6: Chapter 6 Rescuing a Beauty at a Bar

Time moved into the evening, and Qiao Yichen knew the information provided by the system.

Qiao Yichen chose to enter the HM Bar at 10:30 PM, earlier than the predicted time.

The lights in the bar were perfectly dimmed at this hour, and the air was thick with the sweet, cloying scent of alcohol, perfume, and electronic cigarette oil.

He selected a booth diagonally opposite the hallway leading to the restroom. This location offered a good line of sight and was close to where the incident was supposed to occur, maximizing his operational space.

He ordered a soda water, surveyed his surroundings, and waited quietly.

Around 10:50 PM, matching the time in the intelligence report, Liu Yanran appeared.

She was wearing a long, black silk slip dress with a light gray cardigan over it, a stark contrast to the image he had in mind.

Her hair was down, and her makeup looked much heavier than when she was at work, with dark red lipstick—an image of a dominant, mature woman manifested in his mind.

Upon entering, she sat directly at the bar, ordered a whiskey, no ice, and downed it in one gulp.

By the second glass, she drank noticeably slower than before, her fingers unconsciously twirling the glass.

During this time, many men approached her, attempting to buy her drinks, but they all seemed to be deterred by her cold expression.

About twenty minutes later, Director also showed up.

"Director Liu? What a coincidence," Director sat down next to her. "Here alone?"

Liu Yanran turned her head to look at him, her voice somewhat cold: "Director Sun."

"Don't be so formal," Director called the bartender over. "Get this beauty another drink, put it on my tab." He then turned to Liu Yanran. "I heard you just secured the Huayuan contract? Congratulations."

Liu Yanran didn't reply, but she didn't leave either.

Qiao Yichen observed that just as she turned to look toward the center of the stage for the third time, Director's left hand swiftly pulled out from his trouser pocket, his fingertip flicked, and a small pinch of powder fell into her wine glass.

The movement was so quick it was almost imperceptible.

Qiao Yichen watched Director—the gesture was somewhat practiced, and the powder dissolved immediately into the liquid after falling into the glass.

In his past life, he had witnessed many such tricks at drinking parties, but this time, he would not be a bystander.

Turning back, Liu Yanran was completely unaware and raised her glass to take another sip.

However, after a short while, she suddenly put the glass down, lightly pressing her fingers to her temples, and shook her head forcefully.

Sensing something was wrong with her body, she stood up, swaying slightly, and walked toward the restroom.

Director waited in his seat for about ten seconds before quietly following her.

Qiao Yichen saw this, set down his soda water, stood up, and followed them.

The hallway outside the restroom was dimly lit.

Liu Yanran leaned against the wall, breathing rapidly, her fingers gripping the wall tightly, knuckles turning white.

Director hurried forward and reached out to steady her arm: "Director Liu, are you feeling unwell? Let me take you back..."

Another hand suddenly shot out from the side, blocking his.

Qiao Yichen stood between the two of them: "Manager Sun, I have already called a car. I'm preparing to take Director Liu home."

Director was stunned: "And you are?"

Qiao Yichen didn't answer, turning instead to support Liu Yanran's shoulder. Her body felt weak, and she was almost entirely reliant on him for support.

He looked at Director, his voice lowered: "Do you need me to pull up the bar's surveillance footage to see what you just put in her glass?"

Director's face changed drastically, and he stepped back half a pace, his volume clearly rising: "You... what nonsense are you spouting!"

"Then you can leave now," Qiao Yichen half-supported, half-carried Liu Yanran toward the exit. "Or, we can wait for the police to arrive together."

Director froze in place. After a moment of thought, he dared not pursue them.

In the taxi, Liu Yanran leaned back in the rear seat, her consciousness fading.

"Uncomfortable..." she mumbled.

"Driver, to the nearest hospital, quickly."

The hospital's emergency room was glaringly bright.

Then followed the standard procedure: stomach pumping, IV drip, observation.

The nurse came forward to prompt for payment, so he went to the front desk to settle all the remaining fees.

It wasn't until 1:30 AM that Liu Yanran was wheeled into a ward for her infusion.

He sat on the chair beside the bed, watching the fluid drip drop by drop from the bottle.

Forty minutes passed in a flash, and only then did her consciousness gradually clear, and she slowly opened her eyes.

First, she stared blankly at the white hospital ceiling, and then slowly turned her head to see him.

Qiao Yichen was leaning back on the chair next to the bed, eyes closed, resting.

She moved her fingers slightly, making a sound.

He immediately opened his eyes.

The two of them met gaze.

"...You've been here the whole time?" Liu Yanran's voice was a little hoarse; her weakness was audible.

"Mm," he stood up, first pouring warm water, then inserting the prepared straw and bringing it to her lips, gently helping her sit up. "I was afraid something else would happen to you."

Liu Yanran took a few sips and lay back down. She didn't answer, or perhaps didn't know how to answer. She turned her face to look out the window and remained silent for a long time.

The only sound in the room then was the regular ticking of the monitoring equipment.

"Thank you," after a long while, she said softly.

"No need," he sat back in the chair. "As long as you're alright."

Another silence fell between them.

"Why were you at the bar?" she asked.

"I happened to be meeting someone nearby," he answered naturally. "When I came out, I saw you; your condition wasn't right."

Liu Yanran didn't press further. She closed her eyes to rest.

The infusion finally ended at 3:00 AM.

Liu Yanran tried to get out of bed, but her legs were still unsteady. This time, she did not refuse the arm Qiao Yichen extended.

When they arrived at the residential complex where she lived, she took out her keys, but her hand fumbled several times, unable to aim correctly at the lock.

Qiao Yichen took the keys and helped her open the door.

"Come in and sit for a while," Liu Yanran said quietly after entering the apartment. "I'll pour you a glass of water."

It was a concise one-bedroom unit, simply furnished, clean overall yet exuding a sense of cold solitude.

The bookshelf in the living room was stacked with books and trophies related to GG, and the coffee table held half a bottle of red wine and an empty glass.

After pouring him a glass of water, Liu Yanran leaned back weakly on the sofa, her complexion still pale.

"Tonight..." she started, then stopped.

"It's all over now," Qiao Yichen took the glass of water but didn't drink it. "You should rest well."

He stood up, preparing to leave.

"Qiao Yichen," she called out to him.

He turned back.

"Tonight..." she looked at him, her expression complex. "Thank you."

He nodded and pulled the door open.

"See you Monday then," she said.

"See you Monday."

The door closed softly.

Liu Yanran leaned against the door, listening until his footsteps disappeared down the stairwell.

After a long time, she slowly walked back to the living room, looking at the glass of water he hadn't touched.

...At 4:00 AM on Sunday, Qiao Yichen finally returned to the shared rental in Ruiyuan Residential Area.

He didn't turn on the light; the room was pitch black. He directly took off his coat and sat on the edge of the bed.

His phone screen lit up. The top bank notification showed a balance of 71,500 yuan.

The sky outside was still dark at this time.

He lay down and closed his eyes, but involuntarily, his mind drifted to the fragile sight of Liu Yanran in the hospital.