The Clichéd Hero Saving the Damsel

On such a night, with not a soul around, hearing a sound like that alone would send chills down anyone’s spine, especially for Ye Feng. Ever since he returned to this world, he had come to believe the saying, “Anything is possible.” In this world, anything could exist—even ghosts.

But on second thought, Ye Feng reasoned that it probably wasn’t a ghost; someone must have had an accident. Without further hesitation, he quickened his pace, jogging toward the source of the sound. There, in the thicket, he saw a dark figure pinning another to the ground. It was easy to tell that the one underneath was a young woman, struggling desperately. The cries for help were coming from her.

Assault! The words flashed through Ye Feng’s mind. There was no time to think. He glanced around, searching for a stick or a brick—anything to use as a weapon. He didn’t have much confidence in confronting a criminal empty-handed. But the surroundings were barren—just dirt and grass. No time left. Ye Feng slung off his backpack and dashed forward. The shadowy attacker was wholly absorbed in subduing the girl, trying to cover her mouth to stifle her screams. Only when Ye Feng was nearly upon him did the man notice, but as he tried to look up, Ye Feng’s foot crashed hard into his waist. Thankfully, Ye Feng had kept up with physical training over the years, so his kick carried some force. The assailant couldn’t withstand it; he rolled off the girl, clutching his side. The girl seized the chance to scramble behind Ye Feng.

Ye Feng couldn’t afford to give the man time to recover. He stepped forward and delivered a second kick. But this time, the attacker reacted with startling agility, raising his leg to shield himself. Ye Feng’s foot struck his shin, bone meeting bone. A jolt of pain shot through Ye Feng, his leg going numb. He bent over, clutching his shin. This gave the assailant the opening he needed—he seized Ye Feng by the collar with both hands and hurled him aside. Ye Feng landed head-first, his forehead smacking against something hard and sharp. He looked down to see a jagged stone. The man was incredibly strong. Was tonight the end for him? It would be such a waste—Ye Feng still had so much left undone, money still in the bank. These chaotic thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant.

After a few exchanges, Ye Feng realized he was no match for the attacker, especially now with his head and leg injured. Luckily, the man, perhaps out of a guilty conscience, scrambled to his feet, hoisted up his pants, and fled, still clutching his side and limping from Ye Feng’s kicks.

Ye Feng struggled to his feet and, pressing his aching forehead, walked over to the girl, who was still sitting on the ground. “Miss, are you—” The sight before him rendered him speechless, his mouth agape. A stunning young woman lay half-reclined on the grass, her dress torn and tattered, revealing a flawless, snow-white arm. In the hazy moonlight, her delicate features were etched with terror and relief—a beauty so pitiful it could move anyone to compassion. Though Ye Feng had lived two lifetimes, he was still inexperienced. Despite his academic research into certain foreign “arts,” confronted with such breathtaking beauty, he was momentarily stupefied. This was the most beautiful body he had ever seen. No wonder someone would risk everything for such a woman; wasn’t her very existence a temptation to crime?

“Ah!” The girl, noticing Ye Feng’s less-than-pure gaze, let out a sharp scream, yanking at her torn clothes in a futile attempt to cover herself, only to reveal more in her panic. The scream snapped Ye Feng back to his senses. He quickly turned away, swallowing nervously. “Sorry, are you… all right?”

Her face, no doubt flushed with embarrassment, she replied softly, “I’m fine.” With his back to her, Ye Feng bent down, found his backpack, and pulled out a brand-new jacket he’d bought that day, handing it to her. “Here, put this on first.” The awkwardness between them was palpable.

“Thank you.” She took the jacket. After a rustle of fabric, she said, “You can turn around now.”

Ye Feng turned to see a slender figure standing quietly in the moonlight. The loose jacket concealed a body of perfect curves, the skirt hem fluttering in the breeze. She clasped a delicate handbag before her, her hair cascading gracefully over her shoulders. Catching his astonished gaze, she lowered her head, bashful as a fairy fallen to earth.

Ye Feng composed himself and approached, asking, “Are you a student at Ocean University too?”

“Yes.” She bowed her head even lower. Her brief reply was as melodious as a songbird’s call, enchanting beyond words. Ye Feng couldn’t help but marvel at the wonders of creation—her figure, her voice, everything about her seemed crafted to perfection. The only pity was the lack of light; only faint starlight illuminated her, and her face remained indistinct. Yet from her silhouette alone, she must be a true beauty.

“Which dorm do you live in? Let me walk you back.” If you do a good deed, see it through to the end, he told himself. The campus had been unsafe lately; leaving her here was unthinkable. Besides, he couldn’t deny the thrill of playing the rescuer.

“Thank you, I live in Building 14.”

“Let’s go.” Ye Feng slung his backpack over his shoulder and started off, feeling the numbness in his leg and persistent pain in his forehead. He glanced at his hand, stained with blood from his wound.

“Ah!” A pained cry from behind made Ye Feng turn. “What’s wrong?” he asked.

