In the bustling halls of the school, amidst the chatter and laughter of students, Dabao navigated his way through the throng, his head buried in a book. His glasses perched precariously on his nose, he seemed lost in his own world, oblivious to the jeers and taunts that followed him.
As he rounded a corner, a group of older boys blocked his path, their menacing grins sending a shiver down his spine.
Bully 1: "Hey, look who it is, the little bookworm."
Bully 2: "Yeah, what's he reading this time? Probably some boring textbook."
Dabao's heart raced as he tried to edge past them, but they closed in, surrounding him.
Bully 3: "What's the rush, nerd? We just want to have a little chat."
Dabao's hands clenched around his book, his knuckles turning white. He desperately wished his sister Xubao or his best friend Hanyu were here to rescue him, but he couldn't bear the thought of them seeing him like this, weak and helpless.
Bully 1: "What's the matter, scaredy-cat? Can't handle a little teasing?"
Just then, Xubao rounded the corner, her cheerful voice cutting through the tension.
Xubao: "Hey, Dabao! There you are! I've been looking all over for you."
Dabao's heart lifted at the sight of his sister, relief flooding through him.
Dabao: "Xubao! Uh, yeah, I was just... um..."
But before he could finish, the bullies slunk away, their taunts silenced in the face of Xubao's presence.
Xubao: "Are you okay, Dabao? You seem a bit flustered."
Dabao forced a smile, hiding the turmoil beneath the surface.
Dabao: "Yeah, I'm fine. Just got caught up in my book, that's all."
Xubao nodded, her brow furrowing with concern, but she didn't press further.
Xubao: "Well, come on, let's go meet Hanyu for lunch. He's been dying to show us something."
Dabao nodded gratefully, grateful for his sister's obliviousness to the truth. As they walked away together, he vowed to keep his struggles hidden, not wanting to burden them with his troubles. But deep down, he knew that someday, he would have to confront the bullies and stand up for himself, with or without their help.