The moment those words left Su Tian's lips, the air itself seemed to crystallize, freezing everything in place for several heart-stopping seconds.
Reality crashed over Su Tian like a wave. Her face stiffened as the weight of her mistake settled in, and she scrambled to recover: "Ah, so this is your boyfriend?"
Wei Yifan's eyes instinctively found Sang Yan.
His gaze had already descended upon her, unreadable and searching, studying her face from his superior height with an intensity that made her pulse quicken.
Unable to determine whether he'd caught every damning word, Wei Yifan could only press forward through the awkwardness: "Yes. My boyfriend, Sang Yan." She pivoted smoothly to introduce her colleague: "This is my colleague, Su Tian."
Sang Yan's response was economical, almost dismissive: "Mm."
The man seated across from Su Tian broke the tension with an easy smile: "Xiao Tian, is this your friend?"
Su Tian nodded quickly: "My colleague, Wei Yifan."
His expression radiated warmth as he extended the invitation: "Since we've run into each other, why don't we all have a meal together?"
Wei Yifan found no reason to object. She turned back to Sang Yan, her eyes silently asking for his verdict on the situation.
Something flickered in Sang Yan's expression as he held her gaze for several weighted seconds. Then his attention shifted to the man, and he nodded with apparent ease: "Alright, I'll ask the waiter to change to a larger table."
…
Once they'd settled into their new seats, Wei Yifan caught the apologetic look Su Tian was desperately trying to convey. She paused, finding the whole situation more amusing than anything, and simply shook her head in gentle reassurance.
Relief visibly washed over Su Tian's features.
The four of them exchanged introductions with the practiced politeness of strangers becoming acquaintances.
Su Tian's companion turned out to be her boyfriend, Lin Sun. Based on what Wei Yifan had previously heard, this was Su Tian's new relationship—barely a month old and still in that tentative, getting-to-know-you phase.
The two men fell into easy conversation, their words flowing naturally despite having just met.
During a lull in the discussion, Sang Yan reached for the water pitcher and poured a glass of warm water, placing it deliberately in front of Wei Yifan. As she raised it to her lips, her phone screen illuminated with an incoming notification. She freed one hand and glanced down at the message.
It was from Su Tian.
Su Tian: [Oh crap! I just remembered!]
Su Tian: [Isn't your boyfriend that top host from Fallen Street???]
"…"
Wei Yifan nearly choked on the water in her throat.
Sang Yan's attention immediately shifted to her reaction. His hand found her back, patting gently with practiced care, while his expression remained perfectly neutral: "Drink slowly."
Having delivered this simple instruction, he seamlessly returned his focus to Lin Sun, continuing their conversation without missing a beat.
His hand lingered on her back, maintaining that soothing rhythm.
Wei Yifan touched her tongue to the corner of her lips and nodded mutely. She looked up to find Su Tian's expression dancing with barely suppressed amusement, then quickly dropped her gaze back to her phone.
Su Tian: [I saw him several times when I was working overtime.]
Su Tian: [Hahahaha I'm dying, no wonder you called him the king of ducks.]
Su Tian: [Wuwuwu he's top-tier, I finally understand why you wanted to pursue him!!!!]
Su Tian: [How can he be so cool yet gentle, just saying "drink slowly" when you choked but still patting your back!!]
Wei Yifan honestly had no explanation for this phenomenon.
When had Su Tian transformed into such an ardent Sang Yan devotee?
But in that crystallizing moment, the truth became unavoidable: Sang Yan had indeed achieved a certain notoriety on Fallen Street.
And that fame had taken on a shape that was... monumentally difficult to articulate.
Wei Yifan took another deliberate sip of water, buying herself time.
Another message appeared: Su Tian: [By the way, does he know you call him that?]
Wei Yifan: [He doesn't know, but I'm not sure if he just overheard.]
Su Tian: [He heard qwq]
Before Wei Yifan could formulate a response, Sang Yan pivoted toward Su Tian with a smile that radiated polished courtesy: "Su Tian, I've heard Yifan mention you several times. She said you often take care of her at work, thank you for that."
