As Chen Fan wandered through the city, his eyes darted from one corner to the next, soaking in every detail of the vibrant, fast-paced world around him. The towering buildings, the streetlights, the flashy billboards—all of it was a far cry from the mountain where he had spent most of his life. The bustle of people and the hum of modern life fascinated him to no end. However, his mismatched appearance did not go unnoticed.
His unkempt hair, dirt-streaked face, and tattered, worn-out clothes caught the attention of the city's residents. Some people couldn't hide their smirks, whispering among themselves and clearly mocking him as a country bumpkin. A few girls blushed at his striking features, but their interest was quickly overshadowed by the fact that he looked out of place, perhaps even pitiful. Others assumed he was a beggar, casting him pitying looks as they walked by.
Despite all of this, Chen Fan remained unfazed. His focus was entirely on the wonder around him. He had no room in his mind to care about the stares and whispers, his attention consumed by the newfound world that was both exhilarating and overwhelming. His heart raced with excitement, a curiosity that overpowered any discomfort. It was as if the world had suddenly expanded before him, and he was eager to dive into every corner of it, even if it meant appearing out of place.
He wasn't concerned about what others thought of him—he was lost in the moment, feeling alive in a way he never had before.
Before long, Chen Fan's mood cooled down, and his rumbling stomach reminded him of his need for food. He decided to find something to eat, but just as he was about to move on, a high-pitched voice reached his enhanced ears. Turning toward the sound, his sharp eyes spotted a small park on his left. The place wasn't crowded—almost desolate, in fact—but within it, a scene caught his attention.
A girl with waist-length wavy blonde hair was surrounded by three men of varying builds. Their expressions, however, were the same: predatory, filled with lustful intent. The few passersby who noticed the situation chose to avert their eyes, moving away hurriedly, unwilling to intervene. The park's already deserted atmosphere now seemed even more isolating. The only reason Chen Fan noticed was thanks to the heightened senses he had developed through martial arts.
The girl, Wang Yue, was in a foul mood. Earlier that morning, she had come to the park intending to practice her painting skills by sketching the cityscape. However, her peaceful plan was shattered when these disgusting men approached her from behind and snatched her painting supplies.
"Give it back!" Wang Yue's voice rose in anger, but her demand was met only with mocking, playful gazes from the men.
"Sure, I can give it back, little baby," one of them sneered, his leering eyes making her stomach churn. "Come back to my place, and I'll give you better supplies. Maybe I'll even teach you a few things about painting."
"Get lost!" Wang Yue snapped, her voice trembling with fury and disgust. "You can keep it—it's been contaminated by your disgusting hands." She tried to walk past them, but one of the men grabbed her arm, stopping her in her tracks.
"It's fine if you don't want to do it at my place," the man said after a pause, his tone growing more threatening as his grip tightened. "How about we take this to the forest instead?"
Fear crept into Wang Yue's heart. She struggled, but the man's strength overwhelmed her. The other two men, emboldened by their leader's actions, closed in, their lustful expressions growing more grotesque. Normally, this man would only throw around sleazy remarks and take minor liberties with women, but Wang Yue's beauty had stirred something darker in him. She was far more beautiful than anyone he had ever seen, making every other woman look plain by comparison. He couldn't resist anymore.
Panic surged through Wang Yue as she looked around for help, her gaze darting desperately. That's when she spotted someone in the distance—a young man, barely discernible but standing far away.
"HELP—"
Before she could finish her cry, the man holding her clamped a hand over her mouth, cutting her off. Despair flooded her as she struggled in vain. Her kicks and thrashes were useless against their strength. She could feel herself being overpowered, the hopelessness settling in her chest like a heavy weight.
"Idiots, help me pick her up!" the leader barked at his lackeys, snapping them out of their perverse fantasies. They moved closer, one of them grabbing for her flailing legs. Just as one of them bent down to lift her, a shadow flashed in their peripheral vision.
CRACK!
A foot struck the lackey's face with such force that he let out a pained scream and stumbled backward, crashing to the ground. The sudden attack startled the other two men, but they had no time to react. Another blur of movement, and the leader himself was struck in the stomach by a powerful kick. The blow forced him to his knees, his grip on Wang Yue loosening. She broke free from his clutch and stumbled backward, gasping for air.
The third man hesitated for a split second, but that was enough. The mysterious rescuer's leg shot out again, connecting with the man's ribs and sending him sprawling to the ground. All three men were incapacitated in mere moments.
Wang Yue, her heart still racing, turned toward her savior. The young man stood tall, his ragged clothes and messy appearance at odds with his sharp, commanding presence. His calm yet piercing gaze swept over the fallen men as if daring them to move.
