The man whirled around and met Yao Tang’s cold gaze. One word suddenly sprang to mind—danger.

He smiled apologetically and said, “I was just joking around, of course. You shouldn’t take it to heart—”

Before he could finish speaking, Yao Tanglanded a kick on his legs and he toppled to the floor.

The man braced himself up by the elbow and glared at her. “Yao Tang!”

Yao Tang crossed her arms over her chest and smirked.

“Ah, my bad. I was just joking around.”

The man hadn’t even pulled himself back to his feet when a group of people suddenly stormed into the room and surrounded them.

Lu Qing had arrived.

His eyes flashed with greed and desire as he walked up to Yao Tangand looked her up and down. “Hello, Miss Yao. Long time no see.”

Then he glanced at his underling sprawled on the floor and kicked him in the stomach.

The man rolled over and groaned in pain. He definitely wasn’t getting up any time soon.

“Please forgive me, Young Master,” he said as he struggled to a kowtow position. “This subordinate was too incompetent to carry out your orders.”

“Indeed,” Lu Qingsneered.

The man tried to crawl toward him, but Lu Qingkicked him again. And again, And again.

“You useless thing! Were you trying to look tough in front of Yao Tang? Let’s see what you got, then!”

In the end, the man was curled up in a fetal position, desperate to protect his vital organs. He covered his head with his arms and whimpered.

Soon, he was spitting out blood, but he never complained.

Lu Qing finally let up, and the man grabbed the chance to kowtow at his feet again. “Please forgive me, Young Master Lu. I will accept any punishment you give me.”

Lu Qing’s lips stretched into a slow, cruel smile. “Then go to the secret room and receive your punishment. Get out of my sight.”

All color drained from the man’s face when he heard the words “secret room”. “Thank you for your mercy, Young Master,” he mumbled like a wounded, abandoned dog.

Lu Qing only nodded once, then turned his attention back toYao Tang. “It’s been a while, Miss Yao, but I see that your temper is still as fiery as ever.”

Yao Tang raised an eyebrow and gave him a wry look.

“I can say the same thing about you.”

Lu Qing smirked and looked past her. “These are your friends.”

“That is none of your business,” she retorted and nodded toward the door. “You can leave now.”

Lu Qing laughed. “No way. Since Miss Yao refused to grace me with her company, I might as well talk to your friends to get to know you better. That should be okay, right?”

“If you’re not afraid of death, then be my guest,” Yao Tangsaid with a dangerous gleam in her eye.

But Lu Qingwas unaffected by her thinly-veiled threat. If anything, he was rather amused by it.

“Oh my, why is Miss Yao serious? It doesn’t look good on a fresh, young girl like you. By the way, how is my good-for-nothing brother doing?”

“He’s doing well, of course.”

“I see. Not bad, not bad.”

Lu Qing waved at his men, and they began to take out weapons ranging from batons to daggers, and even tasers.

They slowly inched closer to Lin Xinand the others.

Lu Qing’s eyes were wide with anticipation as he approached Yao Tang.

“Miss Yao, I’m sure you wouldn’t want your dear friends to get hurt. Why don’t you come with me to Room 409 and spend a little time together, huh? That way, we won’t be disturbing your friends, and they can get on with their meal.”

He was taking them hostage!

Lin Xin pressed her lips together and hugged herself.

Beside her, Qin Jingwas holding her breath as she stared at the dagger aimed at her head.

Yao Tang glowered atLu Qing.

“Are the wounds in your body all healed up?” she jeered.