Danger?

Bin Hai City's night sky glowed gray beneath the neon lights, as if it were shimmering with brilliant colors. The dazzling storefront signs along the streets stood out all the more beneath the colored lights.

Faint, elegant melodies drifted from the clubs by the roadside, filling the streets beneath the night with a romantic air.

Xiao Yu wrapped her arms around Chen Mo's waist and leaned against him, a sweet smile curling her lips.

It was a feeling she had never experienced before. Back at the library, when Chen Mo had shielded her, her heart had begun to flutter.

After Chen Mo boldly took her hand, she silently accepted it all and finally gathered the courage to take his hand herself.

They had been together for over half a month. Most of their time had been spent in the library. They had only held hands and had never embraced. Chen Mo never took the initiative, and she naturally had to be reserved.

Their most intimate gesture had been when she took the initiative to kiss Chen Mo last time.

Even then, she had needed to summon all her courage.

This was the first time she had leaned against Chen Mo. A sense of security filled her, as though even if the sky fell, there would be a shoulder to bear it for her.

"Chen Mo, tell me about your past," Xiao Yu said.

"My past?"

"Yeah. Have you dated before?" Xiao Yu asked. "I want to know you better."

"That's all in the past. Do you really want to hear it?" Chen Mo asked uncertainly.

"Tell me. Don't worry about me getting jealous. I'm not some jealous woman." Xiao Yu smiled. "Tell me about your glorious history so your girlfriend can get to know you."

"There was someone," Chen Mo said. "Then we broke up."

"How long?"

"Two years." Chen Mo's gaze deepened, and a trace of wistfulness entered his voice. "We broke up and got back together several times. The last time, she was the one who suggested breaking up. We never met again. It's been almost four years now."

"You still remember her?" Xiao Yu's tone carried a hint of jealousy.

"I let it go a long time ago."

Chen Mo's back prickled. Women who said they were not jealous were definitely lying.

"Ever since I saw you, I felt like you were the one meant for me."

"Did you sweet-talk your ex-girlfriend like that too?"

"Absolutely not. This is the first time I've said that. When I ran into you at the library last time, I had that feeling. Then I saw the bookshelf falling, and I rushed over without hesitation. I just had this urge to protect you. I thought I was dead for sure back then."

"I'll let you pass."

When she heard Chen Mo mention the library, Xiao Yu's gaze softened. The way they had met really was dramatic. Perhaps it had been fate.

"What about you? Have you dated before?"

Hearing Chen Mo's question, Xiao Yu revealed a mischievous smile. "Of course. I've dated three times."

"No way?" Chen Mo's tone turned sour.

"Look at how naturally beautiful I am. At school, the people chasing after me could line up from the podium to the back of the classroom." Xiao Yu still wore a smile.

"Can you tell me about it?" Chen Mo grew jealous.

"I was teasing you, you petty man." Xiao Yu laughed. "Lots of people pursued me, but I turned them all down. This is my first relationship."

"You've actually learned how to lie." Chen Mo smiled bitterly. "Did Ruo Xi and the others lead you astray?"

"Didn't she tell you? My nickname is Little Cat. I've always had a bit of a wild side. There'll be plenty more things you won't expect in the future, so don't be fooled by my gentle appearance." Xiao Yu smiled.

"Oh no, I feel like I've fallen into a trap."

"What did you say?"

"A gentle trap," Chen Mo hurriedly said. "Ruo Xi said you know how to act cute. Let me see you act cute."

"In your dreams."

They chatted and laughed all the way, and before they knew it, they had reached the streets near the shopping plaza. After parking their bicycles, Chen Mo and Xiao Yu began strolling around the streets nearby.

"Come on, let's take a look over there. Whatever you want to buy, I'll get it for you," Chen Mo said.

"No." Xiao Yu shook her head. "Just looking around is enough. If you buy it for me, you'd still be using your family's money. Wait until you can make money yourself, then buy me something."

"I..."

"No need to say anything. You can give me gifts later. I promise I won't be polite—I'll spend you into bankruptcy." Xiao Yu cut Chen Mo off, linking her arm through his as they slowly walked down the shopping street.

Looking at Xiao Yu, Chen Mo's gaze softened.

"Xiao Yu, there's something I need to tell you."

"Go ahead."

"I..."

"Ah... robbery! Catch him!" Just as Chen Mo was about to speak, a woman's scream interrupted him.

The shoppers fell into chaos and quickly parted down the middle. A panicked man clutching a handbag charged toward them with a dagger gleaming coldly in his hand.

"Move aside, or I'll kill you all!" the criminal shouted at the crowd.

Seeing the criminal rushing toward them, Chen Mo pulled Xiao Yu behind him and hurriedly backed away. Before the man could reach them, someone suddenly stuck out a foot.

"Ah!" A scream rang out as the criminal lost his balance, flew forward, and crashed heavily to the ground.

"What happened?"

"Why did the criminal fall?"

The crowd had been panicking just now, so no one had noticed. But Chen Mo saw clearly that it was the dark-skinned man who had tripped the criminal.

At that moment, the criminal's dagger and handbag had both flown from his hands and landed in front of Chen Mo and Xiao Yu.

Before the man could react, the criminal quickly scrambled up and looked at him in panic. The next instant, he rushed into the crowd, snatched a baby, and held her in his arms.

"Let go of my daughter!" The woman who had been shoved to the ground stared at the criminal in terror.

"Don't come any closer! If you do, I'll strangle her!" The criminal's face twisted viciously as he kept backing away, and the onlookers quickly scattered as well.

"Friend, calm down." The man's expression grew grave. "Right now, it's only robbery. It's not a serious charge. At most, you'll spend a few months in jail and get out. But if you act impulsively and hurt her, you'll face the death penalty."

"Don't come over!" the criminal roared at the man. "If you come any closer, I'll strangle her. Don't think I'm afraid to die. If I can't pay off my gambling debts, I'm dead anyway. At worst, I'll take someone down with me. Don't push me."

"Calm down. I won't come over." The man raised both hands and stopped. "Calm down. We can talk this out. If you want money, I'll give it to you. Don't hurt the baby. She doesn't know anything."

"Save my child." The young mother looked pleadingly at the man. "Save my daughter, please. She's only nine months old."

"Ma'am, don't get worked up." The man turned to the criminal. "I'm not a police officer. Let the child go, and I won't arrest you either."

"Throw that handbag over here, now!" The criminal glared hatefully at the man. If it were not for him, he would have gotten away already.

"Here." Chen Mo picked up the handbag at his feet and tossed it in front of the criminal. Then he looked at the crowd. "All of you, move back. Stop watching. Disperse."

At Chen Mo's words, quite a few of the onlookers moved away, though they still watched from a distance.

"Now that you have the bag, gently put the child down. I won't arrest you. I'm not a police officer." The man glanced at Chen Mo.

Chen Mo pulled Xiao Yu behind him. He was not sure what this crazed gambler might do. He had never expected that after finally taking Xiao Yu out on a date, they would run into something like this.

"Go to hell."

The criminal sneered, tossed the baby toward the road beside him, grabbed the handbag, and fled at top speed.

"Fuck your mother!"

The moment he threw the baby, Chen Mo's expression changed. His body erupted with its greatest speed. Before anyone could react, he had already leaped toward the baby. Amid the crowd's cries of alarm, Chen Mo caught her and crashed heavily onto the road, rolling several times before coming to a stop.

Just as Chen Mo held the baby and climbed to his feet, a car came barreling toward him with its horn blaring and brakes screeching.