Chapter Nineteen

Lin Zimo replied, "Hmph, how could I possibly like that guy? Is my friend blind?"

Chen Siyu responded, "Unless your friend has a secret crush, why else would this bother her for so long?"

Lin Zimo pondered over it again and again. Was she truly harboring feelings for Yu Xingyue? She asked herself in her heart, yet a thousand voices assured her it was impossible.

Chen Siyu messaged, "Just tell your friend—if she likes him, she should go for it. It would be a shame if someone else snatched him first."
"I'll tell her, thank you," Lin Zimo replied.

The conversation ended. Lin Zimo set her phone aside. Listening to Chen Siyu, she realized she was, in fact, quietly infatuated with Yu Xingyue. She didn't even know when she had started secretly liking this ordinary-looking boy, and she found it hard to believe she could fall for someone like him.

The night passed in silence.

The next morning, Lin Zimo stood before the bathroom mirror. She hadn't slept well, replaying Chen Siyu's words in her mind—if you like someone, pursue them, and don't let someone else step in first.

She touched her own face and murmured, "Could it be that I really like him?"

After splashing cold water on her face for clarity, she realized she hadn't been lying to herself—she truly had fallen for him.

"It seems I've developed feelings for him; I can't explain it," she sighed, gazing at her slightly dull complexion.

Lin Zimo made up her mind to change for love, determined to let Yu Xingyue see her best side. Without another thought, she began to put on makeup, covering every shadow and flaw on her face, leaving no area unattended. Today, she wanted to look beautiful, dressing in her favorite pink plush sweatshirt and a black short skirt—an ensemble she would never wear on a weekday unless it was the weekend.

When she arrived at school, trouble began almost immediately.

"Miss, can I have your QQ number?"
"Hey beauty, want to hang out?"

Lin Zimo had heard these lines countless times. She quickened her pace, knowing that if she lingered, more people would gather. Best to make a swift exit.

When Lin Zimo entered her classroom, everyone stared in shock. No one recognized her at first. Her new look drew admiration, especially from the girls, who could do nothing but envy her.

Yu Xingyue, however, paid no attention to Lin Zimo's transformation, absorbed in his book. She noticed and whispered encouragement to herself, "Come on, Zimo, be brave!"

She approached Yu Xingyue. He caught a whiff of her strong perfume and wondered who was trying to poison him. When he looked up, he didn't recognize her at all.

"Excuse me, who are you?" he asked.

"What, you don't recognize me?" she replied.

The sound of her voice startled him. "Wait—you're... Zimo!"

Her carefully crafted appearance had indeed transformed her, and Yu Xingyue couldn't believe this was the same Lin Zimo. What was she up to today?

"Yuguo, look at me," she said.

"Zimo, please call me Yu Xingyue, would you?"

"Never mind that. Tell me, do I look beautiful today? I dressed up for this."

Yu Xingyue answered awkwardly, "Beautiful, very beautiful. Are you going on a date or something?"

Lin Zimo shook her head, "No, I just felt like dressing up for myself today."

"With you looking like this, I'm sure plenty of people will try to pursue you. Who knew a tomboy could be so fond of beauty?"

"Every girl likes to look pretty, don't you know?" Lin Zimo hadn't expected Yu Xingyue to be so blunt—a textbook straight man—and her own words grew clumsy. The confession she wanted to make was swallowed back down.

Yu Xingyue wasn't incapable of saying nice things; he just didn't know how to describe Lin Zimo's current look without upsetting her.

"So, who exactly did you dress up for today?" Yu Xingyue asked.

"None of your business. I just wanted to look good today, got a problem with that?"

"Alright, alright, do as you please," Yu Xingyue said with a wave.

Seeing his indifference to her effort, Lin Zimo felt disappointed and began to wonder if she simply lacked charm or if Yu Xingyue was just blind.

Soon, class ended. When Xiao Jian saw Lin Zimo, he was just as shocked. "Zimo, what happened to you?"

She sighed, "Don't ask. I just wanted to look nice today. Clearly, you all don't appreciate it."

"No, no," Xiao Jian replied, "You look great, but maybe it's a bit much for school."

"I already regret it. What's done is done, what can I do?"

Xiao Jian, resting his chin on his hand, had no solution but suggested she bear with it for today and hurry home after school to avoid scaring everyone at the training hall.

Lin Zimo accepted his advice.

After school, the morning's situation repeated itself—boys asking for her contact info. Lin Zimo politely declined, wanting to avoid unnecessary trouble.

She walked alone down a deserted path, the quickest way home. Soon, she felt several hungry eyes on her back.

Turning, she saw six men following her. Sensing their ill intent but alone and with no familiar faces around, a chill ran down her spine.

