A few seconds later, Zhou Yang drained the glass in one gulp. He casually wiped the corner of his mouth with his fingertip and set the glass down. One hand still rested on the small table as he looked at Su Hao.

 

They were already sitting close to each other; once their gazes met, even their breathing felt nearer. Su Hao’s expression remained calm.

 

Zhou Yang tapped the table lightly, a trace of a smile in his voice.
“I’m telling you all this—isn’t it meant to serve as a warning? There has to be feelings first, before there can be a future.”

 

Su Hao met his narrow eyes. The man looked relaxed and fearless, clearly unconcerned with how she was looking at him.

 

She pressed her lips together. “I understand.”

 

After that, she picked up her phone and scrolled through her WeChat Moments. She saw Li Xiu had posted a photo of herself drinking milk tea—her cheeks puffed out, looking especially cute. Su Hao casually liked the post. Just as she was about to speak, the man beside her stood up.

 

Zhou Yang tugged at his shirt collar, walked over to Li Yi’s side, took a cigarette from the table, lit it, and leaned against the wall to smoke.

 

No one could see his expression.

 

Only Li Yi turned to glance at him.

 

Zhou Yang held the cigarette between his lips at an angle. “What are you looking at?”

 

“In a bad mood?” Li Yi set down the pen in his hand, walked over, dragged away a young rich kid who had just fired three unqualified shots in a row, kicked him out of the lane, then leaned back against the chair and studied Zhou Yang’s face.

 

Zhou Yang pressed his tongue lightly against the cigarette. The minty taste spread in his mouth. Li Yi could tell at a glance—this bastard was in a terrible mood.

 

“I’ve never seen you like this, Zhou Yang.”

 

“If it really doesn’t work, just find a new girlfriend. Why keep fixating on Su Hao? She’s not even your type.”

 

Li Yi rarely talked this much. He took out a cigarette himself and lit it.

 

Zhou Yang didn’t respond.

 

At this moment, he didn’t bother hiding his emotions. He put the cigarette back in his mouth, walked to the shooting console, lowered his eyes, picked up the gun, and cocked it.

 

Bang.
One shot—bullseye.

 

Bang.
Second shot—bullseye.

 

Bang.
Third shot—bullseye.

 

“Holy shit, Zhou Yang is stepping in!”

 

“Boss really is boss-level.”

 

“Brother Yang, you’re way too cool!”

 

“Every shot hits the mark!”

 

Zhou Yang immediately became the center of attention. A crowd of rich kids rushed toward him; no one cared about the other lanes anymore.

 

When Su Hao looked up, she saw Zhou Yang with a cigarette clenched between his lips. The usual laziness and flirtatious air were gone. His side profile was cold and sharp, his narrow eyes slightly narrowed. In that instant, the entire image of the man was completely overturned.

 

People nearby were discussing him.

 

“If Brother Yang hadn’t decided to go into military manufacturing back then, he would’ve joined the army already.”

 

“Yeah, he and Brother Li Yi would’ve been evenly matched.”

 

It was the first time Su Hao had seen him like this. She was bumped slightly by the crowd and ended up standing at the edge.

 

Zhou Yang tilted his head, spat out the cigarette, and lifted his gaze. His eyes passed over the crowd and landed squarely on Su Hao’s face. There was a faint trace of hostility in his gaze.

 

Then, he raised the gun—aimed directly at her.

 

The entire place erupted in shock.

 

Su Hao stood in the crowd, neither dodging nor flinching, calmly meeting his gaze.

 

Behind her, the slanted orange lights fell across her body, enveloping her completely. She looked slender and soft, her dress swaying gently in the wind.

 

The gentleness on her face blended with the moonlight.

 

Many people followed Zhou Yang’s line of sight and noticed Su Hao, expressions of amazement appearing one after another.

 

Holding the gun, Zhou Yang stared at the woman in the breeze. Beneath his chest, his heart trembled violently, beating in chaotic disorder.

 

They remained locked in that standoff for nearly a full minute.

 

Finally, Zhou Yang lowered the gun and placed it back on the table, his gaze dropping.

