Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 166: When Happiness Knocks on the Door
The weather in the Gobi Desert changes in an instant; it was clear and sunny in the morning, but by noon, dark clouds loomed overhead. The gray sky contrasted with the vast earth, making the living within seem like wandering ghosts.
Su Lan had successfully entered the complex, but at this moment, she found that not only was it a luxury to seek someone out, even stepping out of her room felt like an unattainable wish.
The room was comfortably warm, with pristine white walls. It was furnished with a desk and a large bed, and the freshly changed sheets still carried the scent of sunlight.
After Kenny brought her back, he didn’t ask many questions. He simply had someone escort her to her room. At noon, someone came in to deliver food and brought a stack of clean clothes, informing her that Kenny would come by in the evening and advised her to rest well. Su Lan silently watched the staff bustle about, not uttering a word during their presence.
The window could be opened, and there were no protective screens outside because none were needed. Su Lan leaned out slightly; it was a straight drop of over ten meters. Below, numerous vehicles were parked, and along the cement wall was a row of Field Personnel resting. There were also patrols in the yard. The large red front gate was tightly shut, and above the high walls were electric fences. At the northwest and southeast corners, towering structures held massive searchlights, while walkways extending from the towers turned the high walls into fortifications. Every few steps there were guards stationed; Su Lan estimated that even a tank might not be able to escape since outside the high walls were Cheng Long and his men stationed at the front, with Heavy Trucks and Containers resembling a giant fortress, their gun barrels aimed directly at the entrance.
Su Lan drew the curtains closed, removed her mismatched clothing, and stepped naked into the bathroom. Indeed, this room lacked a kitchen but had a bathroom—small but sufficient for cleaning oneself.
Warm water cascaded down from the showerhead, soaking Su Lan from head to toe. As she felt the warmth flowing over her skin, she couldn’t help but burst into tears.
It was hard to describe what kind of emotion this was; it felt like an unprovoked release. Tears mingled with water as they trickled through her fingers, sliding down her skin to the floor before spiraling into the drain. The small shower room filled with steam, enveloping Su Lan's frail body within it; her soft sobs blended with the sound of rushing water like an ice pick piercing Kenny's heart that had long ceased to beat.
After a while, the sound of water ceased. Su Lan wrapped herself in a towel and stepped out of the bathroom. Upon seeing the figure seated at the table, she shuddered slightly.
The hot shower washed away her fatigue and vulnerability; after releasing her emotions, Su Lan returned to her usual cold demeanor. She didn’t gasp or curse; she merely cast a faint glance.
“Still haven’t learned to knock?” Su Lan walked straight to the bedside and dried her damp hair with a towel, noticing another bathrobe laid on the bed.
“The door wasn’t locked,” Kenny shrugged as he pulled out a cork and slowly poured crimson liquid into a goblet. “Come here and have a drink with me.”
Su Lan donned the bathrobe and sat down beside him. She took the wine glass he offered, hesitated for a moment, then took a small sip.
"Are you afraid I'll poison you?" Kenny chuckled, tapping his fingers on the table. "I asked Cheng Long about you; it seems you've had a tough time lately."
"Not really, I'm quite free."
"Free? Is it the kind of freedom you wanted?"
"…"
"Hmm?"
"No."
"So, you've come back." Kenny raised his glass to clink with hers. Noticing her indifferent expression, he said, "Just say what you want to say."
"When did this start?" Su Lan fixed her gaze on his eyes and asked, "When did you begin planning this place?"
"A long time ago." Kenny spoke without any intention of hiding the truth, as if they were just chatting casually. He smiled and added, "Didn't you want freedom? Why would you care about these things?"
"Are you the highest authority here?" Su Lan continued without acknowledging his comment. "Cheng Long said this place doesn't serve the Establishment or RCA. So what do you represent?"
"I represent myself." Kenny loosened his tie, cut open a cigar, and took a puff. "It seems you haven't been in touch with the Establishment since you left; you didn't know I was dismissed from RCA?" Seeing the shock flicker in Su Lan's eyes, Kenny realized she was completely unaware of it. He laughed and said, "That was a month ago. I'm no longer with RCA, nor do I serve the Establishment. I'm a free man. What do you think about that?"
"What are you thinking? What do you really want to do?" Su Lan felt bitter as she looked at this familiar yet strange man before her. She found it increasingly difficult to understand him.
"To make some changes." Kenny gave a vague answer and asked, "You left in anger back then, and I was very unhappy about it. But now we're together again."
"Let me go." Su Lan's gaze became somewhat dazed. The feeling Kenny gave her now was unsettling; it was an instinctive reaction. Although his face remained the same, something essential was missing. She couldn't sense any connection between the person before her and the man she remembered.
"Where are you going?"
"Anywhere is fine. Just let me go. Like you, I don't belong to any faction right now, and it won't affect you." Su Lan continued as she noticed his calm demeanor, "I just want to leave."
"But you have no destination," Kenny said, looking up at her as if he were brainstorming ideas. "Besides here, you don't even have a place to take a hot shower."
"Chengyu, then tell me, what exactly are you doing right now?"
"Do you really want to know?"
"…"
"I can tell you everything, as long as you promise me one thing: don't think about leaving again." Kenny's gaze was intense as he locked eyes with her, the meaning behind his look somewhat elusive to Su Lan. Seeing her hesitation, he added, "Just this one thing; I ask for nothing else. You don't have to do anything you don't want to do. I give you absolute freedom; do whatever you want, just don't leave."
"Why?"
"Because you once promised but broke your word."
Su Lan lowered her head, her eyelashes trembling slightly, and her hands clenched tightly under the table.
Comment 0 Comment Count