Chapter 55: Did He Take Advantage of You?
Yi Xuexian started to chase after Su Junfeng, but Mu Xiaoyao grabbed her hand, giggling. "Miss Yi, come play with us! Staying with *him* must be exhausting. Now that he's gone, the air's cleaner. Isn't that better?"
Su, already several steps away, stiffened at her words but didn't look back.
Yi sighed, shooting Mu a reproachful look. "Xiao Yao, that's no way to talk. He's… just having a bad day."
Wu watched, amused. Yi was too kind—even after Su's tantrum, she was making excuses for him. It was refreshing, in a way, to meet someone so unwilling to hold a grudge.
Mu, however, was on a mission. She tugged Yi toward Wu, grinning. "C'mon, Miss Yi! Let's try the haunted house together. With you here, I won't be scared."
"Haunted house? I—" Yi's eyes widened, and she took a step back. "I should wait outside. I'm too old for such games. People would laugh."
But Wu had already grabbed both their hands, pulling them toward the entrance. Mu didn't resist, but Yi's cheeks flushed as their fingers tangled. A polite handshake was one thing—this felt… intimate. Her heart raced, and she almost pulled away, but something about Wu's steady grip made her hesitate. Before she knew it, they were inside, the door slamming shut behind them.
---
Half an hour later, they stumbled out, Mu and Yi clinging to Wu, their faces pale, bodies trembling.
"It's okay," Wu said, patting their hands. "Just props and actors. Fake blood, recorded screams. You're safe now."
Mu buried her face in his arm. "But something *touched* my ankle! What if it followed us? What if—"
Yi nodded, her voice shaky. "And that voice… right in my ear. 'I've been waiting for you.' It sounded so real. I thought I was going to die."
Wu chuckled. "Relax. It's all smoke and mirrors. The workers are good at their jobs, that's all."
Yi realized she was still gripping Wu's arm, her chest pressed against it. Heat rushed to her face, and she pulled away, murmuring, "Sorry. I didn't mean to… I was just scared. Did I hurt you?"
Wu's smile was warm. "Not at all. Happy to be your human shield."
Mu, still latched onto his other arm, snickered. "Miss Yi's not as brave as she looks! But with Fan-ge around, even ghosts run scared. Admit it—holding onto him made you feel better, didn't it?"
Yi's cheeks pinkened. "Xiao Yao, stop it."
"Why? You two looked so cozy in there—like a couple on a date. I'm jealous." Mu batted her eyes, feigning innocence.
"A couple? Don't be ridiculous!" Yi glanced around, as if worried someone might overhear. "People will talk."
Mu ignored her, grinning up at Yi. "Fan-ge's way better than that Su guy. If Fan-ge's a cloud in the sky, your ex is mud on the ground. Dump him. Date Fan-ge instead!"
"Xiao Yao!" Yi pretended to scold, but there was no heat in it.
Wu rubbed his temples, half-amused, half-exasperated. *This kid.* First her mom, now her teacher. Was he collecting candidates for a harem? The idea wasn't *terrible*… but Yi deserved better than a joke.
Yi, flustered, changed the subject. "Shall we… get something to drink? I need water."
Mu nodded, but not before adding, "Fan-ge, buy us bubble tea! My treat… well, your treat. You're the only one with cash."
Wu laughed, pulling out his wallet. "Fine. But no more matchmaking. Deal?"
Mu stuck out her tongue, but she didn't argue.
As they walked toward the snack bar, Yi stole a glance at Wu—his easy smile, the way he teased Mu without being mean. Su had always been sharp, critical, *cold*. Wu was… different. Warm. Steady.
*Stop it*, she told herself. *He's a stranger. Xiao Yao's just being silly.*
But her heart, still racing from the haunted house—and from Wu's touch—didn't seem to get the memo.
Mu, ever observant, noticed the look and winked at Wu.
He shook his head, but he couldn't help smiling.
Some days, he decided, being "just a security guard" came with unexpected perks.