19

A few seconds later, Xu Qi slowly sat down again. Shawn breathed a sigh of relief, inwardly complaining that Antonio had gone too far.

Just now, Antonio reached out and put his arm around Si Qiang's waist. Si Qiang seemed a little drunk and didn't push him away. Xu Qi endured it for a while, but finally couldn't stand it anymore and suddenly stood up. Then, seeing that Si Qiang seemed to have sobered up a bit and pushed Antonio's hand away, she sat back down.

Si Qiang staggered to his feet, about to leave. The moment he saw Xu Qi standing at the door, a storm raged within him. So Xu Qi also frequented places like this? He recognized the psychologist beside Xu Qi, and his mind began to race with thoughts of their relationship.

Hmph…would he have any friends who come to gay bars with him? Were those nights when Xu Qi didn't come home, was he with this Shawn? And…he remembered what Xu Yi said to him that afternoon. If Xu Qi didn't love Xu Yi, then…

He tried his best to avoid casting a malicious glance at Shawn, turning his head back with feigned composure, but his mind was completely on the man. Although he and Xu Yi sometimes came together, he just couldn't help but let his mind wander.

He desperately wanted to rush over and take that person away, to make him his own. However, now was not the time. He needed to truly become stronger before he would be worthy of the other's attention. So he could only endure it.

Si Qiang didn't notice that Antonio kept refilling his glass, and before he knew it, he had drunk quite a bit. He was agitated and drank even more heavily. However, he always had an impressive alcohol tolerance, so he wasn't likely to get drunk so easily. But if he continued drinking, he couldn't guarantee that the alcohol wouldn't cloud his judgment and cause him to recklessly rush to that person's side.

He started walking towards the door, determined to get out of the man's sight before he became truly drunk and started acting out. However, he was already quite drunk; as soon as he stood up, his head spun, and he stumbled, almost falling over.

"Calvin, watch out!" Antonio saw that he was staggering as he walked, so he quickly steadied him, put his arm around his slender waist, and slowly walked him out.

Si Qiang was a little confused. He wasn't drunk, so why did his whole body feel weak? He tried to break free from the hands on his waist, but he felt his strength draining away and he couldn't push them away no matter what he did.

He had a bad feeling and managed to say with difficulty, "You gave me... what..."

Antonio's heart skipped a beat; Si Qiang was indeed perceptive. He smiled and said, "Isn't it just alcohol? Calvin, you've had too much to drink. I'll take you to 'MoonLight' to rest."

Stepping outside the bar, a cool breeze sent a shiver down Si Qiang's spine; he felt a warm rush to his lower abdomen. He punched Antonio in the right cheek, panting slightly, and whispered, "You fucking...you dared...drug me..."

Although the force of the blow to his face was less than a tenth of what it usually was, Antonio was still jolted to the side. He slowly turned his head and caught sight of Xu Qi walking in his direction. He immediately said decisively, "Calvin, I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you." His voice was neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for Xu Qi to hear.

Xu Qi froze, as if suddenly waking up, and immediately stopped in his tracks. What was he doing? Why was he interrupting a couple's playful argument? Thinking this, his legs felt like lead, and he couldn't move another step. But his eyes were glued to the two people at the doorway, practically spitting fire.

Seeing that things were going badly, Shawn immediately tugged at his sleeve: "Qi... let's go back."

Watching the two disappear from sight, Xu Qi froze for a few seconds before finally walking out. As soon as he stepped outside, he saw Si Qiang leaning against Antonio, heading towards the hotel. He almost rushed over immediately and shoved that damned Italian away. But he couldn't.

Seeing this, Shawn, who had followed them out, revealed a barely perceptible smile. This risky move had ultimately paid off. Antonio had been in contact with Si Qiang ever since he learned she was in New York, and had followed her to the bar. He had immediately persuaded Xu Qi to come with him, precisely for this situation.

Now things were much easier for him. Shawn stepped forward and said softly, "Ah Qi... they seem to be doing well now."

Xu Qi's body trembled, his stiff form gradually slumping. Yes. The child he had always thought would never leave him was finally, completely, no longer his. A knife-like pain pierced his heart, yet he was somewhat bewildered. Why did it hurt so much? That child had found a father, found a lover, found a sense of belonging; he should be happy. Hadn't he always hoped this child could be happy?

No matter how much pain he was in, he had no reason to bother the other person anymore. His face turned ashen, and Xu Qi slowly turned to leave.

Just then, Si Qiang suddenly pushed Antonio away forcefully, catching him off guard and causing him to stumble.

