Volume 1, Chapter 34: He Is the Only Hope

Zhou Haixin was momentarily speechless; this was truly a despicable act.

The two of them grabbed some food to fill their stomachs and checked the time. The auction wouldn’t start until 9:30, so there was still plenty of time.

“Come on, let’s go to the deck,” Jiang Shuwei suggested.

The two young girls stepped out the door. The sea breeze outside was salty and strong. Wearing thin dresses, they felt a chill.

“It’s so cold. Let’s quickly take a few photos and head back,” Jiang Shuwei said, shivering.

They took turns snapping a few pictures before returning to the warm, comfortable hall.

Jiang Shuwei’s long hair was swept to one shoulder by the wind. She reached up to tuck it back, revealing her delicate, fair swan-like neck. A single pearl earring added to her gentle elegance.

“Jiang Shuwei…” Suddenly, a sinister male voice emerged from a nearby corridor.

At the sound, Jiang Shuwei shuddered, her pretty face instantly draining of color.

Zheng Dongsheng’s two-toned eyes appraised her from head to toe.

“Tsk, tsk. It’s been years, and you’ve only grown more stunning,” Zheng Dongsheng said with a satisfied expression.

Jiang Shuwei’s aura was cool and distant, unlike the women Zheng Dongsheng usually toyed with. There was never any flirtation in her eyes. She was like a quietly flowing spring, exuding a unique, enchanting charm.

Zheng Dongsheng had grown bored of those women who fawned over him; they no longer stirred his passion.

Seeing Jiang Shuwei suddenly appear now ignited a fierce desire to conquer in him.

Jiang Shuwei instinctively wanted to distance herself from this scoundrel.

She immediately grabbed Zhou Haixin’s hand and tried to walk past, but Zheng Dongsheng blocked her path with his hands in his pockets, then suddenly stepped forward.

“Running away when you see me? What, scared? Back when you smashed my face, you weren’t so soft,” Zheng Dongsheng flicked his disheveled bangs aside, deliberately exposing a scar. “Jiang Shuwei, you’ve already left a mark on me. We’re destined to belong to each other.”

Jiang Shuwei sneered coldly, locking eyes with him. “You’re wrong. You should know I’m married.”

Zheng Dongsheng immediately turned his head with a serious look, asking his followers behind him, “Is she really married?”

His henchmen laughed lecherously, “Yeah, she’s a married woman.”

“Oh?” Zheng Dongsheng feigned surprise, then smirked. “Perfect. Playing with a married woman is far more thrilling than a young girl.”

At his words, his cronies burst into loud laughter.

Jiang Shuwei’s face flushed with anger and shame. She suddenly said to Zhou Haixin, “Go to the first floor and get something for me.”

Zhou Haixin was clever. On the first floor was He Jingcheng; Jiang Shuwei must be asking her to seek his help.

“Alright, Shuwei,” Zhou Haixin said without hesitation, turning to run down another corridor.

Zheng Dongsheng was after Jiang Shuwei; he didn’t care about an irrelevant woman running off.

“Tsk, tsk, she’s definitely matured a lot. The allure of a married woman is truly more captivating,” Zheng Dongsheng said, his gaze fixed on the deep V of Jiang Shuwei’s dress, where her ample curves were evident.

Jiang Shuwei looked at him with disgust. “Young Master Zheng, you’re still as shameless as ever.”

Zheng Dongsheng already wanted to touch her. Her skin was so fair and delicate, like jade—smooth and firm—he was certain it would feel exquisite.

“Get away, don’t touch me,” Jiang Shuwei spun around to flee. But Zheng Dongsheng’s men, anticipating her move, intercepted her, trapping her in a small circle.

“You…” Jiang Shuwei’s face paled with fury. To be humiliated like this in public by Zheng Dongsheng was truly disgusting.

“Your husband is busy cozying up to Miss Su, no time to rescue you. Jiang Shuwei, why don’t you come with me? He Jingcheng doesn’t want you anymore anyway,” Zheng Dongsheng said, slicking back his hair with a cocky grin, his lascivious eyes brazenly fixed on her delicate, pale face.

