Chapter 41 Crystal Clear Bowl Cakes, Chewy and Refreshing…

Bai Yuanzhi hid in the darkness, her mind in turmoil.

One voice said: This is no good place, and Song Junshu seems quite familiar with that tattooed guy, so better leave quickly!

Another voice said: Since you’re already here, why not first see what kind of job Zhou Zhaoer actually has at this nightclub? The lighting here is dim, Song Junshu might not even recognize her.

But in the end—

Bai Yuanzhi merely thought about it, not even having time to act,

when someone enthusiastically greeted her, “Miss Bai? You’re here to have fun too?”

Bai Yuanzhi: …

She turned her head and indeed saw a familiar face—though she didn’t know his name, she recognized him as Chen Shuojie’s driver.

This driver was a young man in his late twenties,

who, when driving for her and Chen Shuojie before, wore a suit and tie, looking quite refined.

Probably off duty now and here to relax, he was dressed in jeans and a floral shirt, with a gold chain thicker than a finger hanging around his neck, exuding a thuggish vibe!

The driver had already prepared a fawning expression, ready to flash a smile the moment he saw Chen Shuojie,

but after looking left and right, he couldn’t find Chen Shuojie anywhere, and couldn’t help showing a puzzled expression as he asked, “Miss Bai, you… came alone? Where’s the young master?”

In his eyes, Bai Yuanzhi and Chen Shuojie were already a couple.

Bai Yuanzhi didn’t care about that at all,

she said to the driver, “I’m here to find someone…”

But the music was blaring loudly,

and the driver didn’t hear her.

So, the driver took Bai Yuanzhi to a small private room.

There were about six or seven people in the room, both men and women. Seeing the driver bring in a young, beautiful girl without any makeup, several of the men whistled.

The driver quickly glared at them and whispered, “Quiet, she’s my boss’s girlfriend.”

The men and women all looked embarrassed, nodding at Bai Yuanzhi as a greeting.

Only then did the driver ask Bai Yuanzhi what she had wanted to say earlier.

Bai Yuanzhi quickly and concisely told him, “My cousin is named Zhou Zhaoer, I heard she works here as a waitress, but she’s an underage girl, so I want to take her away from here. Could you please help me find her?”

The driver understood immediately and patted his chest, saying no problem. After ordering a glass of juice for Bai Yuanzhi, he hurried off.

But what Bai Yuanzhi didn’t know was,

the driver, wanting to claim credit, first called Chen Shuojie and vividly reported everything he had seen and heard to him, before helping Bai Yuanzhi look for the person.

Bai Yuanzhi sat in the private room waiting.

She didn’t dare drink the juice—mainly because orange juice brought back too many unpleasant memories.

But she didn’t know any of the men and women there either,

they were quite polite, offering her fruit platters and drinks, and asking if she wanted to sing,

Bai Yuanzhi politely declined,

so they also felt a bit restrained,

which was awkward.

Still, no matter how awkward it was, it was better than being found by Song Junshu.

For some reason,

Bai Yuanzhi strongly resisted seeing Song Junshu.

In both her past and present lives, he was the person she hated the most.

More than once, she had imagined how she would appear before him with an air of superiority,

She wanted him to kneel before her, weeping bitterly.

She wanted to witness his utter ruin with her own eyes.

She also wanted him to sink into poverty and misery, never to rise again!

But every one of these imaginings was built on the premise that she, Bai Yuanzhi, had become immensely powerful, capable of crushing Song Junshu like an ant with a single hand.

Yet now, she was not powerful.

So when facing Song Junshu, she still needed to control her hatred, even to the point of feigning friendliness.

She was unwilling to compromise herself.

This was the reason she did not want to cross paths with Song Junshu.

However,

in this world, there seems to be a rule that goes, “what you fear most is what you get.”

Bai Yuanzhi was sitting in the private room, waiting,

when suddenly—

someone outside peered through the transparent glass panel above the door of her private room.

Moments later, more and more heads appeared, occasionally swaying…

Finally, someone pushed open the door of the private room.

Leading the way was none other than the tattooed-arm big brother.

The big brother stared at Bai Yuanzhi, sizing her up from head to toe, his eyes revealing admiration, before he turned to the person behind him with a smile and said, “See, I told you, if you want to find someone here… there’s no one I can’t find. Take a look, is this the beauty you’re looking for?”

After saying this, the tattooed-arm big brother stepped aside,

and Song Junshu appeared.

Bai Yuanzhi clenched her fists.

Song Junshu also stared at Bai Yuanzhi for a while, a different kind of emotion flickering in his eyes.

“Ah Zhi?” he said with a smile. “It really is you! Long time no see, you seem to have changed again.”

Bai Yuanzhi remained seated, a strange and unfamiliar expression in her eyes.

Song Junshu was taken aback.

