Chapter 19 It is impolite not to reciprocate.

No one noticed that cold glint.

When the commotion started, Huo Zhenhua stepped forward and stood beside the old man.

The soldier who went to the window to order food also ran over.

But no one expected that the assailant would not target the old man, but Huo Zhenhua's back.

"careful!"

She blurted it out, pushed through the crowd, and stumbled forward, completely ignoring the burning pain of the soup splashing on the back of her hand.

The thugs, however, launched a feint attack.

While dodging the fatal blow, Huo Zhenhua exposed the old man.

A hidden arrow pierced the air, heading straight for the old man's brow.

Su Meng screamed in horror.

The next second, the old man was carefully protected by Huo Zhenhua and his companion, and safely dodged the hidden arrow.

That was close!

Seeing that his plan had been exposed, the murderer, who was hiding in the crowd, turned and fled.

"Grab him!"

Some people shouted to surround the murderer, while others fled from the riot.

Taking advantage of the chaos, Su Meng flicked out a silver needle, which unexpectedly struck the murderer who was trying to escape.

The murderer paused for a moment, then raised his hand to touch the spot that was stinging.

In that very moment of pause, he was blocked.

"You came out to commit violence and destruction, and you think you can escape? I'll beat you to death, you little punk!"

An elderly woman wearing an apron and holding a soup spoon rushed over and started punching the murderer.

"I'll beat you to death, you idiot! You dare to kill someone in broad daylight. If we don't drag you out today, who knows how many more people you'll harm tomorrow."

An old man next to him picked up his pipe and angrily hit him on the head.

The crowd was filled with righteous indignation.

"Kill him! Kill that rotten bastard!"

"Anyone who dares to harm our soldiers is going against the people and must be severely punished."

Before Huo Zhenhua and his accomplice, both dressed in military uniforms, could act, the murderer was apprehended by concerned citizens.

Huo Zhenhua stepped forward, snapped to attention, and gave a military salute. "Thank you, everyone!"

Another soldier saluted, bent down, and lifted the murderer who was crouching on the ground with his head in his hands.

The old lady waved her spatula and said generously, "Don't be shy!"

"You are the people's own soldiers, so we ordinary citizens should protect you and not let these bastards get hurt."

Hearing her say that, everyone's enthusiasm soared even higher, and they all chimed in with their own words, each one trying to defend her.

Some even led the singing: "...The army and the people are united as one, who in the world can defeat us..."

Hearing the passionate and straightforward lyrics, Su Meng was deeply moved.

She looked at the ashen-faced murderer with suspicion.

It was lunchtime, and the state-run restaurants were packed with people. He would be discovered as soon as he made a move, so why did he take the risk?

Who exactly is that old man, a prominent figure in his field?

Is it worth risking your life for someone else's?

Su Meng looked at the old man curiously, but unexpectedly met Huo Zhenhua's sharp and warning gaze.

She frowned and stared at him for a few seconds, puzzled by his defensiveness, but also frightened by his sharpness, and quickly turned her head away.

He's terrifying!

His eyes were sharp, his gaze piercing.

She feared that if she looked for even one more second, she would be subjected to a slow and agonizing death.

She was just taking a curious glance; was it really necessary to be so wary?

As Su Meng was secretly thinking to herself, she saw four or five soldiers rush in through the door and take the murderer away.

The crowd left the restaurant in an orderly fashion.

Su Meng pulled Nie Pingting along and carefully followed the crowd out.

What she didn't realize was that an acquaintance was following closely behind her.

It's that girl with the straight bangs.

The girl stared resentfully at the back of Su Meng's head, raising her hand several times as if to ambush Su Meng, but for some reason she quietly withdrew it, only to raise it again later.

Su Meng knew nothing about it.

Huo Zhenhua, who was not far away, noticed it.

Thinking of how she had kindly warned him about the danger even after being burned, he unconsciously quickened his pace to go over to her.

She sighed inwardly, wondering why she was surrounded by bad people.

However, the crowd was too large.

He had just reached the door when he saw the little girl with bangs push Su Meng down the steps.

