Chapter 19
San Yan was being choked by Sang Zhi, making him slightly out of breath. His neck soon turned slightly red. Upon hearing this statement, the corners of his mouth twitched. As if he had been caught off guard, he suddenly began to cough.
”Huh?” Chen Mingxu didn’t catch on at first, then he looked at Sang Yan’s face and his expression became complicated. “Sang Zhi, did you say this is your father?”
Sang Zhi was terrified, her mind racing through a series of scenarios where her lie was exposed and she was ridiculed by everyone. For her, it felt like doomsday had arrived. With very little confidence left, she dared not make a sound and merely nodded.
Watching Sang Zhi’s expression closely, Duan Jiaxu suddenly lowered his head and burst into laughter.
The young girl had round, wide eyes, tears glistening, a redness around them, and her cheeks were smeared with dirt, making her look disheveled and pitiable.
Her appearance silenced the words that Chen Mingxu had been about to say.
The person whom Sang Zhi had referred to as “Dad” and the one she called “Brother” stood side by side. Clearly, they were peers, both wearing matching volunteer uniforms.
However, upon hearing Sang Zhi’s words, he realized that he did bear some resemblance to her.
Chen Mingxu thought to himself.
Though he didn’t know the reason for her lie, he couldn’t bear to press further. He raised his hand to touch his balding head and said, “Let’s tend to your injury first.”
The school had set up tents at two corners of the sports field, where Red Cross volunteers and the school nurse were stationed in case any students got injured.
Sang Yan managed to regain his composure and said expressionlessly, “Alright.”
Then, he carried Sang Zhi on his back and headed towards the direction of the tents.
Chen Mingxu pulled Duan Jiaxu aside and spoke a few words to him. Since there were parents around, he felt reassured. After that, he went to another area to observe the condition of other students.
The two siblings walked in silence ahead.
After a few moments, Duan Jiaxu caught up with them.
Sang Zhi was lying on Sang Yan’s back, her heart constantly in suspense, unsure of how to react. She couldn’t help but glance in Duan Jiaxu’s direction, her expression almost pleading for help.
In the next moment, Sang Yan casually spoke, “What did you just call me?”
Sang Zhi immediately averted her gaze, afraid to speak.
”I’m your Dad?”
”…”
”Did you hurt your leg or your head when you fell?”
Originally, due to the fall, her whole body was aching and she didn’t want to say anything. Earlier, she had reluctantly spoken to deal with the teacher’s inquiry, and her mood had slightly eased. Now, she was facing Sang Yan’s reproach.
A lump formed in her throat, and a wave of overwhelming grievances washed over her.
”Why do you keep scolding me? You’ve been scolding me all day.” In that moment, Sang Zhi felt like the most pitiable person in the world. She bit her lip hard, trying to suppress her choked-up voice, but she couldn’t hold back the tears. “I want to tell Dad… Just leave, I don’t want you to carry me anymore…”
”…” Sang Yan immediately fell silent.
After a couple of seconds, he spoke again, “You’ve sprained your foot, how will you walk if I don’t carry you?”
”I can walk on my own.” Sang Zhi kicked her uninjured leg, attempting to get down. “I want to walk by myself, I don’t want you to carry me…”
Sang Yan turned his head back, sounding impatient, “Could you just listen and cooperate?”
”I don’t want to!” Sang Zhi’s tears were still falling, and she stared at him. “Why should I listen to you? You keep scolding me, you’ve been scolding me the whole day…”
Sang Yan’s confidence diminished considerably. “…I was just kidding with you.”
This softened tone was of no use.
Sang Zhi’s emotions surged, and words spilled out of her mouth without a second thought, “If you dislike me so much, why didn’t you tell Mom to abort me before I was born?”
”…”
Sang Yan frowned, “What are you talking about?”
His intonation rose, and his volume slightly increased, indicating strong disagreement with her words.
This tone left Sang Zhi in a daze for a few seconds, as if she couldn’t believe what had just happened. She stared at Sang Yan, blinked after a few seconds, and then burst into another torrent of tears, large drops falling down: “You’re scolding me again…”
Sang Yan: “…”
There was still a considerable distance to the tent.
Sang Zhi seemed determined to shed all her tears in this lifetime.
Listening to their conversation and Sang Zhi’s unfamiliar crying, Duan Jiaxu scratched the skin under his eyes and couldn’t help but call out, “Hey, Sang Yan.”
Sang Yan: “What?”
He approached and glanced at Sang Zhi: “I’ll carry her.”
Hearing this, Sang Zhi’s crying diminished slightly, and she looked up at Duan Jiaxu.
Her reaction made her intentions quite clear. Sang Yan tilted his head slightly and asked with great respect, “Do you want him to carry you?”
Sang Zhi’s crying came to a complete halt as she stared fixedly at Duan Jiaxu.
”…”
Although she didn’t give a definite response, her reaction conveyed how unbearable the thought of being carried by him was.
Sang Yan let out a sigh and, swallowed his pride, and said, “Fine.”
With that, he wordlessly let Sang Zhi down.
Once Sang Zhi regained her balance, Duan Jiaxu crouched down to lift her onto his back.
Sang Zhi lay on Duan Jiaxu’s back, glanced back at Sang Yan, thought of saying something, but quickly averted her gaze due to lingering anger.
Duan Jiaxu adjusted his posture and focused ahead. He casually asked, “Apart from your foot, where else hurts?”
Sang Zhi sniffled and replied softly, “My hand hurts.”
”Anything else?”
”My knee also hurts a little.”
”Alright, stop crying,” Duan Jiaxu said, “Brother will give you some medicine when we get back.”
Sang Zhi silently nodded.
In this position, she could only see his profile. The hat that Duan Jiaxu had put on her head earlier for the competition had been returned to him. Now it was back on his head.
The proximity between them was quite close, and she could even catch a faint whiff of tobacco scent emanating from him. The sun was shining from another direction, casting a light halo on half of his face. His lips were slightly pursed.
The upper half of his face was in shadow, with his almond-shaped eyes slightly narrowed, and his nose straight and prominent.
His facial features were distinct and well-defined, concealing any emotions.
Soon, as if noticing her gaze, Duan Jiaxu suddenly called out to her, “Kiddo.”
Sang Zhi immediately averted her gaze, pretending as if she hadn’t done anything.
Before she could respond, Duan Jiaxu continued, “Take my hat off .”
”…”
Sang Zhi obediently complied. “And then?”
Duan Jiaxu’s tone was casual. “Then put it on your head.”
Sang Zhi was momentarily puzzled.
Peek-Aboo 
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