Give Me Another Smile

Tang Yu went to school today as usual. However, when she saw a small figure standing at the crossroads, an unknown sense of guilt briefly appeared in her heart. Subconsciously, she clenched her little hands hidden in her pockets. However, just as she was about to lower her head and pretend as if she didn't see anything, Yin Zhao-an noticed her.

"Tang-Tang!" Yin Zhao-an called out to Tang Yu as she ran up to the latter. Then, after briefly turning away to let out a few coughs, Yin Zhao-an looked at Tang Yu with indescribable joy coloring her face as she said, "I thought you went ahead without me on purpose last time, but it turns out you went to school this early!"

Tang Yu noticed Yin Zhao-an had grown skinnier after resting at home for a few days, so it would seem that Yin Zhao-an's fever was quite serious. However, after hesitating for a moment, Tang Yu lowered her head and walked forward without saying a word.

Yin Zhao-an's expression turned gloomy at this sight. She felt as if something was stuck in her throat, and her heart was overwhelmed by a feeling of sadness.

"Come on. Let's go to school."

A voice without any intonation came from ahead. When Yin Zhao-an heard this voice, her heart rate accelerated, and her eyes were practically glowing.

"O-Okay!" Yin Zhao-an replied. If she had a canine's tail, it would most certainly be wagging left and right excitedly right now.

Tang Yu held up a hand to her forehead, feeling a little distressed.

Tang Yu felt as if a large dog was following her. The other party's strong presence made it impossible for her to ignore. For a moment, Tang Yu couldn't help but wonder if she had made the right decision to concede.

…

It was early in the morning when Yin Zhao-an woke up. The sky was gray, and the air was chilly.

After putting on a long coat, Yin Zha-an got out of bed and poured herself a glass of warm water from the jug placed on the desk. Her bedroom window faced the courtyard outside, and through it, she saw a figure moving outside in the darkness.

...

Yin Changcheng wore only a simple shirt as he practiced his military martial arts. He had been training for some time now, so his body was already covered in sweat. While he was enjoying the feeling of his muscles and bones waking up, he was given a fright by his daughter, who had suddenly appeared before him.

Yin Changcheng first looked at the sky suspiciously. Judging by the color, it should indeed be five in the morning. Then...was Yin Zhao-an sleepwalking?

While Yin Changcheng pondered if he should call his wife over to take a look, Yin Zhao-an suddenly said, "Dad, I want to learn how to fight."

Yin Zhao-an's eyes in the darkness glowed with a burning resolution, and her face carrying baby fat was taut. It looked like she wouldn't back down from her request no matter what.

This situation stumped Yin Changcheng. He was aware that his daughter was different from the daughters of other families. Other girls her age liked playing with Barbie Dolls and pretending to be princesses, while his daughter liked playing with toy cars and invading the homes of birds.

"Why do you want to learn how to fight?" Yin Changcheng asked as he wiped his sweaty face with a towel. Then, he picked up his military coat from the ground and tossed it onto Yin Zhao-an, covering the girl with it.

After putting on the military coat, Yin Zhao-an earnestly said, "I have someone I want to protect."

"Pfft!" Yin Changcheng couldn't help but laugh out loud. However, after receiving his daughter's death glare, he quickly restrained his wild laughter. "What? You say you have someone you want to protect? Are you sure it's not because you want to win fights more easily?"

"No," Yin Zhao-an hurriedly denied her father's allegation. "I don't need any martial arts to fight with others. I really, really want to learn how to fight so that I can protect the people I want to protect."

"...No. Your mother will kill me if she finds out," Yin Changcheng said, scratching the back of his head. Between teaching and getting killed by his wife, it only took him two seconds to make up his mind. Naturally, his life was more important.

"Dad!!"

Yin Changcheng was given another fright when he felt his thigh being hugged. Then, looking at his daughter, who was looking at him with a pitiful face, he said, "What are you doing? Get off me! Hurry up, or I'll call your mother!"

"Dad, just teach me! I can wake up early to practice martial arts. I can also go on five-kilometer runs with you. I'll do whatever you say. We can do practice in secret without letting Mom know, okay?" Yin Zhao-an asked as sincerely as possible while using all of her strength to hug her father's leg. She also looked at her father with her big, watery eyes that conveyed her strong desire.

"..." Yin Changcheng looked at the sky helplessly. After hesitating for a moment, he eventually caved and said, "Fine. But if your mother finds out, be sure to say that you forced me to teach you! Don't even think of pushing the blame onto me!"

"Okay, Dad! Thank you, Dad!"