Wang Xiangxiang returned to her room and, mimicking his actions, used her hand to test the bathwater. When had he begun taking such meticulous care of her, even ensuring the temperature of her bath water was just right?
The corners of her mouth lifted gently. This feeling of being cherished was truly wonderful. She slowly removed her clothes, revealing her immaculate, fair skin.
She tiptoed into the bathtub.
Thinking about everything that had happened today felt like a dream, one that she didn’t want to wake from.
She knew it was her own desire to cling to these feelings. She wanted to treasure these few days with him, so she closed her eyes and slowly washed herself. However, unknowingly, her eyelids became heavier and she drifted off to sleep.
Just then, a knife was inserted into the door crack and gently flicked upward. The bolt locked inside the door easily slid open.
A few men walked into the room and saw Wang Xiangxiang in the bathtub.
"Boss, this girl is pretty good-looking, very alluring. We’ve really hit the jackpot this time," one of them remarked.
"Keep your voice down, don’t wake her up," another whispered urgently.
"No need, Boss, we used sedative incense on her. She won’t wake up that easily," someone reassured.
"Go check her luggage for any Silver and get her clothed later. We’re taking her to Yixiang Courtyard tonight," the Boss ordered.
The men were none other than the same few who had bumped into Wang Xiangxiang earlier. They were roaming human traffickers who, after spotting her beauty from the collision, planned to sell her to the brothel for a hefty profit.
At that moment, Chu Lian was resting with his eyes closed in the adjacent room. With only a wall separating him from Wang Xiangxiang, he faintly heard men’s voices and laughter from the next room. This struck him as odd and worrisome. He left his room and knocked on Wang Xiangxiang’s door. "Have you finished bathing?"
The traffickers inside heard the knocking and one of them hissed, "Boss, someone’s coming. What should we do?"
"You two, go guard the door. Grab him as well," the trafficker Boss clearly underestimated Chu Lian.
Following the Boss’s directive, two men positioned themselves by the door, ready to act the moment someone entered.
Feeling uneasy from the lack of response, and knowing it was unlikely for Wang Xiangxiang to be silent after just going for a bath, Chu Lian gently pushed the door, finding the bolt unlocked to his surprise.
As he entered, the two ambushing men seized him. A surge of fury erupted within Chu Lian, and with a yank, he flung one of them outwards, then launched a kick that sent the other flying.
He held no regard for the others in the room; his focus was solely on reaching Wang Xiangxiang’s bathtub. Seeing her arm draped over the tub with her head resting on it, she appeared sound asleep. Relieved to see her in this state, Chu Lian softened inside. At least she was unaware. How could she go on living if she knew she had been exposed once more?
The few men inside possessed only rudimentary fighting skills, and upon witnessing Chu Lian dispatch their companions with ease, they hastily fled. Chu Lian wanted to give chase, but he couldn’t leave Xiangxiang unprotected. So he shouted, "Acheng!"
Acheng burst out of the room like a shot and pursued once he saw the situation.
Xiaoxiao and Yang Ming heard the commotion and ran out as well. Seeing Yang Ming’s approach, Chu Lian barked, "Don’t come here!"
How could he let Yang Ming enter when Xiangxiang was naked?
Startled by Chu Lian’s shout, Xiaoxiao and Yang Ming halted at the door. Chu Lian continued, "Go back and pack up, we’re not staying here anymore."