Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Shu Pan breathed a sigh of relief as she watched him walk away, noticing her slightly disheveled clothes from the struggle, but thankfully not torn. Leaning against the wall, she slowly stood up.
With difficulty, she retrieved her phone and dialed Gu Shaotingâs number.
Quickly, he answered, his deep voice providing Shu Pan with a sense of security. Hearing his voice now, she felt like bursting into tears.
âShaoting, Iâm⦠in the restroom,â Shu Pan struggled to speak, her words
disjointed, feeling as if thousands of ants were biting her.
Before she could finish, her phone died.
Gu Shaotingâs heart skipped a beat. Shu Pan was in trouble; that was his first thought. He immediately parked his car and headed towards the banquet hall.
Just as Shu Pan ended the call, without even waiting for another ring, he dialed Gu Huanhuanâs phone.
âBro, why are you calling?â Gu Huanhuan was unaware of Shu Panâs situation.
âWhereâs your cousin-in -law?â Gu Shaoting inquired.
âI was looking for her too. She said sheâd wait for me in the lounge, but when I checked just now, she wasnât there. I got caught up in a discussion with friends and lost track of time,â Gu Huanhuan explained, filled with regret. She could almost feel her brotherâs wrath.
Where could her cousin-in-law be? Her phone wasnât answering either.
âGo check the restroom area,â Gu Shaoting instructed. Shu Pan had mentioned being in the restroom during their call.
âAlright,â Gu Huanhuan replied anxiously. If something happened to her cousin-in-law, it would be a nightmare.
Gu Huanhuan searched the restroom thoroughly but found no sign of Shu Pan. Calling out her name yielded no response. Disappointed, she exited the restroom.
Suddenly, she heard a muffled groan. Straining her ears, she realized it was coming from the stairwell.
Stealthily, she approached and peeked inside, only to be petrified by what she saw.
Shu Pan felt groggy and disoriented, her appearance slightly disheveled.
There was vomit on the floor, her face flushed, and she seemed somewhat delirious.
âCousin-in-lawâ¦â Gu Huanhuan approached and helped Shu Pan up.
âItâs hot⦠so hot. I need water,â Shu Pan desperately tugged at her clothes.
Struggling to resist, Gu Huanhuan quickly called Gu Shaoting. âHurry!
Somethingâs wrong with cousin-in-law. Weâre by the stairs near the restroom.â
Gu Shaoting immediately hung up and hastened his steps.
Seeing the flush on Shu Panâs face, Gu Huanhuan asked nervously, âCousin-in-law, are you drunk?â
Strangely, she didnât smell any alcohol.
Shu Pan shook her head, her voice hoarse. âNo⦠nothing. Help me⦠call your cousin. â
Seeing her bewildered eyes, devoid of focus, Gu Huanhuan grew increasingly worried. âHeâs almost here. Weâll take you to the hospital soon.â
âOkay, as long as heâs coming,â Shu Pan felt something writhing inside her, along with a strange sense of desire.
Gu Huanhuan was on the verge of tears. âCousin-in-law, Iâm so sorry. I should have stayed by your side. Then this wouldnât have happened.â
Filled with intense guilt, she deeply blamed herself. If only she hadnât gone to see her friends, none of this would have occurred. She couldnât escape her culpability.
âNo, itâs okay,â Shu Pan tried to reassure her, but she found it hard to speak, feeling uncomfortable all over, as if she were in a furnace.
âPanpanâ¦â Gu Shaoting finally caught up, immediately recognizing that Shu Pan had been drugged. Otherwise, she wouldnât be in such a dazed state, with impaired consciousness.
He approached nervously and embraced her.
As soon as Shu Pan felt Gu Shaotingâs touch, it was like finding an oasis in a desert. She felt cool and comfortable..