The man in front of her leaned on his walking stick and barely managed to steady himself against the wall.
His face was an extremely unhealthy shade of pale. Big beads of sweat oozed from his forehead. The veins on his neck bulged, and his breathing was labored. It was obvious that he was in great pain.
Jiang Li rushed to support him immediately.
In just a few seconds, she quickly diagnosed that the symptoms the elderly man was showing were those of a sudden heart attack.
Memories from the past came flooding back, causing her to catch her breath slightly.
She didn't hesitate for long. Swiftly, she took out the quick - acting heart - saving pills she always carried from her bag, pinched the middle - aged man's chin, and stuffed a few pills into his mouth.
"This is quick - acting heart - saving medicine. It's for saving your life."
Noticing the man's frowned brows, she realized her rudeness and quickly explained, indicating that she meant no harm.
The golden rescue time for a heart - attack patient is just these crucial few seconds, and she couldn't afford to waste any time.
The middle - aged man let out a sigh of relief and nodded weakly with a pale face.
Soon, his breathing gradually steadied, and color returned to his face. He was slowly out of danger.
"Are you feeling better now?" Jiang Li still stood there, her eyes filled with undisguised concern. "Which room are you in? I'll help you back."
Before he could say anything, a man in a suit suddenly came running over. Seeing Jiang Li touching his boss, his expression changed instantly.
"Stay away from our General Manager Sheng!"
The man rushed over and stood directly in front of Jiang Li, looking at her warily. "Who are you? What's your intention?"
Caught off guard, Jiang Li quickly took a few steps back.
Only then did she start to take a good look at the middle - aged man in front of her.
He was in his forties, wearing a dark - gray bespoke suit and holding a wooden walking stick. He hadn't fully recovered from the sudden attack.
However, it was obvious that he had an extraordinary air about him. Every gesture exuded the calmness and composure that a person in a high position acquires over time.
Evidently, he had a significant background.
"Xiao Zhang, don't be so rude to the lady."
At this moment, the middle - aged man cleared his throat and slowly said, "This young lady just saved my life. I should thank her."
Jiang Li looked up at the middle - aged man's mature and weathered expression. For a moment, she was in a daze.
Perhaps, after a few decades, Xiao Yanzhi would also look like this. She just didn't know if she would still have the chance to see him like that.
"I see. I'm really sorry."
The assistant was adaptable. Knowing that he had misunderstood, he immediately bowed deeply to Jiang Li several times and apologized sincerely. "Please give me your contact information, miss. I'll thank you properly on behalf of General Manager Sheng later."
Jiang Li shook her head. She had helped out just because she passed by, not for any reward. "No need. I was just passing by and lent a hand. I'm in a hurry. Excuse me."
After saying that, she bid farewell to them and rushed towards the private room where Xiao Yanzhi was.
Seeing her refusal, the assistant didn't take it to heart and focused on his boss instead. "General Manager Sheng, are you okay? Do you want to go to the hospital?"
"It's just an old problem. Fortunately, that girl was there." The middle - aged man's voice was deep and showed no emotion. "I was lucky that she had the medicine on her."
The words were rather cryptic, but the assistant understood. He immediately looked serious. "Do you mean that the girl did it on purpose..."
Watching Jiang Li's disappearing figure, the man's eyes darkened, and his expression turned cold.
He lowered his eyes and twirled the jade finger ring on his thumb. His thin lips parted slightly, with no trace of warmth. "Check into that girl's background."
Few young people these days are in poor health, and how many of them would carry quick - acting heart - saving pills with them?
And how could it be such a coincidence that she just happened to save his life?
Having been in Beicheng for so many years, Sheng Cheng's status was no ordinary one. There had always been many people who flattered and tried to curry favor with him.
It was hard not to suspect that the girl had a hidden agenda.
...
Jiang Li didn't pay much attention to this little incident. She quickly found the room number, checked it, and then hurriedly pushed the door open.
The moment she opened the door, the lively atmosphere inside suddenly fell silent. Everyone turned to look at Jiang Li in unison.
Everyone was as quiet as a mouse, and their expressions were all strange.
It seemed that her appearance had completely changed the atmosphere of this gathering.
Only Xiao Yanzhi was sitting leisurely on the sofa, looking indifferent with no expression on his face. His look at Jiang Li even carried a hint of mockery, as if laughing at how easily she was deceived.
Qin Yaoyao on the side was also looking at her with a look of anticipation, not bothering to explain anything about that phone call.
Jiang Li's head buzzed, and she quickly realized what was going on.
She had been played.
"Jiang Li, you... You really came?"
Duan Yibo was the first to break the silence, looking a bit embarrassed. "Well, we were just playing a game. A Yan is actually fine."
"Sorry, Sister Jiang Li. I lost a truth - or - dare game just now and was supposed to call someone over. I don't know many other people, so I called you. You don't mind, do you?"
Qin Yaoyao chimed in, sticking out her tongue. Her smile looked so innocent that it was hard to believe she had done it on purpose.
Jiang Li was silent for a few seconds and then suddenly laughed. Her eyes barely lingered on anyone's face for a second. She tried to keep her voice calm. "Since there's nothing wrong, I'll leave. You guys continue."
After saying that, without another word, she turned around and was about to leave.
But before she could pull the door open, Xiao Yanzhi, with his long legs, strode over and pressed his hand on the doorknob she was about to touch. "You've come. Sit down and play with us."
It was a domineering order.
Jiang Li was a bit resistant. Her beautiful eyebrows furrowed. "I don't want to play."
"One hundred thousand." His voice dropped, speaking in a voice only the two of them could hear. "Sit down and have a good time. I'll give you one hundred thousand after it's over."
This figure made Jiang Li pause.
"Okay." She gritted her teeth, her face still stiff, and her fingers curled up. "General Manager Xiao keeps his word."
After saying that, she turned around and faced the others in the private room again, showing a gentle and polite smile. "Since you guys are playing a game, I don't think you'll mind having one more person, right?"
Saying so, she walked over. Those who were sensible immediately made room for her.
She found a seat and sat down. The smile on her face remained, but it didn't reach her eyes. It was just a superficial one. "Happy birthday, Young Master Duan. I'm late. I'll punish myself with three glasses of wine."
After saying that, she picked up the glass in front of her and gulped down three glasses of wine without hesitation.
Although it seemed she was being bold, in fact, she was in a very bad mood. She needed the alcohol to numb her nerves so as not to expose her emotions in front of these people.
Throughout the whole process, there was always a smile on her face.
The man sitting next to Jiang Li watched her every move and couldn't help but speak up. His voice was gentle. "Miss Jiang, you seem a bit unhappy."