Chapter 7: After Class, She Came Into My Arms (5)

A soft, delicate hand grasped Lu Yu’s wrist.

Lu Yu’s expression darkened as he followed behind Asse.

“So, what, you think you can just hit someone and run away? Stop right there!”

Lu Yu’s brows knitted together, but when he glanced at the girl, he found her frown even deeper than his own.

Her soft, rosy lips were pressed tightly together. One pale, delicate ear was turned toward him.

His gaze flickered and he looked away as if nothing had happened.

Asse watched as the group once again surrounded the two of them, irritation rising within her.

Why were they so persistent?

She had almost beaten someone to death just now.

The girl’s eyes were wide, brimming with unshed tears, full of silent accusation.

Lu Yu looked at her for a while, the corner of his lips curving up without his noticing—a trace of tenderness he himself failed to perceive.

He reached back, took Asse’s small hand, and pulled her behind him. “Let me handle this,” he said.

No sooner had the words left the young man’s lips than his fist shot out, striking with clean, decisive force.

Even though he was outnumbered, Lu Yu only took a few blows himself.

Asse’s eyes widened as she watched.

He was actually so formidable.

A flush crept across her cheeks.

So, there really was no need for her at all…

She stood there awkwardly, reaching up to touch her earlobe.

Lu Yu lowered his fists and turned, meeting the innocent gaze of the girl.

Her eyes were clear, black and white, pure as crystal.

His heart gave a sudden, inexplicable tremor—a wave of unfamiliar emotion surging through him.

Feigning a cough, he looked away, suppressing the stirrings in his heart.

He smiled. “Thank you…”

He paused, his voice dropping to a low murmur, “Little one.”

Wasn’t she just a little girl? So small. So untouched by the world.

It made one want to cradle her gently in the palm of their hand.

He was about to leave when he suddenly felt the hem of his clothes being tugged.

He looked down, his gaze lingering briefly on the fair, slender hand clutching his shirt.

Asse, caught by his glance, recoiled as if scalded, quickly withdrawing her hand.

She tipped her head back, speaking in a small voice, “Um, excuse me… I think I’m lost.”

Lost was lost—why “I think”?

Lu Yu’s lips curled in a faint, gentle smile.

“Come on,” he said.

Asse followed Lu Yu out of the alley. As they passed a side street, she instinctively glanced inside.

But it was empty now.

Once they had left the alley, Asse turned to Lu Yu and said politely, “Thank you for your help.”

She had just started to leave when her ponytail, tied at the back of her head, was suddenly tugged.

The force was gentle, yet Asse pressed her lips together in annoyance.

Back in the Celestial Palace, her hair was always gathered casually. When she first arrived here, she didn’t know how to use hair ties at all, and every time she managed to tie a ponytail, it never seemed quite right.

Now, with the boy giving it a tug, Asse found herself getting angry.

She stopped, reaching back to free her ponytail.

Turning around, she fixed Lu Yu with those damp, accusing eyes.

“Don’t pull my hair,” she protested, her lips pouting in indignation.

She spoke seriously, “That’s very rude of you.”

Chastised for his lack of manners, Lu Yu immediately straightened, his smile fading.

“I’m sorry,” he said, though a smile lingered in his eyes.

He watched the shallow dimples that appeared on the girl’s cheeks when she was angry. His fingers itched with the urge to touch them, so he shoved his hands in his pockets instead.

He bent down, meeting Asse at eye level.

With a sincere tone, he asked, “Can you forgive me?”