Pikachu · Anshiyu

This fall really hurt. Xu Huan wailed, unable to even muster the strength to stand up.

The shelves wobbled precariously before collapsing the next second, crashing heavily onto Xu Huan’s body—followed by another agonized scream!

No one moved to help him, though. Who knew if this guy might suddenly lash out again?

Along with the falling shelves came a yellow, fuzzy mascot head—the Pikachu costume’s headpiece had flown off during the earlier judo throw.

When Ye Shuang caught sight of that familiar short hair and side profile, he froze for a second before blurting, "An Shiyu?"

The girl in the mascot suit turned around, casually peeling off the costume. "Seriously, old man, are you some kind of death magnet? Always stumbling into weird situations… Hmph, you okay?"

"I’m fine." Ye Shuang hadn’t expected An Shiyu to be here. After replying, his gaze briefly swept over her.

"Tch. The way you’re staring makes me feel like your tongue’s licking me all over." An Shiyu deadpanned, crossing her arms over her chest. "Kinda gross."

Ye Shuang’s eye twitched. "I was just checking if you were hurt."

He really hadn’t meant it like that—just worried she might’ve been nicked by the knife.

"In a real fight, the only one who can hurt me is my grandpa," An Shiyu scoffed.

"That strong?"

"Well, he’s the only one who’s ever sparred with me."

Ye Shuang: "…"

Wow.

Soon, police and ambulances arrived. The bloodied couple and a few lightly injured tourists were loaded into the ambulances, while Xu Huan was restrained by the officers.

Later, a sharp screwdriver was found on Xu Huan. If not for An Shiyu’s throw leaving him dazed and pinned under the shelves, he might’ve gotten up to attack again—dude was practically a walking armory.

But whatever skills he had left would have to wait until after prison.

After taking statements and securing the scene, the police let Ye Shuang and the others go.

There were no ambiguities in the incident—store cameras and bystanders had captured Xu Huan’s rampage. Still, reporters would probably come sniffing around later.

"By the way, why were you working part-time at the amusement park?" Ye Shuang asked the short-haired girl beside him, finally relaxing as they stood outside the shop.

An Shiyu replied, "Wasn’t working."

"Then why the mascot suit?" Ye Shuang blinked. If she wasn’t working, why wear it?

"Oh, I just wanted to see how long it’d take for them to realize I was a visitor who brought my own costume." An Shiyu drawled, as if this was her idea of fun.

Ye Shuang: "…"

"An Shiyu."

"What."

"That Pikachu at the ticket gate that smacked my butt—that was you, wasn’t it?" Ye Shuang’s expression flattened. He’d wondered why the mascot would do that, but if An Shiyu was inside, it all made sense.

An Shiyu averted her eyes. "No idea what you’re talking about."

"It was totally you!"

"Tch. Fine, hit me back if you’re mad." She turned around—her outfit was an unconventional long-sleeved crop top with exposed shoulders, paired with a miniskirt that barely peeked out beneath the hem.

Ye Shuang suspected one slap would land squarely on bare skin.

"Wow, scared? Pathetic, old man~" When he didn’t move, An Shiyu’s eyes curved with amusement.

Ye Shuang: "…"

Whatever. He’d gotten his revenge last time. No point arguing with this fish.

"Thank you…" Bai Yuyou spoke up then. When Ye Shuang had shielded her from the knife earlier, she’d felt her whole body go cold—terrified at the thought of losing him.

An Shiyu stuffed her hands in her pockets, indifferent. "No big deal. But you are kinda weak. Maybe learn to protect yourself instead of relying on others every time."

Self-defense…

Bai Yuyou’s gaze drifted to Ye Shuang. "Ye Shuang, how?"

"Don’t bother. It’s not practical for girls." Ye Shuang ruffled her hair.

The physical gap between genders was too vast. No matter how much a girl trained, overpowering a man in close combat was nearly impossible. Once adrenaline kicked in, brute force rendered any technique useless—unless she became a muscle-bound fighter or, like An Shiyu, some kind of ninja prodigy.

"I… don’t want Ye Shuang to get hurt." Bai Yuyou’s antenna-like hair drooped as she absorbed this.

Seeing her disappointment, Ye Shuang hummed thoughtfully. "Hmm…"

"Who said you need martial arts?" An Shiyu interjected. "Just carry something useful."

"Like what?" Ye Shuang asked.

"Kunai? Tailed beasts?"

"Are you in a Naruto episode?!"

Still, An Shiyu’s comment gave Ye Shuang an idea. Bai Yuyou could use some self-defense tools—pepper spray, for instance. He’d order some online and teach her how to use them.

Better than nothing.

With her looks, precautions were necessary. Plus, Bai Yuyou was too kind-hearted to misuse them.

He recalled a certain "devil pepper spray" that could temporarily blind someone with a single spray.

"Pepper spray sounds good. I’ll check online," Ye Shuang said.

"Won’t find it," An Shiyu countered.

"Why not?"

She gave him a look. "Online platforms ban anything labeled for harming others. Search all you want—no ‘pepper spray’ listings."

"Not even for self-defense? How’d you know?" Ye Shuang found this hard to believe.

"Because I’ve tried."

Ye Shuang: "…"

Pot, meet kettle.

"Fine, I’ll make my own." The mechanics were simple—a spray bottle filled with chili extract.

"Actually… I’ve got some." An Shiyu fished out a lipstick-sized metal tube from her pocket. Unscrewing the cap revealed a nozzle. "One-use dose. Enough to escape."

"You really do have everything… What’s inside?" Ye Shuang asked.

"Water and concentrated capsaicin." An Shiyu smirked. "Wanna test it, old man?"

"Test it and rest in peace."