She sent a message to Yu Xingyue, asking him to come quickly and to call the police, sending her location as well.

A man with a twisted face and lecherous eyes called out, "Hey, little sister, heading home alone?"

"Yes, is there a problem?" Lin Zimo replied, trying to stall for time.

"How about we walk you home?"

"No need, my friend will be here soon," she said.

"Oh really? Before your friend comes, why don't you hang out with us for a bit?"

The six men approached, eyes full of wicked intent. Lin Zimo considered fighting back, but they outnumbered her. All she could do was hope Yu Xingyue would arrive soon.

"Stop!" a voice rang out. Lin Zimo's heart leapt with hope—it was Yu Xingyue and Xiao Jian. Yu Xingyue had explained the situation to Xiao Jian, who came to help.

"Six grown men bullying one girl—aren't you ashamed?"

"Don't worry, Zimo, we're here to save you," Yu Xingyue assured her.

Both made ready to fight. The six thugs realized they meant business and split up—two to each boy, four in total, while the other two eyed Lin Zimo.

"You take two, I'll take two, agreed?" Yu Xingyue asked.

"No problem. Finally, a real fight, not a competition," Xiao Jian said, his phone crackling with anticipation.

The leader, emboldened by numbers, ordered three to attack alongside him. Their confidence, however, would soon be shattered.

Yu Xingyue and Xiao Jian dodged perfectly, letting none of the punches land. They did this on purpose, to provoke the thugs into fighting with all their strength.

"Damn it!" one of the men cursed, swinging at Yu Xingyue. Suddenly, Lin Zimo realized Yu Xingyue couldn't fight—why had she called him here? She regretted dragging him into danger, fearing she'd gotten the person she liked into trouble.

But her worries were unfounded. Yu Xingyue caught the man's punch with one hand. The thug was stunned, but too late—Yu Xingyue delivered a fierce blow to his face, drawing blood from his nose and mouth.

Xiao Jian couldn't hold back any longer and launched into action. Taking on two thugs was child's play for him—these men, only brave in a group, were like toddlers facing an adult.

In just a few moves, four of the thugs were dealt with. Yu Xingyue glanced at Lin Zimo—unknown to him, the other two had already been knocked out by her, and she was standing triumphantly on one of their backs.

"Are you alright, Zimo?" Yu Xingyue hurried over, worried for her safety.

Lin Zimo's face turned bright red. She'd never blushed before when near Yu Xingyue, so why now? She stepped off the thug's back, tossed her hair, and said, "I'm fine. Good thing you got here quickly, or I'd have been in real trouble."

Xiao Jian said, "The police will be here soon. We should stay and give statements."

Yu Xingyue reassured her, "Don't worry, with you as our witness, it's clearly self-defense."

"Are you sure this won't be a problem?" Lin Zimo asked anxiously.

Yu Xingyue patted her shoulder, "Relax. You're an ace team member—afraid of a situation like this?"

His touch sent a jolt through Lin Zimo, making her tremble. "You—you’re so bad!"

Yu Xingyue laughed, noticing her uncharacteristic reaction. She'd never been like this before. About twenty minutes later, the police arrived and arrested the six men for attempted assault. Yu Xingyue and Xiao Jian gave their statements, and Lin Zimo confirmed it was self-defense. Afterward, a policewoman turned to Lin Zimo, saying, "Young lady, who did you dress up so beautifully for? No wonder those thugs targeted you. Be careful in the future." With that, the officers departed.

Xiao Jian burst out laughing. "Haha, Zimo, even the police teased you! Who did you get all dolled up for—those thugs?"

Lin Zimo pouted, "Stop laughing! You're not allowed to laugh!"

Yu Xingyue grew serious. "Alright, that's enough. Let's just pretend today never happened and head home."

"Okay."

As Lin Zimo walked away, Yu Xingyue couldn't help but call after her, "Zimo."

She turned, "What is it?"

"Honestly, you looked beautiful today. Just try not to go overboard."

"Thank you." She blushed, though the sunset hid her color. Quickening her steps, she left, her heart soaring at his compliment.

Was he really praising her?

Lin Zimo couldn't be sure—was it true admiration or simply polite words? And more puzzling, how was Yu Xingyue so skilled at fighting? She resolved to ask him about it sometime.

As for Yu Xingyue, his words to Lin Zimo were heartfelt. The sight of her, so carefully dressed, had stirred something in him. But Lin Zimo was so talented, while he was just a retired team doctor living quietly. In her eyes, he was nothing special.

Could she ever fall for someone like him? In Lin Zimo's eyes, he was just an ordinary team medic.