Da Ge

Chapter 32
The next morning at breakfast, Master Wei Zhiyuan said to Grandma Song and Xiao Bao, “The teacher will keep me for extra classes these evenings, so I’ll be back later for dinner. You don’t need to wait for me.”wwWaxSgttusriBwXLqUHXuabGicayQ

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Grandma Song and Xiao Bao didn’t suspect anything. After all, compared to Wei Qian’s terrifying criminal record, Wei Zhiyuan was the epitome of a good student in the traditional sense: sensible, neat, disciplined, and with strong self-control. It was well-known at Xiao Bao’s school that Wei Zhiyuan was outstanding.GvwGmTKkMeWkpAvLcyHEZyEKiwxMJK

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So when Grandma Song heard this, she immediately shifted her focus to Xiao Bao and said, “Did you hear that? Learn from your brothers. Your eldest brother is off to university, your second brother represents the school in competitions, and you?”nGfzvzgVNrilrFPupUWkSLaMvtaXWm

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Xiao Bao replied nonchalantly, “Let them go. I’ll watch the house.”IWXxpzKWKBWVZZZWydOZLDIltrNChx

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Grandma Song raised the ladle as if to strike her, but Xiao Bao, nimble as a monkey, darted to the door in three swift steps, obediently opening it for Wei Zhiyuan, nodding and bowing, “Second brother, please.”bagFFVwQqtGtFgdgbThSovXRxidLcS

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Wei Zhiyuan graciously nodded and took the car keys, walking ahead. Xiao Bao followed like a loyal eunuch, sticking close, teasingly sticking out her tongue at Grandma Song as she passed.fJIsNbFLioiTuKGkfDuMmkmYhcbQTr

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Due to her physical growth being slower than the old bear’s speech, and Wei Zhiyuan being too hasty, although they initially seemed similar in age, it now seemed like a significant age gap had truly emerged.dyPGbPAdeAMZnkWOUwyxfkSGIvSqEv

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Grandma Song angrily threw down the ladle, scolding Xiao Bao, “Like mud that won’t stick to the wall, sigh, such uselessness!”AMmNnEXBOOsprfgKVcGINOtNAfyNId

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That evening, Wei Zhiyuan indeed didn’t return until nearly eight o’clock. Grandma Song had already gone to work at a hotpot restaurant, so Xiao Bao peeked out from the house and said, “Second brother, back already? There’s food in the kitchen, Grandma left you two boiled eggs in the pot!”AjPtaLUEQzLQNBjaKsaaGMFcaiIZrg

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Wei Zhiyuan responded with a grunt and opened the pot to find only one egg.XZtvkPvXAIRUgrYtdlWCLDyBXsmAas

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Xiao Bao quickly added, “I snuck one!”qkOsZSIoZSSqNwEkuKmcgDAYHBkZyB

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Wei Zhiyuan remained silent.tLtsOqCwkcJUsDXjScapXKwMuLyJpq

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Xiao Bao grinned mischievously, “Oh, by the way, look at this!”tfnpclWBceDLKZfFCenpeJQeQBANnF

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She ran to the living room and retrieved a crumpled postcard from under the glass coaster on the coffee table. It was sent from Qinghai, with faded handwriting from Wei Qian about a month ago. Perhaps he was in a good mood passing by and decided to buy it to send back to amuse them.sOWSwHxlLHgUAEAzKvLzCsLaftZRmN

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Unfortunately, even his attempts at amusing were half-hearted. After writing the address, he didn’t bother with a single word, just drew two little turtles. One bald-headed, representing a male turtle, and the other with a flower on its head, representing a female turtle. The two turtles obediently played together, conveying the entire message from the elder brother: Wei Zhiyuan and Xiao Bao, you two brats, behave yourselves at home and be obedient.JJtXIzOdlFeLXahABYkBuNqAgGuxhZ

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That “Divine Turtle Sage” was relentless in his destruction, unknowingly leaving a profound impact on Wei Qian’s aesthetic sense and artistic sensibilities.HaEFMiAtcyXARoSnfBlPxSDahdgtzS

