Black Sky - Chapter 27

When Fatty Qiu came out of the tent, he happened to see Bai Zi and Mao Mao leaving.

And at the staircase entrance, there was a tall and slender figure standing.

It was Meng Yilan.

Her hands were clenched tightly, her head raised, looking at the empty stairs, her face expressionless.

After a long while, Meng Yilan seemed to suddenly come back to her senses, and walked quickly up the stairs with a look of anxiety, but stopped abruptly halfway. Then, her face turned cold, and she turned around and went downstairs, returning to the side of the sofa.

The broken machine parts were scattered all over the ground. Shi Lei kicked a broken steel plate away with his foot, and then muttered a few words of complaint.

“Miss Meng,” Shi Lei rubbed his waist, and leaned close to Meng Yilan, saying unwillingly, “Even if you let her go today, she’ll definitely be caught by something else in the future.”

Meng Yilan didn’t speak, but her expression became even colder.

By the glass wall, Fatty Qiu looked towards Uncle Wang in the tent, and saw that he was motionless, his face pale and purple.

Fatty Qiu immediately bent down, and used his fingers to check the other party’s breathing—he was already dead.

He hadn’t expected at all that You Yuyi, who had originally said she would treat Uncle Wang’s gunshot wound, would suddenly be locked up.

It seemed that only he and Bai Zi had been kept in the dark about this plan.

And now, even Bai Zi had left.

Intuition told Fatty Qiu that none of the people here could be trusted.

Fatty Qiu looked at Uncle Wang’s corpse, not feeling sad, but feeling uncomfortable in his heart.

Uncle Wang wasn’t a good person, of course, Fatty Qiu knew very well that he himself was just a cowardly fence-sitter, and didn’t have the right to judge whether others were good or bad, but Uncle Wang had treated him well over the past year, at least giving him and Feitian a place to stay.

Moreover, Fatty Qiu couldn’t help but think of himself pointing a gun at A Ben, and felt even more guilty.

At least, when he wasn’t having a mental breakdown, A Ben was a reliable brother.

But after only feeling guilty for a few minutes, the image of Uncle Ma’s head being held in A Ben’s hand floated into Fatty Qiu’s mind again, and he immediately shuddered, still feeling a lingering fear.

Fatty Qiu dragged Uncle Wang’s corpse to a corner, which was Uncle Wang’s favorite place to stay when he was alive, and then, he covered the corpse with a blanket.

When Fatty Qiu returned to the stove, Shi Lei looked at Fatty Qiu, frowning as if he wanted to say something, but Fatty Qiu, after glancing at Shi Lei, immediately hid back in the tent, and quickly pulled up the zipper.

Shi Lei was stunned, curled his lips, and didn’t pursue it any further.

After all, the development of things now was better than he had imagined.

Feeling very happy, Shi Lei sat down on the sofa with a calm expression, stretched, and then took out a comb, humming a tune while carefully combing his slicked-back hair that had been messed up by Bai Zi.

Meng Yilan glanced at Shi Lei, and turned to walk to the corner where Bai Zi had rested not long ago.

At the moment when no one was paying attention to her, that cold face finally relaxed.

Completely unconsciously, Meng Yilan sat in the place where Bai Zi had sat before. In the dim light, those eyes that always revealed a sharp look now showed an emptiness that even Meng Yilan herself didn’t notice.

In the tent, Fatty Qiu took out a bag of compressed biscuits, coaxing Feitian to eat them, and then carefully listened to the movements outside the tent.

In the following time, Fatty Qiu was always cautious, only hoping to minimize his and his sister’s presence, in order to extend their chances of survival as much as possible, for as long as they could.

But the next day, when Fatty Qiu was teaching Feitian to read in the tent, the tent was rudely patted, and then Sister Hua’s voice came: “Fatty, come out.”

“What’s wrong?” Fatty Qiu asked nervously, clutching the tattered language book in his hand.

Sister Hua urged impatiently: “There’s work to do.”

The sound of a handgun being cocked came from outside the tent.

Fatty Qiu immediately poked his head out: “What work?”

Sister Hua, holding a bag of things, handed it to Fatty Qiu: “Deliver this to them.”

“Who?” Fatty Qiu was stunned.

“Walk along the tunnel, to the right of the platform,” Sister Hua explained. “After about ten minutes, you’ll see a subway car. Deliver these things to the innermost car.”

Fatty Qiu glanced at the gun in Sister Hua’s hand, took the bag, opened it, and found that it contained a can of food, a bottle of water, a few pills, and a piece of gauze.

