In that split second!
From the crowd, two tall figures shot out like arrows released from their bows, breaking through the chaos and rushing rapidly toward her direction!
Time stretched infinitely.
The anticipated sharp pain never came.
Just before the glass shower descended, she caught sight of a white figure…
Then a broad, warm chest collided forcefully against her back, pulling her tightly into an embrace.
The heavy impact nearly suffocated her, but it was followed by a solid sense of security.
In her ears, the shattering and crashing of glass hitting the ground was deafening, yet it felt distant, as if separated by a barrier.
That person had used his own body to shield her from everything.
As the chaotic sounds gradually subsided, Gu Xingnian trembled, her eyelashes fluttering as she slowly opened her eyes.
What met her gaze was Lu Lie’s sharply defined jawline and the undisguised urgency and worry in his deep-set eyes.
His arms encircled her tightly, his scorching body heat seeping through her thin evening gown.
“Are you hurt?”
His voice carried a slight pant from the intense exertion, his eyes quickly scanning her entire body, carefully checking for injuries.
“Where does it hurt? Tell me.”
Gu Xingnian shook her head, still not fully recovered from the shock.
At that moment, a tearful exclamation came from the other side.
“Brother Beichen!””
Gu Xingnian followed the sound, her heart clenching sharply.
She saw Jiang Kexin throwing herself entirely into Fu Beichen’s embrace, weeping pitifully like a drenched pear blossom, clutching his arm tightly.
“You’re bleeding! Beichen brother, your hand is injured!”
On the back of Fu Beichen’s left hand and forearm, several clear cuts were oozing blood, staining the expensive white suit fabric.
The glass shards were so sharp they had easily sliced through the clothing. Had they directly struck her flesh, the injury would have been gruesome.
“Wuwuwu… I’m sorry, Brother Beichen…”
Jiang Kexin cried breathlessly, her performance overly dramatic.
“It’s all my fault, I shouldn’t have stood so close… If it weren’t for saving me, how could you have gotten hurt…”
While sobbing, she carefully cradled Fu Beichen’s injured hand, her tears falling as if they cost nothing.
Gu Xingnian stared blankly at Fu Beichen, who was just two steps away.
He had… also rushed toward this direction just moments ago.
As fast as Lu Lie.
In that instant, a faint, almost unacknowledged flicker of hope had even risen in her heart.
But now, reality had delivered the loudest slap.
So… his desperate charge earlier had never been aimed at her.
It was always for Jiang Kexin, the one he held dear.
Even though she was also in danger, the only person he saw was Jiang Kexin.
Her heart felt as if pierced by countless fine needles, a dull ache spreading, making it almost impossible to breathe.
So, his selfless bravery had never been for her.
Fu Beichen’s gaze swept over Jiang Kexin’s head, landing on Gu Xingnian.
Seeing her safe and sound, protected in Lu Lie’s embrace, the fleeting panic in his eyes quickly faded, settling into an unfathomable calm.
He didn’t even ask if she was alright.
Then, he lowered his head, his tone carrying a gentleness Gu Xingnian had never heard before. Using his uninjured hand, he patted Jiang Kexin’s back soothingly and said:
“Don’t cry, I’m fine.” After a pause, he added, “As long as you’re okay.”
As long as you’re okay.
These words struck Gu Xingnian like a sharp slap across the face.
A stinging pain.
Lin Qi hurried over, his face filled with anxiety:
“Fu Zong, you’re injured. Come with me to the medical room immediately.”
Fu Beichen nodded, allowing Lin Qi to carefully support his injured arm.
Before turning to leave, he didn’t even glance at Gu Xingnian one last time.
The group’s general manager, Manager Lin, also rushed over.
While directing staff to quickly clean up the messy scene, he loudly reassured the startled guests.
“Dear guests, our sincere apologies for this minor accident. Please remain calm!”
“We’ve already arranged for handling the situation. Please proceed to the rest area…”
Yet Gu Xingnian’s gaze still followed Fu Beichen’s retreating figure until he disappeared around the corner.
The dense pain in her chest not only failed to ease but grew increasingly intense.
She clearly understood that something had shattered along with the collapse of that Champagne Tower.
Shattered completely.
As if it could never be pieced back together.
Soon, the scene was cleaned up, leaving no trace of the earlier accident.
Jiang Kexin reappeared in the banquet hall, walking directly to Gu Xingnian’s side.
“Gu Xingnian, you shouldn’t even be here. As an orphan, do you really think you can secure the position of the Fu family’s young mistress just with that face of yours? Don’t indulge in wishful thinking. Beichen has always loved me.”
Jiang Kexin spoke with righteous indignation, intending to provoke her, continuing her tirade:
“You should understand that if you ruin my relationship with Beichen, Mother won’t let you off.”
Yes, she had brought up her mother.
Gu Xingnian looked at her coldly, her eyes freezing over.
Her mind then conjured a long-unseen face—the very face that had plunged her into endless suffering.
Jiang Kexin continued to fuel the fire, saying:
“Gu Xingnian, you should face reality. In such a dangerous situation earlier, Beichen rushed to save me first. You know what that means.”
Gu Xingnian looked at this woman and coldly parted her red lips: “Jiang Kexin, you’re truly pitiful!”
Jiang Kexin suddenly bristled.
“Gu Xingnian, what did you say? It’s Beichen who doesn’t love you now—you’re the pitiful one! You probably don’t know this yet, but when you had your miscarriage, he was in my bed.”
After saying this, Jiang Kexin covered her mouth and laughed, well aware of the destructive power of her words.
Gu Xingnian’s eyes darkened for a second before immediately regaining their composure.
“Then Miss Jiang should work harder to secure your position quickly.”
Jiang Kexin sneered, speaking with full confidence: “Gu Xingnian, I have plenty of ways to make Beichen have you leave with nothing.”
Sheng Weiwei happened to approach just then and, hearing such vicious words, immediately burned with anger, though the corners of her lips curled into a cold arc.
“Well, if it isn’t the great movie star Jiang?”
Sheng Weiwei’s voice was just loud enough for several nearby people to hear, her tone dripping with undisguised sarcasm.
“That outfit today must have cost a fortune. Anyone would think you’re here for the red carpet.”
The smile on Jiang Kexin’s face stiffened. Turning around and seeing it was Sheng Weiwei, a flash of disgust quickly appeared in her eyes before being replaced by a proper, artificial smile.
“Miss Sheng, you jest. Today marks the fiftieth anniversary of Fu’s, so of course I should dress formally to show my respect.”
“Respect? Ha!” Sheng Weiwei scoffed softly, stepping closer while lowering her voice, though her eyes gleamed like venom-laced daggers.
“This is the first time I’ve seen someone who knowingly engages in affairs with married men still manage to act so self-righteous and unashamed. Miss Jiang, with such psychological fortitude, it’s truly a waste you’re not starring in spy films!”
“What nonsense are you spouting!”
Jiang Kexin’s face instantly paled, her voice turning shrill as she nearly lost composure and spilled the wine glass in her hand.
“Sheng Weiwei, don’t you dare make baseless accusations!”
“Whether I’m making baseless accusations or not—don’t you have any damn self-awareness?” Sheng Weiwei raised an eyebrow, her tone growing increasingly caustic.
“Weren’t you just boasting about how bold you are in bed? What’s wrong? Can’t handle a few words? Tsk tsk, your skill level is far too low.”
People nearby had begun noticing the commotion, casting curious glances in their direction.