Chapter 87: Intensity
“Xie Xian, why aren’t you gone? Where’s your secretary?” He Yucheng approached Xie Xian from the back hall, curious.
A commotion erupted nearby, sounds of a struggle audible.
“Go see what’s happening,” He Yucheng instructed a subordinate.
He Yucheng, heir to He Shi Zhuoyuan Auction House (the host of the jade auction) and son of Rongcheng’s Jade Association president, was a friend of Xie Xian.
The twenty-plus men were subdued, sprawled on the ground.
“I’ve called the police,” Gu Wanrong said calmly, unharmed thanks to Tong Shenba. Her gaze was fixed on the handcuffed man in the Hawaiian shirt. “Wait for them.”
“Let me go!” the man shouted, defiant despite being restrained.
“Isn’t that the Jade Association president’s nephew?”
“Yes, he’s arrogant and domineering! But this girl dared to confront him.”
“Hard to say. The He family is powerful in Rongcheng.”
“Calling the police is bad; it’ll get worse…”
“The police have connections with the He family.”
People whispered. They knew the manāHe Yukang, the only son of He family’s third master.
Rongcheng’s economy depended heavily on the jade industry, and the He family controlled most of it. Though not the head of the family, the third master held a high position. He Yukang, as his only son and one of only two grandsons, was spoiled and arrogant.
Though restrained, He Yukang smiled defiantly, shouting, “Once the police arrive, it’ll be anyone’s guess who goes to jail!”
He was asserting his powerāeven dragons bow to local tigers in Rongcheng.
He Yucheng’s subordinate rushed back, glanced at Xie Xian, and whispered, “Second Master tried to steal the jadeā¦”
He Yucheng interrupted, “Just say it.”
The subordinate raised his voice, “Second Master tried to steal the jade, but the girl fought back with her bodyguards and subdued them.”
He Yucheng’s face darkened. He Yukang had caused trouble again!
The subordinate continued, “The girl called the police, but the Second Master boasted that the police wouldn’t dare touch him, mentioning the He familyā¦”
He hesitated, realizing he was discussing this in front of Xie Xian. The He family’s good relationship with the police was due to He Yucheng and Xie Xian’s friendship. The police favored the He family because of Xie Xian’s influence.
He mumbled the rest, unable to finish in front of Xie Xian.
“Bodyguards?” Xie Xian’s expression changed. His eyes met the subordinate’s. “How many?”
“Seven, including a female bodyguard, about 5’8″.”
Xie Xian’s demeanor sharpened. He strode out.
He Yucheng’s face darkened. “I’ll go; He Yukang is threatening the police!”
As they reached the corner, He Yukang saw them and became more arrogant.
He shouted, “Brother, you’re here! Teach these insolent people a lesson!”
He gloated at Gu Wanrong.
But He Yucheng ignored him. The imposing man leading them didn’t even look at him.
“Wanrong, are you alright?” Xie Xian asked, trying to control himself, maintaining a distance.
His breathing was rapid, not from running but from worry. He knew her bodyguards were skilled, but he still worried.
He’d inexplicably decided to come to Rongcheng when he heard Gu Wanrong was coming to see jadeāto buy a jade piece for his grandmother’s birthday in three months.
He’d seen her car in the parking lot and searched for her in the auction hall. Heād felt down when he didn’t see her, then hoped she was at Tianguang Market and had his assistant check if her car was gone.
Hearing that the robbed woman was possibly Gu Wanrong made his heart clench.
His usually clear mind was clouded. He needed to see her, hear her say she was okay.
Gu Wanrong saw Xie Xian’s chest rising and falling with his rapid breaths, his concern evident in his eyes.
He was usually polite and composed. But now, despite the distance, his anxiety, fear, relief, and worry were overwhelming.
And the way he addressed her, “Wanrong,” felt intimate.
His emotions clearly exceeded a platonic friendship.
Gu Wanrong sensed more than brotherly concern. Unfamiliar with such intensity, she was flustered.
After a moment, meeting his gaze, she lowered her eyes, “I’m fine. Tong Shenba protected me well; I’m unharmed.”
The simple “fine” would’ve sufficed, but she added more, wanting to reassure him.
Perhaps Xie Xian’s worry and concern were so genuine and intense that she acted instinctively.
“Good,” Xie Xian said, relaxing slightly.
He also noticed her discomfort at his display of emotion and her slight move closer to Tong Shenba, as if avoiding his gaze.
He exhaled, controlling his intense emotions.
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