Chapter Seventy-Two: Every Man Dreams of Being Cool

“What? An assassin appeared? Xiao Ai, are you alright?” On the other end of the line, Xue Xiwen asked anxiously.

He had just been about to tidy up and take a shower when Xue Tian’ai’s call came through. As soon as he answered, he heard her say she had dealt with a killer called Chain. Naturally, Xiwen’s parental love made him worry.

“I’m fine. That man came to kill Mengxue,” Xue Tian’ai replied coldly, her words devoid of emotion.

“What about Xiaoxue? Is she safe?”

“Mengxue is unharmed. Send someone over quickly to take care of the assassin’s body.”

“Alright! I’ll arrange it immediately. Do you know who sent him? Is it still that Mr. Y?” Xiwen’s brows knit tightly together, forming a deep crease.

“Yes, it’s him again,” Tian’ai said through gritted teeth. This Mr. Y had tried to kill Qin Mengxue twice within just a few days—truly detestable.

Why was Mr. Y so intent on killing Qin Mengxue? And who exactly was he? Tian’ai had no answers to any of these questions.

“I’m sorry, Xiao Ai. I’ve been investigating this so-called Mr. Y these past few days, but there’s been no progress,” Xiwen’s voice was full of apology.

“It’s alright. I’ve said everything I needed to. Don’t forget to send someone to clean up. I’m hanging up now,” Tian’ai said coolly and ended the call.

After hanging up, Tian’ai strode purposefully toward Qin Mengxue. In moments, she stood before her. Mengxue’s expression was dazed, and Tian’ai reached out to tap her on the head. “Honey, it’s alright now. The danger is gone.”

Mengxue was still lost in the memory of what had just happened. The shock had been immense. Although she’d been through many ordeals, nothing like this had ever occurred before.

If not for Tian’ai, she surely would have died at the hands of that man in black. Yet Tian’ai herself had been terrifying—her eerie agility, her arrogant demeanor, as if she were a fierce, bloodthirsty beast.

“Tian’ai, what happened to the man in black?” Despite Tian’ai’s frightening display, Mengxue felt no fear toward her.

“He’s dead, of course. He tried to hurt my wife—how could I let him go?” Tian’ai smiled, full of swagger.

“You didn’t really kill him… did you?” Mengxue’s heart sank at Tian’ai’s words. Murder was a grave crime in their homeland.

“Yes!” Tian’ai nodded firmly, but then, as if recalling something, her face fell. “Oh no, honey, I think I’ve become a murderer! What should I do? Maybe I should turn myself in at the police station…”

“No, you mustn’t!” Before Tian’ai could finish, Mengxue shouted.

“What should I do then? If the police…” Tian’ai suddenly paused, eyes wide, hands clamped over her mouth.

“What is it?” Mengxue grew anxious seeing her like this.

“I just remembered—I think I called the police earlier! Oh no, honey, I’ll have to surrender. When the police arrive and investigate, they’ll definitely find out. I’ll be sentenced and then…”

“Absolutely not!” Before Tian’ai could finish, Mengxue interrupted, grabbing her hand and pushing her into the passenger seat of the Phideon. She looked at her seriously. “We won’t wait for the police—we’ll leave now!”

Mengxue slammed the passenger door shut, hurried to the driver’s side, and stepped on the accelerator, starting the car.

Seeing Mengxue’s anxious face, Tian’ai felt a touch of warmth. This woman, despite her occasional childishness and unreasonable moments, still cared about her in times like these.

“Honey, are you worried about me?” Tian’ai sat quietly in the passenger seat, gazing at Mengxue’s flawless profile.

Mengxue was silent, but the turmoil in her eyes betrayed her tangled emotions.

“Honey, actually, I didn’t call the police earlier… I only phoned my dad and asked him to handle the scene. Don’t forget, I’m the eldest grandchild of the Xue family—nothing will happen to me. I won’t surrender, nor will I be imprisoned.”

Seeing Mengxue’s worried expression, Tian’ai couldn’t bear to keep up the charade. She decided to come clean.

