Han Yutong couldn't stand her mother's nagging any longer, so she found an excuse to go out for some fresh air.
She knew her mother was sentimental and didn't want to upset her. But she really couldn't keep sacrificing herself endlessly for others.
Wandering aimlessly on the street, Han Yutong's mood plummeted to rock bottom. Returning to her hometown and seeing long-lost relatives should have been a happy occasion, but instead, she was filled with anger that she had nowhere to vent.
Han Yutong gloomily kicked a stone at her feet, wishing she could pack her bags and fly back to City B immediately.
"Are you Han Yutong?" Suddenly, a gasp came from beside her.
Han Yutong was startled and looked around, quickly pulling up her mask.
"It really is you! I thought I was mistaken!" The person who greeted her was a well-dressed young man, about 1.7 meters tall, wearing a suit and tie, looking like a successful person.
Han Yutong found him somewhat familiar but couldn't quite place him.
To avoid trouble, she lowered her head and decided to pretend not to know him. "Sorry, you must have me mistaken for someone else!"
"Hey, old classmate, you're being really distant!" the man blocked her path. "What, you're a star now, so you don't recognize old classmates? I'm Zhang Yong, we used to live in the same neighborhood, sat front and back in class! I even visited your house when we were kids."
Han Yutong really couldn't remember him!
She had no recollection of such distant events. Moreover, in the two years she'd been in the entertainment industry, the first thing her agency taught her was to protect her reputation.
Without knowing the other person's intentions, it was best not to get too close to avoid unnecessary trouble.
Han Yutong realized the man was overly enthusiastic and subtly stepped back. "Um, is there something you need from me?"
She asked, suppressing her strong discomfort.
Due to past unpleasant experiences, she was very averse to being touched, especially by men. This man, Zhang Yong, was too familiar, crowding her, and she really didn't like it.
"It's just a coincidence! It's lunchtime, how about I treat you to lunch?" the man asked with a smile.
Han Yutong naturally wouldn't agree.
What if they were photographed and it got online? Who knew what a storm it would stir up. She wanted to be a real actress, relying on her work and talent, not various gossip scandals.
She had to refuse any invitation from a single man.
"I'm sorry, I have an appointment to discuss some business," Han Yutong said, taking a deep breath and trying to control her emotions.
The man, Zhang Yong, looked her up and down. Seeing no one approaching, he couldn't help but laugh. "Are you making excuses? We're classmates, aren't you going to give me some face?"
The man seemed to have no concept of respect, persistently bothering her, unwilling to give up.
Han Yutong was very disgusted. But she also knew that any extreme measures would surely attract attention. If he then went to the media and said something false, all her previous efforts could be ruined.
She couldn't take that risk.
Just as she was desperately trying to figure out how to handle the situation, her phone suddenly rang.
Han Yutong was delighted. No matter who it was, she answered it first. "Hello? Where are you... Have you arrived? Okay, I'll come find you right away."
"I'm really sorry, I truly have an appointment," Han Yutong said apologetically.
"So, can we exchange contact information?" Zhang Yong looked into her clear, watery eyes and still hadn't given up.
Han Yutong couldn't possibly give him her private number, but she had already refused him once, and refusing again would surely offend him. Zhang Yong, by all appearances, wasn't a magnanimous person. As the saying goes, it's better to offend a gentleman than a villain.
As she was racking her brain, a hand landed on her shoulder.
Han Yutong fell into a broad embrace.
The faint scent of his cologne allowed her to recognize him instantly. She turned, about to speak, but saw Su Lin winking at her. Han Yutong immediately understood and swallowed her words.
"Sir, do you need something else?" Su Lin put his arm around Han Yutong's shoulders, acting intimately.
Facing the tall man who was half a head taller than him, Zhang Yong immediately backed down. "N-nothing... I just ran into an acquaintance and came over to say hello..."
He gave Han Yutong a lingering look and reluctantly turned to leave.
"Thank you for helping me out of that situation." Han Yutong thanked Su Lin after they moved to a secluded corner where no one was paying attention.
Su Lin released her shoulder and put his hands in his pockets. "It was nothing."
Han Yutong glanced at him and asked, "What are you doing here?"
Was this really a coincidence?
Hadn't they been running into each other a bit too often lately?
"Just out for a stroll," Su Lin said, turning his head away awkwardly.
He did want to get out and find some peace, but he didn't know where to go. He vaguely remembered Han Yutong mentioning her hometown was in Hangzhou, so he inexplicably bought a plane ticket there.
He had been to Hangzhou before during his concert tours, so he was somewhat familiar with the place. What he hadn't expected was to see a familiar figure the moment he stepped out of his hotel.
At first, he thought he was mistaken.
After confirming it several times, it really was her.
She seemed to be in trouble.
And that's when the scene of him helping her occurred.
"Ahem... I didn't ask for your permission just now..." Su Lin said uncomfortably.
Han Yutong knew he was referring to him putting his arm around her shoulder, so she shook her head. "I know you were helping me, I don't blame you."
Strangely, Zhang Yong's approach made her feel disgusted, but with Su Lin, she didn't feel repulsed.
This wasn't the first time!
Last time in the fitting room, Su Lin had held her wrist, and she hadn't felt uncomfortable either. Except, her heart had raced a little.
Thinking of that scene, Han Yutong's heart pounded like a drum, her heartbeat becoming uncontrollable again.
She clutched her chest, afraid he could hear it.
But this attempt to cover the ears while stealing a bell still drew his attention.
"Are you not feeling well?" Su Lin frowned slightly.
Han Yutong bit her lower lip and, with red ears, changed the subject. "Where are you planning to go? I can be your guide."
"I heard there's a temple nearby with a lot of incense?" he asked.
"You mean Lingyin Temple? It's in the back mountain, about a twenty-minute walk," Han Yutong pointed in a direction. "Shall we go now?"
Su Lin hadn't originally planned to go, but seeing Han Yutong's enthusiasm, he changed his mind. "Yes, if it's not too much trouble."
"It's a good time for me to go pray too." Since she had nowhere else she wanted to go, she might as well go with him.
"You're a Buddhist?"
"No, I used to go with my family. I've been facing some troubles lately, and I feel much calmer there."
"Troubles? That man just now?"
"I don't know him well. I haven't seen him since elementary school graduation. I don't know how he recognized me... It's a good thing you showed up in time, or I really wouldn't have been able to get away!"
"Oh..."
They chatted idly as they walked towards the temple.
Their shadows on the ground slowly drew closer, unnoticed.