Qin Yi was jolted awake by noises from downstairs. When she saw someone knocking out the young master and his friend, she panicked and was about to call for help.
Xiao Qi moved like lightning. In the blink of an eye, he was in front of her. Because of He Changning, he didn’t harm her—he just spoke coldly and roughly, his face like a slab of ice:
“These two tried to hurt Young Master Ning. The milk you brought him—those bastards drugged it. He’s still unconscious. If you still want to scream, go ahead.”
And with that, he turned and went back to handling business, leaving a completely stunned Qin Yi behind.
She stumbled to He Changning’s bedroom and pushed the door open. Inside stood several people—including someone she recognized from one brief meeting, Young Master Shang.
Seeing her enter, Shang Yushang nodded at Xiao Wu to keep her calm and out of the way while Bai Mo treated Changning. Xiao Wu quietly led her to the living room sofa, briefly explained the situation, and instructed Xiao Qi to stay with her before returning upstairs.
Watching the visibly distraught, trembling Qin Yi, Xiao Qi’s anger softened. After all, she was only used as a pawn—and her love for Young Master Ning was genuine. So he comforted her awkwardly,
“Qin Yi, what’s done is done. Don’t blame yourself too much. With the young master here, Ning-shao won’t be in danger. Please just wait here for now. If you’re tired, you should rest a bit.”
Tears streamed down Qin Yi’s face.
“It’s my fault. I let Ningning suffer. I’m so useless… how could I have been so careless? If anything happens to him… how will I ever face his mother in the afterlife? Wuwuwu…”
Xiao Qi immediately panicked at the sight of her crying.
“Qin Yi, please don’t cry! If Young Master Ning sees you crying, he’ll feel worse. Come on, don’t cry anymore, okay?”
His awkward attempt at comfort actually worked. She wiped her tears and said firmly,
“I won’t cry. I can’t let Changning worry about me. I’ll stay here quietly and wait for him.”
Then, more softly, “Child, I know I shouldn’t go upstairs and disturb them… but can you keep me updated? Please tell me how he’s doing?”
Seeing the pleading in her eyes, Xiao Qi nodded.
“Alright, Qin Yi. I’ll keep you posted. Don’t worry. Try to rest a little, okay?”
So Qin Yi waited the entire night on the living room sofa, not sleeping a wink. Only when He Changning woke again did Xiao Qi bring her upstairs.
At the bedside, Qin Yi held Changning’s hand, tears streaming uncontrollably down her face. She couldn’t say a word—she could only look at him through misty eyes.
Though pale and weak, He Changning still reached out to comfort her,
“Qin Yi… don’t cry. I’m okay.”
“I won’t cry. As long as you’re alright, I won’t cry.”
Shang Yushang stood silently, expressionless, watching her. If it weren’t for Changning, he wouldn’t allow her anywhere near. But after a pause, he spoke:
“Xiao Wu, call some people. Pack all of Changning’s things. We’re moving to the apartment in Jingyuan.”
Then, turning to Qin Yi, “Changning is leaving the Yin family. What are your plans?”
Qin Yi looked at him, earnest and determined.
“Mr. Shang… may I go with him? I want to keep taking care of him. Please?”
Shang Yushang glanced at the hopeful face beside him—his little one was looking at him with such trust. He gave in.
“You can come. But you’ll need to follow my rules. Are you willing?”
“I am! Whatever you say, I’ll do it. As long as I can stay by his side.”
Soon, Xiao Wu and a team packed everything efficiently under Qin Yi’s direction. Half an hour later, He Changning and Qin Yi had left the Yin household.
At that very moment, Yin Zhiyan was still fast asleep in a hotel, drunk from the night before. Yin Hao was passed out in his room. And the few servants of the Yin family slept like the dead.
No one knew what had transpired that night.
No one knew why, by morning, the Yin family’s third young master and Qin Yi had vanished without a trace.