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…He had developed a lifelong habit of drawing little turtles for no reason.VUHcXtTbNOqssSTUFChWdpommTQLXh

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Wei Zhiyuan’s heart skipped a beat involuntarily. Wei Qian hadn’t been in touch for over half a month. Xiao Bao inexplicably remembered that hand soaked in the scent of floral water and couldn’t help but ask, “Hasn’t he called?”TqjjCzhYwcGutFdqCfZznbRhXDryxQ

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“No,” Xiao Bao replied. “Second brother, is yak jerky a thing in Qinghai? Is it tasty?”pMRFxVOCSJWfCcRHSYwYJfSKcYAfbx

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Wei Zhiyuan sighed, giving up on any normal conversation with her. “How do you always think about food?”RqMuKQyjKvVuxhkZKGUkTUqnLJezlZ

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“Oh, don’t imitate your big brother’s speech, you don’t sound like him at all. It should be more like this—” Xiao Bao waved her hand and then put on a serious face, pulling off a stern expression, lowering her voice, and speaking in a short and menacing tone, “You little rabbit brat, all you know is eating!”VuZrwqeikfCHagCHZtRMoecxvebEzz

HbRKxAYcHElyEYy

Her ability to mimic was getting better day by day, and Wei Zhiyuan couldn’t help but laugh along with Xiao Bao. The image of the elder brother scolding the little girl with a serious face was almost palpable.EjJNwUCzKJpUlkDBgvDoogJTvIKRjx

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Once Xiao Bao went back inside, Wei Zhiyuan sat down and took out his secret notebook. Behind “meat processing factory,” he added a few words: “warehouse manager, three shifts,” then, relying on memory, he meticulously copied down a duty roster.qLxdSFhcNomOQpAJiuqLvLMqACUCEb

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While other teenagers might write about their crushes as the first secret in their notebook, Wei Zhiyuan’s first secret notebook chillingly documented every trace of a person.sjQBNOvxrfdLTjhySmPWzwsRfBkqto

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As time went on, Wei Zhiyuan’s records about that eccentric man, including his name, family situation, work schedule, habits, and more, became disturbingly detailed.TToOeOAKHvyNyEFwMifoFswniLaQcs

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At first, Wei Zhiyuan had only kept an eye on him during community center activities. However, despite the young teacher in charge being strict, the eccentric man could only watch from afar and never approach. After the Children’s Day event passed, and the kids finished their performances, he stopped showing up.VGgcrXhTLJDOwLOKrGrbDPrZbNUgKq

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The eccentric man seemed unwilling to accept this and lingered nearby for several days.abStquCEbqhlBisFqMsqHCsjMbEpIC

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Wei Zhiyuan had been secretly observing him, but whether it was tracking or documenting, he was merely collecting information for now. He hadn’t figured out what he should do yet. He wasn’t like Wei Qian, with a hot temper ready to confront any situation; he preferred to convince himself before taking any action.DRYLIJuFiaRbADNpJlHKKjULEiZCRE

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Wei Zhiyuan closed his notebook, locked it away, and then stared blankly at the cup of water for a while. The cup belonged to his elder brother. Wei Zhiyuan actually had his own cup, but he didn’t like using it. He always preferred to drink from his brother’s cup, even though it held the same bland, lukewarm water. Somehow, it seemed to taste better from his brother’s cup.VuMdEnxqfKVmgClWEKYeGLiPciVUHK

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Wei Qian never minded these trivial matters, letting him drink as he pleased… but Wei Zhiyuan knew he had to refill it after drinking, or else he’d get scolded.smOccighVbdiviJZrihWQwpzyMOqBx

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He couldn’t help but recall many things related to Wei Qian, while simultaneously growing more and more frustrated with his elder brother.FrFuGMmqhoHTfQuaRIXncaNdbbnwSL

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Wei Zhiyuan resolved to use silent resistance, cold violence, against his self-righteous elder brother, even if he called again, he wouldn’t answer.vFSpByTXQTrspMUnxnvhXiUNIBoZpj

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Yet, almost half a month had passed, and Wei Qian hadn’t made a single call. After that postcard, there had been no news.RoMCeEgHAtdcFZzQMUZhkgWEsLoZcN

