If it had only been two accidental encounters, then perhaps the next day Song Chengyu would have left the city—or He Yanzi would have.

Their connection would have ended there.

But fate had other plans.

Neither of them left.

And so, inevitably, they met again.

This time, He Yanzi had gone to a dinner gathering at the home of a friend she knew.

After the meal, as she left the residential complex and passed by one of the buildings, she suddenly heard sharp shouting and the sound of objects being smashed inside.

She frowned, unable to pretend she hadn’t heard it and simply walk away.

Soon after, she heard the piercing screams and sobs of a woman and a child.

Clutching her phone, He Yanzi rushed into the courtyard and shouted toward the house,
“Ma’am, do you need help? I’ve already called the police!”

The house fell silent for a brief moment.

Then a heavily built man covered in tattoos stepped out. His arms were nearly thicker than He Yanzi’s legs, and he glared at her viciously.
“Mind your own business, you Eastern pig!”

He Yanzi raised her voice.
“Domestic violence is a crime! The police will be here soon—they’ll take you away! You’re in serious trouble!”

The man spat a string of filthy curses and strode toward her.

Inside the house, there was no sound from the woman or the child. They didn’t come out. She had no idea how they were and didn’t dare to just run away.

But the man clearly looked like a seasoned fighter—her basic self-defense skills were no match for him at all.

She hesitated, unsure of what to do next.

Just then, a familiar voice with a hint of amusement sounded beside her.
“Sir, a gentleman should always maintain courtesy toward a lady—otherwise you’ll only make yourself look like a barbarian.”

He Yanzi turned her head sharply.

It was Song Chengyu again.

With his naturally curly hair and dimples when he smiled, he looked gentle and soft by nature.

Yet when he fought, he was astonishingly agile—muscles standing out along his arms, the lines powerful and captivating.

The rough, burly man was no match for him at all.

The man was knocked down. Soon after, the police arrived. The unconscious woman and child were sent to the hospital for treatment.

Only then did Song Chengyu hand He Yanzi a piece of candy.
“Here. Eat it.”

She took it, unable to suppress a smile.
“You really treat me like a child.”

But Song Chengyu replied unexpectedly,
“No.”

She turned her head to look at him.

He stopped walking, stood in front of her, and looked at her solemnly.
“A-Zi, I don’t see you as a child. Because people who pursue children are perverts. I want to pursue you. Beautiful lady—would you give me that chance?”

She was stunned.
“Why…?”

He didn’t answer directly. Instead, he said,
“People who come here to travel are always warned—guns are legal here, public security is poor. If you encounter thieves or robbers, don’t fight them. Money can be replaced; your safety is what matters most.”

She nodded, looking at him in confusion.
“Yes. My father taught me the same thing when I was young.”

“Then why, on the day you encountered the thief, didn’t you pretend you hadn’t seen him and just let go of your wallet? Nowadays our money is on cards, mobile payments are convenient. There probably wasn’t much cash in your wallet. Losing it wouldn’t really matter, right?”

He Yanzi fell silent for a moment before replying,
“That’s true.”

That amount of money meant nothing to her.

“But stealing is wrong. If I see someone stealing my things and I let go, wouldn’t that be encouraging them? He was clearly in the wrong, and I was in the right—why should I give in? If everyone did that, this beautiful, romantic city would become a city of thieves.”

She knew people might laugh at her for saying this—call her foolish, naïve.

How could personal safety have anything to do with protecting a city?

But to He Yanzi, it did.

Song Chengyu hummed softly, the smile in his beautiful eyes deepening.

He returned to the earlier topic.
“A-Zi, you’re very brave.”

She froze.
“Brave?”

“You knew you couldn’t beat that man. You went alone to help that woman and child, knowing full well that you might put yourself in danger.”

She murmured,
“But domestic violence is wrong. Pointing out what’s wrong and helping those who need help—isn’t that what we should do?”

In the past, when she said things like this, everyone had called her foolish, said she was too naïve.

But this time, Song Chengyu affirmed her without hesitation.
“You are very brave.”

He said,
“I’ve always believed that bravery means daring to face fear head-on, without retreating.”

“And that’s exactly who you are, A-Zi. Even though you’re afraid, even though you know you might get into trouble—you still choose to do the right thing.”

“You, like this, are so very beautiful.”

“If I miss you, I’ll regret it.”

Her eyes grew hot. She quickly lifted her head, staring at the clouds in the sky.

“So,” he asked gently,
“beautiful and brave lady—may I have the chance to pursue you?”

He Yanzi didn’t answer.

Instead, she suddenly thought of Huo Junfeng.

Before he had changed, he truly loved her. He protected her in every way, wanting to shield her from all danger.

There had been many moments like this—each time, he would be deeply displeased, repeatedly emphasizing that she was the most important thing.

Her safety mattered more than anything else.

“I don’t want you doing these so-called ‘right things.’ You just need to protect yourself.”

He had never truly acknowledged her…
never affirmed her.

That was why he believed she hadn’t grown up yet—
that she needed to grow up and face reality.

Wasn’t that so?

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