Chapter 124: Underworld
From the moment Qiu Jie invited Yang Sixue for a drink, Zhao Dong knew he had ill intentions. However, he had assumed that since Qiu Jie also liked Yang Sixue, he wouldn't dare do her any real harm. But just moments ago, Zhao Dong had overheard Qiu Jie conspiring with that director to get Yang Sixue and Song Qingwan drunk, then film incriminating videos to blackmail them. How could he tolerate this?
Given the crowd, he couldn't act rashly, especially since the celebrities present would definitely side with the director. If a fight broke out, the resulting scandal could ruin Yang Sixue and Song Qingwan's careers. Instead of intervening immediately, Zhao Dong stepped outside to smoke a cigarette and figure out his next move.
Meanwhile, at the directors' table, Yang Sixue and Song Qingwan had already had a drink and taken their seats. Sensing that there was something wrong with the way the men were looking at her, Yang Sixue forced a smile. "Directors, I have friends waiting for me, so I must be going. I'll be sure to treat you all to a meal another day."
As Yang Sixue stood to leave, Chen Sheng grabbed her hand. Her expression changed instantly. "Director Chen, have you had too much to drink?"
Chen Sheng chuckled. "Sixue, stay and have a few more with us. Leaving after just one drink is quite disrespectful, don't you think?"
Another director, Li Tong'an, added with a threatening tone, "Exactly. You're not new to the entertainment industry; you know the rules. Look around. So many stars are begging for a chance to drink with us, and we can't even be bothered. You girls don't know how lucky you are."
As he spoke, another director stealthily moved his hand onto Song Qingwan's. She immediately snatched her hand away, her face turning cold. "Directors, drinking is one thing, but please show some respect. Don't say or do anything inappropriate."
Seeing the atmosphere turn sour, the men quickly tried to smooth things over with a laugh. "Alright, alright, we were just joking! We're just looking out for our juniors, don't take it the wrong way. Come, let's drink!"
Backed into a corner, Yang Sixue and Song Qingwan had no choice but to pick up their glasses again. They each downed another glass of strong liquor, their faces flushing a rosy red. After this round, their vision began to swim.
Qiu Jie approached their table with a strange smile. He took a small bag of white powder from his pocket and passed it to one of the directors. The man concealed it in his palm, secretly emptying the contents into the liquor bottle as he chuckled, "Come on, pass your glasses over. Let's have one last round!"
Yang Sixue forced a bitter smile. "Director, I really can't drink anymore."
Song Qingwan swayed beside her, the room spinning around her. "I can't drink anymore either... No more..."
"Hey, we've already come this far! What's one more glass?" the director insisted, moving to pour the drinks. Yang Sixue quickly covered her glass.
The director's face darkened. With a smile that didn't reach his eyes, he said, "Sixue, you know we're all executives on the board of the Huaxia Film Association, don't you? We're in charge of film distribution. You can't afford to make us unhappy. Because if we're unhappy, we might just decide not to distribute your movie..." He trailed off, then gave a faint smile. "Sixue, Qingwan, just think about it. We really do value young talent like you two. But when you're trying to make it in this world, you have to know how to read the room. Don't you agree?"
The blatant threat made their hearts sink. Song Qingwan and Yang Sixue exchanged a look of shared misery. Without another word, they held out their glasses and downed the drinks.
The moment the liquor hit their stomachs, their heads began to spin violently. Yang Sixue felt a strange heat spread through her body, an indescribable sensation that filled her from the inside out.
Qiu Jie came over and leaned close to Yang Sixue's ear, his voice a soft murmur. "Sixue, did you drink too much? Let me help you to a private room upstairs to rest."
Waves of heat washed over Yang Sixue, and an inexplicable urge began to build, making her feel as though she was losing control of her own body. She bit her lip hard, desperately trying to stay lucid, but the combined effects of the alcohol and the drug were overwhelming. Her voice was hazy and broken. "No... no need... I'll... find... Zhao Dong."
Qiu Jie's eyes darkened for a moment, but his smile remained fixed in place. "No problem. I'll take you to him. You're far too drunk." He tried to lift her, but she clung tightly to her chair, and he couldn't budge her.
Song Qingwan, however, was not nearly as lucid. Having drunk the most, she was now completely intoxicated. Her body was burning up and her face was deeply flushed as she slumped over the table, propping her chin on her hand.
The two directors exchanged a look with Qiu Jie before helping the incapacitated Song Qingwan out through a side door, heading for the private rooms on the second floor. Many people in the banquet hall saw what was happening, but no one dared to say a word. They were all insiders; they knew exactly what was about to occur, and they knew better than to interfere.
