Chapter 382: Framed
Qiu Jia smoothed her clothes and put on a fawning expression. "Don't worry, Mr. Chen," she said with a simpering smile. "I'll go get He Xiao right now so you can have your fun with her."
Chen Quan looked worried. "Are you sure there won't be any problems? Don't let anything go wrong!"
"Rest assured," Qiu Jia said proudly. "I've had He Xiao wrapped around my finger for a long time. She can't get away."
"Is that so?" one of the scions questioned. "He Xiao seems to have a bit of a temper. Why would she do whatever you say?"
Qiu Jia replied arrogantly, "There's something you all don't know. When He Xiao's family got into trouble, I was the one who helped her through it. I'm her savior, so she feels indebted to me. Naturally, she wouldn't dare disobey me."
"Well, well. Who knew you were such a good person?" the scion said sarcastically.
A sinister smile spread across Qiu Jia's face. "Heh, I was the one who arranged the accident at her father's factory. I did it just so I could sign her for a low price. The fool has no idea. She still thinks of me as her family's benefactor. Tell me, isn't she a complete idiot?"
HISS! The men all sucked in a sharp breath and gave Qiu Jia a thumbs-up.
"Leave it to a woman to be the most venomous. Damn, you're vicious!" one of them exclaimed.
"Fuck! A vicious woman like you is exactly my type!" another one roared. "I'm going to fuck you senseless tonight!"
Inside the private room, the pack of degenerates, who considered themselves high society, laughed boisterously.
「Downstairs」
He Xiao was blissfully unaware that she had become the idiot they were all talking about.
「Five minutes later」
Qiu Jia came downstairs and stood before He Xiao, looking down at her. "Well? Have you decided to break up with that man?"
"Sister Qiu Jia... I..." He Xiao stammered, looking troubled.
Qiu Jia waved her hand impatiently. "Alright, alright. You can think about that later. For now, come upstairs with me and toast a few of the bosses."
Since Qiu Jia didn't mention Zhao Dong again, He Xiao felt she couldn't refuse the request. She got up, pulling Zhao Dong by the hand. "Sister Qiu Jia, I want to bring Brother Dong with me."
"Absolutely not!" Qiu Jia's expression instantly darkened. "The men upstairs are all big shots. Do you have any idea what will happen if they find out you have a boyfriend? I've already given you time to think. If you make this hard for me, you know damn well what the consequences will be!"
A wave of helplessness washed over He Xiao. She turned to Zhao Dong apologetically. "Brother Dong, I have to go upstairs to give a toast. Can you wait here for me for a little while?"
"Alright. Be safe," Zhao Dong said. He agreed, not wanting to put her in a difficult position.
「Upstairs」
Qiu Jia led He Xiao into the private room. Inside, Chen Quan and several other rich scions were drinking.
When Chen Quan saw He Xiao walk in, he immediately stood up with a wide smile. "Miss He, you're finally here! We've been waiting so anxiously for you!"
The sight of Chen Quan made He Xiao's face turn pale with fear.
Qiu Jia gave her a nudge and rolled her eyes. "What are you standing there for? Hurry up and toast Mr. Chen!"
"Yes... yes..." Not daring to resist, He Xiao picked up her glass, forced a smile at Chen Quan, and downed the drink in one go.
"Excellent! What a capacity for liquor!"
"Miss He is as beautiful as she is a capable drinker! You have a boundless future ahead of you!"
"Come on, sit, sit!"
Amid the chorus of praise, Qiu Jia pushed He Xiao down into the seat beside Chen Quan.
"Come on, everyone, drink up!" Chen Quan said cheerfully, raising his glass while his eyes roamed over He Xiao. Nervous, she held her own glass and drank along with them.
After three rounds of drinks, He Xiao was starting to feel tipsy. However, Chen Quan and the others remained perfectly composed, which put her somewhat at ease. But just then, one of the young scion's chopsticks clattered to the floor.
He bent down to retrieve them. As he stood up, he leered at He Xiao. "Miss He, you have some seriously sexy legs. So slim and fair... they look absolutely delicious!"
"HAHAHA!" another scion chimed in. "You guys are all about legs? I say a woman's feet are her sexiest part. With a figure like Miss He's, it would be heaven to play with her delicate feet!"
"Tsk, youngsters don't appreciate a great rack, fawning over pretty feet like they're treasure!" a third one jeered. "If you ask me, Miss He's perfectly-sized bust is my absolute favorite!"
Their lewd comments made He Xiao's skin crawl. She pressed her knees together tightly and squirmed uncomfortably in her seat. Chen Quan simply smiled, his eyes shamelessly raking over her body.
Finally, she couldn't take it anymore and timidly retorted, "Please stop! I already have a boyfriend! Please have some respect!"
"Heh, you mean that punk Zhao Dong downstairs?" one of the scions sneered. "A nobody from East Sea, thinking he can have a goddess? What a joke."
His words opened the floodgates for the others.
"He's just a loser, someone who can't be seen in polite company."
"He Xiao, I suggest you open your eyes. Look at all of us here. Which one of us isn't a man of status and influence? What is that Zhao Dong? If it weren't for you, he wouldn't even have the right to set foot in this hotel!"
"Exactly! You should dump that loser immediately. Don't let him ruin your bright future!"
They grew more animated with every word. He Xiao wanted to argue, but their menacing glares intimidated her into silence.
Just then, one of the scions abruptly stood up and slammed a full pitcher of liquor down in front of her. "Here! Drink this!"
He Xiao had a low tolerance for alcohol and was already dizzy. If I keep drinking, I'll definitely black out, she thought desperately. And I know exactly what kind of degenerates these men are. If I pass out, the consequences will be unimaginable!
So, He Xiao pleaded, "I... I really can't drink anymore. If I have any more, I'll be completely wasted..."
"HAHAHA!" the scion roared with laughter. "Where's the fun if you don't get drunk? Just drink up! If you get too drunk, we'll take you home!"
"That's right!" another one added. "Qiu Jia is here. If you pass out, she can take you home, can't she?"
"No! I really can't drink anymore." Seeing that they wouldn't back down, He Xiao's tone hardened.
Her defiance, however, enraged the scion. He slammed his hand on the table. "You ungrateful bitch! I, Wu Li, was giving you face, wasn't I? Let me tell you something! I run with the underworld, and I have hundreds of men at my command! If you don't drink this today, I'll have someone cripple that piece of trash Zhao Dong tomorrow!"
Involved with the underworld? Hundreds of men? The threat drained all the color from He Xiao's face.
Qiu Jia quickly stood up and came to her side, playing the mediator. "Young Master Wu, please don't be angry. He Xiao doesn't know any better. Let me apologize to you on her behalf."
Then she turned and hissed at He Xiao, "He Xiao! Didn't you hear Young Master Wu? Hurry up and drink! If you make him angry, Zhao Dong's life will be on the line!"
Qiu Jia's words shattered He Xiao's last line of defense. Zhao Dong was her man. How could she possibly stand by and let him be crippled because of her?
Finally, with her eyes red and brimming with tears, she reached out with a trembling hand and picked up the pitcher of liquor.