The proximity of his breath, and the perfume that instantly brought to mind countless nights of their intimacy, made Quan Jiu feel almost suffocated.
Her hands and feet turned cold and numb. She stared at the enlarged handsome face before her, a mixture of terror and astonishment.
How could fate play such a trick, to meet in such a place, and in such a manner?
Chu Rong pursed his lips tightly, his eyes fixed on the woman in his arms, as if trying to memorize every inch of her skin.
She had matured, become more beautiful. The innocent radiance in her eyes was gone, as was her gentleness and docility. All that remained was a gaze full of shock and fear.
Was she that afraid of him? Afraid to the point of wanting to flee to the ends of the earth?
The anger that Chu Rong had accumulated for five years erupted in an instant. Without a second thought, he tightened his embrace around the woman, his lips pressing down on hers, possessive and rough.
Quan Jiu was unable to move. She tried to struggle, but her body was held too tightly. She couldn't even turn her head, forced to endure the unrestrained suction of her lips and teeth, so deep it felt as if he wanted to draw out the last breath from her body.
As her brain began to suffocate, a memory suddenly surfaced in Quan Jiu's mind: the day she left, Chu Rong had fed her celery stir-fried with pork liver in the same domineering manner.
In an instant, the bitterness of that memory flooded her entire body.
Her gaze turned cold. No longer allowing her heart to tremble, she bit down hard with her teeth, fighting back with all her might.
Her force was not insignificant; she could even taste the metallic tang of blood. Yet, this detestable man showed no intention of loosening his grip.
Quan Jiu became enraged. Abroad, her looks had caused her considerable trouble, and because of that, she had learned a few self-defense moves.
She bent her right leg and forcefully thrust her knee upwards, striking Chu Rong in the lower abdomen.
Chu Rong finally cried out in pain and was forced to release his mouth, though his grip remained firm.
He said each word with a fierce intensity, "What, still want to escape? Let me tell you, since you've reappeared, I will absolutely not give you another chance to run."
Quan Jiu's heart ached. To think he hated her so much for Jiang Mengran's sake. Yet, how innocent she was.
A cold smile touched her lips. Quan Jiu revealed all her aggression, charming yet indifferent, "Oh really? How frightening." As she spoke, she fumbled in her bag for her phone and, with a smile, dialed 110.
"Hello, I want to report a crime. Someone is harassing me. Yes, he kissed me forcefully, attempted to assault me, and even threatened to imprison me. Yes, at the Tonghua Art Gallery. Please hurry, he's holding me, and I can't struggle."
Chu Rong let out a soft laugh and leaned closer to Quan Jiu's ear, his voice deep and alluring, "Hidden for five years, and this is all you've learned? We are husband and wife. Let alone a kiss, I can do anything else."
The warm breath on her ear felt like an electric current, tingling all the way down to her feet.
Quan Jiu's face flushed red. She glared at him, "You are despicable and shameless." To provoke her in public like this.
Chu Rong, however, without another word, scooped her up horizontally. His strong arms encircled her tightly, leaving her no room to struggle.
Seeing that she was about to be taken away, Quan Jiu grew desperate. Forgetting everything else, she cried out to the surrounding people for help.
"Help me, I don't know this person. Stop him quickly, he's kidnapping me."
Cheng Xuhai, hearing the commotion, rushed over. Seeing Quan Jiu's distressed expression, he quickly called for security to surround them.
"Put her down," Cheng Xuhai demanded, his eyes blazing.
Chu Rong's eyes narrowed slightly, like a leopard eyeing its prey, filled with danger. "Be sensible and get lost."
Quan Jiu thought that with so many people around, as long as she cried pitifully enough, even if he was from the Chu family, he would have to consider it. After all, ruining the Chu family's reputation for a mere "blood cow" wouldn't be worth it.
So, she raised her voice and shouted, "Xiao Cheng, hurry and save me! I don't know him, he wants to lock me up, he wants to drain my blood, I'm going to die!"
She was so focused on crying out her plight that she failed to notice the man holding her suddenly become deeply pained, as if tormented by some memory.
Cheng Xuhai also grew anxious. While dialing 110, he called for more security guards.
Chu Rong felt the person in his arms trembling. Her tearful, fragile appearance made her look even more delicate and pitiable. In that moment, he suddenly felt an urge to envelop the little woman in his arms with all his tenderness, just as he had seven years ago.
He naturally reverted to the man he was seven years ago, the one who was as gentle as an angel.
"Don't be afraid, I'll take you away," he said, smiling tenderly at the person in his arms.
However, as the security guards began to surround them, his gaze turned sharp, his expression suddenly sinister, and his tone filled with threat, "I'll say it again, move aside."
Cheng Xuhai also felt a pang of panic, mainly fearing that this madman would be provoked and hurt Teacher Zhi Fan.
After some consideration, he calmed his tone, "Don't get agitated. I believe you don't want to hurt anyone, and you don't want the situation to escalate like this. Rest assured, as long as you let her go, I won't pursue this. I'll cancel the police report immediately."
To his surprise, his words not only failed to placate the other man but instead enraged him.
"You won't pursue it?" Chu Rong let out a cold laugh. "A light bulb in your art gallery exploded and nearly injured someone. If you don't want your art gallery to be shut down permanently, then get out of my way."
A light bulb? Cheng Xuhai thought of the flickering bulb and his heart sank. Something had indeed gone wrong.
"That's a separate matter. We will naturally compensate for any accidents within the gallery..."
"Compensation? Can you afford to offend me?" Chu Rong glanced at him arrogantly, his gaze filled with disdain.
"Manager Cheng, that is... the CEO of Chu Group," a noblewoman recognized him and whispered to Cheng Xuhai. "They say the CEO of Chu Group is ruthless and cruel. In just five years, he has absorbed countless businesses and ranked among the top twenty wealthiest people in the world. In City A, no one dares to cross him. If he says to close your gallery, he's not bluffing; he truly has the ability."
Cheng Xuhai had indeed heard of the notorious reputation of Chu Rong, the CEO of Chu Group, but he never expected the man himself to be so domineering and unreasonable.
He retorted angrily, "Just because you have money and power, can you do whatever you want? Can you abduct women in broad daylight?"
Chu Rong chuckled as if he had heard a joke, but then his gaze became possessive and provocative, "This is just a bit of fun between us husband and wife, outsiders should not interfere."
Then, he walked out with Quan Jiu in his arms.
The security guards looked at Cheng Xuhai, their eyes questioning whether they should intervene. But Cheng Xuhai could no longer hear them; his mind was filled with the phrase "marital fun."
"Didn't Chu Rong always remain single? How can he have a wife?" After a good while, he finally thought to ask.
The group of noblewomen also exchanged confused glances. Was the industry elite not a golden bachelor, but already secretly married? But they had never heard anything about it.
After her pleas for help failed, Quan Jiu, furious, bit Chu Rong's shoulder. However, her teeth ached, and the man showed no sign of putting her down.
Quan Jiu weakly released her bite, watching the art gallery recede into the distance.
...
Wang Xiao, who was catching his breath by the car door, heard footsteps. He turned his head and was instantly startled, stunned, and bewildered, unable to speak.
"Handle the art gallery situation," Chu Rong commanded casually. He placed Quan Jiu in the passenger seat, fastened her seatbelt, closed the car door, and locked it.
Only after the car sped away did Wang Xiao snap back to reality, muttering dazedly, "The young madam is back."
Too shocked to notice, as Chu Rong's car merged onto the main road, a Jaguar silently followed behind.