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The weather grew increasingly hot.QTVmeueKVAetanZLseKMuzHOZvLGeO

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Even Grandma Song couldn’t hold back anymore, taking the initiative to let Xiao Bao call Wei Qian’s phone — in Grandma Song’s understanding, she feared the invisible cost of phone bills. As long as the house wasn’t on fire, she wouldn’t use the phone herself, let alone allow others to use it.VIwHxDdNyTRyJUjRXCnoIAXWfmrebY

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But it didn’t connect. Wei Qian’s phone was turned off.tqRxiifrGZMlVHHoePSKBYaXgFRkcl

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Grandma Song became anxious and was about to go upstairs to find San Pang. In her eyes, although Wei Qian was like a stubborn mule, he was also the pillar of the family. Without him, aside from San Pang, she didn’t know who else to turn to for advice.FTbqWDlJzSKzFDiPzEhmQduBUMSqpG

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Wei Zhiyuan calmly stopped her, “It’s no use looking for him. San Ge might make a few more calls, but if Xiao Bao couldn’t reach him, do you think he can?”HSLCxIpfHBPfMhNrDyrWCPHIbtMXtA

nsThpwRmoSxpccZ

Grandma Song looked up at the boy, who was already taller than her. “Then what do you suggest?”bWUKtfGdfKphsitLXXSUhmGKzLyfBJ

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Wei Zhiyuan pondered for a moment. “Who did you say my brother went with? The person who owns the pharmacy?”aKEqIoZMMvgVwGFwiScuseATLcwbZH

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Grandma Song nodded absentmindedly.xKHOCpAhOXlWnSGEMlEgSkjkMurbGK

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Wei Zhiyuan said, “Give me the address.”GDsePJQSiOUDAEYZHFezRavygYVTRP

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As it happened to be a weekend, Wei Zhiyuan took the postcard Wei Qian had last sent, along with the address Grandma Song provided, and rode his bike to the old bear’s pharmacy. He remained as calm as if he were solving a complex math problem, methodically taking one step after another, unnervingly composed.znWigHdhGWRZlEvEcgnhlLTGvWRcvk

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When Grandma Song also calmed down, she looked at Xiao Bao, who appeared visibly worried, and then thought about the young man’s unflappable demeanor. She couldn’t help but feel a twinge of discomfort.tFoFLxQqsRYZSNquonQCXIwAJXjqhi

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Shouldn’t one be in a state of panic when a loved one goes missing for so long?GWzGKdLtvWBAbaaBNTOutDWVFAXirc

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Even if only for a moment… Wei Zhiyuan’s response far exceeded the norm for someone his age, and Grandma Song couldn’t help but feel a chill.wFPNpHUHyvuaosEAaoXaNIWYSdIYvU

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She used to think highly of this child, clever and righteous, but now she couldn’t help but doubt his humanity.bYrcspQIceDFmiHibXsWfyMeZnZYVb

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Wei Zhiyuan made his way to the old bear’s pharmacy. True to form, the clerk was just a temporary worker hired by the old bear, struggling to adapt to the many roles he was expected to fulfill in the pharmacy and was clueless when asked.DtoilrBiRwviJirAmlwVIQXkmPMNOB

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Wei Zhiyuan got the old bear’s contact information from him and said a few kind words before using the store’s phone to call the old bear. But it was futile; the old bear’s phone was also switched off.fSCYHKnhzftIbTrVgvHPMHXoNuRTjE

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A heavy stone seemed to sink in Wei Zhiyuan’s heart, cold and burdensome, as if dragging down his soul. He had to exert force against the weight of that heavy stone, compelling himself to do the right thing.ufCBbGNAfdbSKArEtYtumkHgQzDHYs

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After a long and difficult communication with the clerk, they finally remembered that there was a file in the drawer containing the boss’s personal information, including an emergency contact.NRYglCEUKpyUlkirRnKacnCdxgqjVi

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And so, Wei Zhiyuan found the old bear’s wife.JHAzfPRCUVoHWaabkhJSQYguSxtlIx

