It was past 8 PM when a pair of high schoolers in uniforms stepped out of a cinema. The petite girl, with baby-faced cheeks like a porcelain doll, tugged slightly at her boyfriend’s sleeve, worry flickering in her eyes. "Haoming… is it really okay to keep this from our parents?"

"Of course," he soothed, draping an arm around her shoulders. "They don’t know the cram school teacher took sick leave. And this place is far from home and school—no one we know will spot us."

"I guess…" Her voice trembled. "But our parents and teachers all forbid dating in senior year…"

"We’ll be careful. No one will find out. After the college entrance exams, we’ll go public."

Just as Chen Jiayi and Qin Haoming leaned close, three flashy-dressed thugs blocked their path. The bleach-blond leader leered at Jiayi. "Cute little thing. How ’bout you come play with us?"

"W-what do you want?!" Jiayi squeaked, shrinking behind Haoming like a startled rabbit.

"Just wanna have fun with your girl," the blond snarled, shoving Haoming aside. He seized Jiayi’s slender wrist, yanking her toward a dim alley.

"No! Help!!"

Crowds lingered near the cinema entrance, eyes wide with curiosity—but no one moved. These thugs radiated menace. Better to mind your own business.

Haoming strained to break free, but another thug pinned him down. A cold, sharp point pressed into his ribs. "We just want your girl for dinner," a low voice hissed in his ear. "Make trouble, and… well."

Haoming froze. Just an ordinary student—good at books and singing, never faced real danger. He wilted like a rain-soaked plant, mute even as Jiayi’s desperate cries pierced the air.

Dragged into the shadowed alley, Jiayi trembled as the blond pinned her against the wall. "So pale… so tender," he sneered. "Tell me, sweetheart—are you still a virgin? Or has your boyfriend already—?"

"Please… let me go…" Tears choked her voice. This only happened in dramas, she’d thought. Not here. Not to her.

The thug’s filthy words slithered closer: "Doesn’t matter if you’re not. I’ll make you feel things you’ve never felt before—"

Her sobs were her only reply.

Then—a lifeline. A classmate in the same uniform passed the alley mouth. "Help! Someone help me!" she shrieked.

The boy paused, startled. "Chen Jiayi? What’re you doing here?"

She recognized Wu Tong—short, unremarkable, barely noticeable in class. But last week… hadn’t he beaten up Yuan Kui? Hope flared. "Wu Tong! Save me! They’re kidnapping me!"

*Finally. My chance to be the hero.* And yes—the blond thug had just flicked him a subtle wink. *‘You know the drill.’*

Wu Tong’s face shifted from shock to righteous fury. "Kidnapping in broad daylight?! Release her now—or you’ll regret it!"

"Or what?" The blond snatched a switchblade, licking the blade with theatrical menace. "Run along, kid, unless you want this in your gut."

Wu Tong smirked. Feet planted wide, hands raised in a Wing Chun stance. "Try me."

"You asked for it!" The blond lunged, knife flashing. Jiayi screamed, "Watch out!"

*Is he really going all out?* Wu Tong activated Stonehide Skin just in time. (Unnecessary, as it turned out.) The thug slowed mid-charge, whispering: "Punch my stomach."

Wu Tong’s fist connected. Stonehide Skin was defensive—impact depended on force. But the thug played his part perfectly: he kicked backward like a coiled spring, tumbling dramatically across the pavement, howling as if electrocuted by Professor Yang himself.

*Bravo.*

The other thugs charged on cue. Wu Tong "defeated" them with two crisp punches. The blond staggered up, clutching his gut. "W-what kung fu is this?!"

"Ancient Chinese martial arts!" Wu Tong declared, sleeves snapping with dignity.

"Y-you’ll pay for this!" The thugs fled, tails between their legs.

Wu Tong exhaled, rushing to Jiayi. "Chen classmate… are you alright?"

Her tears burst anew, drawing stares from passersby who now glared at *him*. *Typical. Cowards when thugs appear, brave when it’s just a scrawny teen.*

Still… she looked so cute crying. He fumbled for tissues. "Don’t cry. They’re gone. You’re safe."

Jiayi wiped her eyes, voice thick. "Wu Tong… thank you. So the rumors are true—you really know kung fu."

"Heh. Just a little."

As he weighed how to deepen her gratitude, a panting boy in their uniform skidded into the alley. "Jiayi! Are you hurt? Where’d those thugs go?!" Qin Haoming’s eyes narrowed at Wu Tong. "Is this creep their accomplice?"

*Great. The boyfriend.* Haoming, who’d cowered earlier, now rolled up his sleeves, puffing his chest. A fight would shatter Wu Tong’s "martial arts master" act.

Thankfully, Jiayi stepped between them. "Haoming, stop! He saved me—he drove them off!"

"*Him*?" Haoming scoffed, eyeing Wu Tong’s slight frame. "This short cucumber can fight?"

*Short cucumber?!*

"Qin Haoming!" Jiayi’s voice sharpened. "This is my classmate—he just saved my life! And where *were* you? Why didn’t you stop them?"

"I—I called the police first! Then I searched everywhere—" Haoming stammered.

"If Wu Tong hadn’t come…" Jiayi shuddered. "How *did* you happen to be here?"

"My uncle lives nearby. Insisted I join dinner tonight." *Smooth lie.*

"Phew… You were amazing! One punch each! I thought kung fu was just in novels!"

"Heh. We ancient martial artists stay humble. No bragging."

Haoming’s glare burned hotter. He grabbed Jiayi’s hand. "It’s late, Jiayi. Let’s go."

*Don’t touch my angel with those filthy hands!* Wu Tong forced a smile. "Classmate… who’s this?"

"This is…" Jiayi hesitated.

Haoming stepped forward, looming over Wu Tong. "Qin Haoming. Class 3. Jiayi’s boyfriend."

"Haoming!" Jiayi pushed his arm, cheeks flushed but not denying it. "Wu Tong, our school bans dating… please keep this secret?"

*Sigh. Winning her back won’t be easy.* Jiayi shot Wu Tong an apologetic little tongue-poke before Haoming dragged her away. The boyfriend’s final glare promised trouble.

*Should’ve let the blond rough him up.*

Three hundred meters from the alley, Yuan Ba leaned against a lamppost, cigarette dangling, flanked by thugs—including the blond. He grinned as Wu Tong approached. "Good show, Wu Tong. Convinced her?"

"...Yeah." Jiayi’s budding trust was worth it. "But why help me? I injured your brother last week."

"Tch. He deserved it. A month’s rest, and he’ll be fine." Yuan Ba flicked ash. "I just want your friendship. Nothing more."

*Calling your own brother ‘deserving’ of injury?* Wu Tong nodded vaguely. *Fine. But I’ll keep my distance.*

At home, he flipped open his spellbook. Magic was truly wondrous—today’s eavesdropping spell had revealed Jiayi’s date schedule, letting him stage this rescue with Yuan Ba’s thugs.

And soon… it would come in handy again.