Volume One: High School Days Chapter Fifty-Five: Wang Chen’s Company
In a private room on the second floor.
The reason why this nightclub had a second floor was to accommodate those with special needs. Thanks to excellent soundproofing and vigilant security, it was originally intended for business owners to discuss deals, after which they could conveniently descend to indulge and enjoy themselves. Over time, though, it became a place for bosses to meet secretly with their secretaries or mistresses, and also a hideout for wealthy young men to commit misdeeds.
“We’ll just sit here, then. What is it you want to say to me?” Liu Meng, timid and uneasy, addressed He Xun in the private room.
He Xun ordered his friends to leave, then turned to Liu Meng and said, “Don’t be afraid. I just wanted to spend some time alone with you. I’m not a bad person.”
“Fine, we can be alone, but keep your distance,” Liu Meng replied. He Xun smiled and said, “You’re the first woman who doesn’t want me near her.”
He Xun began moving closer as he spoke, “You’re willing to marry me, so why won’t you let me touch you? Do you know how much that hurts a man? My own woman resists me.”
Watching He Xun draw nearer, Liu Meng stood up and tried to run, but when she opened the door, the guard outside shoved her back in violently.
He Xun seized the opportunity to wrap his arms tightly around her from behind, groping her as he said, “I promised to send you abroad. Can’t you show your gratitude?”
Liu Meng struggled and cried out, “Let me go! Let me go!” But her strength was no match for his, and He Xun held her fast.
“You’re so alluring. I’ve been fantasizing about you without clothes every day lately! Just satisfy me once!” He Xun dragged Liu Meng to the sofa, forcing her down so she couldn’t move.
Liu Meng was terrified, so frightened she couldn’t even scream, and tears began to stream down her face.
The sound of tearing fabric filled the air as He Xun ripped her clothes piece by piece. Liu Meng managed to free her hands during the frenzy and hugged herself tightly, protecting her chest.
He Xun grew more excited as he tore at her clothes, laughing and saying, “Keep screaming! Otherwise it’s not thrilling enough!”
He Xun was a madman now, crazed as he tore at Liu Meng’s clothing. When she was left in only her underwear, he pulled out a knife he carried and traced it slowly along her body, preparing to cut her undergarments off.
Liu Meng’s eyes widened, her cries silenced by fear. Instinctively, she shut her eyes, utterly helpless, waiting for He Xun to slaughter her like meat on a chopping block. She didn’t even have the will to resist anymore.
Just as He Xun was about to succeed, Wang Chen burst in, kicking the door open. “Didn’t I tell you not to let anyone in? You just had to come in! Are you courting death?!”
He Xun spun around in shock at Wang Chen’s arrival. “Brother Chen, what are you doing here?”
Wang Chen saw Liu Meng beneath He Xun, nearly naked, and rage overtook him. He rushed forward and kicked He Xun to the floor, then wrapped Liu Meng tightly in his black coat.
To Liu Meng, Wang Chen was like hope, like light breaking through the darkness. She clung to him and, her voice suddenly strong, cried out, “Why did you come so late!” Then she broke down, sobbing loudly.
Wang Chen’s heart twisted painfully at her words, the ache almost suffocating. After a while, he regained his composure and said, “I’ll take you away now.”
Wang Chen wanted to get up and kill He Xun, but Liu Meng clung to him so tightly he couldn’t break free. So Wang Chen lifted her in his arms and, as he passed the doorway, shot a cold word at He Xun: “Out!”
A frightened He Xun hurriedly stepped aside, watching helplessly as Wang Chen carried Liu Meng out of the room.
Once Wang Chen left, He Xun’s friends rushed in. “What do we do now?”
“Why didn’t you tell me Wang Chen was coming? And how did he know I was here?”
Hearing He Xun’s questions, his friend replied, “Wang Chen is the heir of the Nanbei Group. If he wants to come up, who would dare stop him?”
He Xun paused, then quickly said, “Book a table for me tomorrow—I need to treat Wang Chen to dinner. Looks like Liu Meng isn’t just any woman to him!”
Outside, Wang Chen placed Liu Meng in his car and personally drove her home.
On the way, Liu Meng, still shaken, spoke in a trembling voice: “Thank you.”
“It’s nothing. I searched everywhere and didn’t see you. Then I found the manager and described your appearance and features. He said He Xun had taken you to the second floor. I panicked—He Xun is a bastard, worse than an animal! Thank God I got there in time!”
Wang Chen had made up his mind: He would make sure He Xun paid dearly, so he’d never dare act so recklessly again.
“Thank you. I really don’t know how to repay you.”
Wang Chen hurried to reassure her: “You don’t need to. I’m doing all this because I like you—it’s what I want to do.”
When they arrived, Liu Meng was still wearing only Wang Chen’s coat, with no shoes. Wang Chen carried her upstairs, but found the key was lost. He knocked, but Liu Sheng and the others weren’t home.
