Chapter 51: Drugged

Manager Ruan felt a deep sense of jealousy toward Su Mian, believing that she was merely putting on an innocent act while secretly harboring aggressive ambitions.

The two of them twirled and stepped back and forth across the dance floor. Although Su Mian was not skilled at dancing, she managed to keep up with Huo Beihan’s pace.

However, whenever Huo Beihan quickened his tempo, she would inadvertently step on his foot. "I'm sorry, Big Brother."

He patted Su Mian’s back to encourage her. "It's alright, take your time. This song isn't over yet."

Watching their interaction, Manager Ruan grew increasingly furious. Taking advantage of the moment when everyone's attention was focused on Su Mian and Huo Beihan, she slipped something into Su Mian's wine glass.

Lin Mu watched the two of them dance while recording a video on his phone. The more he watched, the more convinced he became that they were a match made in heaven.

Halfway through the song, Su Mian finally began to find the rhythm, and Huo Beihan's feet were thankfully spared further punishment.

When the song ended, Lin Mu sent the video to Huo Beihan: [Bro, I didn't take you for such a patient man.]

Ignoring Lin Mu's teasing, Huo Beihan saved the video and took a seat beside Su Mian.

Everyone began to applaud. "Miss Su, President Huo, thank you for your hard work. We honestly didn't expect the two of you to have such great chemistry."

Su Mian smiled awkwardly. "It is President Huo who worked hard. I was always holding him back."

He picked up his wine glass, a refined smile playing on his lips. "What are you talking about? You did brilliantly. You'll get the hang of it with a little more practice."

After exchanging these polite, business-like pleasantries, Su Mian took a sip of her wine to quench her thirst.

The corners of Manager Ruan’s mouth curved upward in a self-satisfied smirk. Under the pretext of visiting the restroom, she made a phone call to a hoodlum she had met a few days prior.

"Miss Ruan, are you looking for me?"

Pricking up her ears to ensure no one was around the restroom area, she spoke in a soft voice. "Big Brother, I'm currently at Quanjude. Would it be convenient for you to come over?"

The hoodlum sounded slightly puzzled. "I'm right around here. Did something happen to you?"

Deliberately exaggerating, Manager Ruan blew her conflict with Su Mian completely out of proportion, casting herself as an innocent victim.

Upon hearing this, the hoodlum decided to help her teach Su Mian a harsh lesson.

When Manager Ruan returned to the private dining room, the effects of the drug were already beginning to take hold of Su Mian's body.

Her cheeks were flushed, and a wave of intense heat washed over her entire body, accompanied by a strange sensation as if something were gnawing at her from within.

Huo Beihan assumed she had drunk too much. Just as he was about to ask her what was wrong, he was pulled away to drink by a slightly tipsy Lin Mu.

Su Mian stood up and staggered toward the restroom, with Manager Ruan closely tailing her, unnoticed by the others.

By this time, the hoodlum had arrived on the top floor. After exchanging a brief acknowledgment with Manager Ruan, he slipped into the restroom right behind the dazed Su Mian.

Seizing the opportunity, Manager Ruan locked the restroom door from the outside.

Seeing a pair of men's shoes moving beneath the door panel, Su Mian regained a fleeting moment of clarity.

The shoes had already stopped directly in front of her. When Su Mian suddenly pulled the door open, it startled the man, but when she tried to rush past him to escape, she discovered the door had been locked from the outside.

"Little beauty, you won't be flying out of my palm today, even if you sprouted wings."

Panicked, Su Mian backed away. "Who are you? Who sent you here to block my way?"

The hoodlum was somewhat baffled. Manager Ruan had clearly claimed she had already drugged her—why did she still look like nothing was wrong?

At that moment, the drug surged through her system again, making Su Mian's head spin. She dug her fingernails into her palms, using the sharp pain to keep her wits about her. "I'm warning you... don't do anything reckless..."

Sensing that the drug had indeed taken effect and that she was merely putting up a brave front, the hoodlum grinned lewdly and lunged at Su Mian. "Be a good girl and don't move, or don't blame me for being rough with you."

"Help!" Su Mian screamed, fighting back against the hoodlum.

Her fingernails scratched his face, and the sharp stinging pain drove him into a furious rage. "Little bitch, you've got a death wish."

He clamped a hand tightly over Su Mian's mouth, terrified of alerting the hotel staff or other guests.

Realizing Su Mian had been gone for a long time, Huo Beihan hurried out to look for her, only to hear the sounds of a struggle and crying coming from the restroom.

Finding the door locked from the outside, his heart sank. With a forceful yank, he forced the door open, only to find Su Mian and a man locked in a violent scuffle.

Blinded by rage, Huo Beihan lunged forward, kicked the man away, pulled Su Mian to her feet, and took off his suit jacket to drape over her shoulders.

The hoodlum looked in terror at Huo Beihan, whose face was flushed with anger. "What do you think you're doing? I'm just getting cozy with my girlfriend, what business is it of yours?"

Assuming Huo Beihan was merely a meddling good Samaritan, he tried to bluff his way out of the situation.

Wiping away her tears, Su Mian shouted a denial. "Big Brother, I don't know him! He's lying! Call the police and have him arrested right now."

He certainly intended to call the police, but before that, this hoodlum had to pay a heavy price.

Huo Beihan unbuttoned his cuffs and slammed a fist directly into the hoodlum's face. "Bastard, do you even know who she is? How dare you lay a hand on her!"

The hoodlum tried to retaliate, but Huo Beihan’s relentless blows came too fast for him to react, leaving him defenseless and taking the beating passively. "Let me go! Are you out of your mind?"

This was the first time Su Mian had ever seen the usually calm and composed man lose control to this extent. If he kept beating the man, the hoodlum would likely be killed.

In a panic, Su Mian called out to Huo Beihan before collapsing unconscious to the floor.

Hearing the thud, Huo Beihan delivered one final kick that sent the defenseless hoodlum crashing to the ground, then scooped Su Mian up in his arms and rushed downstairs.

On the way, Su Mian regained consciousness, wrapping her arms around Huo Beihan's neck and sobbing softly, "Big Brother, I'm so scared, I feel so awful."

Su Mian's body temperature was alarmingly high. Huo Beihan tried to soothe her while ordering the driver to head straight to the hospital.

Blood tests confirmed that Su Mian had been given a specialized drug. Huo Beihan became convinced that the person who had drugged her must have been inside that private room.

After settling Su Mian in, Huo Beihan drove back to the venue, where Lin Mu and the others were still partying.

He smashed a wine bottle heavily against the floor, startling everyone with the sudden crash.

Lin Mu stepped forward to question him. "What the hell is wrong with you? Why are you suddenly ruining the mood?"

Dragging him out of the private room, Huo Beihan demanded in a furious tone, "What kind of subordinates do you have? Someone actually took advantage of our absence to slip drugs into Su Mian's drink! If I hadn't shown up in time..."

He paused for a moment before continuing, "Handle your own people. You need to give both me and Su Mian a proper explanation for what happened today."

Knowing that Su Mian was Huo Beihan's absolute limit, Lin Mu's expression darkened considerably. Since someone had dared to cross the line, he would naturally provide Huo Beihan with a satisfactory resolution.

"I understand. Go back and watch over Su Mian. I will get to the bottom of today's incident."

After Huo Beihan left, Lin Mu began questioning everyone one by one, while Manager Ruan had quietly slipped out of the room during the earlier confrontation.