"You will pay the price for tonight," Si Qiang said coldly, suppressing her inappropriate impulses as she slowly walked forward.

This hotel is out of the question; he has no choice but to go find Xueying. Luckily, his home isn't far, so he should be able to hold on. Even if it's embarrassing, even if it means disturbing someone else's lovemaking, he doesn't care. He regrets staying with Ayi; he should have. But what he regrets even more is forgetting to be wary of that guy! He shouldn't have underestimated his determination. Using such underhanded tactics—Si Qiang really misjudged him.

Noticing this, Xu Qi immediately sensed something was wrong. He rushed over, glared fiercely at Antonio, then helped Si Qiang up, forcing him to turn around. He found the other man's face flushed and his breathing rapid. As a young master of the underworld, he had seen plenty of this kind of thing and immediately realized the problem: Si Qiang had clearly been drugged.

Without a second thought, he immediately scooped her up and headed for the parking lot. Antonio stood to the side, stunned by the sudden turn of events. Then he quickly realized there was nothing he could do. If he tried to take Si Qiang back now, not only would Xu Qi absolutely refuse, but he would likely turn his anger towards him immediately. In New York, after all, it was still Xu Qi's territory, and as an outsider, he couldn't afford to go too far. Moreover, even if he did take Si Qiang back, he probably wouldn't come out on top. He hadn't expected Si Qiang to recover from the effects of the first drug so quickly; this single variable had caused him to lose everything.

He certainly couldn't have imagined the rigorous drug resistance training Si Qiang underwent when she was still called Qiangwei. This anesthetic, which normally lasts three hours for ordinary people, only lasts ten minutes for Si Qiang. As for the other aphrodisiac… Si Qiang hadn't received any drug resistance training for that, so of course she couldn't recover so easily.

Shawn was stunned, completely at a loss for how to react. He could only watch helplessly as Xu Qi took Si Qiang away, and there was nothing he could do.

Xu Qi brought Si Qiang back to the car and immediately drove home. For Xu Qi, the only place he could think of was his own room. Perhaps subconsciously, he knew that bringing Si Qiang back to where she used to be would bring back that feeling. This was the most reassuring moment he'd had in a long time. Although it seemed somewhat inappropriate, he felt a slight surge of joy—this child still needed him.

Si Qiang lay on his side in the passenger seat, so regretful he almost wanted to jump out of the car. How could he have let Xu Qi take him away like this? In his current state, he absolutely shouldn't be near him! But when Xu Qi held him, his broad chest and warm arms made it impossible for him to resist. This was the first time he had been so close to that person, and he couldn't bear to break free.

Amidst her turbulent thoughts, they had already arrived at the Xu family residence. Xu Qi tried to carry her down again, and this time Si Qiang resisted with all her might, finally managing to half-support him, avoid the familiar butlers and servants, and successfully return to her former room—Xu Qi's room.

But the most crucial thing was that, whether intentionally or unintentionally, Xu Qi led him to his own bed in the inner room instead of the outer room where Si Qiang used to sleep.

"Hmm... Ah..." Si Qiang struggled to get up and return to his bed, but the scent surrounding his nose made him tremble all over, and he couldn't muster any strength at all—or rather, he subconsciously didn't want to go back.

Seeing him fidgeting, Xu Qi assumed it was due to the medication and immediately rushed to the bathroom to find a damp towel, placing it on his forehead. Then she rummaged through the drawers, trying to find a tranquilizer—even an idiot would know it wasn't appropriate to call Wei Lan at a time like this. While Wei Lan wouldn't say anything casually, Si Qiang, who was familiar with Wei Lan, absolutely didn't want her former colleague to see her in this predicament. Of course, Xu Qi didn't realize the almost obsessive thought in her own mind: she didn't want Si Qiang to be seen like this by anyone else.

My God… this isn’t a fever! Si Qiang felt the coolness on his forehead and was utterly helpless. Waves of heat surged through his body, and he grew increasingly anxious. He prayed that Xu Qi would just leave him here and not bother with him anymore. Although he knew that the possibility was extremely slim.

Sure enough, Xu Qi sat down on the edge of the bed, gently stroked his face, and sighed, "I couldn't find a sedative, so I'm sorry to trouble you."

Si Qiang inwardly groaned. He didn't even have a tranquilizer; wasn't this going to kill him? He gritted his teeth and whispered, "Then... could I use the bathroom?"

His meaning was clear, and Xu Qi knew what he was going to do as soon as he heard it. He frowned: "Taking a cold shower in this weather is not advisable."