PSW - Chapter 31
Chapter 31
Zero One found the current situation both ironic and awkward. It cautiously tried to guess Zheng Yi's thoughts and mood. Yu Yinan's attention wasn't on Zheng Yi at all, but Zero One had been watching Zheng Yi the whole time, so it didn't miss the moment she was too lazy to keep up her disguise. In that instant, Zheng Yi looked at the family of three with an almost indifferent gaze.
Devoid of choice, devoid of emotion, as if she were looking at three dead people.
[Was this situation also within your expectations?] Although it was hesitant to speak at a time like this, Zero One was simply too curious.
Zheng Yi completely ignored Zero One's curiosity, not even deigning to offer a single grunt in response.
Zheng Yi looked at Yu Yinan. Strangely, the woman who had been so upset yesterday just from brushing past someone wasn't crying now.
"Zheng Yi, you should head back first," Yu Yinan said softly, looking at Zheng Yi. "I have some private matters to take care of."
"Jiejie?"
"Go on back. I can handle it." Yu Yinan sighed lightly. She looked at Zheng Yi, yet it seemed as if she wasn't looking at Zheng Yi herself. She didn't hold her gaze for long before letting go of Zheng Yi's hand. Composing herself, she stepped forward. "Let's find a place to talk."
"Who-who are you? What do you want?" Yu Yaozu was taken aback. When he saw Yu Yinan's face, his tone immediately softened, and he put on a polite and courteous act. The couple, meanwhile, sized up Yu Yinan's appearance, their thoughts unreadable.
"I am Yu Yinan." Her voice grew colder. "Weren't you looking for me? What, you can't even recognize who I am?"
As if anticipating how the couple would react, she summoned a cluster of flames in her palm just before they could start shouting at her. The firelight illuminated the side of her face. "Killing is forbidden inside the shelter, but that's all it is-killing. And that rule only applies inside the shelter."
"Let's go." She turned and walked away. The three of them had shifting expressions. Yu Yaozu's mother was red-faced with anger and wanted to mutter a curse, but his father grabbed her wrist as a reminder, and she managed to hold it in. She glanced at her precious son, as if asking what they should do.
But Yu Yaozu's mind was a mess. He hadn't expected this to be his sister. How long had Yu Yinan been standing there listening? How much had she heard? What would she think? Damn it! Yu Yaozu was annoyed. Why didn't my parents recognize her?! She was right there!
But Yu Yinan was walking just ahead of them. He could only swallow his shame and embarrassment, steel himself, and pull his parents along to follow.
[Are-are you really not going to watch? You're not going to follow?] Seeing Zheng Yi actually turn to leave, Zero One felt its entire system go haywire. How could Zheng Yi just go back to her room like this?
She was the one who had orchestrated this "meeting." Wasn't she curious about the outcome? What would Yu Yinan discuss with them? Would she accuse them, vent her anger, or be coaxed by their fake apologies into changing her mind? Even if none of that mattered, but-but… Yu Yinan's feelings for her were genuine!
She sincerely believed in and trusted her, thinking they were truly good friends. Under Zheng Yi's constant calls of "Jiejie," she had really come to see Zheng Yi as a younger sister. She believed Zheng Yi was a Saint and provided her with Saint Points. It was so cold during the extreme winter, and Yu Yinan had taken special care of Zheng Yi the entire time, terrified she would freeze.
Recalling one incident after another, Zero One wanted to scream, "Zheng Yi, you have no heart," but it didn't dare.
'She said she can handle it.' Zheng Yi hummed an unknown tune, strolling leisurely back toward her rented room. She truly didn't seem worried about Yu Yinan in the slightest, nor did she show any signs of psychological burden or guilt. 'Don't meddle in other people's family affairs~'
[…] But this didn't have to happen! You're the one who started it! Otherwise, that bunch of "family" who abandoned Yu Yinan long ago would never have known she existed. They didn't even remember what she looked like, not to mention she changed her name! That useless brother couldn't even read the character 'Yi'; he thought it was pronounced 'Qi'!
Why? Just because Yu Yinan's original name was Yu Qinan?
Zero One felt a pang of sadness. It realized that it, a system, had more intense emotional fluctuations than Zheng Yi. Perhaps Zheng Yi was better suited to be a system, while it, Zero One, was better suited to be a Saint… No, Yu Yinan would probably make a good Saint, too.
Of course, if Yu Yinan could personally sever her ties to the past, cut off contact with her parasite-like family, and slice away those unnecessary attachments and familial bonds… it might be good for her. At the very least, she wouldn't be trapped in her past anymore. But! Zero One felt that with Yu Yinan's outwardly cold but inwardly soft personality, she was the type of person who would be satisfied with just a little bit of kindness.
[If… and I'm just saying if, if she's really persuaded to go back, to leave you, would you really… let her go?] Zero One tried to struggle. [That family is nothing but trouble, and they were like that even before the apocalypse. They can't wait to suck her dry, without any regard for whether she lives or dies.]
[Besides, besides, Yu Yinan has given you so many Saint Points, and she cares about you and trusts you so much.] As Zero One said this, Zheng Yi's steps never faltered as she walked up the stairs. By the time Zero One finished speaking, Zheng Yi had already taken out her key, opened the door, and stretched comfortably. She conjured a stream of water to wash her hands, then took off her outer clothes and lay down on the bed.