 

Li Yi stood to the side, having seen everything clearly.

 

He clicked his tongue twice and handed Zhou Yang a cigarette. Zhou Yang took it but didn’t smoke, only toyed with it between his fingers.

 

“Zhou Yang, you bastard!”
A pack of cigarettes was thrown in from outside and hit Zhou Yang squarely on the head. Everyone turned to look.

 

Su Qian stood there, furious, pointing at him. “What the hell are you doing to Su Hao? You scared me to death!”

 

“Auntie Su, it was just a joke, just a joke.”

 

“Exactly—Brother Yang would never hurt such a beautiful woman.”

 

“Don’t be angry!”

 

Su Qian tightly grabbed Su Hao’s hand, still seething. At that moment, a male voice spoke up, “Auntie Qian, how about I walk you home?”

 

It was Chen Yu.

 

Zhou Yang crushed the cigarette hard between his fingers, turned around, and pushed through the crowd. He looked at Chen Yu and smiled lazily. “Go back to the competition.”

 

There was pressure in his eyes.

 

Chen Yu paused, muttered an “oh,” and didn’t dare argue.

 

“Mom, Su Hao—are you heading back now?” Zhou Yang fastened a button on his shirt and stepped forward, looking down at them. His gaze lingered mainly on Su Hao’s face.

 

Su Qian frowned, deeply dissatisfied with him tonight. “What were you doing just now?”

 

How could he aim a gun at Su Hao?

 

Zhou Yang chuckled softly. His gaze swept over Su Hao’s calm face. Then he reached out, grabbed Su Hao’s wrist, and lifted it, his fingers pressing right against her pulse.

 

Su Hao tried to pull back. Zhou Yang looked at her with a half-smile.
“Didn’t even speed up. Clearly, you weren’t scared.”

 

Su Hao really wanted to glare at him.

 

She truly wasn’t afraid.

 

Even though Zhou Yang had been razor-sharp in that moment, almost merging with the darkness—undeniably intimidating—she hadn’t felt fear.

 

It was everyone else who was terrified.

 

“Don’t touch Su Hao.” Su Qian yanked Zhou Yang’s hand away and held Su Hao tightly. She had nearly been scared out of her wits when she saw that scene.

 

Su Hao reached out and gently comforted Su Qian.

 

Zhou Yang raised his eyebrows. “Alright. My fault.”

 

“I’ll take you home.” He extended his hand. Li Yi tossed him the car keys. Zhou Yang caught them and gave a slight bow.
“Mom, shall we?”

 

Surprisingly gentlemanly.

 

Su Qian snorted coldly and turned away, pulling Su Hao along, gripping her hand tightly.

 

Su Hao felt warm inside. Smiling, she linked arms with Su Qian. Zhou Yang walked behind them with his hands in his pockets, his gaze resting on Su Hao as his phone began buzzing.

 

He took it out and glanced at the messages.

 

Li Yi: A hero always falls for a beauty.
Xu Dian: Zhou Yang, you’re done for.
Jiang Yu: Su Hao is nothing like she looks—soft on the outside only. Zhou Yang, hahaha, you’re doomed.
Li Yi: He didn’t even manage to pursue her and now wants to be her “good friend.”
Xu Dian: What? A good friend? A good friend?! Hahahaha!
Yan Xing: Sorry, I read the whole chat history—now I finally get it. Zhou Yang, weren’t you supposed to be amazing? How did you end up as a “good friend”?
Jiang Yu: Digging your own grave, huh?
Xu Dian: You’ll regret it sooner or later!

 

They reached the car. Zhou Yang opened the door, placed his phone in the holder, and got in. He glanced outside as Su Hao and Su Qian climbed in from either side.

 

The wind outside was strong—the area was near the mountains—so Su Hao’s hair was blown into disarray. She leaned back against the seat, holding her phone.

 

Aside from the brief confrontation with Zhou Yang earlier, her thoughts were actually on Shen He.

 

She had decided to contact Shen He again. No matter what the future held, it would at least be a proper closure. By now, her emotions had settled.

