Chapter 115: Encountering Liu Yidao Once More

“Son, have you been troubled by something lately? Talk to Mom,” Xu Qiaoling said with concern as she looked at Xiao Lin, who was eating quietly at the dinner table.

“Mom, it’s nothing. What could possibly be wrong?” Xiao Lin looked up and gave her a faint smile. By now, he had changed out of his jogging clothes into loose pants and was still wearing his favorite black jacket.

“That’s right. My son, Xiao Feng’s boy, can’t have any problems. He’s like me—resilient. Even if something’s wrong, a smile will see him through, right, son?” Father Xiao patted Xiao Lin on the shoulder with a broad smile.

No sooner had Father Xiao spoken than Xu Qiaoling shot him a sharp glance. “What does it have to do with you? I’m asking my son. You can’t even keep quiet at the dinner table. Don’t you know people aren’t supposed to talk while eating?”

“He’s my son too. Besides, I don’t know who started talking first,” Father Xiao muttered under his breath.

“What did you say?” Women’s ears are always sharp.

“Nothing. Qiaoling, the snack you made today is really good—almost as good as the hotel chef’s.” Father Xiao muttered vaguely, picking up a piece and popping it into his mouth, then feigning surprise.

“Really? No, not at all. It can’t compare to a professional chef,” Xu Qiaoling blushed slightly, already forgetting the earlier scolding.

“Of course,” Father Xiao said proudly, winking at Xiao Lin. Seeing his father’s expression, Xiao Lin’s face finally showed a rare, genuine smile.

“I’m going out for a bit to accompany a friend to the mall,” Xiao Lin said to his parents. He was going to go shopping with Ma Yunrou.

Hearing this, Xu Qiaoling was pleased. Xiao Lin had been cooped up in his room, silent, for days. She was worried.

“Son, have fun and don’t rush back. The New Year’s coming soon. Donghai City has many wonderful places. You should explore more,” Xu Qiaoling said, pulling out a few hundred yuan from her bag and placing it beside Xiao Lin.

“Mom, I have money,” Xiao Lin said, picking up the cash to return it.

“Take it, or Mom will be angry,” Xu Qiaoling said with a mock stern expression. Seeing this, Xiao Lin had no choice but to slip the money into his pocket.

“Here, eat some more,” Xu Qiaoling said happily, offering Xiao Lin another piece of the snack.

After breakfast, Xu Qiaoling went to tutor her students, while Father Xiao went to visit his partners in Donghai. Before leaving, Father Xiao discreetly slipped a few hundred yuan to Xiao Lin and gave him a knowing look, leaving Xiao Lin helpless. Shortly after their parents left, Xiao Lin received a call from Ma Yunrou. They agreed to meet at a certain place, then hung up. Xiao Lin changed casually and stepped out.

In the heart of Donghai City stood a large shopping mall about forty meters tall. Though taller buildings were common in Donghai, this mall held an irreplaceable place in the hearts of its residents. It was called the Venus Mall. The mall had seven floors, each specializing in different goods: clothing, shoes, cosmetics, a small supermarket, and even antique shops. With decades of history and multiple renovations, the mall’s appearance had changed, but it still stood proudly in the bustling city center. Its prime location, wide variety of items, and affordable prices made it a favorite spot for locals to spend their leisure time.

This time, Xiao Lin and Ma Yunrou came to shop at Venus Mall. As Xiao Lin stepped out of the taxi, he saw Ma Yunrou waiting at the entrance. She wore the same red coat from their last gathering, a pure white scarf, and had changed into a pair of ankle boots. Her face was lightly made up, with long eyelashes framing her eyes. Her light brown hair was neatly draped over her shoulders. With her tall, curvaceous figure, she drew many admiring glances.

But Xiao Lin paid no attention to her beauty. He walked over casually and said flatly, “Let’s go inside. It’s cold out here.” His cold demeanor had returned. For him, accompanying Ma Yunrou shopping felt like a routine task, unlike before when he would get excited just seeing her.

Ma Yunrou noticed his indifferent tone and glanced at his attire: ordinary casual pants, plain flat shoes, and a few stubbly whiskers on his chin. She couldn’t help but frown inwardly. Really, he didn’t even bother to dress up when going out. Though she thought this, she kept her expression neutral.

