Free Web NovelChapter 176: Chapter 176: Ren Hui’s Purpose
"Well, well! Looks like your girlfriend’s dorm is a real gold mine!"
The men in the private room made no effort to hide their lecherous smirks. Furious, Qin Sitong slammed her hand on the table, creating a loud bang.
"Ren Hui, if this is how you’re going to treat us after inviting us to dinner, then I don’t think we need to be here."
’Their vile expressions made their intentions perfectly clear. I can’t let Zijin be tainted by these scumbags.’
"Tongtong, they’re just complimenting you and Zijin. Why are you overreacting?
Oh, unless you... Tongtong, did you misunderstand something?"
Ren Hui left her sentence hanging, letting everyone’s imagination run wild.
"You know perfectly well whether it’s a misunderstanding or not.
I’ve lost my appetite. Enjoy the meal yourselves!"
With that, Qin Sitong stood up to leave the room.
The man closest to her stood up as well, blocking her way.
"Don’t be angry, beautiful. If we did something you don’t like, just tell us. We’re all very reasonable people."
Despite his words, his eyes brazenly roamed over Qin Sitong from head to toe, as if he were inspecting a piece of merchandise.
"Get out of my way!"
Qin Sitong couldn’t stand being in that room for another second.
’When they didn’t answer my call, I actually thought Ren Hui and Li Cui were in trouble. As I walked in, I was even thinking that if they needed help, I could ask Zijin to have her bodyguards step in.’
’But now I see how naive I was. I thought too well of people.’
’In trouble? *We’re* the ones in trouble, me and Zijin!’
"Ooh! Feisty, are we? I like that!"
At this point, the man dropped all pretense. Everyone who came here today had only one thing on their mind.
The man closed in on Qin Sitong, his groping hand reaching for her waist. Suddenly, the door was violently kicked open with a tremendous CRASH.
Everyone’s attention was drawn to the commotion at the entrance. Qin Sitong seized the opportunity and bolted for the door.
’Who else could it be at a time like this but Yun Zijin’s bodyguards?’
Sure enough, as the door swung fully open, she saw Zero One standing outside, his leg still in the kicking position.
’So cool!’
Her inner fangirl was screaming.
"Zero One! Help me, he was trying to grope me!"
Qin Sitong’s accusation came out smoothly and without hesitation. Although Zero One didn’t spare her a glance, he moved to stand in front of her, shielding her from view.
’She’s the Young Miss’s friend. I have a duty to protect her, so the Young Miss won’t be upset.’
"Are you okay?"
Yun Zijin had wanted to send Zero One and the others in much earlier, but Qin Sitong had gestured for her to wait.
Yun Zijin had complied, but she’d been observing the situation from outside the door. The moment that man tried to lay a hand on Qin Sitong, she couldn’t hold back any longer and ordered Zero One to kick the door in.
Qin Sitong shook her head at Yun Zijin. She was fine; Zero One’s timing had been perfect.
’I just wish Zero One had a proper name. Zero One, Ling Er, Zero Three... you can tell at a glance they’re just codenames.’
"Yun Zijin! What is the meaning of this?"
The moment Ren Hui saw Yun Zijin, she couldn’t hide the hostility in her eyes.
’I hate people like Yun Zijin the most. They’re always so quiet, but in the end, they effortlessly get everything they want.’
’And the things I work so hard for are things she wouldn’t even deign to look at.’
"Your boyfriend’s so-called ’friend’ was about to put his hands on Tongtong, and you’re asking *me* what I mean?
Ren Hui, shouldn’t I be the one asking you that question?"
Yun Zijin wasn’t one to take a loss lying down. If Ren Hui dared to pull a stunt like this, she’d better be prepared for it to backfire on her.
"I don’t know what you’re talking about. My boyfriend kindly invited you to dinner at Sijie Restaurant, and you show up with people to cause a scene. Don’t you think you owe us an explanation?"
Ren Hui remained completely unrepentant.
"Was this an invitation to dinner, or an invitation to something more sordid? Let me guess, how many other girls have you tricked with this little scheme?
Oh, so it’s not just our roommates who are victims... Tell me, if I were to have someone investigate, what sort of dirt do you think they’d dig up?"
Yun Zijin spoke with a smile, but her words sent a chill down Ren Hui’s spine.
’Of course, I know she has the resources to investigate. But I have no idea how much she’ll be able to find out.’
"Yun Zijin, don’t you dare slander me! I just wanted my boyfriend to treat you to a nice meal since we’re all roommates, and you twist it into... into...
If word of this gets out, my reputation will be ruined!"
"Huihui is right, Zijing..."
"Who’s your sister? Don’t act so familiar."
Sun Zi’s "Zijing" made Yun Zijin’s skin crawl.
’What a total greaseball. He can’t possibly think he sounds cool talking like that, can he?’
’No way. He can’t, right?’
For a moment, Yun Zijin’s expression was indescribable.
Sun Zi was annoyed at being cut off by Yun Zijin, but it clearly wasn’t the right time to lose his temper, so he swallowed his anger.
"My apologies. Then... Classmate Zijin. Huihui is right, I only wanted to treat you all to a meal. I never thought it would cause such a misunderstanding.
But that’s my fault for not being clear. I apologize, all right? I’m sorry.
It’s fate that brought us all together. Why don’t we have a drink and bury the hatchet?"
With that, Sun Zi picked up a glass from the table. "I’ll drink to that. You all can do as you please."
But his words did nothing to change Yun Zijin’s opinion of him.
’I saw everything they just did to Qin Sitong, without missing a single detail. If someone tried to tell me they didn’t have ulterior motives, I’d think I needed to get my eyes checked.’
"There’s no need. This is a meal we can’t stomach. If you want to bury the hatchet, you can do it yourselves."
With that, Yun Zijin pulled Qin Sitong toward the exit. Before leaving, she glanced over at Li Cui, who had been sitting silently in the corner the entire time.
Unfortunately, Li Cui didn’t dare to even lift her head. Only when she saw Yun Zijin about to leave with Qin Sitong did she finally start to panic.
She snapped her head up to look at Yun Zijin, her eyes filled with a desperate plea.
"Do you want to leave too?"
Although she wasn’t on the best of terms with Li Cui, Yun Zijin still asked.
’It was obvious Ren Hui and her friends were up to no good. If I leave Li Cui here alone, there’s no telling what might happen to her.’
Out of a sliver of compassion, Yun Zijin was willing to take her along.
"I..."
"Li Cui!"
Li Cui was about to speak but was cut off by Ren Hui’s sharp tone. The words she had just mustered the courage to say were swallowed back down.
"If you want to leave, I can take you with me."
Yun Zijin gave Li Cui another chance.
This time, Li Cui lowered her head so far it nearly touched her chest, not daring to answer.
