Chapter 88: Since She's Love-Struck, Her Boyfriend's Oddities Don't Matter (20)

The courtyard gate was left open, the yard overrun with weeds, and not a single light shone in the house. Su Youyou could only guess that no one lived here. She’d seen many houses in darkness during her ride over, evidence that this remote neighborhood was sparsely inhabited.

For someone like Bai Yao, accustomed to a life of luxury, this must be pure torment.

“Meow, meow—”

Su Youyou crouched down, stroking the black cat’s head. She’d already heard footsteps behind her, so she deliberately put on her gentlest demeanor, whispering cutely to the little cat, “You’re unwanted too? Just like me, not likable at all.”

Her head drooped in dejection by the end, perhaps recalling the times she’d been bullied for her humble background; even her profile was tinged with sorrow.

How adorable, a girl who speaks so tenderly to small animals.

Yet, the little black cat suddenly bared its teeth, swiped at her hand with its paw, and scratched her hard across the back of her hand.

Su Youyou cried out in pain and fell back, landing on the ground.

Beitang Jun rushed over. “Youyou, are you alright?”

He helped her up. She glanced at her hand, now marked with bleeding scratches, and glared furiously at the cat.

The little black cat flicked its tail, as if taunting her, then spun around and darted into the house.

Su Youyou leaned weakly into Beitang Jun’s arms. “It hurts.”

Beitang Jun stared in the direction the cat disappeared, his brow furrowed, expression icy and cool as he declared, “I’ll make it pay for this.”

With that, he ran after the cat.

“Youyou, are you alright?” A beat too late, Nangong Hao arrived. He held Su Youyou’s injured hand, his gaze turning cold. “What happened?”

Tears welled in Su Youyou’s eyes. “A cat scratched me.”

“Heh, that cat’s got guts, daring to touch my woman.” Nangong Hao asked, “Where did it go?”

Su Youyou pointed in a direction, face bitter. “Over there.”

Nangong Hao said, “Wait for me.”

“Youyou!” This time it was Ximen Lie, two steps behind, but before he could enter the courtyard, someone caught his hand.

Dongfang Xuan, one hand still holding He Cai slung over his shoulder, gripped Ximen Lie with the other. “Don’t go in!”

He had a feeling the house was dangerous, hearing a cacophony of noises coming from within that made his scalp tingle with unease.

But Ximen Lie, seeing Su Youyou’s solitary, fragile figure standing on the grass, shook off Dongfang Xuan’s hand and strode toward her. “Youyou, what happened?”

Su Youyou swayed like a pitiful white flower in the wind, sniffled, and said with a delicate, sorrowful voice, “I was scratched by a cat.”

Ximen Lie cursed, “Damn it! I’ll wipe out its whole family!”

And with that, he too headed into the house.

Su Youyou thought: What a bunch of brainless rich boys. All I have to do is shed a few tears and they’re tripping over themselves to avenge me. Playing the damsel in distress is second nature to me—how can they not fall for it?

She glanced toward the gate at Dongfang Xuan, frowning in confusion.

Strange, usually Dongfang Xuan is the most gullible and generous of them all, yet he isn’t rushing over to flatter me. He always claimed he wasn’t interested, but he’s such a stubborn tsundere—if I so much as talk to another boy, he gets jealous. Why is he not reacting today?

Have I neglected him too much lately, so now he’s playing hard to get?

With this in mind, Su Youyou decided to throw him a bone. She clasped her hands over her heart, eyes brimming with tears. “Dongfang…”

But Dongfang Xuan didn’t even listen, simply hoisted He Cai and turned to leave.

Su Youyou scowled. Even if he’s using He Cai to make me jealous, does he have to put on such a show?

He Cai caught sight of Su Youyou and was all the more certain that Dongfang Xuan had brought her here just to confront Su Youyou. The moment Dongfang Xuan turned away, she struggled even more violently.

Unable to keep his grip, Dongfang Xuan let He Cai slip from his shoulder. Thankfully, it was just the grass, and she was bundled in layers, so she didn’t get hurt.

“He Cai!”

Dongfang Xuan reached out to help, but He Cai scrambled up and bolted, yelling as she ran, “I’m not apologizing to Su Youyou! Don’t even think about it!”

Dongfang Xuan had no idea how He Cai managed to run so fast in such a heavy dress, but he hurried after her.

In the yard, Su Youyou arched an eyebrow. She was right—her act as a fragile beauty was flawless. Dongfang Xuan, the fool from the landlord’s house, couldn’t possibly resist her charms.

He Cai, fleeing in panic, ran so fast that when a man suddenly appeared before her, she couldn’t dodge in time. Her foot slipped on a rock, she grabbed at something for balance, and fell hard to the ground.

When she recovered, she looked up—straight into a pair of bare legs. Above them, bright red boxers, dazzlingly conspicuous.

She was stunned.

The man in the trench coat looked completely unruffled, as if he wouldn’t bat an eyelash if Mount Tai collapsed before him. He even took the time to smoke a cigarette, his voice steady as he said, “If you don’t let go, I could sue you for sexual harassment.”

He Cai glanced at her hand, which was clutching his shorts, and quickly let go.

The man calmly pulled up his pants.

Dongfang Xuan arrived just then, panting. “He Cai, come with me!”

He Cai shouted in protest, “No! I’m not going with you!”

Dongfang Xuan’s face darkened. He marched over and grabbed her hand before she could get up, but in a flash, his arm twisted painfully, his vision spun, and the man threw him to the ground in a deft shoulder throw.

In the next moment, both his hands were yanked behind his back. With a click, he was handcuffed.

Dongfang Xuan struggled in vain, furious. “Who the hell are you? Let me go!”

The man, cigarette in hand, took another drag, then turned, pulled out a police badge from his pocket, and flashed it at He Cai. “Young lady, consider yourself lucky; you don’t need to call the police. I’ll handle this.”

He Cai was dumbfounded.

The name on the badge read: Chen Shuo.

Meanwhile, Su Youyou was still waiting for her trio of admirers to come out. She brushed her hair, secretly congratulating herself on her irresistible performance. She decided that whoever managed to catch that cat would earn the privilege of escorting her to the hospital.

After quite a while, sounds finally emerged from the house.

“There’s a ghost!!”

Three handsome, wealthy young men dashed out in panic, so flustered they nearly collided with Su Youyou without even noticing her.

Angrily, Su Youyou glared at their retreating backs, but before she could curse them, she seemed to hear a faint creaking sound from behind.