Chapter Sixty-Six: The Scent of Blood

“Don’t you think your actions are utterly shameless?” I stood in front of Qi Tian, blocking Luo Qing, and while my hands were behind my back, I subtly gestured for Luo Qing to call for help.

“Shameless?” Qi Tian wasn’t angry; instead, he burst into a loud, exaggerated laugh, even clutching his stomach as though he found it amusing. “You want to talk to me about shamelessness? You little bastard, I’ve changed my mind now. I won’t just take nude photos of her—I’ll play with her too!”

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Luo Qing’s body visibly tremble at the latter half of his sentence. Her face turned pale as she looked at me, but her gaze held no fear, only a burning, silent fury.

I stared coldly at Qi Tian, knowing that anything I said now would be pointless. If he dared to make a move, I’d fight him directly. If I had to go down with him, so be it; but I would never let Luo Qing be harmed.

Qi Tian beckoned with a finger and a blond, thuggish youth quickly came to his side, pulling out his phone and pretending to take pictures of me, showing them to Qi Tian for effect.

Qi Tian took the phone, fiddled with it—probably switching it to video mode—then handed it back to the blond youth. He swaggered over to me, pointed at me, and cursed, “You little bastard, do you even know who the woman behind you is? You think a toad like you could ever dream of her?”

I kept my gaze icy and locked onto Qi Tian’s eyes, my body tense to the extreme. I knew that if it came to blows, they were numerous and prepared; I couldn’t match this group. My only hope was to catch Qi Tian off guard, hold him down, delay things, or create enough commotion to get a chance to escape. If we could leave, we’d be out of immediate danger—even if I would later face Qi Tian’s even more insane revenge, as long as Luo Qing was safe, that was enough. With her family background, I believed nothing worse would befall her.

“Toad, there’s no way you met her through normal channels… Well, let me do you a favor and tell you who she is: listen carefully. Miss Luo Qing is the daughter of Luo Qiancheng, the shadowy owner of Tianhua Group and Imperial Nightclub… Surprised?” Qi Tian’s eyes were vicious as he glanced at me, then at Luo Qing behind me, his tone mocking. “Miss Luo, haven’t you heard who I am? Even your father would have to show me some respect. My fortune may not match your family’s, but I have plenty of connections on the street… You dared to humiliate me in public; tonight, you’ll pay the price!”

I was shocked to learn Luo Qing’s true identity, but there was no time to dwell on it; the trouble before me was all that mattered now!

As Qi Tian raged almost hysterically, Luo Qing quietly stepped past me and stood before Qi Tian. Her golden, wavy hair lay peacefully against her slender back, and her voice was unexpectedly calm—almost as if the alcohol in her blood had been suppressed by this sudden turn.

“Do you dare touch me? Have you thought about the consequences?” Luo Qing stood between me and Qi Tian, unafraid of his aggression, her voice low and steady.

Qi Tian circled her, eyes ravenous, fixated on her vulnerable features, his saliva nearly dripping. He licked his lips and said, “I came here tonight because I’m not afraid of consequences!” With that, he reached shamelessly toward Luo Qing.

At the same moment, my body was poised and ready. As Qi Tian reached out, I stepped forward and punched his disgustingly fat cheek, knocking him off balance and onto the floor.

“Hide!” I shouted, dragging Luo Qing behind me, then straddled Qi Tian—who seemed stunned—delivering another blow directly to his face.

My fist landed squarely on his eye socket. Qi Tian howled in pain, “What are you all staring at? Get him! Kill him!”

Seeing the situation, I knew things were going badly. I tried to raise my fist again, but sharp pain struck my chest as someone kicked me hard. Several more kicks followed, and a thug threw me off Qi Tian.

I must not fall—if I went down, it would be over! I knew clearly that once I was beaten to the ground, surrounded by them, I’d never get back up.

Using the momentum, I rolled backward and crouched, facing the five thugs itching for a fight as I rose to my feet, keeping an eye on Luo Qing, wary of a sneak attack.

Luo Qing caught my glance and returned it with a determined look.

I nodded slightly, deciding to go all out and strike first. I charged toward the one at the front, swinging my fist at his nose.

He dodged nimbly, clearly experienced in fighting. Using my forward momentum, I ran toward Qi Tian; if I could take down the mastermind, we’d win!

But after two steps, a kick slammed into my thigh from the side, sending me crashing into the washbasin. My organs felt as if they’d shifted positions, and I collapsed to the floor.