"Leave," he said, his voice cold and authoritative. It wasn't a request—it was a command.
The leader, still clutching his stomach, glared at Chen Fan but quickly realized he was outmatched. Swallowing his pride, he scrambled to his feet, gesturing for his lackeys to follow. The three of them limped away, casting fearful glances over their shoulders as they retreated.
As the last of them disappeared, the tension in the air began to ease. Wang Yue looked up at the young man who had saved her, her eyes wide with a mixture of relief, gratitude, and disbelief. For a moment, she was speechless.
"Are you okay?" Chen Fan asked, his tone softening.
Wang Yue nodded, her voice shaky. "Y-yes… Thank you…" Tears welled up in her eyes as she struggled to compose herself.
Chen Fan offered her a small smile before turning his attention to the scattered painting supplies. He began picking them up without hesitation, his movements calm and unhurried.
Wang Yue watched him, her heart still pounding. Who is this man? she wondered. He didn't look like much at first glance, but there was something about him—something that made her feel safe, even in the face of danger. For the first time in her life, Wang Yue felt a strange sense of admiration and curiosity, a spark she couldn't quite understand.
Before Wang Yue could think any further, a strange voice echoed in her mind, startling her.
["Tsk, tsk, tsk. As expected of the protagonist. That speed, that strength—he even heard her cry for help from so far away. Truly superhuman."]
Her eyes widened in shock. Am I hallucinating? she wondered. But before she could dismiss the strange phenomenon, the voice continued.
["And look at the way the heroine gazes at him after he saved her. I wouldn't be surprised if she invited him to the forest to 'repay her debt' right now."]
Wang Yue's face turned crimson, a mixture of shame and anger surging through her. What nonsense is this? she fumed internally. However, the voice paid no mind to her mood.
["Look at this face—truly stunning. No wonder those gangsters dared to take such a risk. She's absolutely worthy of the title 'heroine.'"]
["It seems the plot is progressing perfectly—protagonist saves the heroine, and the heroine falls head over heels for him. Classic."]
["Oh, look at her face now, completely dazed! Hahaha! Maybe she's already imagining her future life with the protagonist, surrounded by kids."]
Wang Yue's emotions spiraled into a chaotic mess as the voice relentlessly filled her head with absurd commentary. Shame, embarrassment, curiosity, and unease swirled within her. What is this voice? she thought. Yet, one particular phrase stuck with her: the idea that she and this man were "fated" to be together. The thought made her uncomfortable, her unease deepening. But she couldn't dismiss it entirely. After all, her life had taken a strange turn ever since she stepped into the park.
"Here, miss," Chen Fan's calm voice cut through her thoughts, snapping her back to reality. He held her scattered painting supplies in his hands, carefully gathered and presented to her.
Wang Yue blinked, her thoughts scattering like leaves in the wind. She stared at the man in front of her, trying to make sense of her emotions. Gratitude, curiosity, and—surprisingly—a hint of vigilance filled her heart. She couldn't shake the unease brought about by the voice in her head, though she wasn't foolish enough to trust it completely.
Chen Fan, on the other hand, studied Wang Yue as well. Now that he had a proper look at her, he found himself momentarily stunned. Beautiful, he thought. The single word resounded in his mind. Her beauty was unlike anything he had ever seen—even the fabled "sisters of joy" described in the holy texts he had read on the mountain paled in comparison.
However, his sharp senses quickly picked up on something. Wang Yue's gaze, which was initially filled with gratitude, had shifted slightly. Her subtle body movements and the faint tension in her expression betrayed a hint of wariness.
Why is she so guarded? Chen Fan wondered, his confusion deepening. Then, a thought struck him, and his expression darkened.
Hmph. This stinky woman, he thought indignantly. She must think I'm working with those three scoundrels from earlier. That's why she's being so cautious.
The realization filled Chen Fan with a mix of irritation and disappointment. Without another word, he turned and began walking away, his steps brisk and unhesitating.
Wang Yue, caught off guard by his sudden departure, stared at his retreating figure in disbelief. What just happened? she thought, replaying the events in her mind. The voice in her head had caused her to hesitate, and now the man seemed to have misunderstood her hesitation as distrust.
As Chen Fan disappeared into the distance, Wang Yue felt a pang of guilt. She hadn't even thanked him properly. He must have thought I was ungrateful… or worse, suspicious of him! A sigh escaped her lips as she clutched her painting supplies tightly to her chest.
Looking down at the scattered paints and brushes, she thought about the strange turn of events. Who was this man? And what was the voice in her head? One thing was certain—her life had become a lot more complicated in the span of a single morning.