The cool night air carried the distant hum of the city as the three of them strolled down the dimly lit street. The adrenaline from the earlier scuffle had worn off, leaving only the quiet thrill of what had just happened. The young woman, still clutching her purse, let out a breathy laugh, shaking her head in disbelief.
“I still can’t believe you guys did that,” she said, her voice carrying equal parts gratitude and amazement. “That guy could’ve stabbed you or something!”
“Oh, totally,” said Chi Ming, running a hand through his messy hair. “But, you know, I figured we have to do something, it’s dangerous though, 100%.”
Chung snorted, shoving his hands into his hoodie pockets. “Yeah, real smooth, hero. You barely did anything.”
Chi Ming shot him a glare before turning back to the woman with a practiced smirk. “Ignore him. I was clearly the brains and the brawn of the operation.”
She laughed, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “Well, whatever you were, I’m just really glad you guys were there.”
“Oh, it was fate,” Chi Ming said dramatically, stepping a little closer. “Meant to be. The universe put me in your path tonight so I could rescue you.”
Chung groaned. “Oh, here we go.”
Chi Ming ignored him. “And now that I’ve saved your life, don’t you think you owe me at least—”
“Don’t say it,” Chung warned.
“—your number?” Chi Ming finished with a hopeful grin.
She raised an eyebrow, biting back a smile. “Wow. Aren’t you a bit……young?”
“Hey, can’t waste time when you meet someone as gorgeous as you,” Chi Ming said, placing a hand over his heart. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Obviously Chi Ming is making full use of his newly earned language skill, but still, Chung was a bit surprised that he actually took it this far.
Chung rolled his eyes. “Dude, she just got mugged. Maybe save the Romeo act for later?”
Chi Ming waved him off. “No, no, this is the perfect time. She needs a distraction, a reason to smile—”
“Yeah, and I think the reason she’s smiling is because she’s laughing at you,” Chung said with a smirk.
The woman giggled, nodding. “I mean… he’s not wrong.”
Chi Ming clutched his chest in mock offense. “Wow. Betrayed like this, after everything I’ve done.”
She grinned. “But really, thank you. Both of you. I feel so much better now, my two heroes.”
They walked on, the city lights casting their long shadows across the pavement. The fear from earlier was gone, replaced by the warmth of laughter and the easy banter of strangers who, for one night, had become something more.
She asked. “But really, what was that dragon? Is it a super power or something?”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZRm0gCHSS
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Chi Ming and Chung exchanged a glance. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the only sound between them the rhythmic tapping of their footsteps against the pavement. The streetlights flickered overhead, casting long shadows that stretched and twisted like something out of a dream.
Chung was the first to break the silence, rubbing the back of his neck. “Uh… dragon? What dragon?”
She shot him an incredulous look. “The huge, glowing dragon that came out of nowhere when you guys tackled that guy! I swear I saw it—gold scales, huge wings, all that! You’re telling me that was my imagination?”
Chi Ming chuckled, but there was something a little forced about it. “Damn, that must’ve been some adrenaline rush. Maybe you were just really freaked out?”
The woman narrowed her eyes. “Oh, come on. ” She crossed her arms. “You’re seriously gonna act like that didn’t happen?”
Chi Ming sighed, casting Chung a knowing look. “Dude, I told you this is not a good idea.”
Chung groaned, throwing his hands up. “Yes, there was a dragon. No, it’s not a superpower. And no, we’re not some secret superheroes or whatever.”
The woman blinked. “Then… what was it?”
Chung hesitated. “It’s, uh… complicated.”
Chi Ming let out a short laugh. “That’s an understatement.”
The woman raised an eyebrow. “Try me.”
Chi Ming looked at her for a long moment, then shrugged. “Alright, but you better buy me coffee after this. Because this is gonna sound insane.”
She smirked. “After what I saw? Try me.”
And so, under the quiet glow of the city lights, the secret they had tried so hard (or not) to keep hidden began to unravel.
