Working alone until midnight, I was just about to head home when a barrage of bullet comments suddenly floated across the sky. [Is this the lucky girl chosen by the male lead to be escorted home? She's so average. If I saw her on the street, I wouldn't even look twice.] [Yeah, totally. The male lead is handsome and rich. An average girl like her getting the chance to be pampered by him for free? Her ancestors must be blessing her from the grave.] [Stop being jealous upstairs. The male lead is just a knight protecting girls. He won't stop for any woman. He's the male lead for all women, destined to conquer them all.] I froze, stopping my hand from pushing the main door open. Calling harassment "knightly escort"? The audacity! Escort me? Does he even deserve to? I immediately dialed my three brothers. But just as the call connected, a man suddenly rushed toward me. 1 "Hi there! My name is Jayden Huang. I'm doing a challenge to walk 100 girls home safely at night. You're the 20th lucky girl I've picked! Congratulations!" His voice pitched up, like I'd just won the lottery. But I just stared at him warily, head down, fingers flying across my phone screen to send my location to my brothers. Seemingly dissatisfied with my reaction, he shoved a camera in my face. "So, miss, how do you feel about being chosen by me?" He deliberately leaned in close, creating an ambiguously intimate angle. Too close. I smelled the cloying cologne on him. After working until midnight, my brain was already foggy. That smell made me want to puke. Suppressing the nausea, I took a big step back. "I don't need you to walk me home. My family is already on their way. Please leave immediately!" I thought I made myself clear enough for him to back off politely. But he suddenly laughed out loud. And then, he reached out and affectionately bopped my nose. "It's midnight. If someone was picking you up, they'd be here by now." "Come on, I know you're just shy and lying because you're worried I'm a bad guy. Don't worry, I don't blame you. But I'm really not a bad guy. I just saw a girl alone this late and worried about your safety. I want to protect you and walk you home. Give me a chance?" "Relax, I'm just doing a challenge. I'll be your knight and give you the most wonderful night. Just trust..." Before I could answer, he suddenly grabbed my hand, tilting his head and acting cute. Feeling the heat from his hand on my arm, a wave of disgust hit me. I yanked my arm away violently. After shaking him off, I scrubbed my arm with a tissue, hard enough to almost break the skin. Jayden's hand froze in mid-air, disbelief written all over his face. The bullet comments exploded. [No way, no way. This basic girl actually rejected our handsome male lead? Does she own a mirror? Does she have the right to be picky?] [I don't think it's rejection. She's probably playing hard to get. Doing this just to make our male lead remember her. After all, the harder it is to get, the more he'll want it.] [I think so too. Aren't women all like this? No means yes~] Come to think of it, he is the male lead in a harem novel. The author's setting makes him practically irresistible to women. Jayden's face darkened for a second, but he quickly reverted to his gentle persona to apologize: "Sorry, I crossed a line and scared you. But I really just want to walk you home to complete my challenge. Beautiful, can you help me out?" He rubbed his hands together, wheedling: "Please, pretty sister? I promised my fans I'd do this task. Just help me out~" Goosebumps erupted all over my skin. Gross. "No. My brothers will be here soon. Leave now." "If you want to challenge walking someone home, find someone else. Not me." I stopped looking at him and opened Candy Crush on my phone to kill time. Just as the "UNBELIEVABLE" sound effect played, Jayden walked dejectedly toward the main gate, hugging his helmet. Watching him leave, I let out a long breath. Luckily, there were surveillance cameras here. He wasn't crazy enough to force me right here. I quickly exited the game and opened the chat with my brothers. Usually, when I worked late, they'd pick me up. Tonight, knowing I'd be working until midnight, I didn't want to disturb their sleep, so I planned to Uber home. But because of this stranger-escorting Jayden, I didn't dare take a car alone anymore. From here to the main road, there was a 500-meter blind spot with no cameras. If something happened there, even the police wouldn't find me. The only safe option was to wait under the surveillance cameras for my brothers. Just ten