Ji Chan blinked, then rose with surprise.
From the nearby forest, shouts grew louder, and faint flashlight beams were visible.
"I'm here!!!" she yelled back, then turned to Ji Chan, her eyes full of hope.
"You wait here, Chan Chan, I'll be right back."
She then ran towards the light.
The people in the forest also heard the girl's voice.
Chen Ziming's heart skipped a beat, and he ran a few steps towards the source of the sound.
Soon, he stopped.
A distance away, a scantily clad girl stood, her hair slightly messy, her clothes and body bearing traces of dirt.
But in the moonlight, she possessed a fragile beauty.
Like an elf who had just fallen to the mortal realm.
From her angle, Su Yue could only see light, and not clearly discern the person carrying it.
A joyful smile spread across her face, and she waved, "I'm here!"
Then she ran towards them again.
But upon seeing the person's face clearly, she froze and stopped.
A tall figure stood there, his brow furrowed, his eyes slightly red, his face etched with worry. He opened his mouth, but no words came out.
Why was he here?
Wasn't he patrolling the plaza?
But she couldn't think about that anymore; all her forced bravery collapsed the moment she saw him.
Her heart softened, melting into a small puddle.
Chen Ziming saw the girl's eyebrows and mouth turn down, her exquisite face instantly clouded with grievance and sadness.
The tears she had held back for so long finally streamed out.
Sobbing uncontrollably...
His Adam's apple bobbed, his heart pounded faster. He dropped his flashlight and strode towards her, pulling her into his embrace.
"My darling, don't cry."
His voice was hoarse, with a slight tremor.
His arms tightened around her again.
So tightly, as if he wanted to absorb her into his very being.
The man's chest was strong and warm, but the more so, the more she wanted to cry.
She could endure any hardship when he wasn't there.
But the moment she saw him, her resolve crumbled.
She just wanted to burrow into his arms, to lean on him, as a delicate girl should.
As a cherished girl should be.
The other police officers and Jin Yan also arrived. Hearing their voices, Su Yue suddenly remembered something. She looked up from his chest and said to them,
"My friend is still ahead. Please go and bring her here."
Then, she buried her face in his chest again.
And continued to cry.
The group understood and, without bothering them further, went to find Ji Chan.
"There, there, stop crying, good girl." He couldn't bear to see her cry like this. He gently separated her from himself and reached out to wipe away her tears.
But she wouldn't have it. For the third time, she leaned into him, her fair arm wrapping around his waist, refusing to let go.
The man chuckled hoarsely, no longer pushing her away. He extended his large hand and gently patted her back.
He lowered his head, his chin brushing her hair.
When the others arrived, they saw the same scene.
The officers smiled helplessly, while Ji Chan, seemingly re-energized, called out to Su Yue, "Hurry up, Yue Yue darling, everyone's waiting for you!"
She added, "Don't you dare torment me, or I won't edit your photos for you!"
Su Yue: ...
But her words did lighten the atmosphere a bit. Su Yue, feeling a little embarrassed, separated from him, her tears finally stopping. She lowered her head, her cheeks flushed, and softly said to the man before her,
"Let's go."
She reached out to take his hand.
However, the man scooped her up directly. Glancing at her clothes, he frowned and looked at Jin Yan, his voice slightly cold.
"Take off your clothes."
Jin Yan was wearing a long-sleeved shirt, as he was supposed to attend an event that night.
"Take them off, take them off immediately. It's my fault, my fault. I should have offered them proactively." Jin Yan was startled by his gaze, but relieved when he heard the request and quickly removed his shirt.
Then he came over and draped it over the girl.
Su Yue felt a wave of embarrassment and buried her head in his neck, avoiding the eyes of those around them.
But the moment she touched him, she felt like crying again.
Although she tried to hold back, two tears silently escaped.
A cold sensation came from her neck. The man paused, then smiled.
He turned his head slightly and whispered gently, coaxing her,
"My darling, be good, don't cry anymore, hmm?"
Everyone else: ...
They were going to die of secondhand embarrassment.
"You should go now." Being called "darling" in front of so many people was too much for Su Yue. Knowing that everyone around them was probably laughing at her, she buried her head even deeper and said softly.
He smiled, gently rubbing his cheek against hers, then started walking away.