Her Wild Rose - Chapter 39
Chapter 39: Kidnapping
“Why do I get the feeling that this Chen Shen is up to something?”
“Exactly! I feel the same way.”
“Wasn’t he exposed before? The type who destroys what he can’t have. A total psycho.”
“Yeah, and apparently, he’s not even freshly 18. He just uses dim bar lighting to act younger.”
“Ew, when you put it like that, it really does feel like a creepy older guy going after younger girls.”
“Honestly, Tang Tang and Su Qian don’t really know their way around. This kind of sketchy place? They should be extra careful.”
“Should we contact the show’s production team? I really think this Chen Shen guy is bad news.”
…
The live chat exploded the moment Chen Shen appeared. The fluffy pink romantic mood sparked by Tang Tang and Su Qian’s interactions instantly vanished, replaced by rare anxiety from fans and viewers alike.
And truthfully, the audience had a point.
Bars were indeed messy, chaotic, and potentially dangerous places.
But Su Qian dared to rent this location not because she was reckless—but because she had the power and confidence to handle whatever came.
“Here, for you—‘The Lonely Warrior.’”
Bartender Li Xinxin came over with two drinks and set down a glass of deep blue liquor with silver shimmer in front of them, smiling brightly. “I made it just for you. I think you’ll like it.”
The Lonely Warrior.
Su Qian’s eyelid twitched. Instantly, a certain viral song—beloved by elementary schoolers at year’s end—flashed into her mind. She gave Li Xinxin a complicated look, silently praying she wouldn’t start singing it next.
It wasn’t the song itself she disliked. It was…
She glanced at Tang Tang and couldn’t help but smile bitterly. Her expression carried the weight of resignation.
Because if Tang Tang liked something—especially a song—she’d loop it nonstop.
Su Qian still remembered how Tang Tang had insisted they spend an entire day listening to “The Lonely Warrior” in their room. It got to the point where Su Qian was dreaming of lyrics floating around her head.
“What are you thinking?”
Li Xinxin’s outfit today matched her bartender persona. She wore black overalls over a white blouse with a Peter Pan collar. Even her collar was buttoned properly for once, with a black ribbon tied neatly at the neck—giving her an unexpectedly schoolgirlish vibe.
“I just think your public confession was really brave. Especially in front of so many people.”
Her eyes sparkled with admiration.
She, too, wished for a confession like that. Not necessarily with a crowd—just their families present would’ve been enough. But…
Li Xinxin glanced toward the bar, where someone calmly chiseled an ice ball. She knew deep down: she probably wouldn’t get that kind of confession in this lifetime.
“You two could do it too, you know.”
Tang Tang, who always loved sparkly things, had been eyeing the cocktail the whole time. But Su Qian had been holding her back from making a move.
“And you’re not celebrities. It’s probably easier for you,” Tang Tang added, still thoughtful despite her usual ditzy vibe. “It’s just… the parents. Total wild card.”
Li Xinxin sighed and didn’t respond.
Being one of the people involved, she knew full well the weight of her family situation. Not just her own extremely traditional parents—but hers too.
Her lover’s parents were both respected professors. Would they ever accept that their pride-and-joy daughter not only ran a bar, but also liked another woman?
“Isn’t same-s3x marriage legal now? You’d be protected by law. Parents shouldn’t be that big of a problem.”
Su Qian swirled her drink and took a sip. She didn’t know the full reason for Li Xinxin’s hesitation, but she had a good guess—it had to be family-related.
She sighed. Thank goodness her own parents were open-minded. Otherwise, who knows how long it would’ve taken for things with Tang Tang to work out.
“It’s because of her,” Li Xinxin said after a pause. She took a sip of her drink—the strong sting making tears well in her eyes. “She’s such a coward…”
Her eyes were red. Whether from alcohol or emotion, it was hard to tell.
Zhou Yu always cared for her, always looked after her—yet never confessed. It left Li Xinxin constantly unsure of where she stood.
