Night Prowl

The next day, after getting up early and finishing his morning training, Zhao Rui drove straight to Tian Yaru's house.

When he arrived, the little girl was still curled up in the comfortable, luxurious king-size bed, sleeping in. In her world, getting up early during the holidays simply wasn't an option.

A servant opened the door and led Zhao Rui to the living room to wait.

Half an hour later, Tian Yaru finally came out, bare-faced and wearing a cool, lightweight set of pajamas.

Her delicate, petite features and soft lines gave her face a gentle charm. Though she wore no makeup, her skin was still smooth and radiant, and she was quite lovely.

The tender beauty of a young girl was far more captivating than the kind of beauty enhanced by concealer and makeup.

The girl rubbed her bleary eyes and glanced at the time on her wrist before saying lazily, "Brother Zhao Rui, why are you here so early today?"

"Didn't you want to go out? I asked Aunt Song for two hours off. I can take you out for a stroll and let you relax."

Seated on the sofa, Zhao Rui picked up a fresh, juicy peach, took a bite, and said with obvious enjoyment.

"Yay! Hehe, I knew I was right to choose you as my tutor, Brother Zhao Rui."

The girl beamed, then spun around and raced toward the washroom, calling out as she went, "Give me ten minutes!"

Zhao Rui hummed in acknowledgment and continued eating the peach. These honey peaches weren't available at ordinary supermarkets or street stalls. You had to go to a specialty fruit shop to find them.

At several dozen yuan a pound, they were a downright luxurious fruit.

Zhao Rui had been working as a tutor for nearly ten days. He hadn't done much actual teaching, but he had certainly enjoyed plenty of delicious food.

Ten minutes later, Tian Yaru came over, all ready to go, her face bright with happiness and a touch of light makeup.

"Let's go!"

"Aren't you going to eat breakfast?"

"No, I'm not hungry. We're short on time and have a lot to do. I'll eat when we get back!"

"All right!"

For a little girl who'd been cooped up at home for the entire holiday, getting out into the world was the most urgent thing of all.

As soon as they stepped outside, the family driver pulled up in an Audi sedan.

Once they were in the car, Zhao Rui told the driver, "Take us to Heluo Park!"

Heluo Park was a comprehensive recreation park in Lincheng, with facilities for leisure, entertainment, and sports.

It regularly hosted all kinds of sporting events, as well as concerts, dance performances, and other cultural shows put on by various groups.

It was very popular with the locals.

It was also the place he and Tian Yaru had agreed to visit.

The drive took less than half an hour. When they arrived at Heluo Park, Tian Yaru couldn't wait for the driver to find a parking spot. She jumped out of the car at once.

"Don't get too carried away, or it'll be hard to explain when we get back."

Seeing the little girl practically bouncing with excitement, Zhao Rui hurried after her and reminded her.

"No problem! I'm going to try this!"

As soon as she spoke, the little girl sprinted toward a nearby anime and cosplay experience exhibit and plunged inside.

Zhao Rui shook his head and followed close behind.

A short while later, the girl emerged from the changing room dressed as Sakura. She poked her head out and asked Zhao Rui, "Can martial artists see through clothes?"

Zhao Rui couldn't help glaring at her. "Yes, so don't change."

"Huh? Really?"

The girl covered her chest with one hand, her elegant eyes narrowing slightly. Then she pursed her lips and said, "Never mind. I've been at home for so many days. You've already seen everything anyway. It doesn't matter!"

"..."

Zhao Rui was stunned. He was about to explain when the little girl flashed him a mischievous grin and ducked back into the changing room.

The cosplay exhibit offered a simple role-playing experience. Visitors who were interested could rent an anime character's outfit and join the event.

"How does this look?"

A short while later, Hatsune Warrior appeared before Zhao Rui in a futuristic outfit, her hair tied into twin ponytails and her cheeks rosy as peach blossoms.

The tight-fitting costume showed off the girl's already lovely figure, though she hadn't fully grown into it yet.

"Looks good!"

"You should change into something too!"

"I'm not changing!"

"Come on!"

Ten minutes later, dressed in a plain-colored ancient-style robe and looking like a refined young gentleman, Zhao Rui followed "Hatsune Miku" into the crowd with a folding fan in his hand and no expression on his face.

"I'll tell you a secret. There's a girl in my class who likes Zhao Ke!"

Tian Yaru bounced along, in an excellent mood.

Her parents usually took her out for a stroll, but they mostly went to plazas or shopping malls.

And they certainly wouldn't let her try cosplay!

The little girl knew how to return a favor.

"Is it you?" Zhao Rui asked casually.

"Of course not!"

Colorful stickers were pasted below Tian Yaru's eyes. As she narrowed them, the stickers shifted, making her already bright eyes look even more lively and beautiful.

