Chapter 11: slippery begger

Xiao Ting clutched the cups to her chest and stomped toward the cashier, her face flushed with anger and humiliation.

Why did Chase always have to see her like this? Always at her weakest moments?

It was mortifying.

She clenched her teeth, determined to pay quickly and get out of there.

"That'll be 100 yuan," the cashier, an impatient elderly woman in her fifties, said brusquely, tapping her fingers on the counter.

Ting patted her pockets, searching for her purse, but her hands came up empty. Her stomach sank.

She reached for her phone to transfer the money, only to realize she'd left that at home too.

Her chest tightened again. The outside world was unbearable.

The cashier's expression soured. "What? Don't you have the money? You slippery little beggars come here every day, it's so annoying! If you're poor, go leech off someone else!"

The woman's words were sharp, cutting through Ting like a blade. Her heart constricted, her breathing quickened, and her vision blurred. She felt lightheaded, like she was about to collapse.

Then suddenly, strong arms turned her around, pulling her into a firm chest.

Chase.

Her face was buried in his jacket, his scent calming and familiar. His hand moved in slow, soothing circles on her back.

"Breathe, darling. Just breathe," he said, his voice low and steady.

Her shaky breaths gradually evened out as he held her close, shielding her from the cashier's judgmental glare.

He raised his phone, his expression cold and commanding, and the cashier quickly scanned it without another word.

With the noodles in one hand, he gently guided Ting outside, draping his large jacket over her trembling shoulders.

She walked beside him, small and quiet, clutching the warmth of his jacket like a lifeline.

He didn't say a word, and neither did she.

But for the first time, Ting didn't feel completely alone.