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But the moment the phone connected, an anxious female voice came through, cutting off any hope in Wei Zhiyuan’s heart. Without any preamble, she asked urgently, “Old bear? Is it about the old bear?”oTcoodmwoJFWDlrXxckYazOwqQBBpa

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With that one sentence, any hope in Wei Zhiyuan’s heart was completely extinguished.LDqLRaLgCUDTdOqdfkXpzDKbeMzWIM

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At this point, Wei Zhiyuan knew that his elder brother had truly lost contact.XDUURqwSkbvjUECrzXYbDiMMPQzauU

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Leaving the pharmacy, Wei Zhiyuan went straight to the police station to file a report. A female officer on duty, seeing that he was just a young teenager, patiently asked him many detailed questions.WeIVxJYdzXWIOZocYigNolbcgZdHZk

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But Wei Zhiyuan didn’t know anything specific — Wei Qian had only called in the first few days after leaving. However, due to Wei Zhiyuan’s stubborn refusal to speak to him, Wei Qian would at most exchange a few words with Xiao Bao, reassure Grandma, and then quickly hang up, leaving behind scant information.jRtlrkgLkJRwILSvKQwIuwigCJXlqx

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Wei Zhiyuan had no choice but to show the postcard to the policewoman. She took it, carefully examining the postmark and date, then shook her head. “Young man, we can accept this and help you track his whereabouts based on the itinerary and dates recorded here. However, he most likely just passed through here and wasn’t reported missing. Do you understand? You don’t even know when or where he went missing. The hope of finding him is slim, so you need to be prepared mentally.”YXVzrDhbALjLRedPOdDVEWtcntNSCi

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For a moment, Wei Zhiyuan appeared bewildered and lost, as if blindsided by the sudden turn of events. However, it only lasted a short while before he regained his composure and averted his gaze.CqagNwnqTzWvaQyiWjkZWFPcqSEldJ

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Observing his reaction, the policewoman gently asked, “Do you have any adults at home?”yQfjWWfbmvMzQBNZyqSCfZdnxitIDF

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“Only my grandmother, she’s very old,” Wei Zhiyuan replied, coming back to himself, lowering his eyes, then pausing. “Thank you, sister.”JhSEgvjgqEfiaqQuWOSMOYMwhaMUKu

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With that, Wei Zhiyuan stood up and left. He had done everything he could think of.yarMjCeZGDUOpytxQLXGjmhhZZoqcp

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There was nothing more he could do.uyFOhBRjWhiOAYdbYViPmybfZSPFTH

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Riding his bike steadily back home, when he reached a deserted spot halfway there, he suddenly, without warning, braked and stopped the bike, then slowly bent over, resting his face between his arms on the handlebars.LasxNnoIfgNLrLpHwXAzgYSbaoKpyR

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The teenager’s rapidly growing but thin back arched into a tense bow. Wei Zhiyuan finally couldn’t hold back the heavy stone in his heart any longer, letting it fall straight down, causing him intense pain that pierced through every fiber of his being.sNPRxSQXuCMmOdEYkGuAiKzYhfnTcM

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“What should I do?”pCRmoIZtMzyFryvwZsEtZytBWuEPme

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In the midst of confusion, his mind seemed to shout from all directions, gradually fading into a silent void, leaving behind only this unanswered question.EMddmiJbUneWpPyiAYVNxpMpiLmyBi

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Wei Zhiyuan couldn’t help but ponder how far his elder brother had gone.TDfpICXcRGTdGTrJLpormvxyXBQyFC

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What if he really… just… never came back?XiLBtOavOAxnCnMzcTflyaGiFxiBIe

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The vast expanse of the distance, juxtaposed with the dim flicker of hope.WSgxylZnnrnprGCjWoiPuaYkbRsJsT

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The phrase “powerless” seemed to permeate every day of his life from birth until now.HKfuXDUeucgMnKSDGIjZWkDcOkbSqL

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That evening, Wei Zhiyuan didn’t return home until after the evening news. Xiao Bao and Grandma Song looked up eagerly as he entered.IObYcluWNDmelvAlLzxfVNgHYYKakn

