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."
