Chapter 79: Terrible News

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Watching Mo Yu slowly approaching, the man with the scarred face shivered uncontrollably. If it weren’t for that “pretty boy” standing on his neck, he would have bolted three miles away by now.

“You! What are you going to do?” The scarred man strained his neck, which had been twisted several times, forcing himself to suppress his fear as he spoke. His once sharp, gleaming eyes had lost their triumphant glint, now bloodshot with terror. He nervously fixed his gaze on Mo Yu, every movement she made set his heart racing, especially as she reached toward his neck with the dagger in hand.

“Hm—?” Mo Yu drew out her words, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly, but her gaze was as cold and sharp as a blade, slicing mercilessly across the scarred man’s body. It was as cruel as a judge prolonging the agony at a death sentence, making his face blanch and his heart sink.

The cool touch of the dagger slid along his knotted neck like a snake, making his skin crawl with goosebumps. He desperately retreated, struggling against his restraints.

Fortunately, Mo Yu didn’t intend to frighten him to death; after all, Qing Xuan had already avenged her. Now she only wanted to ask about the medal sewn into the lining of his coat—this seemed far more important.

In the end, the dagger didn’t fall upon the medal but came to a halt just above his heart.

“Where did this come from?” Mo Yu held the dagger with her left hand, pressing it against his tangled neck, while her right hand reached out to touch the medal she knew so well.

No one expected that the scarred man, frozen stiff with fear, suddenly writhed backwards like a madman, as if desperately protecting the medal.

“Hiding?” Qing Xuan, who had been stepping on the scarred man’s head, suddenly pressed harder, grinding his head into the dirt. Only his gaunt body remained, struggling in its last throes.

“What are you doing?!” Mo Yu stood up and pushed Qing Xuan aside, carefully pulling the dust-covered medal from the scarred man’s chest and holding it in her palm.

“I….” Qing Xuan had meant to help Mo Yu, but ended up causing trouble. His face was full of grievance, uncertain how to explain himself, and without realizing it, his foot eased its pressure.

Perhaps because of Qing Xuan’s momentary lapse, the scarred man managed to wriggle his head out of the ground, launching himself at Mo Yu like a ferocious beast.

“Tell me, where did this thing come from?!” The dagger barely pierced the scarred man’s chest, but he knew that moving even an inch would mean certain death. He hung his head, the last trace of vitality draining from his body.

“About two years ago, I first came to City B,” the scarred man began.

“At the time, I was just a university graduate, recently out of school. I had made up my mind to leave my hometown and come to this city, which was then full of job opportunities. I thought I would make something of myself here. No one expected that as soon as I set foot on this land, the world would change.” As he spoke, the scarred man raised a hand to cover his downcast face.

“Because life was difficult, I chose to rent a house far from the city. Then, one evening after a rainstorm, there was a sudden roar of planes overhead. Even though I was in City B, my house was so remote it was rare to see helicopters. Out of curiosity, I followed the villagers to see what was happening, but the area was cordoned off. All I saw was people disembarking from the helicopters and being led into a few temporary tents.” At this point, his voice broke, barely audible.

“And then?” Mo Yu pressed on, frowning. The man’s story filled her with an ominous premonition, but her family had arrived in City B together by helicopter, and her uncle and grandfather were influential figures—they could not have simply vanished without cause.

“Then, suddenly, there was a scream from inside the tent, followed by several gunshots. The villagers fled in panic. I only glimpsed a figure stumbling out of the tent; at the time, I thought their posture was odd, but I didn’t know what it was. Later, pushed along by the crowd, I left the scene, but faintly heard more gunshots.” The scarred man seemed unwilling to recall the painful memories, his voice growing weaker.

“Hurry, what happened to that person?” Mo Yu grew anxious.

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“Afterwards, those who had arrived by helicopter were settled in the village, blending into daily life as if nothing had happened. The owner of this medal was among them—a distinguished elder who seemed to carry an air of authority, but his favorite pastime was fishing near my house. Gradually, I became acquainted with him. Later, for various reasons, he began to teach me martial arts and self-defense, even saving my life when the zombies came…” Tears fell from the scarred man’s eyes, splashing onto the ground. Mo Yu staggered back in disbelief.

