Ji Xingyao was taken aback.
Regaining her senses, she immediately pushed the person off her, discovering it was a little boy about her age, squinting his eyes.
Furrowing her delicate brows, just as she was about to ask why he wasn't watching where he was going, the barking of a dog suddenly came from not far away.
"Oh no, it's coming after us, run quickly!" The boy who had just taken a tumble got up from the ground without a word.
Turning, he saw that the person he bumped into was a pretty little girl. He glanced at her feet clad in small yellow duck slippers, thinking they wouldn't be good for running. He quickly yanked the slippers off her feet, tossed them aside, grabbed her hand, and took off running.
"My shoes!" Ji Xingyao shouted.
They were a birthday gift from Uncle Leng, limited edition!
These three words meant a lot of small money.
The little money-grubber's heart ached!
But her cry was ignored as the boy, only concerned about being caught by the dog, clung tightly to the unwilling Ji Xingyao and ran forward.
Originally heading to her grandparents' shop, Little Glutinous Rice Dumpling found herself being dragged in the opposite direction...
Her bare feet hit the ground, stepping on little stones here and there, the pain nearly bringing tears to her eyes.
Just as the boy was about to drag her into Nanpo Apartment, Ji Xingyao finally managed to shake off his hand with all her might.
"Who are you?!"
"My name is Qin Morui, and we can't stop now. The dog's catching up, you better run with me!"
Indeed, the poor boy, who had barely escaped, was once again being chased by a dog, was Qin Morui.
He was just passing by a fried chicken shop, accidentally glanced twice, and suddenly a dog leaped out from inside.
He had just started to run, and ended up bumping into someone.
Now, the little sister he collided with wouldn't run with him, and the little guy was anxiously sweating on his forehead.
Thinking of the earlier dog barks, Ji Xingyao seemed to finally realize what the boy was afraid of. She pursed her little lips, turned to face the big yellow dog chasing them, and casually walked in front of Qin Morui.
She patted her little chest assertively.
"Don't be afraid, I can protect you."
Qin Morui was stunned, lowering his eyes to stare at the little sister a half head shorter than himself, he snapped out of it and moved in front of her.
"No, I'm older, I should protect you."
"I'm four years old!" Ji Xingyao held out four tiny fingers, tilted her head, and emphasized seriously.
"I'm four too!" Qin Morui, not to be outdone, gestured to show he was taller, "And I'm taller than you."
"I'll grow taller in the future!" Ji Xingyao puffed her cheeks and moved back in front of Qin Morui.
The gentlemanly education Qin Morui received from a young age wouldn't allow a little sister to protect him, so without another word, he moved forward again.
As they went back and forth, the big yellow dog was nearly upon them.
"Woof woof—"
The sudden barking interrupted their dispute.
Seeing the big yellow dog rushing at them, Qin Morui's nerves tightened, without thinking, he stretched out his arms and pulled the little girl tightly into his embrace!
Just as he was about to pick up a stone to throw at the dog, he noticed the big yellow dog suddenly lying on the ground, no longer baring its teeth at them, and wagging its tail vigorously.
Confirming it wouldn't attack, the yellow dog quickly leaped at them, rubbing against them with all its might... to be precise, it was rubbing against the little girl.
Did she know the dog?
"Big Yellow, stop licking me, you're getting my clothes all dirty."