"Do you think I'm a burden?"
By the riverbank, the girl with the small braids tenderly reached out, using a handkerchief to wipe the dust from the boy's face.
With a face smeared with dust and body marked with bruises, the boy sat on a rock, grinning painfully like a monkey.
"What's that?"
While rubbing his shoulder, the boy pretended to be numb with innocence and asked, "What did you say?"
"I said..."
The girl lowered her head, showing a hint of unwillingness on her young face. Biting her lip, she spoke softly, "I'm sorry for causing you to get beaten up while protecting me."
"You could change your words next time."
Zhou Li, as pitiful as a beaten hog, forced a smile and said, "Like, I bravely fought off twelve guys while protecting a disobedient kid, and then hurt myself slightly when I fell from the bridge pillar. That sounds better, doesn't it?"
"Sorry, it's my fault for holding you back."
