Chapter 16: Fu Tingzhou Saves the Damsel in Distress — She Hugs Him First

He Guangyao turned a deaf ear to her resistance. The more she screamed, the more excited he became, even kissing her neck—disgusting beyond words.

She kicked and struggled violently, then drove her knee into his groin — Bang!

“Ah!”

He froze.

But it didn’t end there. Suddenly, a large hand clamped around his neck from behind, forcefully twisting his body around. A powerful punch smashed into his cheekbone — Bang!

Blood and saliva sprayed across the floor.

Fu Tingzhou then kicked him in the chest, sending him flying several meters until he crashed into the opposite wall.

Thud!

He lay on the ground, one hand clutching his chest, the other holding his crotch, curled up and groaning, “Hiss… ah, it hurts, hurts so much…”

Fu Tingzhou turned to comfort Li Zhi.

Suddenly, a soft, petite figure crashed into his chest, hugging his waist tightly.

She nestled into his arms, her hair disheveled, a few strands brushing against his neck in the breeze. Her face was pale, and her whole body trembled.

Fu Tingzhou’s hand, mid-air, froze. His body went stiff as well, unsure how to respond. A faint scent of gardenia lingered at the tip of his nose — delicate and calming.

His mind was filled with one thought: She hugged me.

Did she… maybe… like him a little?

Could he take this opportunity to confess?

But as soon as the thought came, he scolded himself harshly.

What was he thinking?

The girl was clearly terrified and panicked — how could he take advantage of that?

His warm palm gently patted her back through the thin fabric, offering silent comfort.

Li Zhi listened to his steady heartbeat, each beat echoing in her own chest, making her feel a rare sense of peace and safety.

“Li Zhi, it’s alright now. I’m here. I’ll protect you — don’t be afraid,” the man said, his deep voice calm and reassuring, like an anchor in a storm.

Her voice trembled. “Will… will you protect me forever? Will you always stand by me and believe me no matter what?”

Fu Tingzhou was just about to say “yes.”

But she suddenly pulled away from his embrace.

Li Zhi was startled by her own words. The fiancé she grew up with had abandoned her for profit. The man she once liked had schemed to make her a slave in marriage.

She really never learned her lesson — still trusting men. That was just pathetic.

She quickly smoothed her messy hair. “Sorry, I was too scared just now and… overstepped. Thank you for saving me. But why did you suddenly come back?”

Fu Tingzhou sensed her pulling away and sighed inwardly.

With that scumbag as her past, winning her heart was going to be a long and difficult road.

He replied, “You forgot the snacks you bought. They were still in the bike basket. I saw them and came back to return them. Do you want to report him to the police?”

Li Zhi shook her head. “Forget it. With the engagement about to be called off, I don’t want more trouble. He’s already been taught a lesson — let him crawl away.”

She looked at He Guangyao, who was now standing with the help of the wall, and said coldly, “He Guangyao, only Li Moli can give you what you want. There’s no point in bothering me.”

He Guangyao’s eyes were bloodshot. He stared at her with an expression of hurt betrayal, like a man cheated on by a heartless lover, and demanded, “What’s your relationship with this man? Is he the reason you won’t get back together with me?”

“I already told you — I’ll never take you back. If you dare harass me again, I’ll have you thrown in jail. Get lost! If you don’t, I’ll smash your head open with a rock.” She picked up a stone.

In her previous life, he had married Li Moli. They fought constantly, a toxic couple who tormented each other, each cheating in their own way.

If they couldn’t live in peace even with money, they’d be even more miserable without it.

This lifetime, she would never let them inherit the Li family’s factory. Let them fight each other until the end of their days.

Fu Tingzhou picked up the backpack from the ground, brushed off the dust, and handed it to her. “Here, your bag.”

Li Zhi took it. “Commander Fu, you’ve helped me again. Thank you. If there’s ever anything I can do for you, don’t hesitate to ask.”

She owed him another favor. Though she didn’t have much now — just a bit of money — if he ever needed her and she could manage it, she’d do her best to help.

“It was just a small thing. We soldiers help others without expecting anything in return. Don’t worry about it. Do you want me to walk you home?”

That short stretch of road had almost gotten her into serious trouble. He wouldn’t feel at ease until she reached her doorstep.

“No need, my house is just over a hundred meters ahead — that two-story house over there. I’ll head back now. Goodbye.”

“Alright. Goodbye.”

Fu Tingzhou followed from a distance, only leaving once he saw her safely enter her home.