Down in the elevator, we walked out. By the time we reached the hospital entrance, I asked, "Are you hailing a cab straight home?"
"No, someone's picking me up. I'm going back toward the school," Liu Xiaoyu shook his head lightly.
"That's great. Always getting picked up. Xiaoyu, are you a rich second-generation kid? Can I hitch a ride on your coattails? I don't want to work anymore," I said with envy in my voice.
"Rich second-generation..." Liu Xiaoyu repeated softly, then chuckled. There was no mockery or envy in the sound, just a simple laugh.
"What are you laughing at?" I glared at him, feeling slightly mocked. "Is having money a big deal?"
"Haha..." Liu Xiaoyu bent over laughing, pointing at my arm and the stuff in my pocket. "I paid for your phone and your medical expenses. What right do you have to say that, Lin Xiaonan?"
His words instantly deflated me. I pouted, forced to admit the truth.
"Thank you, Liu Xiaoyu."
"You're welcome. You have to pay me back for the medical expenses, though," Liu Xiaoyu instinctively poked my arm. I instantly winced, crying out, "Ouch! That hurts!"
"Oh... I'm sorry..." Liu Xiaoyu looked at me apologetically. "I forgot your arm was hurt."
"It's fine, just let me hit you back!" I reached out to pinch his arm, but my hand stopped in mid-air—he was looking at me with a cold, icy expression, and there was even a flash of killing intent in his eyes. I sheepishly withdrew my hand.
"Why so fierce?" I couldn't help but mutter.
"Just don't touch me. I hate it when people touch me," Liu Xiaoyu frowned and said softly.
"Alright," I replied helplessly.
"Are you done? If so, you can go home now," Liu Xiaoyu asked me.
"Hmm..." I was about to say I was done, but right then my stomach started growling. There was an open-air eatery just ahead, and the smell of food was definitely drifting from there. This was absolutely not my fault!
"I'm hungry... but I don't have any money on me right now..." I rubbed my stomach, looking at Liu Xiaoyu sheepishly.
Liu Xiaoyu looked at me, utterly speechless, then mumbled, "Whose business am I that you come to me even for food?"
"Hehe," I grinned. "Good Xiaoyu, buy me one, please. I'll pay you back next week."
Liu Xiaoyu could only throw up his hands, shake his head at me, and walk toward the restaurant.
I ordered a serving of beef fried rice. He paid, and the owner quickly prepared it. I took the food outside and sat on a small stool to eat.
The freshly made fried rice was fragrant, sprinkled with scallions and coriander, and mixed with beef. The color was tempting. Just the smell made my appetite surge. I scooped a spoonful straight into my mouth.
Liu Xiaoyu sat on a stool nearby, playing on his phone, occasionally looking up at me eating. His small eyes seemed to glow, watching me with curiosity.
"What is it?" My mouth was full of rice, and I mumbled indistinctly.
"You look like a big hamster right now. Your mouth is full, and you're still talking," Liu Xiaoyu laughed, pointing at me.
"Never seen anyone eat before?" I swallowed, giving him a look. What's the big deal?
"One shouldn't speak while eating or sleeping. Can't the food keep your mouth shut?" Liu Xiaoyu sat upright on the stool, wearing white pants, his legs together, his small bag resting on his knees. He held his phone, covering his mouth as he chuckled. His demeanor actually made me pause for a moment.
The soft night glow shimmered on his smooth profile, casting an ethereal, alluring light. Under the combination of the night sky and the streetlights, he carried an almost dreamlike beauty. Noticing my somewhat captivated gaze, he elegantly tucked a strand of hair behind his ear, looking at me quizzically. "What's wrong? Is there something on my face?"
I snapped out of my trance. He wasn't some mysterious goddess; he was just my deskmate, and a guy at that. I felt a moment of confusion, having been briefly attracted to him. He gave me the strange illusion of a girlfriend.
"Nothing," I smiled, mentally cursing myself twice. What am I thinking? He's a guy. But I couldn't entirely blame myself. He was so delicate-looking. Geez, growing up rich is definitely different; I'm so crude in comparison.
"Well, eat quickly. Once you're done, I'll pay for your cab, and I need to go home too." Liu Xiaoyu stretched, revealing a slender waist. I stared for a long time. What a thin waist.
"A small willow waist," I gave him a thumbs-up.
