Chapter 70: Strife, and Overboard?

Shen Tingxiao’s voice sounded overhead, muffled: “When you finish your studies, I’ll go with you back home to open up the market.”

“Really?”

“Of course.”

In just a few exchanges, the two were escorted to the entrance of the VIP lounge, joining other celebrities and moguls guarded by bodyguards as they made their way out onto the broad deck. The chaos inside the hall raged on. The crystal chandelier crashed down, sending shards scattering across the crimson silk carpet.

There were four gunmen in total. One had already been killed; the remaining three, seeing their plan had failed, fired wildly into the air to sow confusion—no one knew which of them might slip out amidst the turmoil.

Zhou Qingfei was caught in the crowd, her evening gown stained by the collapsed wine tower, crying out frantically, “Ruizhang… Ruizhang, where are you?”

Suddenly, her eyes lit up, and she hurried forward, lifting her skirt as she ran.

“Ruizhang, are you alright? Let’s get out of here, it’s not safe!”

She grabbed him to leave, but Shen Ruizhang pulled her back. “Why did Zhouzhou say you’re my fiancée?”

Zhou Qingfei’s gaze faltered; she bit her lip. “We already have a child together. Don’t you plan to marry me?”

Shen Ruizhang gritted his teeth. “I can’t.”

Zhou Qingfei’s expression was as if she’d been slapped out of nowhere. Amid the chaos, she shouted, “Why not? It was you who sweet-talked me into this, and now you’re casting me aside!”

“If you won’t marry me, who will you marry? Jiang Yunzhu? Do you want to be with her—?”

This was the sore spot Shen Ruizhang most dreaded and hated, and yet, as Zhou Qingfei brought it up, he remained silent.

Zhou Qingfei’s heart sank. “You… could it be…”

Shen Ruizhang grabbed her, moving with the crowd toward the exit, saying as they walked, “You need to explain everything to Zhouzhou!”

Meanwhile, Jiang Yunzhu and Shen Tingxiao, shielded by the yacht’s security, entered another small VIP lounge.

This room faced the sea, and through the enormous glass windows, the night revealed ink-black, rolling waves—a strange thrill in the air. The people had already scattered; the room was sparsely populated, and those left were like frightened birds. As the two entered, the bodyguards shut the heavy doors tight.

“What’s going on? How did armed men get in?”

“It seems like a hit job.”

“They should be locked outside. If we secure this door, we’ll be safe—it’s supposed to be bulletproof.”

“Let’s hope they’re telling the truth.”

Bang—

Another gunshot shattered the brief calm, sending everyone into panic once more. No one expected the shooter this time to be one of the guards at the door!

Two quickly took out those nearby, then turned their guns on Shen Tingxiao, unleashing a wild barrage.

Bang bang bang—shards of glass exploded everywhere.

Jiang Yunzhu cried out, wanting to shield Shen Tingxiao, but he pushed her behind a gilded display. Glancing out of the corner of his eye, he saw three armed men closing in and gritted his teeth.

“Traitors! Don’t let me make it back alive!”

He grabbed an ice bucket and hurled it at the nearest guard, then knocked over the champagne tower to build a barricade, blocking another round of shots.

The guards likely ran out of bullets and tossed their guns aside, pulling knives from their pockets.

A fierce glint flashed in Shen Tingxiao’s eyes. He ripped off his tie, wrapped it around his palm, and blood dripped scarlet onto his tailored suit.

“Stay down. Don’t show yourself.”

Then he engaged the two guards—no, now they were armed criminals.

Jiang Yunzhu noticed a vicious gash on his right arm, probably from the flying glass when he protected her moments ago.

What now…

She looked around, grabbed a heavy chair, and rushed forward. Suddenly, a gust of sea wind swept in from behind, and her shoulder was pressed down. Turning, she saw Shen Ruizhang.

The huge glass window had been opened at some point. He pulled her toward the exit. “There’s a lifeboat outside.”

“This yacht isn’t safe anymore. Shen Tingxiao’s a target, and you’ll be dragged down too. Hurry!”

Jiang Yunzhu’s tears spilled down uncontrollably. “I can’t leave him here alone! I’ll get help!”

Crash—

Another champagne tower collapsed.

Shen Tingxiao, though trained for years, was still outmatched; wounds opened across his body, and he nearly collapsed several times.

“Uncle, take Zhouzhou and go!” His breath reeked of blood.

Shen Ruizhang dragged Jiang Yunzhu toward the exit. Regal crowns and jewels worth millions fell to the floor. She cried out, “How much were you paid? I’ll pay double, take all this—”

Her voice faded into the distance.

Suddenly, the whole yacht lurched violently. The grand piano slid across the deck, its keys scraping the railing with a shrill scream, heading straight for Jiang Yunzhu!

The window was too close to the hull, and there was nowhere to hide. Shen Ruizhang grabbed Jiang Yunzhu’s gown, shielding her beneath him as the piano crushed his body and plunged into the depths.

“Uncle! Are you alright?”

Shen Ruizhang’s voice was low and ragged. “Don’t be afraid, I’m fine. Step on me and circle around…”

Jiang Yunzhu kicked off her heels, her pale feet stepping onto Shen Ruizhang’s shoulder, fluttering away like a butterfly from his blurred vision.

The fighting raged on inside. Help had yet to arrive, and Shen Tingxiao was close to collapse.

Blood poured onto the floor like an open faucet. Outside the window, Shen Ruizhang struggled to look up, calling loudly, “Blue Bay… remember that time we went diving?”

The humid air was tinged with blood; Shen Tingxiao understood. As the yacht tilted again, he slid across the deck and leaped through the open window into the pitch-black sea.

Suddenly deprived of their target, the armed criminals glanced at each other and prepared to escape. The sealed door was broken open, and a dozen men rushed in, subduing the criminals and cuffing them from behind.

“Tingxiao… Uncle, where’s Tingxiao?”

Shen Ruizhang frowned, helped to his feet, gazing out at the dark sea.

Jiang Yunzhu seemed to understand but couldn’t believe it.

“No, it can’t be. He wouldn’t jump!”

The sea breeze drifted in, salty and tinged with the taste of death.

Shen Ruizhang let out a low chuckle. “Look at you, so scared. He’s fine.”

Jiang Yunzhu’s mind buzzed. She rushed to the railing, scanning the moonlit, tossing waves—was there any sign?

“Zhouzhou, don’t be afraid. I’m here.”

Shen Tingxiao rested a hand on the rail, emerging like a ghost from below, his bloodied hand wiping away her tears.

“Stop crying. You look terrible. Smile for me.”

With a face battered and bloodied, he curled his lips. “I wanted to give you a once-in-a-lifetime engagement ceremony, but it seems I messed it up.”