Seeing Mo Lingling’s confident demeanor, Ye Jiuliang’s cold eyes narrowed slightly; it seemed like the person behind Mo Lingling really did come prepared.

"Star of the Sea" is Anuo’s heirloom. Since she dared to make an issue of it, it’s likely there is another "Star of the Sea" in the bank’s safe deposit box.

However, she was curious; with the "Star of the Sea" in her possession, what exactly did the fake "Star of the Sea" in Mo Lingling’s hands look like?

Suddenly, urgent footsteps sounded from outside.

Mo Lingling looked toward the door, and Chu Chen and Ji Mingqian ran in one after another.

"Anuo, listen to my explanation," Chu Chen ran straight to Gu Xinuo, took her hand, and started explaining anxiously.

Gu Xinuo shook off his hand, her expression cold. "Get away from me."

"Chu Chen, since you’re here as well, let’s settle things clearly today." Ye Jiuliang walked over, stood in front of Gu Xinuo, and said coldly.

Mo Lingling glanced at Chu Chen, then at Ye Jiuliang, frightened that Ye Jiuliang would ruin things, she quickly interjected, "Ye Jiuliang, this is a matter between the three of us, it has nothing to do with you, I..."

"Shut up," Ye Jiuliang’s cold eyes swept toward her, "You have no place to speak here."

Still feeling the sour pain on her neck, Mo Lingling fell silent, sulking.

Ye Jiuliang’s voice was cold and forceful, "Chu Chen, you know very well what Mo Lingling has done. If you insist on protecting her, then you are standing against us. Make your decision now."

Chu Chen looked troubled, "Ajiu, don’t be so absolute with your words."

Ye Jiuliang’s face grew colder, "Chu Chen, does that mean your choice is to protect her?"

"Master has been kind to me." Chu Chen hung his head, saying helplessly.

Not far away, Mo Lingling’s heart leapt with joy; as long as Chu Chen protected her, that was enough.

"Since you say so, I am curious to see how you plan to protect her from my hands."

Before her voice had faded, she moved swiftly, and in the blink of an eye, she was in front of Mo Lingling.

Just as Mo Lingling was about to shriek, her neck was seized by a cold hand.

"Cough cough——"

Chu Chen shouted, "Ajiu, calm down."

"Chu Chen, are you really going to become enemies with the three of us over Mo Lingling?" Ji Mingqian leaned against the wall, his casual tone carrying a hint of chill.

Chu Chen said nothing, his face showing his conflict.

As the cold sensation spread across her face, Mo Lingling caught a glimpse of the dagger pressed against her cheek, frightening her into losing her color.

"Chu Chen, save, save me."

Ye Jiuliang glanced at Mo Lingling, the dagger in her hand pressing slightly harder, "Chu Chen, no need to struggle, I’ll make the decision for you."

With that, the blade twisted, threatening to stab toward her neck.

"Ajiu."

Chu Chen rushed forward, knocked her hand aside, the dagger turned and sliced across Mo Lingling’s arm.

"Ah." Mo Lingling felt a pain in her arm, and fresh red blood spilled out, staining her sleeve.

She clutched her arm and quickly hid behind Chu Chen.

"Chu Chen, it seems you’ve made your choice," Ye Jiuliang said coldly, a thin smile appearing in her eyes.

"Ajiu, you..."

Ye Jiuliang cut him off coldly, "Don’t call me."

With that, the dagger in her hand flew from her grasp, hitting Chu Chen’s arm squarely.

"Thud——"

The dagger fell to the ground with a dull sound.

Gu Xinuo watched as Chu Chen’s arm wouldn’t stop bleeding, a trace of pain crossing the depths of her eyes.

"Ye Jiuliang, you’re crazy," Mo Lingling yelled from behind Chu Chen, her teeth clenched.

"Aqian," Ye Jiuliang glanced at Ji Mingqian.

Ji Mingqian nodded, understandingly, reached out, grabbed Mo Lingling by the collar, and pulled her aside.

"Let go of me, let go."

Ye Jiuliang turned to Gu Xinuo and asked in a flat voice, "Anuo, are you going to do it yourself, or shall I?"

Gu Xinuo’s eyes darkened, her heart hardened, and she clenched her fist to swing at Chu Chen.

Chu Chen didn’t dodge or avoid, and the solid punch landed squarely on his shoulder.

"Chu Chen, fight back, will you? Do you really want them to beat you to death?" Mo Lingling, seeing Chu Chen taking hits passively, was in a panic.

A noisy voice rang out. Ji Mingqian crossed his arms and slapped her head, warning sternly, "Be quiet, you have no say here."

Mo Lingling shot him a reluctant glare and fell silent.

Ye Jiuliang stretched out his hand, grabbed Chu Chen by the collar, and swung his fist towards his abdomen.

"Chu Chen, you damned bastard."

Just as the punch was about to land, he pulled the punch at the last moment.

In an unseen corner, Chu Chen gave Ye Jiuliang a grateful look.

Had the punch been delivered with full force, it would have caused him internal injuries.

Letting go, Ye Jiuliang pushed Chu Chen away and lifted his chin slightly, "Chu Chen, if you want to protect Mo Lingling, I don’t care to stay in organization K anymore."

She paused, then turned to look at Ji Mingqian, "Aqian, what do you say?"

Ji Mingqian raised an eyebrow and said sarcastically, "If you all are leaving, naturally I have no reason to stay, especially not with people whose values clash with mine."

Mo Lingling felt a surge of joy upon hearing that they all intended to leave organization K.

Without the three of them, her plan would be halfway to success.

"Anuo, let’s go," Ye Jiuliang pulled Gu Xinuo’s hand, leading her out.

Chu Chen grabbed Gu Xinuo’s hand, "Anuo, don’t go."

Gu Xinuo lowered her eyes, her voice cold, "Chu Chen, if possible, I would rather have never met you."

With that, she shook off his hand and followed Ye Jiuliang out.

Suddenly, only the three of them were left in the room.

Ji Mingqian looked at Chu Chen and mocked, "Chu Chen, I never imagined you would defend Mo Lingling. Even less did I think that one day we would become enemies."

Chu Chen hung his head, staying silent.

"Look after yourself." With that, Ji Mingqian turned and left.

Mo Lingling watched his retreating figure, wishing he would leave faster.

After closing the door, Mo Lingling turned and approached Chu Chen.

"Achen, it’s really too much of Ye Jiuliang and the others to beat you like this," she said with feigned distress.

"The ground is cold; wouldn’t you rather get up? Let’s have a doctor come and see your wounds."

Seeing her reach out, Chu Chen backed away. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

He stood up and walked in silence towards the door.

"Chu Chen, where are you going?" Mo Lingling, fearing he would leave and she would be without support, hurried after him.

She said pitifully, "I don’t want to be here alone. Can you let me out, please?"

Chu Chen glanced at her coldly and said, "Stay here quietly. Tomorrow, I will have someone let you go."

With that, he pulled open the door and left without hesitation.

A look of joy appeared on Mo Lingling’s face; knowing she would be able to leave this dreadful place tomorrow made the wound on her arm feel less painful.

...

Leaving the apartment, Ye Jiuliang and his group went straight home, while Chu Chen turned and headed to headquarters.

Upon arriving home, Li Mochan immediately came to greet them.

"Why has it taken so long, are you hurt anywhere?"

Ji Mingqian, who was trailing at the back, heard him and rolled his eyes.

The one who got hurt was Chu Chen, wasn’t it? After taking all those punches and being cut by a knife, he was the one actually out of luck.