more minutes, and they'd be here. But just then, Jayden came back. 2 He was holding a bouquet of flowers, walking toward me with deep affection in his eyes. I was completely grossed out. I didn't expect him to be this persistent. "Didn't I tell you to leave? Why are you back!" I grabbed the pepper spray in my bag, watching him warily. If he made any move, I'd let him have it. But Jayden just held the flowers out to me. "Miss, this is a token of my sincerity. Please accept it. I disturbed you so late at night. Once you take this, I'll leave immediately." His eyes were full of sincerity, as if he really just wanted to apologize. Thinking of those street-snap influencers I'd met before who were also persistent but just doing their job... My heart softened slightly. Maybe I was thinking too badly of him. I hesitated for a moment, preparing to reach out. The bullet comments appeared again. [Bros, here it comes! Another highlight moment for the male lead. Every time he gives flowers, no girl refuses. Waiting for the female lead to slap her own face.] [Haha, she's gonna be sticking to the male lead like glue soon.] [All material girls. Can't look away once they see flowers. Women are so cheap.] My heart tightened. I held my breath and took several large steps back. Only when I was a meter away from him did I let go of my nose and exhale. As long as he gives flowers, no girl refuses? How could there be such an effective method? My sixth sense reminded me of news about "obedient water"—drugs that make you compliant just by smelling them. "I don't want your flowers! Get out!" Jayden's face changed, explaining aggrievedly: "What's wrong, sister? I'm just giving you flowers to apologize. Did you misunderstand something?" "Is it because you don't like roses? Are you allergic to pollen? If you don't want them, that's fine. Don't be angry. I'll leave the flowers here and go." The panic in his eyes wasn't fake. For a moment, I wondered if I was overthinking it. But suddenly, dizziness surged in my brain, and I almost lost my balance. Jayden, who had just turned to leave, exclaimed: "Miss, are you okay?" He tried to come forward to support me. I gritted my teeth and shouted: "Get lost! Take your flowers and get lost!" Instead of leaving, he moved closer. I panicked: "I told you not to come near me! Do you not understand human language?" "If you don't leave, do you want to wait for the police?" I glared at him fiercely, holding up my phone with "911" dialed. "Or do you want them to check what you sprinkled on these flowers? What dirty stuff are you hiding? Are you sure you can still be an influencer if this gets investigated?" At this, panic flashed in Jayden's eyes. He seemed surprised that I knew. Seeing his expression, I knew I guessed right. I just wanted to bluff him, but he exposed himself. This is the so-called male lead in the book? Disgusting. There were no girls willing to be with him; they were all tricked. He used girls' soft hearts to achieve his goals step by step. The dialing tone sounded, and Jayden's face changed. I pressed the phone to my ear, glaring at him viciously: "Hello, I want to report a crime. Someone is..." Seeing I was serious, Jayden grabbed the flowers and ran away in a panic. Once he was gone, I collapsed onto the bench. My brain was heavy, my whole body weak. That drug was too strong. I only took a whiff, but it still got me. I looked at my phone, which had just died, and smiled. Luckily, I bluffed Jayden before it shut down. Otherwise, it would have been dangerous. I slapped my cheeks hard three times to stay awake. Now, I could either go back to my office on the 25th floor to charge my phone or walk 500 meters to the security booth to use their phone. Thinking it over, I decided to go back to my office. I was afraid Jayden hadn't gone far and was waiting outside. The security booth was 500 meters away. Clenching my fists, I walked slowly toward the lobby elevator. Pressed 25. The elevator doors began to close. I leaned against the wall to rest. But the moment the doors were about to shut, a large hand blocked them. I snapped my eyes open. Jayden, holding the flowers, tilted his head and smiled sinisterly: "Sister, I thought about it. I still need to give you these flowers." "Look at you. Phone dead, can't reach your family. How can you go home alone? I still need to walk you. It's safer that way..." I was struck by lightning, daring not to move. I didn't expect him to stay and figure out my phone was dead. Immense panic engulfed me. In the enclosed space, the smell from the