"Ca-Caishen!" Meng Rin gasped, rushing toward him.
The room rippled with murmurs and confusion as Bai Caishen stumbled backward, his legs giving way beneath him. His body crumpled to the marble floor with a heavy thud.
"Caishen!" Chow Mey staggered backward with horror.
"Call a doctor!" Rinrin cried, kneeling beside him, her hands trembling as she tried to shake him awake. "Caishen, stay with me!"
Bai Caishen continued to cough, his pallor becoming more ashen.
Hou Tengqi froze. The jealousy that had consumed him seconds ago drained into something colder and sharper. His eyes darted between Bai Caishen's pale face and the guests who now stared, whispering about what had just unfolded.
His mother, Mrs. Hou quickly arrived at the scene, gasping at the sight of an unconscious guest. The music had screeched to a halt, leaving only the sounds of Meng Rin's panicked voice and Bai Caishen's ragged breathing.
