Childhood Chronicles: C05

05: Wounded

This novel was posted on cntranslationss [dot] com, by anasiana. If you're not reading it there, you get what you get ￣へ￣)

_{Seeing that their boss was dealt with so easily, the remaining boys' jaws dropped. The little one, who was holding onto the stolen bike, let go of it the instant a sharp glance from Gu Shaofan was shot in his and his friend's direction, causing the bike to fall over before they both began backing up and high-tailing it away.}
The first scream came from Ye Cheng, but the second scream came from Brother Qiang.

Seeing that their boss was dealt with so easily, the remaining boys' jaws dropped. The little one, who was holding onto the stolen bike, let go of it the instant a sharp glance from Gu Shaofan was shot in his and his friend's direction, causing the bike to fall over before they both began backing up and high-tailing it away.

_{Gu Shaofan stopped momentarily before again trying to tug Ye Cheng to his feet while saying, “Come on, I'll take you to see a doctor.”}
Just as the older boy had grabbed Ye Cheng and pulled him, he too was also yanked around by the arm, but before he could see who it was that pulled him, a swift kick was delivered right between his stubby legs.

Gu Shaofan stopped momentarily before again trying to tug Ye Cheng to his feet while saying, “Come on, I'll take you to see a doctor.”

_{Ye Cheng’s wounds had been cleaned, treated, and wrapped, so there was a grating pain whenever he moved, but it wasn’t so painful that he couldn’t walk. However, pain that could be avoided should be avoided as much as possible.}In the meantime, Gu Shaofan pulled out Ye Cheng’s student ID, which not only had his name and class but also the contact information of his next of kin. Ye Cheng’s contact was obviously his family, so Gu Shaofan asked his driver when he was done to also give the Ye family a call and explain to them what had happened. On his call to the Ye’s, the driver politely told the person on the other line that they would take it upon themselves to drive Ye Cheng back home. Then, following a few more polite words being exchanged with that person, both were able to be put at ease. The driver returned to the two elementary students after the call was over, recounting all the details of his prior conversation from beginning to end, and as a result, Ye Cheng was no longer worried about being scolded.

Ye Cheng’s wounds had been cleaned, treated, and wrapped, so there was a grating pain whenever he moved, but it wasn’t so painful that he couldn’t walk. However, pain that could be avoided should be avoided as much as possible. So as a result of the driver’s offer, Ye Cheng quickly gave the driver his thanks in advance; the friendliness in his voice was especially clear. The driver chuckled at the boy’s actions, then bent over to pick him up and hold him horizontally.

_{The ruckus alerted the shop owner, who came rushing out from inside, screaming. When the frantic woman saw her pot of food was emptied, she asked in a panic, “Who on earth did this?!”}
At having that most important place for any guy being so ruthlessly attacked, Brother Qiang instinctively pulled his legs together and covered his crotch out of instinct. The sharp pain now exploding in that region then made the world before his eyes darken as he collapsed onto the floor, whimpering.

The ruckus alerted the shop owner, who came rushing out from inside, screaming. When the frantic woman saw her pot of food was emptied, she asked in a panic, “Who on earth did this?!”

_{Soon, their turn with the doctor had arrived. The doctor gave Ye Cheng a brief examination, noting that there were no particularly serious wounds, but the main issue with his injury was the size of the scalded area, which was quite large. After filling out a form, the doctor told them to go purchase the medication and get a nurse to take care of the rest.}But Ye Cheng persisted in his pleas, crying, “M-my bike. My b-bike!”

Soon, their turn with the doctor had arrived. The doctor gave Ye Cheng a brief examination, noting that there were no particularly serious wounds, but the main issue with his injury was the size of the scalded area, which was quite large. After filling out a form, the doctor told them to go purchase the medication and get a nurse to take care of the rest.

_{Ye Cheng’s wounds had been cleaned, treated, and wrapped, so there was a grating pain whenever he moved, but it wasn’t so painful that he couldn’t walk. However, pain that could be avoided should be avoided as much as possible.}
Gu Shaofan, not letting the older boy off so easily, then drove another kick into his shoulder. He was not bigger than the older Brother Qiang in stature, but the power, cunning, and precision of the placement of his blows were unexpected given his size (taking the older boy by surprise). And these skills were the result of his mother, Wang Juan.

_{Gu Shaofan was speechless.}For an adult, the weight of a child is not significant at all. What’s more, Ye Cheng was a rather skinny boy at that, so it was an even easier task for the driver to carry him. Gu Shaofan followed along at their side, his eyes glancing at his driver's arms as they walked, then to his own arms, which he lifted, a sad feeling pricking his heart as he did.

Gu Shaofan was speechless.

_{Gu Shaofan had been silently observing Ye Cheng’s bandaged arm and thighs right then, and upon hearing his driver’s question, he asked Ye Cheng, “Do you want us to drop you back home first?”}Gu Shaofan stood by and watched as that frazzled man carried Ye Cheng into the car and then returned to put the bike in the trunk before he slipped into the back seat. He then told his driver simply, “To a doctor.”

Gu Shaofan had been silently observing Ye Cheng’s bandaged arm and thighs right then, and upon hearing his driver’s question, he asked Ye Cheng, “Do you want us to drop you back home first?”

_{The nurse heard their conversation but didn't do anything to stop them and just continued with her work. Ye Cheng’s right hand was free, so he took the cover of the flask, lifted his head as he took a sip, and then chewed on the soft and glutinous tremella. But his nose still twitched with sniffles, and his expression looked a bit aggrieved. “It’s not cold anymore.”}For an adult, the weight of a child is not significant at all. What’s more, Ye Cheng was a rather skinny boy at that, so it was an even easier task for the driver to carry him. Gu Shaofan followed along at their side, his eyes glancing at his driver's arms as they walked, then to his own arms, which he lifted, a sad feeling pricking his heart as he did.

The nurse heard their conversation but didn't do anything to stop them and just continued with her work. Ye Cheng’s right hand was free, so he took the cover of the flask, lifted his head as he took a sip, and then chewed on the soft and glutinous tremella. But his nose still twitched with sniffles, and his expression looked a bit aggrieved. “It’s not cold anymore.”

_{“Yes, there’s a Trust-Mart. There’s also a hotel on the front side of the intersection.”}
Fueled by fears of her baby boy's awkward family ties being a reason for him being bullied, she had long ignored Gu Yun’s advice and taught Gu Shaofan that highly lethal technique of cutting off all future generations of his opponents with a hard kick to the family jewels! It was an attack so deadly that even if it was against a full-grown adult, they wouldn’t be able to withstand it.

“Yes, there’s a Trust-Mart. There’s also a hotel on the front side of the intersection.”

_{For two streets, he walked like this, and it was how his driver caught sight of him from a distance: carrying another child on his back and also pulling along a bike while his face was covered in sweat. It was a scene that left the man utterly stupefied on the spot.}
Seeing that their boss was dealt with so easily, the remaining boys' jaws dropped. The little one, who was holding onto the stolen bike, let go of it the instant a sharp glance from Gu Shaofan was shot in his and his friend's direction, causing the bike to fall over before they both began backing up and high-tailing it away.

For two streets, he walked like this, and it was how his driver caught sight of him from a distance: carrying another child on his back and also pulling along a bike while his face was covered in sweat. It was a scene that left the man utterly stupefied on the spot. Perhaps it was the far too serious expression on Gu Shaofan’s normally paralysed face that gave the scene of him walking a confounding sense of tragedy and added to the older male's shock. Anyhow, it wasn’t until after that stern-faced boy finally made his way to the car that the driver finally, and frantically, regained his senses and then rushed over to help the injured boy. The thought that a huge incident had taken place frightened him terribly.

_{05: Wounded}“What is it?” The teary-eyed Ye Chang asked in return.

05: Wounded

_{For an adult, the weight of a child is not significant at all. What’s more, Ye Cheng was a rather skinny boy at that, so it was an even easier task for the driver to carry him. Gu Shaofan followed along at their side, his eyes glancing at his driver's arms as they walked, then to his own arms, which he lifted, a sad feeling pricking his heart as he did.}
The ruckus alerted the shop owner, who came rushing out from inside, screaming. When the frantic woman saw her pot of food was emptied, she asked in a panic, “Who on earth did this?!”

