Chapter 54: Marriage... Can You Even Get Married?

Sweat beaded on Shen Yu Shu's forehead as he frantically searched for Song Qi Nian. His messages went unanswered, one after another. His heart racing at the thought of her being in danger, he pulled out his phone and dialed her number. Even if she couldn't speak, just knowing she'd picked up would tell him she was safe.

Meanwhile, Shen Chi Yan remained oblivious to Song Qi Nian's desperate situation just around the corner.

As the elevator doors began their slow glide shut, a phone's melody pierced the quiet of the restaurant. Song Qi Nian never made calls, so Shen Chi Yan had never heard her ringtone before—he wouldn't have recognized it even if he had.

Gao Kunlun, standing nearby, quickly pressed the "open" button before the doors could fully close.

Shen Chi Yan's icy stare made Gao Kunlun's skin crawl. "Master Shen," he stammered, "that's the Young Madam's favorite song playing. Could it be her phone?"

The ringing continued, unanswered.

Shen Chi Yan cast a disinterested glance toward the restaurant before turning his cold eyes back to Gao Kunlun. "Why would anyone call someone who can't speak?"

Realizing his mistake, Gao Kunlun released the button and stepped back behind Shen Chi Yan, chastened.

The doors began closing again—only to halt abruptly as Shen Chi Yan's hand shot out to stop them.

He couldn't explain the sudden tightness in his chest, the inexplicable feeling that this persistent ringtone was trying to tell him something important—something he couldn't ignore.

Gao Kunlun stood paralyzed for a moment before hurrying after Shen Chi Yan, who was already striding out of the elevator.

When Shen Chi Yan finally saw her, his breath caught. Song Qi Nian lay slumped on the restaurant's corner sofa, her face flushed and hair in disarray. She was drenched in sweat, struggling weakly to rise.

Gao Kunlun's face lit up with relief when he spotted her. "Young Madam! It really is the Young Madam!"

He rushed to her side. "Young Madam, what's wrong?"

Gao Kunlun's face twisted with worry. "Master Shen, something's seriously wrong with the Young Madam. You need to see this!"

Before he could finish, Shen Chi Yan had already pulled Song Qi Nian into his arms. She collapsed against his chest, her body completely limp.

One look at her condition told Shen Chi Yan exactly what had happened. His face darkened dangerously, radiating a cold fury that made everyone around him shrink back.

Song Qi Nian found comfort in Shen Chi Yan's familiar scent and warmth, but his obvious anger made her shiver. Still, the heat consuming her body and the strange sensations coursing through her veins drove her to press closer, desperate to hold him, to kiss him.

As she nestled against him like a kitten seeking warmth, Shen Chi Yan's expression grew even more dangerous. "Gao Kunlun, get the car."

Gao Kunlun sprinted off without hesitation.

Shen Chi Yan's face was unreadable as he carried Song Qi Nian toward the exit—only to find Shen Yu Shu standing there, having just arrived.

Shen Yu Shu's heart lurched at the sight of President Shen holding Song Qi Nian. His steps faltered as questions raced through his mind: Why was President Shen here? Why was he carrying her?

Watching Song Qi Nian nestle into Shen Chi Yan's arms despite her obvious distress, an unsettling thought crossed Shen Yu Shu's mind. But he pushed it aside, hurrying toward them instead.

"President Shen, I apologize if Nian nian's causing you trouble. She's had too much to drink." His eyes fixed on Song Qi Nian with concern. "Nian nian, are you alright?"

He reached out to take her, but Shen Chi Yan shifted away, fixing him with a glacial stare that made Shen Yu Shu's heart stutter. Still, he gathered his courage. "President Shen, what are you doing?"

"What exactly is your relationship with Song Qi Nian?"

Shen Yu Shu couldn't tell if Shen Chi Yan had noticed Song Qi Nian's state, but he knew he couldn't let her leave—not before he finished what he needed to do.

"Nian nian and I are in love. She's even met my grandmother."

Song Qi Nian writhed in Shen Chi Yan's arms, the drug burning through her veins. She heard Shen Yu Shu's voice and desperately wanted to tell him she wasn't okay, but she could barely hold onto Shen Chi Yan, using every bit of strength just to keep from falling.

Then she heard Shen Chi Yan's question about their relationship.

Shen Yu Shu's answer left her stunned.

"In love?"

None of it made sense. They were just friends, weren't they? She'd gone to see his grandmother with Miao Ziai—how had that turned into meeting the family?

She clung to Shen Chi Yan's neck, tears welling in her eyes as she shook her head frantically. She had to make him understand—her life depended on it.

Shen Chi Yan let out a harsh laugh, his gaze cutting from Song Qi Nian to Shen Yu Shu. "Really? So you're ready for marriage then?"

Cornered, Shen Yu Shu nodded stiffly. "Yes. We're planning the wedding for later this year."

Song Qi Nian felt her world spinning. She shook her head violently, terrified. Why would Shen Yu Shu say such things to Shen Chi Yan? He was throwing her to the wolves!

"Married?" Shen Chi Yan's voice dripped with ice. "Can you even get married?"

His cold stare pierced through Song Qi Nian. The drug's fire in her veins seemed to dim under his gaze, but she knew she had to act—or everything would fall apart.

Her body moved before her mind could catch up. She leaned forward and pressed her lips against Shen Chi Yan's—the only way she could think to prove there was nothing between her and Shen Yu Shu.

Shen Yu Shu stared in disbelief. This couldn't be Song Qi Nian—not the same woman who always cowered at the mere mention of Shen Chi Yan's name.

Something wasn't adding up, but he couldn't piece it together.

The drug coursed through Song Qi Nian's body, leaving her desperate for relief. She pressed her face into Shen Chi Yan's neck, drawing in his scent like it was her only lifeline.

Her actions had already stirred something in Shen Chi Yan, and now her need for him only fueled that fire. Gao Kunlun burst in. "Master Shen, the car's ready."

As Shen Chi Yan carried Song Qi Nian toward the exit, he paused beside Shen Yu Shu. His voice could have frozen hell itself: "You tried to take what's mine. I'll remember that."

Shen Yu Shu's knees buckled. He barely kept himself from hitting the floor.

Miao Ziai arrived to find only Shen Yu Shu, looking lost and broken. No sign of Song Qi Nian anywhere. She grabbed his arm, panicked. "Yu Shu, what are you doing just standing here? Where's Niannian?"

He didn't answer, just stumbled toward the hotel exit.

"Yu Shu... Yu Shu..."

Miao Ziai chased after him, fear written across her face.

Moments later, Guan Ming Xu appeared with a glass of water. He rushed to the sofa, but it was empty. Song Qi Nian was gone.

His face twisted with rage. The glass slipped from his hand, shattering against the floor.

"My little sweetheart... my little sweetheart! Who dared take her from me?!"