Chapter 45: Attack

Chapter 45: The Assault

Curtains obscured the RV's windows, allowing the bright morning sun to filter through, casting an orange glow.

After Lu Yuan and Lin Shenshi had departed, the innermost curtain was suddenly yanked open from within.

"Rrrip!"

A single bed was revealed in the deepest recess.

His long, phoenix-like eyes narrowed slightly, the teardrop mole beneath his left eye exuding an alluring charm. Qi Lian rose and moved to the nearby window, lifting a corner of the curtain to peer out through the narrow gap.

The young man, bundled in a puffer jacket, was jogging towards the filming location, utterly oblivious to the gaze from behind.

"Lin Shenshi, so you..."

Qi Lian's words trailed off abruptly, a playful smile curling his lips—the malicious amusement of a night wolf toying with its prey, hinting at ill-intentioned covetousness.

He unlocked his phone, opened the pinned chat in WeChat, his slender fingers rapidly typing. Just as he was about to hit send, an incoming call interrupted his action.

"Tsk."

Annoyed by the disturbance, Qi Lian answered impatiently, "This had better be urgent."

On the other end, Assistant Xiao He choked slightly, stammering, "Mr. Qi, you have a flight to S City at noon today for the charity gala. You specifically asked me to call and remind you at nine yesterday before you went to sleep..."

Qi Lian rubbed the bridge of his nose.

He had been shooting night scenes all night and, because it was so late, had simply slept in the RV. Woken by the earlier commotion, he had momentarily forgotten this detail.

"...I see."

Hanging up, he looked at the unsent message in the WeChat chatbox and silently deleted it.

Never mind.

The more one anticipates a delicious dessert, the sweeter it tastes.

He didn't mind waiting a couple more days.

*

The crew's work proceeded smoothly.

Lin Shenshi's performance was unexpectedly good. As scene after scene was completed, the collective concern about the "newcomer's instability" completely dissipated.

"We're wrapping up early today. Hot pot's on me!"

Tang Sen stood up from the monitor, pleased, and announced the plan, eliciting cheers from everyone.

In the depths of winter, gathering around a steaming hot pot to cook food was the perfect pastime.

As everyone happily packed up, the assistant director came over and patted Lin Shenshi's shoulder. "Xiao Lin, we have you to thank for this."

Lin Shenshi, who had just changed into casual clothes, smiled modestly. "You're too kind. Director Tang is just being generous."

The assistant director walked away laughing. Not far away, Lu Yuan was talking with Tang Sen. Though it was hard to hear clearly, it was likely Tang Sen was enthusiastically inviting Lu Yuan to join the meal.

Lin Shenshi quietly hoped he would refuse, but by the time everyone was ready to leave, Lu Yuan was among them.

Ah... He really didn't want to share a table with Lu Yuan...

Even the delicious hot pot would be spoiled by his gloomy, cold face.

Lin Shenshi sighed to himself. Just then, Yu Lanzhao returned from the changing room, his exquisite face instantly brightening the scene.

Lin Shenshi felt the whole world brighten.

Indeed, Ah Zhao was still the most beautiful.

When they set off from the set, there were too many people, so they had to split into groups and take taxis to the restaurant. Lin Shenshi deliberately lingered with Yu Lanzhao, falling behind until Lu Yuan had left with Tang Sen before they slowly emerged.

By then, the sky had already darkened. The area around the filming location was sparsely populated, with only a few crew members walking not far ahead.

Lin Shenshi and Yu Lanzhao walked side by side at the back. He took out his phone to call a taxi. Perhaps because those ahead had hailed all the nearby cabs, the one he booked was two kilometers away and would take eight minutes to arrive.

"It's fine, we can wait patiently," Yu Lanzhao said.

"Yeah," Lin Shenshi replied softly. Just as he lowered his head to put his phone back into his puffer jacket pocket, a dark figure suddenly darted out from between the nearby buildings.

The streetlights in this area had always been dim, but something glinted white, catching his eye. Lin Shenshi instinctively pushed Yu Lanzhao aside.

Caught off guard, Yu Lanzhao lost his balance and stumbled backward, falling.

