After the divorce, the CEO's ex-wife deeply regretted her actions.

Chen Yun thanked the security guard and then led Xiao Ya into the residential area.

Xiaoya's emotions were still very unstable, and she walked with a slight stagger.

Chen Yun slowed his pace to match hers, gently comforting her as they walked.

"Where do you live?" Chen Yun asked.

Xiaoya pointed to a building in front of her, her voice still very soft: "It's right there."

Chen Yun brought Xiao Ya to her doorstep. Xiao Ya took out her key, but she couldn't insert it into the lock.

Her hands trembled violently, and the key wobbled in her hand, but she just couldn't get it into the keyhole.

"Don't be nervous," Chen Yun said softly. "Take your time."

With Chen Yun's help, Xiaoya finally opened the door.

The lights were on inside, and a middle-aged woman was sitting on the sofa watching television.

Seeing Xiaoya return, she quickly stood up and asked with a worried expression:

"Xiaoya, why are you so late? I thought something had happened to you!"

When Xiaoya saw her mother, she could no longer hold back and threw herself into her arms, bursting into tears.

The middle-aged woman was startled by her daughter's actions and quickly comforted her, "What's wrong? What happened?"

"Mom, I...I just..." Xiaoya told her mother what had happened in fits and starts.

After hearing this, the middle-aged woman's face also turned ugly.

"What happened? Xiaoya, tell me slowly," she asked anxiously.

Xiaoya choked back tears as she recounted what she had just experienced.

The middle-aged woman looked at Chen Yun gratefully and said, "Young man, thank you so much for bringing Xiaoya back! I really don't know what would have happened if it weren't for you."

Chen Yun smiled and said, "Auntie, you're welcome. It was nothing."

"Come in and sit for a while, have a cup of tea," the middle-aged woman warmly invited.

Chen Yun politely declined, saying, "No, Auntie, it's getting late, I should go back."

"How can that be?" the middle-aged woman insisted. "You've helped Xiaoya so much, we really need to express our gratitude!"

Chen Yun wanted to decline, but Xiao Ya grabbed his sleeve.

Chen Yun had no choice but to agree.

The interior is simply and warmly decorated, with a subtle fragrance permeating the air.

Xiaoya's mother, Aunt Zhang, is a kind and amiable middle-aged woman. She pulled Xiaoya to sit down on the sofa and asked her with concern what had happened.

Xiaoya recounted her experience in fits and starts, her body trembling slightly as she spoke of the harrowing moments.

Aunt Zhang gently patted Xiaoya's back while comforting her:

"It's alright, it's alright, it's all over now."

"Young man, thank you so much! I don't know what would have happened if it weren't for you. The world is so corrupt these days, there are so many bad people!" she said excitedly, holding Chen Yun's hand.

Chen Yun smiled shyly: "Auntie, you're too kind. This is what I should do."

During their conversation, Chen Yun learned that Xiaoya was an art teacher who worked at a nearby training institution.

Aunt Zhang is a retired teacher, which explains her scholarly air.

Xiaoya sat to the side, head down, occasionally stealing a glance at Chen Yun, a faint blush rising on her cheeks.

She is introverted and doesn't have many friends. What happened today has left her still shaken.

"Xiaoya has been timid since she was little and doesn't have many friends."

Aunt Zhang sighed, looking at her daughter with heartache in her eyes.

Chen Yun looked at Xiao Ya and felt a surge of inexplicable pity.

Xiaoya seemed to notice Chen Yun's gaze, and looked up, her eyes meeting his.

She hurriedly lowered her head, her cheeks turning even redder.

After chatting with Xiaoya and her daughter for a while, Chen Yun got up to say goodbye. "Auntie, it's getting late, I should go back."

"Are you leaving so soon?" Aunt Zhang urged. "Sit a little longer, I'll pour you another cup of tea."

"No, Auntie, thank you for your kindness." Chen Yun politely declined Aunt Zhang's offer.

Aunt Zhang insisted on seeing Chen Yun to the door.

Before leaving, Xiaoya mustered her courage, whispered "thank you" to Chen Yun, and blushed as she added him on WeChat.

Back in his rented room, Chen Yun could still vividly recall Xiaoya's terrified and helpless eyes, and the heavy gratitude in her mother's hands as she held his tightly.

He sighed. This world is truly bizarre and wonderful; there are all sorts of people in it.

He washed his face, ate a couple of mouthfuls of instant noodles haphazardly, and went to sleep.

The next morning, my phone beeped with a WeChat notification—a friend request.

The profile picture is of a girl with a ponytail and delicate features; it's Xiaoya.

Chen Yun accepted the friend request, and immediately a message popped up:

"Chen Yun, thank you so much for helping me yesterday! I really appreciate it! I can't even imagine what would have happened without you... I'd like to invite you to dinner to express my gratitude. When would you be free?"

Chen Yun looked at the message and hesitated for a moment.

To be honest, he doesn't like having too much contact with strangers, especially women.

But thinking of Xiaoya's delicate appearance, he couldn't bring himself to refuse. So he replied, "Don't mention it, it's nothing. No need for a meal, it was just a small favor."

"No, no," Xiaoya replied quickly.

"I absolutely have to treat you to a meal! Consider it a chance to thank you. If you really don't want to go to a restaurant, I can cook for myself; I... I'm actually a pretty good cook..."

Upon seeing the last sentence, Chen Yun couldn't help but laugh; this girl was quite interesting.

He thought for a moment and replied, "Then let's do it tonight. You decide on the place and just tell me the address."

At 7 p.m., Chen Yun arrived at the restaurant Xiao Ya had specified.

The restaurant has an elegant ambiance with soft lighting and soothing music playing in the air.

Xiaoya had arrived and was sitting by the window, wearing a light blue dress that made her look exceptionally quiet and elegant.

Upon seeing Chen Yun, she quickly stood up, a shy smile on her face: "You've come."

"Mm." Chen Yun nodded and sat down opposite her.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

"No, no, I just arrived too." Xiaoya quickly waved her hand, nervously fiddling with her hair.

The waiter came over and handed over the menu.

Chen Yun casually ordered a few dishes and then handed the menu to Xiao Ya.

Xiaoya ordered a vegetable salad and a pasta dish, then asked in a low voice:

"You...you don't drink?"

"I don't drink much," Chen Yun shook his head.

"Oh..." Xiaoya responded, lowering her head, and the atmosphere became a little awkward for a moment.

To break the silence, Chen Yun took the initiative and asked, "Where do you work?"

“I…I work as a teacher at an art training institution.”

Xiaoya's voice was very soft, as if she was afraid of disturbing others.

"An art teacher?" Chen Yun was somewhat surprised. "I really didn't realize it. You seem so quiet; I thought you were..."

"What did you think I was...?" Xiaoya looked up at him curiously.