A muffled grunt came through the phone. He always spoke to her in that tone, and Shi Nianhuan could no longer tell whether he was angry.
“What are you doing in a place like that?”
A word filled with disdain, which further confirmed Shi Nianhuan’s suspicions. This clubhouse truly was not what she had initially thought.
“I…” She bit her lip hard, but Sister Huang’s voice sounded outside again.
“Girl, what’s wrong? Have you changed your clothes?”
If she did not go out soon, she would really be exposed. Lowering her voice, Shi Nianhuan said, “Gege, hurry and save me. I’m begging you.”
She quickly hung up the phone and stared at the skirt in her hand for a second. Her slightly pale fingertips suddenly exerted force, and the poorly made skirt tore open.
Holding the skirt, Shi Nianhuan opened the door with trembling hands.
Seeing the girl standing in front of her, still wearing her previous clothes, Sister Huang’s expression changed instantly.
“You girl, didn’t I tell you to change clothes? What trouble have you caused now?”
Shi Nianhuan could only delay for as long as possible, hoping Jiang Chenyu would not abandon her.
“Sister Huang.” She struggled to suppress the panic in her heart, forced a smile, and said as calmly as possible, “This skirt broke when I applied a little force. I’d better change into another one.”
She handed over the skirt. Sister Huang inspected it carefully, then looked at her suspiciously.
“Fine, then change into another one.”
Shi Nianhuan smiled, casually picked up a piece of clothing, and went back inside.
The instant she closed the door, her legs went weak. Her palms were covered in sticky sweat, and her heart felt cold.
This time, she resolved to hide inside and refuse to come out.
She had to keep Sister Huang occupied until Jiang Chenyu came to save her.
“Girl, are you done?” Sister Huang knocked on the door again, clear impatience evident in her voice.
Shi Nianhuan panted heavily as she crouched down, hugging her knees and making sure not to produce even a little sound.
Sister Huang was truly anxious now. “You girl, are you refusing a toast only to drink a forfeit? I trusted you so much.”
She continued cursing outside, and tears streamed down Shi Nianhuan’s terrified face.
“Just wait, you dead girl. I’ll find someone to break down the door. Let’s see how I deal with you later.” Sister Huang’s voice grew quieter and quieter, probably because she had gone out to find someone.
Shi Nianhuan, who had always been docile and obedient, was now hiding in a cramped changing cubicle, trembling all over in fright.
However, although the time was almost up, Sister Huang still had not returned with anyone.
She waited in panic and confusion, waiting for either Sister Huang or Jiang Chenyu to appear.
Rustling sounds suddenly came from outside, as if many people had entered at once. Shi Nianhuan’s heart tightened again. She did not dare move at all, straining her ears to listen carefully to the sounds outside.
“Miss Shi.” It was Sister Huang’s voice.
Shi Nianhuan bit her lower lip and did not dare make a sound.
“Miss Shi, please come out. It was all my fault. Please be magnanimous and don’t hold it against me.”
Shi Nianhuan froze, utterly bewildered. After crouching for so long, her legs had gone numb.
Sister Huang was still chattering outside, but Shi Nianhuan continued to remain silent. She was probably trying to trick her.
“Miss Shi, I’m begging you. Please come out.”
“What’s going on?” a man’s voice suddenly rang out.
Shi Nianhuan’s heart tightened. She covered her mouth and did not dare make the slightest sound.
“Manager Zhang… I, I couldn’t do anything. She refused to come out.” It was Sister Huang’s voice.
Manager Zhang? Shi Nianhuan grew increasingly uneasy. Had this matter really become so serious that even the manager had come out?
“Miss Shi, don’t be afraid. I’m Manager Zhang, the manager here. My subordinates failed to recognize an important person. They didn’t know it was you. Please don’t be afraid. I’ll have them apologize to you.”
Shi Nianhuan was startled and did not recover her senses for quite a while.
“Miss Shi, are you all right?”
Shi Nianhuan gritted her teeth. After hesitating for a moment, she covered her chest and cautiously said, “I’m not wearing those clothes.”
“Then don’t wear them, don’t wear them. Please come out.”
Shi Nianhuan was not stupid. She had a faint suspicion that Jiang Chenyu had come. But why had she not heard his voice?
“Jiang… Has Jiang Chenyu come?” She did not open the door, merely forcing herself to ask Calmly.
“Mr. Jiang didn’t come. He only called to tell us to take good care of you.”
Shi Nianhuan’s anxious heart immediately settled. So it really was because of Jiang Chenyu. It seemed that Jiang Chenyu’s name still carried considerable weight, and she suddenly felt very grateful to him.
She opened the door and, enduring the soreness, numbness, and swelling in her legs, slowly walked out from inside.
Only then did she see that the already small and dim changing room was now filled with many people.
She stared at her toes, feeling somewhat awkward and uneasy.
The man standing at the front wore a broad smile. “Miss Shi, I’m truly sorry. This was all a misunderstanding. They failed to recognize an important person. Please don’t hold it against them.”
Shi Nianhuan shook her head and remained silent.
“Miss Shi, it was all my fault. I apologize to you. I’m sorry.” Sister Huang also stepped forward, lowering her head with a frightened, apprehensive look.
Shi Nianhuan’s gaze swept lightly over her without a word.
“Miss Shi, come upstairs and have a cup of tea with me,” Manager Zhang said tentatively.
Shi Nianhuan shook her head, her little face pale. “I want to go home.”
“All right, all right. I’ll have someone prepare a car and make sure you get home safely,” Manager Zhang readily replied.
Shi Nianhuan said nothing. She lowered her head and walked out on her own.
The crowd automatically cleared a path for her.
Before she could leave, a tall figure suddenly blocked her way.
Shi Nianhuan was startled. When she looked up, she met Jiang Chenyu’s gaze.
His eyes were cold and sharp. After casting her a brief glance, he moved his gaze away from Shi Nianhuan.
“Mr. Jiang, you’re here. This, this, this… Shall I have someone prepare a private room for you to rest?” Manager Zhang hurried over to Jiang Chenyu, practically scurrying.
Jiang Chenyu was expressionless. His gloomy gaze swept lightly over everyone present before he said coldly, “Fortunately, nothing happened to my Meimei today. If anything had happened, none of your lives would have been enough to compensate.”
His voice was clear and cold, yet it made everyone shudder.
Manager Zhang was so frightened that he could not speak.
Shi Nianhuan stood behind Jiang Chenyu, raising her head and staring blankly at him. She suddenly felt that Jiang Chenyu, who had been by her side day and night for more than a decade, was truly very unfamiliar to her.
Unexpectedly, Jiang Chenyu suddenly turned around.
Shi Nianhuan hurriedly averted her gaze.
He reached out and grabbed her arm, his voice cold as he said, “Let’s go.”