Not a detective

Page 239

So she picked up a pencil, and I took the opportunity to start examining the number of her eyelashes.

...

Her name is Xu Qishi.

Now you know why I brought up the topic of names, right? It's because this guy's name is so cool and awesome, it's like a female protagonist from a novel who has traveled through time.

It's not that I have any complaints about my own name, but I can only admit defeat when faced with such a beautiful name as hers.

Whenever I bring up this topic, she always smiles and shakes her head.

"A-Qian!" "A-Qian!"

She said she especially liked this straightforward way of addressing her, and that's how she's been calling her ever since.

Talking about her is always a bit confusing. Please let me sort out my thoughts. Although it's a long story, let's start from the beginning.

We've known each other for a long time; to put it simply, we're childhood sweethearts.

Our families were neighbors, and my father was a colleague of mine. We were also the same age, so we often visited each other and got to know each other. Over time, we became acquainted. Although I didn't like playing with girls, I couldn't resist the little girl's constant pestering, and we practically became like siblings. We went to the same school from elementary to middle school, and even in high school, we had to go to and from school together.

It's a truly tragic fate.

Xu Qishi's family is better off than mine. Although we are colleagues, compared to my laid-back dad who just goes through the motions, Uncle Xu's hard work and progress are quite remarkable.

But the family didn't move out of this old apartment complex, which doesn't even have an elevator. Apparently, their daughter insisted on not moving, but I don't know if that's true.

Xu Qishi's grades were much better than mine. Although we were classmates, in this prestigious high school, I could only be considered a student who barely made it into the regular class.

With only half a month left until the college entrance exam, I need to make sure their top class's homeroom teacher finds out that I secretly lured our good student Xu Qishi away from evening self-study to eat late-night snacks at a food stall...

They'll probably kill me.

So I always feel a little inferior in front of her, like the moon losing its color in front of the sun. She is too outstanding, beautiful and cute. She has had many suitors since childhood, and many boys are infatuated with her. At least she seems to have a cheerful personality. Only I know her little mischievous thoughts. For example, skipping class this time was her idea.

Actually, I'm very wronged.

Xu Qishi always uses me as a shield.

I had no right to refuse, so I could only play the role of "boyfriend." I don't know when it started, but we slowly started to take our fake relationship for real, and our relationship changed.

When did it start? Probably after junior high school. With the influence of puberty hormones, I gradually realized that the feeling of "liking" is different.

There wasn't any specific confession ceremony; they just naturally got together.

Although I feel like something is missing, I think it's not too late to make up for it when I propose to someone when I'm older.

Even though we've become boyfriend and girlfriend, our distance is limited to holding hands and hugging. After all, we're a student couple, and even kissing feels too shy.

Even she has moments when her ears get so hot she hesitates to continue, which is quite novel and endearing.

I asked Xu Qishi why I was chosen. I'm nothing special. I'm not very tall, of medium build, neither strong nor weak, with an ordinary family background and grades.

She just smiled and said, "Ah Qian is very handsome, even with glasses he's still handsome. Many senior and junior students have asked about you... I've taken care of all the bad women."

I'll just take it as a joke to comfort me.

In short, they were just an ordinary student couple, young and innocent, but very happy. After both families found out, they were quite happy about our early relationship. Every year during the Spring Festival, when we visited each other's homes to exchange New Year's greetings, there was an atmosphere of calling each other "in-laws" in advance and discussing the wedding. It always gave me goosebumps; it was very strange.

If nothing unexpected happens, we should be able to continue working together towards the future as usual.

But the unexpected happened here.

My easy, peaceful, and simple life took a turn for the better tonight.

Winter of Man: Chapter Seven - An Unexpected Event

"What was your score on the third mock exam last time?"

"640. My teacher said that as long as I perform as usual, I will definitely get into my ideal school, and that will be more than enough."

"I'm so envious. I need to work harder."

"Of course, A-Qian has to get into a university in the same city as me. I don't want a long-distance relationship."

