Rotting Land: Survive

"Xiao Na, how about you, are you feeling better? Has the fever completely gone down?"

"Thanks for your concern, Old Xu. I’m much better. The fever has gone down, everything’s fine, nothing serious."

"Good, that’s great!" With a knowing nod, Old Xu glanced at Old Zhao instinctively.

At this moment, Old Zhao was completely different from his earlier dispirited self, full of energy and spirit.

The lunch was incredibly delicious for everyone, and after the meal, there was an hour for everyone to rest, with groups of people heading back to their rooms.

Seeing this, Old Xu called out to Luo Baochun, who was about to leave. The latter stopped in his tracks upon hearing Old Xu’s voice, turned his head and asked, "What’s up, Old Xu?"

Old Xu smiled, "Nothing much, just some things about vehicles that I need to discuss with you. Do you have time to discuss it with me now?"

Luo Baochun responded without hesitation, "Of course, I’m free, go ahead, what do you need me to do?"

"Hehe, this isn’t the place to talk, Wei Yang and the others are still cleaning up. Come to my place, and we’ll talk in detail."

"Alright!"

Led by Xu Renjie, Luo Baochun followed him into the room.

Old Xu sent Hua Biao and Li Xiaoxin out of the room, leaving only him and Luo Baochun.

"Hey, Xiao Luo, don’t just stand there, come, sit down." Xu Renjie pointed to the chair and bench by the table and motioned.

"Want some water?"

"No, I’m good, I already drank a lot of soup at noon."

"Okay!" Old Xu didn’t insist, and poured himself some hot water.

"Old Xu, can you tell me what it’s about now?" Watching Hua Biao and others leave, Luo Baochun felt something was off about Old Xu today.

Old Xu remained quite calm, pulling out a stool and holding a teacup, he sat down, sipped the hot water in his palm, and leisurely asked, "Xiao Luo, do you remember the past you told me about last time?"

Slightly taken aback, Luo Baochun responded uncertainly, "Old Xu, what are you referring to?"

"The things you experienced before you came to us."

"Oh, that thing, you... weren’t we supposed to discuss vehicle issues?" Luo Baochun looked suspicious.

Old Xu maintained his usual expression, his square face stern, giving nothing away.

However, this time Old Xu uncharacteristically smiled and then spoke, "We can talk about the vehicle issues later, I have a few questions about that past incident that I want to confirm with you, Brother Luo."

"This... Old Xu, is there really anything that needs confirming about those issues?" As he said this, Luo Baochun’s pupils seemed to wander, as if intentionally avoiding Xu Renjie, he glanced around but didn’t dare meet Old Xu’s eyes directly.

The saying goes, ’three hundred taels of silver are not hidden here’, and Luo Baochun’s odd behavior did not escape Old Xu’s notice. However, Old Xu did not reveal anything and continued unhurriedly, "Well, it’s nothing, it’s just that I’m a bit curious about some things, why? Brother Luo unwilling to talk about it?"

"Uh..." Stammering and hesitating, Luo Baochun replied after a long pause, "Old Xu, you know the past is hard to revisit, I really prefer not to recall it. If possible, can we..."

𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Raising his hand to interrupt Luo Baochun’s words, Old Xu nodded understandingly, "You don’t need to say anything, Brother Luo, I understand your concerns. How about this, can I ask you about a person?"

At this point, it would be a bit much for Luo Baochun to refuse any further.

Luo Baochun realized this as well, so after hesitating for a few seconds, he finally nodded, "Alright, Old Xu, go ahead, who do you want to ask about? If I know, I’ll definitely tell you."

"Mm, I trust you know this person." A small smile crept up Old Xu’s lips, making it seem off to Luo Baochun.

"Who?"

"Ma Rucheng."

"Ma... Rucheng!?" Upon hearing these three words, Luo Baochun’s face immediately showed an expression of astonishment.

"Yes, Ma Rucheng, you shouldn’t be unfamiliar with him, Brother Luo," Old Xu said with a hint of implication, and then said no more, sipping his tea quietly.

On the other hand, Luo Baochun seemed to have been struck by something, his whole body subtly trembling, his hands on his lap clenching tightly.

As his fingertips exerted more force, the fabric of his pant legs gradually wrinkled. Old Xu, seeing that Luo Baochun hadn’t spoken for a long time, asked lightly, "What, you don’t know this person, Brother Luo? I doubt it, wasn’t the full name of the Old Ma you mentioned at the gas station?"

Old Xu’s words landed like a thunderbolt on Luo Baochun, making his previously slight tremble more pronounced.

"Brother Luo? Brother Luo? Are you... alright?" Seeing Luo Baochun tremble, Old Xu raised an eyebrow, "Brother Luo, in life, everyone makes mistakes, but the important thing is honesty. I brought you here today and sent everyone else away because I hoped for an honest conversation with you. I won’t say much more, do you recognize this?"

As he spoke, Old Xu took a small notebook from his pocket, lightly placed it on the table, and pushed it toward Luo Baochun.

"What, what is this?" Looking at the notebook in front of him, Luo Baochun’s face was filled with confusion.

"I brought this back from the chief’s office at the police station today, open to the last page, take a look."

Gesturing for Luo Baochun to look, Old Xu continued drinking his tea.

Following Old Xu’s instructions, Luo Baochun, with trembling hands, opened the last page of the notebook. After just a glance, his face became complex.

As time went by, the veins in Luo Baochun’s hands holding the notebook began to show, and his heaving chest made wheezing sounds.

"It’s a coincidence, I originally intended to bring this notebook back to see if there were any clues about the rescue, but unexpectedly, I saw a name just like yours on it. Of course, I can’t be sure it’s you, so I invited you over to confirm face to face. So, Brother Luo, is there anything you want to say to me?"

Luo Baochun remained silent, his eyes fixed on the notebook in front of him, staring blankly. Old Xu knew he was wrestling with himself and wasn’t in a hurry, slowly adding, "I was curious from the start why you acted so strangely at the mention of the police station. If I’m not mistaken, your stomach pain and diarrhea probably didn’t exist; you just didn’t want to return to that place? Certainly, if my assumption is wrong or if the matter on it isn’t about you, I will apologize. But I hope you can give me a final answer."

At this point, Old Xu left the decision to Luo Baochun.

Though Old Xu indeed had no evidence to prove the name in the notebook referred to Luo Baochun, the latter’s actions yesterday and today had revealed much. (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations or monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)