Time seemed to slow down, as if the world had stopped spinning for a moment.
The night wind blew softly, caressing the grass and carrying the scent of wet soil. Under the dark sky studded with stars, a young man with a body covered in wounds lay on the lap of a young girl. Jiu Fan, the young man's name, looked so fragile, in contrast to the strong impression he usually gave off.
Wu Lixue slowly stroked Jiu Fan's tangled hair, her eyes looking at the man's face with worry. Several hours had passed since Jiu Fan had fallen unconscious. Wu Lixue didn't know what to do but wait patiently.
Silently, she held back her tears from falling. She knew that Jiu Fan would definitely wake up. She believed in the young man's strength.
And finally, after waiting for so long, Jiu Fan's eyelids began to tremble. He slowly opened his eyes, staring vaguely at the sky before finally realizing that he was lying on something warm and soft.
"...Where am I?" he muttered hoarsely.
Wu Lixue immediately bent down, her face filled with happiness and relief.
"Jiu Fan! You're finally awake!" he exclaimed, almost wanting to cry.
Jiu Fan blinked a few times, looking at Wu Lixue who was in front of him.
"Of course I'm awake... Did you think I was dead?" he said, trying to smile weakly.
But unexpectedly, plop! — a slap landed on his cheek.
Jiu Fan was shocked. He held his now red cheek.
"That slap... really hurt..." he complained.
Wu Lixue snorted in annoyance, then looked away.
"You're so shameless! I've been waiting for you for hours! Of course I'm worried, you idiot!"
Jiu Fan just chuckled even though his cheek was still throbbing. There was something comforting in Wu Lixue's anger, something that made him feel... alive.
But then, Wu Lixue approached him with a gentle expression.
"Excuse me... come, let me heal him," she said, her voice dropping.
Jiu Fan raised an eyebrow, confused.
"Heal? How?"
Wu Lixue smiled sweetly — a smile that made Jiu Fan's heart beat faster.
"With a kiss," she replied lightly.
Jiu Fan's eyes widened.
"Ah, no! No-no! I don't want to be kissed!" he said hurriedly, covering his face.
Wu Lixue only chuckled at his reaction. But before the situation could get any more awkward, the sound of movement from another direction distracted them.
The two men who had been defeated by Jiu Fan slowly began to move. Their bodies writhed as if they were about to wake up from their stupor.
Wu Lixue panicked.
"Jiu Fan! They… they're awake! What should we do?!" she said, her voice shaking.
But Jiu Fan remained calm, as if not bothered at all. He turned to Wu Lixue casually and said,
"Calm down. Now… close your eyes."
Wu Lixue looked at Jiu Fan in confusion.
"What are you going to do?"
"Just close them," Jiu Fan replied with a mysterious smile.
Hesitantly, Wu Lixue finally closed her eyes. She gripped the hem of her short skirt, nervous, but completely trusting Jiu Fan.
Jiu Fan took a deep breath, slowly straightening his body. The dim light of the night highlighted his pale but determined face.
"It seems like my energy has recovered enough... after being unconscious for so long," he thought to himself.
The two men stood up half-way, looking at Jiu Fan with heavy eyes.
But before they could do anything, Jiu Fan raised a hand towards them.
A pure, dazzling silvery white light flowed from his palm, piercing the darkness of the night.
"Shine," he whispered.
The light exploded silently, shooting out quickly and enveloping the two men. In an instant, their bodies went limp and they fell unconscious again, deeper than before.
Jiu Fan took a deep breath, then turned to Wu Lixue.
"Now, open your eyes," he said softly.
Wu Lixue opened her eyes slowly, as if afraid to see what had happened.
And when she saw the two men lying unconscious again, she was stunned.
"What did... you do just now?" she asked in a low voice.
"A little trick," Jiu Fan said casually, grinning.
Wu Lixue let out a sigh of relief, her smile returning. She wanted to hug Jiu Fan, but held herself back. There were still important things they had to do.
"We should call the police immediately," Wu Lixue said.
Jiu Fan nodded in agreement. Wu Lixue quickly took out her phone and reported the incident. In no time, police sirens blared closer.
Officers arrived and arrested the two men. They were handcuffed and placed in a police car, still unconscious.
Jiu Fan and Wu Lixue stood side by side, watching the scene with relief.
"Finally..." Wu Lixue said with a smile.
"We're still alive," Jiu Fan replied with an equally reassuring smile.
But more than that — Jiu Fan knew that something had changed inside him. He felt stronger, more certain of his path.
That night, under the starry sky, Jiu Fan realized one important thing: His childhood dream of becoming a hero to guard the world's peace had begun to come true.
---
After everything was over, Jiu Fan and Wu Lixue sat on a park bench, enjoying the peace they hadn't felt in a long time.
Wu Lixue glanced at Jiu Fan and asked,
"Why do you always seem so confident? Even in such a dire situation."
Jiu Fan looked up at the sky, his eyes shining with hope.
"I don't know... Maybe it's because I've decided that I will never let evil overcome good," he replied.
Wu Lixue stared at him, amazed.
"So... you really want to be a hero?" he said, his voice soft.
Jiu Fan nodded slowly.
"Not just want to. I will be a hero," he replied firmly.
Wu Lixue smiled slightly.
"Then... I will support you."
Unknowingly, Jiu Fan felt something warm in his heart.
Maybe, he thought, on the journey to becoming a hero, he wouldn't have to walk alone.
And that night, under the stars, two hearts slowly began to resonate silently — carving out the beginning of a story far greater than either of them could have imagined.
To be continued...