The sun was already dipping when I returned from Jin Wei's place, exhausted and desperately hoping no one at home would ask me unnecessary questions. I just wanted my room, my bed, and silence.
But the universe hates me.
Because the moment I reached the entrance of my residence, I froze.
A tiny figure stood there.
Thin. Dusty. Clothes hanging off his little frame.
The same little boy I'd helped days ago — the one who'd looked like life hadn't been kind to him even once.
He looked up.
And his eyes widened.
Before I could even open my mouth, he sprinted toward me and clutched my sleeve with trembling hands.
"J-Jiejie… please… help." His breath came out in shivers. "T-they took her… They took my sister!"
My stomach dropped.
"What? Who took her? Tell me clearly."
He shook his head violently, tears streaking down his cheeks. "I-I don't know! Some men… they grabbed her… I tried to stop them… but… but—"
He broke down, sobbing so hard it twisted something inside my chest.
Great. Perfect. Wonderful.
Just when I thought my day couldn't get more chaotic, the world decided to hand me a kidnapped-child situation.
But there was no hesitation.
I grabbed his shoulders gently. "Come with me."
Because there was only one person who could actually *do* something about this.
And unfortunately — or fortunately — that person was Jin Wei.
So, for the second time today, I found myself heading back to his place… dragging a terrified, crying little boy with me.
I half-walked, half-ran through the dimming streets, the boy gripping my hand so tightly his nails pressed into my skin. I didn't even tell anyone at home where I was going — no time, no explanations, nothing.
By the time Jin Wei's residence came into view, lanterns were being lit one by one along the walls. The guards recognized me instantly — not because I was special, but because apparently my face had become a *frequent visitor* to their gates.
"I need to see Jin Wei," I said, not even pretending to be calm.
One guard opened his mouth, probably ready to say something annoying like *'Young Master is resting'* or *'Do you have an appointment?'*.
But then he saw the boy.
His dirty face.
His shaking limbs.
His red, swollen eyes.
The guard stepped aside immediately.
Good decision.
I rushed inside and headed straight to the main hall, where Jin Wei usually buried himself in boring official documents. And for once, luck didn't slap me — he was right there.
He looked up, surprised.
Then his eyes narrowed.
"Why are you—"
I cut him off, pointing at the boy who now hid behind me, gripping my dress. "We need help. Right now."
Jin Wei stood, his expression shifting from confusion… to seriousness.
"What happened?"
The boy peeked out, tears silently streaming again. I knelt beside him.
"Tell him," I whispered gently.
His lips quivered. "S-some men… they took my sister… they grabbed her and—" His voice cracked. "They said she'll be sold if I follow…"
My breath caught.
Jin Wei's jaw clenched, eyes darkening in a way that meant someone was about to regret their life choices.
"Do you know where they took her?" he asked.
The boy nodded quickly. "A warehouse… near the old market… I-I followed them a little then ran to jiejie…"
He looked at me like I was some kind of lifeline.
And for once, I didn't feel the weight of responsibility — I just felt that this needed to be done.
Jin Wei didn't waste a single second.
He grabbed his outer robe and turned to his guards. "Prepare the horses. We leave immediately."
Then he looked at me, sharp and steady.
"You're coming with me?"
I blinked. "Obviously."
Because that little girl wasn't just a stranger — she was a child who looked exactly like the type this world ignored.
And if there was one thing I couldn't stand…
…it was children suffering.
We rode fast — too fast — the boy sitting in front of me on the horse, clutching the reins like they were the only thing keeping him alive. Jin Wei's guards followed close behind, lanterns bobbing in the night like fireflies with anger issues.
The old market was nearly abandoned at this hour, shadows stretching long across cracked stones. The boy pointed toward a narrow alley trembling:
"T-There… the warehouse… behind the broken cart…"
Jin Wei signaled his men silently.
Two guards slipped forward.
Another took position near the exit.
I followed behind Jin Wei as he pushed the creaky warehouse door open.
Inside… darkness.
Then—
A muffled sob.
The little girl.
A man stood beside her, holding her by the arm. Rough. Filthy. And stupid enough to smirk at us.