Four years ago, he had wanted to sleep with her, but that night he’d been drunk, and she not only tore his face but also smashed a bottle over his head.

If it weren’t for family troubles forcing him abroad soon after, he wouldn’t have waited four years to come collect what he thought he was owed.

“Even if every man in the world went extinct, I would never be with you,” Jiang Shuwei retorted coldly.

Zheng Dongsheng’s patience was thin. Had he wanted any other woman, he would have already taken her by force, no time for words.

He had already been generous with her, talking so much.

Tall and imposing, seeing he couldn’t wear her down with words, he made his move.

Without warning, he hoisted Jiang Shuwei onto his shoulder.

Jiang Shuwei screamed in fright, but the man ignored her, sneering coldly, “We’ll settle this after I sleep with you. He Jingcheng wouldn’t care anyway. If he did, he wouldn’t have invited me to this banquet.”

Jiang Shuwei trembled all over, overwhelmed with shame and despair, her heart slowly freezing.

Zheng Dongsheng’s presence here—it was He Jingcheng who invited him?

Jiang Shuwei’s eyes stung with tears. Four years ago, she had nearly been assaulted by this bastard, and He Jingcheng was there. How could he…

She struggled fiercely, pounding her fists on Zheng Dongsheng’s shoulders.

The man found it ticklish, laughing nastily, “Strong and spicy, just how I like it.”

His henchmen cheered from behind, certain that tonight Jiang Shuwei would become Zheng Dongsheng’s.

“Jiang Shuwei, come with me. Consider it a gift from my return. Though I’m greedy and lustful, I’m generous to women…”

“Ugh… shameless to the extreme,” Jiang Shuwei spat, tears falling. She twisted her body to resist, but the man grabbed her thigh, fingers creeping upward.

“Let go of me…” Jiang Shuwei cried out in panic.

Zheng Dongsheng’s fingers squeezed her thigh, clicking his tongue. “Such a wonderful feel.”

Jiang Shuwei wished she could die from humiliation.

On the corridor leading to the fifth-floor guest rooms, Jiang Shuwei, now like a lifeless peacock, seemed resigned to her fate.

Zhou Haixin had gone to find He Jingcheng—was that even of any use?

He Jingcheng had invited this scoundrel who had wronged him; he must have known this would happen. Perhaps she had already been handed over to Zheng Dongsheng as a “gift.”

Tonight, there was no escape. She would only become one of Zheng Dongsheng’s many playthings.

Jiang Shuwei’s heart had become a barren desert where no flower could bloom.

“Qin Weizhou?” Suddenly, three men stood in the middle of the corridor leading to Zheng Dongsheng’s room.

Their position completely blocked the path.

Jiang Shuwei, still on Zheng Dongsheng’s shoulder, couldn’t see what happened ahead, but his halted steps meant the way was blocked.

“Young Master Qin, please make way. I have pressing business with this beauty,” Zheng Dongsheng said with a polite smile.

Jiang Shuwei’s heart leapt wildly. She hoped Qin Weizhou would save her. She wriggled and shouted loudly, “President Qin, help me!”

Zhou Zirui’s voice came from behind, “Why is it Miss Jiang?”

“It’s me, President Qin, please save me,” Jiang Shuwei struggled desperately. Zheng Dongsheng, irritated, roughly tossed her up. When her abdomen slammed back onto his shoulder, she cried out in pain, her body going limp, powerless to move.

“Young Master Qin, this woman is mine tonight. Please allow me passage,” Zheng Dongsheng said impatiently. He and Qin Weizhou had always maintained a courteous relationship, but now Qin was blocking his way.

He was desperate to put an end to this quickly.

Qin Weizhou seemed to step aside. Zheng Dongsheng immediately smiled, “Thank you very much.”

Jiang Shuwei held her breath, hoping Qin Weizhou wouldn’t abandon her, but he had indeed let them pass.

As Zheng Dongsheng carried her forward, she suddenly found a surge of courage and grabbed Qin Weizhou’s arm tightly, holding on with all her strength.