For an adult, the weight of a child is not significant at all. What’s more, Ye Cheng was a rather skinny boy at that, so it was an even easier task for the driver to carry him. Gu Shaofan followed along at their side, his eyes glancing at his driver's arms as they walked, then to his own arms, which he lifted, a sad feeling pricking his heart as he did.

_{The driver looked at the boys through the rearview mirror, first at Ye Cheng, who seemed dejected, then at Gu Shaofan, whose expression was calm. “Do you mean for me to take you to a hospital, young master?”}In the meantime, Gu Shaofan pulled out Ye Cheng’s student ID, which not only had his name and class but also the contact information of his next of kin. Ye Cheng’s contact was obviously his family, so Gu Shaofan asked his driver when he was done to also give the Ye family a call and explain to them what had happened. On his call to the Ye’s, the driver politely told the person on the other line that they would take it upon themselves to drive Ye Cheng back home. Then, following a few more polite words being exchanged with that person, both were able to be put at ease. The driver returned to the two elementary students after the call was over, recounting all the details of his prior conversation from beginning to end, and as a result, Ye Cheng was no longer worried about being scolded.

The driver looked at the boys through the rearview mirror, first at Ye Cheng, who seemed dejected, then at Gu Shaofan, whose expression was calm. “Do you mean for me to take you to a hospital, young master?”

_{But with each tug, Ye Cheng slinked back to his original position weakly. So having no other choice available, Gu Shaofan swung his backpack to his front, then turned around to pull Ye Cheng towards his back, and this time Ye Cheng slowly allowed himself to be moved.}
Her glaring eyes swept from Gu Shaofan to the pale-faced Brother Qiang before settling on Ye Cheng’s huddled body.

But with each tug, Ye Cheng slinked back to his original position weakly. So having no other choice available, Gu Shaofan swung his backpack to his front, then turned around to pull Ye Cheng towards his back, and this time Ye Cheng slowly allowed himself to be moved.

_{In response, Ye Cheng told him his address clearly, but it was a place the driver had never been to before, so he could only get a rough idea of where the boy’s house was in his head, so he asked further, “Is there a supermarket nearby?”}
Ye Cheng was still lying in the same spot where the spill occurred, so there was still beef and potatoes all over his hands and feet. The pot of stew kept ready to serve wasn’t piping hot, thankfully. But the sheer amount of it that had poured all over him was enough to push the young boy to tears and screams. It was something Ye Cheng’s delicate skin had never before experienced, causing him to now be in a state of both shock and terror.

In response, Ye Cheng told him his address clearly, but it was a place the driver had never been to before, so he could only get a rough idea of where the boy’s house was in his head, so he asked further, “Is there a supermarket nearby?”

_{05: Wounded}05: Wounded

05: Wounded

_{But Ye Cheng persisted in his pleas, crying, “M-my bike. My b-bike!”}The nurse who came cut open Ye Cheng’s pants and exposed the part of his thighs where the hot soup had spilled. Unlike his arm, which had no protection from fabric, his legs were in less serious overall condition. A saline solution was used to clean his wounds, but compared to the usual pain, this process hurt so much more that Ye Cheng would’ve jumped out of his seat if it weren’t for Gu Shaofan quickly moving to hold him in place.

But Ye Cheng persisted in his pleas, crying, “M-my bike. My b-bike!”

_{Again, that young boy’s slightly swollen eyes reddened, every bit of him looking pitiful. Gu Shaofan’s chest tightened at the sight of it, causing him to fish out a familiar thermos from his backpack and hand it to Ye Cheng.}Gu Shaofan was not angered at all by Ye Cheng’s insistence and had only leaned his body more forward in order to support more of the other boy’s weight. Luckily, he had received training from his mother every day, so even after giving it his all, he could still squeeze out a bit more strength. And, like this, he used one hand to support Ye Cheng by his buttocks, while his other hand, which was freed, was used to lift and pull the bicycle.

Again, that young boy’s slightly swollen eyes reddened, every bit of him looking pitiful. Gu Shaofan’s chest tightened at the sight of it, causing him to fish out a familiar thermos from his backpack and hand it to Ye Cheng.

_{Pouting, Ye Cheng laid back on the leather seat and then began examining his visible wounds. The places that felt like they were burning were red, and some of them even had tiny blisters forming. It was an unpleasant sight to look at, and the pain from them felt hard to bear. What’s more, he couldn’t possibly imagine what the condition of his legs under his trousers might be.}
Gu Shaofan moved over to Ye Cheng, squatting down in front of him to look him over properly, and as a result of this attention, Ye Cheng instantly knitted his brows and cried like a wronged girlfriend. Gu Shaofan, seeing the state the boy before him was in, felt his lips stiffen before getting back on his feet and again walking towards the quivering Brother Qiang, then immediately dealt another kick to that special place being protected by his hands that caused the large boy's eyes to roll back.

Pouting, Ye Cheng laid back on the leather seat and then began examining his visible wounds. The places that felt like they were burning were red, and some of them even had tiny blisters forming. It was an unpleasant sight to look at, and the pain from them felt hard to bear. What’s more, he couldn’t possibly imagine what the condition of his legs under his trousers might be.

_{After this, the car was started, and Ye Cheng leaned towards the window on his side to take a look at the long, dark sky beyond it before letting out a long sigh.}
“Can you walk?” Gu Shaofan asked Ye Cheng, but the other boy ignored his words and kept bawling until he got so tired he could only choke out sobs. Squatting down again, Gu Shaofan reached over to take Ye Cheng’s right hand, but the other boy cried out in pain at his touch.

After this, the car was started, and Ye Cheng leaned towards the window on his side to take a look at the long, dark sky beyond it before letting out a long sigh.

_{Gu Shaofan moved over to Ye Cheng, squatting down in front of him to look him over properly, and as a result of this attention, Ye Cheng instantly knitted his brows and cried like a wronged girlfriend. Gu Shaofan, seeing the state the boy before him was in, felt his lips stiffen before getting back on his feet and again walking towards the quivering Brother Qiang, then immediately dealt another kick to that special place being protected by his hands that caused the large boy's eyes to roll back.}
Gu Shaofan stopped momentarily before again trying to tug Ye Cheng to his feet while saying, “Come on, I'll take you to see a doctor.”

Gu Shaofan moved over to Ye Cheng, squatting down in front of him to look him over properly, and as a result of this attention, Ye Cheng instantly knitted his brows and cried like a wronged girlfriend. Gu Shaofan, seeing the state the boy before him was in, felt his lips stiffen before getting back on his feet and again walking towards the quivering Brother Qiang, then immediately dealt another kick to that special place being protected by his hands that caused the large boy's eyes to roll back.

_{Ye Cheng sighed, then finished the rest of the drink with a gulp. Desserts are well known to help with soothing a person’s emotions, and the same could be said of Ye Cheng, who felt his wounds didn’t hurt so much anymore.}
But with each tug, Ye Cheng slinked back to his original position weakly. So having no other choice available, Gu Shaofan swung his backpack to his front, then turned around to pull Ye Cheng towards his back, and this time Ye Cheng slowly allowed himself to be moved.

Ye Cheng sighed, then finished the rest of the drink with a gulp. Desserts are well known to help with soothing a person’s emotions, and the same could be said of Ye Cheng, who felt his wounds didn’t hurt so much anymore. The nurse finally applied some ointment, followed by wrapping him with some light gauze. “Alright, so you’re going to keep these on for a little while; make sure to not get them wet, and you can take them off tomorrow. After they’re off, you need to let your arm and leg air out, so don’t cover them up. Also, if you have a fever tonight or later, please don’t ignore it and tell someone, okay?”