Su Tian immediately abandoned her phone, hands waving frantically in embarrassed denial: "No, no, Yifan has a good and gentle personality, I'm the one being taken care of."
She quickly recovered, returning the sentiment: "I've also often heard Yifan mention you."
Sang Yan's eyebrow arched with apparent interest: "Oh? What did she say about me?"
"Just that you're good-looking, practically the duck—" Su Tian coughed strategically, swallowing the rest of that catastrophic word, "the most handsome man she's ever seen. And that you have a good personality and take great care of her."
"Is that so?" Sang Yan's gaze found Wei Yifan, and his smile deepened with barely restrained arrogance, allowing just a glimpse of his natural confidence to surface: "She often says such things about me."
Wei Yifan's mind went completely blank: "…"
–
After the meal concluded, the four of them lingered in conversation before finally parting ways.
Throughout the drive home, Wei Yifan remained on high alert, braced for impact. But Sang Yan made no reference whatsoever to the "king of ducks" comment. She certainly wasn't brave enough to voluntarily raise the topic herself. As time passed and his behavior remained perfectly normal, she gradually allowed herself to relax.
Until they crossed the threshold of their home.
Wei Yifan stepped into her slippers and ventured casually: "I feel like you get along easily with other guys, it was the same in high school. You just met Lin Sun today, but you could chat about so many topics with him."
Sang Yan's response was lazy, almost indifferent: "Mm."
"Lin Sun seems like a nice person, quite gentle," Wei Yifan settled onto the sofa and continued her observations, "I feel like Su Tian probably likes this mature and steady type."
"Oh," Sang Yan drawled, his tone suggesting he found something privately amusing, "That's quite novel."
Wei Yifan paused, confusion creeping in: "What?"
Sang Yan leaned forward to pour a glass of water, then pushed it deliberately into her hands. He tilted his head, fixing her with an unwavering stare: "Usually, people's mate selection criteria at least require the other party to be human."
"…"
She didn't need him to finish—the implication landed like a stone.
"My partner, on the other hand, is quite peculiar," Sang Yan continued with a smile that dripped with meaning, "Specifically choosing ducks."
"…" Every nerve in Wei Yifan's scalp seemed to fire at once. She could only pretend temporary deafness, offering the water glass back to him in desperate deflection: "Want some?"
Sang Yan's smile widened: "No."
Wei Yifan managed a weak "Oh," and found herself with no choice but to continue drinking the water herself, trapped by her own attempted escape.
"I wasn't aware," Sang Yan leaned back in his chair, clearly settling in to thoroughly address this matter in the privacy of their home, "that my qualifications were so exceptional, even reaching the level of 'king of ducks'."
"…"
"Then how come someone could say," Sang Yan's fingertip hooked onto her finger, then traced a deliberate path up her wrist, his tone carrying an unmistakable edge of challenge, "that I didn't meet the fee standards?"
Wei Yifan's restraint finally shattered: "Why didn't you mention it earlier?"
Sang Yan's eyebrows lifted with theatrical incredulity, his voice trailing with affected dismay: "Wasn't it too embarrassing to bring up?"
"…"
Wei Yifan detected absolutely zero genuine embarrassment emanating from him.
If anything, he seemed to have embraced this role with suspicious enthusiasm and remarkable speed.
"Well, when you go out shopping, even if you're satisfied with a product," Wei Yifan set down the water glass, marshaling every ounce of composure she possessed, "you'd still try to bargain, right…"
Their eyes locked in silent combat.
Sang Yan offered no commentary on her defense.
Reading his expression, Wei Yifan blinked and suddenly leaned in to press a kiss to his lips. The absurdity of the entire situation hit her, and she pulled back quickly, laughter bubbling up uncontrollably.
"…" Sang Yan studied her: "What's so funny?"
"I didn't know how to describe you at the time, and I was afraid Su Tian might have heard the term 'top host' and recognized you," Wei Yifan explained, her justification tumbling out, "So I just barely found a synonym."
Sang Yan pinched her fingertip in mock punishment.
"After I told Su Tian we were together," Wei Yifan continued, fresh laughter escaping, "she even said I was the queen of ducks."
Something in Sang Yan's expression shifted at this particular title, his brow furrowing slightly.
