Left-Handed Cupid

“What were you just thinking about? You’ve been so distracted,” Ye Qing said, handing me a can of Coke.

“Oh, maybe the movie’s too boring, it’s making me sleepy,” I scratched my head, forcing a silly grin.

We were originally training combat techniques in the park, but then it suddenly started pouring rain, so we had to run to the entrance of a mall to take shelter. The rain showed no sign of stopping, so Ye Qing suggested we watch a movie. I don’t know if it was my imagination, but I felt like Ye Qing might have a thing for me. Lately, she’d been waiting for me at the entrance of the Time Shop every day, right on time. These past few days, she’d even put on light makeup, making her look even more radiant and beautiful after the rain.

“No way, don’t you think the assassin in the movie was really cool?”

“What’s so cool about an assassin?”

“I mean that spirit he had, not bowing down to anyone, and never betraying his dignity until the very end. That’s a real man.”

“Haha, if you met an assassin in real life, would you date him?”

Ye Qing bit her straw, staring at me with a look like I was an idiot. “Please, I’m a cop. If I met an assassin in real life, I’d definitely arrest him, okay?”

“What if he was stronger than you?”

“As long as I’m alive, I’ll keep trying to catch him. That’s how we protect innocent people from harm, and it’s our duty as police officers.” Ye Qing’s face showed that characteristic stubborn expression again.

I shouldn’t flatter myself. She probably just thinks I’m pitiful or silly, and is helping me out of kindness, I thought with a bitter smile.

“Well, well, speak of the devil. Little police flower, not in uniform today, huh? And what are you doing with this wimp?”

Chuan Shu, with seven or eight thugs, blocked our way. Chuan Shu’s eyes were bloodshot; he looked either completely drunk or high on drugs.

“What do you want? Do you want to go to the police station again?” Ye Qing stood in front of me.

“Damn it, so what if you’re a cop? I’m gonna get you today!” Chuan Shu roared. “Brothers, let’s go! Subdue this chick, and everyone gets a piece!”

The darkness of the night emboldened the thugs, and they lunged forward without restraint. Ye Qing punched the nearest one, Chuan Shu, knocking him down, and yelled at me, “You run first, don’t worry about me!”

I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. In a normal story, shouldn’t that be the guy’s line?

I lunged in front of her in an incredibly clumsy manner. One of the thugs kicked me. My left hand pressed down like lightning, and the thug’s kneecap dislocated. He collapsed to the ground, groaning in pain, leaving a comical footprint on my clothes. Another thug threw a punch. I took the punch with my face, and my nose immediately started bleeding. But from an angle Ye Qing couldn’t see, I struck his chest with my right elbow. I didn’t use much force, but a fracture was unavoidable. The thug clutched his chest, rolling on the ground.

This was harder than any fight I’d ever been in.

It was like an adult fighting a group of toddlers who had just learned to walk. I had to control every ounce of my strength to make the scene look intense and prevent Ye Qing from realizing my true skill level.

“Don’t… don’t come any closer…” I stood in front of Ye Qing, my face covered in blood, my voice trembling slightly.

“Damn it, you’re the one who shouldn’t come closer!” Chuan Shu was terrified, as if he’d seen a ghost. All the other thugs were on the ground, wailing like babies. He was the only one still standing.

“Then hurry up and go, or I’ll fight you to the death!” I yelled at him.

Chuan Shu shivered, abandoned his accomplices, and fled in a panic. A cool, smooth hand grabbed mine. Ye Qing had a playful smile on her face. “Don’t be scared, he’s already run far away.”

The smell of disinfectant stung my eyes, and I closed them. Ye Qing carefully cleaned my wounds.

“You said you’d never been in a fight before, so why were you so brave this time?” Ye Qing asked, smiling.

“I don’t know, I just didn’t want them to hurt you.”

“Do you… like me?”

Ye Qing’s face was slightly flushed, and the cotton swab in her hand trembled.

Such a direct question, how was I supposed to answer?

“Ow, that hurts! You just poked my eye!” I said, grimacing, trying to change the subject.

“Idiot!” Ye Qing angrily slapped my head. “Put the medicine on yourself. I’m going home.”

Crap, I think I messed up.

Ye Qing walked away quickly, huffing. I hurried to catch up.

“What if I do like you?!” I called out behind her.

“Then send me a bouquet of flowers every day. If you can keep it up for a hundred days, I’ll date you,”

Ye Qing turned around and said coolly.