The afternoon at work was excruciating. Su Xiaoxi kept stealing glances at Lin Yi, but he seemed completely absorbed in his tasks, occasionally chatting with colleagues—behaving like a genuine advertising agency employee. She couldn't help but wonder if everything that had happened in the alley was just her imagination.
By the time work ended, Lin Yi had silently appeared at her desk. "Pack your things. I'll take you home."
Walking down the familiar streets, Su Xiaoxi felt like everything had changed. Every passerby could be a threat; every shadow might conceal danger.
"Who *are* you, really?" she couldn't resist asking again.
"You can call me Lin Yi—that's my real name," he replied, his tone softening slightly. "The less you know beyond that, the safer you'll be."
"Then how am I supposed to cooperate with you?" Su Xiaoxi asked.
"First, don't act on your own," Lin Yi said sternly, giving her a pointed look. "What you did today was too reckless."
Su Xiaoxi pursed her lips. "I just wanted to figure out the truth..."
"The truth could get you killed," Lin Yi cut in. "Second, stay aware of your surroundings. If you notice anything suspicious, tell me immediately. And lastly..."
He paused, as if weighing his words. "...trust me."
Su Xiaoxi looked up at him. The fading sunlight cast a warm glow on Lin Yi's sharply defined profile, softening his usually stern expression. His piercing eyes, always so alert, now held a trace of earnestness.
"Fine," she finally nodded. "I'll cooperate for now. But on one condition—when this is over, you tell me the whole truth."
The corner of Lin Yi's mouth lifted slightly. "Deal."
That barely-there smile made Su Xiaoxi's heart skip. She suddenly realized that despite all the unanswered questions, this man beside her gave her a strange sense of security.
Like stumbling upon a solid fortress in the middle of a storm—you don't know why it's there, but you instinctively want to take shelter.
---
**"Twist your wrist like this—use their momentum against them."**
Lin Yi stood in the center of the empty office conference room, demonstrating a self-defense maneuver. At seven in the morning, the floor was still deserted—the perfect time for their safety training.
Su Xiaoxi frowned as she mimicked his movements, but her fingers stubbornly tangled. "Wait, like this?" she asked clumsily, grabbing Lin Yi's wrist but applying the wrong pressure.