Realizing he had slipped up, Yu Kai's expression turned frantic as he hastily explained, "No, Manman, hear me out, I was on the fourth floor corridor when I saw you. I thought about coming down to help, but before I could, Lin Yu arrived."

"And seeing you were safe, I didn't intervene..." Under Tang Manman's furious gaze, Yu Kai's voice dwindled until guilt compelled him to avert his eyes and halt his lies. Tang Manman, staring him down, retorted, "Yu Kai, I've said it's okay that you didn't come out to help, but you don't need to lie to me."

"And you certainly can't accuse those who helped me!” Yu Kai clenched his fists, burning with jealousy hearing Tang Manman continuously defend Lin Yu, dubbed as the bad boy. His body seemed to churn with a fiery blend of helplessness and anger.

"Yes!" Yu Kai blurted, "I saw you from the beginning, even before those three approached you."

"I was afraid to step in."

"I'm a coward!"

"A scaredy-cat!"

"But do you think Lin Yu is some kind of saint?"

"Why was he there both times you were in trouble, always perfectly timed?"

"Why won't you think a little deeper into this?"

"Those villains were acting according to his plans..."

"Enough!!" Tang Manman shouted, her voice echoing down the silent streets. Opening her eyes, now rimmed with red, she took a deep breath and said with disbelief, "I can't believe you're this kind of person. You've disappointed me immensely."

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With that, Tang Manman quickly turned and walked away, refusing to share another moment with someone so readily spinning lies. "Manman!" Yu Kai called after her in desperation, but she ignored him, speeding her pace and even hailing a cab—a luxury she seldom allowed herself.

A blue and white taxi pulled up, and she hopped in the back seat. Yu Kai caught up in time to tap urgently on the window, pleading for a chance to explain. "Drive!" Tang Manman commanded the driver, without sparing Yu Kai a glance.

The driver, confused by the scene, started the car upon Tang Manman’s insistence that she didn't know Yu Kai. As they pulled away, Yu Kai gave chase briefly before being left behind, his calls of "Manman" fading into the distance.

Inside the taxi, Tang Manman sat quietly. Just before Yu Kai was completely out of sight, she rolled down the window and yelled, "Don’t ever call me by my nickname again!" Then she withdrew into silence, leaving Yu Kai standing there, his initial spark of hope dimming rapidly.

The driver cast a cautious glance at Tang Manman through the rearview mirror, puzzled.

...

"Damn!" Lin Yu moaned internally. "I can’t believe Tang Manman isn’t frightened by that act anymore!"

Lin Yu regretted having to adjust his attitude toward her, deciding it's best to keep his distance in the future.

Pausing beside a car, he used its reflective window as a mirror. Smirking at his bandaged reflection, he mused, "As if I'd fight looking like this!"

In that moment, his smirk froze, replaced by unease. The reflection uncovering the comic-like scenario felt eerily familiar, yet different, distorted as if a piece of the puzzle was amiss.

As Lin Yu processed this bizarre feeling, the car window rolled down, revealing a woman donning large black sunglasses. Despite the glasses covering half her face, her beauty was undeniable.

Then, recognizing this woman must be the third female lead from the adult comic, who had been barely memorable to Lin Yu until now, he realized why she appeared. It must mean his involvement with the second female lead had concluded, moving the storyline forward.

Before Lin Yu could even display his disapproval, the third female lead, steering wheel in one hand, boldly flipped him off with the other and sped away.

Left standing there, Lin Yu's mouth twitched in confusion, unsure whether to cry or laugh at the blunt dismissal.