 

Before coming to Li City, she had already prepared herself mentally—to do everything she could to leave her mother without regrets, while also safeguarding her own future. She couldn’t be careless or impulsive. She had to tread carefully.

 

Her previous marriage had always been a thorn in her mother’s heart.

 

Originally, her parents had a good relationship. It was because of that thorn that they argued several times—especially on the day her father passed away.

 

Her mother’s cries had jolted Su Hao awake to reality.

 

Her mother regretted arguing with her father before his death. Su Hao had overheard it—how could she not be heartbroken? If it weren’t for her, her parents wouldn’t have fought.

 

When a person dies, everything ends. Once regret is left behind, it becomes a permanent mark.

 

Now, Su Hao was determined to walk every step carefully.

 

For herself. For her family.

 

She absolutely could not let her mother experience another regret.

 

They first dropped Su Qian off. Seeing that Su Hao truly hadn’t been frightened, Su Qian finally relaxed.

 

As the car neared the Zhou family residence, Su Qian lowered her voice and asked, “Did you see any boy you liked tonight?”

 

Su Hao snapped back to attention. “Ah?” She shook her head slightly. “No.”

 

“How could it be none?” Su Qian sounded exasperated. “There were so many rich young men there.”

 

Su Hao smiled and lowered her voice. “I only looked for a bit. Didn’t see everyone.”

 

“I’ll send you photos later!” Su Qian patted her hand. “More options are always better.”

 

Su Hao: “……”

 

The car suddenly braked. Su Qian pulled Su Hao forward reflexively, but fortunately they were both wearing seatbelts.

 

Zhou Yang got out, opened the door beside them, and leaned against it lazily. “Mom. Get out.”

 

Su Qian frowned, still unhappy with him. “You drove so long and then suddenly brake!”

 

Zhou Yang smiled slightly, the wind messing up his shirt collar. “Get out.”

 

Because he was backlit, his expression wasn’t clear. Su Qian didn’t notice the faint irritation in his eyes.

 

After getting out, she warned him, “Make sure you take Su Hao home safely.”

 

“Got it.” Zhou Yang closed the door and returned to the driver’s seat.

 

He adjusted the rearview mirror. When Su Hao looked up, she met his gaze.

 

Zhou Yang raised an eyebrow leisurely. “Want to go for a drink?”

 

She shook her head. “I don’t drink. No.”

 

Zhou Yang nodded. “Alright.”

 

He started the car and drove out of the villa area.

 

Su Hao waved goodbye to Su Qian through the window. It was past ten; outside, the streets were bustling with traffic. Soft music played in the car.

 

Su Hao watched the night scenery slide past the window. The atmosphere was quiet.

 

Suddenly, Zhou Yang asked, “Su Hao, besides cooking, do you have any other hobbies?”

 

She was focused on the scenery and answered reflexively, “No.”

 

“Really?” Zhou Yang chuckled softly.

 

A boring woman.

 

After a moment, Su Hao said, “You must have lots of hobbies.”

 

“Nothing special,” Zhou Yang replied casually.

 

“Oh.”

 

The car arrived at Hua Hui Residential Complex. The place was full of life—night snack stalls bustling and noisy.

 

The locks clicked open. Su Hao unfastened her seatbelt and said, “Zhou Yang, thank you.”

 

He leaned back, glanced into the rearview mirror, and nodded. “Get some rest early.”

 

“Good night.” She opened the door and stepped out. Yawning lightly, she walked toward the building—

 

Suddenly, a loud crash echoed.

 

Zhou Yang looked up.

 

A black object fell from above.

 

His pupils shrank.

 

In the next second, he shoved the car door open, sprinted forward, grabbed Su Hao’s wrist, pulled her into his arms, and retreated several steps, slamming into a pillar.

 

Crash!

 

Su Hao turned her head.

 

Behind her, shattered glass littered the ground.

 

Zhou Yang’s breathing was uneven. He looked up again, then leaned back, muttering a low curse a few seconds later.

 

It felt like narrowly escaping death.