Shen Tian listened and, of course, responded with enthusiastic praise. ( )
After Huang Jian hung up the phone, he never imagined that this might be the last time he heard Shen Tian's voice. Perhaps, they would never see each other again.
After hanging up the phone, Shen Tian felt a wave of weakness wash over her, but her mind also relaxed.
She looked at Lu Chen, who had been standing to the side, her heart filled with joy, like a victimized girl finally escaping a den of thieves, or a girl running away from home. Even though she was already twenty-five or twenty-six years old.
Then, Lu Chen took Shen Tian back to the Gold Coast Nightclub. She managed it, lived there, and all her belongings were there. Lu Chen waited for her on a street two blocks away from the nightclub.
Of course, he couldn't drive directly to the entrance; otherwise, it would definitely arouse suspicion.
Later, when Shen Tian came out, she would carefully detour around here.
Listening to music, he waited for about seven or eight minutes when there was a knock on the window.
Lu Chen was startled, thinking Shen Tian would be quick. He opened the car door and was a little surprised. A gleaming bald head appeared right in front of him.
A pair of fierce-looking eyes were staring intently at him.
Lu Chen was stunned. Damn, wasn't that Bald Qiang from Gold Coast?
What a small world!
He remembered that night on Gold Coast, fighting this Bald Qiang and his henchmen for Gong Xiaoyi. He'd almost been defeated because he was exhausted.
This was a level five martial arts master!
However, he was much stronger now than that night. Although it wasn't an upgrade in martial arts cultivation, it was a power upgrade, far superior to a martial arts upgrade.
Therefore, Lu Chen wasn't afraid, just a little worried. If Bald Qiang discovered any connection between him and Shen Tian, it would constitute a clue.
Bald Qiang said in a sinister tone, "Isn't this that kid named Lu Chen from that night? What a coincidence, what are you doing here?" He then added with a chuckle, "And driving such a nice car, a Hummer! Kid, so you're a tycoon."
Two thugs followed behind him, grinning lewdly.
Lu Chen said calmly, "Bald Qiang, what I do here, what car I drive, is none of your business, right? It's best if we just keep to ourselves. Could you please move aside and not bother me?"
Bald Qiang shouted, "You bastard, don't think you can be so arrogant just because Old Pang is protecting you! If you've got the guts, let's have a one-on-one fight and see who wins!"
A mocking smile appeared on Lu Chen's lips. "Fine, Bald Qiang, since you're so willing, I'll definitely play along. However, I'm busy today. Move aside for now, and we'll meet again when you have time!"
While Lu Chen wasn't entirely confident he could beat Bald Qiang, he was certainly confident.
After all, he had been constantly improving, without interruption.
Bald Qiang's face turned ashen. He clenched his fists and exhaled. Then, he nodded, sneering, "Fine, leave me your phone number if you dare. I'll challenge you to a fight when I'm free!"
Lu Chen, of course, readily gave him his phone number and then shooed Baldy Qiang away.
Baldy Qiang, his face full of resentment, exhaled, suddenly waved his hand behind him, dismissing his two henchmen, and then stared at Lu Chen, asking, "Kid, tell me, what did you say to Miss Shen that night? What made her so happy?"
That night? He just told Shen Tian that he was confident he could cure her illness.
Lu Chen stretched and said casually, "I'll tell you after you beat me!"
Baldy Qiang snorted angrily, "Kid, let me tell you, don't be fooled by your fancy car; you might not be good enough for our Miss Shen. Stay away from her, or else..."
A glint of jealousy flashed in his eyes.
Lu Chen glanced at him, shook his head slightly, and said, "Bald Qiang, that's not how a man behaves! If I were you, if I liked Shen Tian, I wouldn't go against someone who makes Shen Tian happy. Who would I go against? Those who make Shen Tian unhappy, those who bully her, those who make her do those kinds of things! Do you have the guts?"
Lu Chen spoke these words with unbridled gusto.
Bald Qiang's face immediately turned extremely ugly, contorted, and even showed a hint of hidden pain.
He understood the meaning behind Lu Chen's words; they truly hit the nail on the head. He suddenly let out a low growl and slammed the car door shut with a bang! The whole car shook violently.
Fortunately, it was a Hummer, sturdy enough.
Bald Qiang then raised a finger outside the car window and pointed it forcefully at Lu Chen, then pointed it again. Suddenly, he clenched his fist and slammed it hard against the car door.
Another bang, another jolt.
Bald Qiang turned and drove off with his men.
Lu Chen stood there stunned for a moment, then gasped and quickly peeked out. He saw a very clear fist mark on the car door, incredibly imposing.
Truly worthy of a level five martial arts master!
Lu Chen scratched his head. How much would it cost to repair this? He raised a middle finger at Bald Qiang's retreating figure. However, a grin spread through his eyes, and his dislike for him lessened considerably.
This guy, though fierce, still had a sense of humanity.