Because of this, the sharp blade, gleaming coldly, just missed its mark. Instead of piercing the heart, it only slashed through the fabric of the puffer jacket, emitting a sharp tearing sound.

White down filling spilled from the torn fabric, swirling into the air.

Amidst the swirling white feathers, the assailant was dressed entirely in black—black clothes, black pants, a black cap, and a black mask, concealing all identifying features.

It was as if... he were a professional assassin.

Lin Shenshi's heart pounded.

Could this be a killer hired by Lu Yuan to eliminate his romantic rival? Hadn't he gone after Qi Lian first?

"Ah Zhao! Run!" Lin Shenshi instinctively shouted.

The attacker, having missed his first strike, raised the knife menacingly again, aiming for Yu Lanzhao on the ground. Lin Shenshi lunged forward, grabbing the assailant from behind and holding on tightly.

"Xiao Shi!" Yu Lanzhao cried out in alarm.

The blade swung dangerously in the air as the attacker struggled wildly, elbowing backward. Lin Shenshi grunted from the pain as the blow landed on his abdomen, but he stubbornly refused to let go.

"You're asking for death!" the assailant snarled, enraged.

He twisted his wrist, redirecting the blade backward. Under the moonlight, it reflected a chilling gleam as it thrust backward, viciously aiming for a fatal strike.

Lin Shenshi hastily retreated several steps, narrowly dodging the blow.

Just then, Yu Lanzhao had gotten up from the ground and rushed over, grabbing Lin Shenshi's hand and pulling him toward the road. The attacker steadied himself and pursued them closely.

A few crew members were still waiting by the roadside for their rides. Hearing the commotion, they turned to look.

"Someone's trying to kill us! Call the police!" Lin Shenshi yelled.

One person jumped in fright, another frantically dialed 110, and yet another immediately rushed towards them.

Thank goodness! Someone was coming to help!

Lin Shenshi's heart swelled with a surge of joy, but before the joy could spread through his chest, the dim streetlight fell upon the approaching figure, illuminating a tall, slender silhouette wearing gold-rimmed glasses.

—It was Lu Yuan!

Lin Shenshi's heart sank instantly.

This was insane!

He had thought Lu Yuan pinning him down and kissing him in the RV was already mad enough, but now not only had he hired a killer, he was even taking matters into his own hands!

How could he have ever believed Lu Yuan wouldn't lay a hand on Ah Zhao? With his ruthless disposition, why would he hesitate at all?! His inaction earlier was simply because he'd been too busy to deal with them. Now that the seminar was over, he couldn't wait to strike!

Trapped between a wolf in front and a tiger behind, Lin Shenshi had no choice but to pull Yu Lanzhao and dart to the side.

Because of this, the pursuer behind them managed to close in by taking a shortcut.

"Die!"

The assailant lunged forward with the blade.

Lin Shenshi's pupils contracted to pinpricks. Instinctively, he pulled Yu Lanzhao into his arms, placing himself like a human shield between the youth and the killer, clenching his eyes shut as he braced for the blade to pierce his flesh.

In that split second, he even wondered—if he died here, would he return to the real world?

But…

The expected pain never came. Instead, there was a dull, sickening sound of metal piercing flesh, and a searing fluid splattered against the back of his neck.

It burned like molten lava.

Lin Shenshi whirled around dazedly.

Under the dim orange glow of the streetlamp, a broad-shouldered, narrow-waisted man stood resolute, his muscular arm thrust out in front of them.

The silver tip of the knife had pierced through his forearm, and crimson blood dripped from the blade.

Drip-drip-drip, it quickly pooled into a dark, spreading stain.

Lin Shenshi's eyes widened.

Amber eyes reflected the figure before him—the cold face behind the gold-rimmed glasses now etched with determination. Even with his arm impaled, he held firm without the slightest tremor.

It's… Lu… Yuan…?

Lin Shenshi stared in disbelief at the scene before him.

Like a loyal knight from a fairy tale guarding the princess in the tower, even when the enemy breached his armor, he stood firm, disregarding his own safety to protect him.

The clash between perception and reality sent a ringing through Lin Shenshi's mind, leaving him frozen in place.

With his arm wounded, Lu Yuan frowned, cold sweat beading on his forehead, but his demeanor remained unshaken. Seizing the moment before the killer could react, he lashed out with a kick, sending the assailant flying backward into a streetlamp.

