He escorted her to the foot of the building.
The people following behind had already dispersed.
"Go on up. They’ve all left. I still have work to do, so I’ll head out first. I might be back late tonight—don’t wait up for me."
Hearing this, Xie Yuling was reminded of how her father used to tell her mother the same thing—that he had social engagements and would return late, not to wait for him.
Now, those words made Xie Yuling’s face flush red. Fortunately, the dim streetlights hid her expression from the person in front of her.
"W-who’s waiting for you? It’s just that your footsteps when you come back are too loud and wake me up, hmph!"
With that, Xie Yuling turned and hurried upstairs.
Lin Mo scratched his head, realizing his words might have sounded a little too intimate.
"Ah, that was a bit cringey."
He turned and left, unaware that a pair of bright eyes watched his retreating figure from a small third-floor window.
Meanwhile, Lin Mo could sense the tracking mark he’d placed on Chu Miaomiao moving in stops and starts.
Clearly, she had boarded a bus.
So Lin Mo casually hailed a taxi and directed the driver to the bus stop near Chu Miaomiao’s home.
Though the bus had left earlier, its frequent stops meant it wouldn’t arrive any faster than the taxi.
......
This wasn’t Chu Miaomiao’s first time riding a bus, but it might have been her first time taking one so late at night.
Her mother had always been protective, arranging every detail of her life, even when busy with work.
But now that she was older, she could handle walking home at night.
"Next stop, Baixing Park."
Time to get off.
Before bed last night, her mother had mapped out the route for her: board the bus near the school, get off at Baixing Park, and cross the street to reach their residential complex.
Simple enough.
Yet Chu Miaomiao’s heart still pounded nervously.
After stepping off the bus, she carefully crossed the street at the traffic light, then swiped her resident card at the gate to enter the complex.
"Building Nine, Building Nine, Building Nine..."
She muttered to herself, following the signs along the path.
The complex was lush with greenery, though some areas were dimly lit by faint yellow streetlights.
Still, plenty of people were out walking their dogs or taking evening strolls, which reassured her.
As she reached the elevator, footsteps echoed behind her.
Turning, she saw a tall, neatly dressed security guard.
Though the man’s face was rough, he was part of the complex’s safety measures, so Chu Miaomiao gave him a polite nod.
"Oh, you’re the resident on the fifteenth floor, right? Is Ms. Chu home today? We’ve got some mail for her—I can bring it up later."
Lin Tao’s eyes swept over the young girl in front of him.
She had to be at least an E-cup, didn’t she? So young and already so well-endowed—what would she be like when she grew up?
Chu Miaomiao stiffened under his gaze, turning slightly away. "Mom’s not home. You can bring it tomorrow."
Lin Tao reined in his stare and nodded.
"Sure, no problem. Or she can stop by the security office when she’s free."
Ding!
The elevator arrived.
Fifteenth floor.
Chu Miaomiao hurried out, digging through her backpack for her keys.
Just as the door swung open, a forceful shove from behind sent her stumbling forward.
She barely had time to react before she crashed onto the floor.
"Little brat, I’ve been craving a taste of you for ages."
Lin Tao’s voice slithered from behind.
Panic seized Chu Miaomiao—she opened her mouth to scream—
But then, the door across from hers suddenly swung open.
"How long did you say you’ve been craving her?"
Lin Tao spun around to see a young man standing in the doorway, watching him coldly.
Behind the man stood a woman in a sharp suit—probably a real estate or insurance agent.
Rage surged through Lin Tao.
He yanked a baton from his belt. "You’d better mind your own—"
Before he could finish, Lin Mo lunged forward, seizing his wrist and twisting hard.
Crack!
The sound of snapping bone.
"AAAAHHH!!"
Lin Tao howled in agony.
"You bastard!"
But Lin Mo wasn’t done. He drove his knee straight into Lin Tao’s ribs.
Lin Tao gasped, the wind knocked out of him.
Still not enough.
With one final move, Lin Mo stomped down on Lin Tao’s thigh.
Duan Kun Kick!
This strike was critical—imbued with spiritual energy.
Within three hours, Lin Tao’s "little brother" would quietly lose all function.
"Manager Chen, could you call the police?"
The stunned woman behind him fumbled for her phone.
Meanwhile, Lin Mo tossed Lin Tao aside and approached Chu Miaomiao.
"Are you okay?"
Still dazed, Chu Miaomiao flinched at his approach—then recognized him.
For some reason, she burst into tears and threw herself into his arms, clinging tightly.
"It’s alright now," Lin Mo murmured, gently patting her back.
His chest was practically smothered—E-cup strength was no joke.
Truly formidable.
The girl sobbed uncontrollably while Manager Chen stood guard, broom in hand, eyeing the crumpled Lin Tao warily.
Lin Mo scooped Chu Miaomiao up, settling her onto the couch before plucking a lollipop from the table.
He unwrapped it and popped it into her mouth.
"Stop crying. Have some sugar first. I’ll handle the rest."
Chu Miaomiao sniffled, wiping her tears and nodding obediently.
"Will you stay with me after?"
"Sure. Just sit tight for now."
He ruffled her hair before relieving Manager Chen.
"Mr. Lin, what on earth just happened?"
Manager Chen was still bewildered—one moment, a security guard was attacking a girl, the next, this young man had crippled him.
Lin Mo waved it off.
"No idea. But that girl’s my classmate. Though, Manager Chen, this place doesn’t seem very safe. If my uncle hears about this, he won’t be happy."
This was Lin Mo’s cover.
He’d arranged to rent the apartment across from Chu Miaomiao’s, timing it perfectly with a real estate agent’s visit.
Pure coincidence—or so it had to appear.
The police and security team arrived swiftly.
Lin Tao’s wrist and thigh were severely fractured, so he was rushed to the hospital.
Lin Mo, Chu Miaomiao, and Manager Chen were taken to the station for statements.
No surveillance footage, but eyewitnesses—especially Manager Chen—confirmed Lin Tao had attacked first, justifying Lin Mo’s self-defense.
Chu Miaomiao’s testimony was crucial.
Two female officers comforted her as they recorded her account.
By the time the statements were complete, Chu Miaomiao’s mother had arrived.