“So, where’ve you been? You’re all bruised up.”

The shop owner noticed the scrape on Fu Hou’s thigh and sighed, pulling out alcohol and cotton from the cabinet below.

“Hehe~ Can I get it for free?”

Before she could even gesture, Fu Hou shamelessly darted over, propping her smooth, fair legs on the table with a cheeky grin.

*Smack—*

The shop owner wordlessly patted Fu Hou’s head, tending to the wound with practiced ease. “Don’t even think about freeloading. I’ve gotta eat too.”

“Huh?! How much? Can’t you just… skip the charge…?”

Fu Hou’s grin instantly crumpled. She shot the shop owner a pitiful look, her clear eyes shimmering with a hint of tears, trying to melt her resolve.

“Ten bucks. Barely anything. Call it a tip for all my help over the years. Fair, right?”

But the shop owner was clearly immune to Fu Hou’s cute act, pressing on calmly.

Fu Hou winced. “Ten bucks?! That’s two or three packs of instant noodles… You bloodsucker…”

“Skinflint…”

“Stingy auntie… Eep?!”

Mid-complaint, Fu Hou let out an involuntary gasp. A blush crept up her cheeks and all the way to her ears.

One hand flew to cover her lips; the other slapped away the wandering hand groping her inner thigh. “W-What are you *doing*?!” she sputtered, flustered and furious.

“Oh ho~ Our little girl’s all grown up, huh? That little gasp nearly made *me* lose my cool~”

The shop owner shot her a mischievous glance, utterly unfazed by Fu Hou’s flushed, indignant glare.

“What? Can’t handle a little leg touch? Should I charge *you* medical fees?”

She flicked Fu Hou a dismissive look—the ultimate trump card.

Sure enough, Fu Hou’s furious scowl softened instantly. She stopped glaring… though the blush stubbornly lingered.

The shop owner smirked. Done bantering, she focused on the leg.

Fu Hou’s legs were fair, soft, dewy—so tender even the seasoned shop owner felt a pang of envy.

“Tsk tsk… What legs…”

*Pat~*

Her delicate hand gave Fu Hou’s thigh a light tap. The supple skin jiggled faintly; Fu Hou’s calf trembled.

Jealousy stung.

“You pervert!!!”

“W-Wait—?!”

*Thud—*

The shop owner went flying, landing like a salted fish—out cold.

Fu Hou yanked her leg back with a disgusted huff, guarding against further groping.

“I was just… ugh…”

*Shop owner—connection lost.*

“Ugh! Why don’t you touch your *own* legs?!”

Flustered, Fu Hou turned toward her bag—

*Ring…*

Her pocket phone rang.

*Ring…*

So did Qin Cheng’s “borrowed” phone on the table. The double ring nearly made her collapse.

She answered without looking.

“Sister Fu! Strange people are near our house!”

A tiny, milk-soft voice, laced with panic.

Fu Hou stayed calm. “Just visitors. Stay cool~ Be a chill adult like Sister Fu~”

“But… they went *into your house*…”

“Holy crap?! Details! How many?!”

“Um… Two. One’s… really handsome!”

“…”

“Sister Fu! They look scary! Not good people! They’re *inside*!”

“Hold tight. I’m coming. Watch closely—if things go wrong, call police. Remember the address?”

“Mhm!”

Fu Hou snatched her bag and Qin Cheng’s phone, sprinting home, worry etched deep on her face.

*If you dare lay a finger on my family… I’ll fight you to the death!!!*