The car window was rolled down, and the person inside poked their head out, giving Qin Feiwǎn a smile that promised conquest.
Qin Feiwǎn knew she couldn't escape. She could only take a deep breath and tell the person on the phone their current address in detail.
The anticipated impact and pain never came.
Amidst screams, Qin Feiwǎn was tightly shielded by a cool embrace. They rolled together, narrowly avoiding danger.
"Damn it!" the person in the car cursed.
Before Qin Feiwǎn could open her eyes, she heard a muffled voice from below her, "Are you okay?"
Hearing that voice, she froze, forgetting even to get up from him.
The person from the car had already gotten out and was approaching, muttering curses.
"Who are you?" The driver of the car didn't want any trouble. This person suddenly appearing didn't seem to be with Huo Rou and the others. He first spoke harshly, "Be smart and leave, or I'll take care of you too."
"Take care of me?" Chen Guochao repeated the other person's words, his white teeth baring prominently in the night. "Heh."
He pushed himself up with his arms, his leg muscles tensing instantly. In a moment, he stood up, carrying Qin Feiwǎn with him.
"Are you okay?" He stepped back and examined Qin Feiwǎn from head to toe. "Tell me if it hurts. My bones are hard; maybe I bumped you."
Qin Feiwǎn looked at the swirl of hair on his lowered head and his short buzz cut. Her eyes filled with tears, and she shook her head repeatedly.
"Why are you crying?" Chen Guochao's tanned skin was almost swallowed by the darkness. He looked up and carefully discerned the expression on her face. "Did you really get hit?"
Qin Feiwǎn choked up and hugged him. She didn't want to be a crying girl, but her tears were uncontrollable now.
She burst into sobs, leaving the man in front of her flustered.
"Where are you hurt? Speak up! Why are you such a crybaby?"
The man wiped her face haphazardly with his sleeve while warily watching the approaching car driver.
"Xiao Luo—" Qin Feiwǎn, crying and held in his arms, excitedly called out his name, but as Chen Guochao spun her around, her voice caught in the air for a second. "—bo!"
Chen Guochao shielded her and retreated, finally stepping into the light. He quickly glanced at Qin Feiwǎn, confirming she wasn't even dusty, and then relaxed.
Chen Guochao decisively pulled her behind him, drew a short knife from his boot, and met the car driver's blade.
"Be careful!" Qin Feiwǎn cried out in alarm as Chen Guochao charged forward.
Chen Guochao quickly knocked the man to the ground. With agile movements, he took a length of rope from himself and tied the person up.
Qin Feiwǎn's tears were still on her face.
As Chen Guochao turned back, her tears perfectly traced her bright red lips, glistening.
"Sister Qin, didn't you say you were very brave?" Chen Guochao walked towards her slowly, reaching out to wipe her tears. He found that his sleeve was already wet from her crying.
He looked at Qin Feiwǎn with a hint of amusement, his playful tone carrying a trace of barely perceptible concern and affection.
He looked at her deeply. Qin Feiwǎn showed no sign of wiping her tears. She looked stubbornly at Chen Guochao, as if trying to imprint him in her heart.
Finally, Chen Guochao relented. He unbuttoned his jacket.
"What are you doing?!" Qin Feiwǎn, seeing his action, jolted. "It's the middle of winter! Even if you're hot, you have to bear it. Why are you taking off your clothes?"
Chen Guochao bared his white teeth, revealing a thermal shirt underneath, and looked at her somewhat teasingly.
Qin Feiwǎn's face flushed, and she no longer looked at the muscular lines outlined by his clothes.
The warm shirt was pressed against her face, instantly absorbing the moisture but causing more tears to well up inside her.
Her little radish had grown up.
He could wipe a girl's tears now.
"Don't cry," Chen Guochao's voice came from behind the shirt, slightly muffled. "I've already knocked him down. No one will hurt you anymore. Can you stop crying?"
He paused, his voice barely audible. "...Sister Qin."
The boy's voice carried a ruggedness that stirred a pond of spring water in the soft moonlight.
Hearing that address, many barriers that had grown with time instantly disappeared. Qin Feiwǎn reached out and tugged at the shirt, imbued with Chen Guochao's masculine scent, intending to pull it down.
"Wait." As Chen Guochao stopped her, he accidentally held her hand.
Qin Feiwǎn's cold hand made him frown again. "Wanting style over warmth, don't you know what season it is?"