Chapter 61: The Frog in the Well

In that resort on the outskirts of Jiang City, Zhu Shaoqi slowly opened her eyes. The first thing she saw was the face she loathed—Bao Hongxuan.

At that moment, Bao Hongxuan was grinning wickedly at her as she regained consciousness.

"Bao Hongxuan, why did you kidnap me? You really have some nerve. Do you know what my relationship is with Master Chen?" Though her hands and feet were bound, Zhu Shaoqi showed no fear whatsoever.

Bao Hongxuan burst into laughter. "Ha! Zhu Shaoqi, you really are something. Trying to scare us with that so-called Master Chen? Do you really think we'll believe you? Someone like you, having any connection to Master Chen?"

Yan Hongyi, standing to the side, sneered as well. He had once been intrigued by this Master Chen, but after witnessing the skills of Bu Jingshan and Yi Buxing, he no longer cared about him at all.

Zhu Shaoqi glanced at Yan Hongyi. "So it was you, you fat pig, pulling the strings. I suppose you're doing this because you don't want to pay Mr. Chen that one billion, isn't that right?"

Yan Hongyi's plump face twitched; he hated being called a fat pig, especially when it was used to shame him over the billion-dollar debt.

He immediately stood up in a rage. "Tell me, who exactly is that boy?"

Zhu Shaoqi smiled smugly. "Didn't I already tell you? Master Chen. He is Master Chen. Just wait—you'll all be dealt with by him soon enough!"

Had she said this before, Yan Hongyi might have been intimidated, but after hearing Bu Jingshan say that boy was nothing more than an Inner Strength expert—far from the Master Chen he had imagined—he simply laughed.

"Him? Master Chen?"

Bao Hongxuan was even less convinced, bursting out, "That kid, Master Chen? If he’s Master Chen, then I must be the Emperor of Heaven! Zhu Shaoqi, little Qi, can’t you use your brain a bit? If you want to scare us, at least come up with something believable!"

"You really don’t believe he’s Master Chen?" Zhu Shaoqi didn’t know whether these people were stupid or simply too full of themselves. She had already told them, but they refused to believe it.

"Little girl, even if that boy is Master Chen, so what?" Bu Jingshan spoke with his hands behind his back. "That so-called Master Chen may be able to scare ordinary folks, but before me, he’s not worthy of the title 'Master.'"

Bu Jingshan had heard rumors about this Master Chen recently, but paid them no mind. To him, those skills were mere parlor tricks, unworthy of such a grand title—just a legend blown out of proportion among the mundane, who had never seen a true master.

Yi Buxing smiled faintly. "People in this world are like frogs in a well. The most trivial tricks are elevated to legend, never realizing there are always skies beyond the sky, and men beyond men."

Hearing the two masters speak, Yan Hongyi felt even more at ease. "The masters are absolutely right. After this affair, I will make sure to honor you both properly." He was already thinking of how to win them over once everything was settled.

"Aren’t you afraid?" Zhu Shaoqi stared at them in disbelief.

Bao Hongxuan laughed heartily. "Didn’t you hear what the masters just said? Even if that kid really is Master Chen, he’s nothing but a snack for these two. Do you think he’s the only formidable person in the world?"

Bao Yingtong had remained silent until now, but she couldn’t help but laugh. "Zhu Shaoqi, I’ll give you a chance. If you agree to be with my brother, you’ll become one of us, a member of the Bao family. Naturally, we’ll look after your Zhu family as well."

She spoke as if the Bao family was destined for meteoric rise.

Zhu Shaoqi rolled her eyes. "Take care of the Zhu family? You’re dreaming. If you know what’s good for you, let me go now, or you’ll all be dead!"

She had every reason to believe that, as long as they dared harm her, Mr. Chen would wipe them all out for her sake.

Bao Hongxuan’s expression darkened. "Zhu Shaoqi, don’t refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit. What about me is not good enough for you? You’ve humiliated me again and again. Let me tell you, today is all about luring that boy here. Once he comes, he’s not leaving!"

