How could I possibly be confined in a cage?

Guo Zixing then brought two more ladies into the room. Zheng Peilan had just finished settling the three young ladies of the Qiao family and was coming downstairs when the two met and looked at each other.

Seeing that the two seemed to be having an affair, Qingru consciously distanced herself from Liu Xiang.

Liu Xiang raised an eyebrow at Qingru with a playful look, and Qingru shook her head helplessly.

Liu Xiang said in surprise, "You're the female companion that Young Master Guo brought. I thought you would be jealous."

"I just came with him, it doesn't matter, it doesn't matter who he dances with."

Liu Xiang nodded. "Alas, it's a pity that there won't be a drama of two women vying for one man."

Qingru couldn't help but pinch him, "Oh, you actually want to watch the show."

Liu Xiang felt ticklish from the tickling, "Oh dear, I was wrong, hehehe, good sister, I was wrong."

The two of them ran off laughing.

Just then, a new round of music started, and Guo Zixing extended his hand at the opportune moment, "Ms. Zheng, would you be so kind as to invite me to dance?"

Zheng Peilan smiled generously, "Of course."

"Thank you for your kind gesture, Miss Zheng." Guo Zixing led Zheng Peilan to the center of the dance floor with gentlemanly manners. Following Qingru's instructions, he held Zheng Peilan's waist with his hands clenched into fists, not taking advantage of her.

Zheng Peilan secretly praised Guo Zixing, saying he was a man of good manners.

Before the dance was even over, Zheng Peilan looked embarrassed, and Guo Zixing said shyly, "I'm sorry, I can't actually dance."

Zheng Peilan's eyes widened, seemingly in disbelief. "Did you just learn this?"

Guo Zixing blinked. "Yeah, I just watched them dance from the sidelines and it looked pretty simple."

Zheng Peilan was speechless. She never expected that this person, who couldn't dance, would be so confident in inviting her.

Helping her to rest, Guo Zixing whispered in her ear amidst the chaotic crowd, "I just felt that this was a golden opportunity. If I hadn't danced with you today, I'm afraid I would have regretted it immensely."

A warm breath brushed past her ear, making her feel a little itchy. Even Zheng Peilan, who was known for her progressive thinking, felt a slight ambiguity and her face flushed and her heart raced.

Admittedly, Zheng Peilan was favored by many people present. However, the fact that the young master of the Marshal's Mansion took the initiative to show goodwill could satisfy some of his vanity. Therefore, even though he was trampled on several times, Zheng Peilan could not say anything to blame him. Moreover, he had a good appearance, was handsome and dashing, and had an elegant temperament.

Zheng Peilan's foot was stepped on and she felt uncomfortable. Guo Zixing patiently apologized and stayed carefully by her side. The others understood the situation and did not disturb her.

Qingru and the other two had already slipped away the moment Zheng Peilan appeared. Rather than staying behind to be ignored and used as a foil, it was better to have the self-awareness to leave early.

The ball lasted quite a while, and people gradually dispersed as night deepened. After saying goodbye to Liu Xiang, Qingru waited for Guo Zixing alone at the door.

Commander Guo had already left, coming and going in a hurry. Although Guo Zixing and he were father and son, they acted very differently. Guo Zixing was not introduced to anyone else at the ball, which led some people to speculate.

Qingru didn't know if Guo Zixing was disappointed, but she was certainly quite disappointed. She had wanted to find an opportunity to approach Commander Guo and explain her family's situation, but seeing the heavily armed guards around Commander Guo, she couldn't help but stick out her tongue. Luckily, she hadn't rashly stepped forward, or she wouldn't even know how she died.

Guo Zixing and Zheng Peilan had a pleasant conversation. When he took his leave, he personally escorted him to the door. Upon seeing the two of them, Qingru instinctively hid in the roadside bushes.

"Zixing, farewell." Zheng Peilan's words revealed an unconscious reluctance, while Guo Zixing looked at her with lingering affection, "Farewell, see you later."

Zheng Peilan's eyes lit up, "See you later!"

Guo Zixing got into the car alone, and Zhang Xun drove him away. Qingru stared wide-eyed in disbelief, wanting to chase after them immediately, but afraid of being seen by Zheng Peilan, so she squatted down and waited for everyone to leave, slowly moving back the way she came.

Guo Zixing got into the car, still somewhat reluctant to leave. Zheng Peilan's advanced ideas and powerful energy had captured his heart. In addition, her status as the only daughter of a comprador made her more suitable as a wife than the Qiao family's daughter.

Although he had never met her, seeing how the Qiao family girl didn't fit in at the ball, Guo Zixing was already very unwilling to accept it.

