Back Then, I Adored You

Jiang Qianqian struggled before discovering that she was unable to break free of the other party’s control. She frowned and looked at whoever was restraining her as she said unhappily, “Are you crazy? You nosy—”

Before she could finish her sentence, the person grabbing her wrist gave it a harsh tug and threw her back in her unguarded state. The intoxicated Jiang Qianqian felt like cotton candy; she followed the direction of that force, took a few steps back, and slammed her back against a hard table edge. It was only then that she managed to stop, and the piercing pain in her lower back made her legs tremble as she pitifully fell to the ground.

Wearing a mini skirt, Jiang Qianqian exposed herself upon falling. She was oblivious to the admiring gazes she was being given and, instead, inhaled the cool air. No matter what kind of drunken stupor she had been in earlier, her current predicament of pain and shock had completely sobered her. She waited until the pain had slightly subsided before she lifted her head and looked at the person grabbing her hand.

It’s… Lu Bancheng, who had returned to China not too long ago… I didn’t know Xu Wennuan had any contact with him. Why is he stepping in to help her?

As Jiang Qianqian remained puzzled, Lu Bancheng swiftly removed his Western suit jacket and walked over to the dazed Xu Wennuan. When he reached out to drape the jacket around her, she reacted instantaneously by taking a step backward so large that she came close to stepping off the stairs behind her; fortunately, Lu Bancheng reacted quickly and grabbed her wrist.

His touch made her panic as her hands started flailing. Lu Bancheng dared not release her as he was afraid that she would roll onto the dance floor behind her. He slightly increased his force, pulled her toward him, and forcefully wrapped his jacket around her body to conceal her tattered sweater and exposed skin. Then he held her trembling shoulders and bent over to look into her eyes. “Don’t be afraid… It’s fine now. It’s really fine now,” Lu Bancheng said.

Xu Wennuan’s gaze continued darting around frantically as though she had not heard his words.

Seeing her like this made Lu Bancheng’s heart ache so much he could hardly breathe. He raised his hand self-consciously, wanting to touch her hair and comfort her; however, she reacted as if something terrifying would happen if he did and opened her mouth to bite his hand.

Xu Wennuan bit down hard, and Lu Bancheng’s brows twitched slightly in pain. Still, he did not try to break free. He allowed her to continue biting him and, when he felt her bite loosening, he spoke once again. This time, his tone was very gentle and delicate. “Nuannuan, look, it’s me, not those people from just now…”

After those words, Lu Bancheng felt her teeth tremble as though she was contemplating if his words were true or not. After some time, she lifted her eyes and gazed at him cautiously. When Lu Bancheng met her eyes, his initially cold face that was reserved for Jiang Qianqian instantly transformed into concern. The corners of his lips raised, as well, as he gently smiled at her.

Xu Wennuan stared fixedly at his smile for a long time before she slowly released his hand from between her teeth. With this, Lu Bancheng lifted his fingers and touched her hair softly. He said to her gently, “Nuannuan, let me take you home now, okay?”