Chapter 47: He Is Her Knight

Night enveloped everything in its gentle embrace.

By the hot springs, a thoughtful attendant handed over a drink—a recent favorite among young women. Its alcohol content was almost negligible, yet its taste was unique, and its name even more so.

It was called “Heartbeat Signal.”

“Thank you,” Qiao Zhen said as she took the bottle, sipping through the long straw. The drink was tangy and sweet, tinged faintly with alcohol, and addictive from the first taste.

The moon hung high, its silvery light spilling across the cobblestone path like a veil of gauze, soft and serene.

After soaking in the hot springs, Qiao Zhen felt thoroughly warmed, wrapped in her bathrobe, eyes contentedly narrowed.

Her bones felt as if they’d melt away.

Qin Yichi stood beside her, his elegant Adam’s apple sliding with each swallow, exuding an irresistible allure.

Qiao Zhen’s mind grew hazy; her vision blurred, and an uncontrollable flush swept across her cheeks.

For reasons unknown, she suddenly longed to touch Qin Yichi’s abs and his Adam’s apple...

In her daze, she imagined two tiny figures warring furiously inside her head, neither willing to yield.

One, face crimson, covered its cheeks and screamed, “No, no, how could I think such things? It’s so improper, oh no...”

The other scoffed, “He’s my future husband anyway. What’s wrong with a touch? He won’t lose anything—go ahead, pounce on him, bite him! I’ll bite, bite, bite!”

Just then—

Qin Yichi seemed to notice her discomfort. He suddenly leaned in, bringing with him a faint, elusive fragrance.

His voice, lazy and magnetic, brushed against her ear, sending tingles down her spine:

“What’s wrong?”

His features were sharply defined, and those obsidian eyes grew even deeper—more intoxicating and enchanting than ever.

Staring at his increasingly close, handsome face, Qiao Zhen recoiled in fright, stammering,

“It’s nothing... I’m just going to the bathroom.”

Dizzy, she floated her way to the restroom, splashing her face with cold water.

Was it possible that the hot springs had made her head bubble?

She breathed softly, raising her eyes to the mirror—the flush on her cheeks was unnaturally bright. Something felt off.

Her head spun... Was it from soaking too long?

Taking a deep breath, she stepped out of the restroom. In the next instant, a dark shadow darted from the corner, and a thick cloth suddenly pressed against her mouth and nose.

“Mmm—” Qiao Zhen’s arms were twisted behind her back; someone dragged her roughly toward the hotel.

She struggled against the restraint, issuing weak, muffled cries, terror and panic filling her eyes.

That drink was definitely stronger than she’d thought...

The cloth over her mouth and nose brought suffocation, sweeping through her body.

Her head throbbed with dizziness as she fought desperately, clinging to the last thread of consciousness. Her fingernails dug deep into her assailant’s arm, drawing a bloody gash.

“Hiss—” The man inhaled sharply, pain forcing him to throw her to the ground, cursing under his breath,

“Qiao Zhen, don’t be so ungrateful!”

Bang—

Thrown into a corner, Qiao Zhen finally saw who had dragged her away. Her eyes widened slowly.

Yu Wenjian. Why was it him...

During the struggle, her bathrobe fell away entirely, revealing a pure white swimsuit. Her snowy skin dazzled the eye.

Yu Wenjian’s gaze darkened; he clamped her mouth shut, leaning close to her ear, his tone sinister,

“Ji Xian doesn’t like you. That emotionless block of ice—he’s not worth your affection.”

“Qiao Zhen, be my woman. Marry me, and you won’t need to bother with college. Just stay home and give me a few sons. I guarantee you’ll live in luxury for the rest of your life...”

Qiao Zhen was utterly drained, lost in drunken confusion, her mind blank.

Affection?

His so-called affection was nothing but slander, rumors, inexplicable basketballs hurled at her, and forcing his will regardless of hers?

No surveillance surrounded them. Qiao Zhen’s eyelids threatened to close, her body devoid of strength.

Knowing how badly she was intoxicated, she bit through her lip without hesitation. The taste and pain of blood forced her back to clarity.

When he relaxed his guard, Qiao Zhen kicked him hard in the groin—a swift, clean move, and she darted away like a rabbit.

Tears streaming, she cried out loudly, “Qin—”

Before she could finish, a familiar figure appeared before her.

Qin Yichi rushed toward her against the light, like an indomitable mountain—his outline sharp, half bathed in brilliance, half lost in shadow.

Even the world seemed to clear a path for him.

In that instant, Qiao Zhen couldn’t hold back her tears. Enduring the pain in her head, she choked out softly,

“Qin Yichi...”

How uncanny, always so uncanny.

Whenever danger threatened, he would appear before her.

Like a knight, always silently guarding her, never disappearing.

Qiao Zhen melted into his warm embrace, her heart instantly filled with safety—fear vanished.

“I’m here.” Qin Yichi stroked her back gently, his fingertips trembling, his voice deepening,

“Be good, wait for me a moment.”