Chapter 71 Ebony Cane

Liang Jinshang ignored the crowd, pushing people aside as she forced her way forward, urging them impatiently, “Move aside! Move aside! What’s there to photograph?”

Her eyes were red with anger—Chao Jingyu had been framed! Even if he was a man, this was a scandal of the purest sort. For someone as upright and open as him, who had lived his entire life with a clear conscience, to be stained by such filth would be a tragedy Liang Jinshang herself found unbearable.

But she was alone and not particularly strong; instead of making progress, she was shoved back by the throng.

“Why are you pushing? What’s your problem? Ever heard of first come, first served?”

Liang Jinshang was shoved hard against the door. Before she could react, there was a piercing scream and the sound of something being smashed from within the room.

A major conflict had clearly broken out.

Just then, hotel staff hurried over with a room keycard. The reporters surged forward, making it impossible for Liang Jinshang’s slender arms to hold them back.

As she swayed dangerously, on the verge of falling, a man’s hand reached out, pulling her protectively into his arms.

At last, the tardy bodyguards made themselves useful. Liang Jinshang recognized a few familiar faces—Shang Yucheng’s personal guards.

“Shang…” She finally breathed a sigh of relief, looking up only to see Chao Jingyu’s face. Delighted, she exclaimed, “Doctor Chao!”

He looked a bit pale, but otherwise in good shape. Most importantly, he was not inside the room!

Seeing Liang Jinshang’s genuine smile, Chao Jingyu couldn’t help but return it. But the next moment, his gaze paused on her damp hair and new evening gown, then lifted to look at Shang Yucheng a few steps away.

Shang Yucheng’s gaze was steady and unhurried. He spoke first, lazily, “Didn’t I have someone take you to the hospital? Why are you back?”

“I can’t just leave everything for you to handle,” Chao Jingyu replied, his tone tinged with loneliness, his laugh self-deprecating.

But it seemed Shang Yucheng had already handled everything—decisively, perhaps even ruthlessly.

Chao Jingyu lowered his head to ask Liang Jinshang, “Are you alright, Jinshang?”

Since she’d been drinking with Chao Jingyu, he would naturally know about her symptoms. Discussing such matters with a male friend was mortifying; Liang Jinshang didn’t even know where to look, and just nodded vaguely, “I’m… I’m fine.”

Seeing her shy, flustered demeanor, Shang Yucheng snorted inwardly—her heart must be pounding like a wild deer.

He raised his chin, signaling the hotel staff to open the door.

The moment the door swung open, Bu Qingqing’s shrill cries and sobs rushed into their ears.

The room was in chaos. Bu Qingqing, hair disheveled and clothes in disarray, wrapped herself in a bedsheet, her exposed shoulders covered in marks.

Vases, kettles—anything that could be thrown had been smashed on the floor.

And the target of her hysteria was none other than Hu Zhinan!

Liang Jinshang quickly glanced at Shang Yucheng. Though he showed no hint of emotion, she was certain this was his doing.

Bu Qingqing was sobbing hysterically, “Who are you? I’ll accuse you of rape! My grandfather will kill you!”

Hu Zhinan, meanwhile, lay crumpled on the ground, not resisting her kicks and punches.

Bu Qingqing, hair plastered to her face, frantically wiped it away and looked at the newcomers, her emotions unraveling further.

As if forgetting her own misdeeds, she lunged toward Chao Jingyu.

He frowned, and for some reason, his legs seemed to falter—he moved a moment too late and couldn’t dodge, so she landed directly in his arms.

Liang Jinshang had none of Chao Jingyu’s compassion; Bu Qingqing’s fate was nothing more than self-inflicted. Shang Yucheng’s move was ruthless, but thoroughly satisfying.

Just then, Old Master Bu and his entourage arrived, having already been briefed on the situation. Upon seeing the scene, Old Master Bu first noticed Chao Jingyu supporting Bu Qingqing, and for a moment, he was at a loss.

He had always admired this young man, yet now his gaze was stern. “Jingyu, you’ve always been steady… how could you do such a thing?!”

Chao Jingyu brushed Bu Qingqing’s hand aside and stood to the side, declaring righteously, “Old Master Bu, I’m afraid there’s been a misunderstanding. I have not done anything untoward to Miss Bu. Personally, I do not condone repaying evil with evil.”

With these words, he not only cleared himself but also subtly informed Old Master Bu that Bu Qingqing had been in the wrong first.

Old Master Bu looked at his granddaughter in disbelief. Bu Qingqing dropped to her knees with a thud, “Grandpa! It’s that filthy thing on the floor! Punish that rapist for me!”

Seeing his granddaughter’s reputation ruined, Old Master Bu was speechless with rage. His ebony cane thudded heavily on the ground, and his bodyguards rushed to restrain Hu Zhinan, who now resembled a beaten dog.

Hu Zhinan’s face was unfamiliar in these circles, so there was no need to consider his family background. Moreover, the air about him reeked of habitual evil—there was no mistaking his guilt.

A lifetime in the military, yet his granddaughter had been defiled by such scum before everyone’s eyes—fury overwhelmed Old Master Bu. Lifting his heavy cane, he brought it down hard between Hu Zhinan’s legs.

The man, who had been whimpering wordlessly, let out a scream not quite human.

His perpetually sullen, half-lidded eyes bulged and reddened in an instant, his neck and face flushed then turned ashen, sweat pouring down. He collapsed limply to the floor.

Although the impact of the cane was a dull thud, not particularly alarming to hear, every man in the room—especially the nearby bodyguards—felt a chill run down their spines.

There was no doubt this man was finished…

But above all, the pain he must’ve felt—many present were hardened men, but they’d rather be slashed with a knife than endure such agony, which bordered on a death sentence.

Hu Zhinan was dragged away, and with Bu Qingqing’s state, it was inappropriate for so many men to remain. Old Master Bu ordered everyone out.

Shang Yucheng, however, lingered, saying he had something to discuss with Bu Qingqing.

Old Master Bu replied, “Whatever it is can wait, Acheng. This isn’t a good time for Qingqing.”

Shang Yucheng glanced at Bu Qingqing, his look so chillingly threatening that she trembled.

“Grandpa… I have something to say to President Shang.”

Shang Yucheng naturally pulled Liang Jinshang to his side. “Don’t worry, I won’t be alone with Miss Bu.”

As everyone exited, Liang Jinshang watched Chao Jingyu limp away, worried and wanting to follow.

She’d noticed since earlier that something was wrong with his leg, but Shang Yucheng held her hand in an unbreakable grip.

“Shang Yucheng, I want to leave,” she said, looking down.

She was no saint, and believed Bu Qingqing deserved to be punished. The fate that befell Hu Zhinan was gratifying, but having experienced Nan Yi’s pain herself, as a woman, she instinctively recoiled from Bu Qingqing.

Shang Yucheng paid no heed to her reluctance and spoke directly, “Bu Qingqing, when you face the police, you know what you must say.”