allonlinenovel Chapter 1153 Guess
Chapter 1153 Guess
“My Xiao Cui is so sensible!” Lu Baorong retorted defiantly, throwing the fabric in his hand into the bamboo basket: “Last time, Xiao Cui helped me deliver fabric to Xiafei Road. It took her two hours to walk there and back, and she didn’t give me any trouble.”
“Sensible? Last time she even stole your fabric to make shuttlecocks!” Old Ma put down his razor and added some more tobacco to his pipe: “I saw it with my own eyes. She was hiding behind a tree and kicking it, and you chased her around the alley three times.”
The two started bickering back and forth, and several neighbors who were watching the fun joined in, some helping Lu Baorong say that Xiao Cui was well-behaved, and others helping Lao Ma make fun of her. The tense atmosphere was instantly eased a lot.
Under the alley lights, faces brimming with the warmth of everyday life huddled together, chatting and laughing, like ordinary family conversations on a common day.
Granny Wang, who sells vegetables, also came over, carrying an empty vegetable basket with a few unsold scallions hanging on it: "Xu Tian, it's good that you're back, it's good that you're back."
Your mother was talking to me yesterday, saying that Suqiu is a sensible child who helps with housework, and she was worried that something might have happened to her.
It's good that everything's alright now. Tomorrow, I'll have your mother buy two more pounds of pork ribs to nourish you and Suqiu.
"Oh, thank you for thinking of me, Grandma Wang," Xu Tian replied with a smile, his tone full of politeness.
Xu's mother patted her chest, her heart finally settling down. She took Shen Suqiu's hand and touched it again, her tone affectionate: "It's good that you're alright, it's good that you're alright."
How is your classmate doing? Are they feeling better now?
You two stayed at the hospital all night, were you tired?
"Come inside and rest. Miss Tian has made chicken porridge; just heat it up a bit and it'll be ready to eat."
"I'm much better, thank you for your concern, Auntie." Shen Suqiu raised her head, wiped away her tears, and gave a timid smile: "The doctor said I'm out of danger and needs to be observed for two more days."
We're both fine, just a little tired.
"That's good, it's good that everything's alright!" Xu's mother said, pushing the two of them into the house while calling out to the neighbors, "Come on, everyone! Go back and rest! Tomorrow, Xu Tian will treat everyone to spiced beans, freshly stir-fried, they smell delicious!"
"Alright! We'll be waiting!" the neighbors replied with smiles, and gradually dispersed.
Lu Baorong returned to the shop to continue tidying up the fabrics, while Old Ma picked up his razor and began to carefully wipe it again. Under the lamplight at the alley entrance, only the occasional sparks from his pipe remained.
Once inside, Xu's mother pulled the two of them aside and asked them all sorts of questions, from the hospital environment to their classmates' conditions, and then to whether they had eaten dinner and had a place to rest.
Xu Tian patiently dealt with each situation, maintaining a steady tone and delivering his prepared story flawlessly. He would occasionally add a detail or two, such as the smell of disinfectant in the hospital corridor or the footsteps of the nurses on night duty, making the whole story seem more realistic.
Shen Suqiu sat to the side, nodding occasionally in agreement, her eyes showing just the right amount of weariness and lingering fear.
Tian Dan carried in two bowls of chicken porridge. The bowls were made of coarse porcelain and were steaming hot, filling the room with their aroma.
She placed the bowl of porridge on the table, handed over two pairs of chopsticks, and said softly, "The chicken porridge is cooked until very soft, eat it while it's hot."
Her gaze inadvertently swept over Xu Tian's sleeve, and she breathed a slight sigh of relief when she saw that the bloodstain was covered by his long robe.
Xu Tian picked up his chopsticks and handed Shen Suqiu a bowl first: "Eat something first, to fill your stomach." Shen Suqiu took the bowl of porridge, her fingertips touching the warm bowl, her eyes reddening again, and she whispered, "Thank you, cousin."
Xu's mother sat to the side, watching the two of them drink porridge, and kept saying, "No matter where you go in the future, you must tell the family in advance, or at least ask a neighbor to pass on the message, so that the family will not worry."
The situation outside is not safe right now. You two are both young, so you need to be careful in your actions. Safety is the most important thing.
"Okay, Mom." Xu Tian took a sip of chicken porridge. The porridge was at the perfect temperature, and it slid down his throat, warming his stomach. He looked up and smiled at his mother, "I won't do it again, don't worry."
After dinner, Xu's mother cleaned up the dishes and went to the kitchen. Tian Dan followed her to help, leaving only Xu Tian and Shen Suqiu in the house.
Xu Tian leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and the scene at the military police headquarters resurfaced in his mind: Itai Yudai's rage, Shen Suqiu's fear, Kagesa Yoshiaki's sinister aura, and that unspoken secret.
He slowly opened his eyes, his gaze becoming deep, and got up to walk towards Shen Suqiu's room.
Shen Suqiu's room was very small, right next to Xu Tian's room. Inside, there was a wooden bed and a small wooden cabinet at the head of the bed, on which were an enamel mug and a few old books.
Opposite the bed was a square table with a floral tablecloth on it and a kerosene lamp. Two chairs were placed next to the table. The room was fairly clean and tidy. There was also a bamboo basket in the corner with a few clothes folded inside.
Shen Suqiu knew Xu Tian's purpose. Before he could knock, she opened the door herself, turned around and poured a cup of warm water from the enamel pot on the corner of the table. She held it out with both hands, her fingertips trembling slightly, and said, "Cousin, have some water."
Xu Tian took the water glass, his fingertips touching the cool enamel cup. He didn't drink from it, but simply placed the cup on the corner of the table. The light reflected off the cup, creating a faint halo around it.
His gaze calmly fell on Shen Suqiu, his tone still indifferent, yet carrying an undeniable seriousness: "Suqiu, sit down, let's talk."
Shen Suqiu nodded and sat awkwardly in the chair opposite Xu Tian, her head still down, her fingers unconsciously fidgeting with the hem of her clothes.
She was just severely reprimanded by Itai Yuta in front of Xu Tian at the military police station. She felt scared, ashamed, and inexplicably wronged. Her eyes were still red.
"Suqiu," Xu Tian's voice was very low, as if afraid of disturbing the sounds of the night in the alley, so that only the two of them could hear it: "What was it that you didn't finish saying at the military police station just now?"
Shen Suqiu's body stiffened abruptly, her shoulders shrinking slightly like a frightened bird. She slowly raised her head, her eyes filled with struggle and fear, her lips trembling slightly: "Brother, I... I can't say..."
Her voice was barely audible, choked with sobs, “Mr. Itagaki repeatedly warned me that this is a secret and I must not tell anyone, otherwise it will cause the organization… and everyone a lot of trouble, and may even cost everyone their lives.”
Xu Tian didn't beat around the bush anymore. His tone remained calm, but it carried an undeniable certainty: "You are an outer member developed by the underground party at Nankai University, right? Yuta Itai is the one who is helping you in secret."
Shen Suqiu's lips trembled even more violently, and her voice shook: "Brother, how...how did you know?"
"Just a guess." Xu Tian's tone was flat, and he tapped the corner of the table lightly with his fingers, making a soft "tap-tap" sound that was particularly clear in the quiet room.