At this hour, her neighborhood was dimly lit, giving off a quiet and eerie vibe.
After getting out of the car, Emma received a WeChat message from Jason asking if she was still at the newspaper office or at home. She pressed the voice button and told him she was at her old place to pick up some things. She went upstairs to get her belongings, but there was no sign of any courier.
Thinking the delivery person might have missed it, she didn't inquire further and, carrying her packed luggage, headed downstairs.
Once downstairs, as she dragged her suitcase towards the exit, a black sedan suddenly stopped in front of her. As soon as it stopped, the rear doors swung open, and two tall men dressed in black, wearing masks and hats, approached her.
Though it wasn't late at night, their attire immediately raised suspicions—they didn't look like good Samaritans.
Emma's instincts kicked in, and she dropped her suitcase and ran back the way she came. The alley was dark and shadowy, but just dozens of meters ahead was a bustling street.
She couldn't believe they would dare to be so brazen.
The men, caught off guard by her quick reaction, cursed and gave chase. The disparity in speed between men and women was too great, and within seconds, Emma was caught.
As soon as they grabbed her, she was met with a vicious slap to the face.
The force of the blow sent her reeling backward; had they not been holding her, she would have fallen to the ground.
Immediately, a ringing filled her ears,
And she could taste the metallic flavor of blood in her mouth.
The man, after striking her, tried to drag her towards the car. Emma knew that if she was pulled into that vehicle, who knew what would happen, so she began to struggle with all her might.
Her bag was still slung over her shoulder, and with a desperate effort, she managed to open it and retrieve an item.
As she aimed and pressed down hard on one of the men's eyes, a scream pierced the silent night. The pungent odor rapidly dispersed in the cool air.
The man hadn't expected such a move and was in agony, dropping to his knees and clutching his eyes.
The other man, seeing his companion in distress, quickly moved to seize Emma.
She tried to spray again, but he was now on guard and wrenched her fingers back, causing an excruciating pain that forced her to release the canister.
The next moment, she was knocked to the ground.
"You fucking bitch, you dare to fight back," the man cursed, continuing to strike her.
It seemed he had given up on dragging her into the car and instead focused his assault on her prone form, raining down blows with his fists and feet. Emma covered her head with her hands, but the onslaught continued unabated.
She never pleaded for mercy, and as she felt she might be beaten to death, she vaguely sensed someone's arrival in her fading consciousness.
In her daze, she thought she saw Jason.
She must be dreaming, she thought, hallucinating his rescue due to the pain.
"Jason," she uttered with her last bit of consciousness, calling out his name.
Shanghai Pudong Airport.
As Jason stepped off the plane, a gust of wind blew by, and he felt a slight chill in his thin black trench coat, realizing it was getting cooler.
November had arrived in the blink of an eye, and with it, the approach of another winter.
"President Jason, please get in the car first," Tang Mian said, seeing the car pull up to the tarmac and noticing the wind was a bit strong, immediately inviting Jason to get in.
Soon, the car arrived at the VIP aisle.
The bodyguard who had been following behind pushed the luggage cart, while Jason, walking ahead, was looking down at a message on his phone.
He was supposed to return tomorrow, but since the meeting ended early, he flew back to Shanghai directly and naturally hadn't told Emma yet. It turned out she was also working late at the company.
"President Jason, shall we take you home directly?" Tang Mian, sitting in the passenger seat, turned his head and asked.
Jason looked up, having just received the latest voice message from Emma, telling him she would be going back to her old place to pick up some things.
He replied indifferently, "Pick up Xingxing first."
Tang Mian responded with an "Okay," and quietly informed the driver, Old Xu.
Both Hong Kong and Shanghai are extremely bustling metropolises, but unlike Hong Kong, Shanghai is more open and bright. Even among the high-rise buildings in Hong Kong, there's a sense of extreme oppression. Especially the lights on in the high-rises, densely packed, a sight perhaps only seen in Hong Kong.
The Jason family had been in Hong Kong for decades, already living in the top-tier luxury of the Mid-Levels.
However, after the reform and opening up, they unhesitatingly chose to return to Shanghai. Coupled with Zhong Lan's special identity—born in Beijing, a compound child, and a general's daughter with a star on her father's shoulder—the Jason family has always been seen as red capital.
