The night was vast and hazy. Dim streetlights flickered along the endless road.

Xia Chuan cycled down the street with Qian Yu on the back. From his memory, this road meant they were nearly home. He slightly sped up his pedaling.

Suddenly, Qian Yu—who’d been silent, seemingly asleep against his back—spoke:

“Xia Chuan, stop for a sec.”

“What’s up?”

Though puzzled, he obediently halted the bike.

“Are you an idiot? We need groceries. Haven’t eaten dinner yet!”

Qian Yu released her arms from around him. She stood on the bike’s rear seat and pointed across the street. “Supermarket’s right there.”

“It’s late. Nothing’ll be left. Just order takeout?” Xia Chuan checked his phone. Past eight. He suggested it casually.

“No. Waste of money. And it won’t taste as good as mine.” Qian Yu refused instantly. Growing up poor, she knew frugality well.

“Your call.” Xia Chuan shrugged. He handed her his wallet.

Qian Yu managed household finances far better than him. She always held the purse strings…

Wait. Does this make me, the head of the household, look undignified?

Xia Chuan bowed his head slightly, feeling embarrassed.

Qian Yu took the wallet but frowned in distaste. She pulled out a single hundred-yuan bill and tossed the wallet back.

“Idiot Xia Chuan. Groceries don’t cost that much.”

Ignoring him, she turned and strode toward the supermarket.

Watching her receding figure, Xia Chuan chuckled wryly.

“You little troublemaker. That’s how you talk to your dad?”

The supermarket was nearly empty this late.

But as a high school girl with strong domestic instincts, Qian Yu quickly planned dinner from the sparse ingredients. Shopping was swift. Soon, she carried her basket to the checkout.

“Qian Yu? Why so late today?” The cashier, familiar with her regular visits, scanned the items while chatting.

“Went to the amusement park.” Qian Yu answered without hesitation.

“Oh? With your boyfriend?” The cashier smirked.

“Huh? No way! It was with my dad…” Qian Yu’s cheeks flushed. She waved her hands frantically.

“Tch. Just some old man.” The cashier had never met Xia Chuan. Assuming a middle-aged dad and pretty teen, her gossip interest vanished.

Qian Yu paid quickly. Bag in hand, she stepped out of the supermarket. Darkness swallowed her vision.

The night air made her oddly melancholic. She stood at the entrance for a moment, sighing softly.

“Time to head back…”

“Help… please…”

A faint cry stopped her after a few steps. Qian Yu never ignored pleas for help—especially when the voice sounded familiar.

She scanned the area. The sound came from the outdoor parking lot beside the supermarket. She sprinted over.

Within seconds, she reached the lot’s entrance. Only a few cars remained in the gloom.

Her eyes locked on three figures in the corner—two men, one woman.

Visibility was poor, but she saw one man yanking the woman’s collar while the other watched.

Bullying. No hesitation. Qian Yu ran forward, bag swinging, shouting:

“Stop right there!”

The trio turned toward her voice. In the dark, only silhouettes were visible. The men’s eyes gleamed with lust at her high-schooler’s frame.

Qian Yu halted a safe distance away. The man released the woman’s collar and sized up Qian Yu.

“Hey, beauty. Out this late? Wanna join us for fun?” His voice thickened with hormones, drawn to her shape.

Hearing him, Qian Yu’s brow furrowed—not from his crudeness, but a strange familiarity in his tone.

“Run! They’re dangerous—!” The woman cried out, only to be kicked down mid-warning.

“Shut up.” The man glared coldly at her, then grinned at Qian Yu.

Qian Yu didn’t flee. That voice… she knew it.

She pulled out her phone, flashlight on. The beam revealed the fallen woman. Qian Yu froze.

“Little Fish?”

The woman stiffened at the nickname. Only one person called her that. She stared back, bewildered.

“Mo Qian Yu?”

At the name, the two men’s lecherous grins vanished. Terror flooded their faces as they gaped at the girl in the shadows.

Qian Yu ignored their stares. She switched off the flashlight.

Slowly, she set her grocery bag on the ground. Her gaze turned icy.

“Your voices sounded familiar. Still bullying Little Fish after last time? Guess my warning didn’t stick…” She cracked her knuckles, smiling sweetly. “So. How do you want to die?”

As captain of the school’s combat club, Qian Yu handled ordinary thugs easily.

She’d beaten these two before. This fight felt routine.

Though not Xia Chuan’s biological daughter, years together taught her his ways: gentle with friends, ruthless with enemies.

Scum like this deserved no mercy. She landed a few crippling kicks to sensitive spots.

Minutes later, the men stood bruised and trembling, supporting each other. Under Qian Yu’s glare, they bowed repeatedly to the now-standing Little Fish.

“No next time. Get lost.” Qian Yu waved dismissively when she grew bored.

The men stumbled away like freed prisoners.

Alone with Little Fish, Qian Yu’s tone softened with concern.

“Those jerks threatened you for money again?”

“None of your business, Mo Qian Yu.” Little Fish crossed her arms, head down, voice cold.

“How’s it not? We’re friends. Tell me what’s wrong…” Qian Yu’s chest tightened, but she forced a smile.

“We’re not friends. My problems aren’t yours. I’m leaving.” Little Fish turned away without waiting for a reply.

Qian Yu opened her mouth to stop her—but the words died. She let her go.

“Friend of yours?”

Xia Chuan’s voice startled her from behind. He’d followed her from across the street.

Qian Yu jumped, then relaxed seeing him. Her frustration over Little Fish boiled over.

“None of your business! Idiot Xia Chuan! When did you sneak up? Are you a ghost?”

Xia Chuan’s eye twitched. He’d worried when she veered off course. Now, his kindness felt wasted.

“Yeah, yeah. I’m a ghost. Let’s go home. No more delays.” He’d biked over, so no need to cross back.

Qian Yu didn’t mount the bike. She picked up her bag quietly.

“Xia Chuan… we’re close to home now. Let’s walk back…”

“Walk? Why?” He frowned, confused.

Qian Yu’s eyes dimmed. Her expression softened with hidden pain.

“Nothing. Just… want to walk. And… I need to ask you something.”