“Su Rui…”
After Su Rui finished typing, she clearly felt Ma Chao, whom she was riding, pause in his movements.
Through the headset came Xiao Yuyu’s tearful voice.
Even the teammates in the game didn’t know what was going on and had started comforting Xiao Yuyu.
The silent Jungler put in extra effort, going on a killing spree against the enemy, trying to use actual actions to console Xiao Yuyu.
“I just feel a little sorry for my dad. I don’t want to leave him all alone.”
Xiao Yuyu’s voice was still laced with grievance as she continued, “Although Dad hasn’t really taken care of me much, after he and Mom divorced, I could still feel that he wanted to take good care of me.”
Su Rui gradually fell silent, a few suspicions forming in her mind.
Perhaps all the money Xiao Yuyu had was given to her by her father.
If that was the case, then her dad was quite capable and couldn’t be said to have completely neglected Xiao Yuyu.
[Chang Li (Yao): It’s okay. Then you should try to become independent. The law never says children must forgive their abusers.
You can try to save some money first. When you have money, things will be easier for you.
On days when nothing much happens, you can go for a run. When you have free time, exercise or do something else to distract yourself.
Don’t keep thinking about the things that make you sad.]
Su Li finished typing and continued listening as Xiao Yuyu told her more about her family situation, but she could tell that Xiao Yuyu wasn’t really absorbing her words.
She didn’t think she had the power to change others’ minds. Even if Xiao Yuyu didn’t listen, that was fine.
This was just advice based on her client’s situation. Xiao Yuyu had her own choices and her own life.
Life had no answers; her advice was merely a reference.
She wouldn’t entangle herself too much in her clients’ lives.
Life was like a train bound for the grave, with many stops along the way. It was rare for anyone to accompany you from start to finish.
When those who accompany you get off, even if it’s hard to let go, you should be grateful and wave goodbye.
She was merely providing services to others while riding the same train.
Within her scope of work, she only needed to do what was necessary.
A family with ups and downs was like a soaking wet cotton jacket—cold to wear, cold to take off.
Su Li could also feel that the love Xiao Yuyu’s father gave her was perhaps just right.
Not enough to let her grow up happily.
Nor so little that she could heartlessly abandon her father.
Countless days and nights where she both hated and pitied him.
Su Li could sense that Xiao Yuyu’s father loved her.
But at the same time, it was undeniable that he had deeply hurt Xiao Yuyu.
So the word “guilt” sat right in the middle, balancing everything just enough.
Enough to make her suffer for a lifetime.
Xiao Yuyu wasn’t Su Li’s first client like this, and she wouldn’t be the last.
“Baby, thank you, thank you for listening to me ramble so much. I feel so much better after saying it out loud.
“It’s so good to have you with me, baby!”
“Love you, baby!”
Xiao Yuyu’s sobbing voice came through the headset again. As she told her story, her emotions had started to break down.
Su Li let her vent her feelings.
At the same time, she occasionally controlled her character to throw out a skill or two.
Even though the Jungler was trying desperately to turn the tide, they still couldn’t stop the downward trend.
A heavy rumble of thunder rolled in again from the distant horizon, like a giant wheel crushing through thick clouds.
The sound came closer, growing clearer and heavier.
The thunder seemed to carry a suffocating force that shook the entire sky and earth.
The once calm air tightened, as if warning that a new storm was about to strike again.
Su Li had seen the weather forecast before and guessed this might be the last round of thunder.
Once this passed, the rain would stop.
The sounds of Xiao Yuyu’s crying mixed with thunder reached her ears.
On the phone screen, the five enemies had pushed down to their base.
Faintly, she could hear the sounds of walls being smashed and things being knocked around amid the thunder.
“Mom, I really need you. Why aren’t you here with me?!”
“Why?!”
Shen Cishu’s voice came from the room.
Su Li glanced at her phone; she and her teammates were barely holding on, like arrows nearly spent.
Xiao Yuyu was now randomly running around on the map, controlling her character’s direction keys erratically.
Her sobbing echoed in the headset, with thunder and Shen Cishu’s anguished cries growing louder.
[Chang Li (Yao): Baby, sorry, it’s pouring rain here. The connection isn’t good, and my character control is unstable. I’m logging off.]
Su Li spoke, then took one last look at the Ma Chao she was riding, heading toward the enemy’s base fountain.
It seemed the one with the poor connection wasn’t her, but Xiao Yuyu.
Right now, Xiao Yuyu just needed to release the emotions bottled up inside by crying.
Su Li put her phone away and slipped her headset into her pocket.
Even if the network lagged, it was fine.
Soon AI would take over her character.
Maybe with skillful play, a comeback was possible.
Although she knew that turning the game around with Yao’s effort wouldn’t be easy, there was always a chance…
Su Li looked toward Shen Cishu’s room and slowly walked in.
The door was unlocked.
Books on the desk had been knocked over, scattered all over the floor.
Several torn pages were ripped to shreds.
Outside the window, the sky was suddenly torn apart by a blinding flash of lightning, followed by thunder rolling like a giant’s roar, making the glass vibrate.
Shen Cishu knelt on the floor, her slender fingers gripping the book beside her tightly, knuckles whitening from the force.
Cold sweat dotted her forehead.
Another lightning flash sliced through the sky.
The pale light filtered through the curtains, casting onto her pale face.
Her pupils suddenly contracted; her breathing became rapid and ragged.
Su Li could hear the sounds of things being struck against the floor growing more intense.
Thunder exploded again.
She let out a low scream, curling into a ball.
Her long hair was messy over her shoulders, a few strands sticking to her sweaty cheeks, making her look particularly disheveled.
Completely different from the calm demeanor she had shown earlier in front of Su Li.
The book in Shen Cishu’s hands had fallen to the ground at some point.
She frantically groped around on the floor, trying to find something to hold onto, but only felt the cold wall.
Her body trembled slightly, like a frightened little beast, ready to flee this suffocating terror at any moment.
The thunder came closer and closer.
Her breath grew more and more frantic, chest heaving violently, as if every breath was pierced with pain.
“No… no…”
She whispered, her voice hoarse and trembling.
Her fingers unconsciously twisted the book, knuckles turning white from gripping tightly.
Her gaze was vacant, as if pushed to the brink of collapse by the thunder.
She was trapped in an endless nightmare, unable to escape.
Her loose hair swayed slightly with her trembling, sticking messily to her neck and shoulders, making her face look even paler.
Her lips quivered.
Her eyes were filled with helplessness and fear, as if the whole world had collapsed at that moment, leaving only her to face the endless thunder alone.
“Mom, why aren’t you coming? Don’t leave me alone!”
Shen Cishu muttered brokenly, tearing the pages of the book one by one, as if that could overcome the fear in her heart.
Until her gaze landed on Su Li standing at the door.
The weary look in her eyes seemed to flicker with a glimmer of light.
Barefoot, she lunged directly toward Su Li.
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