Mengxue was stunned for a moment, then said nothing. She silently pulled the car over to the roadside and stepped hard on the brakes.

The car slowed to a stop. It was late, and they were in a remote area. For the moment, only the Phideon’s headlights and the dim streetlights cast their glow upon the empty street.

Mengxue sat clutching the steering wheel, her head bowed, uttering not a word.

Seeing her like this, Tian’ai felt a sense of dread. She had gone too far—Mengxue had been so tense, but she’d still joked… Ah… She’d likely soon be covered in bite marks again…

Sure enough, after a brief silence, Mengxue suddenly raised her head and lunged at Tian’ai.

Tian’ai closed her eyes, bracing for Mengxue’s wrath.

But instead of being bitten or pinched, she felt two soft masses pressing against her left arm.

Perplexed, Tian’ai opened her eyes—only to find Mengxue tightly clinging to her, her head buried in the crook of Tian’ai’s elbow.

Wait… What was going on? Wasn’t this supposed to be her “biting” time? Why was she hugging her instead?

“Honey…”

Before Tian’ai could finish, Mengxue, her head still buried in Tian’ai’s arm, spoke with a tremor in her voice, as if holding back tears, “Thank goodness you’re alright. You have no idea how frantic I was!”

Tian’ai was momentarily stunned, then smiled gently, running her hand through Mengxue’s silky, waterfall-like hair. “It’s okay—I’ll be fine. Sorry for worrying you.”

Mengxue remained nestled there, letting Tian’ai caress her hair. “Why did you do that?”

“Oh, sorry—I just wanted to help you relax, so I lied…”

“That’s not what I mean. I want to know why you protected me… That man in black had a gun. Weren’t you afraid?” Mengxue whispered, her voice quivering.

“I was scared, of course. How could I not be?” Tian’ai replied softly.

“Then why did you…” Mengxue finally lifted her gaze to Tian’ai. Though the lighting in the car was poor, her eyes were clearly reddened, with traces of tears at the corners. She had obviously cried.

“Because you’re my wife, and I’m your husband. Though we haven’t been together long, we have a marriage certificate. For a man, there’s always a dream to play the hero. When his woman is in danger, isn’t that the perfect moment? A man should stand behind his woman and shield her.”

Seeing the determination in Tian’ai’s eyes, hearing her gentle yet commanding words, Mengxue felt as if something inside her had been struck. The warmth hidden deep within her heart surged forth, flooding her turbulent emotions like a bursting dam. Her heart, already unsettled, now leapt wildly like a startled deer.

“Idiot. Big idiot. Giant idiot…” Mengxue’s face was instantly suffused with a charming blush, her gaze evasive, her head bowed in embarrassment.

Watching Mengxue act like a shy girl, Tian’ai’s lips curled quietly into an enchanting smile. She turned, spread her arms, and pulled Mengxue into her embrace.

Caught off guard, Mengxue’s delicate body trembled, but she did not resist, letting Tian’ai hold her.

It was the first time Mengxue had ever hugged someone her own age, the first time she greedily breathed in a man’s scent, the first time she felt the warmth of a man’s chest, different from a father’s love.

“Honey, did you offend someone? They’re ruthless—willing to spend a fortune just to take your life,” Tian’ai asked, holding Mengxue close.

“I don’t know…” Mengxue was bewildered. Who had she wronged? If not for Tian’ai, she would surely be a victim tonight.

“B-but, thank you, Tian’ai.”

“Hehe, no need to thank me. Didn’t I say you’re my wife? It’s only right for a husband to protect his wife. Besides, we haven’t even spent our wedding night yet—how could I not protect you?”

Mengxue’s lips twitched uncontrollably. This scoundrel—couldn’t he find a better time to be cheeky? The atmosphere was perfectly tender, yet he insisted on ruining it with lewd jokes!

“Tian’ai!” Mengxue suddenly raised her head, speaking through gritted teeth.

“Yes, honey? Are you moved and planning to spend the night with me…?”

Before Tian’ai could finish, Mengxue leaned toward his shoulder.

A blood-curdling scream echoed inside the car.

“Ah!!!!”