Ning Dong punched the sandbag continuously. Sweat dripped down his eyebrows into his eyes, burning his eyes. He blinked to ease the discomfort, but his hands did not stop punching the sandbag. He could not stop; if he stopped, he would explode. He wanted to vent the anger in his heart with the punches
At this time, someone grabbed his wrist. However, he kept punching with his eyes closed. When his punch was blocked, he threw another punch. This time, his punch missed, and his opponent’s punch hit him. He turned his head instinctively to dodge, but the fist still grazed his lips. He was swept off his feet, and he landed heavily on the ground. Nevertheless, he did not pause; he immediately jumped up to his feet, ready to continue. At this time, he felt someone pressing down on his shoulder.
“Ning Dong, what’s wrong?”
Ning Dong heard Ji An’s gentle voice.
With this, all the grievances he had suppressed in his heart spilled out. He hugged Ji An and buried his face in Ji An’s shoulder, crying silently.
Ji An was taken aback. He was not used to this. Moreover, Ning Dong was no longer young and was on the cusp of adulthood.
Nevertheless, Ning Dong, who was unaware, continued crying.
After a long time, Ji An gently patted Ning Dong’s back and asked, “What’s wrong? Did something happen? Tell me, what can I do for you?”
These words instantly thawed Ning Dong’s frozen heart, making his tears fall faster.
Finally, Ji An pulled Ning Dong off his body and created some distance between them before he looked at Ning Dong and said, “How long are you going to keep crying? You’re all sweaty; quickly go take a shower. When you’re done, I’ll treat you to some delicious food.”
Ning Dong smiled, embarrassed, before he quickly ran into the bathroom.
After Ning Dong left, Ji An narrowed his eyes imperceptibly before he brought his phone out and sent a text message.
Ding!
Ji An glanced in the direction of the bathroom before he opened the message that had just arrived.
…
The steam from the hotpot rose into the air. Somehow, it made Ning Dong relax.
After the tripe had been boiled, Ji An skillfully fished it out of the soup and put it on Ning Dong’s plate as he said, “People said that there’s nothing that can’t be solved by eating hotpot. If one meal can’t solve it, have two meals then. Eat up.”
Ning Dong softly said, “Thank you, Brother Ji An…”
Ji An took a sip from a can of beer and patted Ning Dong’s hair that was still damp. “Come on. Rely on the strength you had when you were boxing earlier. You’re quite energetic, young man. Don’t always look so listless…”
Ning Dong chewed on the tripe Ji An had given him before he slowly said, “My father’s awake…”
Ji An’s hand that was holding the chopsticks froze for a fleeting moment. Then, he said without batting an eyelid, “That’s good news!”
Ning Dong smiled wryly, looking absent-minded.
Ji An hurriedly typed a few words on his phone under the table with his left hand.
Ning Dong’s gaze was unflinching as he said, “Brother Ji An, I don’t think it’s good news at all…”
Ji An smiled. “Silly boy, did one of the seniors accidentally hit you in the head when you were sparring? Isn’t it a good thing that your father is awake?”
Ning Dong put down his chopsticks and looked up at Ji An before he said, “I think he might have already regained consciousness a while ago…”
This time, Ji An was stunned. When he regained his senses, he asked, “Why do you say so?”
Ning Dong inhaled deeply before he said, “After I left school and the company, I went to the hospital. I saw my mother leaving at that time; she was probably going for a beauty treatment. This meant either my dad was alone in the ward or Ning Chun was there. Regardless, I decided to visit anyway. When I arrived, I saw my father sitting up, talking to Ning Chun. However, they quickly discovered my presence. When I ran away, Ning Chun chased after me. Shortly after, I heard my father calling out to him and asking him to get the doctors. Their reaction was so fast that it seemed fake….”