“There’s a small hole under the door of the sealed car. Just stuff the things in there.” Sister Hua added.

“If you ask me,” Shi Lei, who was half-lying on the sofa, yawned, “There’s no need to send them those things at all. After a while, it won’t be our business anymore.”

Sister Hua replied faintly: “This is what Miss Meng told me to do.”

On the way to leave the gas station, Shi Lei had told Sister Hua about Meng Yilan’s identity and background.

Shi Lei was stunned, and then coughed lightly, no longer speaking.

Fatty Qiu looked at the bag in his hand, and took Feitian with him.

There was no one to trust in the subway station anymore. Fatty Qiu had to take his sister with him, for safety.

And so, Fatty Qiu, carrying the bag in one hand and pulling Feitian with the other, left the platform.

Along the way, Fatty Qiu kept telling Feitian cold jokes to embolden himself, who was silent. When the two saw the subway car emitting psychedelic lights in front of them, they finally stopped.

Seeing this scene, Fatty Qiu didn’t dare to get on the car rashly. He didn’t know what to do for a moment.

But Feitian was attracted by the beautiful colorful lights, and let go of Fatty Qiu’s hand, climbing onto the car.

The usually introverted and taciturn little girl was now extremely excited by the fairy-tale-like scene in front of her. She ran forward regardless of everything, until she reached the last car.

When Fatty Qiu arrived, panting, he also held his breath in confusion because of the scene in front of him.

It wasn’t a terrifying or horrifying scene, but it was strange enough.

The so-called “sealed car” that Sister Hua had mentioned was now completely unrecognizable.

Although there were six or seven iron bars blocking the surface of this wooden door, the wood itself had been chopped to pieces. Even the weapon that had chopped the door was still blatantly left at the scene of the crime—a half-meter-long giant axe was stuck in the wooden door between the iron bars, as if someone had been trying to chop the door open before Fatty Qiu and Feitian arrived.

Not only that, but there were also various strange tools scattered around, such as crowbars, water pipes, and even clothes racks.

Before Fatty Qiu could take a closer look, he only felt a heat behind him, and his neck was suddenly constricted by a fair arm that stretched out from behind him.

Even from the thickness of that arm, it could be inferred that the person behind him wasn’t strong, but Fatty Qiu was still unable to breathe, and his body couldn’t move.

“Sister?” Fatty Qiu said with difficulty.

Feitian nervously grabbed Fatty Qiu’s sleeve, and looked up with a frightened expression, looking at the young woman who had always been expressionless since they had first met a few days ago, and had a terrifying scar on her left face.

Bai Zi glanced at Feitian, and asked in a deep voice: “Who else is there?”

“N-No one else…” Fatty Qiu quickly raised the bag in his hand. “We, we’re here to deliver food to them, and medicine.”

At this time, a person appeared in the doorway, her voice as soft and charming as ever: “Wild rabbit, don’t scare my little friend.”

Bai Zi was stunned, and released Fatty Qiu.

Mao Mao, who had been hiding under the seat, also crawled out, and nimbly climbed onto Bai Zi’s back.

“Sister,” Fatty Qiu wasn’t afraid at all. “Didn’t you leave?”

“Because she wanted to be a hero and save the beauty,” You Yuyi interjected. “After much deliberation, I decided to elope with her, but unfortunately, the axe couldn’t chop through the iron bars.

Bai Zi stuffed the bag that Fatty Qiu had brought into You Yuyi in the doorway: “Don’t talk nonsense.”

Yesterday, after readily agreeing to Meng Yilan’s suggestion, Bai Zi had turned around and walked out of the second basement level with a carefree look, but she hadn’t left the subway station.

She had taken Mao Mao, and climbed back to the first basement level through the elevator shaft.

Then, Bai Zi had broken open a glass door that was far away from Meng Yilan and the others, and jumped onto the tracks.

But when she returned to the car where You Yuyi and You Xin were imprisoned again, Bai Zi discovered that the car had been sealed off by Shi Lei and Sister Hua, and even the car windows had been blocked with iron sheets.

She had tried countless methods, trying to open the door, but none of them had succeeded.

“Actually…” Fatty Qiu said, looking at the door that was full of holes, “There’s an angle grinder in the utility room.”

An angle grinder, a machine specifically used to cut iron.

“That’s what I used to do repairs in the zoo before…” Before Fatty Qiu could finish speaking, Bai Zi asked: “Which utility room?”

