"So sorry that you have to witness such a thing on your first arrival, Mr. Jiang Yu," Hao Yang said, his tone polite yet icy, as if the cruel act before them were nothing unusual. His smile was thin, calculated, but he misread the dark storm brewing behind Jiang Yu's calm facade.
"Come and clean this trash up," Hao Yang barked at the cluster of maids in the corner, his words sharp, slicing through the air. The word "trash" hung in the room like a blade, cruelly referring to Mei Yang's battered, kneeling form.
Jiang Yu's eyes darkened, the fury coiling within him like a tightly wound spring. Every muscle in his body tensed, fists clenching involuntarily. The word "trash" struck him like a physical blow, yet he forced himself to remain outwardly calm. He would not act rashly—not yet.
"Stop," he said, low and icy, the sound of his voice carrying a weight that forced even Hao Yang to pause. It was a voice that demanded obedience without raising it further. He stepped forward, his movements precise, his presence commanding. In one swift motion, he lifted Mei Yang into his arms, careful to avoid worsening the injuries she had suffered. Her small body trembled, weakened from the whipping, yet in his arms, she felt a measure of safety she hadn't known in years.
Hao Yang's eyes widened, but Jiang Yu did not hesitate. His gaze was unrelenting, cold, piercing straight to Hao Yang's core. "Hao Yang," he said slowly, deliberately, "your contract with the Yu Corporation is terminated. All ongoing cooperation is canceled effective immediately."
The words fell like jagged stones. Silence swallowed the room. No one dared speak, their arrogance and authority stripped away in the face of Jiang Yu's quiet, lethal power.
Jiang Yu did not linger. Without another word, he turned and strode out of the villa, Mei Yang still cradled protectively in his arms. Shock and fear rippled through everyone left behind.
Li Xiao rose quietly, moving to follow.
"Brother Li," Yan Yang's voice rang out, sharp, tinged with a mix of surprise and jealousy. But Li Xiao did not look back. He followed Jiang Yu's departure with silent resolve, leaving Yan Yang to fume in restrained panic.
Jiang Yu adjusted Mei Yang carefully in the car, ensuring her comfort. Her body was fragile, battered, yet she refused to cry. He could feel the tension in her small frame, the lingering pain in her back, and he gritted his teeth silently, anger simmering under the surface.
The car began to move, smooth and deliberate. Just then, Li Xiao stepped forward, blocking their path, his expression tight.
"Where are you taking my fiancée?" His voice was sharp, protective, infuriated, but he did not act rashly.
"I would advise you to terminate your engagement with her," Jiang Yu said coldly, not bothering to meet Li Xiao's gaze. He adjusted Mei Yang gently, ensuring she remained supported.
The windows rolled up, cutting Li Xiao off completely. "To my house," Jiang Yu said simply. The vehicle glided forward, leaving Li Xiao behind, powerless.
Once at home, Jiang Yu immediately contacted the doctor he trusted implicitly. The professional arrived swiftly and conducted a thorough check-up, taking meticulous care of every injury.
"Young Master, there's nothing too serious, but her bandages must be changed every twelve hours. Give her this medication when she wakes—it will ease the pain," the doctor instructed, handing over a small vial. Then he departed, leaving a quiet efficiency behind him.
Hours passed. Mei Yang's eyes fluttered open. The room was unfamiliar yet imbued with a calm that contrasted sharply with the chaos of the day. Her gaze fell on Jiang Yu, sitting quietly nearby, his presence steady, unwavering, the room somehow brighter simply because he was there.
Conflicting emotions twisted inside her—resentment, admiration, surprise, and relief all mingled together. She had once loathed him, once believed he was beyond reach, beyond care. And yet here he was, embodying safety and peace in a world that had offered her neither.
"Wow… he's… so handsome," she whispered, tracing the line of his jaw unconsciously. His posture, quiet strength, and composed presence stirred a warmth she had long forgotten.
Attempting to shift slightly, she inadvertently twisted her back.
"Ouch!" she exclaimed sharply, pain shooting through her spine.
Jiang Yu's eyes snapped open instantly, locking onto hers. Concern flashed beneath his usually composed exterior, though he contained it with effort.
"You're finally awake. Are you hungry? Do you want something from the restaurant, or shall I prepare it here?" His voice was steady, patient, yet carried an unmistakable urgency to ensure her comfort.
Mei Yang's heart softened. Even after her family's cruelty, even after Yan Yang's manipulations, here was someone who treated her with care, with consideration, someone who valued her without condition.
"My back… it really hurts," she admitted softly, forcing a weak smile.
"Yes. The doctor said you should rest and avoid pressure. Also, take this medicine," Jiang Yu said, extending a small tablet toward her.
"No… it's bitter. I don't want it," she murmured, turning away slightly.
Jiang Yu's lips curved into a gentle, patient smile. "If you take it now, I'll give you a candy," he said calmly, reassuringly, his eyes never leaving hers.
"You promise?" she asked cautiously, though deep down, she knew he would not lie.
"I promise," he said firmly, leaving no room for argument.
With a hesitant, trusting nod, Mei Yang took the tablet and swallowed it with water. Almost instantly, seven small bags of colorful candy appeared before her, arranged neatly, as if Jiang Yu had anticipated every whim she might have, every small desire she might need.
"Thank you," she whispered, her voice soft, cheeks tinged with warmth.
"You're welcome," Jiang Yu replied simply, his attention unwavering, yet calm, observing her like a careful guardian.
For the first time in what felt like years, Mei Yang allowed herself to breathe, to relax, to feel protected. In the presence of this man, the world's pain—the cruelty of her family, the betrayals, the endless scheming—felt distant, almost irrelevant.
And yet, a small spark of something new flickered within her chest—a mixture of trust, warmth, and a cautious hope she hadn't dared feel before.
Jiang Yu, observing her quiet recovery, felt something soften within him as well. For years, he had fought to protect her from the shadows, to ensure her safety even when she couldn't see it. But now, with her alive, alert, and in his care, the determination in him burned brighter than ever.
Outside, the world could be cruel, deceptive, and harsh—but inside, in this small room, there was only safety, care, and the subtle, unspoken bond forming between two people who had endured far too much pain.