Chapter 29: Falling into the Water

Su Mi remained exceptionally calm, as if nothing had happened, quickly shifting her gaze to the road outside.

Muttering softly, “I remember, I remember. I was just passing by.”

She walked past Li Zhao, who was standing at the pavilion entrance, without making eye contact, walking swiftly.

Behind her, Li Zhao’s voice, half-laughing and half-crying, could be heard.

“Shen Han, you’re being overly protective.”

Shen Han’s voice was indifferent, “She just graduated.”

Li Zhao lazily replied, “This whole mountain is full of recent graduates, isn’t it? Alright, I won’t say more… Nanqiao, shall we go?”

Xu Nanqiao had just caught up from behind, only hearing the last part.

She nodded, “Okay.”

Su Mi abruptly stopped in her tracks.

She heard the name “Nanqiao.”

Li Zhao — calling Xu Nanqiao — Nanqiao?!

She hurriedly walked back.

Behind her, first came Shen Han, then Xu Nanqiao walking side by side with Li Zhao.

Su Mi passed Shen Han, keeping her eyes on Shen Han, then continued walking, her gaze fixed on Xu Nanqiao, not giving Li Zhao a single glance.

“Nanqiao, I need to discuss something with you.” Nervously, she grabbed Xu Nanqiao’s arm and quickly walked to the other side of the road.

Left behind, Li Zhao took a few quick steps to stand next to Shen Han, making a gesture of spreading her hands.

Li Zhao said, “Your sister is very obedient.”

Shen Han glanced at her, saying, “She’s afraid of you.”

Li Zhao responded, “I’m always smiling. Who would be afraid of me? If anything, they’d be more afraid of you.”

Shen Han didn’t respond.

Li Zhao imitated Su Mi’s sweet voice, “Sister Li Zhao…”

She was still imitating when Shen Han quickened her pace and walked ahead.

Li Zhao stopped, laughing and crying, “Hey!”

•  

Upon reaching the mountain top, Su Mi’s legs were wobbly.

Li Zhao passed by her, commenting, “Nanqiao’s stamina is better than yours.”

Su Mi almost choked.

Why keep calling her Nanqiao!

They found a spot in the camping area. Shen Han and Li Zhao went to get the tent and cooking supplies. They set up the tent, while Xu Nanqiao prepared the cooking utensils and ingredients.

Su Mi sat for a while to recover, then joined Xu Nanqiao.

She sent several messages to Ren Yue, but there was no reply, not knowing what she was doing.

Xu Nanqiao thought it was fine, “This place is full of our school’s people, and security is good. She might be playing with her classmates.”

Su Mi agreed.

They were skewering kebabs together when Shen Han and Li Zhao came over after setting up the tent.

Li Zhao helped with skewering, while Shen Han rolled up her shirt sleeves and bent down to start the fire.

Su Mi glanced over and secretly nudged Xu Nanqiao to look.

“What do you think? Doesn’t my sister seem more approachable like this?”

She remembered Xu Nanqiao’s previous evaluation of Shen Han.

Xu Nanqiao looked over. The usually distant and cold woman was bending over the barbecue grill, lighting the charcoal, her movements unhurried.

It was as if she was holding a contract worth billions instead of tongs.

Xu Nanqiao sighed, “Even like this, she doesn’t seem very approachable.”

Su Mi: “…”

Should she smear some charcoal on Shen Han’s face to make her look more down-to-earth?

She lamented, “That’s not what I meant… at least she’s not mysterious anymore, right?”

Xu Nanqiao thought for a moment, “True.”

Su Mi got excited, “Exactly, she’s just a bit slow to warm up, doesn’t talk much, but she’s a really good person, knows everything, and is very reliable!”

Xu Nanqiao muttered, “…Really? I find what you’re saying a bit odd.”

Li Zhao, coming to fetch some skewers, paused at her words.

She put down what she was holding and squatted next to Su Mi, “What are you talking about?”

Su Mi didn’t dare to speak.

