172: Chapter 170: Hero Saves the Beauty 172: Chapter 170: Hero Saves the Beauty The man watched in terror as the sharp stone in his hand, like a streak of meteoric light, advanced toward his forehead.
He closed his eyes, his body shaking uncontrollably.
Everything happened too fast, too quickly for anyone to react.
It was only after a while that the man felt the movement in his hand stop, and he dared to open his eyes.
To his shock, the sharp stone had stopped just about one centimeter from his forehead.
Seeing this, he let out a long sigh of relief, but he was already drenched in cold sweat.
Looking into Tangyu’s indifferent gaze, he felt as if he was being targeted by two razor-sharp blades, invoking an unprecedented sense of fear within him.
It was a novel feeling, one he couldn’t quite explain.
He wanted to explode with anger, but the seemingly calm yet dangerously sharp look in Tangyu’s eyes compelled him to swallow back the words that had almost escaped his lips.
There was also that sharp stone still hanging over his forehead, shimmering with an intimidating chill.
Shivering involuntarily, he found himself unable to muster even a hint of resistance, overwhelmed by fear alone.
It felt like an eerie echo from the frightening shadows of childhood nights—a terror that became deeply etched in his psyche, beyond his control.
Tangyu glanced at the man before finally releasing his hand.
With a fleeting look at Tangyu, the man swiftly left.
The others, witnessing this and exchanging unsure glances with each other, still gripped by fear, also began to disperse until everyone had departed.
Mo Xiaoqing was left somewhat shocked in place, the situation having been far too dangerous.
Her heart had clenched in fear, genuinely scared that Tangyu might have lost control and stabbed down.
A puncture from such a sharp stone would undoubtedly result in a bloody wound.
Once everyone had left, Mo Xiaoqing managed to calm down somewhat.
Her gaze towards Tangyu flickered with an unusual light.
“Xiaoqing, did I scare you?” Tangyu asked, looking at Mo Xiaoqing.
Mo Xiaoqing said, “To be honest, it did scare me a bit.
Thankfully, you managed to stop just in time.
It seems you were just trying to scare him.
But although those people were being quite troublesome, I can understand their feelings.
They depend on the restaurant for their livelihood, and being closed for half a month would cause them significant losses.
And there might be some extra expenses to deal with the authorities.
They are victims in this too.”
Tangyu gave a faint smile, “How could I?
I know my limits, and I wouldn’t do anything illegal.
I can understand their feelings as well, but them blocking our way isn’t right, is it?
Not to sound unsympathetic; there are plenty of pitiful people in the world, and they certainly aren’t among them.
Besides, their sanitation isn’t too good either.
Although they didn’t cause this incident, they pose a hazard.
Making some improvements is also beneficial.”
Mo Xiaoqing blinked, then nodded in agreement, “You’re probably right.
Let’s drop the subject and go.”
The incident didn’t affect their mood, and soon after, the two arrived at a commercial area opposite Donglin University.
The area was filled with service-oriented venues, mostly restaurants and hotels, along with entertainment facilities.
KTVs, billiard rooms, game centers, mahjong parlors, and the like.
Further inside was a district of small guesthouses.
A university undeniably drives the local economy, and with forty to fifty thousand students, the area around Donglin University bustled with activity.
Countless shops lined the streets.
Classes had just ended, filling the area with excitement.
Students gathered for meals, couples met for dates, creating a charming ambiance unique to the university experience.
Mo Xiaoqing was no stranger to Donglin University—it was her alma mater.
She spent nearly seven years there, all the way to graduate studies, before becoming a teacher at Linshan Middle School.
“This restaurant is pretty good; let’s eat here,” suggested Mo Xiaoqing, stopping in front of a restaurant, familiar with the area.
The restaurant was not large, just slightly bigger than an average diner.
Its decor and size were average, blending into the surrounding establishments.
However, tantalizing aromas wafted from inside, tempting passersby.
“Sure, I’m not picky,” Tangyu responded.
With a smile, Mo Xiaoqing said, “I’m not sure if you’ll like their flavor, but I really do.
The food here has a home-cooked taste that reminds me of home.
Heh, I heard the chef is from my hometown too, which might be why I’ve grown so fond of eating here.”
“If you like it, I’m sure I will too,” Tangyu said.
At these words, Mo Xiaoqing looked slightly startled, turning her head away bashfully.
His statement had an intimate ring to it, generally something exchanged between couples that are fond of each other.
Upon entering the restaurant, they noticed it was rather quiet, with few patrons—a surprising sight considering the usual mealtime buzz.Taking a glance around, the large hall set with dozens of tables was occupied by only a single couple.
“Hmm, this place used to be quite busy.
Why’s it so empty today?” Mo Xiaoqing expressed her surprise and then turned to Tangyu, “Shall we go somewhere else?
