Chapter Four
Some of the elders who had come to claim their family members couldn't stand it anymore and scolded Zhou Mo, this 'ungrateful' child, saying, "Your aunt came all this way, how can you talk like that?"
"Kids these days are too harsh."
"Who can argue with that? Kids these days are all spoiled and pampered; they can't stand anything that doesn't go their way."
"You guys should say less. This child is also quite pitiful. His parents are dead. What will he do in the future?"
"Something like this is worse than death..."
The person who was making sarcastic remarks was stared at by Zhou Mo, and his words gradually faded away in the wind, and the place fell into an eerie silence for a moment.
Zhou Mo forcefully wiped away the tears on her face, no longer looking at the onlookers, but focusing her gaze on her aunt. "Thank you for coming all this way to see me. Ming'an is still in great danger, and an earthquake could happen at any time. You should go back. I don't need anyone to take care of me. I appreciate your kindness."
My aunt opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something.
Zhou Mo didn't give her a chance to continue speaking. "What kind of person my mother is is none of your business, and what my father does is none of your business either. I didn't want to listen to the things you said to me when I was little, but because I was young, even if I covered my ears, you would still say them to me. But now that I'm grown up, I don't want to listen anymore. Before I say anything even more hurtful, please leave."
"If you're going to bring up the fact that I'm not yet eighteen, fine, I'll say the same thing again two days from now, on the day I turn eighteen."
The aunt seemed surprised by Zhou Mo's resolute decision. She had assumed Zhou Mo would listen to her words in silence or perhaps retort, as she had done before. But in the end…
Finally, what?
The person who could stop Zhou Mo from talking back is dead; her younger brother, Zhou Qinian, is dead; and the one who made her…
Zhou Mo's departure interrupted Aunt's thoughts. Aunt stood there blankly, watching Zhou Mo's departing figure, as if she saw his shadow in her eyes.
Those who had been making sarcastic remarks earlier suddenly swarmed over to 'comfort' their aunt.
"The child is just spoiled and doesn't know any better. Her parents probably aren't good people either, otherwise how could they have raised her like this..."
Upon hearing this, the aunt, who had been listless just moments before, suddenly perked up. Her gaze at the speaker seemed to want to devour him whole, even more intense than Zhou Mo's earlier expression. The aunt and niece even shared a similar demeanor.
"A bunch of long-mouthed monsters, what right do you have to interfere in other people's affairs? Mind your own business, are you mourning or something?"
The person who was scolded stood there dumbfounded, saying, "I... I meant well."
At this moment, Aunt's fighting spirit reached its peak. "Kindness? If I heard correctly, you kindly bragged to others that your family members survived because they pushed others to the back. What? Do you kindly think that all the dead people are stupid?"
After she finished speaking, she ignored the gasps of the others and turned to leave.
The direction is exactly opposite to Zhou Mo's direction.
There are people in this world who don't need her help. Zhou Mo is like that, and so was her father, Zhou Qinian, back then.
So why did she have to do it?
Zhou Mo returned to the tent. Qi Xiao looked at her with some concern, but Zhou Mo smiled and shook her head. "I'm fine."
"Your eyes are red." Qi Xiao stroked Zhou Mo's eyes. Zhou Mo had lost a lot of weight recently and had completely lost her former lively and bright appearance. Qi Xiao saw it but did not know how to relieve Zhou Mo's sorrow.
"Are you leaving?" Qi Xiao asked cautiously.
Zhou Mo's smile faded, and she shook her head. "I'm not leaving. My home is here."
Qi Xiao was taken aback. Zhou Mo didn't give Qi Xiao time to think it over and pulled her down to sit. "Hasn't your family picked you up yet?"
Zhou Mo wasn't very clear about Qi Xiao's family situation, but she overheard the teacher telling Qi Xiao about it. Qi Xiao was luckier than her; no one in her family had died. However, she hadn't seen anyone come to take Qi Xiao home yet. At this moment, family reunion was more important than anything else.
if……
Zhou Mo quickly cut off her thoughts and focused her attention on Qi Xiao in front of her.
Qi Xiao forced a smile. "My...my home."
Before she could finish speaking, the teacher on duty came in and waved to Qi Xiao, "Xiao Xiao, your brother is here to pick you up."
Sitting next to Qi Xiao, Zhou Mo clearly felt her body stiffen. Before she could realize the difference, Qi Xiao had already quickly gotten up and walked to the door. When she lifted the curtain, she seemed to suddenly remember that she hadn't said goodbye to Zhou Mo yet.
She turned to look at Zhou Mo, who waved her hand dismissively, saying, "Go on, don't keep your brother waiting."
As soon as Qi Xiao left, the tent became quiet and deserted. Zhou Mo sighed softly, then gently patted her face with her palm.
"You need to cheer up, Zhou Mo. Dad and Mom haven't found their rings yet, you can't just give up like this."
Zhou Mo cheered herself up and began to think about her next plan.
Because of her previous sneaking out, she was under special supervision by the teacher. Now, apart from this tent and some basic locations, she has to report to the teacher on duty before going to any other locations. In addition, due to her special family situation, she will be advised to leave if she wants to go to any slightly distant places.