Li Zhao glanced at Xu Nanqiao seriously skewering vegetables, then looked at Su Mi.

Mouthing to Su Mi, “Are you promoting your sister?”

Su Mi’s expression froze, glancing at her.

Li Zhao pointed to Xu Nanqiao, then to Shen Han, raising an eyebrow, showing a questioning look.

Mouthing again, “Are you serious?”

Having met Li Zhao twice now, Su Mi could see that Li Zhao’s personality was a bit self-indulgent. If she knew something, it would create a lot of uncertainty.

She decisively denied it, whispering, “Don’t guess randomly. There’s nothing.”

Li Zhao only heard the last couple of words clearly. Suspicious, she said, “Sis, you’d better not.”

Su Mi held her face straight, “You shouldn’t destroy their AO reputation.”

She took a plate of skewered meat and stood up, saying to Li Zhao squatting next to her, “Excuse me.”

Li Zhao chuckled, sitting down in her original spot.

They leisurely enjoyed a barbecue on the mountain top. As the evening approached, with about an hour until sunset, a large bonfire was lit in the plaza next to the clubhouse. Su Mi looked at the activity booklet, which mentioned performances and gatherings there later.

Whenever Li Zhao had free time, she liked to tease Xu Nanqiao and Su Mi, but Shen Han dragged her away for a walk.

Su Mi felt a bit regretful. Although Shen Han and Xu Nanqiao couldn’t be alone together, as long as Li Zhao was there, they couldn’t be together.

She and Xu Nanqiao went to the bonfire plaza. In the increasingly crowded area, they finally found a place to sit, and Su Mi casually complained.

“Why did my sister bring Li Zhao along?”

At first, when Su Mi saw Li Zhao, she thought Shen Han brought a friend to avoid awkwardness.

But now, it blocked any chance of being alone with Xu Nanqiao.

Xu Nanqiao, next to her, asked, “Huh? Did Shen Han also invite Dr. Li?”

Su Mi: “Huh?”

She looked at Xu Nanqiao, confused.

The latter explained, “I also invited Dr. Li.”

Su Mi was stunned.

Her brain short-circuited for a moment, asking, “Why?”

Xu Nanqiao smiled, saying frankly, “Weren’t we talking about bringing an adult my mom knows and trusts? Dr. Li seemed the most reliable, and sure enough, once I mentioned her, my mom immediately agreed.”

Su Mi: “…”

She wiped her face, saying, “Does Dr. Li really look reliable to you?”

Xu Nanqiao chuckled, “Professionally, she’s very reliable. Lately, my mom has often asked her health questions, and she’s been very helpful.”

Su Mi muttered, “…Okay.”

Just then, her communicator beeped.

It was Ren Yue, who hadn’t replied for hours.

She sent a crying emoji.

Ren Yue: Sorry, QAQ, I didn’t notice the message earlier. I’m at the creek path on the west side. The scenery is beautiful. Do you want to come and see?

Su Mi saw the location was not far.

It was the path along the creek they didn’t choose earlier.

Su Mi showed the message to Xu Nanqiao.

Xu Nanqiao suggested, “Why don’t you bring her here? It’s getting more crowded. I’ll save a spot for you.”

Su Mi thought it made sense and followed the navigation.

This time, she cautiously summoned the system.

The system helped her stay on track along the way.

After a few corrections by the system, Su Mi finally reached the creek path, descending the steps.

Barely taking a few steps, Su Mi muttered, “…My legs are sore.”

She had only rested for two hours after climbing up.

Luckily, Ren Yue’s location wasn’t far. Soon, she could see the spot getting closer.

Ren Yue’s location was a flat stone beach halfway up the mountain, a small scenic spot. The creek was shallow here, perfect for wading or crossing the wooden bridge to rest in the pavilion.

From afar, Su Mi saw Ren Yue in a white dress standing on the pebble beach.

Ren Yue also saw her, jumping up and waving.

Su Mi waved back happily, heading straight down.

