Zhuang Zi'ang's solid slap sent Zhuang Yuhang reeling.

Did this guy eat gunpowder? Was this the same punching bag he knew?

Even Su Yudiel was surprised. She didn't expect the mild-mannered Zhuang Zi'ang to resort to violence.

The other diners in the restaurant didn't know the whole story.

From their perspective, Zhuang Zi'ang was bullying a child, and they started whispering and pointing fingers.

"What's wrong with this guy? Hitting a kid so hard."

"Call the cops, let them teach him a lesson."

"Let me record a video and post it online. Assaulting someone in public, he's out of control."

...

In the past, Zhuang Zi'ang would have cared about other people's opinions and probably would have patiently explained himself.

But his mindset had completely changed.

Whatever you strangers want to say, say it. Who cares?

My time and energy are limited, and I'll only spend them on those I love and those who love me.

The owner of the rice noodle shop rushed over, looking surprised. "Xiao Zhuang, why did you hit your brother?"

He knew Zhuang Zi'ang and was somewhat familiar with his family situation. So, unlike the others, he didn't immediately condemn him.

"Sorry, Uncle, sorry for the trouble. We'll be leaving now."

Zhuang Zi'ang told Su Yudiel to wait for him, then followed the owner to settle the bill.

Zhuang Yuhang scrambled up from the floor, glaring at Zhuang Zi'ang with resentment.

But he was only ten years old and no match for Zhuang Zi'ang in terms of size. He could only swallow his anger for now, planning to complain to his parents when he got home.

It took Zhuang Zi'ang a while to return. He grabbed Su Yudiel's wrist and said, "Let's go!"

Su Yudiel didn't say anything and obediently followed him.

As they reached the door, Zhuang Yuhang, assuming Zhuang Zi'ang wouldn't come back to hit him again, yelled, pretending to be brave, "Zhuang Zi'ang, you're in big trouble! My parents won't let you get away with this."

Zhuang Zi'ang chuckled coldly. "If they won't discipline you, I'll help them out. Stay out of my sight, or you'll regret it."

After delivering his threat, he left without a backward glance.

This felt much better than being a doormat.

Su Yudiel hadn't finished her clay pot rice noodles and was still thinking about them.

Seeing her wistful expression, Zhuang Zi'ang bought her two grilled sausages and an ice cream, which finally satisfied her.

"Hey, why did you hit him? It was kind of scary."

"Because he not only insulted me but also said disrespectful things to you. I won't allow anyone to talk to you like that," Zhuang Zi'ang replied seriously.

Su Yudiel remembered that Zhuang Yuhang had called her "not a decent girl," and that's when Zhuang Zi'ang suddenly attacked.

A warmth spread through her heart.

That little brat deserved a beating.

They didn't dwell on the unpleasant incident.

They returned to the library to continue reading.

About half an hour later, Zhuang Zi'ang's phone vibrated. It was a call from Zhuang Wenzhao.

It seemed Zhuang Yuhang had already gone home and complained.

Zhuang Zi'ang promptly rejected the call and put his phone on silent mode.

To cheer him up, Su Yudiel found some kids' books.

They huddled together, sharing a book and sharing their joy.

When they came across a funny joke, they couldn't laugh out loud, so they exchanged knowing smiles.

Zhuang Zi'ang saw his own reflection in Little Butterfly's clear eyes.

I see the mountain's beauty, and I reckon the mountain sees the same in me. (This is a modified line from a poem by Xin Qiji, a famous Song Dynasty poet.)

After a while, Su Yudiel secretly pulled out a bag of fruit-flavored hard candies.

Stolen novel; please report.

She unwrapped a strawberry one and held it up to Zhuang Zi'ang's mouth.

"How did you sneak candy in here?"

"Shh, keep it down. Sweets can make you forget your troubles."

The candy dissolved on his tongue, and sweetness bloomed in his heart.

A faint, girlish fragrance wafted into his nostrils.

Sweets are addictive, and Zhuang Zi'ang knew he was a goner.

But does someone with only three months left to live have the right to love someone?

As the afternoon sun slanted westward, the library grew quieter.

They had spent the entire afternoon reading seven or eight joke books and comics.

Like junk food, it wasn't nutritious, but it was enjoyable.

When you're with someone you like, time flies by like a rushing stream.

At 5:30 PM, Zhuang Zi'ang returned the books, and they left the library, walking towards the school.

"Zhuang Zi'ang, do you remember anything we read today?" Su Yudiel asked, skipping along and stepping on the pavement squares.

"No, I've already forgotten everything," Zhuang Zi'ang answered with a smile.

"Me too, hahahaha..."

Their laughter echoed along the street.

In the setting sun, Zhuang Zi'ang looked at Little Butterfly dancing gracefully and felt the gentle caress of time.

Who sent you to my side?

At 6:10 PM, the number 19 bus arrived as scheduled.

Little Butterfly stood on the bus, looking back at Zhuang Zi'ang through the window, waving goodbye with a hint of reluctance.

Zhuang Zi'ang waved back gently.

Even after the bus disappeared from sight, he stood there blankly at the bus stop, feeling a sense of emptiness.

His day was abruptly split in two by the time 6:10 PM.

Being with Little Butterfly and being without her were two completely different states of mind.

He grabbed dinner at a diner on the street and returned to his apartment.

In the glass fish tank, the two goldfish swam tirelessly.

Zhuang Zi'ang fed them and talked to them absentmindedly.

"Little fish, do you think Little Butterfly likes me?"

"If she does, blow a bubble."

"If she doesn't, solve a quadratic equation for me."

He took out his phone and saw that Zhuang Wenzhao had called five times and sent three 60-second voice messages.

Zhuang Zi'ang couldn't be bothered to listen to his nonsense and directly called him back.

"Yes, I hit him. He deserved it for being a little shit."

"Instead of blaming me, you should reflect on whether you're a qualified father."

"If you think I hurt him badly, take him to the hospital. I'm not taking care of it. I don't have money, and even if I did, I wouldn't give it to him."

...

While Zhuang Zi'ang was talking to Zhuang Wenzhao, he could hear Qin Shulan in the background, fussing over her precious son and cursing.

He sneered inwardly. You've put up with your crap for over a decade. Do you still think I am one?

After venting his frustration, he hung up again.

So satisfying!

On the other end of the line, Zhuang Wenzhao heard the beeping sound and was furious.

"You ungrateful brat, you animal! What kind of monster have I created?"

Anger made him lose his reason. He didn't even consider why Zhuang Zi'ang's personality had changed so drastically.

Nor did he reflect on whether he had fulfilled his responsibilities as a father.

Qin Shulan sobbed, "Look what he did to Yuhang! The swelling still hasn't gone down. My poor baby!"

Zhuang Yuhang slammed his fist on the table. "Dad, go to their school tomorrow, drag him back, make him kneel and apologize to me, and then whip him raw."

"So what if he gets first place every year? He hits his own brother. What's next, is he going to hit his own father?"

Zhuang Wenzhao was enraged and had no intention of letting Zhuang Zi'ang off easily.