"That Zhang Peng is no good. I'm afraid he won't let this go easily."
The woman glanced at the man's retreating figure with a look of concern on her face. Thinking about the trouble she had caused for Ye Xiu, she felt a pang of guilt. "Sir, I'm really sorry for causing you so much trouble."
Some of the more cynical onlookers looked at Ye Xiu with schadenfreude. Although Ye Xiu had unexpectedly overpowered a man much larger than himself and garnered some admiration from the crowd, it was clear he had also made a formidable enemy. Zhang Peng did not look like he would let things slide so easily.
"It's nothing."
Ye Xiu waved his hand dismissively. He had noticed Zhang Peng's venomous look before he left, but he didn't care. To him, Zhang Peng was just a petty thug.
"Ladies, that man has left and probably won't be back anytime soon, so I'll be on my way."
Ye Xiu turned to leave. The matter was resolved, and he was starving, eager to find some food.
Just as he was about to turn away, a thought occurred to him. He turned back, a sincere look in his eyes. "Ladies, I don't know what your relationship with that man is, and I don't mean to intrude, but he seems dangerous. For your own safety, I suggest you avoid dealing with him if possible."
The stylish woman glanced at her friend, who wore a remorseful expression. Ye Xiu could tell there was more to the story but didn't pry. It was their private matter and none of his business.
With a slight nod, he turned to leave again.
"Sir!"
"Mr. Ye!"
Two voices called out simultaneously.
Huh?
Mr. Ye?
Does she know me?
Ye Xiu stopped and looked at the stylish woman with a puzzled expression.
Her friend also looked at her with a curious expression. Why did she call him Mr. Ye? Did she know him?
"Mr. Ye, don't you remember me?"
Seeing Ye Xiu turn around, the tall, stylish woman seemed more certain of his identity and looked excited.
"And you are?"
Ye Xiu looked at her with confusion, trying to recall if he had seen her recently among his patients, but nothing came to mind. Despite seeing hundreds of patients daily, he usually remembered those who stood out. Someone as striking as her should have been memorable.
"Mr. Ye, you really don't remember me? The flight attendant you saved on the plane?"
"Oh, it's you!"
Ye Xiu's face lit up with realization and a hint of apology. "I'm sorry, I didn't recognize you at first. How's your injury?"
When he had rescued the flight attendant, he hadn't paid much attention to her appearance. Plus, she had been in uniform then, and now she was dressed differently. Given his recent intense work schedule at the hospital, he had mistakenly searched his memory for her among his patients.
"No problem at all. Thanks to the ointment you gave me, I didn't even get a scar. Otherwise, it would have been so ugly."
The tall woman looked delighted that Ye Xiu remembered her and had inquired about her injury.
Ye Xiu smiled as well.
After the plane incident, he had somewhat regretted giving her the ointment impulsively. But seeing her vibrant and grateful now, he felt his action was justified. A scar on such a visible spot could have been psychologically damaging for her.
"By the way, I don't think I introduced myself properly. My name is Fang Tingting, and this is my friend, Zhou Xiaoyu."
Fang Tingting introduced herself and her friend before turning to Zhou Xiaoyu. "Xiaoyu, this is Mr. Ye Xiu, the hero I told you about who saved me and everyone on the plane!"
"So you're the hero who subdued the hijackers and saved the plane. No wonder you're so skilled!"
Zhou Xiaoyu looked at Ye Xiu with admiration.
Her earlier confusion was cleared up. No wonder Tingting recognized him immediately.
"Hehe, I just train a lot and am a bit stronger than average. I wouldn't call myself skilled, let alone a hero. At that time, I was just trying to save myself in a desperate situation."
Ye Xiu chuckled.
Skilled?
If I were really skilled, I wouldn't have felt so helpless when the old man had his accident.
If I were really skilled, I wouldn't still be here, unable to muster the courage to avenge the old man!
A hint of bitterness flashed in Ye Xiu's heart.
"Mr. Ye, you're too modest. I heard that even the SWAT team members were impressed by your skills and wanted to recruit you as an instructor!"
Fang Tingting dismissed his modesty with a wave of her hand.
"Hehe, what brings you here? Do you live nearby?"
Ye Xiu changed the topic, not wanting to dwell on the praise.
"Yes, I live nearby. Today I had the day off, so I decided to go shopping with a friend. Unfortunately, I ran into that scumbag. What about you, Mr. Ye? Do you live around here too?"
Fang Tingting looked at Ye Xiu.
"Yes, I do."
Ye Xiu nodded.
"That's such a coincidence! I can't believe I ran into you today, and you saved me again. It must be fate!"
Fang Tingting looked thrilled, almost jumping with excitement.
Ye Xiu smiled.
It did seem like fate. In a country as vast as China, in a city as large as Beijing, with so many people, the chances of running into each other like this were slim.
Next to them, Zhou Xiaoyu noticed Fang Tingting's excitement and couldn't help but smile mischievously.
"Mr. Ye, since you saved me again today, I insist on treating you to a meal. You can't refuse!"
Still excited, Fang Tingting insisted.
"Well..."
Ye Xiu hesitated.
Ever since he had a meal with his colleagues from the department, he wasn't fond of dining out with others, especially strangers. His enormous appetite made it awkward to eat freely in public, and he didn't want to leave his stomach unsatisfied.
"No refusals allowed!"
Seeing his hesitation, Fang Tingting's eyes flashed with determination.
"Well, how about I treat you instead? I have a big appetite."
Ye Xiu suggested, seeing her insistence.
"Big appetite is fine. Men should eat more. Don't worry, Mr. Ye, I can afford a meal. I insist on treating you this time."
Fang Tingting rolled her eyes at his concern.
"Alright then."
Seeing her resolve, Ye Xiu didn't argue further. As she said, it was just a meal. If things got awkward, he could always foot the bill himself.
"Yay!"
Hearing his agreement, Fang Tingting practically jumped for joy. She grabbed Ye Xiu's arm, leaning close as if they were old friends or even a couple.
Caught off guard by her touch and the faint fragrance she wore, Ye Xiu stiffened. He had never been so close to a woman before, and it made him nervous.