Less than an hour ago—

"Ling Xue? Fancy meeting you again."

"Just passing by, that’s all."

Winter break had started. Tanglingxue hated being cooped up at home or doing homework. After yelling at friends over Liyu’s situation, things had turned awkward. With nothing to do, she just wanted to clear her head.

That night, Ling Xue rode her motorcycle for a spin. Passing her usual route, she bumped into the same hyperactive biker gang again. Might as well say hi—so she chatted briefly with Da Fei.

"Hey, Ling Xue, seen A-Jin lately?"

"What about him?"

"He’s been acting weird. His riding skills... uh... hard to describe."

"Huh?"

Just then, loud noises erupted from the other side of the road. A flashy custom motorcycle zoomed in. A-Jin dismounted smoothly, probably trying to copy some movie scene.

"Yo, Ling Xue~~ Long time no see!"

He strode toward her. She felt a wave of annoyance. *Still not learning his lesson? What a deluxe Zhangyuanzhou wannabe?*

"You again? What do you want?"

"Let’s race again!"

"Huh?"

"Another motorcycle race. Same route as last time."

A-Jin grinned.

Somehow, his smile felt unnerving.

"Not in the mood. Go home."

"Please! One more race. Same bet—I win, you’re mine."

"I’ve said it a hundred times: I’m not interested."

"Last chance. If I lose, I’ll never bother you again."

"Tch..."

Tanglingxue clicked her tongue impatiently.

"Fine, fine. I thought last time would’ve settled it, but since you’re so persistent... alright. This time, I’ll make you give up for good."

"Deal! Da Fei-ge, everyone here—witness this, okay?"

""""""No problem...""""""

Da Fei nodded too. As the agreed referee, he’d ensure a fair race and enforce the loser’s promise.

They pushed their motorcycles onto the road, side by side.

Tanglingxue felt zero nerves.

She was a natural rider; A-Jin was just a mediocre rich kid. She’d never lost to him before. Why would this time be different?

A-Jin seemed equally calm, as if he already knew the outcome.

"I’m already imagining all the naughty things we’ll do, hehehe. Can’t wait."

"Disgusting."

"Guess I just have low tastes~~ But so what? I paid the price, so I’ll reap the rewards."

"...?"

For a split second, she thought she saw A-Jin’s pupils shrink into beast-like vertical slits. Then they snapped back to normal.

*Just my imagination?*

Ling Xue put on her helmet. A-Jin only wore goggles.

"...No helmet? Don’t you fear death?"

"Helmets are just decorations. Big shots like you wouldn’t understand."

"Whatever..."

Ling Xue revved the engine—a thunderous roar like a wild beast. Da Fei raised his hand by the roadside: "Ready—set—three—two—one—go!"

...

...

...

Minutes later—

"...Huh?"

Tanglingxue was stunned.

Everyone was stunned.

A-Jin crossed the finish line way ahead of Ling Xue. A crushing, undeniable victory. No room for argument.

His insane improvement baffled even Da Fei. His raw skill wasn’t top-tier, but he seemed to predict every tiny track change, maximizing his odds like a pro racer with years of experience. How could some nobody like A-Jin pull that off?

But... it didn’t matter how he did it.

"Well then, a bet’s a bet, right?"

A-Jin licked his lips smugly, swaggering toward her. His eyes roamed over her figure.

"This... I..."

Tanglingxue froze.

She’d never imagined losing. She wasn’t ready for what came next.

"Wait—something’s off. How did you...?"

"How? Maybe... practice? Experience? There’s always a way."

"No... this isn’t fair. I—I demand a rematch! Da Fei-ge, please!"

"Ling Xue, even if you say that..."

Da Fei, the gang leader, wouldn’t play favorites.

"I’m the referee. You both agreed beforehand. Backing out now?"

"But I—"

"I stay neutral. Last time, A-Jin refused to accept defeat—I backed you. Now it’s your turn. What should I do?"

"Oh, by the way, I’ve already booked the hotel~" A-Jin chimed in.

"............!"

Da Fei’s resigned stare, A-Jin’s leering eyes, the crowd’s mocking cheers—they closed in on her, pushing her forward like an invisible force.

Only one thing left to do.

"I’m sorry. I can’t do it!"

————————

————————

Back to the present.

"Get out of the way!!!!!!"

Just past the corner, a speeding motorcycle suddenly swerved toward him.

"Holy sh—!?"

Yumo was caught off guard. Instinctively, he twisted the handlebars. With a screech of brakes, he swerved and crashed down! His elbows and knees slammed onto the icy asphalt. Protruding bike parts scraped his legs. Luckily, just minor cuts—but the motorcyclist wasn’t so lucky.

The motorcycle toppled over, pinning the rider’s elbow under its weight. A low groan escaped her lips from the sharp pain.

*(A girl...?)*

Yumo checked his scrapes, then scrambled up to her.

"Hey! You okay?"

"Ugh... my... arm might be... huh? You’re—?"

"That voice—eh!?"

Yumo yanked off her helmet, revealing a familiar face—both beautiful and sharp.

"Tanglingxue?"

"Yumo!?"

They froze for seconds. Then Yumo snapped to action, heaving the motorcycle aside. She winced, clutching her arm as she struggled up.

"What happened?"

"It’s... complicated..."

"I’m taking you to the hospital!"

"People are chasing me... they’ll be here... soon..."

"I’m calling a cab. Hang in there!"

Just then, distant motorcycle roars echoed—multiple engines closing in.

*(What’s gotten into this class beauty...?)*

"This is your chance, Inky," Yusuozaai said calmly, as if expecting this. "Chance favors the prepared. Are you ready? Hero saves the beauty, gangsters, and a motorcycle beauty—it’s all coming together perfectly."

*(I really wish there was a more peaceful way...)*