flowers grew stronger. The dizziness worsened. My whole body went limp. Jayden's voice sounded distant. "Sister, come with me. I know you're a good girl. You'll say yes, right?" He reached out his hand to me. My remaining consciousness screamed to refuse, but my hand raised uncontrollably. Tears streamed down my face. My mind was fuzzy. Just as I was about to touch his hand, I bit my tongue hard. The metallic taste of blood filled my mouth, giving me a moment of clarity. I grabbed the pepper spray from my bag and sprayed it right in his eyes. The spicy smell filled the air. Jayden let out a blood-curdling scream. He never expected me to fight back, so I succeeded. I grabbed my bag, smashed him away with all my strength, and ran. Just then, a security guard was patrolling. I ran towards him. "Help! Help! Someone's trying to kidnap me!" 3 The security guard was a middle-aged man in his 40s. We'd met before; he'd helped me with packages. Hearing my cry, he picked up his phone to call the police. "Misunderstanding! It's all a misunderstanding! Uncle, she's my girlfriend. We just had a fight. It's a lovers' quarrel. You need to understand the situation before calling the police, or it's filing a false report, and you'll be responsible." The guard thought he made sense and hung up. But he still tested him: "You say you're this girl's boyfriend. Tell me her name, what she does in the company, when is her birthday..." Jayden fell silent. I rejoiced. "Uncle, look, he can't say it. I have nothing to do with him, I..." "Her name is Jane Huang, birthday April 20, 1997. She's a video editor for a media company. She's off late tonight because her colleague called in sick tomorrow, and she..." He squinted, reciting everything about me word for word. Even the details of my work were accurate. I felt like I'd fallen into an ice cave. How did he know all this? After hearing these details, the suspicion in the guard's eyes faded significantly. He rubbed his sleepy eyes and grumbled: "I really don't understand you young couples nowadays. Dating in an office building late at night? Go home quickly, stop wandering around outside." Hearing this, Jayden nodded repeatedly: "Yes, you're right. Sorry to delay your work. If I hadn't run to buy flowers, we wouldn't have been delayed so long." He deliberately held up the roses. The guard, who still had a sliver of doubt, saw the flowers and patted Jayden's shoulder. "You kid are quite romantic. Just be more considerate of the girl in the future..." Listening to these words, a wave of despair rose in my heart. I wanted to run, but my body had no strength. What if I ran out into the blind spot and got caught? But now the guard didn't believe me and wouldn't call the police. My phone was dead too. Did I have to go with him? No, never! I took a pen from my bag and held it to my throat. "Uncle, you know me. Please, help me call the police. He really isn't my boyfr..." Before I finished, I fainted into Jayden's arms. He intimately arranged my hair. "Really, you're so old, yet so willful. Alright, alright, I'll order that bag you wanted later." I wanted to speak, but my mouth wouldn't obey. I couldn't make a sound. I could only see the bullet comments surging in the sky. [See, see? I told you this woman was playing hard to get. A gold digger...] [Acting. Still acting. Didn't she fall into our handsome, dashing male lead's arms in the end?] [Worthy of being a harem novel male lead. Just charming.] Jayden's tone became even gentler. One hand on my waist, the other waving goodbye to the guard: "Uncle, we're leaving now. Sorry to disturb your work." Watching the guard's back getting further away, despair welled up inside me. Tears fell like broken pearls. Jayden leaned into my ear, whispering so only we could hear: "It's useless, Ms. Huang. I promised my fan I'd deliver you to his house. He paid me 200k. I'm taking that money, and as for you, I'm definitely delivering you." I couldn't speak at all. He took me to his motorcycle. He picked up the helmet prepared for me. Just then, familiar shouting came from ahead. My three brothers got out of a car. I tried to wave, but the helmet was jammed on my head, and his jacket thrown over me. "Damn it. If it weren't for that accident causing a traffic jam, we wouldn't have been stuck so long. And Jane's phone isn't going through." Big Brother looked anxious. "Jane couldn't have gotten into trouble, right? She said she was being harassed, and now she's missing." Second Brother was also frowning. "Let's split up and look. Ask people