Chapter 4

Thus, with a head and face full of bruises, wearing a school uniform that looked like a beggar's, and regardless of others' gazes, he walked casually. He crossed pedestrian crossings, overpasses, alleys, and green lawns, walking on and on.

In the end, Choi Jung-woon didn't know where he had walked to. All he saw were semi-old residential buildings on both sides, leaving a narrow path in the middle. The scorching sun couldn't reach in, creating a rare cool spot. After walking for so long, the hot weather made his body and mind even more exhausted. So, he turned and walked into this narrow alley.

A few meters ahead, there was a little girl, about seven or eight years old, wearing a beautiful school uniform, skipping and humming a happy song without any care. It seemed she had just finished school. Perhaps her mother was cooking something delicious for her at home. Therefore, her steps were particularly light.

"Truly, it's good to be carefree," Choi Jung-woon followed the little girl, watching her like a dancing sprite. Although he couldn't understand the tune, it didn't stop her from spreading her joy to him.

The little girl seemed to have a mysterious attraction, making Choi Jung-woon put aside his chaotic thoughts and quietly follow her, step by step, deeper into the alley.

Suddenly, Choi Jung-woon's pupils contracted, his face full of shock.

He saw a flower pot on the window above the little girl, with azaleas in full bloom. The key was that half of the pot was already hanging out of the window. But the little girl didn't see it and continued walking forward. This alley was very secluded, with no other pedestrians, and no one would see the impending tragedy.

Between the two tall buildings, the wind was very strong. Finally, a strong gust of wind blew, and the flower pot couldn't hold on any longer, plummeting down. The little girl had no forewarning and was walking right towards where the pot would land.

Seeing the tragedy about to unfold, Choi Jung-woon didn't think much, and in one swift move, he rushed forward, pushing the little girl under him. At the same time, he raised his right arm to protect the vital spots behind his head.

The flower pot hit his arm heavily, the high-speed falling object crashing like a fully powered train, causing intense pain that instantly stimulated every sympathetic nerve.

Choi Jung-woon grunted, feeling a warm stream flow into his neck. "Damn August 3, 2000, am I destined for bloodshed today?" His entire right arm lost sensation, and he could only use his left arm to support himself, barely managing to sit up.

The little girl also got up, having been suddenly pushed down, with her arms and legs scratched. Although she didn't understand what had happened, it didn't stop her from crying loudly.

Choi Jung-woon, ignoring his own injuries, quickly squatted down beside the girl, comforting her, "Sister, don't cry, sister, don't cry." His only movable left hand gently stroked the little girl's hair.

The little girl was just scared, and after Choi Jung-woon comforted her for a while, she calmed down. Seeing the broken flower pot and the blood still flowing from Choi Jung-woon's arm, she knew this big brother had saved her. She grabbed Choi Jung-woon's right hand and asked with teary eyes, "Brother, brother, does it hurt?"

Being grabbed by the right hand, the piercing pain almost made Choi Jung-woon cry. He quickly and inconspicuously pulled his hand away, forcing a smile, "Brother is fine, it doesn't hurt at all."

Seeing the dust on the little girl's scraped skin, Choi Jung-woon was afraid she would get infected. Plus, his own injuries were quite serious. He saw a clinic at the entrance of the alley ahead. "Look, you're all scratched. Let's buy ice cream first, then go see the doctor, okay?"

The little girl trusted this big brother who had saved her and nodded heavily, "Okay!"

Choi Jung-woon took the little girl to the supermarket to buy cold drinks. The sour and sweet taste made her temporarily forget the scary scene, and her little face, like a kitten, smiled beautifully. Then they went to the clinic.

The little girl ran over and pushed the door open, calling out, "Grandpa Park Jung-gyu, come quickly, Panda Brother is hurt!"

What a thunderclap! Why is it Panda Brother?

As the little girl led him into the clinic, an old man came over, and Choi Jung-woon hurriedly bowed and greeted him, "Hello."

The old man nodded at him, then picked up the little girl, doting on her, "Our Ji-yeon is being naughty again? Look, you're bleeding."

The girl shook her head cutely and said in a baby voice, "No, Grandpa Park Jung-gyu, it's like this..." and explained the events that had just happened in a chattering manner.

Although the child's words were incoherent, the old man still understood what had happened. He came over and patted Choi Jung-woon's shoulder, smiling, "Good young man, I thank you on behalf of Ji-yeon's parents. If it weren't for you, Ji-yeon's parents would be very sad."

Choi Jung-woon scratched his head, embarrassed, "Hehe, I didn't think much at the time. I just felt that such a cute sister shouldn't be hurt."

