An hour later, Sheng Tang and the boy were brought to a luxurious villa.
The living room of the villa was brightly lit, with the crystal chandelier casting a brilliant light.
The boy sat on the sofa, wrapped in a thin blanket handed to him by a servant, still trembling slightly as he held a cup of hot water.
"Thank you for saving my son," a middle-aged man said with a warm smile.
He was dressed in casual clothes, appearing relaxed.
He bore a seventy percent resemblance to the trembling boy, but with the added charm of age, he was strikingly handsome.
"You're welcome," Sheng Tang said while drinking water, also wrapped in a blanket.
"My son's vision is poor at night, and he's more afraid of the dark than others," the middle-aged man explained. "In any case, thank you very much today. It's very late, so I'll have someone take you home."
Sheng Tang stood up.
She put down the thin blanket; her school uniform was almost dry. She hesitated for a moment, looking troubled.
"If you have any concerns, please feel free to speak," the middle-aged man said considerately.
Sheng Tang looked up: "Well... could you help me call the police?"
The middle-aged man narrowed his eyes slightly, and his previously warm demeanor turned a bit stern.
The man in the suit standing nearby also glanced at Sheng Tang.
"...Ask the police to help find out where I belong and take me home," Sheng Tang continued.
Middle-aged man: "..."
Man in the suit: "..."
The boy, who had been drinking water and trembling, finally looked up.
"You want to leave?" His deep eyes were filled with fear, staring fixedly at Sheng Tang as if an endless dark could swallow her.
"Yes," Sheng Tang said, a bit intimidated by his gaze.
Then she reminded herself that she had nothing to fear from a mere child.
"You must stay!" the boy declared. "You can't go!"
Sheng Tang: "..."
This must be what it means to be unappreciated for your good deeds.
Was he trying to kidnap her or something?
The man in the suit's expression didn't change, but the boy's father looked deeply astonished.
His astonishment did not come with anger or embarrassment, but was genuine surprise, akin to hearing shocking news.
"You... you want her to stay?" the boy's father asked.
The boy nodded: "Yes."
The boy's father was even more taken aback and looked at the man in the suit beside him.
The man in the suit nodded at him, confirming he hadn't misheard.
Sheng Tang laughed: "Why should I stay?"
"You need to accompany me!" the boy said.
His voice was icy, and despite drinking the hot water, he couldn't warm up even a bit.
Sheng Tang thought of her chubby face in the mirror earlier: "Accompany you? To sleep?"
The boy hesitated slightly, then nodded.
His expression was cold, but his eyes were pure and innocent, looking at Sheng Tang without any ulterior motives.
Sheng Tang: "That's illegal. I'm still a minor!"
Middle-aged man: "...."
Man in the suit: "...."
This chubby classmate had quite the imagination!
The boy looked at her, seemingly not understanding her meaning.
After speaking, Sheng Tang herself felt quite vulgar and awkwardly touched her nose.
She found herself an excuse: "It's very late, I really need to go."
The boy suddenly stood up.
He tightly grabbed Sheng Tang's hand.
His father once again looked shockingly surprised.
Sheng Tang was speechless: Sir, your son is harassing me, why are you so surprised?
Your son is tall and strong, not a three-year-old child.
"No..." the ice in his eyes seemed to melt into a helpless plea. "You can't go, I'm scared!"
Sheng Tang: "..."
This girl, in the middle of the night, in someone else's house, being held tightly by a boy. She hadn't said she was scared, but the boy said he was scared...