Naturally, I earned a sharp eye-roll in return. Liu Xiaoyu quickly composed himself, sitting upright again.
I sighed inwardly. My own family had strict table manners, but his composure carried an innate elegance.
I ate my food, occasionally glancing at Liu Xiaoyu and chatting a little.
Ambush in the Night
As we ate, a tall figure gradually approached us unnoticed.
I hadn't realized anything was amiss, but Liu Xiaoyu instinctively became alert, looking at the approaching shadow with slight tension.
"Lin Xiaonan... are you finished eating?" Liu Xiaoyu asked.
"Not yet, wait a moment." I was engrossed in my food, but then I noticed Liu Xiaoyu's nervousness. Following his gaze, I saw a mysterious figure, whose features were hidden beneath a dark cloak, getting closer. I wondered, "What's this guy doing? Trying to scare people dressed all in black? Playing cosplay?"
I said aloud, "Xiaoyu, what's wrong? Are you scared? He's just playing cosplay. Ignore him."
Before I could finish, the person seemed to lock onto us, accelerating and charging toward us.
I was instantly startled. This is a normal human reaction; anyone would instinctively defend themselves or step aside when a person approaches aggressively. Confused, I immediately stood up, positioning myself in front of Liu Xiaoyu. I shouted, "Who are you?"
I hoped my voice would make him stop, but the person ignored me and continued to charge.
No time left. I quickly took a defensive stance, preparing to block him.
But the moment he reached me, he delivered a straight kick with the acceleration of his approach. The instant it connected, my face changed. I lost control of my body and, along with Liu Xiaoyu behind me, tumbled backward onto the ground, knocking over several dining tables on the way. The surrounding diners' tables were also affected.
"Who the hell are you?" I felt a sharp pain in my stomach. Thankfully, I had enough padding, or the injury would have been much worse. I scrambled up and demanded. Seriously? I'm just eating, and you kick me? Are you insane? I held back the direct insult because the guy looked dangerous.
The people around us stared oddly at the assailant. The owner, hearing the commotion, rushed out. Seeing my bandaged arm and the feminine-looking Liu Xiaoyu, he immediately took our side. Looking at the scattered tables and chairs, he grew angry. "Who the hell are you? If you're looking for trouble, take it somewhere else!"
The surrounding crowd also turned their anger on the assailant. "Get lost! Don't cause trouble here! Pay for these tables immediately! Don't be scared, little girl! If he comes any closer, we'll call the police!"
The assailant stopped after landing the kick, which reassured me slightly. With so many people around, he wouldn't dare do anything else, would he?
But the next moment, I was terrified. He pulled a small knife from his pocket and charged at me again. The accusing crowd immediately scattered. In a situation like this, everyone looked out for themselves; who had time to care about others?
"Mommy!" I screamed like a stuck pig. Who did I offend? Why is someone chasing me with a knife?
I instinctively reached for Liu Xiaoyu to run, but Liu Xiaoyu, having been thrown to the ground with me, was clutching his arm and leg, moaning softly, clearly unable to run.
I didn't know who the attacker's target was, but I instinctively picked up Liu Xiaoyu and ran forward. Fortunately, Liu Xiaoyu was quite light, allowing me to carry him without being completely weighed down.
Although I had started exercising and controlling my diet, I hadn't lost much weight. Losing weight is a long process; instant solutions like surgery result in an unpleasant look with saggy skin, unlike natural weight loss.
Thus, after running just a few steps with Liu Xiaoyu, I was already gasping for breath. But a glance backward terrified me—the person was still right behind me with the knife! Under the threat of death, I unleashed an unprecedented potential and ran incredibly fast.
I felt like I ran for a long time. I was exhausted. The next moment, a piercing pain shot through my buttock.
"Mommy! Murder!" I screamed, and my speed instantly increased again.
In the dark night, a large figure was carrying a smaller person, stumbling and running. Behind them, a mysterious figure completely hidden in a black cloak chased, fiercely stabbing the running 'fat man' with a knife.
From a distance, the scene would look comical, but up close, it was horrifying, as blood appeared with every real, solid stab. This wasn't a game; it was a genuine chase!
It was late, and the night had grown deep. A crescent moon hung upside down in the sky, casting a faint, pale light over the street.
The night wasn't windy and black, but was it a night for murder?