"Since the children's parents weren't doing anything about it, the bullies had become even more brazen."
"Their parents were happy to turn a blind eye, too."
"The kids are just horsing around. It's nothing."
"How much damage could a little kid do?"
"Nothing serious will happen."
Seeing that the young man's expression had darkened, the villager considered him a potential customer and added a few more words. "If they really go too far, we won't just sit by and do nothing."
How much damage could a little kid do?
But the child being beaten was a little kid, too—and she looked even younger than the ones doing the hitting!
Nothing serious would happen?
If something did happen, would it still be in time to do anything?
Still, Su Xun couldn't bring himself to voice his dissatisfaction.
The villager had already explained the whole story.
He was just an outsider, and it wouldn't do to make too much of a scene.
The little girl, who had been crouching quietly on the ground, suddenly stood up.
Then she ran off.
Su Xun froze. He instinctively wanted to call out to her, but then wondered what he would even say if he stopped her.
The little girl's unsteady figure soon disappeared at the end of the road.
"She's gone home to eat."
Seeing the young man watching the child's retreating figure, the villager spoke up. "It's dinnertime."
"If she gets home late, there might not be any food left for her."
The villager couldn't help adding a few more words. "Even if there's leftovers, the weather's cold now, and nobody's going to heat them up for her."
"Young man, look—the little girl has gone home to eat. How about you come have a meal at my restaurant?"
The villager