CHAPTER 167: CHAPTER 167: DANGER

Yue Ning’s eyes flicked to the edge of the park, the sunlight creating sharp shadows among the trees.

At first, she thought it was a trick of the light, but then she noticed the subtle movements. There was a van parked just beyond the path, its engine idling quietly. Two figures shifted inside, their attention clearly fixed on her and Lu Ting.

A quiet chill ran down her spine. The system’s voice whispered instantly in her mind:

’Host, threat detected. Target: Lu Ting. Assailants preparing. Defensive measures advised.’

Yue Ning swallowed, forcing a calm smile at her mother. "Mom... maybe we should walk a bit faster," she said lightly, adjusting her grip on Lu Ting’s hand.

Lu Ting glanced at her curiously. "Are you sure? You seem a little tense."

"I’m fine," Yue Ning replied smoothly, letting her voice carry the casualness she didn’t feel. "Just... enjoying the day too much, maybe."

But Yue Ning’s pulse quickened with every step. The figures in the van had started moving toward the park’s main path.

One of them stepped out first, scanning the surroundings with precision. Yue Ning’s instincts flared instantly.

She subtly shifted herself between her mother and the approaching threat, planting herself as a shield. "Stay close to me, Mom," she murmured, her mind racing.

Lu Ting’s eyes widened, finally catching on that something was wrong. "Xiao Ning... what is happening?"

Before Yue Ning could answer, the first attacker lunged from behind a tree, aiming for Lu Ting. Yue Ning reacted immediately, pushing her mother behind a low stone wall and intercepting the strike herself.

A sharp pain shot across her arm as the attacker’s hand grazed her side, but she ignored it, planting her feet firmly and swinging a nearby umbrella to ward him off.

"Xiao Ning!" Lu Ting gasped, fear evident in her voice.

"I’ve got you, Mom! Just stay behind me!" Yue Ning shouted, her heartbeat thundering.

The second attacker followed, closing the distance quickly. Yue Ning’s mind calculated angles and distances in a split second, the martial arts skills activating.

She grabbed a discarded chair from a nearby bench, using it to block and push back, creating space for them to retreat.

She winced as a minor scrape along her leg stung, but she continued moving, never letting Lu Ting be in harm’s way.

The park around them erupted into chaos as nearby pedestrians screamed and scrambled out of the attackers’ path.

Yue Ning’s focus narrowed entirely on her mother’s safety, her body moving almost automatically while being guided by the system’s instructions:

’Optimize route. Environmental obstacles: benches, trees, lampposts. Use cover. Ensure to minimize exposure to target.’

Yue Ning darted between the scattered crowds, keeping Lu Ting shielded while managing to fend off the attackers’ swipes and shoves.

One of them reached her side, striking her shoulder. Pain flared sharply, but she gritted her teeth and pushed forward, planting herself in front of Lu Ting again as a van door opened and a third figure emerged.

"Yue Ning... you’re bleeding!" Lu Ting cried, panic threading her voice.

"I’m okay, Mom!" Yue Ning replied, forcing strength into her tone. She ignored the blood trickling from her arm, focusing only on guiding her mother to safety.

Finally, a busier street opened up ahead. Yue Ning spotted the natural cover of a crowded café terrace.

She grabbed Lu Ting’s hand and dashed toward it, weaving through pedestrians with the attackers struggling to follow in the chaos. A well-aimed shove sent one assailant sprawling against a lamppost.

Panting and aching, Yue Ning finally pressed her mother against a wall inside the terrace, her own body trembling from exertion and injury. She looked down at the cuts and bruises lining her arms and side, but the relief in Lu Ting’s eyes made it all worth it.

"You... you saved me," Lu Ting whispered, her voice shaking. "Xiao Ning... you could have been seriously hurt."

Yue Ning forced a weak smile, still holding her mother close. "I... I’m fine. Just some scratches. Nothing serious."

The attackers retreated back toward the van, frustrated, but Yue Ning didn’t lower her guard. She could feel it, it wasn’t over yet. They’d come back, and next time, it could be worse.

Her system chimed quietly:

’Mission update: Target protected. Injuries sustained: moderate. Threat analysis: ongoing. Probability of renewed attack: high.’

Yue Ning exhaled slowly, steadying her pulse. She looked at her mother, whose hands were still gripping hers tightly.

"Mom... no matter what happens, I’ll protect you," she whispered softly, voice trembling with both pain and determination.

Lu Ting’s eyes glistened with unshed tears, squeezing her daughter’s hand. "I know, Yue Ning. I know. But I don’t want you to get hurt."

Even in the warmth of the sunlight and the safety of the terrace, Yue Ning’s mind raced. The day had begun with laughter and light, but now the world outside held danger, lurking in shadows, waiting for a chance.

Yue Ning pressed a hand to her ribs, wincing, but her resolve only hardened. Whoever had sent those attackers, whoever wanted to harm her mother, they would learn one thing: Yue Ning would never allow anyone to touch her family.

And somewhere down the streets, hidden beyond the crowds and glances of unsuspecting pedestrians, the van waited. Its dark windows reflected the late afternoon sun, a silent promise that this battle had only just begun.

Yue Ning sank to the edge of the terrace, pressing her hand against the worst of the cuts on her arm, trying not to let the pain show.

Her breaths came in short, ragged bursts, each one a reminder of how close they had come to disaster.

Lu Ting crouched beside her, still clutching her hands, her eyes scanning the terrace nervously. "Xiao Ning... what just happened? Who were those people?"

Yue Ning shook her head, forcing a shaky smile. "I don’t know yet. But whoever they were, they wanted to hurt you. That much is clear."

Her gaze flicked to the street, where the van had disappeared, though she knew it could return soon.

The system’s voice echoed softly in her mind:

’Host, maintain vigilance. Threat remains active. Recommend continued protection and injury stabilization.’

She closed her eyes for a brief second, letting the adrenaline subside, but she didn’t relax completely.

Her muscles ached, her ribs throbbed, and her arm burned where it had been grazed. Yet her mind was sharp as she calculated escape routes, potential cover points, and ways to anticipate a renewed assault.

Lu Ting placed a gentle hand on her daughter’s shoulder. "Xiao Ning... please be careful. You’ve already done so much for me today."

Yue Ning’s fingers tightened around hers. "I will, Mom. But I won’t let anyone hurt you. Not today, not ever."