A surge of emotion rushed through her. Without thinking, she grabbed Zhou Yu by the tie and pulled her in close. Their faces were so near, she could see every pore on Zhou Yu’s cheek.
She squeezed her eyes shut, not daring to look into those soft, indulgent eyes.
“Zhou Yu. Tell me. Do you love me or not?”
Her tone was firm, even commanding, though there was a faint tremble at the end.
Zhou Yu couldn’t look away from her burning gaze. Half-leaning into her embrace, she reached up and gently patted Li Xinxin’s head.
It was a gesture between the two of them—one of surrender. It meant, no matter what happened, one party would always yield to the other.
“I understand.”
Li Xinxin bit her lip and reluctantly released her. She stepped back, eyes red. “I won’t cling to you anymore. Don’t worry.”
“Then I’ll cling to you,” Zhou Yu said, fixing her tie. Half teasing, half serious. “Isn’t it tradition to confess in a suit and tie? Look at me now—how am I supposed to confess like this?”
“So… so that means—you’re willing?” Li Xinxin stammered in excitement. She hugged Zhou Yu tightly, tears soaking her shoulder. “But what if your parents don’t accept us?”
“Then I’ll say I moved abroad.”
“And what if you leave me one day?”
“Then all post-marriage assets will be in your name.”
“But what if—”
“There’s no ‘what if,’ Xinxin. As long as it’s you, I’ll never change.”
…
While the two were in the middle of their emotional moment, a girl quietly approached Tang Tang outside.
“Miss Tang? Someone’s looking for you outside.”
Tang Tang blinked in surprise, glancing at her phone. She had ordered a bouquet about thirty minutes ago. It was the middle of the night now—was a delivery guy really that hardworking?
“I’ll head over now.”
Still puzzled, she nodded and followed the girl out. Maybe it really was an overachieving delivery guy. The hustle economy was real these days.
“Wait a minute—wasn’t that girl drinking with Chen Shen earlier?”
“Yes! Same table. Their group was the biggest and best-looking. I noticed them immediately.”
“Exactly! Their looks were unreal.”
“Tang Tang followed her out, didn’t she? You think she’s in danger?”
“God, I hope not… I already tried calling the production team but no one answered…”
…
Tang Tang followed the girl out onto the streets of Liangcheng. It was late—traffic had thinned. Amid the flashing nightlife, there was a touch of desolation.
Few pedestrians passed by, and those who did were clearly in a hurry—not waiting for anyone.
“So… where is this person?”
Tang Tang turned to ask the girl. Maybe it was her celebrity confidence, but she genuinely didn’t sense the danger.
“Just up ahead. We’re almost there.” The girl smiled, pointing toward a dark alley. Her expression showed no obvious malice—only a trace of challenge in her eyes, as if saying: “I knew you wouldn’t dare.”
Fine, let’s go. Who’s afraid?
Tang Tang wasn’t one to back down. Fired up, she raised her chin and strode into the alley.
The alley was pitch-black. No lights. No shops. No homes.
With every step, Tang Tang grew more uneasy. Scenes from countless horror films ran through her mind.
Just as she was about to retreat, someone blocked her way.
Looking up, she froze—Chen Shen.
“What do you want?”
Several rough-looking guys and girls surrounded her. Obvious thugs—the kind who wandered streets looking for trouble. The same girl from before shoved her against the wall and pressed a sharp-edged ring to her face.
“Chen-ge, this her? Your love rival? She’s pretty all right,” the girl sneered.
The cold blade scraped her skin, leaving a stinging pain. “But she might not look so great once we’re done with her.”
…
Meanwhile, Su Qian was getting anxious. She kept looking toward the bar entrance—still no sign of Tang Tang. She must’ve checked her phone a dozen times.
Then, a call came from an unknown number.
Frowning, she answered.
A familiar voice came through.
“Jiejie, if you want Tang Tang back, come to this address.”
‘Want Tang Tang back’?
Su Qian’s eyes narrowed. Her mind rapidly pieced everything together. She tapped the back of her phone, her voice dangerously calm:
“Kid, if you so much as lay a finger on her—just try me.”