Seventeen's face burned with anger. The man and woman had clearly bumped into him, yet he'd been t with a swift, brutal slap. The blow was so sudden, his ear still rang, and his cheek pulsed with pain.
"Seventeen, what happened?" Hao'er's voice was sharp and cold.
"Young Master," Seventeen began, suppressing his fury. He stepped back, shaking his head. "Let's just go back." He'd endured the slap. They were strangers here, vulnerable. As an adult, he knew he couldn't risk causing trouble for the children.
"Go back? Ha! Not without an apology!" The man sneered, emboldened by Seventeen's restraint. His eyes narrowed nacingly as he looked at the young boy before him.
"Answer ," Hao'er commanded, his tone unwavering.
Seventeen hesitated, then explained, "I'd paid the bill and was returning to you when they bumped into . As I moved aside, he slapped ."
"So what?" the man retorted, advancing. He raised his hand to strike Seventeen again, but a sharp pain shot through his shin, and his knees buckled. He cried out, collapsing onto the ground.
"Ssshh! Arghhhhhhhh!"
He clutched his legs, appearing to kneel before Seventeen.
Seventeen stared, bewildered, at Muchen standing nearby. "Young Master Chen..."
Muchen had kicked the man's shin with surprising force. The man's cry of agony suggested the kick had landed squarely on the bone.
"He hit you, you hit him back," Muchen declared, his small fra radiating authority. He simply couldn't tolerate anyone bullying Seventeen.
"Brother!" The girl shrieked, attempting to push Muchen away, but he deftly dodged her.
"You little brat! I'll gut you!" The man snarled, struggling to his feet. He lunged towards Muchen.
Hao'er stepped forward to protect Muchen, but Yue'er intervened. "Big Brother, use this!" She presented him with a broom, seemingly conjured out from thin air.
The apprentice, hoping to avoid trouble, watched with growing unease. He couldn't help but twitch at the sight of the young girl offering a broom as a weapon. Where did these children co from?
Hao'er took the broom, pushing Muchen behind him. He swung the broom, striking the man across the face.
"Ah! Damn brat!"
The broom connected with the man's nose, sending a jolt of pain and a rush of blood flowed down his face.
"Brother, you...your nose is bleeding!"
The woman shrieked, her eyes wide with fury. "You ill-mannered children from god knows where! Are you trying to get yourselves killed?"
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