Chapter 52

On the evening of the weekend just before Christmas, in the lobby of the Sheraton Great Wall Hotel, a golden Christmas tree twinkled with small lights, and the pine branches emitted a faint fragrance.

Fang Langxi was supporting Qingqing’s arm as the two of them entered the hotel elevator. Just as the elevator doors were about to close, someone outside pressed the button to open them again.

Fang Langxi glanced outside and quickly reached out to press the close button. “Ah, Xitang, come in! You’re here so early?”

Seeing the two of them, Xitang smiled and nodded. “Mm, good evening, Qingqing. How are you feeling, soon-to-be mom?”

Qingqing, who was four months pregnant, smiled widely. “I’m doing well. It’s a rare weekend off. Why didn’t Zhou Zi come with you?”

Xitang loosened her scarf slightly, revealing her delicate chin. “He asked me to come ahead.”

Fang Langxi casually asked, “Who brought you here?”

“His driver,” Xitang replied.

Fang Langxi nodded in reassurance. The three of them walked toward the private room in the restaurant. The waiter bowed and opened the door. “Please come in.”

As Fang Langxi walked in, he peeked around. “Wow, big guy, you’re finally willing to show your face?”

Xitang followed behind them, and for a moment, she felt something was off. But when she looked up, it was too late to turn back.

Standing in the doorway was Gao Jiyi, his face dark and stern, blocking the entrance. He immediately slammed the door shut.

Xitang’s heart sank, and she raised her gaze to meet Gao Jiyi’s eyes.

Fang Langxi, with quick reflexes, immediately reached out and pulled Gao Jiyi’s shoulder. “Bro, I’m definitely on your side today. If Zhou Zi doesn’t apologize and offer compensation, I’m telling you, I won’t let it go. Qingqing isn’t feeling well, so let the ladies stay out of this, alright?”

As he spoke, Fang Langxi exchanged a look with his wife.

Gao Jiyi hesitated before speaking. “Langxi, stay out of this. Take your wife and go somewhere else.”

Fang Langxi hadn’t expected Gao Jiyi to be so firm.

Before Gao Jiyi could finish speaking, he shoved Fang Langxi aside and immediately turned to face Huang Xitang, raising his hand to slap her.

Xitang turned her body to dodge. In that split second, Fang Langxi reacted faster than she did. He practically threw himself into the movement, grabbing Gao Jiyi’s arm and pulling it down. The two of them struggled with all their strength, their balance lost, and they collided with the wall. Xitang quickly stepped aside, but in the process, she was knocked behind the door by the momentum. Her left arm slammed into the wall, sending a sharp pain through her.

She pushed the door open and tried to run outside.

Gao Jiyi, his eyes blazing with fury, forcefully shook off Fang Langxi and grabbed Xitang’s arm, pulling her back inside. Fang Langxi quickly rushed up again, grabbing Gao Jiyi’s hand. “Old Gao! What are you doing?!”

Gao Jiyi said nothing, ignoring him entirely, and forcefully dragged Xitang further inside. The three of them were caught in a tug-of-war. Fang Langxi quickly shouted to Qingqing, “Wife, call Zhou Zi! Hurry!”

Meanwhile, Zhao Pingjin’s car had just reached halfway down the East Third Ring Road.

The valet in uniform at the hotel lobby stood frozen as he saw a black Audi speeding straight across the lane from the opposite side of the road, honking its horn and slamming on the brakes as it came to a halt in front of the hotel. Zhao Pingjin threw open the car door, jumped out, tossed the car keys to the hotel bellboy, and rushed toward the elevator. He headed straight for the private room on the top floor, where his eyes immediately landed on Huang Xitang, struggling with two men.

Without a word, Zhao Pingjin swung a punch at Gao Jiyi. When it came to fighting, Zhao Pingjin was a force to be reckoned with, known in the military compound for his fierce reputation. Gao Jiyi, caught off guard, took the full blow and was sent sprawling onto a chair.

Stunned by the sudden punch, Gao Jiyi’s face flushed red with anger. He grabbed a chair from behind him and, roaring with rage, shouted, “Damn you, Zhao Pingjin! How dare you hit me!”

Fang Langxi quickly stepped in between them, trying to separate them. “Stop, stop! Qingqing, go downstairs and have a cup of coffee!”

Qingqing, still holding her baby bump, stood firmly in front of Xitang and loudly replied, “I’m not going!”

Gao Jiyi hesitated, still holding the chair, but didn’t make another move.

Zhao Pingjin took a deep breath, trying to calm his anger, and said in a controlled voice, “It’s not her fault, Lao Gao. This time, I didn’t handle things properly. I’m apologizing to you.”

Gao Jiyi angrily threw the chair to the ground with a loud crash, then coldly said, “Zhou Zi, you don’t need to protect her. I know what’s going on. If there’s a grievance, it has its cause. You want to help your buddy, but I know exactly who’s been trying to harm me. Today, I’m settling this score.”

