Su Mo arrived at the gates of Xiao He’s residential complex, gifts in hand, and saw her standing at the entrance talking to a young man, her expression visibly irritated.
A security guard, bruised and battered, stood nearby, not daring to move.
As Su Mo approached, their conversation became clearer.
“Zhang Zihuan, how many times do I have to tell you? I’m not interested in dating right now, and even if I were, it wouldn’t be you.”
“Is it because of that old man?” The young man scoffed. “In terms of looks, talent, or background, what do I lack compared to him? I really don’t get why you’d be into that kind of guy.”
“Zhang Zihuan!” Xiao He snapped angrily. “Don’t you dare talk about Brother Yang like that!”
“Brother Yang, Brother Yang—that’s all you ever talk about! What’s so bad about me, Zhang Zihuan? I can give you money, cars, take you anywhere you want to go. How dare you reject me?”
Zhang Zihuan’s temper flared, and he reached out to drag her toward his car. “I refuse to believe there’s a woman in this world money can’t win over.”
“Let go of me! Brother Yang won’t let you off if he finds out!” Xiao He struggled to pull away, but Zhang Zihuan’s grip was too strong.
Accompanying Zhang Zihuan were four men in black, likely superhumans—though at most F-rank.
Clearly, they were the ones who had beaten up the security guard.
If this had involved anyone else, Su Mo might have walked away. After all, meddling in such matters was unwise.
Zhang Zihuan obviously had connections, and interfering would only invite trouble.
But since it was Xiao He being harassed, he couldn’t just stand by.
If nothing else, it was because she had helped him before.
“Stop!”
Despite the icy sharpness in Su Mo’s voice, it still carried a pleasing tone, drawing everyone’s attention.
In a flash, Su Mo appeared before Zhang Zihuan and seized his wrist.
With just a slight squeeze, Zhang Zihuan howled in pain and released Xiao He’s arm.
The four bodyguards stepped forward to intervene.
“Scram!” Su Mo’s cold glare froze them in place, too afraid to take another step.
“Useless trash! What do I even pay you for? Beat him up! Beat him—ahhhh!”
Su Mo tightened his grip, and Zhang Zihuan’s body twisted uncontrollably, like a maggot being crushed.
“Disappear from my sight right now if you want to live. Otherwise, I’ll beat you every time I see you.”
Thud!
Zhang Zihuan’s 100-pound body was flung aside like garbage.
If not for the fact that he was just an ordinary person who might not survive, this punishment would’ve been far worse.
With his bodyguards’ help, Zhang Zihuan scrambled to his feet, still wanting to spew threats, but they forcibly dragged him into the car, citing his safety.
Neither Su Mo nor Xiao He spoke.
Su Mo followed Xiao He upstairs to her apartment.
“Thank you,” she said, her eyes filled with gratitude.
“Aren’t you a superhuman? Why couldn’t you handle an ordinary guy like him?”
Xiao He bit her lower lip, her eyes reddening. “I awakened, but my ability is useless. Otherwise, I’d have joined Beidou long ago.”
She extended her right hand, and a wisp of white energy swirled at her fingertip.
Su Mo stared at it for a long moment but saw nothing remarkable. “And?”
Xiao He gave a bitter smile and shook her head. “That’s it. That’s why I said it’s useless.”
Wait… seriously?
“When I first awakened, I thought it was some kind of energy manipulation or something. I was so excited. But after over a month, I still couldn’t figure out any use for it.” She sighed. “Even Brother Yang couldn’t tell what it was.”
Su Mo reached out to touch the white energy, but it had no physical presence—like a shadow.
Logically, if she had awakened, there had to be a purpose. It couldn’t be completely useless.
Even if someone awakened a stick, at least it could be used to stir things—crude as that might be, it wasn’t nothing.
“Don’t lose hope. Maybe it’s a completely new, undocumented ability. The world is full of wonders, and everything exists for a reason. It might reveal itself when you need it most.”
Su Mo’s words comforted her. She smiled. “Thank you so much for today. If it weren’t for you, I don’t even want to imagine what would’ve happened if he took me away.”
“Don’t mention it. You and Commander Yang have both helped me. It’s only right that I do the same.” Su Mo’s “sweet” smile was so mesmerizing that even Xiao He, a girl herself, felt a little dazed.
“If I were as beautiful as you, Brother Yang would definitely like me…” she muttered under her breath.
Uh… can we not switch moods so suddenly? We were just being polite here.
Su Mo was speechless.
But with looks like his, it was inevitable—he charmed everyone, regardless of gender.
“You’re plenty beautiful yourself. Why else would someone be so obsessed with you? You can deny Zhang Zihuan’s character, but you can’t deny his taste.”
Xiao He couldn’t suppress a small smile, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “You’re still prettier. I’m just… a little bit cute.”
Su Mo didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
“By the way, I came today to say goodbye.” Su Mo suddenly remembered his main purpose. “I’ve been in the capital for a while now, and since my business is done, it’s time to go back.”
“Ah, so soon?” Disappointment flashed in her eyes. “I thought we were friends…”
“We are friends. But friends have their own lives too.”
Xiao He suddenly looked up at him, her long lashes fluttering. “Then… before you leave, can you do one thing for me?”
“If it’s within my power, of course.” Su Mo agreed readily.
Xiao He brightened immediately, clinging to his arm. “I knew it! Beautiful people are always kind-hearted.”
Su Mo felt a little smug.
(Though I’d like it even more if you called me handsome.)
He pulled his arm back and subtly shifted away. “You mentioned needing help with something. What is it?”
“Well…” Xiao He launched into an explanation, her tone noticeably lighter and more cheerful than before.
After listening, Su Mo realized she had been invited to a friend’s birthday party. The rule was that everyone had to bring a plus-one—symbolizing “good things come in pairs.”
So she had thought of him.
“I originally wanted to ask Brother Yang, but he turned me down again, saying he was too busy with work.” Xiao He didn’t seem particularly upset, as if she were used to it.
“So that’s why you came to me—because your first choice wasn’t available. Sigh… in the end, I’m just the backup.” Su Mo suddenly felt mischievous and adopted a melodramatic, faux-wounded tone.
Xiao He was momentarily stunned by the sudden wave of “tea” energy. It took her a second to react. “No, it’s not like that—”
Before she could finish “explaining,” Su Mo cut in with exaggerated sorrow. “Yes, yes, it’s not the same. How could I ever compare to Brother Yang? After all, he’s Brother Yang!”
Then he shuddered at his own performance, thinking: Damn, playing the green tea role is harder than it looks…