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Grandma Song asked, “How did it go?”sHfUlflgCXhcdUwLUkgmoHPwoIynYP

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Wei Zhiyuan walked into the living room with a blank expression, sitting upright on the sofa.fWSxTyHIgXXzkCXmUKcResGEoGlolZ

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He calmly recounted everything he had heard and done that afternoon, then cleared his throat and lifted his gaze, sweeping it over Grandma Song and Xiao Bao’s faces.WHfCOBKjEKnHViyABqytqvAnqkDSaq

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Wei Zhiyuan spoke softly and slowly about his decision, “Now we have no other choice but to wait for news. If my brother… then I’ll have to drop out of school to support the family.”QKRjyUbdUgumOTfXDbiZPDDTqttdst

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Grandma Song jumped up suddenly, her face flushed with anxiety as she stamped her foot, “Nonsense! Childish talk! What nonsense are you blabbering, young one?”HgMiJMRkdCMULMhtPXUIuieemwUivN

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“Grandma,” Wei Zhiyuan sat up straight, looking at her calmly, “I heard that when my brother lost his parents, he was about the same age as I am now. From now on, anything he could do, I can do too. If he could shoulder the responsibility of the family, so can I. Trust me.”gChpGSNrLWrjMDSNcHvXwtKmNqFsJa

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Grandma Song stared at him blankly.cqpfmitqEtSUSZOpwUgaKpAItAczxI

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But Xiao Bao’s eyes suddenly turned red. With a blink, tears welled up and rolled down her cheeks. She gently pulled Wei Zhiyuan and said, “Big brother, anyway, I’m not good at studying. Let me drop out of school. I can still pretend I’m a mouse falling into a rice jar.”FeiEnXZxycnIwmGumkyjMdAUXGASPK

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Wei Zhiyuan’s gaze rested on her, then he seemed to mimic someone’s gesture from memory, awkwardly and unskillfully extending his hand to gently pat Xiao Bao’s head.STNPawYSasVTXjKaVBQGXfGUsjVozv

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He said, “What can you do? You look so small and weak. You’ll be bullied if you leave school.”cmsVUUloYyUMBHxoZdzkTYnJQYLdRo

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Somehow, Xiao Bao cried even harder after hearing these words.iPSflbWKFjeiyluIaVpnpssWmNWulg

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“My brother has fought tooth and nail to get to where he is today. As long as he has breath, he’ll definitely come back before the start of school. Don’t cry, everything will be fine,” Wei Zhiyuan calmly finished this sentence, then forced a somewhat unsuccessful smile and turned to Grandma Song, “If it’s dark or windy or rainy, I’ll ride my bike to pick you up from now on.”AmDQaXnCEMRocKQAYficUMvJSnSsdf

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Wei Zhiyuan did his best to adjust the atmosphere at home and tried his best to become a new pillar of support.lqLNfMVjplOZhdYAZAnkWvUvzfKZqP

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However, when the deep quiet of the night arrived, he sat alone behind his small desk, unable to figure out how his elder brother had raised Xiao Bao and sustained this drafty home all those years.VdRjPmDFfOTjjVOvfJRseQBJmOwYoC

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He used to boast recklessly when he was young, often throwing around the phrase “supporting the family.” Now, with no one to rely on, a deep-seated fear almost overwhelmed him.BivpZFbmxJIGOJlgGeWUnnOcCnhWFX

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The fear he felt now was greater than the fear he experienced when he was wandering around as a clueless child, relying solely on a bit of cleverness and luck, greater than the fear he felt facing a pervert with a steel pipe, and even greater than the fear he felt cautiously fleeing with his elder brother.LaGqXzXKZAejUhTWzasTxpbvQjIfoQ

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Because he couldn’t be naive anymore, couldn’t act on impulse fueled by hot-bloodedness, and because he no longer had someone to look forward to.QRMsYYdNyixTRFTQWznLXPMVjCPKXk

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With Grandma above, Xiao Bao below, he had to take care of them, as well as Mrs. Zhai, who lived in the opposite low bungalow. His elder brother wouldn’t allow him to abandon her.KLdLiDBnlxgHmkIZWFyucuzvdJfECo

