Free Web NovelChapter 165: Chapter 165: Dodder Girl
The RV stopped at the entrance of Bamboo Orchid Garden in the Ta Lake Villa District.
This area was originally the Ta Lake Leisure and Scenic Tourist Area.
Besides the section of lakeside villas, many apartment-style hotels had also been built over there.
The safe zone was established on this foundation.
Bordered by a mountain on one side and water on two, it was a place where mountains and water embraced. If not for the attacks from other Alien Species, the Ta Lake Villa District would have been an extremely safe place.
But in the post-apocalyptic world, Xie Ning saw this kind of safety as merely relative.
’Who knew what problems lay beneath the calm surface of the water.’
No one could predict the future; all they could do now was take it one step at a time.
"The safe zone doesn’t have power or running water yet, so we’ll have to make do for now. Auntie, if you need anything, you must let me know. I’ll have someone send a few cases of water over later."
Gu Chen parked the RV in the garage outside the villa and led the mother-daughter duo toward Bamboo Orchid Garden across the street.
Hearing this, Song You’ai quickly waved her hands. "No, no, you keep the water for yourselves. We have enough, really."
Her reaction was so vehement that Gu Chen couldn’t help but turn to glance at her.
Xie Ning was speechless. After a moment’s thought, she said, "My mom awakened the Water Ability. But I told her not to go around telling everyone. Right now, besides me, you’re the only one who knows about my mom’s superpower."
Gu Chen’s eyes lit up. "Auntie, your superpower is a real lifesaver."
’Looks like Ningning’s family shouldn’t have any problems with water from now on.’
Song You’ai grinned. "Xiao Gu, if you guys need water in the future, just come ask me anytime. And that pot you used for the noodles... we really should wash it. Just wiping it isn’t enough, it’s all greasy."
Gu Chen: "..."
’Auntie has some serious trauma when it comes to their pot.’
Gu Chen chuckled and nodded. "Okay. Auntie, let’s listen to Ningning. Don’t tell anyone about your superpower for now. It won’t be too late to mention it once there are more Water Ability Superpower Users in the base. Otherwise, it might attract unnecessary conflict."
"That’s what I was thinking, too." Song You’ai said with an honest-looking smile. "Sigh, it’s not that I don’t want to contribute, but Ningning said that overusing my superpower could affect my health."
"Besides, I’m worried about those people who like to guilt-trip others and won’t leave us alone. It’s not a big deal if it’s trouble for me, but if it causes trouble for Ningning, she might flip out."
Xie Ning shot a deadpan look at Comrade Song You’ai.
’See? Comrade Song You’ai sure has a way with words!’
"But don’t you worry, Xiao Gu. I’ll be generating a lot of water when I practice my superpower every day. If you’re short on water, just come and get some from me. Don’t be a stranger."
Gu Chen nodded repeatedly, breaking into a toothy grin. "Mhm, mhm, thank you, Auntie."
Xie Ning silently rolled her eyes off to the side and said nothing.
The three of them had just walked through a path lined with withering flower bushes and arrived at the main gate of Bamboo Orchid Garden.
Just as they were about to reach out and ring the doorbell, a figure lunged at them from the side.
A soft, delicate voice, laced with joy, called out, "Brother Gu Chen."
Gu Chen dodged with lightning speed, sidestepping the girl’s attempt to throw herself into his arms.
The girl failed to land in Gu Chen’s embrace as intended. Instead, she stepped hard on Comrade Song You’ai’s foot.
"Ouch!" Song You’ai cried out, smacking her lips in pain.
"Mom, are you okay?" Xie Ning quickly reached out to support her mother.
The top of Song You’ai’s foot throbbed with pain, and she grimaced. Gu Chen hurried back to Song You’ai’s side. "Auntie, Auntie, how are you? Did you sprain your ankle?"
"I’m fine, I’m fine." Song You’ai winced, pursing her lips. "Just let me recover for a second and I’ll be okay. Ow."
Xie Ning turned her head and saw a young woman in her early twenties standing by the villa gate, biting her lower lip pitifully.
Her dark eyes looked their way, filled with apology.
She wore a pink plaid dress, and her soft hair fell over her shoulders.
She looked very quiet and elegant, with a demure and graceful air.
Song You’ai looked her up and down, then recognized her. "You are? You’re that girl, Song Xue, right?"
"Auntie, I’m sorry. I didn’t do it on purpose." Song Xue pressed her lips together, looking like she was about to cry.
Song You’ai was startled by this display and hurriedly waved her hands. "It’s fine, it’s fine. I... I’ll be okay in a moment."
Xie Ning glanced at Song Xue but had no real impression of her.
Nearly half the families in the village had the surname Song, so they were all more or less related.
But Xie Ning didn’t really know them. She usually only returned to the village to visit during winter and summer breaks; most of the time she was living at school or at their villa in the city center.
Her occasional encounters with the Song Family were basically limited to meals and drinks during holidays.
As the atmosphere grew awkward, the villa’s gate was suddenly pulled open from the inside.
Song Kexin cried out excitedly, "Oh! Grandpa, Grandma! Dad, my sister and auntie are back!"
Old Mrs. Song ran out, as spry as ever. "Ningning, oh, Ningning! Grandma’s precious Ningning, let Grandma see if you’re all right."
The rest of the family also swarmed to the main gate, beaming at the mother and daughter.
"Grandma." Xie Ning was pulled aside by the old woman for a tight hug. They met each other’s eyes and burst out laughing.
"Ugh, it’s so hot." Old Mrs. Song pushed her granddaughter away with a look of mock disgust. "Too hot, too hot. Let’s hurry inside and talk."
"Xiao Gu, you’ve worked so hard bringing them all this way! You absolutely must stay for lunch."
The boisterous group of people surrounded Xie Ning and her mother, ushering them into the house. No one noticed Song Xue standing to the side, biting her lip, her body trembling slightly.
Later, as Song Kexin was pulling the iron gate shut, she found Song Xue cowering by the door, looking like she was on the verge of tears.
Classmate Song Kexin couldn’t help but roll her eyes to the heavens. "Song Xue, are you sick? Why are you standing here like a ghost? Do you need something?"
Song Xue bit her lip and said nothing.
Song Kexin screamed internally. Her inner little devil, holding a trident, shot upwards, punching and kicking with its tiny fists.
’Ugh, I’ve had enough of this! If you have something to say, just say it! What’s the point of holding it in?’
’Forget it. Grandpa said that girl Song Xue has been through enough, so I shouldn’t rub salt in her wounds.’
’I’ll endure!’
On the surface, Song Kexin maintained a faint smile. "Song Xue, if there’s nothing else, I’m closing the gate. You... you should go back and rest early too. It’s so hot out, be careful not to get heatstroke."
SLAM!
The large iron gate shut heavily in Song Xue’s face.
Song Xue slid down the wall covered in withered yellow plants and crouched, tears streaming down her face.
’Why does everyone treat me like this?’
’I haven’t done anything to make everyone hate me, have I?’
’Once upon a time, Song Xue was a child loved by her great-grandfather, grandparents, father, and mother.’
But all of that was destroyed on that damn morning!
Her whole family had been mauled by her father.
Brother Gu Chen and the others had burst through the door and snatched her from the jaws of death.
Song Xue’s life was saved, but she had become an orphan with no parents.
’No, Song Xue still has Brother Gu Chen and the others. She isn’t all alone.’
’Song Xue has to try and make everyone like her.’
She buried her head in her arms and crouched in the corner, curling into a small, pitiful ball.
