Chapter Nine

"There is no need for you to worry so much; I can go back by myself," Wang Tianqi said.

Yu Xingyue shook his head. "That won't do. It's already so late, and you aren't familiar with the roads around here. What would happen if you were victimized?"

"Are you hoping that I die?" Wang Tianqi challenged him.

"That's not what I meant at all. It's just that there is a man named Honda Haoyun who is notorious for preying on people traveling home alone. His victims are either killed or severely injured; he is incredibly cruel," Yu Xingyue warned her, speaking of Honda Haoyun.

Hearing the name again, Wang Tianqi realized she had heard it countless times. Most people described him as a devil feared even by demons—a comparison that made it clear to her that this man was a butcher in the real world.

"Is this Honda Haoyun really that terrifying? Why haven't I run into him even once?" Wang Tianqi asked.

Yu Xingyue’s expression turned serious. "Tell me, when you came to my house, did you feel that something was off? Did you get a chill down your spine?"

Wang Tianqi pondered this. "A chill down my spine? Hmm... could it be..." She recalled having that exact feeling on her way to Yu Xingyue’s home, which had made her scared enough to speed up and leave the area.

"I did have that feeling. I was running, so I didn't have any trouble on the road, but I was terrified. It felt like someone was constantly watching me." Even as she said this, she still felt a sense of dread; she couldn't find any other word to describe it.

"That’s why I want Butler Luo to take you back. It’s for your own safety. Butler Luo, I’ll leave it to you to take her home," Yu Xingyue said to Luo E, who was standing outside the door.

"Very well, Mr. Yu. Miss Tianqi, please." Luo E gestured politely. Wang Tianqi had no choice but to agree to take the car. Yu Xingyue’s words had given her a clearer understanding that Honda Haoyun was a dangerous existence.

Watching Luo E drive Wang Tianqi home, Yu Xingyue breathed a sigh of relief. Inside the protective shell of a car, she would be safe from any harm.

In the car, Wang Tianqi and Luo E began to chat to pass the time. Wang Tianqi spoke first: "Butler Luo, what is this about Honda Haoyun that Xingyue mentioned? Is he a local legend or real?"

Luo E replied, "I'm not entirely sure myself, but Mr. Yu saw with his own eyes a friend of his being preyed upon by this man. What they call 'preying' is simply a euphemism for being silenced."

"No way! That’s terrifying!"

"Do you know why Mr. Yu didn't come to school today? It’s related to this Honda Haoyun," Luo E said calmly.

"What do you mean?" Wang Tianqi still didn't understand.

"Mr. Yu made a friend yesterday. She mentioned Honda Haoyun to him, and shortly after he returned home, he received word that she had been attacked. By the time Mr. Yu arrived, she was already in an ambulance, and he spent the entire night at the hospital with her." Luo E didn't know much more; Yu Xingyue had only mentioned it briefly.

"I see." Wang Tianqi realized the gravity of the situation. "It seems I need to be careful of this Honda Haoyun as well. I’ll look into his background as soon as I get back."

Luo E said solemnly, "Miss Tianqi, you must also look out for the safety of those around you. Anyone can be targeted at any time. That is my advice to you."

"Thank you for the warning, Butler Luo. I will be careful." Wang Tianqi looked out the window, lost in thought. A shooting star streaked across the sky, and she silently made a wish. Even though there was no scientific basis for wishing on stars, she chose to believe in it. She whispered in her heart, "Let Yu Xingyue recover quickly, so I can see him again tomorrow!"

Shortly after Wang Tianqi left, Sun Ying came into Yu Xingyue’s room and asked, "Big Brother, who was that lady? Do you two know each other?"

Yu Xingyue nodded. "We know each other, or you could say that. Like you, she’s more or less a wealthy heiress."

"I'm not a 'wealthy heiress.' My family just has some money, that's all," Sun Ying said.

