196: Chapter 196 Help Me

She regretted it; she regretted not listening to her parents' advice and insisting on marrying Lou Dong.

She regretted being blinded by Lou Dong's fake tenderness and forgiving his violence time and time again.

She regretted even more that she hadn't believed Cao Kun's warning just now, missing her only chance to escape.

"Even if I die, I won't let you have your way!"

Shang Yuya's gaze turned fierce, and she suddenly raised her head, about to throw herself against the nearby wall.

She would rather die than endure such humiliation.

But just as her head was about to hit the wall, a sharp sound of something cutting through the air suddenly came from the doorway.

This was followed by a muffled "thud."

Scar Strong's hand, which was pinning her shoulder down, was actually struck hard by a fist that suddenly reached out!

"Ah!"

Scar Strong screamed in pain and staggered back two steps uncontrollably. He clutched his struck wrist, his expression instantly becoming hideous.

"Who the hell dares to meddle in my business?"

The several people in the room turned to look at the door at the same time, only to see Cao Kun standing there tall and straight, his brows furrowed and his gaze as cold as ice.

He exuded an intimidating aura; just by standing there, he made the air in the entire room feel as if it had frozen.

Cao Kun had actually arrived a long time ago.

After leaving the shores of South Lake, a fire had been smoldering in his heart.

He was both angry at Shang Yuya's stubbornness and unable to let go of the System Mission.

He knew that if the mission failed, although there was no penalty, there was no guarantee the system wouldn't reduce future mission assignments or even abandon him entirely.

After weighing his options repeatedly, he still drove to Lou Dong's residence, wanting to make one last attempt.

Just as he reached the entrance of the stairwell, he saw Lou Dong curled up in the corner and three tattooed men standing at the door.

Cao Kun's gaze darkened. Without wasting words, he stepped forward quickly, and before Lou Dong could react, he delivered a fierce hand-chop to the back of his neck.

"Ugh..."

Lou Dong didn't even have time to groan. His eyes rolled back, and he collapsed directly to the ground, completely losing consciousness.

Seeing this, the three lackeys at the door were about to step forward to stop him when Cao Kun took them down in short order. They all curled up on the ground clutching their stomachs, without even the strength to stand up.

After dealing with the people outside, Cao Kun pushed the door open and entered the room, just in time to see Scar Strong about to make a move on Shang Yuya.

His gaze instantly became even colder. Without a second thought, he rushed forward and smashed a fist into Scar Strong's hand.

Scar Strong shot a glance at the remaining two lackeys: "Cripple him for me!"

The two lackeys were already somewhat intimidated by Cao Kun's aura, but since their boss had spoken, they could only steel themselves and rush forward.

One of them swung a fist toward Cao Kun's face, while the other circled behind him, intending to sneak an attack on his lower back.

Cao Kun huffed coldly, his composure not wavering in the slightest.

Facing the punch from the front, he slightly tilted his body to dodge it while extending his left hand, grabbing the opponent's wrist and giving it a sudden, forceful twist.

With a crisp "crack" followed by the lackey's heart-wrenching scream, his wrist was twisted directly out of joint.

Having dealt with the person in front, Cao Kun didn't even look back as he kicked out fiercely with his right foot, accurately striking the chest of the lackey sneaking up behind him.

That lackey flew backward like a tattered sack, slammed hard against the wall, and then slid to the floor, clutching his chest and gasping for breath, unable to get up again.

In less than twenty seconds, all three lackeys Scar Strong had brought were knocked to the ground by Cao Kun, each wailing incessantly.

Seeing this scene, Scar Strong's pupils suddenly constricted, and a hint of fear finally arose in his heart.

He hadn't expected that this refined-looking man would have such formidable combat skills.

"You... who exactly are you?" Scar Strong's voice trembled slightly, his previous arrogance completely gone.

Cao Kun ignored him, his gaze falling on Shang Yuya on the sofa.

At this moment, Shang Yuya's face was flushed, her breathing was rapid, and her eyes were filled with terror and confusion; clearly, the effects of the aphrodisiac were still intensifying.

But the moment she saw Cao Kun appear, a faint glimmer of light flickered in the depths of her eyes.

After confirming that Shang Yuya was not in immediate mortal danger, Cao Kun turned his head toward Scar Strong and said in an icy tone:

"Get out. Take your people and disappear from here immediately."

"If you ever dare to trouble her again, I won't mind making you disappear permanently."

Scar Strong looked at his wailing lackeys on the floor, then at the cold-eyed Cao Kun, knowing he was no match at all.

He gritted his teeth, not daring to say another word, and turned to run out.

When he passed the unconscious Lou Dong at the door, he didn't dare to stop, even leaving his lackeys on the floor behind.

Seeing this, the three injured lackeys also struggled to get up and limped out after Scar Strong.

The wailing in the room gradually faded away, and peace was finally restored.

Cao Kun walked to the door, casually closed the security door, then turned and walked to the sofa. He crouched down, looking at Shang Yuya, whose condition was worsening.

Shang Yuya was now completely under the control of the aphrodisiac; her whole body was unbearably hot, and her consciousness was beginning to blur.

Seeing Cao Kun approach, she reached out as if he were a lifeline and grabbed his arm tightly. Looking at him with glazed eyes, she murmured unconsciously.

"Hot... so hot..."

Cao Kun frowned and tried to pull his arm back, but Shang Yuya's grip was too tight.

He could clearly feel that Shang Yuya's body was burning hot, her breathing was becoming more rapid, and the flush on her face was almost overflowing.

He knew the aphrodisiac's effects were potent; if not relieved in time, it could likely cause permanent damage to Shang Yuya's body.

It was too late to go to the hospital now; the drug was taking effect too quickly, and an accident might happen on the way.

A wave of hesitation rose in Cao Kun's heart.

He truly hadn't wanted to care about this woman anymore; after all, she was the one who repeatedly chose to believe Lou Dong and rejected his kindness time and again.

But looking at the woman struggling in pain before him, and then thinking of the System Mission, he couldn't bring himself to be heartless.

"Fine."

Cao Kun sighed in his heart.

Since he had already come, there was no reason to stand by and watch her suffer.

Moreover, this was a crucial step for the System Mission; he had to complete it.

He no longer hesitated. He gently patted Shang Yuya's shoulder and said as gently as possible, "Don't be afraid, I'll save you."

Shang Yuya seemed to understand his words. Her grip on his arm tightened, and her body involuntarily leaned closer to him.

Her cheek pressed against Cao Kun's arm, the burning heat transferring through his clothes, causing a strange sensation to rise in Cao Kun's body as well.

Cao Kun took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.

He carefully helped Shang Yuya up, letting her lean against his chest, then stood up and carried her toward the bedroom.

The bedroom's furnishings were simple, with only a bed and a wardrobe, looking a bit cluttered.

Cao Kun gently placed Shang Yuya on the bed. Just as he was about to get up to get her some water, Shang Yuya suddenly reached out and hooked her arms around his neck, pulling him toward her.

The distance between them closed instantly. Cao Kun could clearly smell the faint fragrance on Shang Yuya, mixed with the heated scent of the drug's effects, making his heart beat faster uncontrollably.

"Don't go..."

Shang Yuya looked at Cao Kun with glazed eyes and murmured, her warm breath puffing against his face, "Help me..."

Looking at her reddened eyes and helpless gaze, the last bit of struggle in Cao Kun's heart vanished.

He knew there was only one way to save her now.

He slowly leaned down, brought his lips to Shang Yuya's ear, and whispered, "Okay, I'll help you."

...