Volume One, Chapter 35: A Narrow Escape to Freedom

Zheng Dongsheng clearly had not expected Jiang Shuwei to suddenly grab onto something for leverage, allowing her to slide forcefully down past his shoulder.

Panic-stricken and fearing she might hit her head, Zheng Dongsheng spun around to catch her, only to see that Jiang Shuwei’s fingers were clutching Qin Weizhou’s arm. Her grip was so desperate that she had ripped the fabric of his black shirt, exposing the man’s taut, muscular arm, radiating raw masculine power.

Zheng Dongsheng’s eyes widened. Once free, Jiang Shuwei retreated in terror to hide behind Qin Weizhou.

Qin Weizhou lowered his gaze to his torn shirt, then to the trembling woman behind him, before finally casting a cold, piercing look at Zheng Dongsheng.

"Tsk, that shirt cost a pretty penny. Since you’ve ruined it, Miss Jiang, you really should hurry up and buy Mr. Qin a new one," Zhou Zirui remarked with a mocking laugh.

Zheng Dongsheng had never anticipated that his good fortune for the night would be ruined by a shirt. Gritting his teeth in frustration, he glared at the hidden Jiang Shuwei and said, "Jiang Shuwei, you have no choice. Get into the room with me, now."

"She is coming with me," a cold, masculine voice cut through his demand.

Zheng Dongsheng choked, staring at Qin Weizhou in disbelief. "You’re going to save her?"

Qin Weizhou retorted with icy indifference, "And what if I am?"

Zheng Dongsheng opened his mouth but found no words. The prevailing rumor was that Qin Weizhou preferred men and was allergic to women; he couldn't possibly be competing for the same woman. Yet, the current situation…

"Have your tastes changed, President Qin?" Zheng Dongsheng couldn't help but sneer. "Tired of men, are you? Looking to play with women now?"

The reaction to this statement was most intense from Zhou Zirui and Yan Feiye, who were trailing behind Qin Weizhou. Their glares struck Zheng Dongsheng like blades, as if to say, *Are you blind, you wretch? Which eye saw Mr. Qin liking men?*

Zheng Dongsheng was startled. Why was Qin Weizhou silent, while the two men behind him looked ready to devour him?

Qin Weizhou, not bothering to acknowledge Zheng Dongsheng any further, turned to leave. He noticed a small hand still clutching his shirt tightly, as if he were her only lifeline. He paused, turned back, and said to Jiang Shuwei, "Miss Jiang, please don't pull so hard. It’s not appropriate to undress in public."

Jiang Shuwei’s face flushed crimson. She loosened her grip inch by inch, her tear-filled eyes looking at Qin Weizhou with desperate hope. "President Qin, would you please take me away?"

Qin Weizhou pressed his thin lips together and said nothing, simply turning to walk forward. Jiang Shuwei followed closely behind him.

Watching his prize slip away, Zheng Dongsheng was consumed with resentment. He started to give chase, but Yan Feiye and Zhou Zirui stepped forward in unison, blocking his path.

"Why are you two looking at me like I’m your enemy?" Zheng Dongsheng asked, annoyed. "I didn't say you were Qin Weizhou’s boyfriends."

"Zheng Dongsheng, watch your mouth," Zhou Zirui said, looking insulted and angry.

"Get lost," Yan Feiye snapped, his chest heaving with rage. They were merely close friends with Mr. Qin; who the hell was his boyfriend?

Zheng Dongsheng was arrogant, but the two men before him, looking like they were ready to kill, made the hair on his neck stand up. Offending them meant indirectly offending Qin Weizhou, and Zheng Dongsheng—mindful of his grandfather’s warnings—did not want to provoke that iceberg.

"Fine, you win," Zheng Dongsheng muttered, clenching his fists. With his pent-up desire nowhere to vent, he turned to his entourage. "Get me a woman. Now."

At the elevator, Jiang Shuwei was tense and uneasy, glancing back repeatedly. Only when she realized Zheng Dongsheng wasn't following did she let out a sigh of relief.

"Thank you, President Qin." Jiang Shuwei knew that Zheng Dongsheng was a reckless bully who feared nothing, and the only reason he hadn't dared to force her was his fear of Qin Weizhou.

"He Jingcheng is also on this ship," Qin Weizhou said coldly.

Jiang Shuwei’s heart wrenched. The statement was casual, but it cut through her like a blade. *Yes, her husband was on the ship, and yet Zheng Dongsheng had still tried to drag her into a room to sleep with her.* She pressed her lips together, speechless in her misery.

"If you're scared, I can arrange for you to be taken off the ship," Qin Weizhou offered, noticing her continued trembling.

"I have an auction to attend tonight. I need to bid on an item for someone important to me," Jiang Shuwei whispered.

"I can save you once, but that doesn't mean I will continue to help you," Qin Weizhou replied coldly.

"I know. Thank you for your help, President Qin. I will repay this favor." Jiang Shuwei knew better than to push her luck. Qin Weizhou was a man who kept to himself; her being harassed by Zheng Dongsheng was her own problem. His help was a courtesy, not an obligation.

"My shirt… compensate me," the man said as he stepped into the elevator.

Jiang Shuwei hesitated for a second before hurrying in after him. "There's a menswear shop on the first floor. I'll go buy you one right now."

"Fine. I'll wait for you by the men's restroom." Qin Weizhou hadn't brought a change of clothes, and he needed to replace the ruined garment.

On the first floor, Jiang Shuwei didn't even stop to look for Zhou Haixin. She rushed into the menswear shop and picked out a black shirt.

"What size does your boyfriend wear?" the clerk asked with a smile.

Jiang Shuwei froze; she hadn't asked. However, Qin Weizhou’s build was similar to He Jingcheng’s, so the size shouldn't be too different. She grabbed a large size and ran toward the restroom.

Halfway there, she ran into He Jingcheng and Su Mian, who were emerging from a nearby conference room. They seemed to have just finished discussing business.

"Jiang Shuwei..." Su Mian spotted her immediately. Seeing her in such a rush, her expression stiffened. She had just told Zheng Dongsheng that Jiang Shuwei might be on the third floor—why was she here, running around freely, and not in a room?

Jiang Shuwei was holding a shopping bag from a menswear brand. Seeing the group, her face turned cold, and she turned to leave.

"Jiang Shuwei... what are you carrying?" He Jingcheng also saw the bag. What kind of men’s item had she bought?

Jiang Shuwei quickened her pace, but He Jingcheng snatched the bag from her hand. He opened it, took a look, and fixed a cold, dark gaze on her. "Who is this for?"

"What does it have to do with you?" Thinking of how He Jingcheng had invited Zheng Dongsheng, she saw him as an accomplice, and her attitude grew even sharper.

"What kind of attitude is that?" He Jingcheng was irritated. With a group of acquaintances behind him, Jiang Shuwei’s behavior made him lose face.

Jiang Shuwei suppressed the grief and anger in her heart, wanting nothing more to do with him.

"Jiang Shuwei, stop right there!" He Jingcheng, his own temper flaring, grabbed her wrist to demand an explanation.

*Slap!*

A clear, crisp sound echoed as she struck him across the face. He Jingcheng was stunned. The onlookers were equally shocked, frozen in disbelief.