"I like someone who can protect me."

Stars sparkled in Tian Yaru's eyes. She had clearly drifted back into daydreams about some handsome young man.

"Just like you!"

The girl suddenly turned to Zhao Rui and said something startling.

"Cough, cough!"

Zhao Rui's face flushed. He was about to say something when the little girl burst into giggles. "I'm teasing you!"

Then her expression suddenly turned serious. "You don't have feelings for me, do you? I'm your little brother's classmate, you know!"

Zhao Rui's cheek twitched.

What was with kids these days? What on earth did they think about all day?

He tapped her on the head with the folding fan and said flatly, "I don't like little brats!"

Tian Yaru narrowed her eyes, a cold glint flashing in them. "Wah! I'm gonna fight you!"

Zhao Rui held the girl's little head at arm's length. No matter how wildly she spun her arms like a windmill, she couldn't reach him.

As the two of them horsed around, the parade passed through the center of the park and reached a bustling plaza.

There were not only crowds of people here, but also all kinds of performances and snack stalls.

Tian Yaru was lively by nature. Before long, she had hit it off with several little girls nearby who were wearing cosplay outfits too.

The girls laughed and played together in the parade, having the time of their lives.

Zhao Rui wasn't interested in this sort of thing. He ambled along behind them.

As he followed, he noticed that many pretty girls had "flower protectors" trailing after them.

At one point, Zhao Rui saw three lecherous men try to get close to the young women in costume marching ahead. Each one was stopped by someone behind them, who jabbed a pressure point that left them tingling and numb.

One man went too far and was discreetly kicked right out of the parade. He hit the ground and howled in pain.

But everyone seemed used to this sort of thing. No commotion arose.

Zhao Rui couldn't help thinking, No wonder Mr. and Mrs. Tian don't let her come here. Turns out there are a lot of lechers around!

After more than an hour of fun, Tian Yaru finally started to feel tired. She said goodbye to the new friends she'd made and dragged Zhao Rui to a nearby street lined with food stalls.

Then she threw herself into a huge spread of street snacks with boundless enthusiasm.

"Are they really that good?"

"Of course! Mom never lets me eat them!"

Tian Yaru puffed out her cheeks without a care for appearances as she chomped down on a freshly grilled, extra-spicy squid skewer, thoroughly enjoying herself.

Zhao Rui's mouth twitched. The little girl suddenly didn't seem quite so pretty anymore.

After they made a round of the stalls and filled their stomachs, they returned to the changing room and put their regular clothes back on.

Once they left the area and reached a somewhat quieter path, Tian Yaru turned to Zhao Rui and said, "All right, you've kept me company all morning. I'll tell you where those guys are!"

"But I'm not going to show my face!"

"No problem!"

Zhao Rui nodded.

The two of them soon got into the car and headed toward the area near No. 1 High School.

Even during school holidays, those street punks often hung around the neighborhood, forming gangs and getting into fights.

The car rolled slowly along the alley. The summer heat had driven most people off the streets.

"It's too hot. Those punks must have found somewhere cool to hang out. Uncle Wang, go to the billiard hall up ahead. It's just around the corner."

When the driver, Uncle Wang, heard her instructions, he immediately turned the car around and headed for the billiard hall.

Uncle Wang wasn't an ordinary driver, either. He was a Level 3 Martial Artist with kung fu skills.

He was probably a special forces soldier who'd transferred out of the military.

The car turned the corner, and less than a minute later, they arrived at a billiard hall with a rather run-down exterior.

"Uncle Wang, drive away. We'll hide around that corner over there!"

Tian Yaru seemed to have gotten caught up in some spy movie. She threw herself into the secret surveillance with total commitment.

Zhao Rui followed her and hid in a corner of a nearby residential building, where they had a clear view of the billiard hall entrance.

"You seem pretty familiar with this place!"

Seeing the little girl hunched over and sneaking around, Zhao Rui couldn't help asking.

"That doesn't matter!"

The little girl kept her eyes fixed on the entrance to the billiard hall, without even turning her head.

Seeing that, Zhao Rui said no more and watched the entrance along with her.

The scorching heat was blocked by the tall buildings, leaving a shaded spot that was still somewhat stuffy. Every so often, a breeze passed through, carrying the dry scent of summer.

After crouching there for five or six minutes, Tian Yaru abruptly stood up and said quietly, "This is exhausting. You keep watch. I'm going to rest for a bit!"

With that, she stepped back and crouched against the wall, looking at her phone.

Zhao Rui shook his head and continued watching the billiard hall. He had nothing else to do that morning anyway.

They waited for another half hour or so. Zhao Rui's eyes suddenly lit up as a few oddly dressed youths came out of the billiard hall with their arms slung over one another's shoulders.

Zhao Rui hurriedly called out to Tian Yaru.

