Halfway through the meal, she felt a strange dizziness, a flush of heat spreading through her body, making her incredibly uncomfortable. She wasn't sure what she'd eaten to cause it.

She excused herself to the restroom, splashing cold water on her face. The icy shock was momentary, doing little to quench the burning heat. She felt her strength draining, her bones turning to jelly, a tingling sensation like ants crawling beneath her skin.

It was agonizing.

When she didn't return quickly, Qin Feifei called, worried. Not wanting to alarm her friend, Jiang Yi assured her she was fine and would be back soon.

But as she left the restroom, two men approached. Instinct screamed danger. She spun around, attempting to retreat back into the women's restroom.

The men were faster. One clamped a hand over her mouth, dragging her away, around a corner, and into a secluded hallway.

“Mmmmph!”

Jiang Yi struggled fiercely, but the difference in strength was too great. Her muffled cries were helpless against their grip. In the chaos, her phone slipped from her hand, snatched up by the other man.

The heat intensified, her body weakening. Terror seized her, tears streaming down her face.

“Damn, this chick is hot.”

“You haven't felt her waist yet, man. So thin, so soft.”

Their vulgar words reached her ears as she felt hands groping her waist. Goosebumps erupted across her skin, a wave of nausea and disgust washing over her.

“Mmmmph!” She renewed her struggle.

“Didn't we drug her? Why is she still so feisty?” one of them said.

Drugged? The word registered, but before she could process it, the man was leering at her, rubbing his hands together.

“The room's just up ahead, right? Let me hold her. Damn, those tits are huge. They’re gonna feel amazing.”

“Take it easy, she's still got some fight in her.”

“It’s fine, just a few more steps. She can’t get away. Quick, quick, let me hold her.” The man's voice was urgent, his words rushed.

As he drew closer, the revulsion intensified. The psychological disgust manifested physically, a wave of nausea rising within her. Just as his hand reached for her chest, she opened her mouth, feigning a gag.

“Ugh…”

“Shit!”

Though she hadn't actually vomited, the man recoiled instinctively. Even the man holding her loosened his grip in disgust.

Seizing the opportunity, Jiang Yi bolted. Adrenaline surged through her, propelling her forward with unexpected speed. She ran blindly, turning left and right.

But the drug was taking its toll. Despite her burst of energy, the men were gaining. Panic swelled with every step.

No, she couldn't be caught!

In desperation, she burst into a private room, hoping for a momentary reprieve. Inside, she saw people.

Relief flooded her. She rushed towards one of them.

“Help… help me.”

The tension broke, her strength dissolving. Her legs gave way, and she collapsed into the man's arms.

The room fell silent. All eyes were on the man now holding Jiang Yi.

Just then, the door opened, revealing the two thugs. Everyone except the man holding her turned to look.

Jiang Yi saw them, trembling with fear. She burrowed deeper into the man's embrace, her voice a desperate plea. “Save me, please, save me.”

As she clung to him, the heat intensified, burning through her. Yet, his scent was intoxicating, his presence comforting. She pressed closer.

The men at the door pointed at her. “Excuse us, we’re looking for her.”

The man at the head of the table, gauging the other man's reaction, was surprised to see him not only hold onto the girl but tighten his grip as if afraid she might fall.

He was shocked but understood. “There’s no one here you’re looking for.”

With a wave of his hand, two bodyguards stepped forward to escort the thugs out.

Finally, the man holding Jiang Yi spoke.

“Wang Yi, this needs to be investigated. Don't wrongly accuse anyone.” His words made it clear that the matter wouldn't be dropped.

Wang Yi nodded in agreement, turning to his assistant to give instructions.

Jiang Yi, misunderstanding, thought they were going to hand her over. “They’re not wrongly accusing…they’re not good people. They drugged me…I…I feel so sick.”

At the word "drugged," the man’s eyes turned sharp. He tilted her chin up, studying her flushed face, her watery, unfocused eyes.

“Sick…sick.” Jiang Yi looped her arms around his neck, pressing closer.

“So sick, brother.”

As her arm touched him, a strange, electric tingle shot through him.

He didn't push her away. Instead, an urge to touch her arose. Before he could stop himself, his arm instinctively wrapped around her waist to steady her.

Then, he heard her soft, vulnerable whisper.

Brother.

Someone might have misinterpreted it as a flirtatious endearment, a sign of boldness. But he knew better.

She had mistaken him for her brother.

Indeed, Jiang Yi, seeing familiar features, had mistaken him for someone she knew. But why did he seem so cold?

“Zhong Cheng… brother, I feel so sick…” The heat was overwhelming, consuming her, blurring everything but the man in front of her.

She needed…something.

She leaned in, kissing his lips.