two

If Nino were present at this moment, he would surely shake his head in disappointment and softly say: "Wenyu, why have you failed to control yourself again"

The performance was abruptly interrupted by a stranger, and the woman's displeasure was clearly written on her face. Her piercing gaze scanned me from head to toe before she angrily questioned, "What do you think you are! Get lost! It's not up to others to interfere in how I discipline my own child!"

A familiar voice, filled with doubt, appeared like a savior

"Stop it!" I restrained the surging anger within me, "If this continues, she will be seriously hurt"

She was still saying something, but I could no longer hear clearly; the buzzing in my mind grew increasingly intense. I struggled to find my way home, yet I lacked the strength to push through the crowd

Upon hearing the words "police," a trace of unease flickered across the woman's tense expression

The onlookers began to discuss among themselves, and some even echoed my proposal

This sound pulled me back to reality, and the pain in my head suddenly lessened significantly

In the next moment, her cries echoed through the entire alley like the wailing of a slaughtered pig: "Everyone, come and see, is there still any justice left in this world..."

Suddenly, an extremely piercing scream from a child pierced my ears, causing my fingers to clench tightly

Bang

I anxiously flipped through the English book in my hands, forcing my thoughts to integrate into the rows of complex words.

It seems that something has blurred my vision, and I am on the verge of collapsing

Her movements were slow, and the intense fluctuations in her emotions revealed many flaws. Just as her hands were about to touch my shoulder, I frowned in disgust and instinctively reached out to push her away forcefully

In the next moment, my chaotic mind no longer afforded me the opportunity to think, and the English book in my hand was violently thrown aside. I bit my lip tightly and dashed down towards the attic below like a gust of wind

Completely disregarding the girl's explanation, the woman raised her hand and delivered a harsh slap.

In the late night, the sea-blue sky is adorned with a crescent moon hanging in midair, and occasionally a few cold stars can be seen, their faint light embellishing the night sky

It feels as if there is a sharp knife and books randomly cutting through my mind, the pain endlessly eroding my senses. Amidst the continuous screams of women and the soft whispers of girls, I hold my head with both hands and stagger back a few steps.

"Wen Yu, what are you doing here?"

Then the man's grotesque face, reeking of alcohol and exuding a sense of danger, lunged at me. The girl downstairs in the attic was still crying... I seemed to see in her tear-streaked face the image of that poor girl who always cowered in the attic.

The woman ignored everything, continuing to sit on the ground and loudly accuse me of my wrongdoing, yet I paid her no attention at all, merely staring blankly at the girl who was still softly comforting her mother

I clenched my fists tightly, my body trembling violently as I looked at the girl who could only endure in silence, seemingly unable to resist. It felt as if a blazing flame was burning in my chest... "Wen Yu, do you dare to talk back to me? Are you tired of living?" The familiar yet terrifying male voice echoed in my ears, now distant, now close, "Today, you must learn a lesson!"

The woman's face slowly flushed not out of shame and regret, but rather from a tide of resentment, accusation, and unwillingness. Her chest heaved violently, as if she had cast the police aside, striding directly forward, reaching out her hand to grasp my shoulder: "You meddlesome little girl, today I will make you understand that one should not be too enthusiastic in life!"

Yet I still enjoyed the tranquility that was filled with a sense of solitude at that time

"Have I allowed you to eat? Just leaving your younger brother like this? What if something happens to him? How will you compensate for it? I told you to behave! I'll beat you to death—"

Are you afraid now? What are you pretending to be weak for! Seeing me like this, the woman still would not let up, "I tell you, if you don't give me an explanation today, don't even think about leaving..."

I had no time to contemplate this issue; what has already happened cannot be undone. By the time I regained my senses, the woman had collapsed to the ground, her face contorted in pain, with holes in her trousers caused by the stones.

However, now... Although the attic remains the same attic, and the people standing on it have not changed, the passersby coming and going from the attic have shattered the tranquil atmosphere that I once cherished

The hoarse cries further intensified my inexplicable irritation. The little girl, whom I had sheltered behind me, trembled violently at her shoulders. Then she wiped her tears and rushed out, humbly squatting in front of the woman, softly asking, "Mom, are you okay?" It was as if the person who had just beaten her to a pulp was not the woman before her.

Yes, why is that

I do not know where the strength came from, but I pushed through the layers of the crowd, rushed to the girl, opened my arms, and firmly protected her behind me

The woman was frantically beating the girl, who had nowhere to escape. The increasingly large crowd of onlookers stood quietly by, their expressions indifferent. Occasionally, a kind-hearted person would murmur a few words, but ultimately, silence prevailed.

Hearing such a voice, I instinctively turned my head towards the direction from which the sound came—"Mom, I, I am hungry... come out to buy a bun to eat, my younger brother is already asleep..." The little girl, who appeared to be only seven years old, had swollen cheeks and was covered in tears. She fearfully held her slender arms in front of her.

What did I tell you? Why did you still come out? Didn't I tell you to stay at home and obediently watch your brother work? Disobedient! I will beat you to death! I will beat you to death!" Another voice, filled with dissatisfaction, followed closely.

"What do you think you are!" The woman's self-righteous expression completely shattered the last remnants of my sanity. I almost hysterically argued with her, "If you dare to lay a finger on her again, I will immediately call the police to handle it!"

The attic was once my favorite place during times of loneliness and helplessness

The crowd of onlookers continued to grow, yet the woman showed no signs of stopping. The little girl seemed to have given up struggling, occasionally raising her arm weakly to gently wipe the wounds on her cheek.

Medicine, I need medicine very much right now

The girl weakly lifted her head, revealing a pair of beautiful eyes resembling grapes, looking at me with a mix of confusion and gratitude

At that time, I breathed in the cold air, curled up in the corner of the attic, with only the crescent moon able to see my face, which was filled with scars, resentment, helplessness, and despair

Looking at the middle-aged woman in simple clothing carrying a heavy basket of vegetables in front of me, I managed to force a faint smile and said softly, "I'm fine, Mom..."