Zhao Pingjin, holding back his fury, replied, “You know she’s mine. If you have any problems, come at me.”

Gao Jiyi shoved him aside. “Move.”

Zhao Pingjin quickly said, “Lao Gao, that’s not going to happen.”

Suddenly, Gao Jiyi broke into a mocking laugh, his fury turning into a twisted grin. “Zhou Zi, look at yourself. For this woman, you’re willing to risk our years of friendship? All these years, and you’re throwing it all away. Think about it. I’ve helped you with so many things over the years. What harm has my rise caused you?”

Lao Gao’s words struck hard. Zhao Pingjin, normally so proud, lowered his head slightly. “Lao Gao, I remember everything you’ve done for me.”

Gao Jiyi gritted his teeth and pointed at the door. “Open the door, go downstairs, and leave me alone. We’re done here.”

Zhao Pingjin replied, “No.”

Gao Jiyi, seeing that his demands weren’t being met, angrily shouted, “Get out of my way!”

Zhao Pingjin blocked his path.

Gao Jiyi, panting heavily, glared at Zhao Pingjin. But Zhao Pingjin, showing a hint of apology in his eyes, remained immovable, still standing in front of Xitang.

For a few seconds, Gao Jiyi stood still, staring at Zhao Pingjin. The room fell into an uncomfortable silence.

Xitang, shielded behind Zhao Pingjin, was nearly out of sight. She suddenly spoke, “Enough.”

Everyone in the room was taken aback by her words.

Xitang appeared unusually calm. She pushed past Zhao Pingjin and walked out into the hallway. Turning around, she looked up, her gaze falling on the red light of a security camera in the corner.

Standing by the door, she looked at Gao Jiyi and said, “This is my doing. You know exactly why I did it.”

She enunciated each word clearly, “Director Gao, if you want to talk, we can. But if you touch me again—” Xitang shook the phone in her hand, “I will immediately call the police and contact my agent.”

Gao Jiyi turned to her, glaring with malice. After a few seconds of staring, he took a deep breath, staggered, and nearly collapsed. Fang Langxi quickly grabbed him, and they both fell into a chair.

Gao Jiyi scanned the room, his emotions shifting. Fang Langxi held his arm, Ouyang Qingqing looked at him warily, and Zhao Pingjin blocked his way. Gao Jiyi suddenly threw his head back and laughed loudly, uncontrollably, with a manic expression. Fang Langxi, concerned, called out, “Hey, Lao Gao...”

As Gao Jiyi laughed, he grabbed his coat and threw it on. Raising his hand over Zhao Pingjin’s shoulder, he gave a mocking salute toward Xitang, standing at the door. “Huang Xitang, I admire you! I can’t touch you, I admit defeat! Huang Boss—Huang Boss—you’d better listen closely! Don’t get too arrogant! Just because Zhou Zi is protecting you today, everyone’s looking at you favorably. But when he dumps you, let me tell you, in this city, there are plenty of people who would love to get rid of you!”

For a moment, Xitang’s body tensed, and her limbs shook slightly.

Zhao Pingjin noticed her almost stumble but saw her regain her balance, her face still expressionless.

Gao Jiyi pointed at Zhao Pingjin. “Zhao Pingjin, we’ve been friends since we were in the womb. So many years have passed, and now you’re protecting a heartless woman. You’ve lost all your dignity for her! This woman is a disaster! She’s turning us against each other, and one day, you’ll ruin yourself because of her!”

Gao Jiyi shoved past Fang Langxi and staggered toward the door. He grabbed the handle and turned back to look at Zhao Pingjin, his face suddenly changing. He grinned and said, “Let’s not talk about today. When Xiao Jiang arrives, the three of you can enjoy a nice dinner together. With how she treats you, you’re still lucky to have your head on your shoulders!”

Zhao Pingjin suddenly clenched his teeth, the veins on his smooth forehead standing out, his lips trembling slightly.

Gao Jiyi laughed loudly, pointed at Xitang across from him, and with a triumphant kick, slammed the door open and walked out.

Huang Xitang leaned against the wall, looking like a doll abandoned on a glass window, her face wooden and expressionless.

Zhao Pingjin led her out first.

Xitang stood in the hotel lobby, waiting for Zhao Pingjin to bring the car out. She stood there for a moment when, suddenly, she saw a shadow flash around the corner of the elevator. Her right hand involuntarily shook, and her heart began to race.

She immediately pulled up her scarf to cover her face, held her breath, and looked up to see more clearly, but the black figure was gone.

Just then, the headlights of a large black car flashed at the door, seemingly reflecting the impatience of the person inside. Xitang quickly hurried out.

Zhao Pingjin didn’t say a word the entire way. His face was pale, but his expression was frozen, as cold and indifferent as rock. It was as if he hadn’t heard a single word that Gao Jiyi had said earlier.