The Tycoon's Mysterious Darling Wife
Chapter 19. The Man Covered in Blood (Highly Recommended, Please Add to Your Collection)

Chapter 19: 19. The Man Covered in Blood (Highly Recommended, Please Add to Your Collection)

Editor: Larbre Studio

This little incident didn’t grab Yu Xiaoxuan’s attention at all. She held the glass of orange fruit wine, taking one sip after another while Shen Qinglan was distracted.

By the time Shen Qinglan dealt with the greasy-haired guy, there were already four empty glasses in front of Yu Xiaoxuan.

Shen Qinglan, who usually didn’t show her emotions, rubbed her forehead helplessly, already anticipating the impending disaster.

Seeing Yu Xiaoxuan reaching for a fifth glass, Shen Qinglan quickly moved it further away. There were already men itching to approach, eager to chat up such a rare beauty.

Noticing Yu Xiaoxuan’s hazy eyes, Shen Qinglan knew the girl was drunk. She pulled out some paper money, tossed it on the counter, and dragged Yu Xiaoxuan out of the bar.

Fortunately, no one stopped them on the way out, and they smoothly exited the bar. Just as Shen Qinglan was about to hail a cab, Yu Xiaoxuan clutched her mouth, bent over, and began vomiting violently on a tree.

Shen Qinglan gently patted her back.

"Huh, why are there two, no, three Qinglan?" After finally emptying her stomach, Yu Xiaoxuan wobbly looked at Shen Qinglan.

Seeing her about to topple to one side, Shen Qinglan quickly steadied her. Yu Xiaoxuan swayed her head, "Oh, Qinglan, stop shaking. You’re making me dizzy."

"Okay, okay, I’m not shaking. Stand still," Shen Qinglan said, holding her to prevent her from falling.

"Okay," Yu Xiaoxuan obediently stood firmly.

Luckily, this was a street lined with bars, so there were plenty of taxis. Shen Qinglan flagged one down, helped Yu Xiaoxuan in, and gave the driver Yu Xiaoxuan’s home address.

"Qinglan, I’m so happy today. Let me sing a song for you," Yu Xiaoxuan giggled and then launched into a loud tune.

"The river flows east, the stars in the sky join the North Star..." Her out-of-tune voice pierced the night. Shen Qinglan believed that if there were any birds nearby, they would surely be startled by Yu Xiaoxuan’s singing. Didn’t you see the driver’s hands slip on the steering wheel earlier?

Reaching the destination was no easy feat, and just after the driver dropped them off, he sped away as if escaping, fearing he’d be called back.

This girl’s singing was terrifying. He wondered if he’d have nightmares tonight.

It was Mrs. Yu who opened the door. Seeing her mother, Yu Xiaoxuan’s eyes lit up as she threw herself into her arms, "Mommy."

Mrs. Yu hurriedly caught her daughter, "Oh dear, how much did you drink?"

"Auntie, I’m sorry I couldn’t keep an eye on her," Shen Qinglan apologized.

Mrs. Yu waved it off nonchalantly, knowing her own daughter well. This was a little wine lover who got excited at the sight of alcohol, yet had no tolerance. If it was just no tolerance, it would’ve been fine, but she also became a nuisance when drunk, liking to cause trouble. Seeing the thin sweat on Shen Qinglan’s forehead, it seemed like she had been put through a lot.

"It’s not your fault, really, Qinglan. Thank you for bringing this girl back. She must’ve caused you a lot of trouble."

"No way, I’m not trouble, right, Qinglan?" Yu Xiaoxuan protested discontentedly from her mother’s embrace.

"Okay, okay, you’re not the troublemaker, I am," Mrs. Yu said helplessly.

"Auntie, let me help you take her to her room."

The Yu Family lived in a duplex with Yu Xiaoxuan’s room on the second floor. With Mrs. Yu’s stature, getting a drunk Yu Xiaoxuan to her room would be challenging.

Mrs. Yu was more than happy to accept the offer.

"That would be very helpful, Qinglan."

"You’re too kind."

"Mommy, I’m so happy today. I love you so much," Yu Xiaoxuan clung to her mother’s neck affectionately, being playful.

"Mommy loves you too. Be good, stand still," Mrs. Yu spoke with gentle affection.

Yu Xiaoxuan obediently stood still.

Finally managing to get Yu Xiaoxuan back to her room, both Shen Qinglan and Mrs. Yu were covered in sweat. A drunk Yu Xiaoxuan was indeed a handful.

"Qinglan, it’s late. It wouldn’t be safe for you to go back alone. Why don’t you stay here tonight?" Mrs. Yu offered to let her stay.

Shen Qinglan gently shook her head, "No need, Auntie. I have a friend waiting outside who will take me home."

Upon hearing that someone was taking Shen Qinglan home, Mrs. Yu didn’t persist. "Very well then, be careful on your way back, come over for dinner another day. I’ll make your favorite honey-glazed ribs."

"Alright."

Shen Qinglan didn’t let Mrs. Yu see her out and left the neighborhood on her own.

There wasn’t actually anyone waiting for Shen Qinglan outside the neighborhood. She said so just to ease Mrs. Yu’s mind.

Yu Xiaoxuan’s home was located in a high-end residential area in Beijing, where there were many private cars, making it hard to hail a cab.

The weather that night was pleasant, with the heat of the day subsiding and the coolness of the night setting in.

Shen Qinglan decided to take a walk first.

She walked slowly, her gaze unfocused. It had been six years since she returned to this city, yet the memories it held for her were still scarce, and her childhood memories of the city had long faded away.

Many faces flashed before Shen Qinglan’s eyes, her grandpa, grandma, dad, brother, mom, Shen Xitong, Old Sir Fu, Yu Xiaoxuan, and Fu Hengyi.

Although it was summer, the night air carried a touch of coolness. On the deserted street, there was only Shen Qinglan’s solitary figure. The streetlights elongated her shadow, deepening the chill she carried.

Suddenly, Shen Qinglan heard the sound of a fight emanating from a nearby alley.

She stopped at the alley’s entrance, standing in a shadowy corner. By the dim light, she saw two groups fighting. More accurately, it was a group beating up one man.

The man was covered in wounds, bleeding all over, even his face was so bloody that his features were indiscernible. Yet despite this, he fought fiercely, knocking down one person with each hit, although each strike added a new wound to his body.

Shen Qinglan stood there quietly, observing the scene coldly, neither leaving nor stepping in to assist.

"The cops are here, run!" A sudden cry of a police siren sounded in the dark night, growing nearer, waking the fighting group from their clash.

"The cops are here, run," one of them shouted in panic, fleeing with their companions.

Soon, only the bloodied man remained in the alley. He weakly slumped against the wall, gasping for breath.

In their panic, the fleeing group didn’t realize they only heard the police sirens but didn’t see any officers, nor did anyone chase them after their escape.

After a long while, Shen Qinglan slowly emerged from the darkness. She stood before the man, looking down at him.

He was gravely injured, exhaling more than inhaling, with wounds still bleeding profusely. Noticing someone approaching, he abruptly opened his eyes and glared at Shen Qinglan.

However, upon recognizing Shen Qinglan’s figure, he relaxed, reaching out as if trying to grasp her, only to let his arm fall weakly. Eventually, his head slumped, and he passed out.

Shen Qinglan saw the last two words unsaid from his lips—"Help me."