Chapter 35: A Strange Feeling
Zhi Qi walked gracefully toward Fang Xiaocao, who stood dazed, staring at her long-lost friend.
Seeing Fang Xiaocao’s adorable, dumbfounded expression, Zhi Qi’s lips curled into a charming smile.
She extended her fair hand toward her.
Still in a daze, Fang Xiaocao instinctively placed her hand in Zhi Qi’s palm.
Zhi Qi exerted a little force, pulling Fang Xiaocao up from the floor and, in one swift motion, wrapped her into an embrace.
“Are you okay?”
Zhi Qi lowered her head and asked softly, her cool voice like a refreshing spring.
Fang Xiaocao snapped back to reality and, realizing she was nestled in Zhi Qi’s arms, immediately blushed.
“I’m fine… Thankfully, you arrived in time…”
She spoke in a small voice, yet being in Zhi Qi’s embrace gave her an inexplicable sense of security.
Just like when they were in the orphanage—whenever there was a thunderstorm, she could only sleep soundly if she curled up in the same small bed with Zhi Qi.
Her face felt a little hot. Even though they were both girls, she couldn’t help feeling shy.
Fang Xiaocao struggled slightly, pulling herself out of Zhi Qi’s embrace. She blinked and curiously examined her.
It had been a while since they last met, and this girl had gotten even cooler.
Yes, cool! That was the right word.
From childhood to now, Zhi Qi had always been cool.
Ever since the day they met, Zhi Qi had dressed like a little boy.
Even now, as an adult, she hasn’t changed her androgynous style.
Fang Xiaocao had once asked her why she liked wearing boys’ clothes.
Zhi Qi had simply smiled, pinched Fang Xiaocao’s chubby cheeks, and said, “So I can protect myself—and protect you.”
The doting look on Zhi Qi’s face had left an unforgettable impression on young Fang Xiaocao.
Even now, she still had a strange illusion—
Clearly, they were best friends, yet she often found herself subconsciously seeing Zhi Qi as an older brother.
Zhi Qi’s gaze swept over Fang Xiaocao’s disheveled clothing, and her expression darkened. A cold frost covered her delicate face.
She turned to the security guards sprawled on the ground, her eyes growing icy as she uttered coldly:
“Beat them.”
“The Zhi Qi family will cover the medical expenses.”
Zhi Qi removed her white suit jacket and casually draped it over Fang Xiaocao’s shoulders.
At her command, the bodyguards immediately took action.
In an instant, the room was filled with the muffled sounds of fists meeting flesh, accompanied by agonized screams from the security guards.
“That woman—is she Han Xue?”
Zhi Qi’s voice was indifferent as she looked at Han Xue.
“Mm, that’s her.”
Fang Xiaocao nodded obediently.
Zhi Qi’s gaze turned cold. She gave a subtle glance at the bodyguard restraining Han Xue.
The bodyguard understood instantly—he raised his hand and delivered a resounding slap to Han Xue’s face.
Han Xue staggered, her fair face swelling instantly.
The bodyguard looked toward Zhi Qi, awaiting further instructions.
Zhi Qi stared at Han Xue with detached indifference and calmly said, “Continue.”
Nodding, the bodyguard swung again—smack, smack—delivering two more hard slaps.
A trickle of blood slid down from the corner of Han Xue’s mouth.
“Hey, be careful! She has a contagious disease.”
Seeing the blood, Fang Xiaocao hurriedly reminded them.
Zhi Qi’s eyes narrowed.
“She didn’t hurt you, did she?”
She asked with concern.
“Nope~”
Fang Xiaocao shook her head.
“That’s good.”
Zhi Qi sighed in relief.
“Wear protective gear before continuing.”
Zhi Qi commanded coldly.
“Once you’re done, go get a medical checkup yourselves.”
With that, she took Fang Xiaocao’s hand and led her out of the private room.
“Wait, wait, wait! My friends—”
Fang Xiaocao called out.
Zhi Qi halted her steps and glanced around.
“Take them, too.”
She instructed the bodyguards at the door.
The bodyguards nodded. One carried Wen Shi in a princess carry, while two others helped Su Wanqing and Yun Luoshu up before following Zhi Qi and Fang Xiaocao out of the room.
As soon as they stepped out, the screams inside the room surged several decibels higher.
Fang Xiaocao shivered, her heart pounding wildly.
“Um…”
“I called the police… Is this… a bit too much?”
She asked hesitantly, pointing toward the private room.
“Don’t worry. They’ll handle it.”
Zhi Qi smirked mischievously, ruffling Fang Xiaocao’s hair.
In an instant, her neatly combed hair turned into a complete bird’s nest.
“Pfft—hahaha~”
Zhi Qi chuckled at her handiwork.
“Hmph! You’re the worst~”
Fang Xiaocao pouted and glared at her playfully.
Zhi Qi didn’t mind in the slightest. In fact, she seemed to enjoy Fang Xiaocao’s little tantrum.
“Let’s go.”
After teasing her for a bit, Zhi Qi smiled.
Fang Xiaocao nodded, letting Zhi Qi hold her hand as they descended the stairs.
As soon as they stepped outside the KTV, they ran into Wang Qiang.
“Officer Wang!”
Fang Xiaocao greeted him.
“Xiaocao, are you okay?”
Wang Qiang asked with concern.
“I’m fine. Zhi Qi arrived just in time.”
Fang Xiaocao shook her head.
Hearing that, Wang Qiang turned to Zhi Qi.
Zhi Qi gave him a polite nod.
“Where’s Han Xue?”
Wang Qiang asked in a serious tone.
“Han Xue…”
Fang Xiaocao hesitated and glanced at Zhi Qi, unsure how to respond.
She wanted to answer but didn’t know how.
She couldn’t exactly say that Han Xue and her people were currently getting beaten upstairs…
“They’re all in Private Room 403. My bodyguards have already restrained everyone with ill intent. They resisted, so we had to use force. If you need cooperation for the investigation, I’ll have my lawyer follow up.”
Zhi Qi smiled and answered smoothly, holding Fang Xiaocao’s hand.
“Alright, we’ll head up now.”
Wang Qiang nodded and led three other officers upstairs.
“Let’s go. I’ll take you home.”
Zhi Qi said with a smile.
“Is that really okay…?”
Fang Xiaocao glanced toward the upstairs.
“Don’t worry. My lawyer will handle it.”
Zhi Qi assured her, seeing through her thoughts.
“No, that’s not it…”
“We’re the victims! Don’t we need to give a statement?”
Fang Xiaocao said helplessly.
“…Do we?”
Zhi Qi blinked.
“Don’t play dumb~”
Fang Xiaocao rolled her eyes and pouted.
“If you’re busy, you should go.”
“I have a car. We’ll head home after giving our statements.”
She said to Zhi Qi.
“This…”
Zhi Qi hesitated.
“Miss, you have a dinner event later.”
A bodyguard reminded her in a low voice.
Hearing that, Zhi Qi shot him a glare.
“Alright, alright, I get it! I’ll go!”
Zhi Qi sighed in defeat.
“How about this? I’ll leave a few bodyguards to help you handle everything. Once it’s done, they can escort you home.”
She gently ruffled Fang Xiaocao’s hair again before leaving.
(End of Chapter 35)