The old man first stopped the bleeding on Choi Jung-woon's arm and then tended to his other injuries, "Did you get into a fight? Look at you young people, you don't take care of yourselves." The old man had been a doctor all his life and had seen all kinds of injuries. With just one look, he knew Choi Jung-woon had been in a fight. But the old man's kind nagging made him accept it humbly. Could Choi Jung-woon tell the old man that he had just fired a gun?

The little Ji-yeon laughed, "So that's what Panda Brother's eyes look like. Don't worry, brother, Ji-yeon is learning Taekwondo. When Ji-yeon grows up, she can protect you." Both of them were amused by the little girl's mature words.

But the little Ji-yeon, who had just boasted that she could protect Choi Jung-woon when she grew up, started screaming when the old man used alcohol to disinfect her, and no amount of coaxing from the old man could stop her.

Choi Jung-woon held her little hand, looking at her teary, pitiful face, and smiled, "Our brave Ji-yeon, aren't you going to protect your brother? How can you not bear this little injury?"

Ji-yeon pouted, "But, brother, it hurts."

Choi Jung-woon was momentarily lost in thought. Although she was only eight years old, her long, narrow eyes, thick eyebrows, and big, rolling eyes, combined with her pouting expression, were inexplicably charming. This girl, when she grows up, will be something else.

In just a moment, Choi Jung-woon came to his senses and tempted her, "If Ji-yeon behaves and lets grandpa treat her, brother will grant you one wish. How about that?"

Ji-yeon pouted, thinking seriously, her cute appearance fully displayed. Suddenly, she clapped her hands, making a sound like a dinosaur, "Then I want to go to Lotte World. Can I?"

Choi Jung-woon quietly reached into his pocket, glad he had the habit of keeping money there. Otherwise, like Choi Si-won, who handed everything to his bodyguards, he would have been embarrassed. He turned to seek the old man's approval, not daring to take a child out to play without an adult's consent. If he were accused of kidnapping, it would be a wrongful death. The old man seemed to be very familiar with Ji-yeon's family and could make the decision.

"Sure, Ji-yeon's parents won't be home until late. She would be bored at home, so it's fine to go play, but bring her back on time," the old man agreed.

"Okay, brother promises you." With the old man's approval, Choi Jung-woon readily agreed to the little girl's request.

"Oh, oh, oh, we're going to play. Grandpa Park Jung-gyu and Panda Brother are the best."

Hearing that she could go play, Ji-yeon immediately became obedient. Although the alcohol disinfection was really itchy and painful, she forced herself not to let tears fall.

Choi Jung-woon looked at her puffed-up face from the pain, finding her incredibly cute. He didn't expect this child to have such a strong heart. In the future, she would surely be able to withstand setbacks and achieve great things.

Finally, when the old man was done, Choi Jung-woon took out a tissue and wiped the white nose tip from the ice cream, "Now, let's go to Lotte World, gogogo."

Ji-yeon immediately jumped up, "Wow, let's go." She called out and quickly ran out with her short legs.

Choi Jung-woon said goodbye to the old man, "We'll be back on time."

Lotte World was a place Choi Jung-woon often visited. As long as adults allowed it, he would run over to play with his younger brother and sister. He bought the tickets with ease, "So, beautiful Princess Ji-yeon, what do we play first?"

While Choi Jung-woon was buying the tickets, Ji-yeon's eyes had already scanned the entire Lotte World and decided what to play first. "I want to ride the Ferris wheel."

"Wow, brother, look, people are getting so small." As the Ferris wheel rose higher, Ji-yeon pressed her face against the glass, shouting. Choi Jung-woon also relaxed and pressed his face against the glass, shouting with her as the people below got smaller and smaller.

When the Ferris wheel was almost at its highest point, Ji-yeon asked curiously, "Brother, is this the highest place?"

Choi Jung-woon stroked her hair, "Yes, this is the place closest to God. If you make a wish, it will come true."

"Wow, I want to make a wish." Ji-yeon's expression was devout, her hands clasped together, and she silently prayed.

After she finished her wish, Choi Jung-woon asked, "What did our Ji-yeon wish for?"

"I wished that my classmates would stop making fun of me and be my friends." Ji-yeon's mood was low, and she spoke hesitantly.

"Why do your classmates make fun of you? Our Ji-yeon is so beautiful; everyone should like you." Seeing the child's painful and pitiful expression, Choi Jung-woon couldn't help but feel heartache.

"Because I eat a lot, they call me a food bucket and say I'll turn into a monster, so they don't play with me."

Hearing Ji-yeon's words, Choi Jung-woon burst out laughing inside.

Indeed, it was a child's worry. He comforted her, "It's okay, our Ji-yeon's wish has been received by God. In the future, Ji-yeon will have more and more friends."

"Really?" Ji-yeon looked particularly nervous.

"Of course, God is very powerful." Choi Jung-woon spoke with conviction