Screams pierced the night under a dark and gusty sky.
Yao Yifan glanced at his watch. Moments later, Xiao Mo emerged, clapping her hands.
"Do we need to call the police?" Xiao Mo asked.
"It's already been done."
Yao Yifan noticed a smudge of blood on her face, unsure if it was hers or someone else's. Judging by her efficient movements just now, he suspected it belonged to others.
He took out a tissue, hesitated for a moment, then pointed, reminding her.
Xiao Mo wiped her face: "Oh, theirs."
Yao Yifan had been present during Xiao Mo's interview and knew of her capabilities, but he hadn't expected her to subdue several burly men with such ease.
Recalling the previous over-the-shoulder throw, he realized she had held back.
"Did you find out who ordered them?"
Xiao Mo shook her head. "They're not talking, tough nuts to crack."
The men clearly were trained fighters. Had Xiao Mo not been so skilled, the consequences could have been dire.
Yao Yifan's expression turned cold. "I'll go ask them."
"No." Xiao Mo grabbed him. "I left them alive, but you don't know martial arts. If they take you hostage, I won't be able to save you."
Yao Yifan raised an eyebrow. "You really can't?"
Not exactly. It would just take time.
More importantly, it was late, and she still had to find a place for Song Xi.
"Five minutes." Yao Yifan walked straight into the alley, telling Xiao Mo, "Don't follow."
Xiao Mo frowned, her small face etched with worry.
She knew Yao Yifan wasn't physically strong. If he got hurt, she wouldn't be able to explain it to Director Lou. She silently prayed for the police to arrive quickly.
To her surprise, Yao Yifan walked out unharmed before the five minutes were up.
Xiao Mo's eyes widened.
Yao Yifan said, "They're afraid of you, so they didn't dare do anything to me."
"Really?" Xiao Mo naively believed him. "Did you find out anything?"
"Yes." Yao Yifan asked, "Leng Xiao Yi, do you know her?"
Xiao Mo thought hard. "No, I don't."
Yao Yifan knitted his brows. That was strange.
Just then, the sound of sirens wailed in the distance.
Yao Yifan said to Xiao Mo, "It's late, you should head back. I'll handle things with the police."
"No, I'll protect you!"
Yao Yifan paused, then didn't refuse. "Alright."
When the police escorted the thugs over, they were a bruised and battered mess, a truly pitiful sight.
Especially when they saw Yao Yifan standing behind Xiao Mo, their faces turned pale with terror. Before the police could even speak, they eagerly scrambled into the police car, as if escaping from demons.
Xiao Mo looked up at Yao Yifan.
Yao Yifan maintained a gentle smile, placing the apple from his pocket into Xiao Mo's hand. "I told you, they're afraid of you."
Xiao Mo glanced at the apple, then at Yao Yifan, her resolve firming.
It was already eleven o'clock when they left the police station.
By this hour, real estate agents were long gone.
Xiao Mo planned to call Song Xi to explain everything, but found her phone was dead.
She asked Yao Yifan to borrow his phone. Yao Yifan kindly said, "Call tomorrow."
"Why?"
Yao Yifan didn't want to discuss such matters with her, especially at night.
"Where are you staying? I'll give you a ride." He took a couple of steps forward. "By the way, I saw the fruit basket. Thank you."
Xiao Mo blinked. "I thought you... didn't like fruit."
"It's alright."
"What do you mean, you like it? You seem disappointed." "But they were all bruised."
"It doesn't affect the taste."
Xiao Mo's eyes lit up. "Then what do you like to eat? Bananas, or strawberries? I'll buy you better ones next time!"
"No need."
"No, you have to! Director Lou and Song Xi both transferred money to me, telling me to buy you good food!"
She began to probe. "Tell me quickly, what do you like to eat?"
In the quiet night, the woman's voice chattered incessantly.
Yet, the usually tranquility-loving Yao Yifan didn't feel annoyed.
He glanced at the apple in her hand and casually said, "Apples, I suppose."
Xiao Mo beamed, gesturing with her hands. "...Then I'll buy you the best! So many!"
Yao Yifan couldn't help but chuckle. He suddenly felt the wind blowing today was remarkably gentle.