“It’s…” Just as Fatty Qiu uttered two words, You Yuyi immediately interrupted with a meaningful tone: “It’s the utility room where you and Miss Meng were alone for two hours.”

“What?” You Xin’s voice came from behind You Yuyi, her tone extremely shocked. “Two hours? When? What were you doing inside?”

“That’s right,” You Yuyi also echoed You Xin, asking with a deliberately confused expression, “What were you doing inside?”

You Xin endured the pain, squeezed to the doorway, opened her eyes wide, staring at Bai Zi with anticipation.

Like a foodie seeing a feast of delicacies.

Bai Zi was too lazy to argue with these two cousins, and turned to ask Fatty Qiu: “Where is that thing in the utility room?”

Fatty Qiu was about to answer, but hesitated, and said: “Sister, that utility room is closer to where everyone is staying, it’s easy to be discovered. Why don’t…I go get it?”

Bai Zi raised her eyebrows.

“But,” Fatty Qiu glanced at Feitian next to him, and asked in a low voice, “Can you take me and Feitian with you?”

“Fatty,” Before Bai Zi could reply, You Yuyi immediately refused, “Did you think we’re a tour group, where you can just stuff people in?”

Fatty Qiu begged: “You’re the best people I’ve met in the past year…no, in my entire life. As long as you’re willing to take me and Feitian in, I’m willing to do anything for you!”

“If it’s for your sister,” You Xin sighed, “Wouldn’t it be better for you to take her back to Bei City with Miss Meng?”

“Bei City?” Fatty Qiu shook his head with a wry smile. “I came from there in the first place. It’s just a place for rich people and powerful people. People like us can only suffer in the green zone. I don’t care, but Feitian…”

During the year he had lived with Uncle Wang, Fatty Qiu had always hesitated about whether he should take Feitian and leave quietly, but he couldn’t find a better place to go.

Now, Fatty Qiu had a feeling that You Yuyi and You Xin were not simple, and that being by their side would definitely be a good thing for Feitian.

Everyone was silent for a moment, looking at Feitian, who was hiding behind Fatty Qiu.

“Feitian,” You Xin grabbed the iron bars on the door, and poked her head out to look at Feitian. “Do you want to go with us?”

Feitian raised her head to look at You Xin and You Yuyi, and then turned to look at Bai Zi, and after a long while, she pointed to Mao Mao, who was lying on Bai Zi’s shoulder: “Will it come too?”

You Yuyi couldn’t help but chuckle softly, and looked at Bai Zi: “Will it come too?”

Bai Zi lowered her head, looked at Feitian, and then looked at Mao Mao, who was staring at her on her shoulder, and nodded.

“Sister, I want to go with you too.” Feitian said softly, her tone full of anticipation.

You Yuyi sighed helplessly: “Let’s just stay together temporarily until the next stop.”

This was considered an agreement.

You Xin frowned, and asked Bai Zi, who only understood half of what was going on: “You’re going with them too? What about Miss Meng?”

Bai Zi didn’t reply. She forcefully pulled Mao Mao off her back, letting it stay in the car with Feitian, and then, carrying Fatty Qiu, quickly rushed back to the subway station.

When the two returned to the side of the platform, they found that there wasn’t a single person inside.

“That’s strange,” Fatty Qiu said softly. “When I left, everyone was clearly here…”

Before he could finish speaking, Bai Zi silently jumped onto the platform, and quickly ran towards the utility room, Fatty Qiu could only grit his teeth and follow.

At Bai Zi’s signal, Fatty Qiu entered the utility room alone to get the angle grinder, while Bai Zi stayed by the door to guard.

But just then, some movement came from the staircase entrance, followed by Shi Lei’s voice: “I didn’t expect you to arrive so quickly. I thought I’d have to wait for half a day.”

“It’s not far, and besides, we have a car,” This was a stranger’s voice, and it seemed quite young. “Miss Meng, don’t worry, everything has been arranged for Mr. Lin.”

Bai Zi and Fatty Qiu exchanged a glance—the people who had come to pick up the “goods” had arrived.

Without waiting for Meng Yilan to reply, Bai Zi grabbed Fatty Qiu and ran towards the side of the platform. On the way, she also conveniently took Shi Lei’s travel bag, and Fatty Qiu took out a large package from the tent.

But just as the two jumped onto the tracks, Fatty Qiu stopped in place, handing the package and the angle grinder to Bai Zi: “Sister, I’ll hold them back, you go cut the lock first!”

