At that time, 17-year-old Su Mingan also encountered the same situation. But there was no Shen Xue to help him, and the 17-year-old Su Mingan was isolated and helpless.
The shadow of the sticks fell, the angry expressions of the students were getting closer and closer, and Shen Xue was ready to go.
However, a stumbling figure came running from the distance.
“Get—get away!!”
Immediately afterwards, one after another, stone-like objects came smashing down.
Upon closer inspection, I found that these thrown objects were actually straw toys.
A middle-aged man with a face as red as red earth came stumbling over, holding an armful of straw toys, and threw them at the group of students one after another. The straw toys were stuffed with pebbles, which made them run away in panic.
“——Get out! Don’t touch my son!!” the man shouted, his eyes as fierce as a wolf.
Su Mingan turned his head and the light shone on the man's broad cheek, on which there was a slap mark.
Zhao Zhuozhong, a stubborn, verbose, and timid person, a cautious person who wishes for a peaceful life and is afraid of getting into trouble. He dared not support Su Mingan in his artistic career, dared not support Su Mingan in pursuing his dreams, and was bent on persuading people to return to mediocrity.
He lived a cautious life, being timid and servile to everyone. He was the only one who got beaten, not the one who fought back. Even when he was shortchanged by a vendor in the vegetable market, he was the first to back off.
But he rushed up and beat up the group of students without hesitation.
"I let you bully my son - I let you bully my son!!!" He was like a wounded wolf, punching these students desperately, regardless of how many times he was hit with a stick.
The young and strong student immediately pushed him, and he fell on his butt, still throwing straw toys wildly in his hands.
"Go! This is a lunatic!" The leading student was punched and spat at him:
"Go, go..."
"Isn't he an orphan? No one comes to every parent-teacher meeting, but he actually has a father..."
The lights at the alley entrance are flickering, and the moon is hazy tonight.
There was water on the bluestone slabs. Zhao Zhuozhong was breathing heavily. He did not retract his idle gaze until he saw the group of students running away. Beads of sweat dripped down his forehead.
In his hand, he held a deformed straw toy.
"…Why are you here?"
"I just came back from the night market. I was chased away by the urban management before I sold a single piece. I was thinking of selling somewhere else, but I didn't expect to see you. Did you offend anyone?" Zhao Zhuozhong wiped his water-stained face.
"No, they came on their own initiative. What's going on with your face?"
"Being slapped by a local tyrant... It's none of your business. Just study hard. Don't get involved in any messy things that will affect your studies."
"Let me take you to the hospital. You've been hit several times."
"It's okay. I've been paying attention. It's just a superficial injury."
"All the straw toys were broken."
"If it's broken, I'll make it up tonight. I'll pick you up from school these few days, don't let these bad boys bully you."
“…”
"Ming An."
"Um?"
Zhao Zhuozhong hesitated for a moment and handed him the only remaining straw toy in his hand.
"Here, a gift. When you passed by the window at the school gate, you looked at the crystal piano for a long time, so I made a replica of it..."
Su Mingan lowered his eyes.
In the man's hand was a small straw piano. It was very rough and deformed. Compared with the exquisite crystal piano ornament in the window, it looked like an ugly duckling.
But Su Mingan took the straw piano very gently and put it in his arms.
"Now I can't give you the material life you want. I know you envy other children... Just believe in your uncle. Sooner or later, your uncle will give you a good life!" Zhao Zhuozhong clenched his fists, his eyes full of seriousness.
There was a sound of thunder in the distance. The weather forecast said there would be a thunderstorm today.
Very fine raindrops fell on Su Mingan's forehead, and his vision instantly became a blurry golden color. He turned his head and seemed to see his father standing at the entrance of the alley.
...Dad, you know what? You don't have to worry about me anymore.
Someone loves me and I am no longer alone.
When I just lost my father, I ate steamed buns soaked in water for three meals a day, and that New Year's Eve I spent alone wrapped in a quilt...
The gorgeous golden color spread in his eyes.
He held the straw piano and said softly:
"I don't want a good life, nor do I want a rich material life."
"Uncle Zhao, I will let you live a good life in the future."
"No local tyrant dares to hit you, and you don't have to be chased by the city management. Our better days...are ahead."
The sound of rain is quiet at this moment.
Zhao Zhuozhong's gaze froze for a moment and his fists clenched.
After a while, Zhao Zhuozhong seemed to be unable to bear the silence. He touched his head and laughed out loud:
"Haha! You kid, you're even making this kind of oath. Okay! Uncle believes you!"
"——Our good days are still to come!!!"
The rain diffused the dim light. Although they were clearly in an unfinished building, they felt as if they were in a golden sunflower field. Each sunflower was big and round, just like the ones in a book called "Bronze Sunflower" that Su Mingan had read.
The sun is pouring down, and thousands of sunflowers are facing the sky.
The cry of "Sunflower" came out from the silent little mute's mouth, one time, one time, and one time again.
"...Uncle Zhao."
Bronze said:
"I really love you...I love you guys so much."
…
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