Yu Wenli's voice was naturally suited for singing, especially love songs.
Every word and every phrase felt like a confession.
The heated crowd blushed, and many sang along, creating an atmosphere akin to a large-scale concert.
Wen Tingxue interlaced her hands, propped her chin, her eyes shining as she gazed at him.
Perhaps because love songs weren't conducive to energetic dancing, there were fewer people on the dance floor.
Most stood on the sofas, holding up their phones and singing along.
It was precisely because of this that Xing Jiahe's descent from the stage went smoothly.
He didn't hurt anyone.
It only startled a few people.
The incident happened so suddenly that by the time Xing Jiahe walked up to a particular private booth, everyone noticed the figures of Shang Ziqian and his group.
The music stopped, and the venue suddenly fell quiet.
Xing Jiahe's voice was neither loud nor soft, "Get out."
He stood in the shadows with one hand in his pocket, dressed in black, exuding an aura of menace.
Shang Ziqian released the girl's collar and looked up, squinting.
Upon realizing where they were, his brows furrowed in impatience.
Damn, she could really run!
"Let's go!"
Shang Ziqian gritted his teeth and growled at his brothers.
The men holding down the girl's limbs immediately prepared to drag her away.
Xing Jiahe glanced indifferently. The girl, forced to lie on the table, wore a revealing sailor outfit.
Her collar and hem had been altered, exposing large expanses of skin.
In the cold night, her skin had a bluish tint from the chill.
Yet, her face was incredibly stubborn, tears welling in her eyes, refusing to fall no matter what.
Her pale lips were bitten bloody by her teeth, a picture of heartbreaking beauty.
Xing Jiahe felt she looked somewhat familiar and instinctively took another look.
When the girl heard Shang Ziqian's voice, her body trembled instinctively, and she then looked at him for help.
That gaze, how to describe it.
It was faint, yet profoundly moving.
Xing Jiahe lowered his gaze. Unfortunately, he didn't like to meddle.
Especially in matters involving Shang Ziqian.
But as those men dragged the girl past him, he still extended his hand.
"You get out."
His dark eyes, hidden beneath the brim of his hat, lifted, devoid of any warmth.
The two men holding the girl instinctively let go.
Xing Jiahe took the opportunity to pull her behind him.
Wen Tingxue recognized Xu Kexin and ran over with a jacket, draping it over her shoulders.
The dark blue trench coat completely enveloped her.
Xu Kexin turned her head, and the moment she saw a familiar face.
Even the strongest young girl couldn't help but burst into tears.
But her crying was different from others.
She simply shed tears, her expression remaining remarkably calm.
Wen Tingxue had rushed over and, having no tissue, simply used her sleeve to wipe her tears.
Shang Ziqian irritably ran a hand through his hair, "What's the meaning of this?"
He stood there askew, looking at Xing Jiahe with dissatisfaction.
"According to the rules, I don't set foot in the Black Hole Bar, and you don't interfere in my business. What are you trying to do now?"
"Playing hero and saving the damsel?" he scoffed.
As he spoke, Yu Wenli approached with a poker face, followed by Mu Chen, Chi Zerui, and Que You.
"Since you've already broken the rules."
He stopped beside Wen Tingxue and casually raised an eyelid.
"What rules are you pretending to uphold now?"
Shang Ziqian choked, "I was..."
"What does that have to do with me," Yu Wenli interrupted. "The fact is, you entered the Black Hole Bar."
"You're being unreasonable!"
Shang Ziqian was so angry he laughed. "Then don't blame me for being impolite. I'm taking her with me!"
Saying this, he moved to grab her.
Yu Wenli watched him, his expression unchanged.
A group of well-trained bodyguards swiftly surrounded them, their tasers crackling.
Shang Ziqian stopped, angrily pushing his jaw up.
"Why the hell are you interfering! I don't want this person, I'll give her to you if you want her.
"This is what my boss wants! Her father owes the casino money and used her as collateral. If I don't take her back, how do I explain it?!"
Shang Ziqian was truly enraged.
Today had been bad enough, and then Xu Kexin's gambling-addicted father had just dumped her at the casino and left.
Out of consideration for their past relationship, he hadn't resorted to kidnapping her.
He thought it would just be for one night, and she could endure it.
Who was to blame for having such a father?
She could only count herself unlucky.
Who would have thought that she would run away while he was out getting a drink?
His boss had long fancied her.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have engaged in such a loss-making deal.
Hearing that the duck he had caught had flown away, he flew into a terrible rage.
He demanded that he find the girl.
He tracked her down for miles, who knew she would run into the Black Hole Bar!
Causing himself so much trouble for no reason.
Shang Ziqian was truly frustrated, his eyes red with anger.
"I don't want to fight anyone today. Just give me the girl, and I'll leave immediately!"
"No!"
Wen Tingxue fiercely protected Xu Kexin.
She wouldn't send their class representative into a den of wolves!
Shang Ziqian looked at her, defeated. "What business is it of yours? What are you saying here..."
"If she says no, then it's no," Yu Wenli said, raising an eyebrow.
He interrupted her in a casual tone.
Shang Ziqian felt his anger burning in his throat, ready to erupt into flames at any moment!
But he was under someone else's roof.
"Xu Kexin," Shang Ziqian stared at Xu Kexin's pale side profile, trying to reason with her.
"Even if you managed to escape today, do you think your father will let you off the hook?
"Your father gambles every day, and the money he owes could buy houses. Do you think my boss will be that generous?
"Why bother? Why push it to the point of no return? Why not be smart and, while my boss is in a good mood.
"Serve him well, and you can work less, right?"
Shang Ziqian didn't want to say this.
To be honest, he found it disgusting himself.
But what could he do?
Even if he didn't want to do this, he still had to live!
Moreover, his boss had shown him too many favors; he couldn't betray his boss's trust.
As long as his boss asked, even if he didn't like it, he would do it.
Xu Kexin's body trembled as she clutched the windbreaker, her voice cold.
"From now on, his debts have nothing to do with me."
If she had known that this would be the outcome, she would never have helped him from the beginning.
He was just a selfish gambling addict, and everything he said was for his own benefit.
She had actually fantasized that he would change?
Ridiculous!
Shang Ziqian paused, then reminded her, "As long as your custody is still with him, you can't escape his debts."
Xu Kexin's eyes instantly reddened, her shoulders shaking.
The tears that had finally subsided once again filled her eyes.
Pitifully, she looked like a delicate flower battered by wind and rain.
Wen Tingxue said with concern, "It's okay, I can ask my mother to help you with the lawsuit."
Xu Kexin suddenly looked up, her eyes full of hope as she gazed at her.
"Really, really? Can I... can I pay you back later?"
She was clean and had no money at all.
Let alone fighting a lawsuit, even eating was a problem.
The tears that pattered down were more abundant than when she was being bullied.
Wen Tingxue quickly raised her sleeve to wipe her tears. "Really, really, you don't have to pay..."
Remembering the spray bottle, she quickly corrected herself, "You can pay me back later."