Song Qi Nian carried a deep sense of gratitude toward Guan Ming Xu. He had rescued and supported her multiple times, and she held onto that kindness with unwavering appreciation.
Normally, being pursued by a man would have sent her running in the opposite direction. But Guan Ming Xu was different. Despite openly expressing his interest in her, he had never crossed a line.
He was remarkably skilled at maintaining appropriate boundaries. He didn't make her uncomfortable, nor did he become cold or damage her reputation simply because she hadn't reciprocated his feelings. Instead, he consistently treated her with genuine friendship.
"Let me help you apply the ointment," he offered. "The sooner you use it, the faster you'll heal."
Song Qi Nian quickly waved her hands, offering a light smile. [No, thank you. I'll take it home and apply it myself.]
Guan Ming Xu's expression clouded. "I gave you scar-removal cream, and you've thanked me countless times already. Do we really need to be so formal?"
[We absolutely do!] she insisted.
Guan Ming Xu fell silent, momentarily stunned.
He found her rigid adherence to propriety both frustrating and intriguing. If not for the various incidents that had given him opportunities to help her, he doubted he would have ever gotten close enough to have a conversation. Yet, it was precisely this quality that made her so captivating.
Shen Chi Yan was approaching the restroom when he heard Guan Ming Xu's voice.
"Little Nian Nian," Guan Ming Xu said, his tone a mix of playfulness and sincerity, "why don't you divorce Shen Chi Yan and be with me? I'll treat you like a queen, spoil you completely, and love you exclusively for the rest of my life."
His words were half-joking, half-serious.
To Shen Chi Yan, it was nothing short of a brazen attempt to seduce his wife.
Since they had their backs turned, Shen Chi Yan couldn't see Song Qi Nian's reaction. He imagined her blushing, shy—and a wave of uncontrollable rage instantly consumed him.
"What are you two doing!"
Shen Chi Yan's voice made Song Qi Nian's heart race. She jumped up, spinning around to face him, confronted by his cold, menacing expression.
Guan Ming Xu noticed her reaction—how she seemed to shrink, tense and frightened—and frowned. This was no ordinary married couple's interaction.
Worried Shen Chi Yan might intimidate Song Qi Nian, Guan Ming Xu stepped protectively in front of her. "I was just giving her some scar-removal cream."
His intervention only seemed to fuel Shen Chi Yan's rage. His fists clenched, he glared at Song Qi Nian and spoke with deadly calm, "Come here."
Song Qi Nian could feel the fury radiating from him. Without hesitation, she moved to obey.
But Guan Ming Xu caught her arm, blocking her path. He looked directly at Shen Chi Yan, his voice serious. "Don't go. I won't let him bully you."
As Shen Chi Yan's expression darkened, Song Qi Nian tried to pull free from Guan Ming Xu's grip. Her attempts were futile.
Panic rose inside her. Today was the Old Madam's birthday celebration—she couldn't let things escalate between these two men. She tried to signal Guan Ming Xu, but he was completely focused on Shen Chi Yan, her gestures going unnoticed.
Let go, she thought desperately. Just let go!
She understood Guan Ming Xu's intentions were good, but she knew the truth. The more he resisted, the angrier Shen Chi Yan became. And she would bear the consequences.
Seeing Shen Chi Yan approach with that glacial stare, Song Qi Nian made a split-second decision. She bit down hard on Guan Ming Xu's hand.
"Ah!" Guan Ming Xu yelped, turning to her in shock.
Quickly, she gestured urgently for him to release her. Only then did he notice her pale face and the angry red marks where he'd gripped her wrist.
Horrified, he jerked back as if burned, immediately letting her go.
Song Qi Nian didn't waste a moment. She darted forward and wrapped herself around Shen Chi Yan's waist, clinging to him tightly.
She turned and shot Guan Ming Xu a look, silently urging him to leave.
Guan Ming Xu didn't budge, his expression dark and stormy.
Song Qi Nian's desperate embrace did nothing to calm Shen Chi Yan's rage. If anything, it felt like she was defending Guan Ming Xu—and that only intensified his anger. The fury inside him burned so hot it threatened to consume him entirely.
Noticing Guan Ming Xu still staring, Shen Chi Yan's lips curled into a cold smile. He gripped Song Qi Nian's waist and forcefully kissed her, holding her chin in an iron grip.
Guan Ming Xu's eyes flashed with fury. He clenched his fists, ready to tear them apart.
"How long do you plan to keep watching, Young Master Guan?" Shen Chi Yan's voice dripped with ice. "Do you need my wife and me to demonstrate what intimacy looks like?"
He emphasized "wife"—a clear warning for Guan Ming Xu to back off.
Guan Ming Xu trembled with rage, his reddened eyes promising a fight.
Terrified they might clash, Song Qi Nian clung to Shen Chi Yan, one arm wrapped around him, the other clutching his clothes.
Shen Chi Yan looked down at her. Seeing her repeated head shakes, he softened his touch on her face while maintaining a glacial stare at Guan Ming Xu. "What a shame my wife is shy. If you need a woman, I'll introduce you to some. But Song Qi Nian? She's mine. Stop thinking about her!"
He yanked Song Qi Nian away, walking so fast she could barely keep up. Finally, he simply picked her up, carrying her effortlessly.
Guan Ming Xu instinctively moved to follow, then stopped after two steps. She was Shen Chi Yan's wife. What right did he have to interfere?
But the memory of their intimacy consumed him. Unable to contain his frustration, he punched the wall with full force. Blood burst from his knuckles, crimson streaks trailing down the wall. He seemed oblivious to the pain, striking again and again.
Shen Chi Yan carried Song Qi Nian into a large conference room. The moment the door closed, he pressed her against the table, gripping her neck with a menacing glare.
"You want a divorce?" he growled through clenched teeth.
Song Qi Nian's heart raced. She shook her head frantically.
"Guan Ming Xu is handsome, rich, and treats you well. Are you tempted?"
Another desperate head shake.
"Really?" His voice dripped with sarcasm. "I thought if I'd arrived a moment later, you would've eloped with him."
[Never,] she wanted to scream.
"Where's the ointment he gave you?"
Terrified, she wordlessly pulled it from her bag.
Shen Chi Yan snatched it, examining the tube with a cold, contemptuous smile. "He really treasures you. Such a perfect man—are you really not the least bit moved?"
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