The steady beep of medical equipment filled the hospital room as Zhao Jingshen sat beside Jiang Meilin's bed, his hand gently clasping hers. Hours had passed, yet she remained unconscious, her face peaceful despite the ordeal she'd endured. As the night wore on, a restlessness began to gnaw at Jingshen. The need for action, for retribution, burned through his veins like molten steel.
He stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor. Leaning over, he placed a soft kiss on Meilin's forehead, his lips lingering for a moment. "I'll be back soon," he whispered. "I have some business to attend to."
Stepping into the corridor, Jingshen pulled out his phone and dialed a number. "Ling Wei," he said, his voice low and cold. "I need you to locate the base of operations for the thugs who attacked us tonight. Bring the ones we captured. It's time they learned the consequences of their actions."
Ling Wei, Zhao Jingshen's head of security and leader of his private military force, responded immediately. "Yes, sir. We've already pinpointed their location. The prisoners are secure. We await your orders."
A grim smile played across Zhao Jingshen's lips. "Excellent. Meet me at the usual place in 30 minutes."
As Zhao Jingshen strode through the hospital corridors, staff and patients alike instinctively moved out of his way. The aura of cold fury surrounding him was palpable, his eyes holding a dangerous glint that promised retribution. For a brief moment, Jingshen wondered if his actions might put Meilin in even greater danger, but he pushed the thought aside. He would deal with any consequences as they came.
Thirty minutes later, Zhao Jingshen stood in a nondescript warehouse on the outskirts of the city. Ling Wei approached, flanked by a dozen heavily armed men. "Boss, we're ready to move on your command."
Zhao Jingshen nodded, his face a mask of icy determination. "Show me the prisoners."
Eight battered men were brought forward, their faces bruised and swollen from the earlier fight. They cowered under Jingshen's gaze, sensing the danger emanating from him. One of them, recognizing Jingshen, began to tremble visibly.
"Gentlemen," Jingshen began, his voice deceptively calm, "I believe you made a grave error tonight. You see, the woman you attacked? She's mine. And now, you're going to help me send a message to your employers and anyone else who might think of crossing me."
He turned to Ling Wei. "Prepare the vehicles. We're paying their friends a visit."
The convoy of black SUVs sped through the night, coming to a stop outside a dilapidated building in the industrial district. Zhao Jingshen stepped out, adjusting his cufflinks as if he were attending a business meeting rather than orchestrating a raid.
"Secure the perimeter," he ordered. "No one leaves."
Ling Wei's men moved with military precision, surrounding the building. The sound of breaking glass and shouts of alarm echoed through the night as Zhao Jingshen's forces breached the thugs' hideout.
Inside, chaos reigned. The thugs, caught off guard, scrambled for weapons and escape routes. But Zhao Jingshen's men were relentless, methodically subduing everyone they encountered.
Zhao Jingshen walked through the mayhem, his expensive shoes crunching on broken glass. He reached the main room, where a dozen men knelt, surrounded by his armed guards.
"Good evening," Jingshen said, his voice cutting through the tense silence. "I believe we have some business to discuss."
A burly man, clearly the leader, scrambled at Zhao Jingshen's feet. "CEO Zhao?" he gasped, his eyes wide with recognition and fear. Whispers rippled through the room as the other thugs realized who stood before them. The Dragon of the Business World, known for his ruthless tactics and iron grip on the city's economy, was in their midst.
Zhao Jingshen's smile was glacial as he stepped forward, pressing the toe of his shoe against the man's throat. "It's good you know me. That will make this easier. You see, I'm the man whose woman you tried to kill tonight. And I'm here to show you the price of your misplaced loyalty."
He nodded to Ling Wei, who dragged forward the eight captured thugs. "Your employer, Miss Lian Fei, seems to think she can touch what's mine without consequences. You're going to help me correct that misconception."
Over the next hour, Zhao Jingshen systematically dismantled the thugs' operation. Bank accounts were drained, safehouses exposed, and supply lines cut off. He made calls to rival gangs, offering them territory in exchange for hunting down any who escaped his net. As he worked, a small part of him wondered if this display of power might draw unwanted attention to Meilin, but he pushed the thought aside. He would protect her, no matter the cost.
As dawn broke, Zhao Jingshen stood before the remaining thugs, their leader now a broken man at his feet. "Your organization no longer exists," he stated coldly. "Your assets are gone, your allies have abandoned you, and your lives are forfeit. But I'm going to let you live – as a reminder to others of what happens when they cross Zhao Jingshen."
He turned to Ling Wei. "Make sure they remember this night. Then release them. Let them spread the word."
As screams echoed behind him, Jingshen walked out of the building, pausing only to light a cigarette. He took a long drag, exhaling slowly as he watched the sun rise over the city skyline. The weight of his actions settled on him, and he found himself questioning whether he had gone too far. But the image of Meilin lying pale and still in the hospital bed steeled his resolve.
"Ling Wei," he called, "have our media contacts ready. It's time to start applying pressure on the Lian family. And double the security around Miss Jiang's hospital room. I don't want anyone unauthorized getting near her."
As he climbed back into his car, Jingshen felt a cold satisfaction settle over him. He had sent a clear message tonight – one that would reverberate through the underworld and beyond. But more importantly, he had taken the first step in ensuring Meilin's safety. Yet, a nagging voice in the back of his mind whispered that he might have also painted a target on her back. He pushed the thought aside, determined to deal with any consequences as they arose.
As the car sped back towards the hospital, Zhao Jingshen allowed himself a small smile. The game had changed, and he was rewriting the rules. He reflected on how he had never been interested in having a woman around before, which was why he had kept entertaining Lian Fei and condoning her little tricks. But now the situation had changed; his heart had awakened. So, Lian Fei, his grandfather, and anyone else who stood in his way would soon learn that Zhao Jingshen was not a man to be trifled with – especially when it came to protecting what was his.
As the city came to life around him, Jingshen's mind raced with plans and contingencies. He knew the road ahead would be challenging, but for the first time in his life, he felt he had something truly worth fighting for.