“So everything you said was fake?” Ji Shiting was still getting closer. “It was just to draw Shengge away from me?”

“No, no. What I said was true.” Xiao Ruilang’s voice was gentle. “My birth mother was tortured to death by my father because of your father. It’s also true that I hate you.”

“Since I’m your target, let her go.” Ji Shiting’s voice sounded calm, but it was trembling. “Xiao Ruilang, if you are still a man, you shouldn’t attack a woman.”

Xiao Ruilang smiled and said, “Such words don’t work on me.”

Ji Shiting swallowed hard and said, “Let her go. I’ll let you do whatever you want.”

Xiao Ruilang turned a deaf ear to her and said, “To be honest, I’ve never seen you lose your composure. I really hate how you’re always handling things so easily. It’s as if everything is within your control. Unfortunately, your woman is in my hands now.”

Just as he said that, the cruise ship lurched suddenly and gasps could be heard from all directions. More and more people were on the deck, but they were all busy getting on the lifeboats. Almost no one noticed what was happening at the bow of the ship. They wouldn’t have time to care even if they noticed it.

The intensity of shaking got worse but Xiao Ruilang didn’t at all. Instead, he was smiling even more than ever.

Ji Shiting stared at the two of them and said, “You’ll die if the cruise ship sinks.”

“So be it.” Xiao Ruilang smiled and moved his wrist. Ye Shengge leaned back and screamed, but then, she bit her lips.

Ji Shiting said, “Stop it!”

“Hahaha, you really do care about her.” Xiao Ruilang seemed satisfied. “What do you intend to do if I really push her down? Jump down after her?”

“What do you want?” Ji Shiting looked at Ye Shengge’s shaking body, and his heart ached. His voice was hoarse. “Xiao Ruilang, I can satisfy whatever you ask for, as long as you let her go.”

“I want you to beg me. I want you to kneel. I want you to wag your tail and beg me!” He suddenly lowered his voice, and his breathing became rapid. “Can you do that?”

Ji Shiting’s pupils contracted.

“No!” Ye Shengge yelled. “Shiting, leave now. Don’t stay here. He won’t do anything to me.”

“That might not be true,” said Xiao Ruilang. He pulled her into his embrace and breathed on her face. “My dear Summer Wood, I really like your work but if you want to live, that will all depend on whether your man can swallow his pride.”

“Are you for real?” Ji Shiting said calmly. “Will you let her go if I kneel and beg you?”

“That’s right.” Xiao Ruilang’s pupils dilated.

Ji Shiting took two steps forward and bent his knees.

“No!” Ye Shengge was about to break down. “Shiting, don’t!”

“Shh.” Ji Shiting looked at her with a smile. His dark eyes were brighter than the night sky behind him. “Don’t be afraid.”

Ye Shengge shuddered. She didn’t know where she got the strength from, but she barged Xiao Ruilang. In his elation, Xiao Ruilang released his grip and she really broke through his hold.

However, at that moment, the boat tilted.