There’s an adage when it comes to dining—crowded places with booming business tend to have better food.
“No need, let’s just eat here,” Tangyu said.
“We’re just having a meal; no need to be picky.
The quiet here is actually nice—it beats going to a crowded place, which can be quite chaotic.
I think a bit of peace is rather pleasant.”
“Oh,” Mo Xiaoqing nodded, feeling that Tangyu’s remarks today seemed somewhat odd.
The two selected a spot to sit down, and a waiter approached with no particular enthusiasm.
He handed them a menu with a neutral expression and without a word.
Mo Xiaoqing invited Tangyu to dinner for the first time, choosing such an unenthusiastic place that she too felt somewhat awkward as she looked at Tangyu.
Tangyu, however, merely smiled lightly, not taking these things to heart, and said, “You order the dishes, Xiaoqing.”
“How could that be, today is my treat, so naturally, you should pick the dishes,” said Mo Xiaoqing.
“Aren’t you familiar with this place?
You go ahead and order.
Like I said, I’m very easygoing,” Tangyu replied.
Mo Xiaoqing hesitated slightly before taking the menu and saying, “Alright then.” She quickly ordered six dishes and then handed the menu to Tangyu, “Take a look if you want anything else.”
“No need, six dishes are enough for us, ordering more would be a waste,” Tangyu said.
“Then what would you like to drink?” asked Mo Xiaoqing again.
“That’s not necessary, just eating is fine,” Tangyu replied.
Mo Xiaoqing stopped being polite and handed the menu back to the waiter.
“Tangyu, I’m really sorry about today.
Maybe this place has changed owners.
It wasn’t like this before, but I also haven’t been here for over half a year.
I originally thought that the flavors here would be better.
If I’d known, we wouldn’t have come here,” said Mo Xiaoqing, somewhat embarrassed.
“I think it’s quite nice, there’s no need to be so formal.
If you really took me to a fancier place, I’d feel even more embarrassed,” Tangyu said, finding Mo Xiaoqing too courteous.
Just as they were speaking, a figure suddenly ran over and approached their table, “Handsome, please save me.”
Tangyu raised an eyebrow and looked over, surprised to find that the one addressing him was indeed a beautiful woman.
Dressed in casual clothes, with her hair tied into a ponytail, the woman looked quite refreshing.
She had a stunning figure, comparable to Mo Xiaoqing.
Although her casual attire covered her well and she was wearing a pair of sports shoes, it was evident that her body shape was impressive.
Exquisite facial features and skin as white as milk, these two qualities alone gave her a beautiful face.
Overall, although the woman was slightly less stunning than Mo Xiaoqing, she was undoubtedly still a beautiful woman who passed the mark.
Mo Xiaoqing was also stunned, her gaze falling upon the beautiful woman; how did a beauty suddenly come running to ask Tangyu for help?
Before Tangyu could respond, the woman glanced outside, her face suddenly showing signs of fear, and without further ado, she ducked under the table where Tangyu and Mo Xiaoqing were seated.
Because the table was covered with a large cloth, hiding the legs of the table, someone hiding underneath would not be visible from the outside.
Tangyu soon felt his leg being grabbed by a hand.
He looked outside, wondering what had frightened the beautiful woman so much.
At the entrance, four youths with the look of thugs walked in, scanning the hall.
Tangyu observed the four thugs, wondering if they might be underlings of Brother Hu.
The four scanned the room but didn’t notice anything, and then they approached Tangyu’s table.
Their gazes lingered appreciatively on Mo Xiaoqing before one of them glared at Tangyu and demanded, “Did you see a woman run in here just now?”
After the man finished speaking, Tangyu once again felt the woman under the table pulling at his leg, clearly pleading for him not to reveal her presence.
“Haven’t seen her,” Tangyu answered.
“Really, I’m sure I saw that woman run in here, don’t lie to me,” the thug said.
“Really haven’t seen her,” Tangyu replied blandly.
The thug stared at Tangyu for a moment, then gestured for his companions to leave.
Once they departed, Tangyu tapped the table and said, “They’re gone; you can come out now.”
The beautiful woman slowly poked her head out from under the table, surveyed the area to confirm they’d left, and then boldly stepped out.
She offered Tangyu a sweet smile and said, “Thanks, hero.
The beautiful lady will return the favor another day.”
Mo Xiaoqing could not help but chuckle softly.
A hero saving a damsel in distress?
“Why were those people chasing you?” Tangyu asked curiously.
The woman laughed and replied, “You got it wrong, not chasing, trying to kill me.
There’s a big difference in the concept.
As for why they want to kill me, it might be probably certainly because I’m too beautiful, so they coveted my beauty, and then they started chasing me.
That’s pretty much it.
Alright, handsome hero, I’m off, till we meet again.”
Her hearty manner of speaking had a faint flavor of a female knight, which made Tangyu smile lightly.