Chapter 54: Are You Even a Man?
Yi Xuexian froze, mortified by Su Junfeng's rudeness. Her cheeks flushed as she stammered, "Please, don't mind him. Junfeng's just… he didn't mean it. I'm so sorry."
But Mu Xiaoyao, who'd already decided Wu hung the moon, wasn't about to let the slight slide. "Mind him? Why would we? Did someone say something? I only heard a dog barking."
Su's face darkened. "Little girl, watch your tongue."
Mu's smile turned icy. "Strange. There it is again—barking. This park's really let itself go, letting strays wander in. How's anyone supposed to enjoy themselves?" She glanced at Wu, feigning innocence. "Fan-ge, let's go to another carnival. Beitian's got better ones. No need to share space with… *animals*. It's embarrassing."
Wu fought back a laugh. Mu's insults were a masterclass—sharp, clean, and devastating. He nodded, playing along. "Good idea. Strays aren't just noisy—they pee everywhere. Can you smell that? Ugh. Ruins the mood. We should file a complaint."
The crowd snickered, casting sideways glances at Su, who looked ready to explode.
"You—!" Su pointed a finger at them, his voice rising.
Wu swatted his hand away. "Didn't your parents teach you not to point? Rude, even for someone in a fancy suit. Money doesn't buy class, you know. Men like you make us all look bad—no wonder foreigners laugh at us."
"Bastard!" Su snarled, losing all pretense of civility.
Wu tilted his head, feigning confusion. "Who's a bastard?"
"You are!"
"Ah. So *you're* calling yourself a bastard. Good to know." Wu grinned, enjoying the spectacle.
Su's temper snapped. He lunged at Wu, fists flailing—only to trip over Wu's outstretched foot. He crashed to the ground, face-first, in a perfect imitation of a dog fetching a bone.
"Ow! My foot!" Wu yelped, clutching his ankle. "You stepped on me! I think it's broken! What kind of monster wears steel-toed shoes to a carnival?!"
Mu played her part, gasping. "How dare you! You hurt Fan-ge! I'll—"
Su lay on the ground, dizzy from the fall, his pride in tatters. The crowd jeered, their whispers sharp as knives.
"What a jerk. Using his shoes to hurt someone?"
"Who wears a suit to a carnival anyway? Trying too hard."
"Poor girl, stuck with *him*. I'd stay single forever."
Su scrambled to his feet, red-faced, only to hear Yi say, "Junfeng, stop! Let's go. Please."
He rounded on her, eyes blazing. "You're taking their side? You slut—what's *your* relationship with him? I'm blind for liking you!"
Yi flinched, her eyes watering. "We just met! You're being ridiculous!"
"Ridiculous? You won't even let me touch you, but you defend this nobody? You're cheating on me! I never should've wasted my time!"
Mu stepped between them, her voice cold. "Are you even a man? Picking on a woman because you can't win a fight? Pathetic. My little cousin's braver than you—and he's five." She tilted her head, mock-pitying. "Is this what you do when you lose? Cry and blame others? No wonder you're single. Or wait—" She glanced at Yi, "—*she's* the one stuck with you. Poor thing."
Su's hand shot out, aiming to push Mu aside. But Wu caught it mid-air, squeezing hard.
Su yelped, pain shooting up his arm. "Let go! You'll regret this!"
Wu's smile was icy. "Hitting kids now? Real tough. Go ahead—swing. See how that plays with the crowd. Bet they'd love to watch a grown man beat up a teenager."
Su froze. The onlookers' stares had turned from amused to hostile. He knew—*everyone* knew—he'd lost.
"Coward," he muttered, yanking his hand free. "This isn't over."
Wu snorted. "What're you gonna do? Tell your mommy? That's what little kids do. 'He was mean! Tell teacher!'"
Laughter erupted. Su's face purpled. He shot one last venomous look at Wu, then stormed off, too humiliated to look back.
Yi sighed, turning to Wu and Mu, her eyes filled with gratitude—and exhaustion. "Thank you. And I'm sorry. He's… not usually like this."
Mu softened. "It's okay, Miss Yi. Some people just need a reality check."
Yi managed a small smile. "I should go. Make sure he doesn't do anything stupid." She hesitated, then added, "Maybe… I'll see you around, Mr. Wu."
Wu nodded. "Sure. And call me Yifan."
As Yi hurried after Su, Mu nudged Wu, grinning. "Not bad. For a security guard, you're pretty good at this."
Wu laughed. "For a kid, you're a pro at insults."
Mu stuck out her tongue. "C'mon. Let's hit the haunted house. Before more… *strays* show up."
They headed inside, the echo of their laughter mixing with the screams of other visitors. Outside, the sun dipped below the Ferris wheel, painting the sky in streaks of orange and purple.
Wu glanced back, wondering if Su would really come back for revenge.
*Let him try*, he thought.
For now, though, he was just glad to be there—with Mu, making memories, far from the chaos of Infinity.
Some days, he decided, being "just a security guard" wasn't so bad.