Therefore, there has always been a lot of international public opinion about Hengyia Group, believing that Hengyia's large share in the communications field is inseparable from government support, and this support is mutually reinforcing.
Hengyia Group is likely to endanger the communication security of other countries.
Such rhetoric has always been there, and now it seems to be getting more and more vocal.
As the president of Hengyia Group, Jason is about to face such external difficulties. He also talked with the old man for a long time last night, who has been recuperating in Hong Kong recently.
The elevated road was not too congested at this point, and in half an hour, they arrived at the old house.
When Jason got out of the car, Tang Mian followed and said, "Let me accompany you upstairs."
"No need, wait here," Jason waved his hand.
Because these are old houses, the alleys are narrow and the roads are not good. Ordinary cars can barely get in. Jason's usual Bentley is not very convenient to drive in.
Although Jason told them to wait in the car, Tang Mian still got out and stood for a while.
...
Emma took out the spray and directly sprayed it into the man's eyes, and without mercy, she kicked him without any scruples. At this moment, she had no concerns. The man in front of her seemed to be coming to trouble her, and her first thought was self-preservation.
But after taking down one, there was still another one left.
The strength between men and women is too disparate. Even though Emma was ruthless, she was still knocked to the ground by the other party, and the sound of fists landing on her body was one after another, very muffled but so clear in such a quiet alley.
Jason walked to the stairs and saw a car parked here.
He frowned a little, not understanding why this car was blocking the road. Until he heard the noise on the side, he looked up and saw a man swinging his fist.
"You bitch, let you talk so much, and you're so fierce..."
Jason didn't see who was lying on the ground, but his heart jumped violently as if he sensed something, and he quickly ran over there.
Until he saw the person on the ground, his blood seemed to rush to his brain like a floodgate had opened.
Especially when Emma on the ground seemed to see him in a daze.
She lay on the ground and whispered a sentence: "Jason."
Jason never knew in his life that he could lose control to this extent. He stepped forward, grabbed the man in black, and punched him in the face.
The muffled sound of the fist hitting the face was even more obvious at the moment.
The man in black was hit and saw stars, feeling a burning sensation in his nose, as if something was flowing down. As soon as he reached out to cover it, Jason grabbed his hair again, and with a fierce pull, the other party felt as if his scalp was about to be torn off.
The man in black finally couldn't help but howl in pain.
But the next second, he was completely silenced, his voice trapped in his throat as Jason's knee drove into his face, which had just been hit, causing further damage.
Jason had studied combat techniques, focusing on practicality rather than flashy moves.
Born into a family like his, with many ill-intentioned people watching, it was essential to have the ability to protect oneself.
However, he had never had to fight anyone himself, as he always had bodyguards around.
But at this moment, his anger was overwhelming.
The man in black was continuously hit and couldn't even scream. Jason grabbed him by the hair, staring directly at him, his black eyes filled with a fierce red even in the dim alley.
He said to the man, enunciating each word: "You're looking for death."
Usually calm and restrained, he wished for the man's death at this moment.
Emma was lying on the ground, gasping for breath, her body aching from the relentless blows. She could only protect her face and head as much as possible.
Her eyelids were heavy, but she forced them open to see the man who had just been arrogantly beating her, now with a face covered in blood, his features almost indistinguishable.
The man's body, like a rag, was held by Jason, who was about to strike again when a faint voice behind him said, "Jason."
Emma's voice was barely audible as she called out to him.
Jason turned and saw Emma still lying on the ground. Finally, his rationality overcame his rage. He threw the man to the ground and went straight to hold Emma.
Tang Mian, who had been waiting at the entrance of the alley, was attracted by the man's cry and came into the alley to discover what had happened.
He immediately called over the two bodyguards, and even the driver, Old Xu, got out of the car.
The man who had been sprayed in the eyes by Emma had just recovered when he found his companion already lying on the ground, his face a bloody mess, unable to even hum.
He had been blurry-eyed and only knew that someone else had come.
Now, seeing Jason kneeling on the ground and gently holding Emma in his arms, he wanted to rush over and attack Jason from behind.