Meanwhile, Yang Sixue managed to hold onto her consciousness at first, but as the drug grew stronger, her awareness began to slip away. Qiu Jie shot a discreet smile at Chen Sheng and whispered, "Director Chen, should I take her up first?"
Chen Sheng glanced around before whispering back, "Take her upstairs and put her in a room. We'll go up soon to have our fun. After we're done, it's your turn. Consider it your reward. I'll take responsibility for everything, so you can do whatever you want with her."
Qiu Jie's face lit up with excitement. "Yes! Thank you, Director Chen!" Without another moment's delay, he began to lift Yang Sixue toward the side door.
Just then, Zhao Dong finished his cigarette and re-entered the banquet hall. He immediately saw Qiu Jie supporting the nearly unconscious Yang Sixue, preparing to leave. Zhao Dong's expression darkened as he strode toward them. He reached them in a few quick steps, his cold gaze shifting from Qiu Jie to the dazed look in Yang Sixue's eyes. A fire ignited in his gut.
"Where are you taking her?"
Qiu Jie started, then frowned. "Get out of my way. Where I take her is none of your business. Who do you think you are to her?"
"Let her go," Zhao Dong said coldly.
A flicker of panic crossed Qiu Jie's eyes, but he held his ground. "Are you crazy? Sixue just asked me to help her upstairs to rest. Oh! I get it." He deliberately raised his voice, drawing the attention of everyone nearby. "You saw she was drunk and thought you could take advantage of her, didn't you?"
Zhao Dong's voice was dangerously low. "I'll count to three. Let her go."
Qiu Jie scoffed. "I'll count to three for you to get the hell away from me. I only called you 'friend' for Sixue's sake. Do you, a useless retired soldier, actually think you're somebody special? Get lost!"
Qiu Jie shoved Zhao Dong aside and tried to leave with Yang Sixue. But Zhao Dong, without another word, swiftly scooped her into his own arms. Then, he delivered a sharp kick to Qiu Jie's knee. Qiu Jie cried out in pain and collapsed to his knees.
"MOTHERFUCKER!!!"
Humiliated in front of so many people, Qiu Jie's eyes turned red with rage. Fueled by a sudden burst of adrenaline, he charged at Zhao Dong.
Zhao Dong simply shook his head and kicked out again. The blow landed squarely on Qiu Jie's chest, sending him flying seven or eight meters back, where he crashed through several tables.
Screams erupted through the banquet hall. Unable to sit still any longer, Chen Sheng and the other directors rushed forward, screaming at Zhao Dong, "You're fucking asking for death! Do you have any idea who we are? Security! Get security in here! Beat this bastard to death!"
Security guards rushed in from outside the hall and charged indiscriminately toward Zhao Dong. He frowned. These are my own employees, after all. He kicked them away one by one, using just enough force to disable them without causing serious injury.
Zhao Dong's expression grew darker as he looked at Yang Sixue in his arms. It was clear she'd had far too much to drink, and her face had an unnaturally deep flush. Something is wrong. She might have been drugged! Fury surged through him. He stared coldly at Chen Sheng and the other directors, carefully placed Yang Sixue in a chair, and then his figure blurred. In an instant, he was in front of Chen Sheng, his hand whipping across the director's face.
BANG!
The force of the slap sent Chen Sheng's body flying. The impact distorted his features, shattered his teeth, and broke his nose.
THUD!
He crashed to the ground, and everyone in the banquet hall stared, mouths agape. A deathly silence fell over the room. The atmosphere felt frozen, and every face was a mask of terror. Chen Sheng… had just been assaulted?
Zhao Dong scooped up Yang Sixue and turned to leave, but he paused. Wait, what about Song Qingwan? He frowned. He hadn't wanted to get involved. But after what he had overheard, he hesitated. Turning to the whimpering Qiu Jie, he asked coldly, "Where is Song Qingwan?"
Qiu Jie's face went pale. "Wh-what do you want? What's it to you?"
A terrible premonition gripped Zhao Dong. He lunged forward and grabbed Qiu Jie by the throat. "I don't like meddling in other people's business," he growled, "but I can't stand by and watch you animals commit such despicable acts. Tell me. Where is Song Qingwan?"
Zhao Dong tightened his grip. A sickening crunching sound came from Qiu Jie's throat. His face swelled, turning purple as the life drained from him. Finally, unable to bear it any longer, he choked out, "In... in a private room... on the second floor... They... they took her there."
Zhao Dong's heart sank. He drove a final kick into Qiu Jie's stomach, glanced at the unconscious Yang Sixue, then gritted his teeth and sprinted toward the second-floor private rooms with her in his arms.