The little girl immediately stood and leaned forward to look. She was delighted. "That's them! The one in front with blue hair is Brother Cannon. The others are his lackeys."

Zhao Rui looked carefully, his eyes narrowing slightly. He recognized someone among them: one of his younger brother's classmates whom he'd seen at school before.

That settled it!

Zhao Rui committed their faces to memory, then stood up and said, "All right, I know who they are. Let's head back. It's getting late!"

"You're not going to beat them up?"

Tian Yaru stared at him in surprise.

"Who said I was going to beat them up?"

Zhao Rui smiled and headed behind the building.

"Hey, wait for me!"

Tian Yaru immediately followed, pouting as she said, "You're lying. You're definitely going to deal with them secretly later. You just don't want anyone to know, including me."

"You little brat know quite a lot. Aren't you afraid I'll kill you to keep you quiet?"

"Please! You're a brat too. You're only two years older than me!"

Tian Yaru rolled her eyes at Zhao Rui, then headed toward the Audi approaching nearby with a little huff.

Half an hour later, they rode back to Tian Yaru's villa.

The house was still empty. Tian Muhao was usually busy with business and rarely got home on time. Sometimes he had to travel for work and would be gone for days.

As for Ms. Song, as the wife of a wealthy man, she had no shortage of ways to fill her free time. She was probably at some wellness salon getting her skin cared for at that very moment!

"We've been out all morning. You should get some studying done. I'll come by again tomorrow."

After making sure Tian Yaru got home safely, Zhao Rui prepared to leave.

"If you go tonight, be careful. They have a"

Knife!"

Seeing Zhao Rui head out, Tian Yaru hesitated, then called after him.

Zhao Rui couldn't help smiling, but he didn't reply. It was a shame the girl didn't know martial arts. Otherwise, he might have been able to take her along.

Soon, night fell. Zhao Rui changed into black sportswear, put on a mask, and rode back to the residential area where he'd been that morning.

He hid his bicycle, avoided the cameras from a distance, and quietly approached the billiard hall.

Under the hazy night sky, the stars shone brightly like diamonds set into a velvet curtain.

After waiting patiently for about two hours, the group finally wandered out of the billiard hall, swaggering and acting like they owned the place.

Zhao Rui followed from far behind, keeping himself hidden.

The group went to the roadside, picked up a few trendy-looking girls, and headed down another street.

Zhao Rui didn't hurry. He kept following them.

A little over ten minutes later, they entered a small courtyard along a street, about five or six li from the school.

"Big brother, can I borrow some more money? I'm broke!"

"Borrow money? That's all you ever do. How many jobs have you brought me this month? If there's no business coming in, I'll starve. Get lost, all of you!"

The voice from inside was strong and resonant. Anyone could tell its owner was a trained fighter.

Zhao Rui looked around, braced himself against the wall, and leapt up onto the roof.

He quietly peered down from the rooftop and saw Brother Cannon, the one he'd spotted at noon, trembling all over as he lay on the ground.

A broad-nosed young man with tattoos covering his arm was kicking him.

"Just because school's out doesn't mean you stop getting in touch! If I had to rely on you lot to make money every day, I'd starve to death! Get the hell out of here!"

The broad-nosed young man kicked Brother Cannon hard, driving him and his lackeys out.

The trendy girls were as frightened as little quails. Just as they were about to leave with Brother Cannon and the others...

The broad-nosed young man shouted brazenly at the group, "What are you running for? Get over here, all of you. Big bro's taking you out for barbecue."

After that, he spat in the direction Brother Cannon had gone. "Useless!"

The girls exchanged glances, then each timidly made their way over.

"Aw, damn! It's not like I'm gonna eat you! Ask around—when have I ever bullied a woman?"

Then he whistled toward the house behind him. Before long, five or six tattooed men came out, their upper bodies bare.

"Come on, let's get something to eat!"

The broad-nosed man called out, then led the men and women out of the yard.

Zhao Rui watched them leave with a cold expression. Then, in a flash, he jumped down from the second floor and hurried into the house.

The moment he opened the door, a thick wave of smoke hit him. Even through his mask, it nearly choked him back outside.

The house was sparsely furnished: a coffee table, sofa, and huge fish tank; a television, air conditioner, and little stools.

On the mahjong table, scraps of toilet paper and cigarette butts still lay scattered about.

Zhao Rui glanced around, then turned and entered the bedroom. It was surprisingly neat and tidy.

By the moonlight, he began searching the bedroom cabinets.

It didn't take long before he found a small medicine bottle in a drawer. The words "Xiaoyao Wan" were written on it.

Zhao Rui wasn't sure what the stuff was, but judging by the conversation just now, there was a good chance his younger brother had gotten the Qi Guiding Pill he'd bought from this man.

(End of Chapter)