_{“Do you want some? It’s sweet.”}Ye Cheng sighed, then finished the rest of the drink with a gulp. Desserts are well known to help with soothing a person’s emotions, and the same could be said of Ye Cheng, who felt his wounds didn’t hurt so much anymore. The nurse finally applied some ointment, followed by wrapping him with some light gauze. “Alright, so you’re going to keep these on for a little while; make sure to not get them wet, and you can take them off tomorrow. After they’re off, you need to let your arm and leg air out, so don’t cover them up. Also, if you have a fever tonight or later, please don’t ignore it and tell someone, okay?”

“Do you want some? It’s sweet.”

_{Gu Shaofan didn’t look at him, his gaze still fixed on his driver as he repeated, “Take us to see a doctor.”}At the woman’s words, Gu Shaofan sent a cold, hard glare her way. The aura in his eyes was so fierce for a boy so young that it had taken the older woman by complete surprise.

Gu Shaofan didn’t look at him, his gaze still fixed on his driver as he repeated, “Take us to see a doctor.”

_{The nurse heard their conversation but didn't do anything to stop them and just continued with her work. Ye Cheng’s right hand was free, so he took the cover of the flask, lifted his head as he took a sip, and then chewed on the soft and glutinous tremella. But his nose still twitched with sniffles, and his expression looked a bit aggrieved. “It’s not cold anymore.”}
Gu Shaofan didn't dare touch Ye Cheng's injured left hand, so only the boy's right hand could be wrapped around his neck. But as soon as that hand touched Gu Shaofan’s skin, it reacted by clutching his neck and tightening.

_{The shop owner already knew the little thug who was on the ground; he was a boy who loved robbing any students he could get his hands on when he had nothing better to do. But there was nothing to be gained from going after him, so it was better to get the parents of the two kids standing before her to pay out some compensation. After all, that big pot of food had cost her a good bit of money!}
Gu Shaofan was almost suffocated by this action as he struggled to rise to his feet, and it was right then that the owner of the small eatery also yelled, “Hey! What about my food? Are you two thinking of running off without paying for all this? Tell me what class you’re in right now. I know all the homeroom teachers!”

The shop owner already knew the little thug who was on the ground; he was a boy who loved robbing any students he could get his hands on when he had nothing better to do. But there was nothing to be gained from going after him, so it was better to get the parents of the two kids standing before her to pay out some compensation. After all, that big pot of food had cost her a good bit of money!

_{Gu Shaofan moved over to Ye Cheng, squatting down in front of him to look him over properly, and as a result of this attention, Ye Cheng instantly knitted his brows and cried like a wronged girlfriend. Gu Shaofan, seeing the state the boy before him was in, felt his lips stiffen before getting back on his feet and again walking towards the quivering Brother Qiang, then immediately dealt another kick to that special place being protected by his hands that caused the large boy's eyes to roll back.}For an adult, the weight of a child is not significant at all. What’s more, Ye Cheng was a rather skinny boy at that, so it was an even easier task for the driver to carry him. Gu Shaofan followed along at their side, his eyes glancing at his driver's arms as they walked, then to his own arms, which he lifted, a sad feeling pricking his heart as he did.

_{Fueled by fears of her baby boy's awkward family ties being a reason for him being bullied, she had long ignored Gu Yun’s advice and taught Gu Shaofan that highly lethal technique of cutting off all future generations of his opponents with a hard kick to the family jewels! It was an attack so deadly that even if it was against a full-grown adult, they wouldn’t be able to withstand it.}
The shop owner already knew the little thug who was on the ground; he was a boy who loved robbing any students he could get his hands on when he had nothing better to do. But there was nothing to be gained from going after him, so it was better to get the parents of the two kids standing before her to pay out some compensation. After all, that big pot of food had cost her a good bit of money!

Fueled by fears of her baby boy's awkward family ties being a reason for him being bullied, she had long ignored Gu Yun’s advice and taught Gu Shaofan that highly lethal technique of cutting off all future generations of his opponents with a hard kick to the family jewels! It was an attack so deadly that even if it was against a full-grown adult, they wouldn’t be able to withstand it.

_{“Can you walk?” Gu Shaofan asked Ye Cheng, but the other boy ignored his words and kept bawling until he got so tired he could only choke out sobs. Squatting down again, Gu Shaofan reached over to take Ye Cheng’s right hand, but the other boy cried out in pain at his touch.}Ye Cheng was still lying in the same spot where the spill occurred, so there was still beef and potatoes all over his hands and feet. The pot of stew kept ready to serve wasn’t piping hot, thankfully. But the sheer amount of it that had poured all over him was enough to push the young boy to tears and screams. It was something Ye Cheng’s delicate skin had never before experienced, causing him to now be in a state of both shock and terror.

“Can you walk?” Gu Shaofan asked Ye Cheng, but the other boy ignored his words and kept bawling until he got so tired he could only choke out sobs. Squatting down again, Gu Shaofan reached over to take Ye Cheng’s right hand, but the other boy cried out in pain at his touch.

_{In response, Ye Cheng told him his address clearly, but it was a place the driver had never been to before, so he could only get a rough idea of where the boy’s house was in his head, so he asked further, “Is there a supermarket nearby?”}The driver looked at the boys through the rearview mirror, first at Ye Cheng, who seemed dejected, then at Gu Shaofan, whose expression was calm. “Do you mean for me to take you to a hospital, young master?”

_{Ye Cheng was still lying in the same spot where the spill occurred, so there was still beef and potatoes all over his hands and feet. The pot of stew kept ready to serve wasn’t piping hot, thankfully.}There weren’t that many people at that hospital when they arrived, so after getting Ye Cheng registered and the two boys settled, he quickly called the Gu's.

Ye Cheng was still lying in the same spot where the spill occurred, so there was still beef and potatoes all over his hands and feet. The pot of stew kept ready to serve wasn’t piping hot, thankfully. But the sheer amount of it that had poured all over him was enough to push the young boy to tears and screams. It was something Ye Cheng’s delicate skin had never before experienced, causing him to now be in a state of both shock and terror.

_{“Do you want some? It’s sweet.”}
At the woman’s words, Gu Shaofan sent a cold, hard glare her way. The aura in his eyes was so fierce for a boy so young that it had taken the older woman by complete surprise.

“Do you want some? It’s sweet.”

_{Her glaring eyes swept from Gu Shaofan to the pale-faced Brother Qiang before settling on Ye Cheng’s huddled body.}Her glaring eyes swept from Gu Shaofan to the pale-faced Brother Qiang before settling on Ye Cheng’s huddled body.

Her glaring eyes swept from Gu Shaofan to the pale-faced Brother Qiang before settling on Ye Cheng’s huddled body.

_{Just as the older boy had grabbed Ye Cheng and pulled him, he too was also yanked around by the arm, but before he could see who it was that pulled him, a swift kick was delivered right between his stubby legs.}
“I’ll give it to you tomorrow.” Gu Shaofan handed the woman his student ID and then wrapped his hands under Ye Cheng’s buttocks before struggling to his feet.

Just as the older boy had grabbed Ye Cheng and pulled him, he too was also yanked around by the arm, but before he could see who it was that pulled him, a swift kick was delivered right between his stubby legs.

The ruckus alerted the shop owner, who came rushing out from inside, screaming. When the frantic woman saw her pot of food was emptied, she asked in a panic, “Who on earth did this?!”

_{There weren’t that many people at that hospital when they arrived, so after getting Ye Cheng registered and the two boys settled, he quickly called the Gu's.}
Ye Cheng had his neck in a death grip, but even through intermittent sobs, he still never forgot to say, “My b-bike. M-my bike.”

There weren’t that many people at that hospital when they arrived, so after getting Ye Cheng registered and the two boys settled, he quickly called the Gu's.

_{After this, the car was started, and Ye Cheng leaned towards the window on his side to take a look at the long, dark sky beyond it before letting out a long sigh.}After this, the car was started, and Ye Cheng leaned towards the window on his side to take a look at the long, dark sky beyond it before letting out a long sigh.

After this, the car was started, and Ye Cheng leaned towards the window on his side to take a look at the long, dark sky beyond it before letting out a long sigh.

