Chapter 42: Her Boyfriend Could Slap a Flirt to Death (5)

Normally, it was already rare enough to see a woman giving a man a ride on her bicycle. But when the woman was so strikingly beautiful, and the man behind her exuded only a slumped, lazy air of despondency—sitting hunched on the back seat, looking both aggrieved and ridiculous—the contrast drew even more attention. They were simply not a match. After all, in most people's minds, a beautiful woman would naturally choose an extraordinary partner—either dashing or obviously well-off.

But this man, dressed all in black, looked entirely unremarkable. If you dropped him in a crowd, you might never find him again. There was nothing about him to attract attention. So how could a woman like Bai Yao ever take a liking to him?

Bai Yao was still murmuring to Xue Yan, oblivious to the eyes watching her from the inn. When they reached the entrance of the neighborhood committee office, she braked, planted both feet on the ground, and the man behind her, propelled by inertia, pressed against her back, wrapping an arm tightly around her.

A middle-aged woman was trimming flowers at the door. Seeing Bai Yao arrive, she immediately looked up with warmth in her eyes and greeted her enthusiastically, "Teacher Bai, bringing your boyfriend to work again?"

This was a kindly-looking and very friendly woman. Though Xue Yan had no work experience, she had been willing to give him a chance, so he now had the opportunity to gain some experience for himself.

Bai Yao smiled and said, "Aunt Zhang, I’ll have to trouble you to look out for him again today. If he doesn’t eat properly at lunch, just let me know."

Aunt Zhang replied with a cheerful laugh, "No problem at all. Don’t worry!"

When Bai Yao wasn’t around, Xue Yan ate simply to refuel his body, never bothering to savor his food; he would wolf it down. Once, he even swallowed both food and bowl in a single gulp. When Bai Yao found out, she was nearly frightened to death and dragged him to the hospital for a series of examinations. Only after being assured of his safety did she finally relax.

Bai Yao patted Xue Yan’s hand. "Time to get off."

Reluctantly, Xue Yan slid off the back seat. He held onto the hem of her shirt and whispered, "Yao Yao, you have to come pick me up early after work today."

For some reason, she was reminded of how little children at kindergarten would stand at the gate and plead pitifully with their parents, "You have to come get me early after school!"

Bai Yao couldn't help but laugh. "I only have one class this afternoon, so I’ll come by early. Be good and wait for me. And don’t go napping right under the air conditioner again, you hear me?"

Xue Yan nodded obediently. "I know."

After repeating a few more reminders, Bai Yao, seeing the time, dug two chocolates out of her bag and slipped them into his pocket. She waved farewell and rode away on her bicycle.

Xue Yan stood at the roadside, watching her departure until she vanished from sight, absentmindedly finishing the bun in his hand.

Meanwhile, gossip had already begun at the inn. The talk was, unsurprisingly, about how such a stunning woman could end up with a boyfriend like that.

Tian Susu glanced at Jiang Xun, then at Cha Lan, and finally at Xue Yan in the distance. She had to admit, her own admirers were far superior to Bai Yao’s.

Just then, a voice echoed in her mind.

System: [Something’s not right.]

Tian Susu: [What is it?]

System: [All information related to that man has been blurred.]

Previously, there had been no information at all about Bai Yao, as if she were not meant to exist in this world. But now, all details about this man were indistinct and impossible to pin down.

Elsewhere, a man with a protruding belly—obviously a big shot—stood out in the crowd. Many recognized him; he was a famously wealthy businessman. With a peculiar air, he boasted, "If my cards hadn't inexplicably been frozen when I arrived here, I'd have bought a few luxury brands, and women like Bai Yao would be lining up to serve me. How could that country bumpkin ever have gotten lucky otherwise?"

At the committee office entrance, a young man who had been about to go in halted. He crouched down beside the woman tending the flowers, glancing at the items she’d set aside.

At the inn’s entrance, another man overheard the businessman’s words and teased, "Judging by your swagger, I suppose you have quite the romantic history?"

The businessman smacked his lips. "But this one is truly the cream of the crop."

Even though he’d been with many models, he had to admit, Bai Yao was the most captivating woman he’d ever seen. The thought of approaching her later made his heart itch with anticipation.

Now that Bai Yao had left, those who had gathered at the inn entrance to watch the spectacle, at Jiang Xun’s urging, began to drift back inside to discuss what to do next.

Tian Susu lingered at the end of the group. She noticed a figure approaching, her gaze following the black-clad silhouette. In the next instant, a sharp "bang" rang out—the businessman was seized by the throat and slammed to the ground.

Everyone turned, stunned.

The man who had before seemed so listless now radiated danger. His pitch-black eyes fixed on the man pinned beneath him. No one knew where he found such strength, but the burly businessman could not break free, no matter how he struggled.

Just one look into those eyes sent a chill down the spine.

Jiang Xun reacted first, stepping forward—only for scorching blood to splatter across him in a sudden rush, leaving him frozen in shock.

The businessman's head rolled across the ground, coming to a halt at Tian Susu’s feet.

It was only after a long moment, when Tian Susu let out a muffled shriek behind her hand, that everyone truly realized what had happened.

One by one, they stared in horror, retreating from the black-clad man as though he were a demon made flesh. The indifference with which they had looked on before was now replaced by utter terror.

Xue Yan blinked. He straightened, his posture slouching once more, and yawned lazily as he ambled back. He tossed the garden shears onto the ground, pulled a chocolate from his pocket, peeled back the wrapper, and popped it into his mouth.

Mumbling through the chocolate, he said, "Don't tell Yao Yao."

With that, he strolled unhurriedly into the committee office.

Aunt Zhang picked up the shears, sighing, "They’re stained again."

In stark contrast to the serene routine at the committee, the inn was now thick with the stench of blood, and not a sound could be heard.

Tian Susu: [System, he killed someone! He murdered someone in front of everyone! It's terrifying! What should I do?]

System: [Don’t be afraid, silly girl. Didn’t I tell you? You’re so adorable—just act a little coy and everyone will fall for you.]

Tian Susu abruptly calmed down. She recalled how, when rooms were being assigned the night before, even the intimidating innkeeper had relented at her tears. So many had died along the way, but she had never been in danger herself.

Her mind drifted back to the image of the man in black—so gentle and harmless in manner, yet capable of becoming so deadly in an instant.

Would he, too, be taken with her if she acted cute?