"Well, well," he drawled, "look who's here. Want the brat? Pay up."
Jin Wei didn't even respond — he stepped forward like a storm in slow motion.
The man panicked and shoved the girl aside, grabbing a sack of something and attempting to bolt for the back door.
Oh, so he wanted to run?
Not on my watch.
I didn't think — my hand moved on its own.
And in a single, glorious motion…
I removed my chappal.
Ancient setting?
Historical era?
Noble house?
Don't care.
Physics remains universal.
"HEY, YOU DONKEY!" I yelled.
He turned.
Mistake.
*THWACK!*
My chappal flew through the air, spinning like divine justice, and smacked him squarely on the back of his head.
He stumbled.
Tripped.
Face-planted spectacularly into a pile of crates.
Silence.
Even Jin Wei blinked.
One of his guards whispered, "Did… did she just—"
"Yes," Jin Wei said, rubbing his temples, "yes, she did."
The villain groaned, stunned by the sheer spiritual power of my footwear.
Before he recovered, Jin Wei's men tackled him and tied his hands with rope so tight he wouldn't be kidnapping anything — not even sleep — for a long time.
I marched over, retrieved my chappal with dignity, and dusted it off.
Weapon returned to holster.
The little girl ran straight into her brother's arms, sobbing as he hugged her like he'd never let go again.
Jin Wei exhaled deeply, tension fading from his shoulders. He looked at me with an unreadable expression.
"You… surprise me," he said.
I smirked. "You're welcome."
He stared at my chappal again. "Please don't throw that at me."
"No promise "
By the time we left the warehouse, the sky had turned completely dark. The lantern Jin Wei held cast soft light on the dirt road as the children walked ahead of us — the boy gripping his sister's hand like he'd never let go again.
They looked safer now.
Still shaken… but safe.
My heart finally loosened its tight grip.
We escorted them to their tiny home near the outskirts. Their mother practically collapsed at the door upon seeing them, crying and thanking us repeatedly while bowing until Jin Wei awkwardly told her to stop before she injured her back.
Once we made sure they were settled, we headed back.
The road was quiet. Too quiet.
Jin Wei rode beside me, watching the road but clearly thinking about something.
"Do you always involve yourself like this?" he asked suddenly.
I blinked. "Like what?"
"Throwing yourself into danger for strangers."
I fiddled with my reins. "I didn't throw myself into danger. I threw my chappal into danger."
He exhaled, almost smiling. "That was… unforgettable."
I smirked but didn't respond.
We reached my residence soon after. The guard at the gate looked at Jin Wei, then at me, then back at Jin Wei — his expression blooming into a silent *Oh? Ohhhh.*
I glared. He straightened immediately.
But it was already too late.
Someone else was standing near the entrance.
Yang Junyue.
With his arms crossed.
Oh no.
He watched me get down from the horse, his gaze slow, unreadable, like he was calculating every second of the time I had been gone.
"You return late," he said calmly.
"I had work," I replied.
"With Jin Wei?" he asked, voice controlled.
Why did this feel like being caught sneaking out?
"It wasn't like that—" I started.
But Jin Wei, wonderful, absolutely unhelpful Jin Wei, stepped forward:
"There was a kidnapping. She handled it. She was… impressive."
Junyue's eyes shifted to me, surprise flickering briefly before turning into concern.
"Are you hurt?" he asked.
"No," I said, "I'm fine."
But his gaze narrowed at the slight bruising on my wrist from when the boy had pulled me earlier.
Great. Of course he noticed.
"You should rest," Junyue said gently. "I'll speak with you in the morning."
He glanced once at Jin Wei — a silent exchange of something I couldn't decipher — before turning and walking back inside.
I sighed.
These two were going to give me wrinkles.
Jin Wei cleared his throat. "If something like this happens again… send word. Don't run alone at night."
"Are you worried?" I teased.
"No," he said instantly. Then after a pause: "Just… inform me. That's all."
Sure.
Totally not worried.
He turned his horse and rode off, leaving me in the quiet night air.
As I walked toward my room, one thought kept circling in my mind:
Tonight changed something.
Not just with the children.
But between me… and him.