_{Gu Shaofan had been silently observing Ye Cheng’s bandaged arm and thighs right then, and upon hearing his driver’s question, he asked Ye Cheng, “Do you want us to drop you back home first?”}The ruckus alerted the shop owner, who came rushing out from inside, screaming. When the frantic woman saw her pot of food was emptied, she asked in a panic, “Who on earth did this?!”

Gu Shaofan had been silently observing Ye Cheng’s bandaged arm and thighs right then, and upon hearing his driver’s question, he asked Ye Cheng, “Do you want us to drop you back home first?”

_{At having that most important place for any guy being so ruthlessly attacked, Brother Qiang instinctively pulled his legs together and covered his crotch out of instinct. The sharp pain now exploding in that region then made the world before his eyes darken as he collapsed onto the floor, whimpering.}Just as the older boy had grabbed Ye Cheng and pulled him, he too was also yanked around by the arm, but before he could see who it was that pulled him, a swift kick was delivered right between his stubby legs.

At having that most important place for any guy being so ruthlessly attacked, Brother Qiang instinctively pulled his legs together and covered his crotch out of instinct. The sharp pain now exploding in that region then made the world before his eyes darken as he collapsed onto the floor, whimpering.

_{“What is it?” The teary-eyed Ye Chang asked in return.}
Gu Shaofan was speechless.

“What is it?” The teary-eyed Ye Chang asked in return.

_{Ye Cheng had his neck in a death grip, but even through intermittent sobs, he still never forgot to say, “My b-bike. M-my bike.”}
Turning back around, he asked the shop owner, “Can we leave this here with you for just one night?”

Ye Cheng had his neck in a death grip, but even through intermittent sobs, he still never forgot to say, “My b-bike. M-my bike.”

_{The three arrived at the entrance of the hospital together, and there, the driver set down Ye Cheng to stand on his own while he went to the parking lot to bring over the car. After he got back and everyone got in, the driver asked, “Where do you live, little guy?”}
But Ye Cheng persisted in his pleas, crying, “M-my bike. My b-bike!”

The three arrived at the entrance of the hospital together, and there, the driver set down Ye Cheng to stand on his own while he went to the parking lot to bring over the car. After he got back and everyone got in, the driver asked, “Where do you live, little guy?”

_{“Do you want some? It’s sweet.”}“What is it?” The teary-eyed Ye Chang asked in return.

“Do you want some? It’s sweet.”

_{Gu Shaofan was left speechless yet again.}The driver looked at the boys through the rearview mirror, first at Ye Cheng, who seemed dejected, then at Gu Shaofan, whose expression was calm. “Do you mean for me to take you to a hospital, young master?”

Gu Shaofan was left speechless yet again.

_{The ruckus alerted the shop owner, who came rushing out from inside, screaming. When the frantic woman saw her pot of food was emptied, she asked in a panic, “Who on earth did this?!”}After this, the car was started, and Ye Cheng leaned towards the window on his side to take a look at the long, dark sky beyond it before letting out a long sigh.

The ruckus alerted the shop owner, who came rushing out from inside, screaming. When the frantic woman saw her pot of food was emptied, she asked in a panic, “Who on earth did this?!”

_N/A
Gu Shaofan was left speechless yet again.

N/A

_{Gu Shaofan didn’t look at him, his gaze still fixed on his driver as he repeated, “Take us to see a doctor.”}For two streets, he walked like this, and it was how his driver caught sight of him from a distance: carrying another child on his back and also pulling along a bike while his face was covered in sweat. It was a scene that left the man utterly stupefied on the spot. Perhaps it was the far too serious expression on Gu Shaofan’s normally paralysed face that gave the scene of him walking a confounding sense of tragedy and added to the older male's shock. Anyhow, it wasn’t until after that stern-faced boy finally made his way to the car that the driver finally, and frantically, regained his senses and then rushed over to help the injured boy. The thought that a huge incident had taken place frightened him terribly.

Gu Shaofan didn’t look at him, his gaze still fixed on his driver as he repeated, “Take us to see a doctor.”

_{“Yes, there’s a Trust-Mart. There’s also a hotel on the front side of the intersection.”}“I’ll give it to you tomorrow.” Gu Shaofan handed the woman his student ID and then wrapped his hands under Ye Cheng’s buttocks before struggling to his feet.

“Yes, there’s a Trust-Mart. There’s also a hotel on the front side of the intersection.”

_{After this, the car was started, and Ye Cheng leaned towards the window on his side to take a look at the long, dark sky beyond it before letting out a long sigh.}Gu Shaofan was almost suffocated by this action as he struggled to rise to his feet, and it was right then that the owner of the small eatery also yelled, “Hey! What about my food? Are you two thinking of running off without paying for all this? Tell me what class you’re in right now. I know all the homeroom teachers!”

After this, the car was started, and Ye Cheng leaned towards the window on his side to take a look at the long, dark sky beyond it before letting out a long sigh.

_{Ye Cheng had just drank a bottle of tremella and wolfberry soup, so his stomach at the moment had not noticed his need to have a meal. But being the young boy he was, he was still a bit uncomfortable with not being home at a time he usually would, so after being asked this question, he gave a polite nod in reply.}
Gu Shaofan was not angered at all by Ye Cheng’s insistence and had only leaned his body more forward in order to support more of the other boy’s weight. Luckily, he had received training from his mother every day, so even after giving it his all, he could still squeeze out a bit more strength. And, like this, he used one hand to support Ye Cheng by his buttocks, while his other hand, which was freed, was used to lift and pull the bicycle.

Ye Cheng had just drank a bottle of tremella and wolfberry soup, so his stomach at the moment had not noticed his need to have a meal. But being the young boy he was, he was still a bit uncomfortable with not being home at a time he usually would, so after being asked this question, he gave a polite nod in reply. Seeing his answer, Gu Shaofan took the bag of medications from his driver's hand and then reached out another hand to help Ye Cheng to his feet.

_{“What is it?” The teary-eyed Ye Chang asked in return.}The flustered driver, who realised the other boy would be sent to his house first, then quickly said upon seeing his young master’s actions, “Seeing how this little guy’s legs are currently all wrapped up and how difficult it would be for him to walk, I’ll carry him, okay?”

“What is it?” The teary-eyed Ye Chang asked in return.

_{Gu Shaofan stood by and watched as that frazzled man carried Ye Cheng into the car and then returned to put the bike in the trunk before he slipped into the back seat. He then told his driver simply, “To a doctor.”}
For two streets, he walked like this, and it was how his driver caught sight of him from a distance: carrying another child on his back and also pulling along a bike while his face was covered in sweat. It was a scene that left the man utterly stupefied on the spot. Perhaps it was the far too serious expression on Gu Shaofan’s normally paralysed face that gave the scene of him walking a confounding sense of tragedy and added to the older male's shock. Anyhow, it wasn’t until after that stern-faced boy finally made his way to the car that the driver finally, and frantically, regained his senses and then rushed over to help the injured boy. The thought that a huge incident had taken place frightened him terribly.

Gu Shaofan stood by and watched as that frazzled man carried Ye Cheng into the car and then returned to put the bike in the trunk before he slipped into the back seat. He then told his driver simply, “To a doctor.”

_{“Don’t move,” Gu Shaofan stated with disapproval in his tone while immediately reaching over to hold the moving boy’s shoulders still.}Gu Shaofan was left speechless yet again.

“Don’t move,” Gu Shaofan stated with disapproval in his tone while immediately reaching over to hold the moving boy’s shoulders still.

Gu Shaofan was not angered at all by Ye Cheng’s insistence and had only leaned his body more forward in order to support more of the other boy’s weight. Luckily, he had received training from his mother every day, so even after giving it his all, he could still squeeze out a bit more strength. And, like this, he used one hand to support Ye Cheng by his buttocks, while his other hand, which was freed, was used to lift and pull the bicycle.