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He felt a pressure almost as suffocating as being in the dark.XtJVyHlatvfgPlYsarJULatPPiMSVo

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Wei Zhiyuan took a deep breath and silently asked himself, “What would my brother do?”sXVAQzGGfcEgTllTOYvnCZeNaCkRUt

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Leaning back in his chair, he tried to calm his turbulent emotions and began the long process of recalling everything about Wei Qian.UeyfVLUrccpNpxINUZRriKEgciQqtJ

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Wei Zhiyuan approached life like carefully solving a math problem, meticulously considering every need and contemplating how to solve each one.qiqYwVKiCasunqNkxJpOyGgoopNyqZ

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Despite preparing for the worst, Wei Zhiyuan refused to admit that Wei Qian had disappeared for no reason. He firmly believed that even if his brother didn’t come this summer, he would definitely return before the next autumn arrived.eGvgAwGvSBjRKSJqEVXCHgBfAoBlsh

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This belief seemed to be the last straw floating in his heart.sLHNGXGDJJfiViddLCXWvBXQWoEtTr

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As the end-of-term exams approached, Wei Zhiyuan still visited the police station every day, but instead of news about his brother, he occasionally received a lunchbox of dumplings or pies. Each time he returned disappointed, he felt like he was on the verge of breaking down.vgsiNxEnDedLawlVxrLFzDwBIYEpAp

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On his way back one day, passing through a secluded area near the elementary school, it was already late in the day. Wei Zhiyuan unexpectedly saw that pervert again—due to family matters, he hadn’t had the energy to track him for a long time.PlNhPgHXAoBxtWuDaqAWWaPOBRRmNQ

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The pervert was holding several lollipops bought from the roadside, bending down to speak to a boy of about six or seven years old.cYwwHsEoqiAcgAbZuGMsWjPBfESooL

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The boy looked dull, perhaps a bit slow in intelligence. The man spoke too fast for him to understand, and he instinctively felt that something was amiss, taking a step back involuntarily.THDCxfNfIjbJbfnzuqsqpAZCsvsFOr

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The pervert reached out his filthy hands to grab the child’s shoulder, but at that moment, he was suddenly bumped from behind.SKWOTbtFIxRzYqNPVfTeuNafzwiKIa

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Wei Zhiyuan pretended he couldn’t stop the bike and bumped him aside, saying coldly, “Get out of the way, you damn dog.”cxPIqlOGPmoXHIzhygJYAcjIhAPKcx

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Having grown much taller, and with the darkness concealing his features, the man didn’t recognize him at all. He was just startled by the sudden collision and shrunk to the side in confusion. Wei Zhiyuan bent down, lifted the boy, and placed him on the bike’s crossbar, impatiently saying, “Sit still, don’t move.”zDykAWpiwvFGKpmqOQsuFewWTUiGee

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Then he drove off straight away.uzTCctgnFEhRnOuswoOkKJohTEfJMy

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The boy indeed seemed slow to react. After riding a long way, he looked at Wei Zhiyuan and said blankly, “Big brother, I don’t know you.”wPGoekCrFbzHCwWDSynKwqoHOsdMOI

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Wei Zhiyuan replied, “I don’t know you either.”ZnybLFdWWxVCavenYoRIMlmohaxQEt

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This conversation was beyond the little boy’s intellectual range. He widened his eyes, unsure of what to say. Wei Zhiyuan kept riding until he reached a narrow alley, where he let the boy down at a busy intersection, saying, “Go.”eUpyuIXqbxjWDDJSENmZjpYVImdsvW

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The frustration and despair of not finding his brother, combined with the pressure from his family that he was about to face, finally ignited the pent-up negative emotions in Wei Zhiyuan’s heart.gLERYyMzoRtkQVQidVbniCYHpBmhCb

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And the events of that evening gave Wei Zhiyuan a reason—he decided he was going to kill that man.HymklqqhYAKzHuEhUQzpAqKWZsnmKs

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It was as if he needed to do this in order to regain some semblance of control over his powerless life.goXGyeZFhhiJFqOoygLoEzFOcUresA

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