Bai Yuanzhi cautiously asked, “May I ask who you are…”

Song Junshu felt awkward. “Ah Zhi, you don’t remember me? I am—”

He was about to explain, but the words caught in his throat, unsure how to say it.

Should he directly remind Bai Yuanzhi, saying, “I am Song Junshu, your sister Zhou Sier’s boyfriend”?

This was difficult for him to say.

Especially in front of the tattooed-arm big brother.

Song Junshu was caught in a dilemma.

Bai Yuanzhi, of course, could understand the difficulty in Song Junshu’s eyes.

Hah,

since he was in a difficult position,

then she wouldn’t be the one in difficulty!

“Ah, I remember now! You’re Brother Song!” Bai Yuanzhi stood up joyfully. “…You’re my sister Zhou Sier’s boyfriend!”

Song Junshu panicked and immediately looked at the tattooed-arm big brother.

Sure enough—

the tattooed-arm big brother asked curiously, “Who is Zhou Sier?”

Song Junshu quickly replied, “A friend.”

Bai Yuanzhi added fuel to the fire, “A boyfriend!”

The tattooed-arm big brother looked at Song Junshu, then at Bai Yuanzhi,

and finally chose to ask Bai Yuanzhi, “Is Junshu your boyfriend?”

Bai Yuanzhi revealed an innocent and pure smile. “Of course not! Brother Song is my sister’s…”

Song Junshu cut her off, “…good friend!”

He grabbed Bai Yuanzhi’s arm. “Ah Zhi, come here, I have something to ask you.”

Then he said to the tattooed-arm big brother, “Brother Xiao, I’ll come find you later.”

And so, Song Junshu pulled Bai Yuanzhi’s arm, trying to lead her out of the private room.

Bai Yuanzhi clung tightly to the door handle. “Brother Song, if you have something to say, say it here. All this pulling and tugging looks terrible! Besides, you and I aren’t in a relationship where we can be alone and whisper secrets.”

Song Junshu urged anxiously, “Just come with me first—”

Bai Yuanzhi refused. “If you have something to say, say it. If you don’t want to, then leave!”

Song Junshu grew anxious and used his other hand to try and pry Bai Yuanzhi’s fingers from their death grip on the door handle.

At that moment, the driver’s friends in the private room saw that Song Junshu was trying to forcibly drag Bai Yuanzhi away,

and noticed that Bai Yuanzhi was absolutely unwilling to leave with Song Junshu.

Out of loyalty to their friend, they couldn’t just stand by and watch Bai Yuanzhi get into trouble right before their eyes.

So they stepped forward, not only surrounding Bai Yuanzhi but also earnestly persuading Song Junshu:

“Bro, this isn’t right. Since the lady doesn’t want to leave with you, you should respect her wishes.”

“Exactly! What’s so important that it can’t be said openly? If it’s something that can’t be said in front of others, but she doesn’t want to hear it either, then there’s no need to say it at all!”

“Bro, we’re all here to have a good time. It’s all about mutual consent. Treating a girl like this isn’t really appropriate, is it?”

…

Even the tattooed-arm big brother couldn’t stand it anymore. “Junshu, the girl is almost in tears. You should be more considerate!”

Indeed, Song Junshu had both hands tightly clamped around Bai Yuanzhi’s wrists.

Given the difference in strength between men and women,

Bai Yuanzhi not only failed to break free from Song Junshu’s grip but was also in so much pain that her eyes welled up with tears.

Song Junshu grew frantic. “Ah Zhi, I really have something important to tell you. Don’t be like this!”

Just then—

Someone outside the door called out, “Miss Bai, please step aside.”

Bai Yuanzhi froze,

and Song Junshu froze as well.

One of the driver’s friends glanced through the transparent glass panel on the door and said joyfully, “Ah Bin (the driver) is back!”

It turned out that Ah Bin had intended to push the door open and enter,

but Bai Yuanzhi was blocking it from the other side, so he couldn’t push it open.

Through the glass panel on the door, he saw Bai Yuanzhi and spoke up.

Immediately, the friends gathered around Bai Yuanzhi, gently guiding her to step aside

so she wouldn’t block the way and Ah Bin could come in.

Even at this point, Song Junshu still stubbornly clung to Bai Yuanzhi’s hands, refusing to let go.

Soon, the door opened.

Ah Bin entered first, then swung the door wide open. Bowing and scraping to someone behind him, he said, “Young Master, Miss Bai…”

Before he could finish his sentence,

Ah Bin caught sight of Bai Yuanzhi’s disheveled state and froze in shock.

Then—

A group of black-suited bodyguards escorted a young man in black to the doorway.

The room fell into an instant silence.

The young man in black held a metal cane. His complexion was pale, and his features were handsome.