But Wei Yifan was already leaning in again, her next words muffled against his lips, indistinct but clearly amused.
"I'm basking in your glory."
"…"
–
The following days passed in steady progression.
Wei Yifan returned to the police station, this time with Sang Yan at her side. They encountered Che Yanqin once more. Having weathered too many rejections from Wei Yifan, the older woman didn't attempt conversation initially.
But noticing Sang Yan's presence beside Wei Yifan seemed to trigger some memory. Her gaze kept drifting toward him: "Young man, are you Shuangjiang's partner?"
Sang Yan didn't even acknowledge her existence with a glance, showing zero intention of engaging.
Che Yanqin's tone sharpened with sarcasm: "I see you're quite a catch. Why did you end up with my niece?"
Sang Yan's lips curved in what might have been a sneer, but he maintained his resolute silence.
Che Yanqin persisted with several more pointed remarks, but perhaps the complete lack of response began to grate on her. She pivoted to Wei Yifan with a cold laugh: "Shuangjiang, what kind of person have you found? Does he have any manners?"
Wei Yifan's response was measured and calm: "His manners are just fine. No need for you to worry about it."
Che Yanqin's eyes rolled dramatically: "Ignoring an elder's words, and you call that good manners?"
Wei Yifan met her gaze directly: "You'd be better off looking at yourself first. Even reforging wouldn't save you."
"…"
Once they'd cleared the police station doors, breathing in air that felt exponentially cleaner, Wei Yifan found herself wrestling with discomfort. This was Sang Yan's first exposure to her relatives. She looked at him, hesitation evident in her voice: "My family's relatives are all quite peculiar, right? You probably haven't seen people like this before…"
"So you know how to protect me." Sang Yan was experiencing this fierce, protective side of her for the first time. He ruffled her hair with affectionate roughness, genuine laughter in his voice: "Wei Shuangjiang, I didn't know you could curse people too."
Wei Yifan felt heat rise in her cheeks, embarrassment washing over her.
Sang Yan's next words were simple but weighted: "It's good."
She paused, caught off guard.
"There are many people with twisted personalities in this world. Don't let them bully you, and don't let them walk all over you," Sang Yan bent down to meet her eyes directly, his expression unusually serious, "When you encounter them, protect yourself as you protected me, understand?"
"…" Wei Yifan looked back at him, pressing her lips together before nodding: "Mm."
"No matter what happens," Sang Yan reached up with habitual ease to pinch her cheek, his typically cold voice carrying an uncharacteristic thread of genuine comfort, "whether you can handle it or not, remember to come to me."
Wei Yifan stared at him without blinking, absorbing every word.
Sang Yan fell silent, his gaze still fixed on her, clearly waiting for acknowledgment.
Around them, the police station entrance buzzed with activity—people coming and going, absorbed in their own dramas.
Wei Yifan's expression suddenly brightened, her eyes curving into crescents of pure warmth.
"I understand."
Hearing this answer, the corner of Sang Yan's lips curved upward, his dimple making the briefest appearance. He raised his hand, carefully tucking away the stray strands of hair framing her face, then delivered his final words with solemn gravity.
"Remember, I am your support."
…
As for the subsequent developments in Che Xingde's case, Wei Yifan deliberately avoided paying close attention. She already knew the reality: what Che Xingde had done wasn't legally considered severe enough to warrant a heavy sentence.
Through Fu Zhuang's updates, Wei Yifan learned that Che Xingde's side was working tirelessly to frame everything as a family dispute. The bag-snatching incident was being recharacterized as merely a physical tussle during an argument. Moreover, since her bag had contained nothing particularly valuable at the time, it couldn't legitimately be classified as robbery.
He hadn't fled when someone called the police, and he'd cooperated fully with all subsequent procedures. In the end, he was apparently detained for roughly half a month, then released after paying a fine.
Wei Yifan found she genuinely didn't care about the specifics.
Her goal had simply been to ensure Che Xingde understood that his actions carried consequences, regardless of their severity. She harbored no fear of this family whatsoever—her only concern had been how such complications might impact her relationship with Sang Yan.