“Alright, let’s go. I want to buy some pants. You can help me pick them out,” Ma Yunrou said, linking her arm with Xiao Lin’s as they entered Venus Mall.

Seeing her affectionate gesture made Xiao Lin uncomfortable, as if they were caught in a secret affair. He initially wanted to shrug her off, but then remembered he had taken her virginity and should be responsible. After some thought, he allowed her to hold onto him.

They took the escalator to the third floor, where the women’s clothing section was located. It was almost New Year, and the mall was bustling with shoppers. Red lanterns, spring couplets, and festive decorations adorned every corner, filling the air with holiday cheer.

Once on the third floor, Ma Yunrou’s eyes lit up at the sight of the clothes. She immediately let go of Xiao Lin’s hand and began browsing eagerly. Men know well that the hardest part of shopping with their girlfriends is the clothes section. Every woman has a special affection for pretty dresses, and accompanying them means enduring the ordeal patiently.

Ma Yunrou tried on outfit after outfit, rejecting each until she found the perfect one. She spent two full hours in the fitting room. Xiao Lin quietly followed behind her, saying nothing. After so long, he was growing tired. Observing Ma Yunrou’s persistent energy, he finally spoke up. “Yunrou, have you found anything you like? If so, hurry and buy it. We still need to check out the other floors.”

For some reason, calling her “Yunrou” felt awkward to him.

“Almost there, just a little longer,” Ma Yunrou said without turning around, continuing her hunt for clothes.

Half an hour later, when Ma Yunrou emerged from the fitting room, Xiao Lin stepped forward, took the pair of pants she had just tried on, and told a nearby sales clerk, “Please prepare the receipt. We’ll take these.”

“Hey, wait, Xiao Lin! I’m not done trying yet,” Ma Yunrou complained, displeased as the clerk went to print the receipt. Xiao Lin said nothing, only a trace of annoyance flashed in his eyes.

After buying the pants, Ma Yunrou finally agreed to leave the third floor under Xiao Lin’s insistence, ending the endless clothes trials.

“Boss, I didn’t expect Donghai folks to be so rich. We’ve already made over ten thousand yuan in such a short time,” a small boy said to a middle-aged man wearing a wide-brimmed hat on the fourth floor of the mall.

“Heh heh, who would’ve thought that because of a damn kid, we’d find such a goldmine,” the middle-aged man chuckled darkly. His face was yellow and gaunt, with a sunken nose and deep eye sockets—an ugly, repulsive appearance. If Wang Yuqing and Xiao Lin saw him, they would recognize him immediately. This man was none other than Liu Yidao, the habitual thief who, after being exposed by Xiao Lin, was humiliated and chased to Donghai where he stabbed Xiao Lin.

That day, after stabbing Xiao Lin, Liu Yidao had intended to finish him off but was stopped by Wang Yuqing’s shout, which attracted a crowd. Defeated, he had to retreat. But he didn’t leave Donghai. Instead, accompanied by his small-time accomplice Ganzi, he resumed his old habits in the city. After wandering for days, they discovered Venus Mall. With its heavy foot traffic and dense crowds, it was the perfect hunting ground. Confident in their cautious, well-coordinated approach, they had not been caught yet.

“Boss, here’s a fat target,” Ganzi said, spotting a beautiful girl in a red coat. She carried a small purse that looked quite full.

Liu Yidao glanced at the girl and froze. She was stunningly beautiful. His old bad habit flared up again.

“Ganzi, wait here. I don’t need you this time. I’ll handle this myself,” Liu Yidao said, eyes gleaming with lust, as he approached the girl.

The red-coated girl was Ma Yunrou, who had just reached the fourth floor. Since Xiao Lin had been slow with the clothes, she had gone ahead, though he wasn’t far behind.

Liu Yidao quickly caught up with her. This time, he didn’t use his usual blade trick. Instead, he deliberately bumped her shoulder hard. As Ma Yunrou staggered, he swiftly yanked open her purse’s zipper and stole her wallet.

“Hey! What do you think you’re doing?” Startled and angry, Ma Yunrou steadied herself and saw an ugly middle-aged man.

“Heh heh, sorry, miss. Just slipped,” Liu Yidao said with a low chuckle. But as he turned to leave, a shout came from behind.

“Stop right there! Don’t move!” Xiao Lin appeared just in time, locking eyes with the man who had stabbed him—an image seared deeply in his memory.