_{“Yes, there’s a Trust-Mart. There’s also a hotel on the front side of the intersection.”}Ye Cheng sighed, then finished the rest of the drink with a gulp. Desserts are well known to help with soothing a person’s emotions, and the same could be said of Ye Cheng, who felt his wounds didn’t hurt so much anymore. The nurse finally applied some ointment, followed by wrapping him with some light gauze. “Alright, so you’re going to keep these on for a little while; make sure to not get them wet, and you can take them off tomorrow. After they’re off, you need to let your arm and leg air out, so don’t cover them up. Also, if you have a fever tonight or later, please don’t ignore it and tell someone, okay?”

“Yes, there’s a Trust-Mart. There’s also a hotel on the front side of the intersection.”

In the meantime, Gu Shaofan pulled out Ye Cheng’s student ID, which not only had his name and class but also the contact information of his next of kin. Ye Cheng’s contact was obviously his family, so Gu Shaofan asked his driver when he was done to also give the Ye family a call and explain to them what had happened. On his call to the Ye’s, the driver politely told the person on the other line that they would take it upon themselves to drive Ye Cheng back home. Then, following a few more polite words being exchanged with that person, both were able to be put at ease. The driver returned to the two elementary students after the call was over, recounting all the details of his prior conversation from beginning to end, and as a result, Ye Cheng was no longer worried about being scolded.

_{Gu Shaofan was not angered at all by Ye Cheng’s insistence and had only leaned his body more forward in order to support more of the other boy’s weight. Luckily, he had received training from his mother every day, so even after giving it his all, he could still squeeze out a bit more strength.}Ye Cheng was still lying in the same spot where the spill occurred, so there was still beef and potatoes all over his hands and feet. The pot of stew kept ready to serve wasn’t piping hot, thankfully. But the sheer amount of it that had poured all over him was enough to push the young boy to tears and screams. It was something Ye Cheng’s delicate skin had never before experienced, causing him to now be in a state of both shock and terror.

_{Just as the older boy had grabbed Ye Cheng and pulled him, he too was also yanked around by the arm, but before he could see who it was that pulled him, a swift kick was delivered right between his stubby legs.}Soon, their turn with the doctor had arrived. The doctor gave Ye Cheng a brief examination, noting that there were no particularly serious wounds, but the main issue with his injury was the size of the scalded area, which was quite large. After filling out a form, the doctor told them to go purchase the medication and get a nurse to take care of the rest.

_{Soon, their turn with the doctor had arrived. The doctor gave Ye Cheng a brief examination, noting that there were no particularly serious wounds, but the main issue with his injury was the size of the scalded area, which was quite large. After filling out a form, the doctor told them to go purchase the medication and get a nurse to take care of the rest.}
But Ye Cheng, who had already calmed down a bit at this point, had instead stated, “Hey, I want to go home.”

_{Her glaring eyes swept from Gu Shaofan to the pale-faced Brother Qiang before settling on Ye Cheng’s huddled body.}
Gu Shaofan didn’t look at him, his gaze still fixed on his driver as he repeated, “Take us to see a doctor.”

Her glaring eyes swept from Gu Shaofan to the pale-faced Brother Qiang before settling on Ye Cheng’s huddled body.

_{While waiting on them from across the room, the driver checked his watch and noticed it was already past eight o’clock. But even if he was not hungry, he still had to care for the well-being of his employer’s child.}Gu Shaofan moved over to Ye Cheng, squatting down in front of him to look him over properly, and as a result of this attention, Ye Cheng instantly knitted his brows and cried like a wronged girlfriend. Gu Shaofan, seeing the state the boy before him was in, felt his lips stiffen before getting back on his feet and again walking towards the quivering Brother Qiang, then immediately dealt another kick to that special place being protected by his hands that caused the large boy's eyes to roll back.

While waiting on them from across the room, the driver checked his watch and noticed it was already past eight o’clock. But even if he was not hungry, he still had to care for the well-being of his employer’s child. So he was planning to first drop Gu Shaofan at his house before sending the other boy home, however, he then noticed the relationship between the two boys was quite good, leading him to ask hesitantly, “Young master, are you planning on sending your friend back to his house right now?”

_{But Ye Cheng persisted in his pleas, crying, “M-my bike. My b-bike!”}Gu Shaofan stopped momentarily before again trying to tug Ye Cheng to his feet while saying, “Come on, I'll take you to see a doctor.”

But Ye Cheng persisted in his pleas, crying, “M-my bike. My b-bike!”

_{Again, that young boy’s slightly swollen eyes reddened, every bit of him looking pitiful. Gu Shaofan’s chest tightened at the sight of it, causing him to fish out a familiar thermos from his backpack and hand it to Ye Cheng.}The shop owner already knew the little thug who was on the ground; he was a boy who loved robbing any students he could get his hands on when he had nothing better to do. But there was nothing to be gained from going after him, so it was better to get the parents of the two kids standing before her to pay out some compensation. After all, that big pot of food had cost her a good bit of money!

_{Turning back around, he asked the shop owner, “Can we leave this here with you for just one night?”}
The driver looked at the boys through the rearview mirror, first at Ye Cheng, who seemed dejected, then at Gu Shaofan, whose expression was calm. “Do you mean for me to take you to a hospital, young master?”

Turning back around, he asked the shop owner, “Can we leave this here with you for just one night?”

_{“...I’ll make sure to give you some when it’s still cold next time, alright?” Gu Shaofan replied.}“I’ll give it to you tomorrow.” Gu Shaofan handed the woman his student ID and then wrapped his hands under Ye Cheng’s buttocks before struggling to his feet.

“...I’ll make sure to give you some when it’s still cold next time, alright?” Gu Shaofan replied.

_{“Don’t move,” Gu Shaofan stated with disapproval in his tone while immediately reaching over to hold the moving boy’s shoulders still.}After this, the car was started, and Ye Cheng leaned towards the window on his side to take a look at the long, dark sky beyond it before letting out a long sigh.

“Don’t move,” Gu Shaofan stated with disapproval in his tone while immediately reaching over to hold the moving boy’s shoulders still.

_{The driver looked at the boys through the rearview mirror, first at Ye Cheng, who seemed dejected, then at Gu Shaofan, whose expression was calm. “Do you mean for me to take you to a hospital, young master?”}Ye Cheng’s wounds had been cleaned, treated, and wrapped, so there was a grating pain whenever he moved, but it wasn’t so painful that he couldn’t walk. However, pain that could be avoided should be avoided as much as possible. So as a result of the driver’s offer, Ye Cheng quickly gave the driver his thanks in advance; the friendliness in his voice was especially clear. The driver chuckled at the boy’s actions, then bent over to pick him up and hold him horizontally.

Gu Shaofan was almost suffocated by this action as he struggled to rise to his feet, and it was right then that the owner of the small eatery also yelled, “Hey! What about my food? Are you two thinking of running off without paying for all this? Tell me what class you’re in right now. I know all the homeroom teachers!”

_{The ruckus alerted the shop owner, who came rushing out from inside, screaming. When the frantic woman saw her pot of food was emptied, she asked in a panic, “Who on earth did this?!”}Gu Shaofan had been silently observing Ye Cheng’s bandaged arm and thighs right then, and upon hearing his driver’s question, he asked Ye Cheng, “Do you want us to drop you back home first?”

The ruckus alerted the shop owner, who came rushing out from inside, screaming. When the frantic woman saw her pot of food was emptied, she asked in a panic, “Who on earth did this?!”

_{“What is it?” The teary-eyed Ye Chang asked in return.}The nurse heard their conversation but didn't do anything to stop them and just continued with her work. Ye Cheng’s right hand was free, so he took the cover of the flask, lifted his head as he took a sip, and then chewed on the soft and glutinous tremella. But his nose still twitched with sniffles, and his expression looked a bit aggrieved. “It’s not cold anymore.”

“What is it?” The teary-eyed Ye Chang asked in return.

_{The nurse who came cut open Ye Cheng’s pants and exposed the part of his thighs where the hot soup had spilled. Unlike his arm, which had no protection from fabric, his legs were in less serious overall condition.}
No longer putting up any protest, Ye Cheng’s eyes now wandered around the interior of the unfamiliar car. He also moved restlessly as he did so, wanting to straighten himself and wanting to sit up. Unfortunately, he was not careful as he shifted and ended up bumping into his wounds, which forced a sharp hiss to escape.