As for that man known as “Brother Dao”… he wasn’t lucky enough to still be sleeping. Right now, he was teetering between life and death, suffering in hellish agony.
The group arrived at the Jingyuan apartment. Without needing instruction, everyone took on their roles and quickly got everything arranged. Xiao Qi even walked Qin Yi to her room, reminding her,
“Unless the young master gives orders, don’t disturb him and Ning-shao. Just focus on your duties—he’s fair, and easy to talk to if you follow the rules.”
Finally, peace returned.
Shang Yushang sat on the bed, cradling He Changning in his arms. Only now did the weight on his heart lift. It had been close—a terrifying close call. But now, his precious one was safe, sleeping soundly in his arms.
He rubbed his temples, exhaustion finally crashing down on him.
He Changning, feeling the fatigue in the arms holding him, murmured,
“Yushang… get some rest. I’m alright now.”
“Stay with me… please?”
He hadn’t told anyone just how panicked he’d been when he found out what happened. The sheer terror that had gripped him, the overwhelming fear that he might lose Changning forever… If he had arrived even a moment too late, no apology or sacrifice would have ever made it right. His Changning—so proud, so dignified—would rather die than be dishonored.
He got lucky this time. The heavens had granted him another chance. His precious one was still here, safe and whole.
And now… whoever dared lay a hand on what was his—he’d make them pay.
Changning nodded.
Right now, he didn’t want to act strong. Being in Shang Yushang’s arms made him feel safe. Secure. Like he could let go and be vulnerable.
Maybe what happened last night had truly shaken him. The fear still clung to him. If they had come any later… he knew without a doubt, he’d have chosen death over being violated.
But what made him hesitate… what held him back… was this man.
Somewhere along the way, Shang Yushang had made a home in his heart. He couldn’t let go. Couldn’t stop thinking about him.
Shang Yushang gently lay them both under the covers and held him close. Tucking the blanket in around him, he kissed the top of his beloved’s forehead.
“Sleep.”
And soon, the room was filled with the quiet, steady rhythm of two people breathing together.
Even their heartbeats seemed to fall into perfect sync.
Shang Yushang woke up close to noon. The first thing he saw was a peaceful face, slightly pale but serene in sleep. His heart softened completely, like spring water melting into a stream. He reached out and gently brushed He Changning’s cheek, his lips curved into a smile, eyes filled with boundless affection.
Unable to help himself, he leaned down and pressed a soft kiss on his forehead, then his brows, his nose, and finally—on the lips he had longed for. The tender contact intoxicated him, and he lingered, lightly nibbling, slowly tracing the contours of his lover’s lips, wishing time would stop at this very moment.
He Changning slowly opened his eyes, meeting the infatuated gaze so close to his own. His heart pounded uncontrollably. His arms instinctively wrapped around Shang Yushang’s waist. In truth, he had woken up the moment he felt that kiss on his forehead—but the warmth, the gentleness, made him unwilling to open his eyes.
Sensing the movement, Shang Yushang knew he was awake. He no longer held back. One hand wrapped tightly around He Changning’s waist, the other cradled his head, and he deepened the kiss.
No longer content with just lips, he parted them and entered with his tongue, exploring every corner of his mouth, entangling their tongues in a slow, intimate dance. In the quiet bedroom, only the sound of their breath and soft kissing echoed.
Only when He Changning struggled for air did Shang Yushang reluctantly pull away. Foreheads pressed together, they calmed their erratic heartbeats, faces flushed and breath still uneven.
With a deep sigh, Shang Yushang hugged him tightly, as if piecing together something he had lost.
“Changning, stay with me forever. My arms can only hold one person—so fall in love with me, please? Let me be the missing piece of your life. I’ll make you whole.”
He Changning didn’t reply. Instead, he gave him a light punch and buried his entire face into Shang Yushang’s chest, hugging him tightly in return.
