Rui Rui immediately ran out of the alley and back the way he came, his short legs bouncing quickly, his small chest heaving with labored breaths.
As he ran, he scanned his surroundings for other masked figures.
He reached a crossroads and stopped. Although he had been silently memorizing the route, the masked figure had run too fast for him to get a clear look at the scenery along the way.
Now, looking at the streets leading in four directions, he didn't know which one was the way home.
He was lost. Mother and Father must be very worried.
Under a large tree on the street corner, several ruffians were sitting. Upon seeing Rui Rui, they exchanged knowing glances.
This little child was even more beautiful than a celestial being. If they kidnapped him and sold him to a pleasure house, they would definitely get a good price.
They looked around and found no adults nearby. This little brat must have wandered off by accident.
So, the leader of the ruffians nudged a short, stout youth and said, "Go, bring this little child over."
The short, stout youth glanced around and sneakily walked towards Rui Rui.
Rui Rui was frowning, trying to figure out which way led home, when suddenly a pair of large feet appeared before his eyes. He looked up from the feet and saw a face that looked very much like a butt.
"Little brat, where are your parents? Did they abandon you?" the short, stout youth said with a sly smile, pinching Rui Rui's cheek.
Rui Rui tilted his head back, his innocent big eyes looking at him without a word.
The short, stout youth glanced at the leader of the ruffians and then said with a smile, "Come, walk with Uncle. Uncle will buy you candy."
Rui Rui gauged the height of the short, stout youth's crotch, then spread his arms and grinned, "Uncle, hug me."
The short, stout youth was surprised that the child was so easy to trick. He immediately reached out to hug him. Before he could straighten up, Rui Rui lifted his right foot and kicked him hard in the groin.
The short, stout youth let out a pained cry, released his arms, and collapsed on the ground, writhing and bent over like a dried shrimp.
Rui Rui rolled off him and bolted.
Mother was so right. When dealing with bad guys, you should kick them in the balls!
The few ruffians standing not far away were stunned for a moment, then immediately leaped up and gave chase.
"Damn it, Short Bear is too weak. Taken down by a two-year-old!"
"Little brat! Don't run! See how I deal with you today!"
How could Rui Rui's short legs outrun those people? In the blink of an eye, they caught him. A sharp-faced youth grabbed him by his collar and dangled him in the air, kicking him twice on the backside.
How dare he kick this young master's backside!
Rui Rui was angry. He used all his might, struggling desperately. The sharp-faced youth lost his grip and cried out in alarm, "This little brat has too much strength!"
Just as he was about to kick Rui Rui again, he suddenly heard a "Roar!"
The ruffians turned their heads and saw several tall and mighty dogs running towards them at full speed. The white dog running at the forefront was particularly imposing, at least a meter tall, baring its teeth, its eyes filled with ferocity.
"Bao Yu! Hei Tu, Fei Sha, Fen Qiu!" Rui Rui shouted excitedly.
Bao Yu, leading the three dogs, let out a "Roar!" and lunged at the ruffians.
The ruffians were scared out of their wits. With a cry of "Mommy!", they prepared to scatter in all directions.
The sharp-faced youth who kicked Rui Rui's backside was tackled to the ground by Bao Yu.
Bao Yu opened its bloody maw and bit down directly on his face, tearing off a piece of flesh. It then bit him several more times. Seeing the blood gushing out, it finally let him go.
Bao Yu roared triumphantly at the tackled youths, then walked up to Rui Rui and lowered its body submissively.
Quite a few people had gathered around, cautiously observing. Seeing this scene, they were all amazed.
"This white dog doesn't look like a dog. Perhaps it's a wolf cub?"
"It doesn't look like a wolf cub either. How can wolf cubs be so tall?"
"Look, they all have small wooden tags on their necks. They're domesticated!"
"It's truly rare for such fierce beasts to be tamed."
Bao Yu licked Rui Rui's little face with its tongue, then lay down on the ground, wagging its tail and shaking its body.
Rui Rui giggled and climbed onto Bao Yu's back.
Bao Yu roared again, and the other three dogs, having let go of the ruffians, turned and followed behind it.
The ruffians' pants were soaked, and their bodies were so stiff they couldn't move.
"These are wild beasts protecting their master!" the onlookers exclaimed in wonder.
On the street, a two-year-old child rode on the back of a large white wolf? dog? followed by three dogs, walking majestically forward.
Pedestrians on the road, startled for a moment, kept their distance to watch the spectacle.
When Bai Sheng saw Rui Rui riding on Bao Yu's back, tears immediately streamed down her face. She cried out hoarsely, "Rui Rui! My son!" and rushed forward to embrace Rui Rui tightly.
"Rui Rui, you little brat, you're going to scare your mother to death. Woo woo..." Bai Sheng burst into tears. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
Rui Rui's little face was contorted by his mother's hug. He pouted and mumbled, "Zui Zui, reward Mommy."
Upon hearing this, Bai Sheng wailed again, "My little darling, from now on... don't run around, do you... understand?"
"Mm, I won't run," Rui Rui said obediently.
Lu Ye, who had been searching on another street, saw this scene after running out of the alley. He called out, "Rui Rui!" and rushed over, his eyes wet, embracing mother and son, unwilling to let go for a long time.
Bao Yu and the three dogs whimpered softly around the three of them, wagging their tails happily.
After Rui Rui returned home, the entire family gathered in the reception hall of the main courtyard. Even people from the neighboring Wei family were there.
Everyone came forward to hug Rui Rui, showering him with affection.
Rui Rui was hugged countless times. He felt like his "flesh" had been squeezed thin by all the embraces, so he kept tugging at his own little face, trying to pull it back into shape.
Lu Yun and his five children had been helping at the base that day. Upon returning home, they learned that Rui Rui had almost been kidnapped, and they became furious, vowing to tear the scoundrels to pieces.
Rui Rui, after this ordeal, seemed not to be scared at all. He kept seeking praise from Lu Ye and Bai Sheng, saying, "Mommy, Daddy, I kicked, the balls."
"Good, good, my little darling, you're amazing, kicking the bad guys' balls," Bai Sheng kissed and hugged Rui Rui. It was only when she felt the air suddenly quiet that she realized what she had just said.
Lu Ye touched his nose and smiled, preparing to change the subject and salvage the situation, when Lu Huo, whose eyes were red and swollen from crying, suddenly knelt before Bai Sheng with a thud. "Madam, it is my dereliction of duty today. I failed to take proper care of the second young master, which led to him being nearly kidnapped by villains. I beg Madam and Master to punish me."