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Chapter 30: 029 Punishment
The tip of the nose caught a faint scent.
Like grass after the rain, the frost of a bitter winter.
It was a unique, serene aroma of coldness.
Qi Baotan, through her blurred vision, saw the person crouched in front of her. 𝖓𝔬𝔳𝖕𝖚𝖇.𝖈𝔬𝔪
Clearly within arm’s reach, yet seemingly separated by an insurmountable gulf.
She could only make out the slender outline, the fair skin, and those deep black eyes hidden within the mist.
Mysterious and distant.
Shen You’an furrowed her brows, took off her jacket, and draped it over Qi Baotan’s shoulders.
Her fingers gently patted Qi Baotan’s back, carrying a soothing tenderness.
"Don’t be afraid, it’s over now."
Listening to the soft coaxing tone beside her ear, for some reason, Qi Baotan’s tears suddenly overflowed uncontrollably, falling like rain.
Shen You’an appeared momentarily helpless but deeply understood and pitied her.
A delicate woman experiencing such an ordeal—if she didn’t cry, that would be truly unusual.
"It’s you?"
Cai Xiang got up, saw Shen You’an, and immediately recognized her as part of Jiang Han’s group from the coffee shop that day.
Who would have thought she knew Qi Baotan as well?
Truly a narrow road for enemies.
"Who exactly are you?" Cai Xiang asked cautiously, still shaken by the kick earlier.
Shen You’an released Qi Baotan and slowly stood up.
"Cai Xiang, shareholder of Star Entertainment, renowned agent, who has brought countless singers and actors to stardom since you entered the industry—even hailed as the ’Top Talent Scout.’ Am I right?"
Cai Xiang frowned, surprised by how well she knew his background.
His face quickly twisted into a sneer, "Since you know my identity, you should understand I’m not the kind of person you can afford to offend. With a mere flick of my finger, I could ensure you’d never set foot in Spring City again."
Qi Baotan glanced at Shen You’an with worry, "You should leave now. Don’t mind me anymore."
Shen You’an raised an eyebrow, taking deliberate steps toward Cai Xiang.
Cai Xiang instinctively retreated, backing up against the wall, "I warn you, if anything happens to me, you won’t escape unscathed. I’ve connections all over Spring City...."
Shen You’an casually picked up a golf club from the vase in the corner, testing its weight in her hand.
Cai Xiang instinctively swallowed, then barked with false bravado, "Don’t do anything rash...."
Shen You’an raised the club, and Cai Xiang shrieked in terror.
Shen You’an suddenly turned back, her tone gentle as she said, "Close your eyes."
Qi Baotan obediently closed her eyes.
Simultaneously, the golf club mercilessly swung toward Cai Xiang’s head.
Cai Xiang, unable to dodge, let out an ear-piercing scream and collapsed to the ground.
Blood instantly gushed from his head.
Cai Xiang was completely stunned, his head felt like it was splitting open, and a deep sense of humiliation overwhelmed him.
"You’re dead... Ah..."
Before he could finish threatening, another strike landed, silencing him as he crashed against the wall, face bruised and swollen beyond recognition.
At that moment, Cai Xiang’s heart had room only for sheer terror—this person was utterly insane, genuinely capable of killing him.
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Cai Xiang didn’t even bother wiping the blood streaming from his nose. He dropped to his knees in front of Shen You’an, incoherently pleading for mercy.
"Your greatest pride is Star Entertainment, but an industry tumor like that has no reason to exist anymore."
The voice above him was gentle yet merciless.
Cai Xiang suddenly looked up, his pupils contracting violently.
The tip of the golf club pressed against Cai Xiang’s crotch; the person before him smirked coldly with cruelty and malice.
"Over the years, you’ve preyed on far too many young women. Tell me, how should I punish you properly?"
"No..." Cai Xiang was truly terrified this time and shook his head frantically.
Shen You’an’s gaze sharpened, and she mercilessly pushed the club downward.
Accompanied by an agonizing scream, Qi Baotan’s body trembled violently, but she remembered Shen You’an’s words and didn’t open her eyes.
The room filled with the stench of rot and filth.
Shen You’an discarded the club without even glancing at Cai Xiang, who writhed on the ground in sheer agony, grabbed a tissue to wipe her hands, tossed it aside, and walked over to Qi Baotan.
"Can you walk?"
Qi Baotan stood up, gritted her teeth, "I can walk."
Shen You’an nodded, "You’ve been shaken today. I’ll take you home."
Qi Baotan followed Shen You’an out of the room, finally noticing the four black-clad men lying scattered across the floor near the door.
Qi Baotan recognized them—they were Cai Xiang’s bodyguards, the ones who had abducted her from the alley.
A young man dressed in dark athletic attire with a grim complexion quickly approached Shen You’an, treating her with utmost respect: "Sir."
Shen You’an said flatly, "Stay behind and clean up the mess."
Li Liu responded respectfully, "Yes."
Qi Baotan followed closely behind Shen You’an, hardly daring to breathe.
Outside the hotel, Shen You’an pointed to a bench not far away.
"Sit there and wait for me."
Qi Baotan obediently walked over and sat down.
Shen You’an quickly disappeared from sight.
Qi Baotan touched the jacket draped over her shoulders; the lingering scent and warmth brought her comfort and reassurance.
She couldn’t help but let a faint smile escape her lips.
When Shen You’an returned, she was holding a silver tin.
"This is medicinal balm. Apply it three times a day—avoid water for a week. It won’t leave any scars."
The cool tin was pressed into Qi Baotan’s hands.
Qi Baotan froze, her eyes reddening slightly as she hastily looked down to hide it.
Shen You’an sighed softly, "This won’t happen again."
Qi Baotan murmured a quiet "Mm."
She was afraid that if she said anything more, she’d burst into tears and scare her savior away.
She felt like she’d cried all the tears she’d saved up over her eighteen years within this single day.
Shen You’an flagged down a taxi and took Qi Baotan to the entrance of a residential complex.
The area was in an old district slated for demolition, surrounded by construction debris and high rises—an environment riddled with challenges.
Qi Baotan’s home was tucked away among the haphazard old buildings.
Standing before Shen You’an, Qi Baotan hesitated repeatedly before gathering the courage to ask, "May I ask your name?"
Afraid of causing misunderstanding, she quickly added, "It’s fine if you don’t want to share; I mean no offense."
"Shen You’an."
Qi Baotan raised her head, "I’ll remember it. Thank you."
Shen You’an watched as Qi Baotan’s figure gradually disappeared from view. When she turned away, her expression turned icy.
She walked while making a phone call.
Zhao Heng, who was discussing meeting with a music producer with Jiang Han, became immediately respectful upon receiving Shen You’an’s call.
"Boss, what can I do for you?"
"I want Star Entertainment wiped from the industry permanently."
Zhao Heng glanced at Jiang Han sitting composedly drinking tea, his lowered voice unable to conceal his excitement.
"Been itching to do it for ages. Boss, just watch me handle it."
