Chapter 58: The Criminal
Since the age of 12, Tong Shenba had trained relentlessly, day in and day out, waiting for the person he was destined to protect to summon him to her side. Finally, that day arrived with Gu Wanrong.
Gu Wanrong’s life had been almost entirely free of danger. Tong Shenba, quiet and unobtrusive, followed Gu Wanrong so discreetly that Gu Wanrong forgot she even had a bodyguard throughout the day.
The driver stopped at the hotel entrance. Gu Wanrong got out immediately. Tong Shenba followed closely, vigilantly observing her surroundings.
Like a flash of lightning, Tong Shenba leaped in front of Gu Wanrong, who hadn’t had time to react, delivering a powerful kick to the man’s chest, sending him flying backward.
She followed up with a fierce punch to the man’s head. Staggering backward, the man’s knife hadn’t even reached Tong Shenba when she grabbed his wrist, twisting it forcefully, causing the knife to fall to the ground.
Tong Shenba kicked the knife away, circled behind the man, and swept his knees, causing him to kneel. His hands were quickly secured behind his back.
“Miss Wanrong, you’re safe,” Tong Shenba said calmly to Gu Wanrong, her voice devoid of any sign of exertion.
From the moment Tong Shenba subdued the man, it took less than 30 seconds, so fast that Gu Wanrong hadn’t even had time to react.
Hotel security personnel rushed over, picking up the discarded knife, restraining the man, and dispersing onlookers.
In a corner of the hotel lobby:
Gu Wanrong sat on the sofa, tightly hugging Tong Shenba, only her tear-filled eyes visible. She had never imagined facing such danger.
The usually silent Tong Shenba provided overwhelming reassurance.
Two hotel security guards held the struggling man firmly to the ground. The man continued to mumble incoherent curses.
“Bitch!”
“You ruined my job! I’ll make you pay!”
“Give me back my knife!”
…
Manager Liu arrived with the hotel supervisor to witness the scene.
“Did you call the police?” Manager Liu demanded angrily, then quickly approached Gu Wanrong, her tone softening. “Miss Wanrong, are you injured?”
Gu Wanrong shook her head slightly, indicating she was fine, remaining silent.
Manager Liu anxiously comforted Gu Wanrong.
“Miss Wanrong, don’t be afraid.”
“It’s over now. You’re safe.”
With Manager Liu’s patient reassurance, Gu Wanrong gradually calmed down, her fear slowly dissipating.
Gu Wanrong looked at Manager Liu and said softly, “Manager Liu, I’m much better, thank you.”
Then, realizing she was still hugging Tong Shenba, she apologetically released her grip. “Sorry, was I too forceful? Did it hurt?”
Tong Shenba silently shook her head, indicating no.
The police finally arrived at the Yun Jing Hotel.
“This malicious attack on Miss Wanrong must be dealt with severely.”
Manager Liu stepped forward to speak on Gu Wanrong’s behalf, reflecting Gu Wanrong’s own wishes. Tong Shenba stood quietly beside her, both providing Gu Wanrong with a sense of security.
After understanding the situation, the police took everyone to the police station for further investigation and questioning.
At the police station, the man’s intoxication had subsided, and he seemed clearer-headed.
In the interrogation room:
“I didn’t try to kill her with a knife. I was drunk, I don’t know,” the man denied any intent to harm Gu Wanrong.
He continued to argue, “I was drunk and don’t remember what happened! You can’t convict me based on hearsay!”
Outside, Manager Liu was recounting the events to the police, as she’d learned them from Tong Shenba and Gu Wanrong.
Gu Wanrong recognized the man as the security captain from Bai Xian Mountain Villa the previous day. He and his uncle had been fired for threatening her.
Gu Wanrong suspected his appearance at the Yun Jing Hotel was no coincidence. As one of the most luxurious hotels in Si Jiu City, it was often featured online with images of its vehicles. Having worked at Bai Xian Mountain Villa, the security captain had likely seen Yun Jing Hotel cars.
Gu Wanrong believed he’d recognized her car from the previous day as a Yun Jing Hotel vehicle, and had waited to ambush her.
Time passed, and night fell.
After questioning the three, Gu Wanrong, tired and weary, returned to the hotel with Manager Liu and Tong Shenba.
Gu Wanrong and Tong Shenba hadn’t eaten dinner. Manager Liu thoughtfully arranged for a meal at the hotel.
Upon reaching their room, the hotel’s prepared late-night meal was delivered. Tong Shenba brought the food cart to the living room and opened it, the food emitting a faint aroma.
Manager Liu had chosen carefully prepared, light dishes suitable for late-night consumption.
However, Gu Wanrong lacked an appetite and just wanted to sleep.
Knowing Gu Wanrong was exhausted, Manager Liu still persuaded her, “Miss, please eat something. Don’t ruin your health.”
Gu Wanrong ate a little, while Tong Shenba finished her meal quickly.
Manager Liu sighed, went to the bedroom, tidied Gu Wanrong’s toiletries, and then left.
Instead of resting, she called a number.
After the call connected, she said, “Lawyer Luo, we need someone from your Ying Yuan Law Firm to come to Si Jiu City tomorrow to assist with Miss Wanrong’s assault case.”
Luo Qingquan, surprised, asked if Gu Wanrong was injured, then quickly agreed to arrange a trip.
Manager Liu breathed a sigh of relief after hanging up.
After washing up, Gu Wanrong lay in bed, unable to sleep, tossing and turning.
The image of the man lunging at her with a knife kept flashing before her eyes. Gu Wanrong angrily thought: You’ll serve several years in prison, you won’t escape.
Gradually, sleepiness overcame her, and she finally fell asleep.
Online, a video of Gu Wanrong’s attack and Tong Shenba subduing the assailant had been quickly taken down by DouDou.
However, a night-shift employee at Pai Peng Daily, Wu Liang, had seen it. His eyes lit up, recognizing the potential. He saw the elements: a luxurious hotel, luxury cars, a beautiful woman, a down-on-his-luck man, and violence – each a potential trending topic.
He quickly downloaded the video and started editing.
Wu Liang blurred Gu Wanrong and Tong Shenba’s faces to protect their identities. He crafted a title: “Man Attacks in the Street, The Reason Is…” He then edited it into a short, captivating clip and sent it to his off-duty superior’s email.
The next morning, the editor approved Wu Liang’s video, believing it would go viral.