"Wanna take a walk over there?"

Xia Yan wolfed down the three-fresh dumplings in three bites. He wiped his hands clean with a wet wipe, placed his helmet on the bike, and turned back to ask.

His tone had unconsciously softened with a hint of tenderness.

(Just let me see what other tricks you have up your sleeve 👊🏻...)

Hua Xin lifted her long sleeves and swung them forward like a cute little imp.

(-...--.-.---....-.---....--...--...--.-.---....)

"Alright then, you’ve gotten much bolder lately."

Xia Yan smiled happily and patted the girl’s shoulder. Hua Xin’s earlier action had eased his constant caution.

(Ouch 🥺...)

(I feel like my whole body’s falling apart...)

(Damn it... has he started attacking already? 😭...)

(Where’s my hammer 🔨... it’s in my backpack 😨.)

In that moment when Hua Xin handed him the dumplings, Xia Yan felt he truly saw a reflection of his past self in her.

He was genuinely happy to see Hua Xin now.

She could attend school normally with him and knew how to interact with "friends," how to express her feelings.

These were things she’d always lacked.

Xia Yan felt like Dororo helping Hyakkimaru regain his body parts. This brought an indescribable sense of accomplishment.

"What’s wrong?"

Xia Yan turned back, looking at Hua Xin rooted to the spot, and asked with confusion.

Uh oh...

He noticed.

(My hammer 😭.)

(Where’s he taking me? He won’t find a place to make me fly, will he? No one would know if he dumped my body here 😨.)

Hua Xin silently shook her head and stiffly took a step forward.

(It’s fine. He just wants to laugh at me, to gossip about me... Killing people is illegal... He’s not some big bad guy to kill me... There are passersby here.)

Xia Yan deliberately waited, letting Hua Xin walk beside him.

If only someone had walked with him like this back then, would he have become who he is now more easily?

The thought flashed by. The corner of his mouth curved up slightly.

"After the National Day holiday, there’s a welcome party. Wanna come watch my performance?"

"I have a solo singing act. As good friends, could you come cheer me on? It’s lonely without support..."

(Why is this big guy acting cute...)

(And... so today he called me out just to play the friend game? 😡...)

(Does he think it’s too early to close the net?)

Hua Xin kicked a pebble with confusion, nearly flinging off her oversized shoe.

...

Well then... turn his scheme against him?

The black helmet on her head bobbed up and down.

What if I can still scam this fake man out of a meal... might as well try 😋.

Just thinking about food, Hua Xin happily took an overly large step forward.

Xia Yan only saw a pure black object suddenly fly out of his vision.

Hua Xin: 😨😱

Xia Yan: 🤔😮

(Don’t panic.)

(Hop hop hop hop hop...)

She pretended calm, but inside she was panicking badly.

(I need to earn gold coins from online games to buy rice 😭... buy shoes!)

(So embarrassing... this fake guy must be laughing his head off 😭...)

Ahhhhhhhhh!

Sharp pain shot through her ankle. Hua Xin instantly understood the consequence of hopping in ill-fitting shoes.

(My life...)

(This is probably how it ends 😇...)

She watched her body fall forward. Though the helmet protected her head, her arms might get hurt. What if there’s a needle on the ground? Uh... a landmine isn’t impossible.

😨

(Am I about to see my life flash before my eyes...)

(Not like this!)

"Careful!"

Xia Yan instantly swept Hua Xin up by her waist. Her frantic hopping had caught him off guard. After stabilizing her, he asked urgently:

"Are you okay, Xiao Hua?"

"How’s your ankle?"

Strange... why is it so soft... Xia Yan was about to hook her arm, but his hand accidentally brushed her chest.

The thought flashed through his mind.

*Slap!!*

His arm was slapped down by Hua Xin. Watching her plop onto the ground, Xia Yan looked bewildered.

(I was touched, I was touched, I was touched... by a man on my slime...)

(Oh no, could I get pregnant? So scary!!)

(Huh? 🤔 Wait.)

(Am I a boy or a girl now?)

(Ah... how could I get pregnant when sperm hasn’t reached the womb? 😇)

Hua Xin’s clever brain went into overdrive. Her face under the helmet flushed red, steaming like boiling water.

She hadn’t worn a binder for this walk!

Xia Yan’s hurried movement had rubbed off her band-aid.

(I’m a guy, no big deal, just bros 😭.)

(I’ll kill you, I’ll kill you, I’ll kill you... I’m not pure anymore 😡...)

!

Suddenly, she felt a broad, warm palm grab her right ankle.

Xia Yan was gently putting her flung-off shoe back on.

"Can you walk?"

"Want me to carry you?"

Hua Xin looked up with watery eyes. Xia Yan showed no other emotions, still smiling gently.

"I... I can walk myself."

She frantically pushed herself back, testing her left ankle. No sharp pain shot through.

Good...

Xia Yan stood up, wanting to help but held back. He softly said:

"Go home?"

"Walk slowly first..."

Only after seeing Hua Xin walk normally did he slowly relax.

"Xia Yan?"

A pleasant female voice came from behind, sounding surprised.

Xia Yan paused, then chuckled lightly, "Senior Lin, what a coincidence."

"Out for a run so late?"

He looked at Lin Qingyu before him, clad in yoga pants and a sports bra that outlined her curves. A flicker passed in his eyes.

"Yeah..."

"I’m all sweaty now, you won’t mind, will you?" Lin Qingyu said half-jokingly.

Her hair was damp, sweat glistening on her skin. She placed a hand on her exposed waist and smiled:

"How about some late-night comfort food? You still owe me a meal."

(Dog couple, dog couple, dog couple...)

Hua Xin hid by the motorcycle, watching them "chat happily," and let out a cold snort.

Just as I thought 🥺...

They planned this to mock me 😭...

I’ll get my phone...

I’ll record their video of mocking and beating me and expose them... Tears streamed down Hua Xin’s face as she took out her phone and tremblingly opened the camera.

"Sorry, senior. It’s late today. I’ll definitely make it next time."

"I’m off first. Keep up the running."

Unexpectedly, Xia Yan declined Lin Qingyu’s invitation and turned toward the girl.

Lin Qingyu, not angered, calmly watched them with a serene expression.

I’ll remember you.

She thought to herself.

"Let’s go home."

In Hua Xin’s phone recording, only Xia Yan’s approaching figure and that offhand remark filled the frame.

What’s going on??

The girl dazedly got on the motorcycle, watching Xia Yan turn the key.

On the keychain, a worn gray wolf-head acrylic keychain caught her attention, then was blocked by his figure.

(So familiar...)

Xia Yan put on his helmet and started the bike.

I hope Hua Xin learned how to refuse others. I demonstrated well; she must have seen it, right?

He knew her tendency to never refuse anyone.

But still...

Xia Yan recalled that soft touch and the tiny feet when putting on the shoe. A slight doubt arose.

Bro Hua 🤔... why are your hands and feet so small?