The nurse who came cut open Ye Cheng’s pants and exposed the part of his thighs where the hot soup had spilled. Unlike his arm, which had no protection from fabric, his legs were in less serious overall condition. A saline solution was used to clean his wounds, but compared to the usual pain, this process hurt so much more that Ye Cheng would’ve jumped out of his seat if it weren’t for Gu Shaofan quickly moving to hold him in place.

_{The driver looked at the boys through the rearview mirror, first at Ye Cheng, who seemed dejected, then at Gu Shaofan, whose expression was calm. “Do you mean for me to take you to a hospital, young master?”}
“Don’t move,” Gu Shaofan stated with disapproval in his tone while immediately reaching over to hold the moving boy’s shoulders still.

_{Gu Shaofan was almost suffocated by this action as he struggled to rise to his feet, and it was right then that the owner of the small eatery also yelled, “Hey! What about my food? Are you two thinking of running off without paying for all this? Tell me what class you’re in right now. I know all the homeroom teachers!”}For an adult, the weight of a child is not significant at all. What’s more, Ye Cheng was a rather skinny boy at that, so it was an even easier task for the driver to carry him. Gu Shaofan followed along at their side, his eyes glancing at his driver's arms as they walked, then to his own arms, which he lifted, a sad feeling pricking his heart as he did.

_{Gu Shaofan was speechless.}
Pouting, Ye Cheng laid back on the leather seat and then began examining his visible wounds. The places that felt like they were burning were red, and some of them even had tiny blisters forming. It was an unpleasant sight to look at, and the pain from them felt hard to bear. What’s more, he couldn’t possibly imagine what the condition of his legs under his trousers might be.

Gu Shaofan was speechless.

_{Gu Shaofan, not letting the older boy off so easily, then drove another kick into his shoulder. He was not bigger than the older Brother Qiang in stature, but the power, cunning, and precision of the placement of his blows were unexpected given his size (taking the older boy by surprise). And these skills were the result of his mother, Wang Juan.}Gu Shaofan moved over to Ye Cheng, squatting down in front of him to look him over properly, and as a result of this attention, Ye Cheng instantly knitted his brows and cried like a wronged girlfriend. Gu Shaofan, seeing the state the boy before him was in, felt his lips stiffen before getting back on his feet and again walking towards the quivering Brother Qiang, then immediately dealt another kick to that special place being protected by his hands that caused the large boy's eyes to roll back.

Gu Shaofan, not letting the older boy off so easily, then drove another kick into his shoulder. He was not bigger than the older Brother Qiang in stature, but the power, cunning, and precision of the placement of his blows were unexpected given his size (taking the older boy by surprise). And these skills were the result of his mother, Wang Juan.

_{The nurse heard their conversation but didn't do anything to stop them and just continued with her work. Ye Cheng’s right hand was free, so he took the cover of the flask, lifted his head as he took a sip, and then chewed on the soft and glutinous tremella. But his nose still twitched with sniffles, and his expression looked a bit aggrieved. “It’s not cold anymore.”}Gu Shaofan stopped momentarily before again trying to tug Ye Cheng to his feet while saying, “Come on, I'll take you to see a doctor.”

_{“I’ll give it to you tomorrow.” Gu Shaofan handed the woman his student ID and then wrapped his hands under Ye Cheng’s buttocks before struggling to his feet.}
As Ye Cheng lay there, the sound of soft groans left him, while the firm gaze of Gu Shaofan stuck to him to make sure he did not move. The driver quickly took the two to the nearest hospital he could find, which wasn’t a very big one, but Ye Cheng’s wounds weren’t so bad they needed to be treated by some famous specialist in the field.

“I’ll give it to you tomorrow.” Gu Shaofan handed the woman his student ID and then wrapped his hands under Ye Cheng’s buttocks before struggling to his feet.

_{Turning back around, he asked the shop owner, “Can we leave this here with you for just one night?”}Pouting, Ye Cheng laid back on the leather seat and then began examining his visible wounds. The places that felt like they were burning were red, and some of them even had tiny blisters forming. It was an unpleasant sight to look at, and the pain from them felt hard to bear. What’s more, he couldn’t possibly imagine what the condition of his legs under his trousers might be.

Turning back around, he asked the shop owner, “Can we leave this here with you for just one night?”

_{This time, Gu Shaofan knew what was in his flask since he was there when the aunty who worked for them prepared it. “Tremella and wolfberries.”}
There weren’t that many people at that hospital when they arrived, so after getting Ye Cheng registered and the two boys settled, he quickly called the Gu's.

This time, Gu Shaofan knew what was in his flask since he was there when the aunty who worked for them prepared it. “Tremella and wolfberries.”

_{Gu Shaofan thought about it for a moment, then gave a nod.}
In the meantime, Gu Shaofan pulled out Ye Cheng’s student ID, which not only had his name and class but also the contact information of his next of kin. Ye Cheng’s contact was obviously his family, so Gu Shaofan asked his driver when he was done to also give the Ye family a call and explain to them what had happened. On his call to the Ye’s, the driver politely told the person on the other line that they would take it upon themselves to drive Ye Cheng back home. Then, following a few more polite words being exchanged with that person, both were able to be put at ease. The driver returned to the two elementary students after the call was over, recounting all the details of his prior conversation from beginning to end, and as a result, Ye Cheng was no longer worried about being scolded.

Gu Shaofan thought about it for a moment, then gave a nod.

_{Turning back around, he asked the shop owner, “Can we leave this here with you for just one night?”}N/A

Turning back around, he asked the shop owner, “Can we leave this here with you for just one night?”

_{05: Wounded}

05: Wounded

_{But Ye Cheng, who had already calmed down a bit at this point, had instead stated, “Hey, I want to go home.”}
Soon, their turn with the doctor had arrived. The doctor gave Ye Cheng a brief examination, noting that there were no particularly serious wounds, but the main issue with his injury was the size of the scalded area, which was quite large. After filling out a form, the doctor told them to go purchase the medication and get a nurse to take care of the rest.

But Ye Cheng, who had already calmed down a bit at this point, had instead stated, “Hey, I want to go home.”

_{Gu Shaofan had been silently observing Ye Cheng’s bandaged arm and thighs right then, and upon hearing his driver’s question, he asked Ye Cheng, “Do you want us to drop you back home first?”}
The nurse who came cut open Ye Cheng’s pants and exposed the part of his thighs where the hot soup had spilled. Unlike his arm, which had no protection from fabric, his legs were in less serious overall condition. A saline solution was used to clean his wounds, but compared to the usual pain, this process hurt so much more that Ye Cheng would’ve jumped out of his seat if it weren’t for Gu Shaofan quickly moving to hold him in place.

Gu Shaofan had been silently observing Ye Cheng’s bandaged arm and thighs right then, and upon hearing his driver’s question, he asked Ye Cheng, “Do you want us to drop you back home first?”

_{At the woman’s words, Gu Shaofan sent a cold, hard glare her way. The aura in his eyes was so fierce for a boy so young that it had taken the older woman by complete surprise.}Gu Shaofan was speechless.

At the woman’s words, Gu Shaofan sent a cold, hard glare her way. The aura in his eyes was so fierce for a boy so young that it had taken the older woman by complete surprise.

_{Ye Cheng sighed, then finished the rest of the drink with a gulp. Desserts are well known to help with soothing a person’s emotions, and the same could be said of Ye Cheng, who felt his wounds didn’t hurt so much anymore.}Again, that young boy’s slightly swollen eyes reddened, every bit of him looking pitiful. Gu Shaofan’s chest tightened at the sight of it, causing him to fish out a familiar thermos from his backpack and hand it to Ye Cheng.

_{Around this time, the driver had returned from buying Ye Cheng’s medication, which he dutifully checked over to discover most of them were anti-inflammatory. Along with the medicine to clean his wounds, there were also ones that had to be taken orally.}
Again, that young boy’s slightly swollen eyes reddened, every bit of him looking pitiful. Gu Shaofan’s chest tightened at the sight of it, causing him to fish out a familiar thermos from his backpack and hand it to Ye Cheng.

