Si Wen finally understood. This wasn’t just any ordinary tree; it was Lin Xi and Xue Yang’s special tree, a symbol of their love.

No wonder she was so smitten. To be precise, she wasn’t smitten with the tree, but with the Xue Yang who had taken her home back then.

"You were so lucky," Si Wen said. "To think you’d run away from home, end up near University Town, and get picked up by Xue Yang."

Lin Xi’s eyes crinkled happily, making her look like a pampered, lazy cat. "Hmph! I’m very clever. I wouldn’t just wander around aimlessly," she said.

Back then, she had figured it would be safer to head for a place with lots of students, which is why she ended up at University Town.

"He walked right past this spot," Lin Xi reminisced. "He got over there, then turned back and asked me, ’Little girl, are you all alone?’ You have no idea how funny his expression was! Haha!

"He was heartbroken himself, but he still tried to force a smile to look kind. He didn’t realize that a smile more pained than a grimace was even scarier."

Lin Xi laughed as she spoke, a sweet smile on her face.

"Then why did you still dare to go home with him?"

"He offered to take me to the police station. Right then, I just knew he had to be a good person, so I begged him to take me home with him instead. And it turns out I was right! Haha!"

Lin Xi beamed, her eyes curving into happy crescents.

But the truth was, a situation like hers was pure chance. She had just happened to meet a good person. Had it been anyone else, she probably wouldn’t have been so lucky.

"You know, that was still really dangerous," Si Wen pointed out.

"I’d picked up a rock and hidden it behind my back. If he had dared to try anything, I would’ve smashed him with it. It was this big!" Lin Xi said, pointing at a large rock nearby.

That rock wasn’t small at all; holding it in one hand would have been a strain.

It was impossible that Xue Yang hadn’t noticed her carrying such a large rock. If Si Wen could figure that out, then of course Lin Xi understood it even better.

"Come on, let’s go shopping. We need to buy water cups and skincare products..."

Those things were just everyday items, not dirty at all, which was why they had thought to temporarily place them on Si Wen’s bed. They had planned to move everything to their own beds once the bedding was set up, but they hadn’t expected Si Wen to show up so suddenly. Normally, it wouldn’t have been a big deal—a simple explanation would have sufficed. They never anticipated, however, that Si Wen would just knock everything to the floor without giving them a chance to speak.

The two returned to the pedestrian street. As time went on, the street grew more crowded, and the roadside barbecue stalls came to life. Groups of male and female students sat together, drinking, eating barbecue, and chatting. The air was filled with a spicy, savory aroma that made one’s mouth water.

"Hey, pretty ladies! Just the two of you? Come have a drink with us!"

Just as they passed a barbecue stall, a shirtless man suddenly stood up and blocked their path. The passersby who saw what was happening quickly gave them a wide berth, clearly not wanting to get involved.

This was University Town, so most of the people around were college students. Only a handful were local workers who came to hang out after their shifts. The men blocking Lin Xi and Si Wen were workers from a nearby factory. They were local troublemakers, the type who only dared to act tough within their own circle.

But today, after seeing two beautiful girls like Lin Xi and Si Wen, and with a bit of alcohol in their systems, they couldn’t resist the urge to drag them over for a drink.

Lin Xi’s face went pale. She never imagined these men would dare to block their way in front of so many people.

So she really had just been lucky that day.

A wave of relief mixed with fear washed over her, and she still stepped in front of Si Wen protectively.

"Let’s run," Si Wen whispered, grabbing her arm.

But another man moved to block their escape. There were four of them in total. Each man was tall and burly, and they all looked like trouble. The two girls stood frozen, like rabbits cornered in a wolf’s den.

Si Wen’s expression darkened. She let go of Lin Xi’s hand, and the two stood back-to-back, clenching their fists.

"They clearly don’t want to. Why are you forcing them to stay?"

Lin Xi and Si Wen turned toward the voice and saw Cao Xinrou and Liu Shiqi approaching. The two newcomers stepped forward, shielding Lin Xi and Si Wen behind them.

"It’s you two. Thank you."

So many people were passing by on this crowded street, yet no one dared to intervene. For these two girls, with whom we just had a conflict, to stand up for us... they must be truly good people, Lin Xi thought.

"Don’t mention it," Cao Xinrou said. "We’re just repaying you for the snacks your boyfriend bought."

Cao Xinrou and Liu Shiqi weren’t fools. They could tell Xue Yang had bought the snacks himself and just used Lin Xi’s name to ask them to look out for her.That’s why they had rushed over the moment they saw Lin Xi and Si Wen in trouble.They were all girls, after all. You had to help out a fellow girl in trouble.

Si Wen’s eyes flickered with appreciation when she saw them rush over. She was the type of person to repay kindness a thousand times over. But towards hostile strangers, she wouldn’t show an ounce of politeness.

The man saw the two girls who had just rushed out. Though they were cute, there was a world of difference compared to Lin Xi and Si Wen. He barked rudely, "This is none of your business! Get lost!"

After yelling at Liu Shiqi and Cao Xinrou, the man turned back to Lin Xi and Si Wen, his expression instantly changing to a leering grin. "Pretty ladies, we don’t mean any harm. We just want to invite you for a drink. You won’t even do us that small favor?"

However, on his brutish, threatening face, the smile was downright hideous.

"Who do you think you are that we should give you any ’face’?" Si Wen shot back. "Get lost if you know what’s good for you. Otherwise, don’t blame me for getting rough."

As she spoke, Si Wen drew back her fist, ready to strike.

"So you want to do this the hard way! Grab them and pin them down—"

THUD—

One of the men went flying, sent away by a powerful blow from Si Wen.

"Wow, amazing!" Cao Xinrou couldn’t help but clap, her eyes fixed on Si Wen in admiration. "That was incredible! You sent him flying with one punch!"

"Of course," Si Wen replied coolly. "This young lady has had training."

For someone of her background, training in self-defense was just as important as learning etiquette, music, or chess from a young age. It was a necessary life-preserving skill, ensuring they could at least hold their own if they ever encountered thugs.

However, Si Wen’s move thoroughly enraged the four drunks. Three of them lunged at her.

The last one went for Lin Xi. But before he could even get close, she sent him to the ground with a single kick.

"Good thing I’m wearing a skirt today!" Lin Xi exclaimed cheerfully.

...

"!!!!!"

Cao Xinrou and Liu Shiqi were left utterly speechless.

That’s not really the point, is it?!

The onlookers were equally dumbfounded. Everyone came to the same conclusion: never mess with a pretty girl.

...