If that relationship remained unaffected and secure, she had no intention of wasting another thought on these people or allowing them to disturb her emotional equilibrium.
In what felt like mere moments, summer's peak intensity faded with the turning of calendar pages. The scorching, almost unbearable temperatures dissipated as Nanwu City's climate shifted, welcoming autumn's gentler embrace.
After returning from Yihe, Sang Yan made several attempts to contact Qian Fei.
But perhaps because Qian Fei knew about Sang Yan's Yihe visit—and more specifically, that he'd delivered Duan Jiaxu a thorough beating—he consistently conjured new excuses. If it wasn't some urgent matter on one end, it was a crisis on another. The bottom line: he was absolutely determined to avoid meeting up.
Sang Yan couldn't fathom what exactly Qian Fei feared, and his patience for this drawn-out evasion had completely evaporated.
"If you don't come today, don't bother coming in the future."
After a considerable silence, Qian Fei finally responded: [My wife is free today.]
Qian Fei: [I'll bring her along.]
"…"
Seeing this transparent attempt at using his wife as a human shield, Sang Yan released a derisive laugh and extinguished his cigarette with deliberate pressure. He straightened up and lazily recorded a voice message: "If you want your wife to see you all bruised up, then bring her," before turning back toward the "overtime" area of the bar.
Weekends on Fallen Street possessed a particular intensity, and the bar atmosphere reached almost feverish levels of energy.
Sang Yan was making his way toward the bar to order a drink when a familiar figure suddenly caught his attention. The curve of his lips gradually flattened and disappeared as he altered his trajectory without breaking stride.
Music assaulted the senses from every direction, the cacophony reaching almost painful levels.
Che Xingde had planted himself by the bar, engaged in conversation with an unfamiliar woman beside him. His face was flushed crimson—clearly he'd consumed far too much alcohol—and his voice had risen to an almost aggressive volume: "That bitch wants to kill me again, dream on!"
The woman's expression radiated pure disgust, her body language screaming her desire to escape.
But Che Xingde's hand shot out to grab her, his rant continuing unabated: "I didn't do a damn thing, didn't get a cent, and still got scolded by my sister. Just wait, you slut, when I find you, I'll—"
The woman's anger finally erupted: "Are you crazy? Let go of me!"
In the next heartbeat, Sang Yan's hand closed around the back of Che Xingde's collar with iron certainty, his expression transforming into something glacial and dangerous. He didn't waste energy on words or even a warning glance—just began dragging Che Xingde bodily toward the exit. The veins in his hand stood out in sharp relief, though his overall demeanor suggested this required zero actual effort.
Che Xingde's shout was half-strangled: "Who the fuck are you!"
From somewhere behind them, He Mingbo's voice floated through the chaos, smooth and apologetic.
"This guy has caused trouble here several times. I'm sorry, ma'am, for the inconvenience…"
A security guard materialized, drawn by the commotion: "Brother Yan, shall I handle this?"
Sang Yan's glance was dismissive: "You mind your own business."
Perhaps because of the substantial amount of alcohol in his system, Che Xingde's limbs possessed all the strength of overcooked noodles. His attempts at struggle proved completely futile against Sang Yan's overwhelming physical advantage. With the collar effectively choking his throat, he could barely force out coherent sounds.
Sang Yan hauled him to the alley behind the bar and threw him against the wall with decisive force.
Che Xingde's back connected hard with the unforgiving surface, and he released several pained cries before managing to open his eyes properly.
Sang Yan crouched down, his features partially obscured by the alley's deep shadows: "Out already?"
Che Xingde's voice emerged thick and muddled: "You again…"
"I didn't come looking for you," Sang Yan reached out to fist his hand in Che Xingde's hair, then slammed his head down against the ground with brutal efficiency. His smile was terrifying in its cold amusement, all the carefully controlled violence he'd been restraining finally breaking free: "Yet you dare to come to my place?"
"…"
—"He's been… harassing me all along."
Every word Wei Yifan had spoken replayed in Sang Yan's mind with crystalline clarity. He drove Che Xingde's head against the ground again, his voice utterly devoid of emotion: "Tell me about it."
"…"
"Who do you want to cause trouble for?"
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