The darkness before Qiao Xixi's eyes was absolute, devoid of any light.
She stumbled a few steps, only to fall to the ground.
"Fell?"
The man who had been following her finally reached her.
He squatted down.
His hand, rough as tree bark, caressed her tender cheek.
He let out a "tsk" sound. "Truly a rare gem."
Qiao Xixi, breathing heavily, looked up. In the dim moonlight, she could see his face clearly.
He was old, but his eyes were filled with lust, making her instantly nauseous.
Qiao Xixi wanted to vomit, but she lacked the strength.
"Who are you?"
The voice she squeezed from her throat was not pleasant.
The man grinned, revealing yellow teeth, but in a second, he was bleeding from his head, smashed by a thermos.
Qiao Xixi had used all her strength to hit him.
That's why she had no energy left when she ran.
Within moments, the man grabbed her by the hair.
"Bitch, how dare you hit me?!"
Qiao Xixi helplessly watched as a palm as large as a fan descended.
In a flash, Han Yan suddenly intervened.
His fists rained down, and the man's face was quickly drenched in blood.
It wasn't until the police pulled them apart, or rather, pulled back the blood-reddened Han Yan.
Qiao Xixi sat slumped against the wall the entire time, her face ashen.
...
After giving her statement, Qiao Xixi, draped in Han Yan's jacket, emerged from the police station.
"Thank you."
Her voice was hoarse, and she spoke somewhat numbly.
Han Yan's brows furrowed with heartache. "I wish I had taken you home earlier."
Why bother with pride?
Her well-being was more important than any face.
The only relief was that he had turned back midway, otherwise...
Qiao Xixi lowered her head, her long, seaweed-like hair spilling over her.
It was a rare display of vulnerability.
Han Yan wanted to embrace her but remembered what had just happened.
"Um," he asked, uncharacteristically flustered, "where are you going now?"
Qiao Xixi stared at her shoe tips for a long moment before saying, "Could you take me to the Wen family's place?"
Her voice, soft and delicate, revealed genuine fear.
"I don't want to sleep alone."
She looked up, her small, palm-sized face etched with residual fear.
Han Yan had always believed tears were a woman's greatest weapon.
Now, he had changed his mind.
As long as he cared enough, she didn't even need to cry; he would compromise unconditionally.
"No problem."
Han Yan led her towards the car.
Qiao Xixi followed closely behind him, uncharacteristically docile.
"That medicinal soup..."
Neither of them said anything as they walked towards the sports field, a silent understanding between them.
They wanted to take one last look at this school.