After lunch, Shang Yushang tucked Changning back into bed and made sure he was comfortable. He instructed Qin Yi and Xiao Wu to watch over him carefully, kissed him on the forehead, and quietly left.
He drove to an inconspicuous residential neighborhood, entered a small garage, and once the door closed, the wall in front slowly opened, revealing a tunnel. Without pause, he drove all the way to the end.
Xiao Qi was already waiting. He pressed a button and a heavy steel door opened. Shang Yushang walked in briskly.
Da Zhou greeted him, “Young master.”
“How is it?”
Da Zhou shrank slightly under his icy tone. Why does it feel like winter in July…
“He talked. All of it.”
“Who’s behind it?”
“…Yin Hao,” Da Zhou replied, swallowing hard.
“Perfect.” Shang Yushang’s face turned colder than frost. The air around him darkened, like a storm ready to strike.
Da Zhou and Xiao Qi subtly stepped back. No one wanted to be collateral damage right now.
“Take me to see that ‘Brother Dao’.”
Inside the room, Brother Dao was slumped, unconscious or close to it. Without warning, a bucket of ice water splashed over him. He jolted awake with a terrified scream.
Seeing Da Zhou, he screamed like he’d seen a ghost.
“No! No, don’t come near me! I told you everything, I swear! Please, let me go! I won’t do it again, I promise—please!”
Shang Yushang nodded at Da Zhou, who stepped forward with a smirk.
“Quiet. The young master has questions.”
One calm sentence, and Brother Dao froze as if paralyzed.
“What exactly did Yin Hao tell you to do?” Shang Yushang asked in an eerily calm voice.
Brother Dao, thinking the man in the tailored suit seemed mild enough, glanced toward the smiling Da Zhou—who terrified him more. Trembling, he confessed again:
“A few days ago, Yin Hao approached me. Said he had a ‘job.’ I asked what kind, and he said…”
He stole a glance at Shang Yushang, who showed no visible reaction, and continued:
“He said there’s this guy—handsome, seductive, basically some top-tier slut.”
Shang Yushang’s hands clenched into fists. How dare that bastard insult my Changning—the one I hold like treasure, the one I can’t even bear to raise my voice at? Yin Hao, you will pay dearly for this.
He adjusted his sleeves.
“Go on.”
Brother Dao swallowed again, voice shaking.
“Yin Hao said if I could get that man into bed and record it, he’d pay me.”
“That’s all?”
Shang Yushang gave him a sharp look. Brother Dao turned ghost-pale. That gaze—he’d never felt closer to death.
“I-I wasn’t doing it for the money. He said… once the guy’s broken, he’ll listen to whatever we say, and Yin Hao can do whatever he wants with him.”
“Excellent.”
Spoken with a calmness that sent chills down everyone’s spines.
“No! Please! I didn’t touch him—I swear—I didn’t do anything. Spare me, please!” Brother Dao broke down in sobs.
Shang Yushang’s voice was now ice.
“If my men hadn’t gotten there first—what would you have done?”
Brother Dao stammered.
“You would’ve raped him, recorded it, and handed it to Yin Hao. You would’ve destroyed my love,” Shang Yushang roared.
His words cut like blades, slashing at Brother Dao’s soul.
“You like overpowering people, do you?”
Brother Dao froze. Eyes wide with terror.
Shang Yushang gave a chilling order.
“Bring in a few men. Show this degenerate what it feels like to be violated.”
Da Zhou nodded and left. Soon, several burly masked men stood at attention.
Brother Dao shrieked in terror, trying to crawl into a corner.
“No—please—don’t do this! I beg you!”
Shang Yushang turned away. The door closed behind him as Brother Dao’s wails echoed from the room, mingled with dull thuds that didn’t fade for a long, long time.
On the way back to the office, Shang Yushang gave one final order:
“Don’t kill him. Make him suffer. Then dig up his criminal record—enough for a decade in prison. Let him rot there.”
