Chapter Fifteen: Enemies on a Narrow Path

“Where did this drunken woman come from?” The man who was pushed aside frowned in displeasure. He brushed aside Tong Zhenzhen’s long hair that concealed her face and remarked, “She’s quite good-looking.”

“Li Ming, I know her,” Jun Lengche said as he approached. He felt a lingering numbness where she had bitten his hand. The wild girl had come to him again, and his eyes gleamed with the excitement of a predator who has caught its prey.

In recent days, Jun Lengche had deliberately ignored Tong Zhenzhen’s presence because he sensed how easily his emotions were influenced by her. For someone usually adept at controlling his feelings, this was a significant change.

Yet, he found that his reason could not fully govern his thoughts. When busy with work, he was fine, but once idle, his mind involuntarily drifted to her. Alone in bed at night, he would recall her fragrance and softness.

As for his grandmother warning him to be wary of Tong Zhenzhen’s supposed desire for revenge, he paid little heed. Revenge? With her straightforward nature, where would such scheming come from? Besides, was he ever afraid of anyone or anything?

Having not seen her for a few days, he found himself missing her somewhat.

Fate, it seemed, worked in mysterious ways—she had come to him of her own accord. Was this destiny? Jun Lengche suppressed the quiet joy within and sat beside Tong Zhenzhen, his calm gaze betraying subtle ripples of emotion.

Tong Zhenzhen, fast asleep and blissfully unaware, had drunkenly mistaken room “308” for “303” and inadvertently crashed into Jun Lengche’s gathering with his old friends.

Li Ming was tall and burly, with thick eyebrows and deep-set eyes, his dark complexion marking him as one of Jun Lengche’s childhood friends. He was now the captain of the elite “Eagles” special forces.

Li Ming gave a thumbs-up. “Lengche, your woman’s got guts, daring to bite even you.”

From the moment they met, Li Ming’s sharp eyes had noticed the faint marks on Jun Lengche’s hand and now understood the cause.

The others, hearing this, abandoned their singing and gathered around to see Jun Lengche’s woman.

Jun Lengche found the label of “his woman” applied to Tong Zhenzhen pleasantly agreeable, and a slight smile played on his lips.

But his smile did not escape Li Ming’s notice. “Looks like good fortune is near for Lengche,” he teased, winking and sparking laughter across the room.

The other childhood friends eagerly inquired about the progress between Jun Lengche and Tong Zhenzhen.

These lads were too sharp. Jun Lengche urged them to spread out, worried about boring Tong Zhenzhen.

Just then, the door to the private room was pushed open again.

A dozen or so men dressed in black rushed in.

The thirty-square-meter room instantly became crowded.

Jun Lengche’s eyes immediately found Long Tianyu, surrounded by his men, wearing a face full of provocation.

“Soldiers these days also like karaoke, huh? Here to practice your revolutionary songs?” Long Tianyu sneered, mocking overtly. His men laughed boisterously.

Long Tianyu’s taunt angered Jun Lengche’s childhood friends, all military men themselves, who quickly closed ranks around him.

Jun Lengche glanced at his comrades, signaling them to remain calm.

Then, with a cold tone, he challenged, “Young Master Long, a soldier’s hobbies are none of your concern. May I ask if barging into others’ places uninvited is your usual style?” His chilling presence was like a fierce beast guarding its territory.

Long Tianyu was already annoyed that Jun Lengche had taken Tong Zhenzhen’s virginity before him. Were it not for the other’s military connections, he would have dealt with him long ago.

Now, Jun Lengche’s direct rebuttal only fueled Long Tianyu’s fury, making him reckless. “Step aside, I’m here to take her away!”

“Impossible!” Jun Lengche’s reply was brief and resolute.

“Anyone trying to take Lengche’s woman from us is dreaming!” Li Ming shouted in support.

The two sides stood off, tension thickening the air.

“Attack!” Long Tianyu’s face darkened as he ordered his men to strike, then charged straight at Jun Lengche with a punch.

Not one to endure blows silently, Jun Lengche naturally blocked and retaliated.

Upon engaging, Jun Lengche realized Long Tianyu was a skilled sanda fighter. Their exchanges were evenly matched. This man was clearly adept at concealing his true abilities, superior even to the three bodyguards Jun Lengche had previously fought.

Two men of similar character, each unwilling to yield an inch, fought with exhilarating intensity.

If it had been a one-on-one duel, the battle would have been stalemated. But in a group fight, Jun Lengche’s side held a clear advantage since his childhood friends were all military officers, with several like Li Ming coming from the special forces.

After about ten minutes, once Ah Qiang was also dealt with by Li Ming, only Long Tianyu and Jun Lengche remained locked in combat.

“I didn’t expect the richest Young Master Long in G City to be quite skilled,” Li Ming clicked his tongue, then sighed, “Too bad his stamina’s lacking—looks like the ladies have drained him.”

Li Ming’s taunt stung Long Tianyu’s ears sharply. Just as he momentarily faltered, Jun Lengche seized his shoulder and executed a shoulder throw, sending him crashing to the ground.

Bruised and battered, Ah Qiang rushed over to help Long Tianyu up and whispered in his ear, “Young Master Long, they’ve got the upper hand. Maybe we should...”

His pride wounded, Long Tianyu’s usually smirking phoenix-like eyes flashed with a cold light. Yet after assessing the situation, he chose to retreat with his men.

Jun Lengche’s expression remained calm, fully accepting Long Tianyu’s resentment, embodying the serenity of the victor.

Li Ming mocked the defeated group as they left, “Remember, soldiers have another hobby—cleaning up trash!”

“Gentlemen, our sister-in-law is so calm and sound asleep. How about you take her home first?” Li Ming’s suggestion received unanimous approval.

After the skirmish, Jun Lengche’s childhood friends all saw clearly how much he cared for Tong Zhenzhen.

Jun Lengche glanced at Tong Zhenzhen, who was no longer slumped awkwardly on the sofa but lying properly. Finding her pose unbecoming, he stepped forward, lifted her into his arms, and prepared to leave.

In the corridor, he encountered Tong Zhenzhen’s department head.

Facing the female supervisor’s skeptical gaze, he calmly introduced himself as her boyfriend and handed over his business card.

Upon seeing his profession as a military doctor, her expression softened. She even fetched Tong Zhenzhen’s bag, reassuringly letting him carry her away.

Under the night sky, Jun Lengche cracked the car window slightly to let in the cool evening breeze. He turned to glance at her sleeping form.

Her crisp white T-shirt and light blue jeans were clean and neat. Her long straight hair fluttered gently in the wind, lending her an air of tranquil sweetness and obedience.

A stir of emotion stirred within Jun Lengche.

Arriving at Tong Zhenzhen’s small apartment, he carefully carried her into the elevator.

The warmth and softness in his arms compelled him to lean down and gaze at her.

Her natural eyebrows were delicately shaped, her thick lashes fluttered quietly as they cast shadows upon smooth skin. Below a straight nose, her rosy lips glowed with a natural radiance, slightly pouted.

In this moment, her innocence was like that of a newborn, far from the fierce persona she often displayed. Which one was the true her?

As if drawn by an irresistible temptation, Jun Lengche kissed her gently, savoring this peaceful closeness like sweet nectar.