"Are you angry?" Master Batu looked at Mia and asked.
"Dad, don't we still have a room at home? Can't Sister Bai Wei live here too?" Mia looked up at her father and asked.
"Last time it was Xu Mo, this time it's her. And next time?" Master Batu looked at Mia and said, "Mia, your dad runs a department store."
Mia lowered her head slightly. She understood many things, but it still made her uncomfortable.
Master Batu glanced at his daughter, sighed silently in his heart, then tore the bread into pieces and fed it to Yaoer, saying, "Yaoer, eat."
"Thank you, Master Batu," Yaoer said with a child's voice, smiling.
"Good girl." Master Batu pinched Yaoer's cheek with his large hand, then stood up to leave, his obese body appearing somewhat unsteady.
How could he protect so many people? He could only protect his daughter. Anyone else, no matter how pitiful, were strangers to him.
What's more, it was just Bai Wei's side of the story. Compared to his understanding of Xu Mo, Bai Wei was completely unfamiliar to him.
Downstairs, Xu Mo heard the conversation between the father and daughter. Naturally, he could understand Master Batu. He didn't expect Bai Wei to just happen to find the department store. Master Batu had already taken a risk by sheltering him and Yaoer. Now he had also arranged a job for Bai Wei. As he said, he ran a department store, not a shelter!
Bai Wei's rented place wasn't far. Xu Mo was familiar with the area, which was why he had suggested Bai Wei come to this area before.
Walking across the street and turning right not far ahead, then turning a few more times in the alleyways, they arrived at Bai Wei's rented place. The lighting here was dim, with garbage everywhere. You could even smell the stench of the sewers. The building had several floors and was quite old, not much better than where he used to live.
"Xu Mo, I live on the third floor. Can you take me up?" Bai Wei was somewhat scared in the dimly lit staircase.
"Okay." Xu Mo nodded, leading the way first.
Arriving on the third floor, Bai Wei opened the door and turned on the lights, finally breathing a sigh of relief. Looking at Xu Mo at the door, she said, "Thank you, Xu Mo, you're really brave. Be careful on your way back."
Hearing Bai Wei's praise made Xu Mo feel a bit strange. However, Bai Wei was several years older than him and treated him like a fifteen-year-old boy, which was understandable.
If Bai Wei knew that the boy escorting her was indeed the Hunter, what would she think?
"Alright, Sister Bai Wei. See you tomorrow." Xu Mo waved with a smile.
"See you tomorrow." Bai Wei nodded, closing the door only after seeing Xu Mo turn around and go downstairs.
After Bai Wei closed the door, Xu Mo sensed that she moved a table to block the door from the inside, then sat down next to it, curling up as she began to cry. She buried her head in her knees, stifling her sobs.
Walking down the street, Xu Mo sighed silently. He felt uncomfortable the whole way back. The Underworld was far more oppressive than he had imagined.
When he returned to the department store, he heard the sound of an instrument coming from the roof, along with Mia's gentle singing.
On the rooftop, he saw Mia sitting on a chair, playing an instrument that resembled a guitar from his previous life but with better sound quality. Yaoer sat obediently beside her, seemingly understanding the music.
The music and singing were very sorrowful, like Mia's inner voice. This made Xu Mo doubt his understanding of Mia. He had always thought Mia was kind, cheerful, and optimistic. Now, it seemed he was wrong.
People who smile a lot aren't necessarily happy inside. Kind people might have more fragile hearts, making them more sentimental.
"Xu Mo, when did you come back?" Mia noticed Xu Mo had stopped.
"Just now. Miss Mia's singing was quite entrancing," Xu Mo replied.
"How is Sister Bai Wei?" Mia asked with some concern.
"She's fine. I only left after taking her to her room," Xu Mo said.
"Oh." Mia nodded in relief.
"Miss Mia, are you unhappy?" Xu Mo asked as he sat on a nearby chair.
"Xu Mo, what kind of world is this?" Mia asked with some doubt. Xu Mo was momentarily speechless.
"No one cares about your situation. The Law Enforcement Team hasn't given any explanation. And Sister Bai Wei's ordeal — people are being bought and sold, and it's their own parents doing it. I know there are many such things happening in the Underworld," Mia said, feeling distressed. Tears appeared in the corners of her eyes. Seeing Xu Mo not speaking, she added, "Xu Mo, I'm sorry."
She didn't want to bring up Xu Mo's situation, but it weighed heavily on her heart.
It turned out she always remembered Xu Mo's story but didn't dare to mention it.
"It's okay." Xu Mo smiled and shook his head. The world, though dark, also had many lights, like Mia, Master Batu, and Ah Tai.
"Xu Mo, what do you think the world above is like?" Mia suddenly asked.
"I don't know either." Xu Mo shook his head.
"I read in books about sunlight, grasslands, mountains, and seas. What are those like? Do they really exist?" Mia looked up at the ceiling, with some longing in her eyes.
"Maybe." Xu Mo didn't know, but he had experienced it all before.
Mia smiled and said, "And who created such beautiful music? I really want to see the world above."
"You surely can." Xu Mo sat beside Mia, holding Yaoer gently. He said, "I heard a piece of music but can only hum it. Can you play it with your instrument, Miss Mia?"
"I'll try." Although feeling a bit strange, Mia nodded.
"Okay." Xu Mo responded and then started humming softly.
It was one of his favorite pure music pieces, one he had listened to many times.
In just a moment, Mia's eyes sparkled with a hint of wonder. It was such beautiful music.
There was a trace of excitement on her face, but she didn't interrupt Xu Mo, closing her eyes to listen quietly.
When Xu Mo finished humming, Mia still seemed immersed, nodding her head lightly as if humming in her mind.
"So beautiful. It's the most beautiful music I've heard," Mia said in surprise. "Xu Mo, where did you hear it? What's its name?"
"I forgot where I heard it, but I remember the name, 'Wind Valley.' (Windy Hill, you can listen to it)," Xu Mo replied, shaking his head. "Miss Mia, can you play it?"
"You need to teach me a few more times," Mia said.
"Okay." Xu Mo nodded. They repeated it several times, with Mia trying numerous times. Before they knew it, quite a while had passed.
"I think I've got it," Mia said softly.
"Okay." Xu Mo nodded.
Mia closed her eyes, starting to play. A very beautiful piece of music flowed into the night. Xu Mo closed his eyes. A smile sometimes appeared on his face, sometimes sadness.
He thought of his past, the mountains he had climbed, the waves he had conquered, the skies he had soared. He remembered the path he had walked, the dreams he had pursued, those once happy and thrilling times.
His family, his lover, his friends, his extreme experiences. All of it had vanished like the wind, gone forever. The heartache, the deep-seated sorrow — only he could feel it.
Mia was also immersed in the music. When the piece ended, there were tears on her face, but when she opened her eyes, she was smiling.
"Xu Mo, I saw it. I saw the world above. It's so beautiful."
Mia's voice was heart-wrenching, "Why does such beautiful music make me so sad?"
"Because it comes from deep inside your heart," Xu Mo sighed, opening his eyes. Glancing at the sleeping girl in his arms, Xu Mo thought to himself, it was time to say goodbye to the past!