Unexpected answer. Xie Yue's first reaction was to curse: "Your mom!"
Chen Yiyang replied smoothly, cold-faced with a nonchalant air, his tone flat: "Don't curse my mom. Curse me."
Xie Yue didn't even realize what he'd heard and directly appealed: "I can't take it anymore. Zhou Shihui, say something to him."
Zhou Shihui frowned instead, stood up, glanced at Chen Yiyang, then suddenly chuckled and said: "Say what? It's not like I want to slap him."
Yun Mi heard that line "Yun Mi can slap me." She squeezed the new lip balm, her face flushing.
Her heart was restless, pounding, and even her hand holding the item was sweating.
Her hand felt weak.
Xie Yue treated them to a suspense movie. Yun Mi was sandwiched between Xu Zhiyu and Ding Yuan, and the whole movie was punctuated by screams.
Ding Yuan was scared to death. Turning her head, she saw Yun Mi smiling and almost went crazy.
"Yun Mi, aren't you scared?"
"Not scared."
Ding Yuan wanted nothing more than to hide in Yun Mi's arms, but saw Yun Mi's faint smile.
Ding Yuan whimpered softly: "I can't take it. Your smile is also terrifying."
Yun Mi shot Ding Yuan an annoyed look.
She knew Chen Yiyang had gone along with her lie to cover things up, but she couldn't help feeling secretly pleased.
When they came out, Xu Zhiyu politely thanked Xie Yue.
The six of them walked along a small path.
Beside them was the place where they had eaten after the school anniversary last time. Xie Yue waved his hand and said: "No problem. Didn't you treat us to dinner last time?"
As they walked, someone from the crowd exiting the cinema exclaimed: "Xu Zhiyu!"
Yun Mi turned around abruptly and saw a few big, strong men. The one at the lead was that Brother Hu.
Brother Hu wiped his face. The fleshy jowls quivered slightly as he licked his back teeth.
"That-that girl! We ran into her! Last time it was her who hit Brother Hu with a broom!"
Things happened too fast.
Ding Yuan clearly guessed who those people were and immediately pushed them: "Run, run, run."
Even while running, Xie Yue asked: "Who are they?"
Yun Mi was grabbed by a hand.
On the restless summer night, near Shanfu, there was a red cordon. Without parents picking up and dropping off, the road was quieter than usual.
On the asphalt road were lush, towering ficus trees.
The streetlights were dim.
Yun Mi was pulled forward by someone. She raised her eyes, her heart surging like stormy waves.
This time, Brother Hu's group was too many. They had probably watched the same movie.
Behind Yun Mi and Chen Yiyang, two adults were also chasing them.
In the chaos, Yun Mi and Chen Yiyang ducked into an alley.
In the narrow, cramped gap between old houses, she met Chen Yiyang's dark, sharp eyes in the confusion of the night.
Yun Mi said: "Chen Yiyang—"
Before she could finish, Chen Yiyang lowered his head, put his index finger to his lips, and made a "shh" gesture.
A soft breath sound.
Yun Mi's breathing was unsteady.
Cicadas chirped wildly in the concrete crevices.
He was still holding her hand. Yun Mi felt her whole body burning hot, but Chen Yiyang seemed to trap her, standing so close.
So close was his clearly defined collarbone.
Chen Yiyang's Adam's apple vibrated slightly. Yun Mi, dazed, looked up and opened her eyes, seeing his dark eyes with a cold squint. She heard his low, magnetic voice as he lowered his volume and said, "Hide behind your gege."