**In Kang's Private Villa – 9 PM**
The family physician arrived at the villa.
"Who is suffering from a gunshot wound?" the doctor inquired.
"Please follow me to the guest room," the servant responded.
**In the Guest Room**
The doctor examined Xue'er's injuries.
**Ground Floor Room of the Villa – 9:30 PM**
Chengxian was restrained, his body marked with numerous bruises.
"An Zaikang! Where have you taken Xue'er?!" Chengxian shouted in fury.
"Rest assured, my family doctor is treating her. Once she's recovered, she will be brought to you. But look at you! You're bold enough to lay a hand on me! Song Chengxian, you are courting death! Are you not afraid that I'll ruin your pretty face and end your career?" Zaikang retorted with a grin.
"I would gladly end your life! Without Xue'er, I have nothing! After nearly seven years together, her life is intertwined with mine!" Chengxian replied, seething with anger.
"Excellent! Keep the beating going! Then douse his wounds with saltwater!" Zaikang commanded, his mood darkening.
"An Zaikang! You monster!" Chengxian yelled, spitting at Zaikang.
Zaikang aimed a gun at Chengxian...
"Do you think I won't shoot you dead right here?" Zaikang asked, his voice laced with anger.
"Go ahead! I'd rather you kill me than threaten Xue'er with your vile actions!" Chengxian shot back defiantly.
Zaikang fired at Chengxian's left foot and left arm...
"You... you might as well finish me off!" Chengxian screamed.
"Keep an eye on him. Don't let him die! He still holds value," Zaikang ordered.
**Three Days Later – July 3, 2001**
**In the Guest Room – 9 AM**
Xue'er awoke, repeatedly calling Chengxian's name.
"Take Miss Mi to the basement. Let her see her unfortunate lover," Zaikang instructed.
**In the Ground Floor Room**
"You two are truly miserable lovers! One would rather perish than harm the other, while the other cries out for their beloved the moment they awaken! Pathetic!" Zaikang exclaimed angrily.
Zaikang approached Chengxian, pouring saltwater on his wounds...
"Mr. Song, I imagine the saltwater must be agonizing, isn't it? Xue'er, would you allow your beloved to become disabled or die before your eyes?" Zaikang asked, a smile creeping across his face.
"Xue'er! Don't listen to this madman! An Zaikang, just shoot me! I won't allow you to have Xue'er!" Chengxian shouted.
Zaikang pressed down on Chengxian's wounded foot...
"Ah!" Chengxian cried out.
"Chengxian! Zaikang, what are you planning to do?!" Xue'er yelled.
At that moment, Zaikang pointed the gun at Chengxian's head...
"Then I'll pull the trigger! Xue'er, what do you say?" Zaikang asked, grinning.
"Mr. An, please let Chengxian go. I will do whatever you want," Xue'er replied, her voice trembling.
"Alright! I want you to be my personal secretary and marry me in November 2002!" Zaikang declared emphatically.
"This..." Xue'er hesitated.
"Xue'er, don't agree to this!" Chengxian yelled.
"Silence! Do you want to cripple your own foot?" Zaikang snapped.
"Fine! I agree! Now let Chengxian go! Call a helicopter to take him back to Seoul," Xue'er responded.
"Very well," Zaikang said.
The men knocked Chengxian unconscious and transported him back to the top floor of the Song Group in Seoul by helicopter.
**Seoul – Song Group – Top Floor – 12:30 PM**
Some security guards witnessed a helicopter dropping off the bloodied Chengxian before swiftly departing.
They immediately alerted Mr. and Mrs. Song, after which Chengxian was rushed to the hospital.
**Seoul Central Hospital – Emergency Room – 1 PM**
"This is awful! Who on earth inflicted such severe injuries on Chengxian?!" Guofeng demanded angrily.
"Mr. Song, the security guards reported seeing a helicopter with the An Group emblem land on the top floor, drop off Master Song, and leave," the assistant informed.
"What!? The An Group!? How could my son have offended such a powerful figure!? Ali, investigate what transpired in Busan!" Guofeng ordered in disbelief.
"Yes, sir!" the assistant affirmed.
"Guofeng, who did our son upset?! Is he seriously injured?!" Enci asked, anxiety lacing her voice.
"Don't worry, my dear. I'll have Ali look into it," Guofeng reassured her.
**Three Hours Later – 4 PM**
The doctor emerged from the emergency room.
"Are there any family members of Song Chengxian present?" the doctor queried.
"We are his parents," Guofeng replied.
"We've removed the bullet. Mr. Song has developed a fever, but the injury is not life-threatening. Thankfully, he received timely medical attention; otherwise, he could have lost his left foot," the doctor explained.
"Thank you, doctor," Enci said gratefully.
"You should head home and rest. The patient won't awaken anytime soon," the doctor advised.
**The Following Morning – 8 AM**
**Seoul Central Hospital – Seunghyun Ward**
Mr. and Mrs. Song were making their way to Chengxian's ward when they heard a commotion.
"Mr. Song! You can't be discharged yet! Your injuries are serious!" the nurse implored.
"Let me go! I need to go to Busan to find Xue'er!" Chengxian insisted vehemently.
Guofeng entered the ward and slapped Chengxian across the face...
"Have you lost your mind!? An Zaikang is the richest man in Busan!" Guofeng exclaimed angrily.
"But Xue'er is my greatest love! I can't let her be with that scoundrel!" Chengxian replied passionately.
"So what!? Are you willing to throw your life away!? You need to recover in the hospital! No leaving this place! Keep an eye on him!" Guofeng ordered furiously.
"Son, Xue'er will be alright. Don't act recklessly; your health comes first," Enci cautioned.
"Yes, my health is important. But I still need to go back and find them!" Chengxian declared.
**February 14, 2002 – Busan**
**An Group – Mr. An's Office – 4 PM**
Xue'er entered Mr. An's office with some documents, knocking on the door.
"Come in," Zaikang called out.
As Xue'er entered, Zaikang noticed her in a short skirt and began to caress her from behind.
"Zaikang, this isn't appropriate. We're at work," Xue'er protested.
"What's there to fear? I'm the one in charge here! I can do as I please! You're my woman now, and I can do anything," Zaikang asserted.
"Remove your hands! We're not married yet!" Xue'er exclaimed.
"Did you catch the news today? Your ex-boyfriend, Song Chengxian, has made headlines. He officially became the vice president of the Song Group this month and will be coming to Busan to open a store," Zaikang replied.
"I'm too busy to follow such news, and I have nothing to do with Vice President Song," Xue'er countered.
"By the way, Xue'er, you look stunning today. You'll accompany me to a dinner party," Zaikang added.
"I understand," Xue'er replied.
As she exited...
"Hey, Xue'er, you and your old flame will reunite tonight. I'll be watching your expressions closely. If either of you rekindles feelings, I won't hesitate to act! Haha!" Zaikang chuckled to himself.
**5:30 PM**
**In the CEO's Bathroom**
Xue'er was dressing after taking a shower when Zaikang unlocked the bathroom door.
"Who!? Zaikang! What are you doing!? You can't just barge in! I'm not dressed!" Xue'er protested.
"Let me hold you. Don't forget that you belong to me!" Zaikang replied.
He embraced Xue'er tightly, kissing her.
Xue'er pushed him away...
"An Zaikang! You're despicable!" Xue'er shouted in anger.
"Be quiet! Remember, Song Chengxian is in Busan. If you make a wrong move, don't blame me for my actions!" Zaikang warned angrily.
**-Chapter End-**