Chapter 111

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Chapter 111: Ding Ran’s Thoughts

 

Five men surrounded a woman in the middle, each wearing a malicious smile.

“Beautiful lady, out so late dressed like that, aren’t you just looking for a man? Now that we’re here offering ourselves for free, you should consider yourself lucky!” said a man with a scruffy beard, chuckling.

Hearing this, Ding Ran’s expression changed slightly, and the drunkenness in her eyes faded.

“Get out of the way!” Ding Ran said angrily.

“Beautiful lady, do you think you’re too good for us? Don’t judge by appearances…” a sleazy man laughed.

As he spoke, the other four men joined in with their laughter.

It was almost midnight, and there were still quite a few pedestrians and late-night snackers on the street.

However, seeing this scene, no one seemed inclined to step in and stop it; many even found it amusing, watching the situation unfold with smiles on their faces.

These five men were known ruffians in the area, and anyone who knew them dared not provoke them.

Moreover, to outsiders, it was clear that Ding Ran, appearing in such a place at this hour, was not a respectable woman, so it was entirely normal for men to target her; some might even say she deserved it.

“Come on, beautiful, don’t be shy…” The bald man at the front grinned and reached out his hand toward Ding Ran.

Ding Ran’s face turned pale.

She looked again at Fang Yu’s position and found him still sitting there eating, seemingly with no intention of helping.

But Fang Yu had clearly seen her!

Ding Ran bit her lip, mustered all her strength to push away the man in front of her, and ran toward Fang Yu.

She was wearing high heels, and just as she was about to reach Fang Yu, she accidentally twisted her ankle and fell to the ground, letting out a pained gasp.

The five men approached Ding Ran slowly, grinning lewdly.

Ding Ran looked up and saw Fang Yu still focused on his food. She whispered, “Fang Yu, help me…”

Fang Yu finished the last of his rice noodles, looked at Ding Ran.

At that moment, Ding Ran was sitting on the ground, holding her left ankle, her face pale, her beautiful eyes filled with pleading.

The five ruffians had reached Ding Ran’s side.

“Beautiful lady, can’t walk anymore? Let us take you to rest; it’s getting late.”

“I love feisty girls like you.”

“We’ll take good care of you…”

Fang Yu wiped his mouth with a napkin, stood up, and said to the five ruffians, “You’re out of luck; you just ran into me.”

“Kid, finish your late-night snack and go home to sleep. Want to be a hero saving the damsel in distress? Look at all these people around; none of them dare to step up and fight us for a woman. What do you think you are?” the bald man said fiercely.

“Yeah, just scram, or I’ll break your legs!”

“Get lost, you little brat trying to play hero!”

The other four men started cursing as well.

Fang Yu looked like a thin student, and the ruffians didn’t take him seriously at all.

The others on the street watched Fang Yu with mocking expressions.

Was this kid out of his mind or just incredibly bold to act like a hero in front of those five ruffians? Wasn’t he just asking for trouble?

Fang Yu sighed and said, “I’m the one who’s unlucky to run into you.”

“Damn it, stop talking so much; I told you to get lost!” The bald man glared, taking two steps forward and kicking at Fang Yu’s abdomen!

Fang Yu reached out and caught the foot, pulling it forward, causing the bald man to lose his balance and fall to the ground.

“Still dare to fight back!? Damn!” one man shouted angrily, rushing at Fang Yu.

Fang Yu threw the bald man’s foot forward.

“Bang!”

The bald man’s body collided with the other three, sending them all flying and crashing to the ground with a chorus of screams.

Another ruffian circled behind Fang Yu, grabbed a beer bottle from the table, and smashed it toward Fang Yu.

Without looking back, Fang Yu elbowed backward.

“Ah…”

The ruffian cried out in pain, flying several meters back and crashing to the ground, the beer bottle shattering beside him.

In just a few seconds, the five ruffians were all on the ground, wailing in agony.

The onlookers who had been waiting to see Fang Yu get beaten were now stunned, looking at him in disbelief.

How could this young man be so strong?

…

Fang Yu looked down at Ding Ran and said, “Instructor Ding, the trouble has been dealt with; I’m leaving.”

After saying that, Fang Yu turned to leave.

“Fang Yu, wait…” Ding Ran called out to him.

Fang Yu stopped.

“My ankle is sprained; I can’t walk…” Ding Ran pleaded.

“So?” Fang Yu frowned slightly and asked.

“Could you take me home? It’s not safe around here…” Ding Ran said cautiously, looking at Fang Yu.

Fang Yu sighed, grabbed Ding Ran’s arm, and helped her up.

Then, amidst the envious and jealous gazes of onlookers, Fang Yu supported Ding Ran as they left the street.

…

Ding Ran’s home was in the nearby Taoyuan Community.

Fang Yu helped Ding Ran to the entrance of the community.

“This should be safe now, right?” Fang Yu said, about to let go of her.

But Ding Ran continued, “My left foot really hurts; I can’t walk anymore.”

“You’ve brought me here; can you take me upstairs?” Ding Ran said, sounding a bit like she was pouting.

Fang Yu had no choice but to help her into the community.

“Fang Yu, I’m your English instructor; can’t you help me out a bit? Why do you look so unwilling?” Ding Ran said, noticing Fang Yu’s impatience.

Fang Yu said nothing, helping Ding Ran into the elevator and taking her to her door.

“Can I go now?” Fang Yu asked.

“You helped me so much tonight; I should at least treat you to a cup of tea,” Ding Ran said, opening the door.

Fang Yu was indeed a bit thirsty, so he walked inside.

It was a small apartment of less than a hundred square meters, nicely decorated, with complete furniture, and a few pots of flowers on the windowsill, filling the room with a faint floral scent.

Ding Ran limped to the coffee table and turned on the electric kettle to heat water.

Then, the two sat on the sofa in silence.

After a while, Ding Ran looked at Fang Yu and suddenly said, “Fang Yu, do you think I’m not a good person for often going to bars?”

Fang Yu remained silent.

In his view, everyone makes their own choices, and there is no right or wrong. But once a choice is made, one must face the consequences.

Ding Ran going to bars was her own choice, and Fang Yu had no right to judge whether it was right or wrong.

However, when she encountered trouble after going to the bar and expected others to help her, that was where she was in the wrong.

Seeing Fang Yu silent, Ding Ran suddenly smiled and said, “Actually, I don’t understand what I want either. I know going to bars will attract those men, and I know getting drunk is dangerous for women… but I…”

As she spoke, Ding Ran’s eyes turned slightly red, and she didn’t continue.

Recently, she had been feeling very down.

Due to her family’s arrangements, she was about to lose her freedom, give up her dreams, and become a caged bird.

She had gone to bars several times alone, wanting to indulge herself completely before losing her freedom and to retaliate against the elders in her family who disrespected her opinions.

But when she saw those men trying to approach her, she regretted it.

She didn’t want to demean herself like this.

Yet her feelings were in turmoil.

Only alcohol could temporarily help her forget these troubles, numb her thoughts, and ease her inner pain.

The water had boiled, but Ding Ran was lost in her own world.

Fang Yu poured himself a glass of water, drank it, and stood up, saying, “Instructor Ding, I’m leaving now.”

He could tell Ding Ran was in a bad mood and might be facing some difficulties.

But to Fang Yu, they were merely acquaintances, not close enough to share personal matters.

Thus, he had no interest in Ding Ran’s private issues.

Hearing Fang Yu’s voice, Ding Ran came back to her senses, looked up at him, her beautiful eyes shimmering, as if she were contemplating something.