Chapter 4 — Shadows in the Alley, Courage in the Heart
Late afternoon light draped over the schoolyard as Sang Zhi packed away her books, ready to head home. A cautious smile on her face dimmed when Yin Zhenru appeared, fluttering uncertainty in her eyes.
"Can we go buy something?" she asked—a simple request tinged with underlying weight.
Sang Zhi hesitated. A troubling warning from their teacher replayed in her mind, cautioning them onto safe paths. But when Zhenru went still, pale with forced composure, Sang Zhi's better instincts kicked in. She followed her friend—down the streets, through a narrow alley—not trusting her steps inside.
Three older girls materialized from shadows. Their voices were sharp, cruel even before they emptied Zhenru's bag and demanded money from Sang Zhi.
"I-I don't have money," Sang Zhi stuttered, heart pounding.
"Cripple," one spat. Heat pulsed through her cheeks as fear and shame tangled inside her. They targeted her, made her follow them—then left, promising consequences tomorrow.
Tears threatened, and Zhenru, trembling under accusations, muttered apologies. Before Sang Zhi could find the strength to say anything, she turned and limped away alone.
Moments later, Duan Jiaxu—the quiet protector—came into view. He had been at the school gate, asking around for a high-school girl with an injured leg. When he saw her, battered and breathless, concern darkened his face.
"Why didn't you answer my calls?" he asked gently. She flinched.
Her voice broke. "They took my wallet… reminded me I'm injured…" She downplayed her pain, fearing his worry.
He silenced her with a gentle, firm tone: "Always tell someone—your parents, someone you trust—when something happens."
Soft evening breeze gathered around as he helped her mount his bicycle. He asked about Sang Yan's graduation and possible future plans, before reaching into his pocket and offering her the money she'd lost—sturdily presented, without fanfare.
"Use it to replace what was stolen. And tell your parents everything."
Her chest tightened with gratitude and something tender—something growing.
She entered home with a steadiness she hadn't felt before: protected.
The next morning, Sang Yan, Duan Jiaxu, and two of their friends appeared at her school gates. Relief and guilt tied together in her throat. Sang Yan glared—protectiveness blazing.
"Show me where they are," he demanded.
Only the bullies didn't stir. When Sang Zhi pointed them out, Sang Yan froze at the sight of three girls.
"I… I can't fight girls," he mumbled.
Qian Fei, ever the quick thinker, shook his head, unreached. He sent Sang Yan onward with one friend while staying with Sang Zhi. She watched—anxious, grateful.
Sang Yan returned clutching 50 yuan, the stolen money. He lectured them with a streak of righteous fury, reminding them that only the small prey on the vulnerable. The girls wilted—humiliated and chastened.
Later, Jiaxu cracked a joke: he told Sang Zhi he'd warned them with a fake "quota for killing people," causing her to puff at him—but the sting of his humor softened that day's ache.
Qian Fei teased, "You're more like Jiaxu's sister than Sang Yan's."
Sang Zhi smiled, eyes soft with secret longing and admiration. Jiaxu was warmer, safer, steadfast. A wish whispered in her heart: If only he were my brother…
At school, a teacher announced that Zhenru had transferred for personal reasons. On her desk sat a hastily folded note—apologetic, quiet. Sang Zhi pocketed it without looking at the words.
Later, her parents pored over her exam results—especially physics, which barely scraped "pass." They declared a winter tutor was necessary. When Sang Yan grumbled as the appointed tutor, bickering quickly broke out. The stage was set for another round of sibling rivalry.
That night, Sang Zhi lay carefully folding paper—her diary entry:
October 27th—As much as I hate to admit it, I think I might be in love with him. He's so handsome.
She folded it into a star and slipped it into a little bottle—an unspoken wish, a quiet hope.
Over at Duan Jiaxu's workplace, conversation turned towards his future. A colleague named Xun invited Jiaxu to join a project at their Yihe headquarters after the Chinese New Year. Jiaxu promised to think about it, heart unexpectedly tugged by the thought of returning to that city—where Sang Zhi was headed, too.
End of Chapter 4