"Nan Nan."
Mother Yu called her son again.
The boy's face stiffened, and his voice was even more wooden. "I-I'm s-sorry."
Though his voice was still quiet, the people around them heard him.
Wang Zhe frowned. There wasn't a hint of sincerity in that apology.
He was about to speak when Zheng Yuan stopped him.
Zheng Yuan looked at the boy. "What are you sorry for?"
"For hitting someone with a vase."
Mother Yu spoke quickly, then tugged at her son's hand. "Nan Nan."
The boy lowered his head slightly, but obediently repeated what Mother Yu had said. "I'm sorry for hitting someone with a vase."
His flat, matter-of-fact tone still revealed not the slightest remorse.
Zheng Yuan pressed a hand to his brow.
Fine. He didn't want to hold it against a child anymore.
A token apology would do.
Still, he couldn't help telling the boy's parents, "You really need to keep an eye on him."
"He's lucky he ran into me this time."
"I don't know how I managed to be so easygoing."
"If he'd run into someone else..."
"Yes, yes."
Mother Yu nodded repeatedly.
She knew that the young man had been exceptionally generous this time.
She was grateful.
"Thank you."
Father Yu lowered his head. "We'll make sure to teach him a proper lesson when we get home."
"By the way, once you've had your injuries checked out at the hospital, we'll cover the medical expenses."
"I'll give you my number."
At last, Zheng Yuan felt his churning, nauseated stomach settle a little.
His complexion improved somewhat, too.
The boy was a complete mystery.
At least his parents were reasonable.
At least he hadn't gone to all that trouble for nothing.
Just then, the restaurant manager and a server saw that things had more or