Lu Chen made a phone call to Shen Tian, telling her what had happened and asking her to avoid Bald Qiang.
About ten minutes later, Shen Tian arrived, sneaking into the car.
She said she had encountered Bald Qiang and, following Lu Chen's plan, told him where she was going. Bald Qiang's face was grim, but he didn't say anything.
Shen Tian sighed, "Actually, Qiang is very good to me. He once told me that if I wanted to escape Huang Jian's clutches, he would help me even if it meant his death. But he's not capable enough; all he knows is ruthlessness. Besides, I don't like him."
Lu Chen nodded, "Sigh, poor Bald Qiang."
Shen Tian sighed again.
This time, she brought all her belongings. She opened a large travel bag, making Lu Chen's eyes light up.
Inside were all valuables. Mostly jewelry, and bundles of cash.
Judging by Lu Chen's eye, the jewelry alone was worth a considerable sum.
Together, it was probably worth two or three million.
Shen Tian said, "I just went to the bank and withdrew all the money. If I hadn't, Huang Jian could have frozen my account through his connections. Most of these things were gifts from customers, and some I bought myself. It's a pity I can't bring too many of those pretty clothes, shoes, handbags, and perfumes; otherwise, carrying so many bags will arouse suspicion. Never mind, I'll buy them for you later..."
"I'll buy them for you later," Lu Chen interrupted, speaking as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Shen Tian glanced at him and said, "Okay, my favorite things are Bottega Veneta woven handbags, which average around 20,000 to 30,000 yuan each, and McQueen shoes, which are also around 10,000 to 20,000 yuan a pair. Daphne, Ebel, and other brands of clothing are also around 20,000 to 30,000 yuan a piece or a single item. All the clothes and dresses I left behind, added together, don't even amount to two million yuan."
Lu Chen also glanced at her, a rather fierce look in his eyes: "Holy crap! I'll just buy you cheap stuff from street vendors that costs a few dozen yuan a piece."
"Okay, as long as you buy it, I'll wear it!" Shen Tian smiled sweetly, took Lu Chen's arm, and suddenly blurted out, "It feels so cute, like we're eloping."
She spoke as if she were a cheerful young girl.
Even if they were eloping, they hadn't left the city.
Lu Chen took Shen Tian back to his luxurious little apartment in the Country Garden complex. He said, "The apartment is small, don't mind it!" But Shen Tian really liked it there.
"It's small, but wonderful, so bright and airy. Look, the whole living room is flooded with sunlight when the curtains are open!"
Shen Tian shouted cheerfully, then suddenly began to twirl around the living room. She tiptoed on one foot, bouncing slightly, her slender and agile body twisting and turning gracefully.
So skilled! She was practically a professional dancer!
Moreover, she was wearing a chiffon knee-length skirt, and with each twirl, the hem flew up, completely exposing her two fair and delicate thighs. Even, a glimpse of pale pink fabric was visible.
Lu Chen watched with great pleasure, finding it pleasing to the eye.
To be honest, he had initially regretted his decision. Why had he invited this beautiful nightclub owner and done so much for her? Wasn't it all for the sake of curing her "dirty disease"?
Now it felt like he was practically keeping her as a mistress, giving her the house he'd bought for 800,000 yuan.
However, looking at Shen Tian's captivating dance, Lu Chen no longer regretted his decision. He could see that Shen Tian was genuinely happy. Previously, a hint of melancholy always lingered on her beautiful face, but now it had dissipated, replaced by radiant sunshine.
Thinking about it, this was definitely keeping a beauty hidden away; he could watch Shen Tian dance whenever he wanted—what a life!
Lu Chen suddenly felt an even greater joy towards this beautiful woman two years his senior.
He asked, "Have you studied dance?"
Shen Tian stopped and nodded. "I started learning to dance in middle school. At that time, I especially loved music and playing the piano. But back then, we couldn't afford a piano, while learning dance was relatively inexpensive, so I studied diligently. My original dream was to become a professional dancer and an amateur pianist, but..."
She trailed off, her voice tinged with sadness, and didn't finish.
Lu Chen chuckled, "You had the opportunity to learn piano while you were at the nightclub, right?"
Shen Tian sighed softly, "Yes, but I didn't learn. I didn't even touch a piano anymore. In fact, I didn't allow anyone to play the piano in the nightclub, not even pure piano music. They all thought I hated the piano, but actually, I felt that both I and the nightclub would tarnish it. The piano is a sacred place in my heart."
Lu Chen listened, quite moved. He smiled, "It's alright, you won't tarnish it now. I'll buy you a piano and put it here. You can learn properly while you're in hiding and recuperating. Maybe you can even perform after you get out."
Hearing these words, Shen Tian looked at Lu Chen, and suddenly, like a snow-white fawn, she threw herself into Lu Chen's arms, knocking him so hard he landed on his backside on the sofa. She then straddled his lap.