Zero One had originally thought that whether it was the gentleness, the cute tolerance, or whatever else Zheng Yi faked, there had to be a shred of sincerity or genuine emotion in it. It thought Yu Yinan had some value to Zheng Yi, but now it seemed… maybe a little, but not much.
[That family is so awful…]
"Zero One, if someone doesn't choose me, I'm not going to kill her whole family. I'm not some kind of demon, you know," Zheng Yi said jokingly as she snuggled under the covers. "People are free to make their own choices. Of course, I might not be used to being without a monthly mission objective for a while~" But when she was alone, she wouldn't have to keep up the act. If she ran into any idiots while on her own, she wouldn't have to play nice.
Zero One stared at Zheng Yi, watching as the woman actually closed her eyes to rest! It was a little angry, but mostly helpless. Zheng Yi said she wasn't some kind of demon, but Zero One didn't believe that for a second.
If Zheng Yi had been born into Yu Yinan's family, placed in Yu Yinan's role… that family probably wouldn't have even survived until the apocalypse.
Yu Yinan…
She was like a constantly abandoned puppy. She seemed wary, distrustful of everyone, and refused anyone's approach or kindness. But with just a little bit of love, she would unconsciously start wagging her tail, once again exposing her previously wounded belly to someone.
[Yu Yinan might realize something is wrong. As soon as she asks that family, the existence of the note will be exposed. She doesn't know anyone in the shelter, and no one knows about her relationship with that family. Only you know about her past.] Zero One calmed itself slightly and analyzed coolly, [She will suspect you.]
"Then my persona will just have to collapse~ I can just earn it back before I leave, can't I?" Zheng Yi didn't even open her eyes, her voice casual. "I don't want Jiejie to remain trapped in her pain. Since we ran into her family after the apocalypse, this must be some kind of sign, right?"
"No matter what choice Jiejie makes, I will always support and believe in her. I know what I did was wrong, and I don't dare hope for her forgiveness, but I want Jiejie to be happy. As long as Jiejie can be happy and stop crying, that's all that matters."
With almost no inflection in her voice, as if she hadn't even thought about it, Zheng Yi recited the long passage. "Then I'll just shed a few tears and give her some extra supplies. Do you think she'll still pursue the matter?"
This was so un-Saint-like! This had absolutely nothing to do with being a Saint! Zero One could only rant internally, but after a moment of analysis, it had to admit with despair: given Yu Yinan's personality, she would totally fall for it.
[I'm really a little curious about what you used to do.] Zero One sighed. Did Zheng Yi never have family, friends, or anyone she cared about in her past? Had Zheng Yi never experienced any kind of affection, any emotion at all? Was there really no one she cared about?
Even if that was in another world, and even if she had, it was destined to be a tragedy in this world. But still, even a sad emotion would be something.
"Hmm~ Who knows?"
After that reply, Zheng Yi ignored Zero One no matter what it said.
"It was Mom and Dad's fault before. We regretted it as soon as you left home. We tried to find you, but we just couldn't. That homeroom teacher of yours, she refused to give us your information no matter what. We reported her, but she wouldn't say anything. We made a scene, but she didn't care. Mom and Dad had no other choice." But in truth, they hadn't looked for her with any particular urgency. After Yu Yinan left, their focus was entirely on Yu Yaozu. After all, Yu Yaozu had to study for his university entrance exams.
They truly hadn't wanted to let Yu Yinan go back then. In their eyes, what was the point of a daughter her age continuing her studies? She could get married right away. Yu Yinan was pretty; she could even fetch a handsome bride price. If she could find someone with a house and a car, it didn't matter how old he was. She could also help support the family. After all, Yaozu would need to get married in the future, too.
But the homeroom teacher's attitude had been too firm. They had wanted to cause a scene, but Yu Yaozu found it embarrassing. He said everyone was laughing at him, saying his sister had run away, that their family refused to pay for her education and wanted to sell her for money. Although it was the truth, hearing it stated so bluntly was indeed awkward and shameful.
After all, Yu Yaozu had some education. Not everyone could brazenly say, "Doesn't your sister cost money to marry off?" as if they were saying, "Aren't you selling your sister/daughter?"
Regardless of what they had thought at the time, now that Yu Yinan had appeared with an image completely different from their memory of her, none of that past mattered.
This was the apocalypse, and Yu Yinan was an ability user, a female ability user. Gaining her forgiveness, getting her to rejoin the family, and having her willingly contribute to the family was the most important thing.
A female ability user! If she were to marry, they would get not just supplies or a bride price, but the protection of another male ability user. Wouldn't they be able to walk all over the shelter then?
"How can a family hold a grudge overnight? Qinan, Mom has missed you so much. My health isn't good, and my heart aches every day from thinking about you…" The mother pressed a hand to her heart, tears flowing on command as she began to cry and complain.
"My name is Yu Yinan." This belated apology, this admission of fault… they blamed it all on her homeroom teacher while simultaneously playing the victim card. But strangely, not only was Yu Yinan unmoved, she even felt a little like laughing.
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