“Get him!” the blond thug shouted, tossing his phone aside and rushing at me.

I sneered, spun aside, then used my legs to stand and punched him in the chin, tackling him to the ground and raining blows on his face.

The situation was now out of my control. Qi Tian cleverly kept his distance, and the thugs had recovered from my reckless charge.

“Ah!” Luo Qing’s scream snapped me out of my assault, and I turned toward her instinctively.

To my horror, two thugs had seized Luo Qing’s arms and were trying to strip off her long black coat.

“Damn you!” I roared, trying to rush over, but as soon as I stood up, a kick knocked me flat again. Three thugs surrounded me, raining punches and kicks. I wanted to rise, but couldn’t even lift my head…

“Bastards! Don’t touch me!” Luo Qing struggled desperately, but she was no match for two men. They quickly pulled off her coat, revealing a white blouse beneath.

“Hit me again!” Qi Tian stood before me and kicked my head. I instinctively shielded my skull, but still felt a jolt of pain and a sharp agony in my fingers.

Two thugs dragged me to a corner. Qi Tian unleashed a barrage of kicks to my belly; my ribs felt shattered, blood bubbling in my mouth.

“Toad, you bastard!” Qi Tian cursed, kicking my face again and spitting on me.

“Stop it!” Luo Qing’s voice trembled; pinned in a corner by two thugs, she watched me, bloodied, and cried out, “Stop hurting Yang Chen! Name your terms, I’ll agree to anything!”

Qi Tian’s interest was instantly piqued. He strolled over with a twisted smile, hands behind his back. “Now, you said it yourself—don’t regret it!”

Luo Qing lowered her head, tears streaming to the floor, nodding in submission.

My heart was about to burst. I struggled violently—I could not let Luo Qing be harmed. Never!

A stinging slap landed on my face as the thug pressed me down.

I had to protect her, save her! As I fought harder, their blows became more brutal. Blood filled my mouth, running down my chin.

“Miss Luo, I can’t take it anymore—you’re just too beautiful!” Qi Tian began unbuckling his belt, turning to the blond thug, “Are you recording?”

“Don’t worry, boss, it’s all on film!” The blond grinned lewdly.

Luo Qing… I saw her desperate gaze, a faint smile in her eyes as she looked at me, her once bright and adorable eyes now hollow and lifeless… My heart shattered into dust, my fingers clenched until blood poured from my palms. I had to save her, even if it cost me my life! I wanted Luo Qing safe, even if I lost everything!

In the instant Qi Tian reached for his zipper, I erupted with all the strength left in my body! I wrenched my right hand free from the thug’s grip, grabbed his arm, and bit into his forearm with every ounce of force I had. As he screamed in agony, I shook my head and tore a chunk of flesh from his arm.

Without hesitation, I shoved aside the stunned thug, spat the chunk of flesh onto him, and lunged at Qi Tian, whose lust had blinded him.

I slammed Qi Tian to the ground, pulled out my phone, and smashed it onto his head—once, twice, three times…

At that moment, I forgot what crime was, forgot the family waiting for me far away, forgot the dreams I’d yet to realize. All I remembered was Luo Qing’s beautiful smile in her moment of despair, every memory of her laughter and every adorable, fiery expression…

The thugs froze, shocked by my wild attack, staring as I, exhausted but relentless, hammered my phone onto Qi Tian’s bloated head.

“Murder! Murder!” The blond thug shrieked, threw down the phone, and raced for the door, unlocking it and fleeing.

The others followed, scrambling through the crowd at the entrance, desperate to escape.

I collapsed onto Qi Tian, arms limp at my sides, staring blankly at the swarm of club security guards pouring in. Among them, I saw Zhao Ke Wen sitting petrified before me.

As I looked around in a daze, I suddenly felt warmth—a soft body threw itself into my arms. I looked down in astonishment; it was Luo Qing, her clothes torn.

Her eyes were swollen from crying; I could see my own savage reflection in her tears, mouth smeared with blood—mine and theirs.

Looking at Luo Qing’s beautiful face, my heart surged with an unprecedented tenderness. I gently embraced her, leaning close to her ear and whispered, “This blood is sweet…”

Luo Qing listened to my seemingly nonsensical words, gazed at me in bewilderment, then slowly raised her delicate hand to caress my swollen, battered cheek. Through her tears, she nodded, “Yes, it’s sweet.”