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Zhuang Zi’ang’s slap stunned Zhuang Yuhang completely.
Had this guy eaten some explosives, or was he really that familiar, the usual punching bag?
Even Su Yudie didn’t expect that the usually gentle Zhuang Zi’ang would suddenly strike out.
The surrounding diners were unaware of the background of the situation.
From their perspective, it looked like Zhuang Zi’ang was bullying a child, and they couldn’t help but point and whisper.
“What’s wrong with him? He’s so rough with a kid.”
“Call the police and have them teach him a lesson.”
“Let me record this and post it online. Publicly hitting someone, how outrageous.”
…
In the past, Zhuang Zi’ang would have cared about other people’s opinions and likely would have taken the time to explain the situation patiently.
But his mindset had completely changed now.
You strangers can say whatever you want; who cares?
My time and energy are limited; they should be reserved for those I love and those who love me.
The owner of the rice noodle shop rushed over, staring in surprise at Zhuang Zi’ang. “Zhuang Zi’ang, why did you hit your brother?”
He knew Zhuang Zi’ang and was somewhat aware of his family situation.
So he didn’t just blindly criticize.
“I’m sorry, Uncle. I’m causing you trouble. We’ll leave right away.”
Zhuang Zi’ang asked Su Yudie to wait for him and then followed the owner to settle the bill.
Zhuang Yuhang awkwardly climbed up from the floor, glaring at Zhuang Zi’ang with intense hatred.
But at just ten years old and physically outmatched, he could only suppress his anger for now, planning to go home and complain to his parents.
Zhuang Zi’ang took quite a while to return, grabbing Su Yudie’s wrist as he said, “Let’s go!”
Su Yudie didn’t say much and obediently followed him out.
As they reached the door, Zhuang Yuhang, thinking Zhuang Zi’ang wouldn’t come back to hit him again, shouted defiantly, “Zhuang Zi’ang, you’re in trouble! My parents won’t let you off easy.”
Zhuang Zi’ang coldly laughed, “They won’t discipline you? Then I’ll help them out. Don’t let me see you again; otherwise, I’ll hit you every time.”
After delivering his threat, he swaggered out.
This feeling was much better than being a punching bag.
Su Yudie’s clay pot rice noodles were still unfinished, and she looked a bit wistful.
Seeing her deliciously tempted expression, Zhuang Zi’ang bought her two grilled sausages and an ice cream to satisfy her cravings.
“Hey, big fool, why did you have to hit him? It was pretty scary.”
“Because he not only insulted me but also spoke disrespectfully to you. I won’t allow anyone to say anything about you,” Zhuang Zi’ang replied earnestly.
Only then did Su Yudie remember that Zhuang Yuhang had indeed said she wasn’t a decent girl, which must have triggered Zhuang Zi’ang’s sudden outburst.
A sweet feeling welled up in her heart.
That little brat really deserved a beating.
They didn’t mention the unpleasant incident again.
They returned the same way and went back to the library to continue reading.
About half an hour later, Zhuang Zi’ang’s phone vibrated. It was a call from Zhuang Wen Zhao.
It seemed that Zhuang Yuhang had gone home to complain.
Zhuang Zi’ang decisively rejected the call and set his phone to Do Not Disturb mode.
To cheer him up, Su Yudie found some children’s books.
They huddled together, reading the same book and sharing their joy.
When they encountered a funny joke, they couldn’t laugh too loudly, so they exchanged shy smiles.
Zhuang Zi’ang saw his own reflection in Little Yudie’s clear eyes.
I see the green mountains so charming, I expect the green mountains see me the same. (A poetic expression suggesting mutual admiration)
After a while, Su Yudie stealthily pulled out a bag of fruit-flavored hard candies.
She unwrapped a strawberry-flavored one and offered it to Zhuang Zi’ang.
“Why did you bring candy into the library again?”
“Shh, keep your voice down. Eating candy helps you forget your worries.”
The candy melted on his tongue, and sweetness also spread through his heart.
A faint, sweet girl’s fragrance filled the air.
Candy is addictive, and Zhuang Zi’ang knew he was doomed.
But does a person with only three months left to live have the right to love someone?
The sun began to set, and the curtains fell low.
The whole afternoon, they read seven or eight books of jokes and comics.
It was like eating junk food—no nutrition, but a lot of fun.
Time always flies by when you are with someone you love.
At 5:30, Zhuang Zi’ang returned the books and left the library with Su Yudie, walking back toward the school.
“Big fool, do you remember what we read today?” Su Yudie bounced along, stepping on the square tiles on the sidewalk.
“I don’t remember; I’ve forgotten everything,” Zhuang Zi’ang replied with a smile.
“Me too, hahaha…”
A string of joyful laughter echoed on the street.
In the setting sun, Zhuang Zi’ang watched Xiao Yudie dance, feeling the gentleness of time.
Who sent you to my side?
At 6:10, the No. 19 bus arrived as scheduled.
Xiao Yudie stood on the bus, waving goodbye to Zhuang Zi’ang through the glass window with lingering affection.
Zhuang Zi’ang waved back gently.
As the bus disappeared from sight, he remained on the platform, dazed and feeling empty inside.
His day had been abruptly divided into two halves by this 6:10 moment.
Having Little Yudie around and not having her were two completely different states of mind.
After grabbing a quick dinner at a street-side shop, Zhuang Zi’ang returned to his rental apartment.
In the glass fish tank, two goldfish swam tirelessly.
As he fed them, he dreamily talked to them.
“Little fish, do you think Xiao Yudie likes me?”
“If she does, bubble up for me.”
“If she doesn’t, then get up and solve a quadratic equation.”
He took out his phone and found that Zhuang Wen Zhao had called five times and sent three voice messages, each lasting 60 seconds.
Zhuang Zi’ang couldn’t be bothered to listen to his nonsense and called him back directly.
“Yes, I hit him because he deserved it for being such a brat.”
“Instead of blaming me, why don’t you reflect on whether you’re a qualified father?”
“If I hurt him, you can take him to get treated. I don’t care; I don’t have money to spare, and I won’t give my life for him.”
…
While Zhuang Zi’ang spoke with Zhuang Wen Zhao, he could hear Qin Shulan chiming in, cursing and berating from the side.
He scoffed inwardly; after enduring their nonsense for over a decade, they still treated him like a punching bag?
After venting, he hung up the phone again.
Refreshing!
On the other side, Zhuang Wen Zhao heard the busy tone and felt like his lungs were about to explode with rage.
“Unfilial son, beast! How did I end up with such a child?”
His anger blinded him, and he didn’t even think about why Zhuang Zi’ang’s demeanor had changed so drastically.
He wouldn’t reflect on whether he, as a father, had taken responsibility for educating his son.
Qin Shulan sobbed, “Look at what he did to Yuhang! The swelling hasn’t even gone down yet. My precious baby!”
Zhuang Yuhang slammed his hand on the table. “Dad, you need to go to their school tomorrow, drag him back, make him kneel and apologize to me, and then whip him until his skin breaks!”
“What’s the point of getting first place every year if he can’t even keep his hands off his brother? Is he going to dare hit me next?”
Zhuang Wen Zhao was furious and had no intention of letting Zhuang Zi’ang off easily.