the other end.
Jiang Xu’s brows slowly furrowed as he stared at the call log, lost in thought. After a long moment, he dialed again.
The call was cut off once again. Jiang Xu’s fingertips gripping the phone turned white, and he then dialed Qiao Zhisheng instead.
Meanwhile, at Meise, Qiao Zhisheng was pouring drinks. The noise was too loud, and she didn’t hear her phone ringing.
Lin Jianxi tilted her head back and finished the wine in her glass. Her slightly flushed face was exquisitely delicate, her eyes glazed with a hint of confusion. With her pale, slender fingers, she grabbed the bottle and continued pouring.
Qiao Zhisheng grabbed Lin Jianxi’s wrist, furrowing her brows as she said, “Enough, stop drinking.”
“Traitor,” Lin Jianxi turned her head, her captivating eyes reflecting Qiao Zhisheng’s beautiful face. “We agreed to drink until we drop. What are you doing?”
Lin Jianxi’s voice, softened by the alcohol, was almost unrecognizable. She glared weakly at Qiao Zhisheng, her gaze lacking any real threat.
Several men nearby had been watching their every move. Remembering how Qiao Zhisheng had dislocated the yellow-haired man’s arm, a sudden wave of fear washed over them, and no one dared to approach.
Qiao Zhisheng had drunk a few glasses with Lin Jianxi, her face flushed with a tipsy glow. She glanced around and muttered under her breath, “Where the hell has Xie Zhiyun gone?”
“No idea,” Lin Jianxi propped herself up on the bar counter, her words laced with drunkenness.
Speak of the devil, and he shall appear. Xie Zhiyun walked toward them, one hand holding his suit jacket, the other carrying Lin Jianxi’s bag, his long legs carrying him with ease.
Staring at Xie Zhiyun’s handsome face, Qiao Zhisheng rolled her eyes. “Where have you been?”
“Smoking.” Xie Zhiyun draped his suit jacket over Lin Jianxi’s shoulders, his fingertips brushing her cheek as if an electric current shot straight to his heart.
“You still had the mood to smoke?” Qiao Zhisheng glanced at Lin Jianxi. “Look at how drunk she is. How could you leave us here so carelessly?”
The corner of Xie Zhiyun’s mouth twitched. “With you here, I could rest a hundred and twenty percent assured.”
Qiao Zhisheng: “…”
A few seconds later, Qiao Zhisheng seemed to hear her phone ringing. She pulled it out of her bag and saw over a dozen missed calls, all from Jiang Xu.
Qiao Zhisheng’s heart sank, and she muttered, “Oh no, oh no, I’m done for.”
She took a deep breath and called Jiang Xu back.
Ten minutes later.
Jiang Xu walked into Meise with a grim expression, his deep gaze sweeping the room until it landed on Qiao Zhisheng’s familiar figure. He strode toward them.
Lin Jianxi had fallen asleep, slumped over the bar counter, still wrapped in Xie Zhiyun’s jacket. Qiao Zhisheng stood nearby, head slightly bowed, as if bracing herself for Jiang Xu’s scolding.
Jiang Xu stood behind Lin Jianxi, his gaze lowered as he watched her. The dim, seductive lighting outlined his tall, upright figure.
Qiao Zhisheng spoke weakly, “Brother…”
Without even glancing at Qiao Zhisheng, Jiang Xu tossed the jacket draped over Lin Jianxi back to Xie Zhiyun, bent down, and scooped Lin Jianxi up into his arms. He then strode toward the entrance.
A few seconds later.
He looked back at Qiao Zhisheng, his deep voice tinged with impatience. “Aren’t you coming?”
Qiao Zhisheng hurriedly grabbed her bag and followed behind Jiang Xu, her beautiful face etched with distress. She glanced back at Xie Zhiyun. “Are you staying here overnight?”
Xie Zhiyun snapped out of his thoughts, watching Jiang Xu and Lin Jianxi’s retreating figures. His fingers, hanging at his sides, curled slightly. After a long moment, he finally walked toward the entrance.
Outside, the city lights had just come on, enveloping the entire city in a dazzling glow. Jiang Xu placed Lin Jianxi in the back seat of the car, then turned and looked coldly at Qiao Zhisheng.
Qiao Zhisheng tactfully bent down and slipped into the car, waving her phone at Xie Zhiyun, who stood on the sidewalk.
Jiang Xu got in the car and started the engine.