Hearing Ian Song's muffled voice, Zoe Zhao felt a bit regretful, thinking she had bitten too hard. Still, she stubbornly said, "Hmph, serves you right for treating me that way!"
Ian blushed, feeling he'd gone too far earlier, and struggled to say, "S-sorry... my fault!"
As he spoke, blood kept spilling from his mouth.
Seeing blood spill from Ian's mouth, Zoe Zhao jumped in fright. Did I actually bite off his tongue? The thought hit her hard, and a wave of guilt and anxiety welled up inside.
"Let me see."
She walked over to Ian, grabbed his mouth, and pried it open. One look made her jump in shock—he was missing half his tongue.
"Ah! I'm sorry! I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to bite off your tongue!" As she apologized, Zoe Zhao's tears started to fall.
Ian was stunned. He sprang up, dashed to the bathroom, and stared wide-eyed at the mirror—sure enough, half his tongue was gone. He stared in disbelief, unable to process what he was seeing.
He couldn't help but smile wryly—this is what happens when you act like a pervert.
He focused, activating the power of the Milky Way Ring.
He activated Radiance of Life.
A cool, refreshing energy enveloped his tongue. In just two seconds, it was completely healed.
He rinsed the blood from his mouth, then walked out of the bathroom and saw Zoe Zhao standing there, looking lost. "Ian, let me take you to the hospital," she said.
With his tongue fully healed, Ian had no idea how to explain things to Zoe Zhao. On impulse, he walked to the counter, picked up a pen, and wrote in the hotel's suggestion book: "Sister Xiaoyu, don't feel guilty. If you bit off my tongue, I deserved it. Sorry—I'm leaving now!"
He handed the suggestion book to Zoe Zhao, pulled open the door, and hurried out.
Reading Ian's message, Zoe Zhao felt even worse. Instead of easing her guilt, it only made it heavier. Sure, Ian shouldn't have kissed or touched her, but she'd bitten down way too hard.
Thinking this, she rushed out after him, but Ian was nowhere to be seen.
After leaving Fortune Delight Restaurant, Ian couldn't shake a nagging question: why had Zoe Zhao tried to choke him the moment he woke up, like she had some deep-seated grudge? At the same time, he savored the sweetness of their kiss—but the memory of her biting his tongue sent a chill down his spine. "Zoe Zhao is definitely a rose with thorns. Better not poke at her in the future!"
He shook his head, checked his phone—it was already 1:30 p.m. He turned it off and headed toward school, hoping to make it in time for afternoon classes.
Not long after Ian left, Zoe Zhao rushed out of Fortune Delight Restaurant. Not seeing him, she stomped her foot and quickly dialed his number, only to find his phone was off. She realized Ian must still be upset with her.
"Zoe Zhao, how could you be so vicious! Besides, this wasn't just Ian's fault—if you hadn't gotten on top of him, none of this would have happened!" The more she thought about it, the guiltier she felt, and she couldn’t help but crouch down and cry.
"Hey, pretty lady, got dumped? Want me to comfort you?"
Just then, a slick-looking young man walked over, patted Zoe Zhao's shoulder, and spoke flirtatiously.
"Get lost. Don't mess with me!" Zoe Zhao glared at him coldly.
"Whoa, feisty girl! I like your type!"
"I said get lost!" Zoe Zhao's eyes flashed with icy anger.
"So eager, huh? Are you dying to jump into bed with me?"
"You wanna die!"
Her voice was icy cold, and before the sleazy youth could react, he found himself sailing through the air like he'd been shot out of a cannon.
Riverstone First Hospital, high-grade ward.
Justin Nangong's expression was grim. He hadn't expected the Anti-Corruption Office to release Stephen Song yesterday.
He fixed a cold stare on the young man standing before his hospital bed. "Did you find out who's working against me?" he asked.
The young man replied, "It was Shen Feiyang."
"Shen Feiyang has some nerve, daring to meddle in Nangong Family business!"
Crash!
A teacup flew from Justin Nangong's hand and shattered. Shen Feiyang, director of Riverstone City's Anti-Corruption Office, was a high-ranking official—someone even the Nangong Family couldn't easily touch.
The young man continued, "Young Master, after Shen Feiyang intervened, I found it strange. Because of the Anti-Corruption Office's special status, Shen Feiyang has always been independent, almost outside Riverstone City's political circles. When we targeted Stephen Song, Shen Feiyang didn't react at all and delegated the matter to Xiong Shan, showing he didn't want to get involved.
But then he suddenly stepped in. So, I suspected he was influenced by someone. I ordered surveillance and found that today at noon, he drove to Redleaf Resort and had a one-hour meeting with Cliff Fu."
I also found out Ian Song broke into Redleaf Resort yesterday. At the same time, Deputy Director Xing from the Education Bureau was severely injured there."
Hearing this, Justin Nangong grew annoyed. "Stop beating around the bush—just tell me your theory!"
"Yes, Young Master. If my guess is correct, Shen Feiyang only intervened because of Cliff Fu!"
Justin Nangong's expression changed instantly, furious. "Cliff Fu, the Fu Family—what gives him the right to meddle in my business? Call Cliff Fu right now. I want to question him myself. If it really was him, I won’t let him off!"
"Yes, Young Master." The young man quickly took out his phone and dialed Cliff Fu.
"Put it on speaker," Justin ordered sharply.
"Yes!"
Soon, the call connected and Cliff Fu's deep voice came through: "Hello, this is Cliff Fu."
"Cliff Fu, this is Justin Nangong. Tell me—did you interfere in Stephen Song’s case?" Justin demanded angrily.
"Ah, Young Master Nangong! We just received a new batch of raw jade at the resort—interested in testing your luck?" Cliff Fu replied cheerfully.
"Cliff Fu, stop changing the subject. Answer me!" Justin shouted.
"Ha, Young Master Nangong, maybe you’re mistaken. I haven’t done anything!"
Hearing Cliff Fu still dodging, Justin Nangong grew furious. "Cliff Fu, don’t test my patience! If Shen Feiyang hadn’t given the order, Stephen Song wouldn’t have been released. Don’t think I don’t know—you met with Shen Feiyang just this noon. I’m warning you: stay out of Nangong Family business, or I’ll make sure you can’t survive in Riverstone City!"
"Young Master Nangong, you’ve got guts! But I’m not easily scared, either. Since we’re laying it all out, I’ll be direct: Stephen Song is under my protection!" Cliff Fu declared.
With that, Cliff Fu hung up. Listening to the droning busy signal, Justin Nangong was beside himself with rage.