"ah!"

Su Meng screamed and fell forward.

Just as she was about to fall face-first and get bruised and battered, Su Meng managed to roll over with one hand on the ground and slam her back hard against the steps.

She grinned and met the triumphant look of the girl with bangs.

"You pushed me? Stop right there!"

Su Meng struggled to sit up and pointed at the girl who was trying to slip out of the crowd and escape.

Seeing that Su Meng was alright, Nie Pingting grabbed the person who was trying to run away, saying, "You think you can just run away after hurting someone? There's no justice in this world."

She looked at the soldiers who hadn't left yet, "Comrade, I want to report this! This female comrade has ulterior motives and is attempting to commit violence."

"I didn't," Hu Wangqing, the girl with bangs, protested, feeling wronged. "Comrade, you can't walk without looking where you're going, fall down, and then randomly blame others. That's immoral."

Hearing her say this, the people around her chimed in, criticizing Su Meng, "Young comrade, perhaps you tripped because you were walking too fast. You can't wrongly accuse an innocent person without any evidence."

Someone tried to smooth things over, saying, "There were so many people just now, I almost got pushed off the steps."

"Never mind, it's nothing, let's not ruin our relationship."

"Yes, yes! Harmony brings wealth, why create trouble?"

There is indeed no evidence to prove that Su Meng was pushed by Hu Wangqing.

But she wasn't the type to swallow her anger.

She stood up, stared at Hu Wangqing, and said, "Everyone is right, I fell down, I accept my bad luck."

I'm sorry, sir, I may have misunderstood you.

"Look at your skinny arms and legs, you look like a walking praying mantis. How could you possibly have the strength to push me, right?"

Hu Wangqing's upturned lips instantly drooped down.

She was unwilling to be compared to a praying mantis, but she also didn't want to admit that she had deliberately pushed Su Meng.

She opened her mouth, her face flushed with frustration, and turned to leave.

Su Meng scoffed lightly. How boring. If you can't make up your mind, why do you have the guts to do evil?

It is impolite not to reciprocate!

Her hand, hanging at her side, moved slightly, concealed by her sleeve.

A silver needle shot out silently.

Immediately afterwards, Hu Wangqing, who was striding away, suddenly lost control and fell onto the steps.

Ah~

Her palm hit the ground first, followed by a crisp cracking sound and an even sharper scream: "Ah! It hurts so much!"

Nie Pingting gloated, "Karma!"

Just as Su Meng was about to speak, her hand was grabbed from inside her sleeve.

She looked up in astonishment, meeting those sharp, eagle-like eyes, and the words she was about to say died in her throat.

Pshaw! You dog of a man, so what if you have scary eyes!

"Are you alright?" Su Meng was surprised to hear Huo Zhenhua's words close to her ear and quickly withdrew her hand.

What does he mean by that?

Su Meng frowned and glanced at him, then turned around, supporting her aching back. "Let's go!"

He first gave her a warning look for no reason, and now he's coming up to greet her. Is he having a split personality?

However, given their different backgrounds, they are unlikely to meet again in the future.

She doesn't need to waste her energy on someone insignificant.

"Sister Su, shall we go to the hospital first?"

"No need, just buy some ointment."

"Who exactly is that girl? I saw them talking to you before dinner, how come they're trying to harm you in the blink of an eye?"

Su Meng shook her head, "It's funny, I don't know them either."

She frowned and thought hard, confirming that she had absolutely no connection with that person.

"Perhaps it's because I'm too beautiful that people are jealous of me;"

"Or maybe I'm homeless now, and they want to step on me to feel important." Su Meng joked casually.

Nie Pingting laughed, "Sister Su, you're so optimistic!"

I believe you will have a better future!

Such an optimistic and easy-going person, life will definitely treat her well.

She made up her mind: when she got back, she would say a few good words about Su Meng to her grandmother and uncle.

Marry her as soon as possible.

Su Meng: "...Thank you!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he caught a glimpse of the people on the street and they all had an "I see" expression on their faces.

"Sister Su, look why she's here!"