"Just the likes of you? Pathetic!" Zhu Shaoqi spat in disgust at their ugly faces.

"You—" Bao Hongxuan raised his hand, about to strike her.

Zhu Shaoqi lifted her chin fearlessly. "Release me at once and send me home respectfully, and maybe I’ll ask Mr. Chen to spare you. Otherwise, don’t say I didn’t warn you!"

Smack!

It was Bao Yingtong who, unable to restrain herself, slapped her across the face.

Zhu Shaoqi’s cheek instantly swelled, but she still looked at them with stubborn defiance.

Yan Hongyi’s face was gloomy. "I’d like to see what that boy can do before these two masters."

He waved at the Bao siblings. "Take her away, clear everyone else out of this resort. After it’s done, I’ll invest twice the amount in your business!"

Bao Yingtong was overjoyed and immediately ordered her subordinates to act.

Bao Hongxuan grinned wickedly as he approached Zhu Shaoqi.

A hint of panic finally showed on Zhu Shaoqi’s face. "Bao Hongxuan, I’m warning you—if you dare lay a finger on me, you’ll die miserably!"

"Qi Qi, what do you mean by dying miserably? I’ll make you wish you were dead and alive all at once—you’ll know my power soon enough!" Bao Hongxuan laughed obscenely, hoisted Zhu Shaoqi, and left.

Her curses faded into the distance, and the two masters shook their heads slightly.

Yan Hongyi chuckled awkwardly. "Forgive me for making you witness such a scene." He hadn’t stopped Bao Hongxuan’s crude words, still smarting from being called a fat pig. If Chen Yu hadn’t been dealt with yet, he might have taken things into his own hands already.

"It’s nothing," Bu Jingshan replied with a gentle smile. "We’ll wait here for that boy. Take care of things quickly, so we can return to the mountain."

Yi Buxing smiled as well. "Young Master Yan, such affairs of men and women are only natural. If you have matters to attend to, go ahead. When that boy arrives, just call us."

Yan Hongyi was even more embarrassed. "You two are men of renown. Please don’t mock me. Bao Yingtong, find a few attentive attendants to look after the masters."

Bao Yingtong nodded with a smile and left.

Meanwhile, Bao Hongxuan carried Zhu Shaoqi to another room in the resort.

Zhu Shaoqi struggled desperately; now she was truly afraid. She couldn’t be sure if Mr. Chen would arrive in time, and the thought of Bao Hongxuan about to violate her filled her with despair. There was no one to call for help.

She refused to accept this fate. She even thought of dying, but would she ever see Mr. Chen again if she did?

No, she wouldn’t die. She glared at Bao Hongxuan. "If you really touch me, I swear I’ll have you torn to pieces!"

"Ha! My dear Qi Qi, I’m about to become your husband—how could you curse your husband like that?" Bao Hongxuan put her on the bed, his eyes gleaming like a hungry wolf.

He didn’t dare untie her yet, fearing she’d fight back. He was content to satisfy his lust first.

Despair washed over Zhu Shaoqi, tears streaming from the corners of her eyes.

She couldn’t let herself be ruined, not even in death.

Bao Hongxuan, breathing heavily, approached and began tearing at her clothes.

All at once, Zhu Shaoqi summoned a strength she didn’t know she had. She arched her body and slammed her head into Bao Hongxuan’s.

Caught completely off guard, Bao Hongxuan staggered back several steps, blood trickling from his forehead.

The impact left Zhu Shaoqi nearly unconscious, but she held on with sheer determination. Blood spread across her head like a crimson web, and her eyes blazed with fury, almost feral.

Bao Hongxuan was unsettled, clutching his wounded forehead and snarling, "You bitch! You don’t appreciate kindness. Since you like violence, I’ll give it to you!"

Ignoring the blood streaming down his face, he advanced and slapped her twice, then raised his finger to curse her—when suddenly, his movements froze...