Li Shanshan looked at Qin Yang, hesitated for a moment, and finally nodded.

She knew that she had no choice but to trust Qin Yang now.

Qin Yang helped Li Shanshan walk step by step toward the private room.

With each step he took, his heart grew heavier.

He knew that what followed would be a tough battle.

But for Li Shanshan's sake, he had to face the challenge head-on.

As the door to the private room drew closer, Qin Yang's heart pounded faster and faster.

He took a deep breath and pushed open the door to the private room.

A strong smell of alcohol and cigarettes hit the air. The private room was dimly lit and the music was deafening.

On the sofa sat a young man wearing a floral shirt, with brightly colored hair and a thick gold chain around his neck, dressed like a nouveau riche.

He was embracing a heavily made-up woman, groping her, with a cigarette dangling from his mouth, looking completely nonchalant.

Seeing Qin Yang and Li Shanshan enter, the man in the floral shirt looked up, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes.

"Hey, Shanshan, your boyfriend's here?" The man in the floral shirt exhaled a smoke ring and said in a strange voice.

His gaze swept over Qin Yang, a hint of disdain in his eyes.

"Hey kid, you're Shanshan's boyfriend?" the man in the floral shirt asked, his tone full of provocation.

Qin Yang ignored him and helped Li Shanshan sit down on the sofa.

Li Shanshan's body trembled slightly, clearly terrified.

Qin Yang gently patted her hand, signaling her not to be afraid.

"Why aren't you saying anything? Are you mute?" The man in the floral shirt was annoyed that Qin Yang was ignoring him.

He put down his wine glass, stood up, and walked over to Qin Yang.

"Hey kid, I'm talking to you, are you deaf?" The man in the floral shirt poked Qin Yang's shoulder with his finger, speaking arrogantly.

Qin Yang slowly raised his head, looking coldly at the man in the floral shirt.

"Get out," Qin Yang said coldly.

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable air of authority.

The man in the floral shirt was taken aback, clearly not expecting Qin Yang to say that.

"What did you say? Say it again!" The man in the floral shirt laughed angrily and pointed at Qin Yang's nose.

"I said, get out of here," Qin Yang said, emphasizing each word, his tone even colder.

His eyes were filled with murderous intent, like those of an enraged wild beast.

The man in the floral shirt was startled by Qin Yang's gaze and instinctively took a step back.

"You...you fucking...how dare you talk to me like that?" the man in the floral shirt said, his voice trembling with fear.

Do you know who I am?

Qin Yang sneered and remained silent.

He slowly stood up and looked down at the man in the floral shirt.

"I don't care who you are, today you must apologize to Shanshan." Qin Yang's voice was icy cold, devoid of any emotion.

"Apologize? Why should I apologize to her?" the man in the floral shirt scoffed.

"Just because you bullied her." Qin Yang's voice was even colder.

"Bully her? How did I bully her? I just bought her a few drinks." The man in the floral shirt said innocently.

"Is that so?" Qin Yang sneered.

"What's with the smell of alcohol on her? What's with the flush on her face? And what's with the fear in her eyes?"

"All of this is your fault."

"You not only bullied her, you also insulted her."

"You must apologize to her today, or don't blame me for being impolite."

Qin Yang's voice grew colder and colder, and the murderous intent in his eyes intensified.

The man in the floral shirt was intimidated by Qin Yang's imposing presence and was speechless for a moment.

He never expected that this seemingly refined young man would have such a powerful aura.

"I...I..." The man in the floral shirt stammered, unsure of what to say.

"Apologize," Qin Yang said again, his tone leaving no room for argument.

The man in the floral shirt gritted his teeth, but ultimately lowered his head.

"I...I'm sorry..." he said softly.

His voice was very soft, almost inaudible.

"Speak louder!" Qin Yang said coldly.

"I'm sorry!" the man in the floral shirt raised his voice, but his tone was still full of resentment.

“Apologize to Shanshan,” Qin Yang said.

The man in the floral shirt turned to look at Li Shanshan and said through gritted teeth, "I'm sorry!"

Li Shanshan looked at the man in the floral shirt, and tears streamed down her face again.

She didn't speak, but simply shook her head silently.

Qin Yang knew that Li Shanshan had forgiven him.

He turned his head, looked at the man in the floral shirt, and said coldly, "Get lost."

The man in the floral shirt felt like he'd been granted a pardon. He quickly stood up and, along with the heavily made-up women, fled the private room as if escaping.

Only Qin Yang and Li Shanshan remained in the private room.

The music continued, but the atmosphere became unusually quiet.

Qin Yang looked at Li Shanshan and asked softly, "Are you alright?"

Li Shanshan shook her head, but tears kept streaming down her face.

She hugged Qin Yang tightly, buried her head in his chest, and burst into tears.

Qin Yang gently patted her back and comforted her, "It's alright, it's alright, it's all over now."

His voice was soft, yet it carried a reassuring power.

Li Shanshan cried for a long time before she gradually calmed down.

She looked up at Qin Yang, her eyes filled with gratitude.

"Thank you, Qin Yang," she said, her voice choked with emotion.

"If it weren't for you, I really don't know what I would have done."

Qin Yang smiled and said, "It's nothing, just a small favor."

He helped Li Shanshan sit down on the sofa.

"Take a rest first, I'll get you a glass of water," Qin Yang said.

He walked to the bar, poured a glass of warm water, and handed it to Li Shanshan.

Li Shanshan took the water glass, took a sip, and felt much better.

"Qin Yang, how... how can you be so amazing?" Li Shanshan looked at Qin Yang and asked curiously.

She really couldn't understand how this classmate, who usually seemed so well-mannered, could have such great abilities, scaring away that arrogant rich kid with just a few words.

Qin Yang smiled but did not answer.

He couldn't very well tell Li Shanshan that he was a returned elite soldier with extraordinary skills, could he?

"Maybe... I'm just more righteous," Qin Yang casually offered as an excuse.

Li Shanshan looked at Qin Yang with eyes full of admiration.

"Qin Yang, you are really amazing!" she exclaimed sincerely.

Qin Yang smiled but didn't say anything.

He looked at Li Shanshan, a complex emotion welling up inside him.

He knew that things could never be the same between him and Li Shanshan as before.

After tonight's events, their relationship has undergone a subtle change.

But no matter what, he will do his best to protect Li Shanshan and prevent her from being harmed in any further way.

Because she was his classmate and also his friend.