"If you knew that, you shouldn't have dragged me out for a late-night snack."

I said helplessly.

Faced with such a gifted girl, it's truly disheartening. I tried my best and only managed around 500 points, which is enough for a first-tier university, but still a long way from a top-tier university like 211 or 985.

But at least getting into a university in the same city shouldn't be a problem, which is a goal that was half-forced upon me. It seems I can't live without this clingy little guy.

Across from me, Xu Qishi was sitting on a classic-looking plastic stool, holding several skewers in her hand, eating them with gusto without a care for her image.

From behind, she looks like a beautiful and slender young woman, but from the front, she looks like a gluttonous sea otter.

Looking at that well-tailored white dress, I felt a little sorry for her. Our high school didn't have a uniform requirement. Except for specific ceremonies, everyone basically wore their own clothes to school, but usually we wouldn't wear such an eye-catching dress. So Xu Qishi specially went home to change into it. She didn't even worry about getting oil stains while eating at this kind of street food stall. I really don't know what she was thinking.

"Excuse me."

I waved to the waiter to bring her an apron, at least temporarily to cover her skirt.

Although Xu Qishi grumbled that it didn't look good, she still obediently listened to her.

But she suddenly stopped the waiter who was about to leave, and said with a smile, "It's no fun just eating, please get us some more beer."

"it's not good?"

I frowned.

"There's nothing wrong with it. Anyway, it's Sunday tomorrow, and I don't go to school until the afternoon."

She said nonchalantly, "Besides, we're adults now, and there are some things we should bravely try for the first time!"

I couldn't argue with her, so after hesitating for a moment, I gave in.

"I can't drink too much, just two cans of beer."

Actually, deep down I also long for relaxation. The high-pressure study life of senior year is already depressing, and the heavy atmosphere makes it hard to breathe. It's good to skip class and indulge myself occasionally. Although there are only two weeks left until the college entrance examination, the remaining time is not much and my grades are basically fixed. I might as well adjust my mindset and perform better.

But I can't drink too much. I have to make up a class on Saturday, and I don't want to spend a precious morning with a hangover.

But my worries were quickly proven to be unfounded. When Xu Qishi saw the jar I had opened and placed in front of her, she exclaimed in surprise and excitement, "Wow!"

Then she took a small sip, and soon her face turned bright red.

"My alcohol tolerance is absolutely terrible."

I laughed.

"Nonsense!" Even her flailing arms looked adorable: "Let's drink! I'm going to beat you to a pulp!"

...

In that instant, I thought this scene would be etched into my mind forever.

On a summer night, a cool breeze blew through her hair, her short hair swaying lightly, making her slightly flushed face even more beautiful and charming.

Although she was still a young girl, she looked at me with deep affection. We two students could only afford to come to this kind of street food stall, but neither of us complained about the environment or the food.

There was a stream right next to me, the taste of home flowed quietly, and the moonlight shone on me—everything was just right.

We chatted and joked non-stop, as if we had endless things to say, talking about our future and our hopes for the future.

It was as if all my worries had been cast aside; having her by my side was enough.

I thought my carefree and happy life would continue forever...

...

"Little sister, you're so pretty, would you like to have a drink with us brothers?"

But it seems that some people think so too.

I saw a group of people approaching from the side. They were four or five young men who looked like thugs. They were shirtless, and their tattoos were clearly visible even in the dark. They were no pushovers.

They approached Xu Qishi with lewd smiles. These people were probably gangsters from the neighborhood; their hair was dyed in various colors, and they reeked of alcohol.

I remember a few years ago there was a crackdown, and this year it's the Olympics. I thought these kinds of people had disappeared... It seems my students' thinking was too naive.

This area was originally an undeveloped old town, and the food stalls were located in a remote place. They were probably customers who had their eyes on Xu Qishi...

“I’m her boyfriend, so I won’t bother you anymore.” I immediately took Xu Qishi’s hand. “Let’s go now.”