around." "Okay, split up." Third Brother ran in my direction. But Jayden remained calm, provoking me as if for revenge: "Believe it or not, even if you were right in front of him, he wouldn't recognize you. Who would think I'd be this bold?" He clamped my waist, mocking: "But since you want to greet your brother so much, let's say hi before we go." After speaking, Third Brother's voice was right next to my ear. "Bro, have you seen a girl, about 165cm, big eyes, wearing a blue shirt, white skirt, oh right, and black-rimmed glasses?" Jayden shook his head with that "nice guy" look again. "Just got here myself, taking my girlfriend for a ride. Didn't see her." Hearing "girlfriend," Third Brother looked at me. The helmet was so heavy I couldn't turn my head. My mouth was numb; I couldn't speak. I wanted to reach out, but Jayden held my hand tight. Third Brother looked at my jacket and quickly looked away. "Alright, won't disturb you and your girlfriend then. Thanks." Jayden smiled friendly, adding: "No problem. Hope you find your sister soon. Hope she's safe." Hearing me mentioned, Third Brother's voice softened. "Thanks, bro." Seeing Third Brother leave, Jayden stopped pretending. He sighed: "Jane Huang, oh Jane Huang. If you just agreed to let me take you, nothing would have happened. You had to resist. Now, my fan is anxious. You're going to suffer." The engine roared. I was utterly hopeless. I didn't know who this fan was or why they were doing this to me. I closed my eyes, unable to accept my fate. If this was my future, I'd rather drag him down to hell with me. Just as I decided to headbutt him, a black Mercedes blocked the motorcycle. Big Brother got out. Second Brother held a bat. Third Brother gripped a brick. They were all glaring at Jayden. "Put my sister down right the f*ck now! Who said you could touch my sister?" Seeing the situation turn bad, Jayden pushed me off the bike and prepared to flee. But as soon as he turned, sirens wailed. The security guard was blocking the way with the police. I lay in Third Brother's arms and passed out. 4 I woke up in the hospital. My parents and three brothers surrounded me. Seeing them, I couldn't control my fear anymore and threw myself into their arms. Who would have thought I'd be targeted just for working overtime? Thinking of Jayden's hateful face, I couldn't stop shivering. "Brothers, where is that guy? Is he locked up?" Meeting my gaze, they all looked away. "Jane, according to the surveillance video, it only shows him pestering you, giving you flowers, you leaning in his arms, and leaving with him. He didn't cause you substantial harm. The police just lectured him; they can't charge him." "How can they not charge him!" I was furious: "Bro, he went against my will, insisting on taking me home. I refused, so he drugged the flowers, knocked me out, and took me away. I..." "Right, the flowers! Just test the flowers, it proves he drugged me." "Useless!" "He destroyed the flowers. We have no evidence." Big Brother clenched his fists, panting heavily, and punched the wall. "That animal gave you flowers on purpose to pretend to be a suitor. Even if caught later, he can just claim it's a relationship dispute." "Who would have thought he'd drug the flowers? Without evidence, and with him being an influencer with 500k followers, if he uses public opinion, he could turn it back on us..." "Yeah, we suspect this isn't his first time. Otherwise, how could he be so skilled?" Second Brother also frowned tightly. I looked around and saw my parents peeling oranges, Big Brother and Second Brother, but Third Brother was missing. "Where's Third Brother? Mom, Dad, Brothers, where did he go?" He spoiled me the most; how could he not be here? Dad's eyes turned red instantly: "It's that animal. He tried to take you, so your Third Brother punched him a few times! He demanded an injury assessment, claimed he didn't fight back, and demanded the police detain your brother for assault. He's locked up." "What! Third Brother just got first place in the civil service written exam. If he's detained, how can he be a civil servant? What do we do?" I wiped my tears. "Third Brother prepared for a year for this job. I saw how hard he worked. It's all my fault. I dragged him down." "Why blame yourself? Blame that animal. If only we could find leverage on him..." Big Brother's words struck me like lightning, clearing the chaos in my brain. I grabbed their hands and said: "Mom, Dad, Brothers, we might actually be able to find leverage."
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