Protecting You in My Arms

Another week of studying.

Ding Yebai had scored over 100 on his English quizzes a few times recently. He had even specifically shown the papers to Yang Zhi.

Yang Zhi, as usual, offered encouragement with her purest smile, while also calmly helping him analyze his mistakes.

He felt like she wasn't too happy, though.

Ding Yebai wondered if he needed to score even higher for her emotions to change significantly.

So, this Sunday, he woke up early to memorize words, then went out for a stroll.

Wearing a black baseball cap and a cool outfit, he must have captured the hearts of many girls along the way.

The monthly exam was approaching, and he planned to buy more practice books from the bookstore.

About ten minutes later, he came out of the bookstore and coincidentally bought an ice cream cone. He sat on a roadside bench to eat it.

The first bite was incredibly sweet, so sweet it felt like it could melt his heart.

The warm sunlight streamed down, dappling the ground with shifting shadows.

He ate his ice cream cone while watching the people passing by.

Completely clearing his mind, he savored the moment.

But before long, he noticed a shy, chubby little boy standing not too far away out of the corner of his eye.

The boy's eyes were bright, fixed directly on the ice cream cone in his hand.

Ding Yebai didn't say anything, just watched as the little boy slowly approached him until he stood right in front of him.

"What is it? Speak concisely," Ding Yebai said, looking down.

The little boy licked his dry lips, his mouth half-open before he shyly closed it again.

Ding Yebai: "Do you want the ice cream cone?"

The little boy's spirits lifted, but his eyes remained slightly confused: "Awoo awoo."

He couldn't speak clearly, like a baby who hadn't learned to talk yet.

But judging by his appearance, he looked about seven or eight years old, old enough to be in elementary school.

How could he not know how to speak yet?

"You... say whatever you're thinking. I don't know what you want if you just keep saying 'awoo awoo'," Ding Yebai said, a little troubled.

Even if he wanted to help, how could he if the child said nothing?

If this continued, he'd just have to get up and leave.

"Awoo awoo..." The little boy inexplicably gestured with his hands for a while. Sensing that Ding Yebai was getting impatient, he put his hands behind his back and lowered his head.

Ding Yebai: "It's really troublesome that you can't speak."

With that, he looked towards the ice cream shop in the distance and, seeing that it was not crowded at the moment, stood up abruptly.

The little boy still had his head down, looking incredibly sad and disappointed.

"Hey, wait a moment."

Just then, Yang Zhi suddenly ran over from a distance, carrying a bag.

Judging by her direction, she was coming from the bookstore.

The moment Ding Yebai saw her, his eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but call her name: "Yang Zhi..."

Yang Zhi arrived beside Ding Yebai, gave him a polite smile, then crouched down, placed her purchases aside, and gently placed her hands on the little boy's arms.

The little boy, with teary eyes, turned to look at Yang Zhi: "Awoo awoo..."

Yang Zhi smiled gently and began to sign.

[Do you want to eat that ice cream?]

Seeing that she knew sign language, the little boy's face lit up with a smile, and he nodded.

But three seconds later, he lowered his head again.

[But I don't have money.]

[It's okay, consider it a treat from your sister.]

The little boy was overjoyed and quickly pulled a piece of paper from his pocket.

Yang Zhi looked at it and saw a detailed home address.

[I want to go to this place, but I don't have money for the bus.]

[Then I'll take you there, okay?]

After they had communicated, Yang Zhi stood up and said to Ding Yebai, "He's deaf and mute."

A tender light of concern flashed in Ding Yebai's eyes. He said softly, "Oh, I see... By the way, you know sign language?"

Yang Zhi held the little boy's hand tightly and nodded: "Yes. I learned it specifically because there was a deaf-mute child in my class when I was volunteering as a teacher."

"Just for that one child?"

"Yeah."

Ding Yebai nodded secretly, pointing to the ice cream shop behind them. "I understood what he meant later. I was just about to go buy him an ice cream."

"I know that, of course." Yang Zhi smiled, her eyes curving. "Knowing your personality, you wouldn't leave this child to fend for himself."

With that, she pulled the child past Ding Yebai.

Ding Yebai's gaze followed her until she was out of sight. He couldn't help but take a step forward and walk with her. "What are you doing now?"

"This child is lost, and I'm taking him home."

"I'll go too."

"Hm?"

Yang Zhi turned back, looking at Ding Yebai in surprise. She saw sincerity in his eyes, a rare sight, as he wasn't being his usual cold self.

"Okay."

"Mm."

After buying the little boy an ice cream, the three of them got on a bus to head to his home.

They learned that the child had run away out of temper and didn't bring enough money to take the bus back.

The bus was crowded, and there was only one seat left. The two adults naturally gave it to the deaf and mute child.

Yang Zhi and Ding Yebai stood in front of the little boy.

Ding Yebai: "By the way, Sister Yang Zhi, what are you doing here?"

Yang Zhi: "Buying some books to read."

Ding Yebai: "I see."

Yang Zhi: "What about you?"

Ding Yebai: "Buying some study materials. Exams are coming up soon."

"Exams?" Yang Zhi's interest was piqued. She turned her head to look at him. "Good luck with your exams!"

Ding Yebai was stunned by her smile for a moment before quickly turning his head away to look at the scenery outside the window. He lowered his voice and said, "Uh... they're all simple questions. You don't need to specifically wish me luck."

"Good luck," Yang Zhi repeated gently and beautifully.

"Wishing me luck... I guess that's okay too." Ding Yebai frowned slightly, turning his face away somewhat awkwardly.

Yang Zhi: "If you keep taking exams like this, making progress little by little, you'll definitely get good results in the Gaokao."

Ding Yebai glanced at her with the side of his face, raising an eyebrow slightly. He didn't say anything.

Hope so...

The bus trundled along slowly, and the space inside felt inexplicably stuffy.

Ding Yebai and Yang Zhi didn't speak much afterward.

He kept staring out the window at the passing scenery, while Yang Zhi lowered her head, chatting with the deaf and mute child.

Ding Yebai always felt Yang Zhi was a very strange person.

She would specifically learn sign language for the only deaf and mute child in their class.

Because the little boy didn't have enough money for the bus, she would personally take him home.

Doing good deeds surely brings good fortune.

He thought to himself, then unconsciously looked at Yang Zhi again.

Just then, he saw a shifty middle-aged man standing behind her.

With that look and those actions, he seemed to have ill intentions.

Meanwhile, Yang Zhi seemed to be happily playing with the deaf and mute child, completely unaware of the approaching danger.

"Ah... looks like good fortune hasn't arrived, but bad things are coming."

The light in Ding Yebai's eyes instantly dimmed to zero. He stepped forward, pushing the lecherous man who was trying to get behind Yang Zhi to the other side.

After being bumped aside, the man panicked and quickly averted his gaze, cursing himself for not acting faster.

Later, he unfortunately made eye contact with Ding Yebai. Frightened by that cold face, he immediately walked away to the other end.

As for Ding Yebai, he stood behind Yang Zhi like a guardian angel. In other words, he was securely protecting her within his embrace.

Thank you to Ai Nan Sui Ren Yi for 1666 book coins, thank you to Wen Lei Qing Cheng for 7474 book coins, Mi Lu Ling for 1500 Qidian coins, Sundy, and Yin for 1500 Qidian coins.

I'm so sad (╥﹏╥), I didn't fully advance, but there's a continuation. To climb higher later, I'll need your continued support.