Chapter 463: If Someone’s Falling In, It Might As Well Be Me

On a wooden board nearby, several large characters were written:

“We are picky eaters, please do not feed at will. For feeding, please contact a staff member.”

The small sign stood clearly next to the koi pond. It was hard to miss.

Min Xiaoya only needed a second to see it, and her face turned red as an apple, burning with embarrassment.

This was only her second time visiting this tea house.

The first time, she hadn’t even noticed there was a fish pond.

This time, since she had arrived early and her grandfather’s guest hadn’t shown up yet, she decided to stroll around instead of sitting idly inside. The interior felt too stuffy anyway. So she wandered out and ended up here by the pond.

That’s when she spotted a man crouching at the water’s edge, feeding the fish.

What she knew for certain was that in most public venues, feeding the fish without permission was strictly prohibited.

For one, guests often fed unsuitable food, which the fish couldn’t properly digest. Not only did it contaminate the water, it also harmed the koi’s health.

For another, with so many guests coming and going, if everyone started feeding them, the fish could easily die from overfeeding. Especially koi which were delicate creatures to begin with.

This was basic public knowledge. Like how pigeons shouldn’t be fed at parks, or how you shouldn’t feed wild animals in a zoo.

That’s why she had blurted out that scolding the moment she saw Wang Yun.

“I…”

Now, Min Xiaoya found herself at a complete loss for words.

“Miss Min, you’re here.”

Just as Wang Yun’s gaze was making her want to melt into the floor, a voice cut through the tension behind her.

It was the tea house manager, Qian.

“Manager Qian,” she greeted with a nod, grateful for the timely interruption. She took a deep breath, hoping to reset the moment.

“Are you here to feed the fish too? I’ve got some food right here, I’ll have someone bring it over,” Manager Qian said warmly, misunderstanding the situation entirely. “Our koi are very sociable. A lot of our customers come here just for them!”

He then gestured to Wang Yun. “This gentleman, too—just look how lively the fish are around him. They love people who feed them.”

He chuckled, trying to keep the mood light.

Manager Qian had rushed over the moment he saw Min Xiaoya—after all, she was the granddaughter of that important figure. And the tea house couldn’t afford to offend someone of that status.

So he tried his best to flatter her.

What he didn’t realize was that he was only making things worse.

Min Xiaoya waved her hand awkwardly, the flush on her cheeks deepening. Just when she was starting to recover, his well-meaning words sent her spiraling again.

“No need. My grandfather’s still waiting. I should head back.”

She turned to leave, flustered, but in her haste, the heel of her leather boot landed awkwardly on a smooth pebble beside the pond.

Her foot slipped.

“Ah!”

She cried out, her body pitching to the side.

“Miss Min!”

“Hsss…”

Min Xiaoya’s slender frame tilted straight toward the edge of the pond, directly over the water.

Manager Qian shouted instinctively, trying to lunge and grab her, but he was too far.

The closest person to her was Wang Yun.

The moment she stepped on that stone, Wang Yun already foresaw what was about to happen.

That hiss he made wasn’t from surprise; it was from resignation. Because from where he stood, it would only take one step forward and a reach to catch her. But saving her would come at a cost. Unless he used his full body as leverage to toss her to safety, they’d both end up in the pond.

Let her fall, and she’d be humiliated.

But save her, and he’d be the one soaking wet in public.

She looked young, eighteen or nineteen at most. Falling into a koi pond in front of a crowd would be mortifying.

Wang Yun’s brain spun at lightning speed for half a second, calculating the consequences.

And then, without hesitation, he extended his hand.

Because a moment ago, Manager Qian had called her Miss Min.

At this time, in this place, with that surname—one rare enough to stand out—he could guess exactly which Min family she belonged to.

Splash!

“Ah!”

Two sounds rang out at the same time: a clean splash and a pained yelp from hitting the ground.

“Sir!!”

Manager Qian rushed forward.

The nearby staff, jolted by the noise, trembled in panic and scrambled to the scene. When they saw what had happened, their faces paled with alarm.

“Quick, someone help him!”

Manager Qian sprinted to the edge of the pond, already halfway out of his coat and ready to dive in.

Whoosh!

Wang Yun’s head broke the surface of the water.

His chiseled features emerged shortly after, dripping wet, but still striking.

If he hadn’t just fallen in, one might think it was a photoshoot for underwater modeling.

“Whew… You guys might want to raise that railing a bit,” Wang Yun said as he pushed his soaked hair back, deadpan.

It was early autumn, and the water had a bite to it. Still, to him, it was no colder than a lukewarm bath. The koi beneath him scattered in alarm, sending ripples across the surface. They’d need a while to calm down again.

“Sir, are you alright?”

“Sir, grab this stick!”

“Someone get him a towel. Now!”