Lin Xuan Saves Her

Shen Qianqian sat on the ground, dragging herself backward as she retreated. "I’m warning you—if you dare lay a finger on me, my father will have you skinned alive!"

"Your father can barely save himself right now. Do you really think he’d spare a thought for you?"

The bodyguards weren’t aware of Su Hua’s dealings with Shen Corporation, but given their employer’s temperament, Shen Qianqian had repeatedly crossed the line by coveting Young Master Lin. There was no way Su Hua would let the Shen family off the hook.

Other offenses might be forgivable, but Young Master Lin was her absolute red line.

Shen Mao was probably already drowning in chaos.

"Shen Qianqian, enjoy yourself."

None of Su Hua’s subordinates had any patience for delicate flowers.

The two bodyguards began kicking and punching Shen Qianqian relentlessly.

"Ahhh—!"

She curled into a ball, shielding her head as blows rained down on her.

They were professionals—they knew exactly where to hit without risking her life, and where would hurt the most.

Soon, Shen Qianqian’s body was covered in injuries, every inch of pain radiating through her limbs, leaving her in unbearable agony.

"Wuwuwu…" She sobbed, pleading, "Please… let me go."

She had been spoiled by her father her entire life, and others had always tread carefully around her status as the Shen family’s heiress. Never had she been beaten like this.

It hurt so much.

The two black-clad bodyguards took their time, only stopping when they deemed it enough.

Clang!

The rusted iron door of the abandoned factory creaked open.

A tall, strikingly handsome man stepped inside.

Shen Qianqian, sprawled on the ground, lifted her head.

Her eyes lit up.

Her heart pounded wildly.

It was Lin Xuan!

He had come to save her!

He did care about her—he must have been cold before only because that woman was around.

Maybe this beating was even a blessing in disguise.

Now, she could expose that woman’s true colors to Lin Xuan.

Lin Xuan strode in expressionlessly, his refined demeanor starkly out of place in the decrepit factory.

"Lin Xuan-ge!" Shen Qianqian crawled toward him, tears welling in her eyes as she looked up pitifully. "They hit me… Lin Xuan-ge, save me!"

"Save you?" Lin Xuan looked down at her, his voice dripping with icy mockery.

Something felt off.

Shen Qianqian’s delicate brows furrowed.

Why did his tone sound like… he wasn’t here to rescue her?

No, that couldn’t be.

"Young Master Lin." The two bodyguards removed their masks and sunglasses, bowing respectfully.

"You—you—!" Shen Qianqian’s eyes widened in shock.

She recognized them—they were Lin Xuan’s personal bodyguards.

Why were they here?

A terrible realization struck her. Slowly, she turned her head back to Lin Xuan.

"Lin Xuan-ge, you…?" Her voice trembled with disbelief.

No… he wouldn’t do this to her.

"Lin Xuan-ge," she said, eyes red-rimmed, "these two might be yours, but they attacked me because of that vixen’s influence! You had no idea, right?"

"Or—or were they fired? Maybe they resented you and took it out on me!"

One bodyguard’s expression darkened. He kicked her sharply. "Call our employer a vixen again, I dare you."

Shen Qianqian bit her lip, still staring at Lin Xuan with desperate hope.

He had to punish them for this, right?

"Lin Xuan-ge," she whispered tearfully, "make them pay, please?"

She gazed up at him, fragile and pleading—but such tactics had no effect on Lin Xuan.

Qin Ruoyao had used the same act on him for years. He was immune.

(Well, except for Su Hua.)

"Punish them?" Lin Xuan’s lips curled coldly. "How?"

"I sent them to beat you."

His words struck Shen Qianqian like a thunderbolt.

She froze, her pupils dilating in horror as she stared at him.

It took her a long moment to find her voice.

"No… Lin Xuan-ge, you’re lying, aren’t you? You’d never hurt me… never!"

She clutched at his pant leg, begging hysterically, "Say it’s a lie! Say it!"

Lin Xuan kicked her off impatiently.

"Ah—!"

She collapsed back onto the floor.

"Shen Qianqian." Lin Xuan crouched in front of her. "I warned you. If you keep clinging to me, don’t blame me for what happens."

"Lin Xuan-ge, I cling to you because I love you!" Tears streamed down her face. "Is it wrong to chase after the person I love?"

Besides, that woman was not right for him.

She didn’t deserve Lin Xuan.

In love, the one who wasn’t loved was the third wheel. If Lin Xuan fell for her instead, then she wouldn’t be the other woman.

Lin Xuan was speechless.

What kind of messed-up logic was that?

"Lin Xuan-ge, please… just give me a chance. If you get to know me, you’ll see how good I am!" Shen Qianqian implored pitifully.

Lin Xuan’s voice remained frigid. "Shen Qianqian, I told you—there’s no future between us. I’m in love with someone else. Even if Hua’er didn’t exist, I’d never choose you."

Each word shattered her hope further.

Her expression crumbled into desolation.

Lin Xuan stood. "Today’s beating is your final warning. If you harass me again, I will make sure you regret being alive."

With that, he turned away.

"Throw her back to the Shen family," he ordered flatly.

"Lin Xuan-ge!" Shen Qianqian screamed in despair. "You can’t do this to me! LIN XUAN-GE!"

But he was already gone.

Shen Qianqian lay on the ground, wailing in anguish.

The bodyguards watched, satisfied.

Serves her right.

They hauled her up, dragging her out of the factory and shoving her into a car.

---

Night Garden Estate

Su Hua kept glancing at the clock.

Eight o’clock, and A-Xuan still isn’t back.

Her lips pressed into a thin line, her entire aura icy.

Jiang Qing, currently delivering a report, trembled internally.

Of all days for Young Master Lin to be absent, why did I have to run into Su Hua when she’s in a mood?

She prayed silently for Lin Xuan’s swift return.

The moment he stepped through the door, Su Hua’s temper would vanish.

During her work report, Jiang Qing received a phone call. She glanced at the caller’s name.

"President Su, I need to take this call."

Jiang Qing stepped out with her phone. She wouldn’t usually interrupt her duties for a call, but this was from the bodyguard assigned by President Su to protect Young Master Lin—she had to answer immediately.

As she listened to the voice on the other end, surprise filled her eyes.

She returned to Su Hua’s study.

"President Su, the bodyguard assigned to Young Master Lin has kidnapped Shen Qianqian today."