C19 So Cool

"Yeah, let's do it this way and see if those folks from the neighboring village dare to mess with us again."

Nanzhen was surprised at how bold these people were, trying to grab her in broad daylight. As one of them reached for her, she was about to defend herself when a shadow moved faster than her. A young man kicked the guy away just in time.

Turning her head, Nanzhen saw a young man standing behind her. He was quick and precise, taking down four men who were now groaning on the ground.

"If you set up roadblocks and harass people again, I'll make sure you end up at the police station," he warned.

Most people didn't want to stir up trouble between the villages, but Boyan wasn't about to be polite with these troublemakers.

Nanzhen suddenly realized the young man looked familiar—short hair, tall build, deep eyes, and a prominent nose. She remembered seeing him before.

He wasn't from her village; his last name was Fu. What was his first name again?

Boyan turned and saw Nanzhen looking at him curiously.

"Are you Fu Boyan?" Nanzhen asked.

"Yes," Boyan replied simply.

"You're the Fu Boyan who lives in our area?"

"Yeah, let's go. Are you heading to town?"

"Yes," Nanzhen nodded and said, "I'm heading to the clinic. Where are you going?"

"Got some errands to run in town."

But just then, Boyan turned back. Nanzhen realized he had been in such a rush earlier that he hadn't even parked his bike properly—it was lying on the ground. She watched as Boyan picked it up.

Then he asked her, "Need a ride?"

She couldn't pass up the offer, especially since she was already out of breath from walking. "Thank you so much," Nanzhen said with a smile.

She quickly grabbed the back of Boyan's bike and hopped on. It wasn't the most comfortable ride, but it sure beat walking.

The wind whipped across her face as they rode. Boyan didn't say anything, and neither did Nanzhen. She just thought he seemed like a really kind person.

From what she remembered, Boyan had been living with Ninth Uncle at Sheng Jiu's place for about two years now. No one really knew what his real name was; everyone just called him Ninth Uncle. Apparently, he had spent a long time away when he was younger but returned to the village after getting injured.

Before she knew it, the wind had been blowing on her face for a while, and they arrived at the clinic.

"Thank you."

When Sheng Nanzhen hopped off the bike, her legs felt numb from sitting too long. She wasn't used to riding a bike, and almost stumbled when she got off. Fu Boyan quickly reached out to steady her.

In the next moment, he withdrew his hand, swift and smooth.

Sheng Nanzhen glanced at him.

"I'm off," Fu Boyan said, then pedaled away on his bike.

...He was so cool, it caught her by surprise.

Sheng Nanzhen headed inside.

"Hey, sis! What brings you here?" Laosi greeted her with excitement.

"Where's Third Brother?" she asked.