Chapter 82: Can’t Shake It Off
Stepping out of the teacher’s office, Dragon Brother turned around and looked at Hu Yu Ying, voice softening without even realizing it: “It’s no big deal. With Brother Dong here, you don’t have to be afraid of anything.”
Hu Yu Ying lowered her eyes secretly, her whole body radiating a wilted vibe.
“N-No, I’m not afraid,” she stammered, trying not to think too much, raising her head and forcing a smile at Dragon Brother.
She kept saying she was indifferent, she wasn’t scared, but inside, she was still pretty on edge.
Her big brother spent money on her clothes, shoes, even took her out to eat—these were facts she couldn’t deny…
No matter how she tried to explain, it just didn’t add up. Maybe in others’ eyes, she really was shameless…
Thinking this, Hu Yu Ying reined in her gaze, unwilling to meet anyone’s eyes, wishing she could disappear back into her own world alone.
“And yet you say you’re fine. Let me see whose eyes are all red now.”
Dragon Brother bent down, serious as ever, looking at Hu Yu Ying: “Lift your head.”
Brother Dong’s words, Hu Yu Ying obediently listened.
She looked up, her water-glazing eyes like a misty lake, making people want to pity her, want to tease her…
“Look at these pretty eyes. If they could form little crescent moons, they’d be even more beautiful.”
Hu Yu Ying knew her Brother Dong was just trying to get her to laugh.
She really wanted to say: Thank you, Brother Dong, for standing in front of me, for backing me up, for making me braver…
But those words were on the tip of her tongue, yet she just couldn’t get them out, all choked back by a lump in her throat.
“See how my little subordinate’s acting all aggrieved? Don’t cry, okay? Your Brother Dong can’t stand it when girls cry in front of me.”
Hu Yu Ying snorted softly: “What if I cry, Brother Dong? Will you hit me?”
“Of course I will,” he said gently, patting her on the head.
Hu Yu Ying felt even more aggrieved.
Watching her more and more pitiful, Dragon Brother chuckled awkwardly, rubbing her head: “Let’s go.”
Seeing Dragon Brother’s back heading away from the classroom, Hu Yu Ying hurried after him: “Brother Dong, you’re going the wrong way! This isn’t back to the classroom.”
……
“Wait… hold on, Brother Dong. Do we really have to do this?”
“This will get us caught, right?”
“Who’ll notice? It’s dark, and everyone’s in the classroom studying silently—no one’s gonna find out. Come on, relax, stop being so stiff, okay?”
Hu Yu Ying slowly lay down on the playground grass, her bright eyes sparkling with nervousness, curiosity, panic, and a tiny flicker of hope.
First time doing something like this in her life, so nerve-wracking. Still a little scared, she could only obediently let Dragon Brother do his thing.
“Is it comfy?” His gentle voice echoed softly in her ear. Instinctively, Hu Yu Ying nodded, replying, “It’s comfortable.”
With her innocent, panicked face, and her obedient nod, she looked quite adorable and a little dumpling-like.
Feeling the breeze and gazing at the night sky, Dragon Brother didn’t say anything this time—just quietly stayed by Hu Yu Ying’s side. Some things, she had to see for herself.
Tonight was a lousy night.
“Brother Dong, look, are those the brightest stars?”
“Yeah,” Dragon Brother, pillow under his arm, gazed at the night sky.
To him, all stars in the sky were shining brightly. But Hu Yu Ying asked, so he just answered honestly.
Maybe it wasn’t the stars that were bright—maybe it was the stars in her heart, twinkling just for her.
“Brother Dong, I guess I’m pretty awesome too, huh?”
“Of course. You’re more outstanding than anyone.”
Hu Yu Ying’s lips curled into a faint smile, her little eyes glittering with joy. But that smile disappeared quickly, fading into gloom: “But sometimes I feel so tired all of a sudden.”
“I know,” Dragon Brother turned his head to look at her.
Seeing his gaze on her, Hu Yu Ying also turned her head, their eyes meeting—this time, both daring to hold each other’s gaze.
The evening breeze played with her long hair, scattering it across Dragon Brother’s fingertips.
“I know you’re tired—it’s the kind of exhaustion you can’t see in your body, the mental fatigue that weighs you down.”
His lips curled into a gentle smile, eyes soft yet steady: “But I beg you, keep going. Don’t let worries and anxiety destroy your rare sparks of passion.”
“Always remember, the person others see in you is never really you. The real you is the one you see in others.”
“Any harsh words from someone else just prove more about who they are—it’s not your fault.”
“The aggressive words she spat at you aren’t a reflection of you, but a mirror of her muddy heart. She views everything muddy because her own mind’s a mess.”
Hu Yu Ying blinked, understanding Dragon Brother’s words.
In her eyes, a faint smile quietly lit up, soft and firm: “Brother Dong, I’m not a shameless person.”
“I know. My little subordinate has always been gentle. Maybe others don’t see it, but I do.”
“Don’t become the person others think you are—because those people may not truly know you.”
Those two bright stars in the sky twinkled, and suddenly, her mood felt a little brighter.
Hu Yu Ying looked up at the night sky, tucking her tousled hair behind her ear as the wind scattered her hair: “Yeah, my mood just got a lot better.”
The school bell for study hall rang.
Dragon Brother lazily got up: “Let’s go. Time to head back.”
He reached out his hand toward Hu Yu Ying.
She stared blankly at his outstretched hand.
The palm, reaching so close.
Hu Yu Ying hesitated slightly but still tentatively reached out.
“Why are you just standing there like an idiot? Are you dazed?”
Hu Yu Ying chuckled, placing her hand in his. The next moment, a strong force pulled her up.
In that instant, nothing else seemed to matter.
What mattered… was the beating of her heart.
So warm—Brother Dong’s hand always felt this warm.
Maybe it was just her own illusion, but she felt Dragon Brother stiffen for a moment.
Hu Yu Ying felt so light.
Just a gentle tug, and she was lifted up.
Her hands were soft.
She could only be careful, worried about hurting him.
“Eat more rice next time. You’re so light. If the wind was stronger, it might blow you away, huh?”
“It can’t blow me away,” Hu Yu Ying firmly said.
【Good night, night owls.】