“There’s a key under the doormat, just in case. I always thought it was unnecessary, but looks like it was a good idea.” Liu Meng slipped down from Wang Chen’s arms, found the key, opened the door, and went inside. Wang Chen didn’t follow but said, “Get some rest. I’ll leave now. Don’t worry—nothing will happen while I’m here.”
Wang Chen was reluctant to leave, but Liu Meng grabbed his sleeve and whispered, “Don’t go. I’m scared.”
Seeing her trembling with fear, Wang Chen’s heart ached. His beloved was frightened to such an extent. So Wang Chen entered Liu Meng’s home, embraced her, and said, “I’ll make He Xun pay. I’ll make sure he never appears in your life again.”
Liu Meng returned to her room, and Wang Chen, standing at her door, said, “Don’t lock it. If anything happens, call me loudly.”
He closed her door, took two beers from the fridge, and sat in the living room, drinking and thinking about how best to deal with that bastard He Xun.
Just then Liu Meng’s voice came: “Are you still here?”
Wang Chen quickly swallowed his beer and answered, “I’m always here. I won’t leave!”
Liu Meng was afraid Wang Chen would leave; she didn’t want to be alone at home, so she asked if he was still there.
By two in the morning, Wang Chen was so tired his eyes could barely stay open, yet he forced himself to stay awake, afraid Liu Meng might need him or have nightmares.
Just then, Liu Sheng and Ren Xiadong returned, chatting and laughing. When they came in and saw Wang Chen sitting on the sofa, Liu Sheng exclaimed, “Why are you here?”
Wang Chen was equally surprised by their arrival. “I was about to ask you the same thing!”
“But you...” Ren Xiadong started, but Wang Chen made a “shhh” gesture, pointing to Liu Meng’s room to signal she was asleep.
Liu Sheng sensed something was wrong. Wang Chen wouldn’t show up here for no reason—something must have happened.
He asked, “What happened?”
Wang Chen took another sip of beer, sighed, and recounted the events of the night to Liu Sheng and Ren Xiadong.
Both were furious upon hearing his story, ready to skin He Xun alive.
The more rational Liu Sheng asked Wang Chen, “What are you planning to do?”
“I want to kill that animal He Xun!” Wang Chen replied through clenched teeth.
Liu Sheng shook his head, “I know. Not just you—Ren Xiadong and I want to kill him too! But how?”
“Liu Sheng, this is my problem. Let me handle it!” Wang Chen insisted.
Ren Xiadong protested, “Liu Meng is as close to us as family. You expect us to stand aside?”
Liu Sheng quickly intervened, “Wang Chen is right. He Xun’s family is more powerful than ours. We can’t help—only add trouble. Violence won’t work against him.”
Ren Xiadong remembered the night he was pinned to the ground by security guards and said, “Wang Chen, you must handle this cleanly and beautifully!”
“Oh, how did you two come back just now?” Wang Chen asked, suddenly recalling.
Liu Sheng told Wang Chen everything, including that he’d bought the apartment for Liu Meng.
Wang Chen asked, “Can I have a cigarette?”
Liu Sheng handed him a cigarette, lit it for him, and said, “I thought you didn’t smoke.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Chen started coughing, and Liu Sheng remarked, “Looks like you really don’t.”
Wang Chen tried a few more puffs and gradually got used to the sensation, then said, “I envy you two—you can be with Liu Meng every day. Liu Sheng, tell me, are you and Liu Meng together?”
Liu Sheng shook his head, pulled out his phone, and saw missed calls from Liu Meng. He realized she’d wanted him to rescue her, but his phone had been on silent and he’d missed her call. He suddenly felt awful for Liu Meng.
He suddenly declared, “He Xun isn’t necessarily someone I can’t defeat—I can ruin his reputation just the same!”
Liu Sheng knew money could solve everything. No matter how wealthy He Xun was, he couldn’t match the endless funds in Liu Sheng’s account.
Wang Chen tossed his cigarette aside and said, “To truly ruin He Xun, we’d have to bring down his family’s enterprise. That would require my parents and all sorts of social connections. But no one will help over this—it’s insignificant to them!”
“So we need to plan carefully,” Liu Sheng said thoughtfully.
Just then Liu Meng’s voice came again: “Wang Chen! Where are you?” followed by her sobs. Wang Chen wanted to rush in, but hesitated because of Liu Sheng, pacing in place.
Liu Sheng saw Wang Chen’s anxiety and said, “We’ll think up a plan for He Xun tomorrow. Right now, Liu Meng needs comfort. And no, I’m not with her.”
As soon as Liu Sheng finished, Wang Chen ran straight to Liu Meng’s room, and soon his voice came: “I’m still here. I haven’t left!” After that, Liu Meng’s sobs faded away.
“You’ve successfully lost Liu Meng. Congratulations, brother!” Ren Xiadong said, not hiding his bitterness, and went to his own room.
Liu Sheng lay on his bed, suddenly feeling a pang of sadness. It wasn’t as painful as when he lost Xiao Ya, but close. Only then did Liu Sheng realize he truly had feelings for Liu Meng.