Chapter 20: Eight O’Clock in the Evening—A Rival in Love?

“Clan head, aren’t you mistaken? It’s that little scoundrel who wanted to kill me. You should be breaking his limbs instead!” Zhao Ruixing shouted in panic. His arms were shattered by Jiang Chen, his head bleeding and bruised—everyone could clearly see he was the victim here!

Even the dozen or so bodyguards were stunned, hesitating to act immediately. After all, they all knew Zhao Ruixing was the clan head’s nephew and worried that a mistake might have been made.

The guests looked at Zhao Tingshan with suspicion and confusion, unable to tell whether he had given the wrong order or targeted the wrong person.

“Mr. Jiang is the most honored guest of the Zhao family. Even my father personally went to the hotel entrance to greet him. How dare you offend Mr. Jiang? Forget breaking your limbs—I want to kill you right now!” Zhao Tingshan’s voice was stern and fierce as he commanded again, “What are you all standing there for? Break this pest’s limbs!”

This time, the bodyguards dared not hesitate. They drew their telescopic batons and swarmed Zhao Ruixing, beating him mercilessly.

“What?! He’s the honored guest personally welcomed at the hotel entrance by Old Master Zhao, the clan head, and Miss Zhao?!”
“No wonder he dared to smash Chairman Zhao with a chair. This isn’t just courage; it’s power!”
“...”

The guests swallowed their exclamations, keeping their voices low for fear of offending Jiang Chen and inviting trouble.

Zhao Ruixing finally realized the gravity of the situation—he had provoked a fearsome figure. As the bodyguards broke his limbs, he wailed and begged Jiang Chen in terror, “Mr. Jiang… please spare me…”

“Drag him out and beat him!” Jiang Chen’s voice was icy and commanding.

“Yes, Mr. Jiang!” Zhao Tingshan immediately ordered and had Zhao Ruixing dragged out. He personally shut the door and left the private room to avoid disturbing Jiang Chen while he treated Chu Yan.

Jiang Chen was unable to expel all the alcohol from Chu Yan’s body using his qi, mainly because her body couldn’t withstand a strong flow. Instead, he used silver needles for acupuncture.

Since Chu Yan was dressed in a woman’s suit, Jiang Chen had to unbutton her jacket to access the acupuncture points, inevitably exposing parts that should not be seen.

After finishing the acupuncture and withdrawing the needles, the alcohol was expelled from Chu Yan’s pores, soaking her clothes and intensifying the scent of alcohol.

“Bang!”

Just as Jiang Chen was about to button her jacket, the private room door was suddenly burst open. Yao Bing crashed in, shoulder first, knocking down the bodyguard standing there.

“Jiang Chen?! You bastard! What are you doing to Yan Yan?” Yao Bing shouted furiously upon seeing Jiang Chen unbuttoning Chu Yan’s clothes and swung a fist at him.

“I’m performing acupuncture on Chu Yan. You must have misunderstood!” Jiang Chen dodged her blows and stepped aside to explain.

“Misunderstanding my ass! I’ve known from the start you’re no good—a beast in human skin!” Yao Bing cursed, eyes blazing with fury, quickly moving to button Chu Yan’s clothes.

“If it’s a misunderstanding, ask Chu Yan when she wakes up!” Jiang Chen frowned, unwilling to waste words on Yao Bing, then turned and left the room.

Though he bore no affection for Yao Bing, he recognized her genuine concern and protection for Chu Yan.

At the door, Zhao Tingshan and the other bodyguards arrived. They were surprised someone dared to knock down their guard and barge in.

“Everyone disperse,” Jiang Chen said, then followed Zhao Tingshan back to the room where Old Master Zhao and Zhao Linxuan were waiting. Even if he were leaving, he wanted to pay his respects first.

After Yao Bing helped Chu Yan awake, Chu Yan’s eyes slowly opened. Although she had been heavily intoxicated, she now looked refreshed and alert.

“Yan Yan, what exactly happened?” Yao Bing asked anxiously.

Chu Yan recalled the events in the private room and told Yao Bing everything.

“That despicable beast Zhao Ruixing dared to molest you? Where is he? I’m going to teach him a severe lesson!” Yao Bing fumed upon learning that Zhao Ruixing had drunkenly taken advantage of Chu Yan under the guise of discussing a deal.

“I remember someone rushed in to save me and beat Zhao Ruixing. I didn’t see his face clearly… then everything went black… and I don’t know what happened after that,” Chu Yan said vaguely, unable to recall who had saved her.

Yao Bing was startled—could it have been Jiang Chen who came to her rescue?

Since Jiang Chen was skilled in medicine, was he indeed the one performing acupuncture on Chu Yan?

“Did I misunderstand him?” Yao Bing whispered to herself.

“What did you say?” Chu Yan asked, not hearing clearly.

“Nothing. Let’s leave here first,” Yao Bing shook her head, unwilling to tell Chu Yan the truth. Even if Jiang Chen had saved her, Chu Yan must still divorce him!

“By the way, my friend at the Linghu Sect contacted the higher-ups. They want to meet you tonight to discuss terms. As the employer, you’ll offer the price to have the Linghu Sect deal with those mercenaries,” Yao Bing changed the subject to the matter at hand.

“Linghu Sect won’t overcharge, right?” Chu Yan asked cautiously after what she had just experienced.

“No, they’re fair. Among the three major underground forces in Linzhou, Linghu Sect is the most female-friendly. Otherwise, my friend wouldn’t work there!” Yao Bing assured her.

“All right,” Chu Yan nodded in trust. “When and where?”

“8 p.m. at the Linghu Club,” Yao Bing replied.

As Chu Yan and Yao Bing left the private room, they ran into Zhao Linxuan in the hotel.

“Ms. Chu, I sincerely apologize. Someone in the Zhao family behaved disgracefully and caused you great harm,” Zhao Linxuan apologized, handing over a document. “This is the contract for the land by Linhu Lake. As an apology from the Zhao family, it now belongs to Chu Group.”

Chu Yan stood stunned. She had expected retaliation from the Zhao family for the injury to Zhao Ruixing, but never thought they would offer land worth hundreds of millions as compensation.

It was utterly astonishing!

Yao Bing was equally shocked, disbelief written all over her face. She took the document and examined it. The 36 acres of lakeside land had indeed been transferred to Chu Group free of charge.

Squinting, she asked, “What about Zhao Ruixing? Are they just letting him off?”

“My father has ordered his limbs to be broken and has expelled him from the Zhao family. I don’t know if you find this satisfactory,” Zhao Linxuan answered honestly. Both the punishment of Zhao Ruixing and the land compensation were done out of respect for Jiang Chen.

“This…” Chu Yan was at a loss for words. The Zhao family had avenged her and offered generous compensation, leaving her speechless.

“Ms. Chu, may I ask what your relationship with Mr. Jiang is?” Zhao Linxuan looked into Chu Yan’s eyes curiously.

Her father, Zhao Tingshan, had told her that Jiang Chen stayed in the private room after rescuing Chu Yan and personally treated her. She was quite envious.

It seemed Jiang Chen was fiercely protective of the woman he cared for… Hopefully, Chu Yan wasn’t his rival in love.