In some sections of the city village, foot traffic was sparse to begin with, and at this hour, there were even fewer people around.
The cries of vendors faded from Lin Yiren’s ears as she glanced at the narrow alleyway between the old apartment blocks nearby, its winding path vanishing into darkness.
Though she knew this road well, she still couldn’t help but quicken her pace.
The setting sun gradually disappeared, and the streetlights flickered on, casting scattered silhouettes of the few passersby.
Lin Yiren noticed a low house up ahead, its door wide open, and raucous laughter from men spilled out from the lit room inside.
She knew the place was frequented by the unemployed youth of the neighborhood, men in their twenties and thirties who came by every few days to drink and play cards.
Back in university, she’d walked past here countless times; those drunken adults had been nothing but a trivial nuisance to her then.
But now, as she watched her own slender shadow stretch across the ground, those foul-mouthed men seemed a bit dangerous.
She shouldn’t have taken this route. Lin Yiren regretted her reflexive choice.
The cost of safety was always higher for women; her own identity reminded her again.
The young woman quickened her steps, wanting to pass by swiftly, but instead drew the attention of two of the men.
As the sky darkened and the quiet, deserted lane lay before them, the sight of a girl darting away like a startled cat stirred up the restlessness in the men.
“Are you alone, little sister? Why are you running?” The two swaggered over, blocking her way. Their eyes turned greedy as they saw her face clearly.
Lin Yiren didn’t want to show any fear. Her back was straight as bamboo as she said, “Move aside.”
But the men only exchanged a smirk. One of them shouted back to the house, “Hey, there’s a pretty girl out here to play!”
Damn it!
Lin Yiren gathered her strength, preparing to dash past, when a sudden shout rang out from afar, “Still blocking people’s way? Looking for trouble, aren’t you?!”
The voice was crisp and loud—a woman’s voice.
The two men, who had been so cocky just a moment ago, instantly stiffened, fear flashing across their faces. They shoved each other and slunk away.
“Dogs can’t stop eating shit,” came a scornful voice from behind.
Lin Yiren turned and saw, to her surprise, a girl who looked even younger than herself. The wind ruffled the girl’s long hair, lending a touch of heroic spirit to her still-round, youthful face.
Shen Que, seeing the older girl turn to look at her, was just about to offer some words of comfort when she froze.
What a beautiful big sister! Shen Que screamed like a prairie dog in her heart.
She hurried forward; up close, the “big sister” was even more stunning, her lithe figure somehow blending a soft appearance with a cool, aloof aura.
Excitedly, she introduced herself: “Don’t worry, big sis, my name is Shen Que. Those guys have all been taught a lesson by me before. I’ll walk you out of here.”
Lin Yiren found her lively expression rather cute and smiled. “Thank you, then I’ll trouble you.”
All the way, Shen Que chatted cheerfully, and after learning Lin Yiren’s name, she started calling her “Sister Yiren” as if they were old friends.
Curious, Yiren asked, “Why are those guys so afraid of you?”
“Because I beat them into submission, of course.” Shen Que showed off her arm. “I’m a Taekwondo Black Belt—those guys are all wimps.”
Looking at Shen Que’s well-toned arm, Lin Yiren was amazed at how fierce this girl was.
“I’ve made it my goal to protect all big sisters!” Shen Que declared, punching the air with fiery enthusiasm. Lin Yiren couldn’t help but laugh—what a lovable Flower Guardian she’d run into.
At the crossroads, as they parted, Shen Que had nearly finished spilling all her family secrets.
Lin Yiren now knew her family ran a Martial Arts School, and that she was only eighteen this year.
“Sister Yiren, it’s already dark out. Why don’t we grab dinner together before you go?” Shen Que asked, reluctant to say goodbye.
Unable to refuse the girl who had helped her, Yiren sent a message to Chen Zhaoyue. Shen Que beamed, already recommending nearby restaurants.
***
“I won’t be back for dinner. You and Xing Yao eat first.”
“Mm.”
Mm? What’s that supposed to mean? Lin Yiren stood at her doorstep, staring at her phone, feeling inexplicably uneasy.
She stepped inside and turned on the lights—suddenly, a figure appeared.
Lin Yiren jumped, her fawn-like eyes going wide and innocent.
It was the young lady of the house, dressed in pajamas, arms folded across her chest and her expression cool and unreadable.
Lin Yiren meekly greeted her, ready to make her escape, but was immediately caught—she struggled weakly like a rabbit.
“Out playing this late with your friend?” Chen Zhaoyue loomed over her with her height advantage, exuding pressure.
“No, it was someone else…”
“Someone else?”
“It was a girl! I just met her on the way back.” Lin Yiren shrank her neck, surrounded by Miss Chen’s presence and the fresh scent of her post-bath skin, her cheeks flushing pink.
All those bold ideas about regaining her former vigor seemed to slip from her mind at this moment.
Suddenly, Chen Zhaoyue let her go, her voice tinged with a faint sadness. “Xing Yao asked during dinner why her mommy wasn’t home.”
“Huh?”
“She probably never expected her mom to be out living it up.”
“No, it’s not like that, I wasn’t—” Lin Yiren nearly flailed her arms off, overwhelmed by the sudden wave of grievance. What is this sulky, jealous feeling!?
“And these past few days, when I told her bedtime stories, she said you never told her any.” Chen Zhaoyue brought up another issue.
Huh? I didn’t know I was supposed to! Xing Yao always fell asleep so fast. Lin Yiren’s mind was a mess—could she really be an unfit mother!?
“So, you have to accept your punishment.”
“Huh?” Lin Yiren was just about to confess when she heard this.
Before she could react, the world spun, and her eyes filled with the ceiling—and Miss Chen’s face.
She’d been tackled onto the sofa!
Wha—what’s going on? Lin Yiren could only feel the velvet against her back and Miss Chen’s figure looming over her.
Her heart raced wildly, pink blush spreading from her cheeks down her neck. In her daze, all she could see was Miss Chen’s beauty mark swaying before her.
“Don’t move,” she whispered in her ear.
Chen Zhaoyue’s hand slid down along Lin Yiren’s waist—Yiren couldn’t see her anymore, but she could feel her breath warm against her skin.
Fabric rustled, the sofa shook, and Lin Yiren softly called, “Chen Zhaoyue…”
Then—
“Ahaha—stop, stop, I give up!” Lin Yiren twisted and struggled.
Chen Zhaoyue was actually tickling her feet!
The young lady cupped the soft little foot, scratching its sole and lowering her voice, “If you make any more noise, you’ll wake Xing Yao.”
Lin Yiren had to clap a hand over her mouth, but tiny sounds still escaped.
Chen Zhaoyue bent down, undoing Lin Yiren’s hair tie, letting her hair spill around her blushing face.
“This is your punishment…for coming home late.”