Volume 1, Chapter 20: You Cannot Take Her Away

"Surround them!"

Before Lin Xia could retort, a commotion erupted. Fang Cheng, who had left earlier, came storming back with a group of men in tow.

Ding Changqing, not yet seeing who was behind him, blustered, "What? Didn't get enough of a beating earlier, so you’ve come back for seconds?"

But as soon as he spoke, he saw the group of burly, fierce-looking men trailing behind Fang Cheng. Their mere presence was enough to strike fear into anyone's heart. Ding Changqing had practiced a bit of martial arts, but he was no match for such overwhelming numbers. His smug expression vanished, and he froze on the spot.

"This is the Bi City Fortune Financial Center! How dare you bring so many people in here? Where are the White family's guards?" Ding Changqing, feeling a wave of trepidation, shouted.

No one answered him. He could only bite the bullet, propping up his trembling legs, and stared back at the menacing men, refusing to beg for mercy. After all, he couldn't let his vanity be crushed now, especially not in front of the woman he admired.

"Surround them!" At Fang Cheng's command, the burly men immediately closed in.

"What do you think you're doing? Do you know who I am? I am the son of Ding Kangyong, the chairman of Hengping Pharmaceuticals!" Ding Changqing, realizing the gravity of the situation, immediately declared his pedigree.

But to his dismay, his status didn't intimidate anyone.

"I thought you were someone important; I've never even heard of your father's name!" one of Fang Cheng's lackeys sneered. "Do you know who our boss is? Our boss is the son of Master Wu!"

The moment those words were spoken, everyone present understood exactly who they were dealing with.

"Master Wu? The underground emperor of Bi City?"
"If the White family hasn't intervened even now, who else but the son of the underground overlord could pull off a stunt like this?"
"That poor kid is in big trouble. He tried to play the hero and ended up in a nightmare!"

The crowd whispered in hushed, fearful tones. When the men looked their way, the bystanders quickly averted their eyes and went silent. No one wanted to cross this young tyrant.

"You... you are Master Wu's men?" Ding Changqing’s face went blank with shock, his heart racing with panic. He should have realized something was wrong from the start—why hadn't the White family stepped in? He shouldn't have tried to play the hero; now he was trapped.

Master Wu, whose real name was Fang Wujie, was the notorious underground emperor of Bi City. He was known for being worldly, ruthless, and cruel. Anyone who crossed him either ended up dead or crippled. He controlled a vast network of gray-market operations and was a figure who struck terror into the hearts of all.

Ding Changqing was filled with regret. He never imagined he would cross paths with that man’s son today. If he had known, he wouldn't have dared to provoke Fang Cheng for all the wealth in the world. He wouldn't have even hesitated to send Tan Qiutong to Fang Cheng's bed if it meant saving his own skin.

"Weren't you acting all tough just a moment ago? Why aren't you showing off now?" Fang Cheng jeered, his cold gaze fixated on Ding Changqing, making the latter’s skin crawl.

Ding Changqing forced an awkward, ugly smile. "Brother... I think this is all a misunderstanding! A total misunderstanding!"

"What misunderstanding could there be between us? Look at my nose—wasn't that your doing?" Fang Cheng pointed to his bandaged nose, speaking softly to avoid the pain of his recent injury. "Misunderstanding my foot!"

Fang Cheng roared and swung two sharp slaps. *Smack! Smack!*

Ding Changqing didn't dare dodge this time. He took the hits, and two bright, red handprints instantly bloomed on his face.

"Brother, my father and Master Wu... they have some history. Please, give him some face and just let me go like a fart in the wind!" Ding Changqing’s arrogance was gone. Despite the rage burning inside him, he didn't dare show it, forced to beg in a low, submissive voice.

"Who do you think you are? And your father? Neither of you is worth the face I’d have to give!" Fang Cheng kicked Ding Changqing to the ground. Not satisfied, he delivered a few more kicks for good measure.

Secretary Liu, watching from the side, couldn't stand it any longer. Gritting her teeth, she said, "This is the White family’s networking event! How can you cause trouble here?" She was terrified, but she felt responsible for the trouble Ding Changqing was in because of them.

"So what if it's the White family’s event?" Fang Cheng sneered. "Do you think I’m afraid of them? Besides, you were the ones who struck first. I’m just acting in self-defense. Even before the White family, you wouldn't have a leg to stand on!"

Secretary Liu retorted, "Don't lie through your teeth. You were the one who harassed President Tan first—"

Before she could finish, Fang Cheng interrupted: "It seems you haven't grasped the situation yet. Perhaps I should have my men teach you the rules!"

At his gesture, a burly man moved toward Secretary Liu. Suddenly, Tan Qiutong stepped forward. "Stop! This has nothing to do with her!"

"It doesn't, but you're going to keep me company tonight. If you serve me well over dinner, then we can talk," Fang Cheng said with a playful, predatory glint in his eyes.

"Despicable!" Tan Qiutong spat, raising her hand to slap him.

But Fang Cheng was ready. He caught her wrist mid-air. "I told you, I have no problem hitting women. Don't think that just because you're pretty, I won't lay a hand on you. Men! Tie her up!"

Lin Xia could no longer watch. She whispered to Xu Qing, "Xu Qing, are we really not going to do anything? Even though she’s infuriating, the history we have..."

Xu Qing had initially thought the White family would handle such a disturbance, and it was none of their business. But seeing his kind-hearted wife distressed—even though she disliked Tan Qiutong—he couldn't bear to let her down.

Meanwhile, Secretary Liu threw herself forward to protect Tan Qiutong, only to be kicked aside by Fang Cheng.

"...Young Master Ding, save President Tan!" Secretary Liu wheezed, her voice weak. The kick to her stomach made her feel as if her intestines were rupturing; she couldn't even stand up.

Ding Changqing, paralyzed by the fear of Fang Cheng’s identity, didn't dare move. He stammered, "Young Master Fang, the two women are just ignorant. But, you know, it’s not really a good look to hit women..."

"I haven't even finished settling my account with you, and you want to settle yours with me?" Fang Cheng said coldly.

"That's not what I meant!" Ding Changqing began, but he couldn't find the words. Fang Cheng, seeing him try to rise, kicked him back down until he lay motionless.

Looking down at him, Fang Cheng said coldly, "One more word out of you, and I’ll leave you paralyzed."

Ding Changqing didn't dare make a sound, lying on the ground and playing dead.

"I thought you were tough, but you’re just a pathetic loser! I don't know how a woman like her ended up knowing a blind fool like you," Fang Cheng said with disgust.

The crowd looked on, feeling that Ding Changqing was truly pathetic. He had failed to play the hero and had lost every shred of dignity in the process.

Just as Fang Cheng’s men were about to drag Tan Qiutong away, an unexpected figure stepped in front of her.

"You cannot take her."

The familiar voice was chillingly cold. Tan Qiutong widened her eyes, staring at the tall, imposing figure standing before her. The person shielding her was none other than her ex-husband, Xu Qing—the man she had always looked down upon and dismissed as a spineless coward.