"You... go inside!"
Bo Ya shouted suddenly. He felt deeply uneasy. It was as if everyone he loved would vanish the moment he let his guard down. He could sense it clearly-someone was watching them. Eyes burning with vengeance and deadly malice.
"Bo Ya... what's wrong?"
Zhang Zhiqi asked. He was completely unaware of the danger waiting for them. Clueless as ever.
"Just go inside. Don't ask so many questions. Bring the kids. If you have to, drag them in."
Bo Ya said, his voice firm but strained with worry. He got to his feet and hurried to get the children inside with the others.
Before he could take a step, Zhang Zhiqi had already reached out and held his hand.
"What's wrong with you? Please tell me. You're acting really strange today."
Zhang Zhiqi tried to reason with him. He couldn't bear to see the man who was always so loyal by his side looking so restless and unsure. He wanted to share the burden he was carrying.
"I told you - don't ask so many questions. Just listen to me. There's no time to explain!"
Bo Ya said, snatching his hand away from Zhang Zhiqi's grasp.
"Fine. Fine, I heard you. It's just..."
Zhang Zhiqi's words got stuck in his throat. He didn't know the right thing to say. He wanted Bo Ya to know he shouldn't keep all his worries to himself. He wanted to be the person Bo Ya could rely on. The one place Bo Ya could always come back to.
"Just what?"
Bo Ya asked.
"Don't keep me in the dark like this. Tell me if something's bothering you."
Bo Ya pursed his lips. For a fleeting moment, he forgot his place. Hearing those words made him feel - foolishly - that he meant everything to Zhang Zhiqi.
Wake up, Bo Ya. He's not yours. He's your brother-in-law. That will never change.
He turned away abruptly, heading toward Zhang Yiran, Lulu, Mu Zhe and Ah Fei. He had to get the children inside - quickly - before his worst fear became reality.
Seeing Bo Ya walk away without looking back, Zhang Zhiqi quickly stood up. He retrieved his sweater and hurried after him, keeping close at his heels.
Bo Ya's gaze locked onto a street sweeper who had appeared out of nowhere. A sweeper in the middle of snowfall? That made no sense. Something was terribly wrong.
Bo Ya's heart raced as he saw Mu Zhe stepping closer to the stranger. Why is he walking straight toward danger like that?
He hurried forward, staying careful not to draw the sweeper's attention. If his suspicion was right... the cost would be deadly.
"Mu Zhe... don't go near there. Please."
Bo Ya muttered under his breath, picking up his pace. He wanted to shout, but he feared the stranger would strike before he could reach them.
"Auntie..."
Mu Zhe called out.
There was not a hint of fear in his voice. Meanwhile, Bo Ya felt as though his heart might burst right out of his chest at any moment.
One step. Two steps. Mu Zhe was nearly within reach. Then - on the third step - his arm was yanked hard.
Reacting instantly, Mu Zhe jumped back and hurried to Lulu and Zhang Yiran's side.
Every eye locked onto the sweeper. A wave of panic rose. Who could have guessed that this trembling old figure would transform into something so deadly?
The frail old woman who had looked so pitiful just moments before now stood tall and sharp. Her broom had transformed into a gun, her finger resting firmly on the trigger - ready to fire at any instant.
In that heartbeat, the full weight of the danger crashed over them. Lulu pulled Mu Zhe close, wrapping his arms around him, shielding him with his very life.
"What happened?"
Mu Zhe asked, still confused.
"Shhh... everything will be okay. Don't be afraid."
Lulu soothed him, though his own heart was racing. It felt as though his whole world was about to fall apart. But he had to protect Mu Zhe - even if it cost him his life. No one was going to hurt the person he loved.
Zhang Yiran stood guard too, shielding Ah Fei, who trembled visibly. No words were spoken between them. A heavy silence hung in the air - only the rhythm of their racing hearts spoke instead.
Zhang Zhiqi stepped forward to stand beside Bo Ya, ready to protect them all. Deep in his heart, he renewed his vow: he would stand by Bo Ya. No matter how much Bo Ya pushed him away. He would keep Bo Ya and their children safe. That was the promise he'd made to Li Da.
"A Qi!"
The woman shouted sharply at Zhang Zhiqi.
"Do you really think you can escape me? In your dreams!"
She said, aiming the gun straight at Bo Ya.
"Li Yue, don't!"
Zhang Zhiqi cried out. His heart hammered wildly, cold sweat drenching him from head to toe. He had never known fear like this. It felt as though the sky itself was crashing down on him..
"Why?"
Li Yue demanded. She didn't so much as flinch. Her finger stayed firmly on the trigger, ready to squeeze it at any instant.
Bo Ya stood frozen in place. His gaze flickered between Li Yue, Zhang Zhiqi, and the children. His mind raced, searching for some way out - but every path led nowhere. The safety of everyone he loved hung in the balance.
"Why did you bother doing all this... when you could just choose me!?"
Li Yue screamed, her voice cracking with pent-up fury. Why, after she'd gone to such terrible lengths to get rid of Li Da, did Zhang Zhiqi still refuse her? And what stung even deeper - why was Bo Ya the one who got to stand by his side? She'd removed every obstacle, so why was she still the one left behind?
"Heh. Bo Ya..."
Li Yue curled her lips into a sly smile.
"Do you really think I don't know what you're up to?"
She said, pressing the muzzle of the gun closer to Bo Ya's head.
"You!"
She snapped, her grip tightening sharply on the gun.
"Li Yue! Don't!"
Zhang Zhiqi snapped - his voice ringing out like a command. For the first time, he sounded sure. Unwavering. Li Yue simply smiled. She knew he was helpless. The life of the person he loved most rested in the palm of her hand.
"You're even more disgusting than me!"
She screamed straight into Bo Ya's face. Her left hand closed around his throat.
Bo Ya stayed calm. His eyes flickered briefly toward Zhang Zhiqi and the children, then slowly shifted to the café. Bai Lu was still there. They weren't out of options yet.
"Don't worry. I have a little gift for them too. I won't let them get bored."
Li Yue whispered darkly.
"Li Yue... you are truly despicable!"
Bo Ya said, his voice tight with anger.
"Hahahaha..."
Li Yue laughed aloud, triumphant. This time, she was certain she would win. Once every obstacle was gone, Zhang Zhiqi would be hers - and hers alone.