“I lost a shoe while running, and I think I twisted my ankle,” she replied, squatting to press her right foot.

Ye Feng approached and saw that she wore a high-heeled shoe on her left foot, but only a sock on her right. “Let me carry you to the campus clinic; it should still be open at this hour.”

She nodded.

“Hold my backpack,” he said, handing it to her as he crouched down. She obediently climbed onto his back, arms encircling his neck, her gentle fragrance enveloping him. He couldn’t help but breathe it in deeply—it was intoxicating, whether perfume or her natural scent, he couldn’t tell.

He grasped her thighs, noting their smooth firmness, not a trace of excess flesh, and the softness pressing against his back was impossible to ignore. His thoughts wandered, but he kept his composure. Taking advantage of the situation was beneath him.

“Thank you so much for tonight. If it weren’t for you, I don’t dare imagine what would have happened.”

“No need to thank me. Any man in my position would have done the same.” He nearly said “assault” but caught himself; such a word might traumatize her further. He chose a gentler phrase. “Still, thank you. What’s your name?”

“Ye Feng. Freshman in Computer Science. And you?”

“Don’t you recognize me?” she asked, surprised.

“Are you famous?” he replied, equally surprised. She must be a beauty, but…

“No,” she answered with embarrassment. “I’m Ouyang Lanlan, sophomore in Financial Management. I’m your senior—you can call me Lanlan.”

“Ouyang Lanlan!” The name stunned Ye Feng.

He had imagined many scenarios of meeting Ouyang Lanlan, but never like this. And she seemed so different from the woman he would meet in the future—was it just a coincidence of names?

Ye Feng’s heart pounded. He was carrying the goddess of Ocean University on his back—no less than the future head of the Qingtian Group! When Ye Feng stopped in his tracks, Ouyang Lanlan asked, “What’s wrong? Am I too heavy? And I saw your leg was injured too.”

“Oh, it’s nothing.” Ye Feng quickly composed himself, asking as they walked, “Are you the legendary most beautiful campus belle, Ouyang Lanlan of Financial Management?”

“It’s not as exaggerated as people say,” she replied modestly.

“I’ve only just started at Ocean University, but I’ve already heard so much about you. You really are the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen.” That was no exaggeration—he’d seen her photos, both now and in the future, and she was unmatched, even by film stars or beauty queens.

Ouyang Lanlan smiled softly and fell silent. Ye Feng’s sincerity left her no room for further modesty.

Neither spoke, and the silence grew awkward. This was a rare chance to be so close to the campus belle; Ye Feng searched for another topic. “It’s dangerous for a girl as beautiful as you to be out here alone so late.”

“I was in a bad mood and wanted to walk alone, but I never expected…” She trailed off, embarrassed.

Realizing he shouldn’t dwell on the night’s events, Ye Feng changed the subject. “You get in a bad mood too? You have intelligence, beauty, and wealth—the three things most people long for. What could trouble you?”

“Everyone has their own troubles. If I could, I’d trade all my intelligence, beauty, and wealth away.” Her words were tinged with resignation and weariness.

Ye Feng understood. He himself had once lived in luxury as a child, then in poverty after his parents died, and now was back again. After university, what would his future hold?

“Am I too heavy? You’re sweating quite a bit,” Ouyang Lanlan’s question pulled Ye Feng from his thoughts.

“Not at all. You have a great figure—you’re not heavy. I just sweat a lot,” Ye Feng replied with forced nonchalance. But truthfully, after a long day, several hours on the road, and the fight earlier, he was exhausted. Still, carrying the famous Ouyang Lanlan, no matter how tiring, he couldn’t show weakness in front of a beauty. That was every man’s pride.

“Let me wipe your sweat for you. Does your leg still hurt?” She took a tissue from her handbag, gently dabbing at his forehead.

“It stopped hurting long ago; it was just numb before. I used to get bumps and bruises as a kid.” The pain was bearable, but the numbness made every step arduous. Still, he had to pretend to walk with ease—saving face at all costs.

As Ouyang Lanlan tenderly wiped his brow, Ye Feng’s heart swelled. The most beautiful campus belle in the university’s history, countless men’s dream, was now gently clinging to his back, tending his wounds. Such luck—he truly felt like the most fortunate man at Ocean University.

Suddenly, the tissue touched his forehead wound, and the sting of sweat on the cut made him wince.

“Oh, you’re bleeding! Put me down, I can walk.”

“It’s nothing. The clinic is right ahead.” Nothing would make Ye Feng set her down now; just a little longer, and he would cement his heroic image in her mind.

They finally left the open field and entered the campus. It was already past ten, and with the holiday just over, few students were around. The paths were dimly lit, the campus quiet and dark. The clinic wasn’t far from Ye Feng’s dorm—he’d been there before. Soon, they arrived. Seeing the lights inside, Ye Feng breathed a sigh of relief.

He gently set Ouyang Lanlan on a bench—if he carried her any longer, he feared his legs would give out—then called toward the inner room, “Is anyone here?”