Done Hiding as Your Backup Plaything I'm Shining Golden as a Queen - Chapter 131: Chapter 131

I found myself clinging to his broad back, watching beads of sweat slide down the side of his face. My ears felt hot.
This was the second time I'd needed his help.
The first time was during my allergic reaction—he'd carried me to the hospital at record speed. According to the nurses, he'd stayed by my bedside until I was out of danger.
But when I woke up, there was only a hired caregiver watching over me.
I'd wanted to thank him properly, so I asked the caregiver for his contact information.
She just shrugged. "I don't have it either. That young man had to leave urgently—he grabbed me from the hallway, paid me cash, and took off."
Breathing in that familiar scent of cedar, I was certain this was the same person.
I worked up the courage to speak. "Um, can I add you on Instagram? I never got to properly thank you for last time."
He chuckled, and I felt the vibration through his back. "Sure. But how exactly are you planning to thank me?"
I was losing too much blood, plus the heat stroke was making my brain fuzzy.
I heard myself say, "Whatever you want. Anything I can do."
As consciousness slipped away, I heard him call out, "You said it yourself, little crybaby—"
"Little crybaby, stop crying. They're all gone now."
I seemed to be dreaming of my kindergarten self. A chubby little boy was standing beside me, saying, "I have candy. Will you stop crying if I give it to you?"
Little me immediately stopped sobbing, staring at the candy in the chubby boy's hand with wide, watery eyes.
"All... all of them? For me?"
"Yep! Thanks for helping me scare away those mean kids." The chubby boy grinned so wide his eyes crinkled, showing off two little dimples.
I popped a piece of candy in my mouth and smiled so big my eyes crinkled too.
The chubby boy's pudgy fingers wiped away the tears from the corners of my eyes. "Little crybaby, don't cry anymore. You're much prettier when you smile."
"But we can't fight them off," I said, sucking on the candy matter-of-factly. "If I don't cry, how else will we scare them away?"
Even as a kid, I knew that crying children got more attention and sympathy. Whenever someone picked on me, I'd wail at the top of my lungs until the bullies ran away or got in trouble with the teachers.
Of course, it also meant I didn't have many friends—just this one chubby boy who was willing to play with me.
Little Chubby grabbed my tiny hand with complete seriousness. "I'll protect you! I'm gonna learn martial arts and protect you forever, okay?"
I nodded carelessly, but he looked absolutely delighted.
"Little crybaby, you have to wait for me, okay?"
But the chubby boy who promised to protect me eventually disappeared.
"Little crybaby—"
I slowly opened my eyes to find myself staring into a handsome, sharp-featured face. His deep eyes were filled with concern.
"Little Chubby?"
The man relaxed and smiled, familiar dimples appearing at the corners of his mouth. "Finally remembered, huh?"
"But let me reintroduce myself properly. I'm Tanner Lockhart, Brown Business School sophomore, Honors Program. Your direct upperclassman."
Even though we hadn't seen each other in over a decade, being around him felt as natural as breathing.