But as soon as he moved, a hand suddenly reached out from behind, grabbing his collar like an eagle catching a chick.
He turned his head and saw two men in black suits, one taller than the other, especially the one holding his neck, who looked over six feet tall.
The bodyguard, holding the man, didn't act first but looked at Jason.
At this moment, Jason was holding Emma in his arms, his fingers gently brushing her face, removing the debris and dirt that clung to her cheeks.
But he didn't dare to be too forceful; he was afraid it would hurt her.
"Xingxing," Jason called softly, his forehead slightly lowered, touching hers. "Don't be afraid, I'm here."
Emma's trembling body seemed to be soothed and relaxed against him.
Her cheek buried in his chest, she finally let go completely.
He was here, and she was safe.
No one would dare to bully or hit her again.
Tang Mian stood solemnly by, never expecting that Emma would be the one in trouble, and even more surprising, that she had been beaten. He cautiously glanced at Jason, who held Emma as he stood up and slowly walked forward.
When he reached the bodyguard, he stopped, his eyes calmly looking straight ahead.
"Hit them," he said.
His voice was extremely calm, but this calmness concealed an extreme restraint, like the surging currents beneath the ice, seemingly tranquil but full of waves.
He walked towards the alley entrance with Emma in his arms, while the muffled sounds of fists hitting bodies continued to be heard behind him.
Tang Mian and driver Old Xu quickly followed, got in the car, and immediately headed to the hospital.
Jason, holding the person in his arms, felt her too quiet and whispered, "Xingxing."
But there was no response.
The next moment, when Jason's voice sounded again, it had changed in tone: "Xingxing."
Tang Mian quickly turned his head, but what he saw was something he would never forget in his life.
He had been Jason's junior and had followed him almost immediately after graduation. At that time, Jason had not yet taken over Hengyia; he was just a low-ranking manager there. Tang Mian had been by his side, enduring with him, and to be honest, it had been very tough back then.
The reason why Hengyia Group could surpass those foreign companies in such a short time and become the leader in the global communications market was really due to their fighting spirit.
They went where others wouldn't.
They endured what others couldn't.
He had thought that someone like Jason, who had been coddled from a young age, wouldn't be able to endure such hardships, but not only did he endure, he did better than anyone else. He was not only naturally gifted with leadership abilities, but he also possessed everything that most people lacked: his restraint, his reserve, his ability to endure what others could not.
Tang Mian once believed that there was nothing in this world that could easily break him.
Until this moment, when he looked back and saw Jason with his eyes closed, holding Emma in his arms, the light in his eyes on the verge of flickering out.
Upon arriving at the hospital, as soon as the car came to a stop, Jason rushed out with Emma in his arms, dashing straight to the emergency room. Although it was night, there were still many people around.
A nurse immediately noticed the person in his arms and quickly guided him to place her on a hospital bed.
"Please step out for now," the doctor said with a frown as he began to attend to Emma, ushering them all out.
Tang Mian frowned, about to argue that they wouldn't cause trouble and just wanted to stay and watch, but Jason quietly stepped back.
Soon, a nurse came over and asked, "What happened to her?"
The injuries were clearly a result of an assault, but it was hard to imagine who would inflict such severe harm on a girl.
Tang Mian looked at Jason, knowing he wouldn't want to speak at the moment, and quickly whispered, "She was beaten by someone. We only managed to get her to the hospital in time."
"The person who did this was too ruthless. The doctor said she needs a full-body CT scan, and she might have a concussion."
Nurses, having seen it all in the hospital, couldn't help but comment with a sense of helplessness.
But those few words were almost enough to stop Tang Mian's heart. Each word the nurse spoke was like a knife to Jason's heart.
When Xiao Yichen arrived, he reeked of alcohol, clearly having just left a gathering.
He had originally called Jason to ask when he would be back, but Tang Mian answered, and when asked where they were, Tang Mian decided to tell the truth.
Xiao Yichen was genuinely shocked and didn't even bother finishing his drink, rushing over immediately.
By this time, Tang Mian had mobilized all resources to gather medical resources for Emma.