Every time she saw the teacher's pitying look in her eyes, her heart ached as if it were being pricked by needles. If possible, she hoped that she would never be seen as such a pitiful figure in the eyes of others.
When things didn't work out with the teacher, Zhou Mo turned her attention to the man who had previously delivered the news of her death. Fortunately, she didn't have to wait long; she met the man the very next day.
Just as Zhou Mo was thinking about how to talk to the man, he took the initiative to approach her.
“Zhou Mo, I came in a hurry last time and didn’t tell you my name. I am your father’s former comrade-in-arms. My name is Zhang Xing.”
"Um."
Zhou Mo nodded.
Zhang Xing keenly sensed something. "You know my name, was it mentioned by your father?"
“I ran into one of my father’s comrades-in-arms when I went out before. He said, ‘Tell him I’m at the school.’”
Zhang Xing's brows gradually furrowed, and Zhou Mo was unsure of what the person in front of her was thinking.
She thought to herself that this man looked a bit fierce and didn't seem easy to talk to. If she told him she wanted to help with the rescue, she was afraid he would refuse.
No, it must be 100% rejection.
"It was Yu Canghai who told you, right? You don't know me, so you definitely don't know him either. Your father didn't tell anyone, which is good."
Zhou Mo was completely confused by Zhang Xing's ambiguous words.
Zhang Xing's serious expression softened, and the tough man became more tender. "They say daughters resemble their fathers, and you really do look like your father."
"you……"
"Don't use that 'you' tone, just call me Uncle Zhang."
"Uncle Zhang." Zhou Mo was a likable and perceptive girl, and seeing Zhang Xing's amiable expression, she put her plans back on the agenda.
“Your father used to be our squad leader, and he was very strict with us in the army.”
"Huh?" Zhou Mo thought Zhang Xing would say "very good," but the tone suddenly changed. Zhang Xing smiled, but the smile was quickly replaced by a faint sadness. "Your father is very good, very responsible. At first, we were quite rude to him because of his scholarly air. But then, during one operation, he completely won us over. He was our squad leader, and also the elder brother we all respected. Even after he left the military, he was always..."
Zhou Mo listened quietly. She had never known that her father, Zhou Qinian, had such a past. By piecing together the past of a deceased person through the words of an old friend, she was filled with longing and cruelly hurting herself once again.
Zhang Xing suddenly snapped out of his reverie as he was speaking, stopped talking, and didn't continue.
Zhou Mo felt a little regretful, but also a little relieved. She could feel her tears welling up in her eyes, and if she listened any longer, they would inevitably spill over.
She didn't really want to cry, especially not in front of strangers.
"Uncle Zhang."
Do you want to go out?
Seeing the slightly surprised look in Zhou Mo's eyes, Zhang Xing understood immediately. "You went to that place to look for something?"
"Uncle Zhang, you're amazing!"
“What do you mean, ‘God’? You can figure it out with a little thought.” Zhang Xing rejected Zhou Mo’s flattery and gave her a harsh reality check. “Don’t even think about it. You stay here. It’s dangerous outside. Aftershocks could happen at any time. You should also be prepared to evacuate. I know your aunt came to see you yesterday. She’s still here. Zhou Mo, you should also think about your future.”
"I'm not leaving."
Without thinking, Zhou Mo blurted out, "I won't leave here. The earthquake will eventually pass, and people will continue to live on this land. High-rise buildings and residential houses will be rebuilt. I can't leave, I can't leave..." If she leaves, she will forget, forget what this place used to look like. She has to watch it, even if things change, it has to be in her sight.
"Uncle Zhang, you've come to see me because you need something, haven't you?"
Zhang Xing was taken aback by Zhou Mo's sudden change of tone, and for a moment he gave himself away, stammering, "Huh?"
Zhou Mo seized on this small opening and continued to ask, "Aftershocks will still come, and the rescue efforts haven't stopped. If it weren't something important, you wouldn't have chosen to come to me at this critical moment. We can put off any casual conversation or anything else."
Zhou Mo stared intently at Zhang Xing, who was momentarily stunned before shaking his head helplessly. "You truly are worthy of being Zhou Qinian's daughter."
"Okay, I'll get down to business. The boy you rescued from the ruins of your house has a rather complicated background."
"A wanted criminal?" Zhou Mo blurted out.
Zhang Xing: "What are you thinking about? A wanted criminal looking for you?"
"What is that?" Zhou Mo's mind flashed through many professions and possibilities, but they all vanished instantly when Zhang Xing flicked her forehead.
Zhang Xing looked at Zhou Mo, hesitant to speak, "He... he said he wants to see you." As for his identity, he would tell Zhou Mo later.
"I won't get my shot unless I see you."
"Huh?" Zhou Mo thought for a long time but couldn't figure out it was because of this. "When I talked to him, I thought he was quite well-behaved."
"good?"
Zhang Xing wanted to curse inwardly. Good heavens, that's just a stray dog, how is it obedient?
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