The orange light flickered as the man curled up like a shrimp. In the struggle, his hat and mask fell off, revealing the face hidden beneath.

"...Sheng Lin?"

By now, the two staff members who had called the police rushed over. Stunned by the killer's identity, they exclaimed in shock.

It was none other than the originally cast second male lead, Sheng Lin, who had recently been embroiled in a tax evasion scandal.

Exposed, Sheng Lin struggled to his feet, dirt staining his black clothes, making him look grimy and defeated.

His eyes were bloodshot with madness, glaring venomously at Yu Lanzhao, who was shielded behind Lin Shenshi. His voice was hoarse, like a broken gong:

"It's you! It must be you!"

Everyone stared in shock at his frenzy.

Sheng Lin charged forward like a madman. Fortunately, there was a police station near the set, and three officers arrived promptly, restraining him effortlessly.

"Let me go! Let me go! Do you know who I am? How dare you treat me like this?!"

As two officers dragged Sheng Lin away to the station, his frantic screams and curses continued to echo behind him.

The remaining officer sighed and shook his head. "Young people these days—so quick to extremes when provoked. Anyway, who's coming to the station to provide a statement?"

"I'll go."

A staff member who had witnessed the entire incident volunteered. He was older and had been the one to call the police after hearing Lin Shenshi's cry for help.

"Then I'll take Advisor Lu to the hospital to bandage his wound. Xiao Lin and Xiao Yu should also get checked for any injuries," said another, younger staff member.

Lin Shenshi nodded. Helping Yu Lanzhao to his feet, he shot a bewildered glance at the injured Lu Yuan. Rationally, he knew he should step forward to show concern, but instinctive fear held him back.

As he hesitated, the staff member offering to take them to the hospital had already moved to support Lu Yuan.

Lin Shenshi breathed a silent sigh of relief and, arm in arm with Yu Lanzhao, began walking toward the roadside.

But a sharp command suddenly cut through the air.

—"Wait."

Lu Yuan's arm was still bleeding, but his piercing gaze remained fixed on Yu Lanzhao.

"Officer, I believe you need to take another key person of interest with you."

The officer looked puzzled. "Huh? Key person of interest?"

"Yes," Lu Yuan said, his tone venomous, like a spitting cobra, his expression icy. "I'm afraid he may be the 'mastermind' behind this violent assault."

Lu Yuan's words grew more and more absurd. Lin Shenshi couldn't help but recall the ambiguous relationship Lu Yuan had with the police in the original novel. Even when the protagonist (shòu), swallowing his shame, presented concrete evidence of a recorded assault to the station, he was still persuaded to drop the case and go home.

Now, could Lu Yuan simply fabricate accusations and frame Yu Lanzhao with a few words?

Worry surged, quickly overwhelming the gratitude he hadn't yet had time to express.

Lin Shenshi stepped in front of Yu Lanzhao, his stance firm. "Teacher Lu, accusations require evidence. Otherwise, it's slander."

"Slander?"

Lu Yuan narrowed his eyes, a dangerous glint flashing in their dark depths, along with something more complex and indecipherable.

For a moment, Lin Shenshi thought he saw something almost spilling over—grievance and fragility.

But it vanished in an instant, like an illusion.

Finally, Lu Yuan's expression turned cold again, his tone sharp and interrogative. "Fine, then answer me this: Out of all the people here, why did Sheng Lin target no one but Yu Lanzhao? And what was it he kept shouting?"

In the urgency of the moment, no one had dwelled on it, but now, reminded by Lu Yuan, everyone recalled that Sheng Lin had indeed zeroed in on Yu Lanzhao from the start. Even when Lin Shenshi intervened, Sheng Lin only turned his knife on him when he couldn't be shaken off.

And Sheng Lin's cries of "It's you! It must be you!" sounded like a vehement accusation.

All signs pointed to this not being a random act of violence but something deeper, with underlying reasons unknown to the others.

For a moment, all eyes turned to Yu Lanzhao.

Lu Yuan coldly stared at the silent youth, his voice frosty. "Student Yu, I presume you'll have plenty of valuable testimony to provide at the police station."