Chapter 15: Bad News

A scream rose from the crowd as Chen Mo was about to be hit by the car. Onlookers hurriedly covered their eyes, too afraid to look.

The sound of tires screeching on the pavement echoed in everyone’s mind. The car didn’t stop until ten meters later, leaving the crowd in stunned silence.

The young woman stared blankly at the empty road, her eyes rolling back as she collapsed unconscious.

Xiaoyu froze like stone, replaying the moment Chen Mo leaped out in her mind. Staring at the deserted, lifeless street, fear spread across her face as tears streamed down uncontrollably.

“Chen Mo! Chen Mo!”

Xiaoyu’s voice shook with panic. She rushed toward the road recklessly.

As soon as she stepped onto the pavement, Xiaoyu felt a tight grip around her body, pulling her into a protective hold. The familiar scent hit her nose, making her freeze. Looking up at the familiar face, her tears flowed freely as she laughed and cried all at once before burying her head in his shoulder.

“Stop crying,” Chen Mo comforted her.

Potential Exploitation gave his body astonishing bursts of speed. He’d dodged the car by a hair’s breadth thanks to that explosive force. Feeling the vehicle brush past him, a cold sweat had broken out.

Seeing Chen Mo alive, the crowd erupted into cheers.

“Don’t cry now, even this little guy’s laughing at you.” Chen Mo patted Xiaoyu’s shoulder, presenting the baby held in his arms.

The baby stared up at her with pure eyes, smiling happily. Seeing its joy, Xiaoyu’s tears turned to laughter.

“The thief got caught!”

A joyful shout went through the crowd. Several men dragged a bruised captive back, his limbs tied tightly with belts. The stolen bag still hung from him.

“This lady’s passed out! Is there a doctor here?”

Another cry drew everyone’s attention – the baby’s mother had fainted on the ground.

“I am.”

A bespectacled middle-aged man stepped forward, pressing his thumb beneath the unconscious woman’s nose. Moments later, she stirred awake.

“My baby! Where’s my baby?” Her voice trembled as she frantically scanned the area.

“Ma’am, here.” Chen Mo carefully returned the infant to her arms.

Clutching her unharmed child, the woman wept with relief.

Amid applause, a police car pulled over by the roadside. Less than five minutes had passed from start to end.

The man who’d stopped the thief slipped back into the crowd as the officers arrived. Chen Mo also guided Xiaoyu along, disappearing into the throng. But even as he left, countless curious eyes followed him.

The Shopping Street stretched toward the nearby sea. There, Xiaoyu gently tended to the scrapes on Chen Mo’s cheeks and elbows.

“My handsome face is ruined now. Such a tragedy.”

“You’re still joking? You practically scared me to death!” Xiaoyu snapped but continued her careful, feather-light touches.

“Instinct kicked in. Didn’t think. If that’d been you, I’d have done the exact same thing.”

“So I’d have to wait eighteen years for you?”

“I think you’re getting funnier.”

Finished with the bandaging, silence settled between them. River breezes stirred, turning the atmosphere delicate. Chen Mo lowered his gaze. Xiaoyu flushed instantly, avoiding his eyes.

Chen Mo wrapped an arm around Xiaoyu’s waist, bending his head slowly toward hers.

Xiaoyu shut her eyes tightly, long lashes trembling like a surrender. She stiffened slightly, knowing what came next.

Soft warmth met her lips. Hers parted at his gentle pressure. An unfamiliar thrill surged through her when their tongues touched, deepening her blush as she pressed closer against him.

Her first kiss, saved tenaciously for over twenty years – finally given to this conceited fool.

Joy and happiness washed over Xiaoyu. Slowly, she began moving in sync with Chen Mo. Hesitant at first, her motions soon melted into natural harmony.

Night’s canvas bled into riverside lamp glow as passing folk singers blended with river currents. Wind swept strands of Xiaoyu’s hair loose. Downriver, cruise ships glowed, water rippling silver under seaside neon – an exquisite painting.

When Chen Mo finally drew back a minute later, the kiss had flung open every barrier between them.

“Perfect. Pure perfection!”

Too stunned to react, they whipped their heads toward the awed voice.

“Absolutely stunning.” Holding his camera, a photographer bounded toward them excitedly. “Hi! I’m Liang Zhihang, a photography enthusiast.”

“Er… Hello there. I’m Chen Mo.” Chen Mo stretched out a hand politely.

“I came here searching for ideas. And then I saw you two. Captured that perfect kiss. Please let me submit this for the National Photography Contest!”

Liang Zhihang flicked through his camera, showing Chen Mo the pictures.

Horrified she’d been photographed during such an intimate moment, Xiaoyu ducked behind Chen Mo – her face hot, wishing she could vanish. That was her first kiss!

“A spark hit me! This set’s title: ‘Moonlit Glow.'”

Liang Zhihang waved excitedly, oblivious to their discomfort.

The raw sincerity of that embrace was impossible to imitate. Embedded in harbor night magic, it illuminated every ounce of their affection.

Gazing at the photos, Chen Mo’s eyes lit up. It really was beautiful.

“Looks gorgeous,” Chen Mo said.

Immediately, his waist stung sharply. Xiaoyu hid her face against his back, gripping his side with furious fingers.

Liang Zhihang beamed. “That moment even inspired poems!” This was by far the supreme creation in his portfolio.

“If you send us the photos, you’ve got our sign-off to enter,” Chen Mo bargained.

“Deal! I’ll add you on WeChat and mail them over when edited.” Liang Zhihang whipped out his phone instantly, scanning Chen Mo’s contact QR.

Even after Liang Zhihang left, Xiaoyu stayed flushed, leaning quietly against Chen Mo.

“Why’d you say yes? Why let him show everyone?”

“He’s an artist chasing inspiration. Plus, he captured that moment forever. I’ll set it as my phone theme. Now… once more?”

Xiaoyu bowed her head shyly but didn’t resist.

Arm in arm, they wandered the moonlit seaside promenade. Whatever came before had dissolved away – their first proper date. Flawed, yes, but perfectly so.

Bliss never lasts long. Chen Mo suddenly pulled out his mobile, expression turning grim.

“What’s wrong?”

“Bad news: 11:30 pm. Dorms are locked. You can’t go back.”

“It couldn’t have been that late!” Xiaoyu snatched his phone in disbelief. “What do we do?”

“Two options: a hotel, or my Rented Apartment.” Chen Mo broke into a grin.

“You planned this!” Xiaoyu flushed, pinching his side fiercely.

“Swear I didn’t.” Gasping with pain, Chen Mo held up four fingers.

“No hotels.”

“So… come home with me.”

Chen Mo found his bicycle. With Xiaoyu balanced behind, they raced toward his Rented Apartment.