C12 A Hero Saving a Beauty

"But Changshun, you had a reaction too, so that means you like me, right? I have no home left, and I fear what worse things might happen. I just don't want to live with any regrets. Changshun, let me be your woman, even if it's just once."

Changshun was torn inside. One voice was urging him to seize the moment with Xiuxiu, who was right there before him. This could be his chance to finally experience intimacy. And to think he'd landed such a sweet and delicate woman—it seemed like a stroke of incredible luck.

Yet another voice was sternly cautioning him. Xiuxiu was like a sister to him, and he was already engaged to the belle. How could he even consider being with another woman?

The internal debate was driving Changshun to the brink of madness.

Then, unexpectedly, Xiuxiu embraced him from behind. The heat of her body caused Changshun's self-control to snap. In a heartbeat, he had her pinned beneath him.

"Is that the extent of your endurance?" A disembodied voice echoed in Changshun's head, dousing him with a cold realization. He snapped back to his senses.

He released Xiuxiu and wrapped her in the blanket.

With a "smack," he slapped himself hard across the face in front of her.

"Brother Changshun," Xiuxiu said, her eyes brimming with tears.

"I'm sorry, Xiuxiu. I behaved like a monster, almost giving in to that impulse. Rest assured, I will never let it happen again."

"Brother Changshun, do you really... despise me that much?"

Xiuxiu's tears began to flow from the hurt.

She was a girl who had mustered all her courage for this moment, only to face rejection.

People often say that men can't resist a woman's allure, but it seemed that Changshun truly disliked her, refusing to lay a hand on her.

Changshun felt helpless, scratching his head as he spoke, "Please don't cry, seriously. I admit I was wrong just now. I'm sorry. It won't happen again."

"Brother Changshun, I understand. From now on, I'll just be your sister."

Xiuxiu suddenly lay down, turning her back to Changshun, and fell silent, as if she had lost all hope.

Changshun felt a turmoil of emotions within him.

As a man, it was incredibly difficult for him to reject Xiuxiu in her current state.

Yet, seeing Xiuxiu so heartbroken, he was in agony.

"I'm sorry, I promise to treat you better from now on."

With those words, Changshun gently lifted Xiuxiu, along with the blanket, and placed her on the bed.

He then grabbed his coat and left the house.

Changshun needed a drink to clear his mind.

The streets were deserted and chilly as he wandered alone. Spotting a barbecue stall up ahead, he made his way over.

"Boss, a bottle of beer and ten skewers, please."

Changshun ordered and took a seat.

At that moment, there were only two other tables occupied in the stall, making a total of three with Changshun's arrival.

While waiting, Changshun glanced around and noticed a woman in a black dress drinking by herself, her grip on the bottle unsteady from too much alcohol.

He paid her no mind and turned his attention to another table where two men were seated. They weren't drinking; instead, they were eyeing the solitary woman.

Feeling irritated and not in the mood to ponder the situation, Changshun focused on his drink as the owner served up his order.

Before long, the two men who had been watching the woman got up and approached her table.

"Hey there, drinking by yourself so late, must be a heartbreak, huh? Don't be down. The world's full of men. Take a look at us brothers – how about we find a fun place to hang out? I guarantee you'll forget all your worries."

"Forget... worries?" The woman slurred, clearly intoxicated.

Changshun noticed and was about to warn the men off, but then he decided it was none of his business and continued to drink in silence.

"Come on, let's go. We'll make sure you have a great time and forget all your troubles."

The woman was hoisted to her feet by them, preparing to be led away.

The boss caught sight of this and immediately asked, "Where are you taking this girl?"

"Shut up, mind your own business. Do you want to risk us shutting down your stall right here?"

His words effectively silenced the boss.

For business owners, dealing with such ruffians was their worst nightmare.

Changshun had just downed a bottle of beer. With all the frightening events he'd recently experienced, he was harboring a pent-up rage with nowhere to unleash it.

Witnessing these two men apparently about to take the woman off to do something nefarious, he impulsively grabbed his empty bottle and charged at them. With a swift motion, he smashed the bottle over one man's head.

"Damn, some people really have a death wish. Come on, let's see who throws a harder punch."

The assailant dropped the woman and picked up a folding stool, swinging it at Changshun.

Changshun, already in a foul mood, wasn't about to just stand there and take a beating. He grabbed a stool himself and fought back.

Another man saw the scuffle and rushed to assist his friend.

Two against one, Changshun was at a clear disadvantage.

But with rage in his eyes, he wasn't thinking straight. Nothing is more dangerous than a man who fights as if he has nothing to lose.

Several exchanges later, Changshun was bleeding from a gash on his head, but he ignored the pain and grappled with one of the men, as if he wanted to rip out his hair.

The two thugs hadn't expected to face someone so fearless in a fight and started to back down.

Meanwhile, the drunk woman, rather than being frightened, was clapping and cheering on the sidelines, her thoughts a mystery to all.

Ultimately, Changshun was overpowered and knocked to the ground, where the two men laid into him with punches and kicks. In a desperate move, Changshun grabbed one of their legs, toppling him.

He fought back against the man pinned beneath him, determined to fight to the bitter end.

"Bang!" In the midst of the stalemate, the intoxicated onlooker suddenly lifted a folding stool and brought it crashing down on the head of the man attacking Changshun.

The other individual's body tensed up and he promptly passed out.

Another person was terrified, and while Changshun was distracted, he scrambled to his feet and bolted.

"Let's see if you're brave enough to wait for me."

It's a line you'd expect from the bad guys, but Changshun didn't stick around to find out. He grabbed the woman, Xiuxiu, and they both sprinted away.

Only a fool would linger and give the enemy time to summon reinforcements.

Once they reached a deserted alley, Changshun leaned against the wall, gasping for air.

He was battered and bruised, looking quite the worse for wear.

Xiuxiu, on the other hand, was in much better shape, unscathed except for her clothes, which had become somewhat disheveled in the escape.

"It's so hot," Xiuxiu murmured, beginning to undo the buttons of her shirt.

But after just two buttons, her ample chest burst forth, much to Changshun's chagrin.

At that moment, Changshun inwardly cursed, dubbing her a temptress.