At that critical moment—
"BANG!!!"
The private room's door was violently kicked open from the outside.
Everyone froze at the sudden disturbance, their heads snapping toward the entrance in unison.
Backlit by the bright hallway lights stood a tall, imposing figure radiating an intimidating aura.
It was Gu Chengyu.
His sleeves were casually rolled up to his elbows.
His strikingly handsome face was devoid of expression, replaced only by a chilling, ruthless glare.
Then he saw her—his Qianqian—sitting alone beside the head of the table like a frightened little rabbit, her face pale, her eyes wide with lingering panic and helplessness.
Beside her, a greasy, overweight man leaned too close.
On the table sat a glass of strong liquor, clearly poured for her.
His treasure, the one he cradled in his heart for fear she might break—how dare this filthy piece of trash corner her and force her to drink?
"Fuck!"
A curse, seething with barely restrained fury, slipped through Gu Chengyu's clenched teeth.
Without even glancing at the unfamiliar man blocking the doorway, he raised his leg and delivered a brutal kick.
"Ah—!" The man had no time to react before he was sent flying, crashing into a nearby liquor cabinet with a deafening clatter.
Bottles shattered, glass rained down, and the man crumpled to the floor, moaning in pain, unable to get up.
The scene left the remaining men in the room petrified, their drunkenness evaporating instantly.
Assistant Director Wang Hai recognized the demonic figure at the door. His pupils shrank, his legs gave out, and he nearly collapsed to his knees.
Trembling like a quail, he shrank into the corner, too terrified to even breathe.
As for Li Jinfu, pinned under Gu Chengyu's gaze—he was utterly terrified.
He knew exactly who this was: the heir of the Gu family, the true King of Hell in S City.
Why was he here? And judging by his reaction, this little beauty must mean something to him...
"Young Master Gu..." Li Jinfu's voice shook uncontrollably.
"Chengyu~"
A soft, tearful whimper, dripping with endless grievance, cut through the tension.
Su Qianqian, who had been frozen in her seat just moments ago, now had her almond-shaped eyes brimming with tears the second she saw Gu Chengyu.
Like a startled kitten, she sprang from her chair and stumbled toward him, throwing herself into his arms.
Gu Chengyu instinctively opened them.
Su Qianqian crashed into his chest, her slender arms locking around his waist, her face buried against him.
Gu Chengyu held her tight, his fear for her boiling over into reckless words:
"Su Qianqian!"
"Since when did you grow such a fucking spine? You dare come to a place like this alone?"
"Where’s your phone? I called you a dozen times! Why didn’t you answer?"
The girl flinched at his scolding, nuzzling against him guiltily, too afraid to look up. A soft sob escaped her.
"Wuwu... Chengyu, he lied to me. He said it was to discuss a role..."
"But then he tried to touch me. It was so disgusting..."
Her voice was pitifully soft, each word striking straight at Gu Chengyu’s heart.
He pulled her trembling body closer, one hand securing her while the other gently stroked her back in soothing reassurance.
"Don’t be afraid. I’m here."
The young girl, noticing his tone soften, began to explain again: "I didn’t answer the phone because I had it on silent while reading the script."
"A-Yu, I was so scared..."
"His big hand almost touched my leg earlier. It made me sick to my stomach."
"And you didn’t even comfort me—you just scolded me..."
"Wuwu, A-Yu~"
Between sobs, she tightened her arms around his waist.
Each tearful cry of "A-Yu" was like a feather, brushing lightly against the most sensitive strings of Gu Chengyu’s heart.
The memory from last night flashed through his mind—her turning to him with reddened eyes, calling him that name in a plea for his affection after he had spoiled her relentlessly.
Gu Chengyu’s Adam’s apple bobbed heavily as he forcibly suppressed the fire she had ignited.
Now wasn’t the time for such thoughts. He’d deal with her properly once they got home.