Seeing Guo Zixing deep in thought, Zhang Xun hesitated for a long time before finally speaking, "Young Master, Miss Cui'er..."

Guo Zixing suddenly came to his senses. He had been weighing the Zheng family and the Qiao family, but had overlooked Qingru. Only after Zhang Xun reminded him did he say, "Let's go for a while and drop me off at the villa. You can come back to pick her up later."

Zhang Xun naturally had no other opinions, but he was thinking that Qingru's value to Guo Zixing would be greatly reduced in the future.

Guo Zixing was also considering Qingru. In his eyes, she was originally a tree full of treasures, waiting for the right time to be harvested. But now he had some other plans. Admittedly, Qingru's appearance did make him slightly concerned, but that was only a little. Compared to the status and wealth of the Marshal's Mansion, it was not worth mentioning. Beauties are common, but Marshal's Mansions are rare.

Guo Zixing took a risk by bringing Qingru to the ball today. If someone he knew recognized her, it wouldn't be impossible to hide, but it would still be troublesome. Moreover, Guo Zixing noticed that beauty was something many young men present were interested in. At least Huang Qian and a few others stared at Qingru for a long time, not to mention a few older guys who were also keeping a close eye on her.

Upon careful consideration, if Qingru could be trained into a socialite, her greatest value could be realized...

If Qingru knew that he was thinking this way, she would probably kill him.

A cold wind was blowing, and Qingru was only wearing a thin cheongsam without a shawl. She slowly walked forward along the wall of the Zheng family.

"Oh, who is this? They look so pitiful." A voice suddenly came from the dim light, and Qingru couldn't help but shudder.

"Who, who is it?" Qingru asked, trembling.

"It's me, Huang Qian." The car lights shone directly into Qingru's eyes, and she shielded her eyes with her hand, unable to open them due to the bright light.

"Turn off the lights, how can you shine them on people like that?"

"Hehe, I was afraid you couldn't see where you were going. What, you promised to dance with me, are you going to run away now?"

Qingru then remembered who he was. In order to avoid any complications, she said in a polite tone, "I'm sorry, I'm not feeling well today. Let's do it another day. The ball has already ended. Let's do it next time."

"No way," Huang Qian said nonchalantly, "The dance is over and you're free. Come to my house and keep dancing. If you get tired, I'll sleep with you."

The words were getting increasingly offensive, which angered Qingru. So she said solemnly, "Please show some respect. I came with Young Master Guo. The car will be here soon. If he sees me, I don't know if you can afford to offend the Marshal's Mansion."

Huang Qian was clearly drunk. He paused for a moment when he heard "Young Master Guo," but the alcohol quickly clouded his judgment. "Young Master Guo? Even his father ignores him. What are you, a mere female companion? I'm going to mess with you today, so what?"

Qingru suppressed her trembling body, both angry and afraid, and said sternly, trying to muster her courage, "Don't talk nonsense. No matter what, that's the face of the Marshal's Mansion. To flirt with his female companion is to slap him in the face in public. I'm afraid you can't bear that responsibility."

Huang Qian scoffed and snorted, "If I don't tell you after we're done, who will know? It's consensual, a matter of love between a man and a woman, nobody can interfere."

As he spoke, the man lunged at her. Qingru turned and ran, cursing inwardly, "That bastard, why isn't he here yet?"

Qingru, wearing high heels, stumbled and dodged left and right, the ground outside the Zheng residence not being very smooth. Huang Qian, having drunk too much, though not thinking clearly, moved quickly and soon caught up.

Outside the Zheng residence flowed a winding river. Qingru had nowhere to hide and was about to be caught by Huang Qian. She gritted her teeth and said, "Don't come any closer. If you do, I'll jump in. If someone dies, how will you explain it? Will you pay with your life?"

Huang Qian was also very angry at this moment. His driver had also joined in the blockade, so he was not afraid at all. "Heh, don't you even look around? Who would know it was me? I advise you to obediently give in to your brother, and it will be over in a moment."

After saying that, he leered and pounced on her. Qingru had no way out, and in despair, she jumped into the river.

With a "thud," he crashed into the water, splashing water all over Huang Qian. The icy river water instantly sobered him up, and he wiped his face hard, muttering, "Damn it, you bitch."

He stared unfriendly at the water splashes Qingru had stirred up, which then rippled outwards, but she was nowhere to be seen.

After thinking for a moment, Huang Qian picked up a stone and threw it into the water. The water immediately turned red. Huang Qian was overjoyed and called to the driver, "Come here, kill her with that stone."

The driver was taken aback and said timidly, "Young...Young Master, are we really going to smash her to death? Won't Commander Guo blame us?"

"What the hell are you saying?" Huang Qian slapped him across the face. "Just do as I tell you to do."