Around this time, the driver had returned from buying Ye Cheng’s medication, which he dutifully checked over to discover most of them were anti-inflammatory. Along with the medicine to clean his wounds, there were also ones that had to be taken orally. The nurse happened to be finished wrapping Ye Cheng up by then, and she also again reminded him to be careful. In response, Ye Cheng listened to her well, then thanked her before leaving.

_{But Ye Cheng persisted in his pleas, crying, “M-my bike. My b-bike!”}
“Do you want some? It’s sweet.”

But Ye Cheng persisted in his pleas, crying, “M-my bike. My b-bike!”

_{“What is it?” The teary-eyed Ye Chang asked in return.}The ruckus alerted the shop owner, who came rushing out from inside, screaming. When the frantic woman saw her pot of food was emptied, she asked in a panic, “Who on earth did this?!”

“What is it?” The teary-eyed Ye Chang asked in return.

_{This time, Gu Shaofan knew what was in his flask since he was there when the aunty who worked for them prepared it. “Tremella and wolfberries.”}The shop owner already knew the little thug who was on the ground; he was a boy who loved robbing any students he could get his hands on when he had nothing better to do. But there was nothing to be gained from going after him, so it was better to get the parents of the two kids standing before her to pay out some compensation. After all, that big pot of food had cost her a good bit of money!

This time, Gu Shaofan knew what was in his flask since he was there when the aunty who worked for them prepared it. “Tremella and wolfberries.”

_{No longer putting up any protest, Ye Cheng’s eyes now wandered around the interior of the unfamiliar car. He also moved restlessly as he did so, wanting to straighten himself and wanting to sit up. Unfortunately, he was not careful as he shifted and ended up bumping into his wounds, which forced a sharp hiss to escape.}
“What is it?” The teary-eyed Ye Chang asked in return.

No longer putting up any protest, Ye Cheng’s eyes now wandered around the interior of the unfamiliar car. He also moved restlessly as he did so, wanting to straighten himself and wanting to sit up. Unfortunately, he was not careful as he shifted and ended up bumping into his wounds, which forced a sharp hiss to escape.

_{The ruckus alerted the shop owner, who came rushing out from inside, screaming. When the frantic woman saw her pot of food was emptied, she asked in a panic, “Who on earth did this?!”}N/A

The ruckus alerted the shop owner, who came rushing out from inside, screaming. When the frantic woman saw her pot of food was emptied, she asked in a panic, “Who on earth did this?!”

_{The three arrived at the entrance of the hospital together, and there, the driver set down Ye Cheng to stand on his own while he went to the parking lot to bring over the car. After he got back and everyone got in, the driver asked, “Where do you live, little guy?”}Gu Shaofan stopped momentarily before again trying to tug Ye Cheng to his feet while saying, “Come on, I'll take you to see a doctor.”

_{Again, that young boy’s slightly swollen eyes reddened, every bit of him looking pitiful. Gu Shaofan’s chest tightened at the sight of it, causing him to fish out a familiar thermos from his backpack and hand it to Ye Cheng.}
The nurse heard their conversation but didn't do anything to stop them and just continued with her work. Ye Cheng’s right hand was free, so he took the cover of the flask, lifted his head as he took a sip, and then chewed on the soft and glutinous tremella. But his nose still twitched with sniffles, and his expression looked a bit aggrieved. “It’s not cold anymore.”

_{At the woman’s words, Gu Shaofan sent a cold, hard glare her way. The aura in his eyes was so fierce for a boy so young that it had taken the older woman by complete surprise.}
“...I’ll make sure to give you some when it’s still cold next time, alright?” Gu Shaofan replied.

At the woman’s words, Gu Shaofan sent a cold, hard glare her way. The aura in his eyes was so fierce for a boy so young that it had taken the older woman by complete surprise.

_{Gu Shaofan was left speechless yet again.}
Ye Cheng sighed, then finished the rest of the drink with a gulp. Desserts are well known to help with soothing a person’s emotions, and the same could be said of Ye Cheng, who felt his wounds didn’t hurt so much anymore. The nurse finally applied some ointment, followed by wrapping him with some light gauze. “Alright, so you’re going to keep these on for a little while; make sure to not get them wet, and you can take them off tomorrow. After they’re off, you need to let your arm and leg air out, so don’t cover them up. Also, if you have a fever tonight or later, please don’t ignore it and tell someone, okay?”

Gu Shaofan was left speechless yet again.

_{“Can you walk?” Gu Shaofan asked Ye Cheng, but the other boy ignored his words and kept bawling until he got so tired he could only choke out sobs. Squatting down again, Gu Shaofan reached over to take Ye Cheng’s right hand, but the other boy cried out in pain at his touch.}
Around this time, the driver had returned from buying Ye Cheng’s medication, which he dutifully checked over to discover most of them were anti-inflammatory. Along with the medicine to clean his wounds, there were also ones that had to be taken orally. The nurse happened to be finished wrapping Ye Cheng up by then, and she also again reminded him to be careful. In response, Ye Cheng listened to her well, then thanked her before leaving.

_{In the meantime, Gu Shaofan pulled out Ye Cheng’s student ID, which not only had his name and class but also the contact information of his next of kin. Ye Cheng’s contact was obviously his family, so Gu Shaofan asked his driver when he was done to also give the Ye family a call and explain to them what had happened.}Ye Cheng had just drank a bottle of tremella and wolfberry soup, so his stomach at the moment had not noticed his need to have a meal. But being the young boy he was, he was still a bit uncomfortable with not being home at a time he usually would, so after being asked this question, he gave a polite nod in reply. Seeing his answer, Gu Shaofan took the bag of medications from his driver's hand and then reached out another hand to help Ye Cheng to his feet.

_{The shop owner already knew the little thug who was on the ground; he was a boy who loved robbing any students he could get his hands on when he had nothing better to do. But there was nothing to be gained from going after him, so it was better to get the parents of the two kids standing before her to pay out some compensation. After all, that big pot of food had cost her a good bit of money!}Gu Shaofan, not letting the older boy off so easily, then drove another kick into his shoulder. He was not bigger than the older Brother Qiang in stature, but the power, cunning, and precision of the placement of his blows were unexpected given his size (taking the older boy by surprise). And these skills were the result of his mother, Wang Juan.

_N/A“Can you walk?” Gu Shaofan asked Ye Cheng, but the other boy ignored his words and kept bawling until he got so tired he could only choke out sobs. Squatting down again, Gu Shaofan reached over to take Ye Cheng’s right hand, but the other boy cried out in pain at his touch.

N/A

_{Gu Shaofan didn't dare touch Ye Cheng's injured left hand, so only the boy's right hand could be wrapped around his neck. But as soon as that hand touched Gu Shaofan’s skin, it reacted by clutching his neck and tightening.}
Ye Cheng had just drank a bottle of tremella and wolfberry soup, so his stomach at the moment had not noticed his need to have a meal. But being the young boy he was, he was still a bit uncomfortable with not being home at a time he usually would, so after being asked this question, he gave a polite nod in reply. Seeing his answer, Gu Shaofan took the bag of medications from his driver's hand and then reached out another hand to help Ye Cheng to his feet.

Gu Shaofan didn't dare touch Ye Cheng's injured left hand, so only the boy's right hand could be wrapped around his neck. But as soon as that hand touched Gu Shaofan’s skin, it reacted by clutching his neck and tightening.

_{In response, Ye Cheng told him his address clearly, but it was a place the driver had never been to before, so he could only get a rough idea of where the boy’s house was in his head, so he asked further, “Is there a supermarket nearby?”}The flustered driver, who realised the other boy would be sent to his house first, then quickly said upon seeing his young master’s actions, “Seeing how this little guy’s legs are currently all wrapped up and how difficult it would be for him to walk, I’ll carry him, okay?”

