Daian felt Asu's fingers digging into her arm. She lifted her gaze, meeting Angwei's with a cold stare. The act had to go on. Her voice was faint, laced with pain and deliberate detachment.
"Young Master Angwei, it wasn't intentional. I was just lost."
His fingers rotated the teacup slowly. He said nothing.
Asu, perhaps interpreting the silence as acquiescence, began profusely apologizing and tried to steer Daian towards the exit. Two bodyguards blocked their path. Angwei's voice, cool and unhurried, stopped them from behind. "Did I say you could leave?"
"You go," he said, tilting his chin towards Asu. His eyes, however, never left Daian. "The student stays."
Asu looked pained. "Young Master, General Biyang requested her. He's waiting."
"There are countless girls here. Send him a few others. If he asks, tell her she's with me."
Angwei idly rubbed the ring on his finger, his patience with Asu's persistence visibly thinning. "Besides," he added, his gaze flicking dismissively over Daian's battered state, "look at her. How could she possibly entertain anyone?"
Asu stammered his agreement. He shot Daian a final, loaded look – you're on your own – and hastily retreated from the room.
Blood streamed relentlessly from Daian's forehead, tracing crimson paths down her cheek. Within moments, a small, terrifying pool of dark red gathered on the floor beneath her.
She felt icy cold, hugging her arms as she looked up at Angwei's impassive face. He showed no emotion, no flicker of concern. He simply stared at her, silently rotating the ring on his index finger.
After a long moment, he spoke to her in Chinese. "Come here."
Daian didn't move.
He repeated the command, his tone hardening slightly. "What? Your Thai is poor, is your Chinese no good either?"
Daian stumbled forward two agonizing steps. The blinding pain in her head and the searing agony in her side made her limp. Angwei gestured for her to kneel beside him. She sank down with difficulty, every movement torture.
"Young Master Angwei," she gasped, struggling to breathe, the pain in her head like needles, her side feeling shattered. Each word felt like stepping on shards of glass. "I heard nothing. Please... show mercy. Let me go."
She bit down, playing the pitiful victim. This was an unplanned second act she hadn't anticipated. She didn't want to linger, didn't want him to think a mere snap of his fingers could make her submit.
Men lost interest in women like that.
Besides, the pain was real, overwhelming. She felt darkness threatening to pull her under.
"Where in China?" Angwei asked coldly, his gaze unwavering.
Daian gritted her teeth. She was losing too much blood, her face clammy with cold sweat.
"Ma... Macau," she managed.
The words left her lips just as the world tilted violently. The cold sweat seemed to freeze. Her vision tunneled, and she collapsed forward.
Her head landed squarely against his chest. Blood from her cheek smeared instantly onto his pristine white shirt, blooming a vivid red stain.
Angwei's brow furrowed. He felt the warmth of her body against his. Turning his head slightly, he studied the delicate, pale face now pressed against him.
Below her crimson lips, a small, distinct mole caught his eye, holding his gaze captive for a long moment.
Her slight frame felt like cotton, unnervingly soft against him.
His eyes traced the lines of her face, an unconscious impulse making his hand twitch towards her shoulder. But he stopped it midair, unwilling to dirty his fingers.
The bodyguards exchanged bewildered glances, unsure whether to intervene or look away, but dared not speak.
A heavy scent of blood filled his nostrils, yet beneath it, he detected a faint, almost incongruous whiff of ink and paper.
A student. Truly. Barely more than a child, already wading into these depths.
Angwei let out a low, derisive chuckle, startled by the absurdity of his fleeting thought. He shoved her body away abruptly and barked at his stunned men.
"What are you all gawking at? A show? Call Asu up here and get this trash removed!"
The bodyguards scrambled, roughly hauling Daian away from Angwei. By the time Asu rushed back in, Angwei was using a handkerchief to wipe blood from his neck. His shirt was discarded, revealing a sculpted, powerful chest.
Asu nearly fainted, fearing a murder scene. Seeing the faint rise and fall of Daian's chest, he gasped in relief and ordered his men to carry her downstairs, specifically instructing them to use the back entrance to the hospital.
"Asu," a cold command came from above. "Dispose of the clothes and shoes stained with that blood." Asu nodded frantically.
Angwei meticulously cleaned his hands with alcohol, not looking up. His voice dripped with disdain. "How many clients has she serviced?"
Asu blinked, confused for a second before understanding. "She... she's a server, Young Master. First day today. Somehow, General Biyang took a liking and specifically requested her. We were forced to thrust her into the role. She hasn't entertained any guests. Truly inexperienced. My deepest apologies, Young Master."
Angwei paused in wiping his hands. His eyebrows lifted slightly. "A server?"
Asu nodded vigorously. "Yes, Young Master. An international student. From Chulalongkorn University."
Angwei tossed the used wipe into a bin. He held out his arms as a bodyguard held out a fresh shirt. A subtle ripple of movement crossed his brow as he processed this. "I see," he said, thoughtfully.
He slowly and deliberately rolled up his sleeves, then turned to scrutinize the young bodyguard who had struck Daian. His voice was low, measured, carrying a distinct edge.
"Khun Da." He paused, letting the name hang. "Next time... don't you f*cking dare hit a woman before me."
Angwei finished adjusting his cuff, then slid his hands into his pockets, fixing Khun Da with a piercing stare full of warning. He repeated slowly, emphasizing each word, "Understood?"
Khun Da's eyes widened slightly, clearly taken aback. He hesitated a fraction before replying, "Yes, Young Master."
"Utterly reckless." Angwei's dissatisfaction was palpable. He shot Khun Da a final, withering glance before turning and striding out of the room.
Only when Angwei was some distance away did Khun Da dare to nudge Nuozhi beside him. He rolled his eyes, whispering with exasperation, "The Young Master's acting strange again. Second time this month."
Nuozhi just shrugged helplessly, palms upturned, conveying he had no clue either.