Xiao Yichen looked at Jason, who was standing against the wall. Although he was wearing a black trench coat, it seemed stained with filth, looking like blood.
"Are you alright?" Xiao Yichen asked Tang Mian in a low voice.
Tang Mian didn't really know what to say. He had told Xiao Yichen the truth not only because Xiao Yichen and Jason had a long-standing friendship but also in the hope that he could come and comfort Jason.
Otherwise, Tang Mian was genuinely afraid something would happen.
He was truly scared.
Tang Mian whispered, "Madam is being checked now."
Xiao Yichen sighed, walked over to Jason, but it was Jason who looked up first, not seeming surprised, just staring at him and asking in a low voice, "Got a cigarette?"
Xiao Yichen immediately nodded, yes.
He took out the cigarettes from his pocket, but smoking wasn't allowed here, so he simply took Jason outside. Emma was being checked, and Jason was just waiting here.
The two walked outside, Jason pinching the cigarette between his fingers, Xiao Yichen taking out a lighter to light it for him.
But the wind was strong, and it just wouldn't catch.
Finally, Jason took it himself, his thin lips holding the end of the cigarette, his hand slightly cupping the lighter, and with a click, an orange flame sprang up from the lighter.
He lowered his head, brought the cigarette to the flame, took a deep drag, and lit it.
The cigarette tip glowed a bright red.
After taking a puff of smoke, he was silent for a while, his voice extremely low as he said, "When she was lying there, I thought my life was over."
Xiao Yichen jerked his head up, staring intently at Jason.
He and Jason had known each other since childhood, their families being long-time acquaintances, which meant he knew Jason's character all too well. To see such a restrained person说出 such words at this moment was truly shocking to Xiao Yichen.
As he was about to say something more, Jason took a few steps to the side and extinguished the cigarette he was holding in the designated area on top of a trash can.
"Hey," Xiao Yichen called out from behind, but he didn't know how to comfort him.
This situation was indeed distressing; his own wife being beaten up felt even more painful than if it had happened to him.
Jason wasn't a smoker and hardly ever touched cigarettes, but today was truly disconcerting for him.
A person usually so calm and composed was so unsettled that he needed tobacco to calm himself down.
As he walked back, Xiao Yichen's gaze fell on the back of his hand, which was normally fair and slender but was now covered in grime and blood, looking terribly frightening.
Xiao Yichen quickly caught up and asked in a low voice, "Shen Yan, did you get involved?"
"Mm-hmm," Jason responded, pushing his tongue against his palate, falling back into a heavy mood.
Xiao Yichen reminded him, "Why don't you take care of your hand first? Otherwise, Jing Xi will be heartbroken when she sees it."
Jason slowly raised his palm; the cuts on the back of his hand were from when he had hit someone earlier. However, the blood wasn't all his; most of it belonged to the person he had punched.
Although he had never been in a fight, he knew how to control his strength.
Moreover, the combat skills he learned were practical, aimed at quickly incapacitating the opponent.
But this time, he didn't just want to incapacitate; he wanted to kill.
"Later," Jason murmured.
Soon, Emma returned from her full-body examination, lying on a white hospital bed, probably curled up due to the pain, making her tall figure appear exceptionally fragile.
Her already fair skin was now bloodless and even more unsettlingly pale.
The blood on her face hadn't been cleaned off yet, and the stains on her white cheeks were terrifying to behold.
Xiao Yichen only knew that Emma had been beaten, but seeing her in this state shocked him; what kind of monster would do such a thing?
The leading doctor, a man in his fifties, was introduced by Tang Mian, who whispered to Jason, "President Jason, this is Director Fang, who came specially to examine Madam."
Jason stepped forward and extended his hand, which Director Fang didn't expect and shook respectfully.
Thankfully, Director Fang was not one for small talk and immediately briefed them on Emma's condition, saying directly, "After a comprehensive examination, the president's wife has mostly external injuries, but she has rib fractures and a mild concussion. I will arrange for her to be hospitalized for observation immediately."
Each word was like a vine with countless thorns, lashing and embedding themselves into Jason's heart.
Finally, Emma was settled in a VIP hospital room, a private space with a small reception area. Due to the IV and the sedative medication she had been given, she was now in a deep sleep.
