Chapter 8

The live chat exploded instantly. [Oh my god, this boy is so bold!]

[What a touching storyline! It's like a living novel right before my eyes. Aren't these the male and female leads who grew up together?]

[I actually think this little boy is handsome! I’m in! Maybe I’ll take better care of myself. I’m willing to wait for you for a few years!]

[Me too! I'll wait for you too!]

[Guys, calm down. He's just a kid!]

[He belongs to Yanny! None of you can have him!]

A new trending hashtag immediately appeared on the live-streaming platform's hot search list. YannyIsUnderMyProtection.

The video showed Hayes staring fearlessly at the people and then calling over a group of friends to chase the streamers away.

[Isn't this the perfect ending to a story? I can’t believe I’m seeing this kind of plot unfold with a bunch of kids!]

[Forget about "the domineering boy and his little princess"—I can't take it anymore; I love this so much! Will I ever get to see these two together in my lifetime?!]

[He’s so brave! He's standing there so steady with eyes as bright as a little wolf's—amazing!]

[I can't believe I'm envious of a little girl!]

[Yanny's had a rough life, but she's amazing. She dared to stand up for herself, and she has a boy by her side who's willing to help her.]

[Go, handsome boy! Take good care of your future partner!]

More and more people flooded into the livestream, all praising Yanny and Hayes.

Andrew stood quietly in the corner, watching it all.

Seeing Hayes protect his daughter like a young wolf guarding its cubs, Andrew narrowed his deep eyes. He wanted to step forward but held himself back.

With the cameras rolling, it wasn’t appropriate for him to show his face.

He exchanged a glance with the director.

The director immediately pushed open the door and shouted, “Quiet down, everyone! I just received word that Yanny’s family is on their way and will be here shortly to take her home. Please leave immediately—don’t make me call the police to have you removed!”

The streamers’ expressions changed; they hadn’t expected this outcome.

But the chat room erupted in cheers: [That’s great!]

[That’s so satisfying!]

[Get the hell out of here!]

They frowned in disgust and muttered under their breath, "What a joke. They want us to adopt her, but we don’t even want to. Who do they think they are?"

An orphan acting all high and mighty?

They left one by one, not forgetting to shoot Yanny a resentful look as they went.

Hayes clasped Yanny’s hand tightly and watched the group of streamers walk away.

Once they were gone, the room instantly grew quiet, transforming from a chaotic hubbub back into the peaceful classroom it once was.

Yanny let out a sigh of relief and looked gratefully at the orphanage director. She said softly, "Thank you for your help, Director."

The director smiled. "Why thank me? What I said earlier was true—your family is already on their way to pick you up.”

Yanny froze in surprise, and so did Hayes. "Which family is that?"

Andrew replied, "It's me."

Hearing that familiar voice, Yanny’s heart skipped a beat, and she turned to look.

Andrew walked toward her with his three sons, his steps steady and confident. He exuded an imposing presence.

He was dressed in a well-tailored suit, which was a stark contrast to the slightly worn atmosphere of the orphanage. His piercing eyes fixed on her as if they could see right through her heart. "Yanny, I know your biological uncle—he's your mother's brother. He’s coming to take you home.”

Andrew paused, then continued, "From now on, you'll have a home."

Yanny’s eyes widened in disbelief.

She had a home?

She timidly clutched the hem of her shirt and asked hesitantly, "I’m not your child, but will you still take me to see him?"

Andrew’s brow twitched slightly, and he looked away, feeling guilty. "Yes, your uncle will give you a home. From now on, you won't be an orphan anymore."

Yanny stared at him blankly, saying nothing.

The teacher standing nearby, however, was so happy that she burst into tears and pulled Yanny into a tight embrace. "That's wonderful, Yanny! You finally have a good place to go. Once you go there, take good care of yourself—and whatever you do, don’t come back!”

Yanny blinked her teary eyes, still not quite understanding.

She had a home now.

Was it a place where she could see her uncle?

A tiny spark of light lit up in Yanny’s eyes. She secretly curled the corners of her mouth into a smile. But, fearing Andrew might think she was gloating, she quickly composed her expression.

Still, she was happy inside.

Andrew’s gaze swept over her coldly. He hadn’t intended to make eye contact with her. But when he saw her like that, his heart suddenly warmed, and his pent-up emotions vanished in an instant.

It was just like ice and snow melting and spring arriving.

Jace and the others still wore somber expressions. Since their father had made his decision, however, there was nothing more they could say. They could only prepare to take their half-sister home.

Hayes slipped away silently.

No one noticed him leave.

The boys following behind him felt a pang of sympathy for him. "Boss, you clearly care so much about Yanny. Why didn’t you stop her? Or at least stay with her until she left?"

Another boy scratched his head. "You can't just show up whenever Yanny has a problem and leave once she's okay. You’re best friends. Shouldn’t you share the good times and the bad?”

"That's called 'sharing the ups and downs.' Don’t use the phrase if you don’t understand it!”

Hayes sat gloomily on the slide, with a hint of irritation in his eyes. "Get away from me. Stop hovering around me. It’s annoying.”

The boys’ expressions darkened. Not daring to say another word, they quickly turned and walked away.

Inside the house, Yanny was still lost in thought.

She turned her head toward the classroom. Jace glanced her way casually, while her other two brothers wore looks of utter disdain and didn't even bother to look at her. She couldn’t help but feel a little down.

“Where’s Hayes?”

The teacher thought for a moment, then shook her head. "I'm not sure. That kid’s probably off somewhere sulking again. The last time your mom picked you up, he wouldn’t eat for days. But he’ll be fine after a while.”

Yanny frowned and turned to run outside.

The aunt called out, "Yanny?! Where are you going?”

Jace put down his phone, watched Yanny’s retreating figure with a somber expression, and set off after her.

Yanny spotted Hayes on the slide.

He was sitting alone on the platform, quietly gazing into the distance.

The sunlight cast a soft, golden glow over his entire body.

He looked warm yet lonely.

A sudden wave of sadness washed over her, and she called out softly, “Hayes.”

The moment her soft voice sounded, Hayes’s body visibly stiffened.

He turned his head. "What are you doing here?"

Yanny furrowed her brow tightly.

She didn’t understand why Hayes always acted this way when she was about to leave. She said softly, "I wanted to thank you. The way you saved me was so cool—just like Captain America.”

Hayes frowned, looking even more annoyed. "Bullshit! I wish I really were Captain America.”

She sighed helplessly. "Don't swear, or the teacher will scold you again."

Hayes turned away and looked down at her from above. His tone was sharp. "Am I afraid of what she'll say? I’m not afraid of anything—I’m fearless!"

Yanny looked at him. “Then why don’t you say goodbye to me? Why do you always hide whenever we part ways?”

Hayes froze, and the expression on his face fell instantly.

It was as if something had collapsed completely, slowly fading from his eyes.

"It's none of your business," he said, turning his head away again. "I just don't want to say goodbye to you."