Chapter 171: Slowing Down

"Oh, I am so sorry! I was dead drunk last night, my phone ran out of battery, and I forgot to turn it back on."

Feeling deeply guilty, Zhang Rui pulled petite Xia Yu into his arms, wrapped his arms tightly around her, and whispered near her ear, "That bastard Wang Bin—how do you want to deal with him? Just tell me, and I'll handle it for you impeccably."

"Do you know? When I first started walking down that dark road last night, trees lined both sides, rustling in the night wind. I was terrified. Because it was so dark, I stumbled and fell at least five times, front and back, and even rolled into a muddy ditch once. By the time I walked out this morning, the mud on my clothes had completely dried."

Xia Yu shot Zhang Rui a sidelong glance and continued, "At that moment, I felt like I wanted to die. The road ahead seemed endless, and behind me was pitch black. I genuinely wondered if I had lost my way. I couldn't for the life of me think of anyone to turn to for help, so I couldn't help calling you over and over again, but your phone was always off. I called Li Liang, but he never answered. I honestly don't know what you guys even buy phones for. Then I just cried—cried recklessly. Scenes from the past flashed through my mind one after another: there was that bastard Xia Changhai, my ruthless mother, you the beast, and that son-of-a-bitch Wang Bin. Anyway, I just cried my eyes out, not caring about anything anymore, letting my mind drift to other thoughts. As my attention slowly shifted, I suddenly realized I wasn't scared anymore as I walked. I took out my phone, played my favorite songs, and it felt as though I were walking in the light. Even the rustling of the fallen leaves around me turned into musical accompaniment!"

"Haha, so you saved yourself, then? It's always like that, you know. All fear is just a trick of the human mind. Once you shift your focus, it vanishes."

Zhang Rui hadn't expected this little girl Xia Yu to have such grit. To think she actually walked out of the deep mountain forest all by herself—that was fiercely impressive! Other than her, not just ordinary girls, but even a few tough guys might not have had the guts to do it!

"Hmph, easy for you to say. The whole way, I didn't dare let my phone's screen go dark. I just kept looking at your picture, and that's how I dared to keep moving forward. I felt like you were right there beside me, and as long as you were, I wouldn't be afraid."

Xia Yu murmured, burying her head against Zhang Rui's chest to listen to his heartbeat.

Whew!

Hearing those words, Zhang Rui felt a sudden surge of hormones racing through him. He shrugged,