As she got closer, she noticed three or four people surrounding Ren Yue.

Both boys and girls, all tall.

Ren Yue was being cornered, stepping back toward the creek, saying something.

Su Mi sped up, ignoring her sore legs.

“What are you doing?”

She shouted from a distance, sending Ren Yue’s location to Xu Nanqiao, saying someone seemed to be bullying Ren Yue.

Seeing no handy weapon nearby, Su Mi, fearing a repeat of the gang incident with Xu Nanqiao, hesitated not and ran over.

The group turned at her voice, parting to let Su Mi through to Ren Yue.

Su Mi quickly checked on Ren Yue, finding her scared but unharmed. Her face was pale, and her eyes were teary.

These people seemed wealthy, dressed in branded clothes.

The leader, a handsome rogue-like boy, called out to Ren Yue, “Is she your friend?”

Ren Yue, clutching Su Mi’s arm, trembling, said, “Y-yes.”

Su Mi felt a surge of responsibility, “What do you want?”

One laughed, “Relax, we just want to be friends with her.”

Another chimed in, “Yeah, our boss here is very considerate.”

The leader, hands in pockets, stepped closer, “I don’t ask for much, just adding me as a contact, is that too much to ask?”

Ren Yue, evidently scared, clung tighter to Su Mi’s arm, her whole body trembling noticeably.

“I-I don’t add strangers…” she stammered softly but firmly.

Su Mi immediately felt a pang of guilt, recalling how she had added and then deleted Ren Yue’s contact. Her sense of responsibility heightened.

If these were common bullies, Su Mi would have immediately contacted the authorities. But these kids seemed to be from affluent families, attending prestigious schools. Knowing that they would understand the gravity of her threat, she pulled out the biggest name she knew.

“You guys have some nerve. Didn’t you hear her? She said no! Do you even know the Omega Protection Laws? I warn you; our backer is Shen Han. You better think about the weight of the Shen Group.”

To her surprise, the leader was unfazed. “Shen Group? Every school has someone claiming ties to the Shen Group. You think anyone believes that? I suggest you stay out of this. Hey, sweetheart, if you won’t add me, how about a little touch on the cheek?”

Each of the followers spoke up, “Yeah, what’s the big deal?”

“You don’t want to be involved, Beta. Let our boss here have a little fun. It’s your good fortune.”

 “Our boss here is an A-level Alpha. You should feel honored.”

Ren Yue trembled, “No…”

Before Su Mi could react, the leader stepped forward and tried to touch Ren Yue’s face. Ren Yue screamed and ducked behind Su Mi, who instinctively shielded her.

The group closed in, attempting to separate Ren Yue from Su Mi. Despite her efforts, Su Mi couldn’t fend off all of them. Amid the chaos, someone pushed Ren Yue, causing her to stumble and pull Su Mi into the shallow creek with her.

Su Mi’s hand struck a sharp stone, sending a wave of pain through her arm. The cold water soaked Ren Yue’s dress and splashed onto Su Mi.

“Su Mi! Are you okay?” Ren Yue, unharmed but terrified, clung to Su Mi, tears streaming down her face.

Su Mi winced, “I’m fine.”

Just as they were about to get up, the bullies cried out in pain. Looking up, Su Mi saw Shen Han and Li Zhao standing over them, having knocked them down.

Shen Han, expression unreadable, looked down at the drenched Su Mi and Ren Yue. With a sigh, she said, “Playing hero again?”

Su Mi, still clutching Ren Yue, replied, “Uh, yes.”

Li Zhao, holding one of the bullies by the collar, added, “You sure know how to find trouble.”

Shen Han extended a hand to help Su Mi and Ren Yue out of the water. “Let’s get you cleaned up.”

Su Mi nodded, grateful for the timely rescue, but also realizing the day had just gotten a lot more complicated.

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Author’s Note:
Shen Han: Didn’t you say your orientation was Beta?
Su Mi: Uh… uh… can’t help but want to rescue a sweet, soft Omega? (awkwardly averts gaze)