As if to prove Fang Yu's words true, less than five minutes after Lin Ruofei's cousin had engaged the thugs in combat, the white-suited man was already struggling to hold his ground.
"Cousin, keep fighting!" Lin Ruofei's face paled with worry. Watching her cousin falter, she finally marched over to Fang Yu, who was idly picking at his fingernails with unconcerned patience, and snapped, "Go help him at once!"
"And why would I do that?" Fang Yu curled his lip, speaking with utter indifference.
"Because I'm ordering you to." Lin Ruofei's temper flared, but the moment she realized she was begging for his help, her tone softened immediately.
"I'm begging you. I won't tell Tingting that you ate from the same bowl and chopsticks she used, I promise." Lin Ruofei pleaded, her voice pitiful and desperate.
"I wouldn't care even if you did." Fang Yu chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement as he studied her.
Hmph. At last, I've got a chance to turn the tables on her.
"Waaah… You're being so mean to me." Stung by his refusal, Lin Ruofei burst into tears, her tears streaming down her face like pouring rain.
"Please don't cry." Fang Yu panicked inwardly—he had never been able to stand it when girls cried; it left him utterly helpless.
"I'm sorry, I was just joking."
"I was wrong, so please stop crying."
"I'll go help your cousin, alright? Just stop weeping."
Fang Yu was on the verge of losing his mind. He shot to his feet in an instant, his figure blurring into motion.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
Shrill cries of agony rang out one after another.
A minute later, Fang Yu reappeared before Lin Ruofei, patting her shoulder gently. "Stop crying now."
When Lin Ruofei lifted her head, she was met with a startling sight—the thugs who had surrounded her cousin moments before now lay writhing and moaning on the ground, utterly defeated.
"You…" Her eyes widened in disbelief. She stared at the composed Fang Yu before her, then at her cousin, who stood unharmed save for a few faint bruises on his face, and found herself speechless.
"Me what? Too fast for you?" Fang Yu rubbed the bridge of his nose, ignoring her gaping astonishment, and turned to face the white-suited man walking toward them.
"Hello. My name is Zhao Cheng. Thank you for stepping in to save us." Zhao Cheng approached Fang Yu with a warm smile, extending his hand.
"Fang Yu." Fang Yu nodded, hesitated briefly, then shook his hand with a faint smile.
Lin Ruofei stood to the side, exasperated. The two men were acting as if she did not exist at all.
She stepped forward and looked at Zhao Cheng tenderly. "Cousin, are you hurt?"
"I'm fine." Zhao Cheng shook his head with a smile. "As long as you're safe, that's all that matters."
Fang Yu stared at their tender, affectionate exchange with a look of resignation. Glancing at Lin Ruofei, who still looked utterly smitten, he laughed bitterly to himself. It was me who just saved her life, after all.
Even so, he did not bother claiming the credit.
A cold gust of wind swept past. Fang Yu cleared his throat softly, cutting through their sweet murmurs. "I think we should leave. If those thugs on the ground call for reinforcements, we'll be in real trouble."
"Yes, cousin, let's go quickly." Lin Ruofei nodded in eager agreement.
"You two go ahead. I'll call the police and have these men arrested first." Zhao Cheng turned to Fang Yu. "I'll have to ask you to see my cousin safely home. I'll handle things here."
"Very well." Fang Yu nodded, though a strange, unreadable expression crossed his face.