Fatty Qiu climbed back onto the platform, but turned his head back, saying with a sad expression: “If I don’t make it, please take care of Feitian first. She’s very well-behaved, and just needs enough food to eat…I’ll find you as soon as possible!”

After saying that, Fatty Qiu didn’t care whether Bai Zi agreed or not, and immediately turned around, running towards the staircase entrance in a panic: “Oh no! There are mutants!”

Shi Lei, who was walking at the front, asked impatiently: “How is that possible?”

Meng Yilan and Sister Hua, who were behind Shi Lei, also looked confused. Next to them, there were two men and one woman that Fatty Qiu hadn’t seen before. After hearing the words “mutant,” they immediately took out their respective weapons warily.

“In the tunnel, on the side that collapsed before!” Fatty Qiu said, leading the group towards the other side of the tracks.

Bai Zi, holding the angle grinder, quickly ran away. At first, she was worried about the sound of her footsteps and deliberately slowed down, but after running further away, she finally stretched her legs and ran wildly.

Stepping on the tracks, running desperately in the tunnel, Bai Zi once again felt the feeling of leaving the human world behind her. During this time, she thought of the sentence that Meng Yilan had said to her—Go find a place that suits you.

“Suitable” was a magical word.

Sometimes, good and bad were not the criteria for measuring whether something was “suitable.”

What mattered was whether you felt comfortable. Even if you were in the bone-chilling winter, as long as you liked it, it would be more comfortable than staying in the warm sun of spring.

Thinking of this, Bai Zi couldn’t help but show a joyful smile.

Soon, she returned to that colorful car, and without explaining Fatty Qiu’s whereabouts, Bai Zi let the others hide, and immediately picked up the angle grinder, starting to cut the iron lock on the door.

Sparks flew everywhere, and the harsh sound of metal cutting immediately rang out. This movement even penetrated the car, echoing in the tunnel.

At the same time, Bai Zi heard the sound of messy footsteps approaching from the direction of the subway station, but she was unmoved, holding her breath and concentrating, continuing to push the angle grinder in her hand.

The silver metal was being ground away little by little. Just as it was about to break completely, the turntable on the angle grinder suddenly stopped.

On the mobile power box, the red light was flashing, indicating that the power had run out.

Bai Zi threw down the angle grinder, picked up the iron pliers, and forcefully clamped the lock that was about to break.

In the tunnel, the approaching footsteps became clearer and clearer.

But Bai Zi didn’t panic. She gritted her teeth and tightened the iron pliers, finally, the lock broke.

Quickly opening the door, Feitian behind her asked softly: “Where’s brother?”

“He’ll be here soon,” Bai Zi said, and directly picked up the safety hammer that was equipped in the car, forcefully smashing the car window. “You and these two sisters go first!”

Bai Zi quickly cleared the glass shards from the car window, then directly picked up Feitian and climbed out of the car window, sending her to the outside of the car. Then, she climbed back into the car and helped You Yuyi and You Xin escape onto the tracks.

“What about you?” You Yuyi asked anxiously, watching Bai Zi climb back into the car again.

Bai Zi turned her head and pushed Mao Mao, who was about to follow her back into the car, off the tracks. But the furry child bared its teeth and tried to climb back up. After several attempts, Bai Zi finally hardened her heart and slapped it down, causing it to fall to the ground. Only then did Mao Mao hide by You Xin’s feet with a wronged expression.

Bai Zi finally looked at You Yuyi, but didn’t answer her question. “I’m sorry, I’m entrusting Mao Mao and Feitian to you.”

Saying that, she handed Shi Lei and Fatty Qiu’s backpacks to You Yuyi. “There should be some food and weapons inside.”

You Yuyi took the backpacks, with a serious expression that had never appeared before on her face. “Bai Zi, come with me.”

Bai Zi lowered her head, making eye contact with You Yuyi, who was looking up at her. But in the next moment, Bai Zi shook her head, turning away from the car window without a trace of reluctance.

You Yuyi was stunned, then gave a bitter smile that was almost imperceptible.

Bai Zi returned to the car where You Yuyi and You Xin had been imprisoned, walked slowly to the very end, and sat down against the wall.

Closing her eyes, she heard the sound of You Yuyi and the others running further and further away in the tunnel. At the same time, a very noisy commotion came from the front of the car.

A place that suits me?

Bai Zi didn’t open her eyes, but only curled the corners of her mouth slightly, showing a joyful smile again.

Listening to the gradually approaching footsteps, Bai Zi sighed in her heart—there is no place more suitable for me than this one.