26: Chapter 26 The Tragic Experience of Little Tail

Zhang Shan walked along the road, holding the little girl in his arms, feeling a slight sense of self-blame in his heart. He didn't know whether the decision he had made now was right or wrong. This little girl's origins were unknown. It was only because of his compassion that he had brought her along. Was this a good thing or a bad thing?

The little girl cautiously glanced at Zhang Shan. Seeing that he didn't seem like he was going to abandon her, she relaxed her guard and then accidentally fell asleep.

Zhang Shan inadvertently noticed that the child had already fallen asleep. He really didn't know whether this child was just carefree or simply exhausted? To actually fall asleep just like that.

He gently placed the child on the back seat, adjusted her sleeping position, and put a cushion under her head to make her more comfortable.

As he gripped the steering wheel, it suddenly occurred to him that after all this time, he still didn't even know the little girl's name. At that moment, he was truly disgusted with his own intelligence.

After returning to the aircraft carrier, he arranged for this child to stay in a room.

"strongman, help me investigate this little girl's background. See if she's a spy sent by someone else."

"Boss, what's this little girl's name?"

"Um~ I still don't know what she's called."

"Then send me a photo of her. I'll use my super brain to scan and find her background."

"Wait a moment, I'll go take one."

If strongman were a person with emotions, he would definitely be roasting Zhang Shan right now.

Zhang Shan scratched his head. He didn't know what was wrong with him today. It felt like nothing was going smoothly, and he was forgetting everything. Oh man, I, Zhang Shan, am a top-tier assassin! How could I make such a mistake? I'm really disgusted with myself!

After he gave the photo to strongman, strongman scanned it and told Zhang Shan everything about the child. Although he already knew the little girl's origins, he still decided to let the little girl tell him herself. This was also a way for him to test her.

If this little girl sincerely told him all her experiences, and it matched what strongman said,

Zhang Shan would decide to temporarily trust this child.

The sunlight shone into the little girl's eyes, and she rubbed them uncomfortably.

Opening her eyes, she saw a beautifully decorated room. It felt a bit unreal to her. She didn't know how long it had been since she last slept properly. She had spent every day in fear and anxiety. She truly didn't know how long it had been since she had such a good sleep!

She knew that if Zhang Shan didn't take her in, her fate would be miserable.

She made up her mind to behave well and make sure he let her stay. Absolutely, without a doubt.

She quietly tidied up the bed she had slept in, then sat on the bed, waiting for Zhang Shan to come.

She knew that if she moved around recklessly now and showed no discipline, she would definitely be driven out. Then the shelter she had just gained would be lost again. So she had to seize this opportunity.

Zhang Shan knocked on the door.

"Are you awake? May I come in?"

"I'm awake, come in."

Looking at the little doll sitting obediently on the bed, Zhang Shan felt a twinge of pity.

"Big brother, do you have questions to ask me? Go ahead, I'll answer truthfully. I won't lie to you."

Zhang Shan nodded.

"Little one, what's your name? Even though we've known each other for a day, I still don't know your name."

"Big brother, my name is Li Chao. ‘Li' as in dawn, ‘Chao' as in morning sun. When my dad gave me this name, he hoped my life would be filled with sunlight and hope. But it seems I haven't lived up to that."

Li Chao smiled somewhat sheepishly.

"Why do you feel you haven't lived up to your dad's expectations?"

"Hmm~ Because I feel like I'm not living in the morning sun. I'm living in dark corners, as if I never see the light of day. It's like I can't see the dawn or the sunlight shining down."

"Every day I hide, afraid to appear in the sunlight. Once I step into the light, I might lose what little I have now. Even though what I have is also dark, I'm still quite content."

Zhang Shan patted Li Chao's head sympathetically.

"Big brother, do you know? Last night was the most peaceful sleep I've ever had. I didn't have to worry about being beaten while I slept soundly, and I didn't have to worry about the consequences after waking up."

"Every day I'm forced to do things I don't want to do. I also want to be a well-behaved girl cherished by others. But I can't! I saw my own parents die right in front of me, and I was powerless to do anything."

"Some might say, ‘You're still young, you can go to an orphanage and wait to be adopted.' But what they don't know is, as long as I'm alive for even one day, I'm a threat to certain people. As long as I'm alive, they won't let me go."

As she said these words, Li Chao gave a self-mocking smile. She felt embarrassed to let others see this unpleasant side of her.

"Big brother, I want to be a good girl! But I always feel like I don't deserve it."

Only then did Li Chao's tears begin to fall.

"When you came out to save me, it felt like an angel had descended. Things like this have happened many times, but you were the first one to actually save me. I admit, in that moment, I had selfish thoughts. I wanted you to take me away. No matter the outcome, I wanted to escape from them. So I desperately followed you, even if I got hurt, I wouldn't give up."

Hearing Li Chao's heartfelt words, Zhang Shan didn't know what to say or how to say it. Although he had learned about this child's past experiences yesterday, he was still somewhat surprised to see that she had retained her innocence.

"Big brother, after I tell you all this, will you hate me? Will you think it's scary that someone so young could be so scheming? But I really, truly just wanted to get away from them."

Seeing Zhang Shan remain silent, Li Chao grew a bit anxious.

Looking at the little girl's anxious expression, he reached out to comfort her.

"Big brother doesn't think you're scheming. I know you didn't really want to be like this; society forced you into this. But you've shown me the innocence you still hold. That's truly precious."

"After all, in such a harsh environment, you still kept a place for your innocence. That's very good."

Hearing Zhang Shan's approval, her tears couldn't stop falling. She thought that after revealing her most shameful side, he would definitely throw her away and not keep her by his side. But instead, he acknowledged her past.

To say she wasn't moved would be an absolute lie.

"Big brother, can I stay with you?"

Li Chao asked him cautiously.

"You can stay here, but you don't need to please anyone here. I just want you to be yourself."

Hearing these words, Li Chao's tears fell even faster.

Looking at the tear-streaked little girl, Zhang Shan, in a rare gesture, hugged her.

From now on! He, Zhang Shan, was no longer alone.