Tang Mian whispered, "President Jason, I've arranged for a nurse to assist and take care of Madam here."
"Not tonight," Jason murmured.
As the three stood at the door, Jason looked at Xiao Yichen and said softly, "The people who hurt Xingxing have been sent to the police station. Before they were sent, they confessed that the person who ordered the attack was indeed Jin Haiyang, the CEO of the health product company Xingxing reported on."
Xiao Yichen cursed under his breath; regardless of his good relationship with Emma, even if it had been a complete stranger beaten like this, he would have been furious.
It was just too inhumane.
"There are significant issues within this company..."
Xiao Yichen glanced at him and said in a low voice, "Don't worry, we won't let this go. I've read Jing Xi's report too, that's a company that scams and defrauds people."
After Xiao Yichen left, Jason turned to Tang Mian.
He reached up and pinched the bridge of his nose, saying in a low voice, "Make a call for me to Director Xie of the Municipal Administration for Industry and Commerce."
Tang Mian was slightly taken aback but still took out his phone and dialed as instructed.
Once the call connected, Jason spoke first, "I apologize, Director Xie, for calling you so late at night."
The middle-aged man on the other end chuckled warmly, his tone very gentle and polite.
Although there should be a distance between officials and businessmen, Hengyia Group is, after all, a major taxpayer and a top-tier financial group with immense influence. A young and promising commander like Jason is admired not only in the business world but also by the officials who are happy to see such an enterprising young man.
"I'm calling tonight about something important," Jason said.
Hearing the gravity in his tone, Director Xie immediately responded, "Go ahead."
Jason spoke in an extremely calm and measured tone, "I want to report Dadi Kang Company."
Tang Mian, who was listening, couldn't help but stare at him. Jason had a hundred ways to deal with this matter, but he chose the most formal and shocking method.
Director Xie was also taken aback and immediately asked, "Dadi Kang Company?"
"I assume you've seen the report in Hu Min Daily."
Director Xie did not deny it; such a report that had attracted the attention of the entire social public and was Screen swipe on social media had been brought to his attention by his secretary. To be honest, not only was the Administration for Industry and Commerce paying attention, but the municipal government was also closely monitoring the situation.
After all, such health product companies that use false advertising to deceive consumers, especially middle-aged and elderly consumers, are the scum of the scum.
Jason: "The reporter who wrote the article is named Emma, and she is my wife."
Director Xie considered himself a man who had seen a lot, but he was shocked again and again within just a few sentences of this call.
The president of Hengyia Group is married?
The media hasn't reported this, has it? Of course, this was not the time to be concerned about this.
Because Jason continued, "Today, my wife was attacked, and the attackers have been taken to the police station by my bodyguards, who have admitted that they were sent by the person in charge of Dadi Kang."
Even Director Xie couldn't help but get angry, "These people really have no regard for the law."
In a big city like Shanghai, with such good public security, someone dared to do such a thing. This was more than just false propaganda.
This was a crime.
Jason: "Public opinion is already very dissatisfied with companies like Dadi Kang. If the news of my wife's attack gets out, I'm afraid the public will think that the relevant departments are not doing anything."
Relevant departments...
Which department? Their Administration for Industry and Commerce would be the first to be implicated.
At this point, Director Xie's tone was somewhat grateful. After all, Jason said he was reporting in his own name but also gave them time to act. Otherwise, if the news of the reporter who reported on this being beaten really got out, it would cause an uproar.
He immediately nodded, "Reporter Emma is a journalist with a social conscience, and we will not let such people be treated like this for no reason. I believe the police will handle the criminal case, and as for Dadi Kang Company..."
"We will deal with it."
Before hanging up, Jason told the other party that Emma's computer still had a lot of investigative materials that could be used as evidence for the report to the Administration for Industry and Commerce, hoping it would be helpful.
Director Xie was endlessly grateful.
After hanging up the phone, Jason looked at Tang Mian and instructed, "Go to my house, Jing Xi left a USB drive there, which should contain the evidence she collected. Copy it and personally hand it over to Director Xie."
Tang Mian nodded, "Understood, President Jason."