Watching their group surrounded by burly men with predatory gazes, the black-clad figure showed no panic. A trace of disdain flickered across his face as he spoke calmly, "Seems none of you have even heard of the House of Yu."

"Enough. Just know this: with a single word, our mistress can bankrupt your little club."

His confident words stunned the crowd. Though infuriated by his blatant arrogance, the boxer swallowed his temper and glanced back at the coach, awaiting his signal.

The coach took a deep breath. Unprovoked by the obvious provocation, he assessed the situation coldly.

These strangers were determined to take Mu Shuanghua—clearly up to no good. He couldn’t let them drag her away. His only concerns: could they fight? And if they did, would anyone protect them afterward?

Whether Mu Shuanghua had actually offended some powerful conglomerate never crossed anyone’s mind.

His gaze shifted to Piao Lele in the corner, seated beside Mu Shuanghua. Her usual playful demeanor had vanished. She gripped Mu Shuanghua tightly, preventing her from charging forward, icy eyes fixed on the black-clad men.

*This unreasonable approach… it reeks of the House of Yu’s methods.* Piao Lele recalled her father’s warning days ago: the House had lost something valuable and mobilized everyone to find it.

*Could it be related? But Shuanghua has no connection to them!* Then it struck her—the banquet. *I brought her onto their turf!*

"Stupid me!" She smacked her own forehead, regret twisting her features.

Mu Shuanghua glanced at her, then struggled again to break free. She knew why they’d come. She knew who the House of Yu truly sought.

She couldn’t let the club suffer for her sake.

Before she could step forward, Piao Lele yanked her back. Face grim, she locked eyes with the agitated girl. "Shuanghua, leave this to me. Stay put."

Mu Shuanghua stilled. She inhaled sharply, forcing down the storm inside. "Will this cause trouble?"

Piao Lele’s lips curled. She strode from the corner toward the crowd, hands waving dismissively.

"Don’t underestimate your manager."

The coach exhaled in relief. Beyond boxing, he knew nothing of handling crises—this club’s survival rested on this girl’s shoulders.

The crowd parted for Piao Lele. She stopped at the front, hands on hips, expression unreadable as she faced the black-clad men. "Since you’re from the House of Yu," she began coolly, "you must know who I am."

The leader recognized the petite but sharp-eyed girl. Intel had mentioned her role as club manager—but her presence here was terrible luck.

He dropped his haughty stance, bowing slightly. "Miss Piao."

"We mean no harm to these people. We simply need to take Miss Mu for questioning."

"Really?" Piao Lele’s tone made rebuttal impossible—or unwise.

"Why is the House of Yu mobilizing forces to snatch an ordinary college girl?"

Her question pressed hard. She already suspected the answer; his reaction would confirm it.

After a long pause, he hesitated. "I… don’t know. The mistress ordered it."

"Oh? Then why not involve the police? Has the House grown bold enough to kidnap in broad daylight?"

He wanted to snap *Yes*, but fear choked the words. "I’m just following orders."

"Tch. A cowardly master breeds no vicious dogs."

Piao Lele’s jab sealed it. The House had lost something critical—too sensitive for police, too urgent to stay quiet. They’d targeted Mu Shuanghua precisely because she lacked power. *Why not come for me instead?*

She despised two kinds of people: bullies, and those who stopped her from bullying back.

As Piao Lele turned to leave, the man called after her, voice suddenly humble. "Miss Piao, we apologize for today’s offense. We’ll visit formally to make amends. But this is the mistress’s personal request—a mere boxer."

"Surely you won’t risk straining relations over her?"

Piao Lele didn’t even pause. She waved at the towering amateur boxers. "Medical bills covered!"

A roar erupted. The crowd surged forward. Someone slammed the doors shut—ready to lock the dogs inside.

Piao Lele had already darted back to Mu Shuanghua’s side. She peered at the phone in her friend’s hands. "You’ve been texting nonstop lately. Who’s got you so obsessed?"

Mu Shuanghua almost denied it, then paused. She nodded calmly. "Someone I care deeply about."

"Oh-ho!" Piao Lele’s teasing died instantly as Mu Shuanghua added:

"Seems he’s also the one the House of Yu is truly hunting."

Mu Yue Ran was driving Ji Yueyi to school when his phone buzzed. He parked at the gates, checked the message—and his expression turned grave.