“Xiao Tian…” He looks at Yaw.a.n.g, whose face is full of concern.

“I’m alright, it doesn’t hurt. What about you? Does it hurt?” Xiao Tian reaches for the arm that Cheng Wei hits and strokes on it gently.

“I’m sorry Yaw.a.n.g.” He apologizes, feeling guilty and heartbroken. The stinging pain from her arm suddenly soothes down when Xiao Tian touches it, and Yaw.a.n.g don’t feel any pain anymore. She awkwardly pulls her arm back and smile.

“I’m alright, it doesn’t hurt.”

“Yaw.a.n.g, get in the car.” Uncle Tang orders coldly. She nods her head and helps Xiao Tian get in the car. When they both sit down on the seats, Uncle Tang gives out another order.

“Get out.”

“Huh?” Both of them asks, looking at each other.

“Tang Xiao Tian, I said get out! Walk home on your own!”

“But Uncle, Xiao Tian is hurt.” Yaw.a.n.g pleads to Uncle Tang. He is way too harsh to his kid!

“Get out right now!” He order again. Xiao Tian’s eyes reddened and he bites his lips before getting up from his seat. He opens the door and steps out of the car. Yaw.a.n.g who’s been watching him, also stands up from her seat.

“I’m going to walk home too.” She steps out of the car and stands beside Xiao Tian. Uncle Tang looks at both of them in disbelief.

“Tang Xiao Tian, if you’re a man, you don’t let a girl suffer because of you! If Yaw.a.n.g wasn’t here today, see if I would save you!” Xiao Tian lowers his head and nudge Yaw.a.n.g with his arm.

“Get back in the car.”

“No.”

“Go.” He whispers back softly. He lifts his head up to look at Yaw.a.n.g, the tears gathering up in his eyes, swirling brightly like the stars in the sky. Yaw.a.n.g unwillingly turns back and walk to the car. Uncle Tang starts the engine and drives away, Xiao Tian’s face turning smaller and smaller as they drive further away.

“Uncle Tang, you’re way too harsh on Xiao Tian. You even made him cry! You’re so evil.” She yells out to him as tears stream down on her face. Uncle Tang looks back at her through the rearview mirror.

“You girl, it’s been so many years, and yet you still cry whenever Xiao Tian gets punished!”

“Who tells you to punish him so severely! Don’t you feel bad?” I feel bad. Yaw.a.n.g says in her mind, but didn’t want to say out loud.

“Yaw.a.n.g-ah, there are too many soft men nowadays. I want my son to be a real man, a strong and courageous man with integrity! I hope, he can be my pride. Unless, you don’t want him to.” Uncle Tang asks with a chuckle. Yaw.a.n.g nods her head slightly.

“I do.” They reach Yaw.a.n.g’s home quickly, and both Yaw.a.n.g and Xia Mu steps out from the car. Uncle Tang continues to drive, bringing Zhang Jing Yu back to his home. Yaw.a.n.g is not in a rush to go home, she wants to wait until Xiao Tian arrives, and it’s not far away from Xia Mu’s home, he can walk home by himself. She looks down at Xia Mu and her eyes widened.

“Xia Mu, are…are you-” Xia Mu’s hands are clenched together, shaking slightly.

“My dad often said, he hopes I can become his pride.”