_{The flustered driver, who realised the other boy would be sent to his house first, then quickly said upon seeing his young master’s actions, “Seeing how this little guy’s legs are currently all wrapped up and how difficult it would be for him to walk, I’ll carry him, okay?”}
The flustered driver, who realised the other boy would be sent to his house first, then quickly said upon seeing his young master’s actions, “Seeing how this little guy’s legs are currently all wrapped up and how difficult it would be for him to walk, I’ll carry him, okay?”

The flustered driver, who realised the other boy would be sent to his house first, then quickly said upon seeing his young master’s actions, “Seeing how this little guy’s legs are currently all wrapped up and how difficult it would be for him to walk, I’ll carry him, okay?”

_{05: Wounded}
Ye Cheng’s wounds had been cleaned, treated, and wrapped, so there was a grating pain whenever he moved, but it wasn’t so painful that he couldn’t walk. However, pain that could be avoided should be avoided as much as possible. So as a result of the driver’s offer, Ye Cheng quickly gave the driver his thanks in advance; the friendliness in his voice was especially clear. The driver chuckled at the boy’s actions, then bent over to pick him up and hold him horizontally.

05: Wounded

_{Gu Shaofan had been silently observing Ye Cheng’s bandaged arm and thighs right then, and upon hearing his driver’s question, he asked Ye Cheng, “Do you want us to drop you back home first?”}Gu Shaofan was not angered at all by Ye Cheng’s insistence and had only leaned his body more forward in order to support more of the other boy’s weight. Luckily, he had received training from his mother every day, so even after giving it his all, he could still squeeze out a bit more strength. And, like this, he used one hand to support Ye Cheng by his buttocks, while his other hand, which was freed, was used to lift and pull the bicycle.

Gu Shaofan had been silently observing Ye Cheng’s bandaged arm and thighs right then, and upon hearing his driver’s question, he asked Ye Cheng, “Do you want us to drop you back home first?”

_{Ye Cheng had his neck in a death grip, but even through intermittent sobs, he still never forgot to say, “My b-bike. M-my bike.”}Gu Shaofan was not angered at all by Ye Cheng’s insistence and had only leaned his body more forward in order to support more of the other boy’s weight. Luckily, he had received training from his mother every day, so even after giving it his all, he could still squeeze out a bit more strength. And, like this, he used one hand to support Ye Cheng by his buttocks, while his other hand, which was freed, was used to lift and pull the bicycle.

Ye Cheng had his neck in a death grip, but even through intermittent sobs, he still never forgot to say, “My b-bike. M-my bike.”

_{Turning back around, he asked the shop owner, “Can we leave this here with you for just one night?”}Gu Shaofan stood by and watched as that frazzled man carried Ye Cheng into the car and then returned to put the bike in the trunk before he slipped into the back seat. He then told his driver simply, “To a doctor.”

Turning back around, he asked the shop owner, “Can we leave this here with you for just one night?”

_{The first scream came from Ye Cheng, but the second scream came from Brother Qiang.}
For an adult, the weight of a child is not significant at all. What’s more, Ye Cheng was a rather skinny boy at that, so it was an even easier task for the driver to carry him. Gu Shaofan followed along at their side, his eyes glancing at his driver's arms as they walked, then to his own arms, which he lifted, a sad feeling pricking his heart as he did.

The first scream came from Ye Cheng, but the second scream came from Brother Qiang.

_{As Ye Cheng lay there, the sound of soft groans left him, while the firm gaze of Gu Shaofan stuck to him to make sure he did not move. The driver quickly took the two to the nearest hospital he could find, which wasn’t a very big one, but Ye Cheng’s wounds weren’t so bad they needed to be treated by some famous specialist in the field.}Ye Cheng’s wounds had been cleaned, treated, and wrapped, so there was a grating pain whenever he moved, but it wasn’t so painful that he couldn’t walk. However, pain that could be avoided should be avoided as much as possible. So as a result of the driver’s offer, Ye Cheng quickly gave the driver his thanks in advance; the friendliness in his voice was especially clear. The driver chuckled at the boy’s actions, then bent over to pick him up and hold him horizontally.

As Ye Cheng lay there, the sound of soft groans left him, while the firm gaze of Gu Shaofan stuck to him to make sure he did not move. The driver quickly took the two to the nearest hospital he could find, which wasn’t a very big one, but Ye Cheng’s wounds weren’t so bad they needed to be treated by some famous specialist in the field.

_{While waiting on them from across the room, the driver checked his watch and noticed it was already past eight o’clock. But even if he was not hungry, he still had to care for the well-being of his employer’s child.}
The three arrived at the entrance of the hospital together, and there, the driver set down Ye Cheng to stand on his own while he went to the parking lot to bring over the car. After he got back and everyone got in, the driver asked, “Where do you live, little guy?”

_{But Ye Cheng, who had already calmed down a bit at this point, had instead stated, “Hey, I want to go home.”}Gu Shaofan moved over to Ye Cheng, squatting down in front of him to look him over properly, and as a result of this attention, Ye Cheng instantly knitted his brows and cried like a wronged girlfriend. Gu Shaofan, seeing the state the boy before him was in, felt his lips stiffen before getting back on his feet and again walking towards the quivering Brother Qiang, then immediately dealt another kick to that special place being protected by his hands that caused the large boy's eyes to roll back.

But Ye Cheng, who had already calmed down a bit at this point, had instead stated, “Hey, I want to go home.”

_{The driver looked at the boys through the rearview mirror, first at Ye Cheng, who seemed dejected, then at Gu Shaofan, whose expression was calm. “Do you mean for me to take you to a hospital, young master?”}Ye Cheng had just drank a bottle of tremella and wolfberry soup, so his stomach at the moment had not noticed his need to have a meal. But being the young boy he was, he was still a bit uncomfortable with not being home at a time he usually would, so after being asked this question, he gave a polite nod in reply. Seeing his answer, Gu Shaofan took the bag of medications from his driver's hand and then reached out another hand to help Ye Cheng to his feet.

_{“Don’t move,” Gu Shaofan stated with disapproval in his tone while immediately reaching over to hold the moving boy’s shoulders still.}
In response, Ye Cheng told him his address clearly, but it was a place the driver had never been to before, so he could only get a rough idea of where the boy’s house was in his head, so he asked further, “Is there a supermarket nearby?”

“Don’t move,” Gu Shaofan stated with disapproval in his tone while immediately reaching over to hold the moving boy’s shoulders still.

_{Gu Shaofan was left speechless yet again.}But Ye Cheng persisted in his pleas, crying, “M-my bike. My b-bike!”

Gu Shaofan was left speechless yet again.

_{The driver looked at the boys through the rearview mirror, first at Ye Cheng, who seemed dejected, then at Gu Shaofan, whose expression was calm. “Do you mean for me to take you to a hospital, young master?”}Ye Cheng sighed, then finished the rest of the drink with a gulp. Desserts are well known to help with soothing a person’s emotions, and the same could be said of Ye Cheng, who felt his wounds didn’t hurt so much anymore. The nurse finally applied some ointment, followed by wrapping him with some light gauze. “Alright, so you’re going to keep these on for a little while; make sure to not get them wet, and you can take them off tomorrow. After they’re off, you need to let your arm and leg air out, so don’t cover them up. Also, if you have a fever tonight or later, please don’t ignore it and tell someone, okay?”

_{Gu Shaofan didn’t look at him, his gaze still fixed on his driver as he repeated, “Take us to see a doctor.”}
After this, the car was started, and Ye Cheng leaned towards the window on his side to take a look at the long, dark sky beyond it before letting out a long sigh.

Gu Shaofan didn’t look at him, his gaze still fixed on his driver as he repeated, “Take us to see a doctor.”

_{Gu Shaofan stopped momentarily before again trying to tug Ye Cheng to his feet while saying, “Come on, I'll take you to see a doctor.”}Gu Shaofan didn’t look at him, his gaze still fixed on his driver as he repeated, “Take us to see a doctor.”

Gu Shaofan stopped momentarily before again trying to tug Ye Cheng to his feet while saying, “Come on, I'll take you to see a doctor.”

Author's Note:

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Childhood Chronicles: C05

05: Wounded

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