Having anticipated this, I didn't hesitate any longer, walked to the shopkeeper's table, and prepared to pay and leave.

A direct confrontation with these people is not the best strategy, and besides, I alone am no match for four.

"Don't go, hehehe, it's okay to have a boyfriend."

"Young man, did I ask you a question? Did I ask you to answer...? Let the little girl answer herself~"

However, this group didn't seem to intend to let us go. They slowly surrounded us and approached us with ill intent.

One of the men, who seemed to be the leader, reached out and tried to put his arm around Xu Qishi's shoulder.

I gritted my teeth and prepared to fight back, but Xu Qishi reacted even faster.

"Ugh!"

She grabbed a barbecue skewer from the table and plunged the sharp end into the back of the man's hand.

Not only the person who was stabbed, but also his group of companions were stunned. They never expected this little girl to be so fierce.

"No...don't touch me!"

Xu Qishi was baring her teeth and yelling when I noticed her face was flushed. She was already a bit petty and malicious, and the alcohol made her start to act crazy.

But this is not necessarily a good thing.

"You bitch, you don't know what's good for you!" The leader, enraged, pulled out the wooden skewer stuck in the back of his hand and smashed a wine bottle in anger.

He ordered the others, "Take her away! Beat the guy up... Damn it, I'll teach her a lesson..."

A thug who has lost face will only become more reckless.

I quickly realized that retreat was no longer an option, and conflict was inevitable.

"Don't even come here!"

Xu Qishi seemed startled, suddenly sobering up considerably, and shrank behind my arm. I called out coldly, suddenly reaching into my pocket.

This action will remind people that I am carrying a weapon, and they will be intimidated by me for a short while, giving me a few seconds to think.

Of course, as a student, I wouldn't bring any weapons when I came to eat late-night snacks. I only had a button phone in my pocket, but because I was familiar with its operation, I could almost operate it blindly through my pocket. I quickly edited a text message for 110 and dialed the police emergency number, keeping the connection on and trying to make the conflict as loud as possible, hoping the operator would understand the situation.

However, I don't really know if sending a text message to 110 is useful, and even if the call is successfully made, it will take some time for the police to arrive...

If Xu Qishi does nothing here, she might be forcibly taken away.

I looked at the thugs surrounding me... and immediately, I needed to come up with a way to break the deadlock.

Winter of Man: Chapter Eight - Breaking the Impasse

"What's there to be afraid of? He's just a kid. What can he possibly do?"

The leader of the thugs shouted menacingly as he pulled a folding knife from his pocket and slowly pried it open.

This was the real murder weapon. Urged on by him, the other thugs also pulled out batons and other weapons, while others smashed bottles to use as weapons.

　The situation is getting worse and worse. In terms of direct combat, I, as a student, have no chance against so many people.

Especially with so many weapons, even if I rush in and fight desperately, it will all be in vain.

What if we try to escape? We probably can't. Xu Qishi is out of the question; she's wearing a skirt and can't run fast. I'm not athletic either; I only pass long-distance running in PE class. These thugs might be pretty good runners. If we're surrounded and cornered, it'll be hard to escape, and we won't be able to get to a busy main road in a short time.

I thought about taking a gamble and jumping into the nearby stream; those thugs might not dare to chase after me like that.

If I were alone, I could use this escape route. But I know Xu Qishi can't swim, so I can't abandon her and escape alone.

...Saying things like "I'll go find rescuers and come back to save you" might be too late.

I won't abandon her.

As for the outside, once they saw the group take out weapons, the other customers had already fled in panic, and passersby on the street didn't dare to join in the fun, all avoiding the stalls.

Even if some kind person calls the police for me... the problem remains the same: there's not enough time.

My brain was racing, my eyes frantically searching for everything around me, desperately seeking something that could offer even the slightest help.

"Hey, are you going to pay or not?"

As luck would have it, the owner was sitting behind the cashier at that moment and interrupted me, saying, "Hurry up and settle your bill, then go outside and get your food ready. Don't mess up my stall."