Shenzhen used to be a city that never sleeps, always brightly lit even late at night. But now, ravaged by the apocalypse, it has long lost its former glory, and even the most bustling CBD has lost its luster.
Cheng Zhi's home was on the far east side of the city. As she drove there, Cheng Zhi grew increasingly worried, fearing that she wouldn't see her familiar relatives when she opened the door.
The scenery outside became increasingly familiar. The car wound its way through the streets until it finally arrived at Cheng Zhi's house.
Cheng Zhi's family lived in a self-built three-story house. Her father used the first floor to sell braised beef, while the second and third floors were where they lived. But now, the large signboard "Cheng's Beef," which should have been hanging on the first floor, has been removed.
Zheng Wan looked around and, noticing no one was watching, quickly put the car back into her spatial storage and then brought her three roommates out.
When Cheng Zhi saw that the signboard was gone, her heart jumped into her throat. Had something happened to her parents?
She tiptoed up the stairs to the second floor, and Cheng Zhi trembled as she inserted the key into the lock, but dared not turn it down.
Xiao Feiran urged in a low voice from behind, "Hurry up and open it, otherwise your aunt and uncle will think someone is trying to break in, and they'll rush out and beat you up!"
No sooner had Xiao Feiran finished speaking than the door in front of him suddenly opened with a "bang," and a large hand reached out and pulled Cheng Zhi inside. The door then slammed shut with a "bang," the movements so fast they left afterimages.
The four people still standing in the cold wind, "..."
Cheng Zhi was completely stunned. She was hugged so tightly by her parents that she couldn't breathe. Only then did she realize that she hadn't been ambushed.
Even though she was the one who was startled, Old Man Cheng preemptively accused her, "Daughter, why are you acting so suspiciously? You scared me to death!"
Cheng Zhi: "..." Dad, do you want to see what you're saying? My soul is still outside the body after what you just did.
When Cheng Zhi heard that her soul was still outside, she remembered that she had four roommates outside. She immediately opened the door and welcomed them in.
Several people sat in the living room. Cheng's father shone a flashlight on Cheng Zhi, and Cheng's mother looked her up and down.
Cheng Zhi moved the glaring flashlight away. "Don't worry, I'm not missing much of my leg, not a single piece of flesh has been lost."
Old Man Cheng, wearing a military overcoat, was immediately displeased. "How dare you say that? You're all being ridiculous! Five little girls driving all the way back from such a far place by yourselves, are you crazy?!"
Mrs. Cheng gave Mr. Cheng a disdainful pat, "Why are you still saying all this? The children are all home safely, isn't that good enough?"
After scolding Old Man Cheng, Mother Cheng turned to Xiao Feiran and the others, pulled Zheng Wan's hand and patted her, "Children, you've had a tough journey. Stay home for a few days. Auntie has plenty of food, you won't go hungry."
Zheng Wan and the other three nodded repeatedly; they missed this feeling of home so much.
Looking at her parents, who were still a little thinner, Cheng Zhi's eyes were full of heartache. "Haven't you been eating properly? I bought so many things for the family, we don't need anything, how come you've still lost weight?"
Cheng's mother laughed and affectionately touched Cheng Zhi's face. "Oh, my daughter is so worried about me. Of course we've been eating well, but that's just how things are these days. Everyone's having a hard time and their complexions are all bad. But your parents are still looking so healthy and radiant. It's like we have 'I have food' written all over our faces."
After saying that, she brought her face close to Cheng Zhi's, grabbed Cheng Zhi's hand and rubbed it on her face, "See? This is my contouring makeup. After removing my makeup, I look so fair and rosy, hahaha..."
She even pulled Old Man Cheng over, saying, "I also applied it to your dad's beard. With that beard he hasn't shaved in five days, he looks exactly like a homeless man."
Looking at the face powder on that finger, Cheng Zhi laughed. "Old foxes are shrewder," she thought, "this act is so convincing."
After chatting for a while, the group decided to take a break, as they were quite tired after driving all day.
Cheng Zhi insisted on sleeping with her mother, so Xiao Feiran and Huang Yiyi slept in Cheng Zhi's room, while the other two went to sleep in the guest room. Cheng's father then squeezed into a room with Cheng Zhi's younger brother, Cheng Ye.
As for why Cheng Ye didn't come out to greet her sister?
It was because he was sleeping too soundly, and Cheng's parents were so excited to see their daughter that they completely forgot about Cheng Ye. So Cheng Ye didn't know that his sister had returned until the next day.
Lying in bed, Cheng Zhi kept staring longingly at her mother, unwilling to close her eyes and go to sleep.
Of course, Cheng's mother noticed the gaze in the darkness. She turned to the side and gently stroked Cheng Zhi's nose, saying softly, "You've been working hard all day, why aren't you asleep yet?"
Looking into her mother's gentle, round eyes, Cheng Zhi felt a lump in her throat and nuzzled closer to her mother, saying, "I almost thought I would never see you again."
Cheng's mother reached out and stroked Cheng Zhi's head gently. "How could that be? Look, you're back now. Even if you hadn't come back, your father and I would have come looking for you."
The mother and daughter were having a very warm and intimate conversation.
But the atmosphere in Cheng Zhi's room next door was completely different.
"Aaaaaah, I want my mom too! I want to go find my mom!" Huang Yiyi wailed and jumped around on the bed.
Xiao Feiran didn't even have a place to sit, let alone lie down, for fear that Huang Yiyi might accidentally kick him to death.
"..." Looking at the person who was about to collapse Cheng Zhi's bed, Xiao Feiran felt like that kindergarten teacher. "Big sister, what time is it? Stop howling! You're disturbing the peace! Besides, it's not like I'm not going to your house. I'll go in a few days, won't I?"
Huang Yiyi clearly didn't accept this explanation and continued to throw a tantrum, shouting, "I want it now! I can't wait any longer, Mom!"
Xiao Feiran: "..." You're so stubborn!
After trying to persuade her for a couple of minutes, Xiao Feiran got tired and gave up. She just sat quietly by Huang Yiyi's side and watched her go crazy.
Knowing that Huang Yiyi was acting, Xiao Feiran would occasionally say something to provoke her, "If you've got the guts, then go ahead and leave. Go alone, buy a standing ticket, and go home overnight. Nobody will stop you!"
Huang Yiyi: "..."
"How cruel you are! I miss my mother so much, and instead of comforting me, you're just making me feel worse." Finally, Huang Yiyi stopped rolling around, and her tears stopped abruptly.
This is pointless. Nobody's going to play along with her act. She should just go to sleep!
Seeing Huang Yiyi finally settle down in bed, Xiao Feiran breathed a sigh of relief. Plan worked! Time to sleep! Next time, she would never share a room with this darling again!
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