6: Rescue

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The moment she turned around, her body froze.

Standing just a few feet away was her older brother—Lin Rui.

His hands were shoved deep into the pockets of his faded black jeans, his body slouched with the kind of arrogance that came from years of doing nothing and getting away with everything.

A cigarette dangled loosely between his lips, already half-burned, its ash falling in soft flakes to the sidewalk.

His sharp cruel eyes narrowed on her, lips curling into a cruel smirk.

"Well, well, if it isn't my little slut of a sister," he sneered, flicking the cigarette onto the ground and crushing it under his boot. "Out here whoring around now, huh?"

Her eyes widened in shock and embarrassment.

She instantly stepped back, shielding Ah Yan from the brunt of the insult. "Don't talk nonsense!" she snapped, her voice rising with restrained fury.

He smirked walking to her side, " Is this your man?"

Ah Yan stood beside her quietly, but his eyes had already darkened.

She snapped, glaring at him, "I said shut up!!"

She then turned quickly, intending to walk away, but Lin Rui's rough hand shot out and grabbed her wrist.

"Where do you think you're going?" he growled.

His grip was tight, his nails digging into her skin hurting her.

"Let go of me!" she shouted, trying to wriggle free, "you're hurting me. Stop!!"

He leaned in closer, his breath reeking of stale smoke. "I need two thousand yuan. Give me. Now!! I saw you buying clothes for your new boy toy. Don't pretend you don't have it."

She glared at him. "I don't have money! And even if I did, I wouldn't give it to you!"

His expression twisted in fury.

With a loud smack, his hand flew across her cheek, sending her stumbling sideways.

Smack!!

The world spun for a moment.

Her cheek burned as though it had been branded, the slap making her dizzy the world spinning.

Before she could react, he snatched her bag and began rummaging through it like a thief.

"Let's see what you're hiding then, you little liar," he spat. " Where are you hiding the money?"

He found a single thousand-yuan note and snatched it with greedy fingers. "Found it."

"This'll do for now," he said, tossing the bag to the ground with a thud without caring while looking at the money like it was some gold.

"And don't think you can hide things from us. I'll tell Mom and Dad what you've been up to—whoring around and hiding cash. You've started lying too. Let's see how they'll deal with you little bitch."

He then turned around to leave.

Before he could even take a step, Ah Yan moved.

His figure was like a gust of cold wind—swift, sharp, and full of intent and murderous aura.

He stepped in front of Yueyue, his eyes glaring at Lin Rui with an intensity that sent shivers down the older man's spine.

His hand snatched the money back in one smooth motion.

"If you want money, work for it," Ah Yan said coldly.

His voice was calm but carried a razor edge making the man tremble.

Lin Rui's mouth hung open slightly. He'd never been challenged like this.

Especially not by someone who looked so still, so composed, yet so dangerous.

Yet he couldn't do anything. The man looked dangerous.

He sputtered, pointing a shaking finger. "You... You... You'll regret this. Both of you! Just wait and see! I'm telling Mom and Dad. "

He turned abruptly and stormed off, his bravado melting as he disappeared into the alley.

Ah Yan immediately turned to her.

Her hand was on her red burning cheek, her eyes distant, as though she wasn't fully present.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice shifting back to concern. His eyes were full of concern.

She blinked, startled, then gave him a small, wobbly smile. "I'm fine. I'm... used to it."

She was already used to this family.

His brows furrowed, confused.

She looked up at him.

No one had ever stood up for her before.

Not like this.

She was used to fighting her battles.

Who would protect an orphan disliked by her adoptive parents?

However, he did.

Her heart fluttered, her emotions in disarray.

She smiled faintly and said, "Let's go."

He walked beside her, and though they said nothing for a while, the silence was warm.

Safe.

Her heart pounding.

As they rounded the corner toward the apartment, she glanced up at him, then looked away quickly meeting his gaze.

"My family... they're crazy," she said softly. "You shouldn't confront them like that again. It's dangerous."

He stopped walking and turned to her.

"Why?" he asked. "How can I let you be treated like that?"

Her breath caught in her throat.

His eyes were serious, sincere.

She looked away, her cheeks heating up again.

Her heart had stopped for a second there.

What did he mean?

She laughed nervously and continued walking, her steps slightly quicker.

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