"I'll introduce you to her when there's time. You didn't come to my room just to ask that, did you?" Yu Xingyue noticed something.

"You can't hide anything from you, Big Brother. I'll be direct: are you free this Saturday?" Sun Ying asked.

Yu Xingyue replied, "I have nothing to do on Saturday, so why wouldn't I be free? But I always feel like things coming from you are a bit unpredictable."

Sun Ying pouted playfully. "Listen to me first. Can you go somewhere with me this Saturday?"

Yu Xingyue thought for a moment, then said, "Whatever you say. How could I ever refuse my little princess?"

With Yu Xingyue’s confirmation, Sun Ying felt relieved. She had worried he might say no. Even now, Sun Ying didn't fully see him as just a brother; she always added the "Big" before it. Yu Xingyue began to wonder if he had been too distant lately, preoccupied with his own affairs and neglecting her.

His phone on the nightstand rang. Yu Xingyue asked Sun Ying to step out so he could take the call. Once she was gone, he answered, "Hello? Zimo, did you miss me?" Hearing Yu Xingyue’s voice brought comfort to Lin Zimo, but that wasn't why she called; she had a question for him.

"Tell me, Yu Xingyue, is Wang Tianqi in Tokyo?"

"Why do you ask?"

"None of us knew she went to Japan. She disappeared without a word, and we thought she just didn't want to see us," Lin Zimo said, slightly annoyed.

"Oh? She didn't tell you?" Yu Xingyue asked.

"Judging by your tone, she really is in Tokyo. I just wanted to ask—did something happen between you and her?"

Yu Xingyue laughed. "What, you don't trust me? How could I be interested in that yandere heiress? Besides, why would I look at other women when I have you?"

"That's better. But why didn't you call me when you arrived in Japan? You really had me worried."

"I'm sorry, I've been so busy that I haven't had time to call or reply to messages," Yu Xingyue apologized.

"It's fine. I know your current situation. You're under a lot of pressure every day; it must be suffocating," Lin Zimo said, comforting him and encouraging him to get used to the Japanese education system soon.

Yu Xingyue sighed, "If you were here, maybe I wouldn't be so tired."

"Well, if I have time, I'll visit Japan. Maybe I’ll even surprise you," Lin Zimo laughed.

"However, Lin Zimo," Yu Xingyue’s tone turned serious, "do you know a man named Honda Haoyun?" Since Lin Zimo was Japanese, she would surely know about him. He wanted to gather more specific information.

"Honda Haoyun! Where did you hear that name?" Lin Zimo asked.

"From a friend I just made here. She was attacked by him and is currently in the hospital," Yu Xingyue said.

"That can't be right. That's not the Honda Haoyun I know. Are you sure you have the right name?" Lin Zimo asked.

This wasn't the Honda Haoyun she knew? That meant she had encountered him before coming to China. Yu Xingyue pressed further: "Tell me about this man first. I need to know more."

Lin Zimo sighed. "Fine. First, make sure you're alone and that no one is eavesdropping outside your door."

Yu Xingyue checked; there was no one in the room. However, he walked on tiptoe to the door and flung it open. Sun Ying was standing there, eavesdropping.

"Sun Ying, what are you doing here?" Yu Xingyue asked.

Sun Ying lowered her head, not daring to look at him. Yu Xingyue knew she had been listening. "I know you were eavesdropping. I'm just asking a friend for information. Go back to your room."

"But Big Brother, I want to know about that man too," Sun Ying said, referring to Honda Haoyun. Knowing nothing, she was incredibly curious.

Yu Xingyue said sharply, "Knowing too much isn't good for you. Listen to me and go back to your room. This is a private matter of mine."

Even though he said this, Sun Ying was reluctant to leave. But when she saw the change in his expression—his face growing stern—she finally retreated to her room. Yu Xingyue thought to himself, "You're forcing me to get angry. You're at such a young age; knowing these things will only put you in danger."