Narrowing his long, phoenix-like eyes, he coldly scanned the people in the private room, his presence imposing.

Finally, his gaze settled on Bai Yuanzhi.

“Let her go.” Chen Shuojie spoke to Song Junshu, each word deliberate and clear.

Yes,

the newcomer was none other than Chen Shuojie.

When Ah Bin called him to say that Bai Yuanzhi was at Wild King,

he hadn’t believed it—

until Ah Bin explained that Bai Yuanzhi had gone to Wild King to retrieve her underage cousin.

Only then did Chen Shuoji grow anxious.

Because today was a special day.

He couldn’t let anything happen to Bai Yuanzhi.

So he immediately gathered his bodyguards and rushed over in a hurry.

Little did he expect to walk into such a scene.

—Bai Yuanzhi, who was usually as proud as a little chili pepper in front of him, now had her brows tightly furrowed and the corners of her eyes reddened. Traces of tears still stained her fair cheeks…

A strange emotion stirred in Chen Shuojie’s heart.

Seeing Song Junshu stubbornly gripping Bai Yuanzhi’s hands,

Chen Shuojie couldn’t help but feel a surge of anger. He shot a meaningful glance at the bodyguards beside him.

The burly bodyguard stepped forward, his massive hand clamping down on Song Junshu’s wrists.

Song Junshu let out a pained cry of “Ah!” and released Bai Yuanzhi’s hands.

Another bodyguard standing beside Chen Shuojie also stepped forward,

but with his arms crossed, he used his strong elbows to gently push Bai Yuanzhi, causing her to stagger toward Chen Shuojie.

Chen Shuojie leaned on his cane with both hands, tilting his head to look at Bai Yuanzhi. “Are you alright?”

Bai Yuanzhi shook her head.

Chen Shuojie’s expression darkened. “What’s wrong?”

Bai Yuanzhi was willing to deal with Chen Shen, but not with Chen Shuojie.

However, Song Junshu had already bullied her to this extent.

She couldn’t hide, nor could she endure it any longer.

So, Bai Yuanzhi extended her hands, showing them to Chen Shuojie.

—Her skin was fair and delicate, but after being violently gripped by Song Junshu for so long, her wrists were now swollen and red, even showing hints of bruising!

Everyone present saw it.

Song Junshu saw it too and anxiously said, “I’m sorry, Ah Zhi, I didn’t notice, I didn’t mean—”

Before he could finish,

the bodyguard, having received his master’s signal, landed a heavy punch squarely on Song Junshu’s face!

Song Junshu collapsed to the ground with a thud before he could finish his sentence.

Chen Shuojie then glanced around, his gaze settling on the tattooed boss, Ah Xiao.

Ah Xiao had already recognized Chen Shuojie’s identity and was trembling as he bowed respectfully to him. “Young Master Chen!”

Bai Yuanzhi was taken aback.

She could roughly guess that the tattooed boss Ah Xiao was likely a big shot at the Yewong Nightclub,

but she hadn’t expected Ah Xiao to know Chen Shuojie, and he seemed terrified of him.

Chen Shuojie asked expressionlessly, “Where is Miss Bai’s cousin?”

Ah Xiao gaped, completely unaware of who “Miss Bai’s cousin” was.

However, Chen Shuojie’s driver, Ah Bin, had already sent someone to fetch Zhou Zhaoer.

—Zhou Zhaoer, dressed in a waitstaff uniform, thin and frail in stature but heavily made-up, was brought over.

Zhou Zhaoer was terrified out of her wits.

She thought she had gotten into some kind of trouble,

but after being dragged here, she saw Bai Yuanzhi?!

“Third Sister?” Zhou Zhaoer exclaimed in surprise.

Chen Shuojie gave the tattooed boss Ah Xiao a cold glance before turning to Bai Yuanzhi. “Let’s go.”

His indifference toward Ah Xiao and Song Junshu

was matched only by his gentleness toward Bai Yuanzhi.

Bai Yuanzhi nodded and followed Chen Shuojie out of the private room.

Lying on the floor, clutching his nose, his face smeared with snot and blood, Song Junshu watched Bai Yuanzhi’s retreating figure and let out a pained, muffled groan.

But Bai Yuanzhi had already walked away without looking back.

She followed Chen Shuojie to the car and asked curiously, “Your hand and foot… healed so quickly?”

After all, Chen Shuojie had fractured his right hand and left foot and had been in a cast.

It had only been a little over two months, yet he was already able to walk?

But wasn’t he still in a wheelchair just a few days ago?

Facing Bai Yuanzhi, Chen Shuojie was no longer as cold as before.

“Not fully healed,” he said helplessly. “I only rushed over like this to back you up.”

Bai Yuanzhi replied, “You could have just called the police for me. Why come in person?”

The driver Ah Bin, standing nearby, was startled by Bai Yuanzhi’s words and coughed violently.

