Chapter 694: My Life Here

I really wanted to cry at first.

But Sister Siwei kept comforting me, which made me feel much better.

She said I was a true “hero” and that I had saved everyone.

I held her hand the whole time. All the adults scared me, but Sister Siwei didn’t seem to.

“Sister, should we go with them?” I pointed at the aunties and uncles ahead.

Ever since we hit the streets, they had been giving off a complicated scent—like they were thinking about a lot of things.

“Little hero, I don’t really like them either, but this damn place is too weird,” she said, frowning as she glanced around the broken-down city. “Either way, more people are better than fewer. If it were just the two of us, we might be in even more danger.”

“Huh…?”

I didn’t quite understand. The leading uncle was practically radiating *”killing intent.”* Couldn’t Sister smell it? Or did she notice but still think he was safe?

At the time, I didn’t think too deeply about her words—nor did I realize that I was the only one who could pick up that strange scent. Looking back, it might’ve been the most painful decision of my life.

After walking a few hundred meters, the leading uncle suddenly turned around and stared at Sister.

She looked a little scared but still tried to shield me behind her.

“What is it?” she asked.

The uncle grinned and stepped closer.

“Little girl,” he called out, “what’s your name?”

“Li Siwei.”

“Good name.” He nodded. “I already thought you were sharp earlier—how about we team up?”

“Team up?”

“Yeah.” The uncle smiled broadly, but his scent was foul. “Siwei, out there, I’m someone who can move mountains. I love working with smart people—it makes me feel unstoppable. So, what do you say? Join us?”

Then he pulled out a small pouch from his pocket, opening it to reveal some emerald-green pebbles inside.

“That dragon-headed guy told us earlier—we need to collect tens of thousands of these. More people means faster progress,” he explained. “Do you know the most important thing when trying to accomplish something big?”

“Surviving,” Sister said.

“No. It’s building an unbreakable team.” The uncle smirked. “I’ve put together countless teams. I know how to bring out the best in people. You’ve got a sharp mind, so I’m inviting you. Let’s succeed together.”

I hid behind Sister, too scared to speak, breathing in the uncle’s heavy, oppressive scent.

Sister hesitated, her brow furrowing. “How should I address you, sir?”

“My surname is Wan—Wan Cai,” he replied. “And don’t call me *‘sir.’* I just turned forty.”

This uncle was so weird. Only when he said his name and age did his scent lighten a little.

“Brother Wan,” Sister corrected herself. “I’ve met powerful people before, but none talked like you. Have you really built many teams?”

“Oh?” Uncle Wan’s gaze shifted slightly, and his scent weakened a bit. “Didn’t expect someone as young as you to be so observant. Yes, I’ve led many great teams. You don’t have to believe me yet—I’ll prove myself as we work together. And I hope you’ll shine too, contributing to our *big family.*”

“Big family…?” Sister sounded confused.

“I’ve already talked to them.” He pointed at the aunties in the distance and smiled. “From now on, we’ll treat each other as *‘family.’* It’ll make us more united, more driven. We’ll be one big family. What do you think?”

Sister’s scent grew heavier with *doubt.*

“Brother Wan… if I join this so-called *‘big family,’* what would I need to do?”

“Nothing much,” he replied. “The only rule is that we discuss things together. Our family guarantees fairness. We’ve only got ten days—let’s go all out and gather these stones.”

That day, after much deliberation, Sister agreed to Uncle Wan’s offer.

And from that moment on, our lives changed completely.

The first few days were uneventful. Uncle Wan really did act like a patriarch—dividing everyone into groups, assigning some to games, and sending the aunties who weren’t suited for games to look for food.

But whether it was because they couldn’t find any or this place simply had none, the aunties came back empty-handed for two straight days. Only on the third day did they bring back some awful canned food and bottled water.

Uncle Wan’s scent reeked of anger, but he still greeted them with a smile. He kept saying *”we’re family,”* but his foul stench gave him away.

Late at night, I often caught his icy, calculating gaze. He never slept—he just watched the others, his scent growing more terrifying by the hour.

Because my dad used to come home drunk, I never slept deeply. The slightest noise would jolt me awake, so I noticed Uncle Wan’s every move.

If someone turned over, I’d wake up and instinctively check on him—he was *always* awake.

Wait… maybe this is my *”special talent”?*

I mean… waking up faster than others—that counts, right?

Why did I only think of this now…?

Back when the teacher asked us to write down our *”special talents,”* I thought for a long time but could only write *”none.”* The kids who had talents got praised, and the teacher made us clap for them. I clapped harder than anyone.

I don’t know why I clapped so hard. I just kept going. I *really* wanted a talent.

But now, if the teacher asks again, I can write *”wakes up faster than others.”* Would she praise me?

Would the other kids clap for me?

Will I… ever see them again? Will I see Xu Jiahua…?

I still really want to cry.

Even though I don’t miss my parents or my teacher, I just… really want to cry.

Every night, I sleep leaning on Sister’s shoulder. I don’t like the other adults—only her.

But lately, Sister has looked exhausted. Today, she even cut her hand.

She keeps saying *”it’s nothing,”* but I feel like it *is* something. Her scent has turned murky.

Uncle Wan hasn’t given me any tasks either—just told me to stay in the room.

At least I can clean. Every day, I tidy up the place and wait for everyone to return.

But the tension among the adults keeps growing. They argue more and more. And then, on the sixth day—everything changed.