The driver picked up a stone, glanced at Huang Qian, and then shakily took a step forward. Huang Qian glared at him, "Hurry up, what's with the fuss?!"

The driver resignedly closed his eyes, threw the object in that direction, and muttered, "Sorry, it was my young master who forced me to do this."

Huang Qian kicked him again, saying, "Are you trying to be clever? Didn't you eat? Throw it properly, throw it hard, and if you do it well, I'll promote you and make you rich."

The driver reluctantly stepped forward, picked up a stone, and threw it again. This time it was a little better than before. Huang Qian immediately encouraged him, "Good, that's it. Keep throwing. I'll give you ten silver dollars for every stone you throw. That's enough to support your old mother."

Upon hearing this, the driver blinked and, mimicking Huang Qian, smashed the bag hard, saying, "Alright, twenty silver dollars."

Encouraged, the driver gradually suppressed his reluctance and smashed the car harder and harder, his eyes growing increasingly fervent as Huang Qian called out his price.

Huang Qian watched coldly, trying to seduce the driver.

He kept an eye on the cars coming from the side of the road. Half an hour later, another car drove up and saw a car stopped in the middle of the road. The driver got out of the car to check.

Huang Qian had been waiting for this moment. As soon as someone looked in their direction, he immediately pressed the driver down, tears streaming down his face. "You beast! You've killed a life! Stop committing these atrocities! Someone, please help me! I can't take it anymore!"

The driver was shocked. "Young master, what are you doing?"

Hearing the cries for help, the person approached. Huang Qian cried out louder and louder, "What a tragedy! What a tragedy!" He completely drowned out the driver's voice.

In a flash, the driver realized that Huang Qian wanted to use him as a scapegoat, and that his young master wasn't entirely indifferent to the Marshal's Mansion. He immediately struggled, refusing to accept his fate, "I didn't, it was the young master who made me do it, it was you who made me do it."

Huang Qian had been drinking, and he couldn't really control the strong driver. Fearing that Huang Qian would run away and talk nonsense, the driver immediately turned around and restrained Huang Qian.

The man finally arrived and saw Huang Qian being restrained by his driver, looking remorseful and weeping. He was completely different from his earlier dashing demeanor. It was hard to tell who was right and who was wrong. The man introduced himself, "I am a servant of the Qiao family. What's wrong with you?"

Huang Qian shouted, "Young man, please help me! My driver killed someone, please take him to the police station quickly!"

The driver panicked, "Young master, you can't talk nonsense. You were the one who forced the person off the road, not me."

Huang Qian turned around with difficulty to look at the Qiao family servants. "I exposed his good deed, and he hardened his heart and actually wanted to kill me too. Please save me, young man."

The Qiao family servants were also unable to tell the difference for a moment, but judging from the situation, Huang Qian's explanation seemed more reasonable, so they also came over to mediate, saying, "Let my master decide."

Huang Qian wouldn't let anyone else come over; saying too much about this would only lead to more mistakes. Therefore, he simply waited for the Qiao family servants to act as his witnesses.

The servants of the Qiao family were more inclined to help Huang Qian, and the two of them worked together to separate the driver.

Unable to argue with Huang Qian, the driver immediately tried to run away, but Huang Qian shouted, "Quick, don't let him get away!"

The servants of the Qiao family instinctively reached out to grab the driver, but Huang Qian took advantage of the chaos to trip the driver and use his skill to push him into the water. He then rolled over and held onto the driver tightly in the water, pulling him into the water as well.

The Qiao family servant was still stunned when everything changed in an instant. Before he could even see what had happened, Huang Qian and his servant had fallen into the river. Since he couldn't swim, he could only shout to attract his master's attention and call for others to rescue them.

Seeing this, the driver struggled desperately, realizing that Huang Qian wanted to kill him. However, Huang Qian held on tightly, and he floated to the surface and sank back down several times, watching the servant of the Qiao family jumping up and down and shouting.

Seeing that he could no longer hold the driver down, and that he was also about to collapse from exhaustion, Huang Qian floated up as the driver rose again. When his head broke the surface, he seized the opportunity to whisper in the driver's ear, "Your mother."

The driver understood; this wasn't an insult, but a threat. He was all alone, with only his elderly mother at home. If he offended the Huang family, he feared his family would suffer greatly.

Filled with resentment and bitterness, the driver let go of all his strength and allowed Huang Qian to drag him into the water with a sinister smile.

With a few splashes, Huang Qian was pulled out of the water. His face was as pale as paper from the water, and he shivered in the cold night wind. He said with trembling lips, "Quick, quick, save her! The woman killed by my driver was the female companion brought by Young Master Guo." After saying that, he fainted weakly, leaving the people on the other side in chaos once again.