Chen Shuojie: …

“You’re heartless,” Chen Shuojie muttered quietly.

Ah Bin helped Chen Shuojie into the car, then opened the door for Bai Yuanzhi.

But Bai Yuanzhi turned back, looking at Zhou Zhaoer not far away.

Seeing Bai Yuanzhi hesitate to get in, Chen Shuojie followed her gaze to Zhou Zhaoer and said, “You two go to my place first. We’ll talk after your hand is treated.”

Bai Yuanzhi firmly refused, “I’m not going to your house. How about you take me to Xingfu Building instead?”

Chen Shuojie stared at Bai Yuanzhi for a few seconds. “…Alright.”

Only then did Bai Yuanzhi get into the car.

Zhou Zhaoer boarded another vehicle traveling with Chen Shuojie.

Once in the car, Chen Shuojie finally began to grimace in pain.

He lifted his trench coat, revealing the metal brace strapped to his broken leg, and fumbled to remove it.

But after struggling for a while, one buckle just wouldn’t come undone.

“Bai Yuanzhi, help me take this off,” Chen Shuojie said, panting heavily.

Bai Yuanzhi leaned over to assist him.

However, her wrists were swollen and throbbing with intense pain, leaving her hands weak. She struggled for a long time…

Even when the car came to a stop, she still hadn’t managed to undo it.

“Chen Shuojie, you should…”

Find someone else to help you!

Bai Yuanzhi couldn’t finish that sentence.

Because as she straightened up, she realized the car had stopped in an underground garage.

Chen Shuojie shifted his broken leg and got out of the car.

Bai Yuanzhi: ???

“Your hand is badly injured, and it’s so late now. Even if you go back, you won’t be able to treat it,” Chen Shuojie said without looking at her. “If you don’t want to go to my house, then don’t.”

“I own two apartments in this building. You and your sister can stay here tonight, and I’ll find someone to treat your hand.”

Chen Shuojie spoke calmly.

Bai Yuanzhi’s wrist felt hot and numb, almost losing sensation.

Besides, she was already here, so she stopped putting on airs. “Alright, thank you.”

Chen Shuojie’s expression relaxed slightly.

Just as Chen Shuojie had said,

He owned two properties here—two luxurious apartments side by side on the same floor, separated by a hallway.

Bai Yuanzhi and Zhou Zhaoer were settled into one of the units.

Zhou Zhaoer looked around the opulent, gilded apartment, feeling uneasy. She kept asking Bai Yuanzhi, “Third Sister, who is he? Is he your boyfriend? How do you know him? He must be rich, right…”

Bai Yuanzhi, irritated, ignored her.

Soon after, Chen Shuojie wheeled himself over in his wheelchair, followed by a man and a woman.

The woman was likely a servant, carrying a basin of hot water and towels;

The man carrying a case was an elderly Chinese medicine practitioner. After setting down his case, he immediately took Bai Yuanzhi’s hand.

Bai Yuanzhi’s wrists were terribly swollen, and her palms had turned purple due to obstructed blood flow, with her nails taking on a deathly pale gray hue.

Chen Shuojie frowned.

The elderly doctor took some medicinal oil from his case, rubbed it between his palms for a while, then clamped Bai Yuanzhi’s left wrist between his heated hands and began vigorously massaging it!!!

The pain made Bai Yuanzhi scream “Ahhhhhh!” as tears streamed from her eyes.

Chen Shuojie closed his eyes briefly, breathing rapidly, his hands gripping the wheelchair armrests tightly.

Bai Yuanzhi felt as if she were enduring one of the ten great tortures of the Qing Dynasty.

It hurt so much…

If only Chen Shuojie weren’t here.

She could have cried freely while the old doctor worked on her bones.

But Chen Shuojie was there from start to finish.

So, she could only desperately hold back the urge to cry, whimpering and making the softest sounds possible…

About two hours later,

The old Chinese medicine doctor, exhausted and covered in sweat, finally stopped.

Bai Yuanzhi’s tears had already smeared all over her face.

But miraculously, her hand, aside from being covered in medicinal oil and rubbed red all over by the old doctor, had actually… completely recovered!

Of course, the bruises on her wrist were still there.

The old doctor said that by tomorrow morning, the servants should brew the herbal medicine according to his prescription, and then she should soak her hand in the medicinal water. After two or three times, it would be completely healed.

Bai Yuanzhi thanked the old doctor.

After the old doctor left,

she realized that only she and Chen Shuojie were left in the huge house!

And Chen Shuojie’s flushed face and rapid breathing… made Bai Yuanzhi feel a bit suspicious.

“Chen Shuojie, what’s wrong with you?” Bai Yuanzhi couldn’t help but ask.

He looked at her quietly, his gaze dark and intense.