“We had an appointment! Why won’t you let us in?” one man shouted angrily. “This is discrimination! You’re looking down on us! We’re not beneath you anymore!”
“I don’t know who any of you are. Leave. Now.”
“What the hell?! It was like this last time too!” the man snapped, voice rising. “You think you’re better than us, huh?!”
That line lit the fuse. The humiliation from last time still burned in everyone’s memory, and the man suddenly lost control. He lunged at Zhou Yanxing, throwing a punch, and the situation instantly descended into chaos.
Chi Zhan had only two words in his mind: It’s over.
“Everyone calm down! No fighting—we live in a civilized society!”
Chi Zhan backed away, fumbling for his phone to call security, but someone blocked his path.
“Hey! Don’t hit the wrong guy!” Red-and-blue hair yelled from a distance. “He’s innocent!”
But Chi Zhan still couldn’t avoid getting caught in the crossfire. It wasn’t anything serious—just someone slamming into him and knocking him against the corner of a desk.
His fragile lower back took the brunt of it once again.
Secretary Chi collapsed, face pale.
History had a cruel way of repeating itself.
Zhou Yanxing hadn’t planned on laying a hand on anyone—until he saw Chi Zhan fall. His eyes darkened, vicious intent bleeding through.
Five minutes later, the floor was littered with groaning bodies, all clutching their stomachs. And that was with Zhou Yanxing holding back.
“Xie Corporation?” Zhou Yanxing said slowly, enunciating every word. “You’ll be bankrupt in five minutes.”
Chi Zhan stared at his NPC panel, watching Zhou Yanxing’s favorability rating toward the players nosedive to -100.
“……”
Compared to last time, Zhou Yanxing was clearly a pro by now. While the front desk, security, and other employees worked to clear the area, he scooped Chi Zhan up into his arms and carried him straight into the lounge.
“President…”
Chi Zhan had barely said a word before Zhou Yanxing, jaw clenched and gaze sharp, cut him off.
“Don’t talk. The last time something like this happened, what did I tell you? Didn’t I say, go hide somewhere safe?!”
Zhou Yanxing genuinely looked like he was furious out of sheer frustration. And Chi Zhan felt genuinely wronged.
“I was trying to call security. I was worried you might be in danger,” he said through gritted teeth, wincing from the pain. Seeing how furious Zhou Yanxing looked—like he was ready to tear those people limb from limb—Chi Zhan quickly changed the subject. “…It hurts.”
“Oh, now it hurts?” Zhou Yanxing snapped coldly. “Even if ten of those guys came at me, I could take them down. You don’t trust me?”
“I do,” Chi Zhan murmured. “But I still worry.”
Seeing there was no winning this argument, he admitted fault.
“Next time I’ll go straight to a safe place. I promise.”
Only then did Zhou Yanxing’s expression ease up a little.
“Is it hurting a lot?”
His brow furrowed. Chi Zhan had only just recovered from his last injury, and now he was hurt again. He hadn’t even been on the job for a full month and had already gotten injured twice. And both times, it was his lower back.
Chi Zhan said nothing. But Zhou Yanxing could tell—he was trying to act tough again. Sweat was breaking out at his temples, his eyes were rimmed red, faint tears clinging to his lashes. His voice trembled, and yet he still kept his lips pressed tightly together, forcing his breathing into calm, shallow exhales like nothing was wrong.
The first time, Zhou Yanxing had just been angry. But now… his chest felt like it was being pricked by a thousand tiny needles.
Even when he had been kidnapped, he hadn’t felt anything like this.
It was that helpless, gut-wrenching ache of not being able to protect someone.
***
Inside the lounge, Zhou Yanxing stepped out with his phone in hand. “Don’t move,” he told Chi Zhan, closing the door behind him.
Just before it shut, Chi Zhan heard him say, “Cen Chi, are you free right now?”
So he was calling in Doctor Cen again.
The sharp, searing pain from earlier had dulled into a deep, numbing throb. Chi Zhan didn’t dare touch the area and was thoroughly frustrated.
He’d fallen into the same trap twice.
He could’ve avoided it. If he’d just been a little more decisive, more forceful, he could’ve subdued them. But he hesitated—and got dragged into the mess again.
The company’s small group chat had exploded, everyone asking how he was doing.
That moment when President Zhou had picked him up—half the company saw it. There wasn’t even room for an excuse.
Chi Zhan gave a blanket reply: I’m okay. Might need a few days to rest at home. Thanks for your concern.
A new private message popped up.
Jiang Yi: Chi-ge, are you hurt again? Was it those guys from before?
Still in the group chat—HR had forgotten to kick him—Jiang Yi saw the news and immediately blew up.
Jiang Yi: Chi-ge, next time you see them, don’t go easy. If they deserve a beating, beat them! That’s what they get!
Chi Zhan read the message and didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Technically, Jiang Yi and those guys were from the same “team,” yet here he was, siding with him instead.
Jiang Yi: Once is an accident. But a second time? No way. They’re here to stir up trouble. I’ve seen plenty of these kinds of players—always trying to start shit in games. It’s disgusting. I’m going to report them later.
Jiang Yi: Also, Zhou Yanxing definitely doesn’t have pure intentions toward you! He had the nerve to carry you like a princess?! Outrageous! Even I haven’t gotten to do that! So jealous!!
[Message retracted]
“……”
Well… he saw it. But he’d pretend he didn’t.
Moments later, Zhou Yanxing returned—bringing someone with him.
It was Cen Chi, who must’ve come straight from the airport, still dragging his luggage. Snow clung to his coat and hair, his tall frame wrapped in a dark gray overcoat. He had that elegant, gentlemanly air about him, but the moment he saw Chi Zhan lying on the bed, he immediately understood.
“Got knocked into again?” Doctor Cen’s usual warm smile vanished. He turned to Zhou Yanxing and, uncharacteristically sharp, said, “Looks like your company’s security is seriously lacking. Need me to recommend a proper team?”
Zhou Yanxing stayed silent—but for the first time, didn’t argue back. He simply said, “Take a look at him.”