“What did you say?” Mo Yu grabbed the scarred man’s collar, staring into his eyes, but saw only remorse and pain.

“I don’t believe it! What about the others who came with him? Did they all disappear? How could they leave the old man alone here?!”

“That happened later—it was like they vanished into thin air. One morning, I found the tents and the people gone without a trace. Only the old man remained, still fishing by the stream. I asked him about it, and he said his family had been taken away. He stayed because he didn’t want to be moved again. Staying was his choice.” Hearing this, Mo Yu slumped into a chair, lost in thought. Indeed, her grandfather was stubborn to a fault; once he made up his mind, nothing could change it.

The scarred man seemed unaware of Mo Yu’s expression and continued recounting the past: “It was as if God had chosen the day and method for punishment—disaster struck. The old man sacrificed himself to save me from a horde of zombies, but before he died, he entrusted me with one thing: to deliver his medal to his granddaughter—you, the one holding it now.” He pointed to the medal in Mo Yu’s hand.

“A kindness as small as a drop of water should be repaid with a spring, let alone the benefactor who sacrificed himself to save me. I stayed here all this time to fulfill the old man’s last wish. Aren’t you going to give it back to me?” The scarred man grew agitated as he spoke, but Qing Xuan pressed his neck again, immobilizing him.

“Do you know the granddaughter’s name?”

“Of course, the old man repeated it countless times—Mo Yu.”

…

“Are you all right, dear?” Qing Xuan helped the weakened Mo Yu, guiding her unsteadily out of the tent.

“Grandfather… Grandfather, he…” Before she could finish her sentence, tears gushed from her eyes. “It’s all my fault, all because of my stubbornness!”

“No, it’s not because of you. You were only trying to keep your family safe—you did nothing wrong.” As he spoke, Qing Xuan pulled Mo Yu into his arms, holding her tightly, his face full of tenderness.

“No, I still can’t forgive myself. Grandfather stayed here waiting for me—how could it not be my fault?” Mo Yu finally broke down, sobbing uncontrollably.

“There, there…” Qing Xuan comforted her softly.

Perhaps exhausted from crying, or perhaps finally allowing herself to show her vulnerability after being strong for so long, Mo Yu gradually stopped her sobs.

“Qing Xuan, do you think I can find my family?”

Qing Xuan gazed into her tear-streaked eyes and gently kissed her, “You definitely will. I’ll help you search, no matter how long it takes.”

Mo Yu was finally comforted.

Everyone lacks a sense of security. Mo Yu even more so. She kept it hidden, never spoke of it, but because there was always someone she loved and who loved her by her side, she had something to rely on, a place to rest.

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…

Mo Yu awoke on a soft bed, warm yellow light glowing overhead, a comfortable blanket covering her.

It was a room that felt like home, and for a moment, Mo Yu almost believed the illusion.

“You’re awake?” The doorknob turned gently, and a tall, familiar figure entered. “Drink this milk.” Qing Xuan extended a hand holding a cup. Mo Yu reached for it, but he pulled it back.

“I’ll feed you.” His lips parted softly, and unexpectedly, Mo Yu’s cheeks flushed bright red.

“Good girl.” Qing Xuan dared not rush her, and Mo Yu was too embarrassed to drink quickly. Together, they lingered over the cup of milk for nearly five minutes.

“Where is this place?”

“Our home.”

“Where did the milk come from?”

“The organization provided it.”

“I want to get up.”

“No.” Qing Xuan reached out and ruffled Mo Yu’s hair, a gesture full of affection. “Rest well today. You’re too tired.”

Head-rubbing was irresistible to Mo Yu; she obediently lay back down, pulling the blanket up to cover half her face, her cheeks flushing crimson again.

Qing Xuan was reluctant to leave the bed, reluctant to leave Mo Yu, but having just moved into their new home, there were countless things to do. He couldn’t simply leave them all to Mo Yu. In his mind, to love someone was to care for them in every possible way, so Qing Xuan donned a small apron and went to wash dishes and wipe cabinets.

In this world, even if you endure countless hardships and experience the coldness of humanity, don’t lose hope, for someone will always enter your life and never leave your side.