Chapter 11

Star Transmission Group.

Twelfth floor, Chairman’s Office.

The office, three hundred square meters in size, was the epitome of opulence—leather sofas, mink carpets, every corner reeking of wealth. A woman sat beside Han Chuanwu; her face was haggard, while Han’s was lecherous, his eyes roaming brazenly over her. As he spoke, his hand rested on her thigh, caressing her through the sheer black stockings.

“Xiaomeng, my godfather’s betrothal gift has already been accepted by the Qin family, and they’ve agreed to the marriage. One way or another, you’re going to marry my godfather—why fight it any longer?”

“If you agree now, I, Han Chuanwu, will keep my word and help you find your little niece. Of course, before that, I want to enjoy myself a little—see how well you can serve me, whether you’re fit to please my godfather.”

“You must know, Xiaomeng, the Li family is powerful in Jiangzhou. In all of Jiangzhou, the only one who can touch them is my godfather.”

The woman was Qin Xiaorou’s younger sister, Qin Xiaomeng, just graduated from Huajing University, renowned as the campus beauty. Dressed in a crimson dress, her black hair cascading like a waterfall, her skin smooth as ivory, brows light as mist, she exuded both elegance and an unnameable demure allure. With those exquisite features, her beauty was simply breathtaking.

Yet at this moment, starlight flickered in Qin Xiaomeng’s eyes, cold and distant, her whole bearing radiating an unapproachable pride. She pushed Han Chuanwu’s hand off her thigh without hesitation.

“Han Chuanwu, you’re nothing but a beast!”

“How could my brother-in-law have been so blind, to make friends with someone like you?”

“You utterly disgust me!”

Qin Xiaomeng’s beautiful eyes flashed with rage as she glared at Han Chuanwu, her trembling body betraying her anger. During Chu Tianhe’s absence, he had told her to seek Han’s help if needed, but Han Chuanwu had proved to be a fiend.

Not only did he offer the Qin sisters no assistance, he had, to cement his own position, adopted Lu Liang as his godfather, set his sights on Qin Xiaomeng, and planned to offer her to Lu Liang—while lusting to have her for himself first.

“Qin Xiaomeng, you’d better not refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit!” Han Chuanwu’s face darkened as she pushed his hand away. “Marrying my godfather is the greatest fortune you’ll ever know. The Qin family will rise to the ranks of Jiangzhou’s elite!”

“Too bad about your sister, though. Why did she choose Chu Tianhe? If not, my godfather could’ve taken both you sisters at once!”

“Of course, I wouldn’t mind a taste ahead of time, either. Heh heh!”

“You know, my godfather is over seventy, not much stamina left. Once you’re married to him, if you get lonely, you’ll have to come to me!”

As he spoke, Han Chuanwu shamelessly slipped his arm around Qin Xiaomeng’s shoulders. “And don’t forget—it was your own family who sent you here!”

“The Qin family’s intent is clear. What use is your stubbornness?”

“Remember, your little niece is still in the hands of the Li family. Without my godfather’s intervention, you’ll never save her!”

As he spoke, Han Chuanwu tried to pull Qin Xiaomeng into his arms, but she broke free with a sudden force, and slapped him hard across the face.

The sharp crack left Han Chuanwu dumbfounded.

He hadn’t expected Qin Xiaomeng to dare strike him—she must be out of her mind!

“Animal! My brother-in-law was wrong about you, to treat a scum like you as a friend!”

“I’ll tell you now—even if I die, I won’t marry that old man, and I’ll never let a shameless beast like you touch me!”

Despair overwhelmed Qin Xiaomeng.

She and her sister Qin Xiaorou had always been close, her sister had shielded her since childhood. Now her sister was dead, forced by the Li family, and her little niece was in their hands. Powerless to help, she was being forced to marry a decrepit old man for the sake of her family, a mere sacrificial pawn—so the Qin family could rise to prominence.

For the first time, Qin Xiaomeng envied her sister. Envied her courage to defy the family, to elope with Chu Tianhe despite all opposition.

In hindsight, being cast out was perhaps a blessing—at least she would not have ended up like this.

“What are you doing?” she demanded.

Seeing Qin Xiaomeng rush to the window and thrust it open, Han Chuanwu panicked.

“Yaoyao, I’m sorry. Your aunt is useless. I can’t save you.”

“Don’t blame me, little one.”

“Brother-in-law, where are you? My sister is dead, I can’t save Yaoyao either. I’m so useless. I can’t go on—where are you, brother-in-law?”

Tears streamed down her cheeks. Facing utter hopelessness, she was ready to follow her sister’s path—to end it all.

In fact, Qin Xiaomeng had known Chu Tianhe even before her sister did.

One dark night, she’d been mugged—her money taken, the thugs tearing at her clothes with evil intent. It was Chu Tianhe who happened by and saved her.

From that moment, he became her hero. Later, it was through her introduction that her sister met Chu Tianhe, and fell for him.

Qin Xiaomeng had always secretly loved Chu Tianhe, but she was too young, and her sister was already with him—so she buried her feelings deep inside.

“Want to die?” Han Chuanwu hadn’t expected her to be so fierce, so determined to resist. Seeing her about to leap, his face changed, and he lunged forward, grabbing her arm.

“You think you can die just because you want to? If I don’t let you, you won’t die. If you die, how will I explain to my godfather?”

“Even if you die, it’ll be after I’ve had my fun!”

Han Chuanwu’s face twisted with malice. He yanked Qin Xiaomeng back and tore at her dress.

“Beast, let go!” No matter how she struggled or screamed, it was useless. Her red dress was ripped away, leaving only her undergarments—her alluring figure now exposed to Han Chuanwu’s greedy gaze.

“Damn, a real gem. They say you two sisters are the twin beauties of Jiangzhou, and it’s true.”

He reached out to tear away her last shred of dignity.

But at that moment, with a thunderous crash, the office door was kicked open.

The noise stunned Han Chuanwu; instinctively, he looked up. Before he saw the intruder, a black coat was flung inside, spinning through the air and landing squarely on Qin Xiaomeng’s shoulders.

Enraged, Han Chuanwu cursed, glaring at the doorway, ready to tear the intruder apart. “Who is it? Who the hell dares ruin my fun?!”

“Brother-in-law?”

Qin Xiaomeng turned as well. When she saw who it was, her heart clenched—it was none other than Chu Tianhe.

Chu Tianhe strode into the room, tall and imposing, his tailored suit unable to hide the chiseled lines of muscle beneath. Every gesture radiated the aura of a king.

“Brother-in-law, you’re finally back!”

Qin Xiaomeng’s tears poured forth. In that moment, she remembered herself at thirteen, in a dark alley, despairing, when Chu Tianhe had appeared like a god to save her from evil. The scene mirrored today’s.

Her hero had returned.