(21)
The longer I was with Quý Thần Dần, the more I liked teasing him. Whenever I saw the word “new,” I’d poke fun at how hesitant he’d been back then. Quý Thần Dần was the one in the wrong, so I could say whatever I wanted.
Still, I was genuinely curious about why he’d changed his mind. But no matter how many times I asked, he wouldn’t tell me. It wasn’t until I chatted with Tiểu Vi that I finally understood.
In the past, when people badmouthed Quý Thần Dần in the street, he would usually just leave in silence so he wouldn’t scare anyone. He truly didn’t care about any of it. That was just a front; none of it bothered him.
But that didn’t mean he didn’t care about the people who loved him. Tiểu Vi, for example.
Every time he saw Tiểu Vi run over in frustration and pull him away, covering his ears for him, his heart would ache. That was why he was afraid I’d be the same way.
But after what happened last time, he realized that I thought very differently from other people. I would bring everything out into the open myself, turning misunderstandings and mockery into courage and encouragement.
Tiểu Vi gazed at me admiringly. “Big Sis, you were so cool in that moment!”
I ruffled her hair and declared confidently, “If anything like that happens again, I’ll step in.”