Lina tried to push what had happened with Mrs. Xiuying out of her mind and focus on the buffet with Bo Qiang. The food looked delicious, and she was determined to enjoy herself. Bo Qiang, however, was attracting attention. As someone who almost never attended these types of parties, the moment people saw him standing alone in a quiet corner, they flocked to him, eager to start a conversation. He handled the initial small talk with forced politeness, but soon his irritation became evident. The longer it went on, the more his smile faded, replaced by a hardened expression.
Leaning close to Lina, Bo Qiang whispered into her ear, his breath brushing her skin, "There's a quiet spot on the balcony. Wait for me there, I'll join you once I shake them off."
Lina nodded, giving him a small smile before heading toward the balcony with her plate of snacks. As soon as she stepped outside, the cool evening air brushed against her skin, and she sighed in relief. Finding a cozy spot with a view of the garden, she sat down, nibbling on the food. She could still hear the hum of the party behind her, but out here, it was peaceful.
Back inside, Bo Qiang's patience was wearing thin. He nodded mechanically as more people approached him, making small talk about business, connections, and trivial matters he had no interest in. His responses grew shorter, his gaze sharp. It didn't take long for the group to notice his growing impatience, and one by one, they excused themselves, leaving Bo Qiang alone—until *she* appeared.
Fen Chu who had been watching him from the other side of the room saw her chance and walked over. She smiled coyly, stepping into his personal space, her perfume too strong for his liking. She reached out as if to touch his arm, but Bo Qiang quickly sidestepped, his face twisting in disgust.
"Stop that," he said in a cold, clipped tone, his eyes narrowing at her audacity.
She pouted, unphased by his reaction. "What's the matter? Have you forgotten about me now that you have a new toy?" Her eyes gleamed with malice, and she tilted her head, clearly baiting him.
Bo Qiang's expression darkened further, his temper on the edge of breaking. "You're insane," he spat, his voice low and venomous. "There was never anything between us, and don't you dare talk about her like that."
Angered by his words, Fen Chu glared at him. "You'll regret this. One day, you'll be mine." With that, she spun on her heels and stormed off, leaving Bo Qiang standing there with his jaw clenched.
He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair to calm down. Turning to head to the balcony where Lina was supposed to be, he felt a flicker of panic when he realized she wasn't there. His eyes darted around the party, searching for any sign of her. A sinking feeling settled in his stomach, and without hesitation, he strode toward the garden, scanning every corner for her. His heart rate sped up until, finally, he spotted her in the distance. His relief was short-lived, though, as he saw a man holding onto her arm—a drunk, overweight man leering at Lina. Bo Qiang's anger flared, hot and uncontrollable, and without thinking, he shouted across the garden, "Let her go. Now!"
Several minutes earlier, Lina had been sitting on the balcony, enjoying the view of the garden while munching on her snacks. But as time passed, she began to wonder what was taking Bo Qiang so long. She glanced back inside, hoping to catch a glimpse of him, but there was no sign of him yet. Deciding not to wait any longer, she stood up and wandered into the garden, admiring the beauty of the flowers and the peaceful atmosphere.
Suddenly, a man stumbled out from behind a tree. He was clearly drunk, his steps uneven, and his breath smelled strongly of alcohol as he approached her. Lina froze for a moment, unsure of what to do.
"Hey there, pretty lady," the man slurred, his eyes roaming over her in a way that made her stomach churn. "How about you and I have some fun? Maybe I can give you a kiss or two, huh?"
Lina's disgust was immediate, and she took a step back. "No, thank you. I'm not interested," she said firmly, trying to keep her voice steady.
She turned to leave, but before she could take more than a step, the man grabbed her arm roughly, his grip tightening as he pulled her back toward him. Lina's heart raced, panic rising. She glanced around, but no one was nearby. Her mind raced with options. *Should I scream? Slap him? This is supposed to be a fancy party... what would Bo Qiang do?*
Before she could decide, a familiar voice thundered from across the garden. "Let her go. Now!" Bo Qiang's voice was filled with fury, and Lina's heart skipped a beat at the sound.
The man, clearly drunk and oblivious, sneered, holding onto Lina as if he hadn't heard. But Bo Qiang was already storming toward them, his eyes blazing with fury. He reached the man and grabbed his wrist with an iron grip, squeezing hard. "I said, let her go," Bo Qiang growled, his voice low and menacing.
The man, still defiant, laughed and asked, "And who do you think you are? Why should I let her go?"
Bo Qiang leaned in, his voice dripping with contempt. "My name is Bo Qiang. You've probably heard of me."
Recognition flickered across the drunk man's face, and his bravado wavered. Before he could react, Bo Qiang twisted his arm and shoved him back, sending him stumbling away. Without another word, he took Lina's hand and led her away from the garden, his grip protective yet gentle.
Lina's heart was pounding, but not just from the scare. There was something about the way Bo Qiang had come to her rescue, the way he had stood up for her without hesitation, that made her feel something warm in her chest. She glanced up at him as they walked, feeling a strange mix of gratitude and admiration. This is the first time someone's protected me like this, she thought, her gaze softening as she looked at him.