Su Weiyi looks quite young, and even now with a backpack, she can still convincingly pose as a high school student without any sense of discord. Her hair tips are styled slightly, with a large inward curl, making her appear even more pure and adorable. She also donned airy bangs, just below her eyebrows, which made her dark eyes look even brighter and cleaner.

After all that fuss, by the time Su Weiyi and Xie Xiaoran parted ways, it was almost ten in the evening.

Su Weiyi had driven to Xie Xiaoran’s studio today, but when they went shopping, they only used Xie Xiaoran’s car. Initially, Xie Xiaoran meant to drive her back, but she received a call and needed to rush back for something. Besides, Su Weiyi’s apartment wasn’t far from here, so she decided not to trouble her for a ride.

Su Weiyi stood by the roadside waiting for a taxi, but as the year-end approached, taxis were scarce on the road. She waited for a while without seeing an empty one. Su Weiyi considered calling for a ride on her phone but realized that the apartment wasn’t far, it wasn’t particularly cold tonight, and her belongings weren’t heavy. So she decided to walk back and soak in the lively night atmosphere.

It was already quite late, but in a sleepless city like B City, the streets were still bustling with noise at ten o’clock.

Su Weiyi was in good spirits walking back. But as she left the lively street and turned onto the road outside the residential area, she suddenly felt something was off. She glanced back, and there were a few people behind her—a mix of men, women, old and young. Nothing seemed unusual, and it looked like they were just heading the same way.

Yet inexplicably, she felt as if someone was watching her. This feeling was unsettling, and Su Weiyi furrowed her brows, instinctively quickening her pace.

Many shops outside the residential area were still open. Su Weiyi pressed her lips together and quickened her pace. Her residential area had good security. As long as she reached the community, or even just the entrance, she would be safe.

With this sense of alertness in her mind, Su Weiyi quickly noticed that as she sped up her pace, someone’s footsteps behind her also quickened. She could even see shadows on the ground about to catch up to her.

Su Weiyi kept her hand in her pocket, her fingers fumbling over her phone. She didn’t dare to take out her phone hastily. If the people behind her really were after her, then pulling out her phone might prompt them to pounce on her. Although there were still people around, many nowadays chose to remain indifferent.

At the very least, she needed to ensure that she could call for help before her phone was snatched away.

She didn’t stop walking and quickly turned a corner. There were less than two hundred meters to the community entrance now, but it was an area with fewer people. Feeling the footsteps closing in behind her, Su Weiyi promptly broke into a run, simultaneously dropping her belongings to swiftly take out her phone and dial. Despite trying her hardest, her physical strength was lacking, and was soon overtaken after a few strides. Her hair was yanked forcefully, and Su Weiyi immediately screamed: "Help!"

The security office was not far ahead. She tried to shout to draw their attention, but the three people behind her had already surrounded her. One of them reached out to cover her mouth, and Su Weiyi’s eyes widened, terror spreading throughout her being.

"Hey there, little girl, why are you running? We just want to borrow some money to spend," one of them said.

Su Weiyi immediately tossed her wallet to them. During the year-end, thieves and robbers were rampant. She wasn’t foolish enough to confront them head-on.