38: Chapter 38 Recalling the Glorious Past

Zhang Shan sent Li Chao off and felt a little bit of loss in his heart.

Mona noticed his melancholy and recommended a place to him, saying it would help him relax and release stress.

Zhang Shan was feeling dazed and wanted to drive, but Gu Nan shoved him aside, pushing him into the passenger seat. Honestly, the current Zhang Shan didn't have a shred of the heroic spirit a killer should have; instead, he was a little bit, uh, how should I put it, a little bit indecisive—it felt like he was being a bit girly.

Ugh ⊙ ∀ ⊙! In the muggy weather, he actually got goosebumps.

Don't be disgusting, he was disgusted by his own thoughts.

Zhang Shan looked at the scenery by the roadside, filled with mixed emotions. He didn't know when it was that he had stopped properly appreciating the view.

It had also been many years since he had been this relaxed.

"Hey, tell me, what is this place like?"

Zhang Shan rolled his eyes: "You'll know when we get there, won't you? Why ask so much as if I would know?"

"It's really not good for you to be so disdainful of me," Gu Nan said indignantly.

It was currently spring, the time when grass grows and warblers fly; the earth presented a green ink painting, and looking out, it was refreshing and delightful.

Zhang Shan felt his mood improve instantly upon seeing this scene.

"Gu Nan, how long has it been since you've seen scenery like this?"

"A long, long time. I don't even remember when I last saw a scene like this. Right, when I still had my parents, before I was sent to the institution, I saw scenery like this."

Zhang Shan and Gu Nan lay side by side on the grass, watching the blue sky and white clouds, savoring the hard-won leisure time.

Li Chao entered the school, looking around with curiosity. It was her first time coming to a school; previously, she had only ever watched from the school gate, only able to feel envious.

She never expected that one day she could be like a normal child and enjoy the wonderful time of going to school.

She walked on the campus path with her little backpack, feeling especially happy.

From today on, she was also an elementary school student! In the future, she could also make friends like others!

Mona watched Li Chao walk into the campus, feeling a little worried in her heart. She didn't know if Little Zhao Zhao would be able to get along well with the other children.

Li Chao sat in the classroom, imitating the other children, sitting upright in her seat.

"Students, everyone be quiet, sit up straight. A new classmate has joined our class, everyone please applaud to welcome her!" the homeroom teacher said to the students.

"Now, we invite her to come up and introduce herself so everyone can get to know her, okay?"

"Okay!" the children responded enthusiastically.

Li Chao stood on the podium with poise.

"Hello everyone, my name is Li Chao, 'Li' as in dawn, 'Chao' as in morning sun. It's my first day at a new school, and I hope to get along well with my classmates and study hard."

After speaking, Li Chao smiled shyly.

"Come, let's welcome our new classmate." The homeroom teacher took the lead in applauding.

Actually, Li Chao was still a little nervous. After the self-introduction ended, she sat in her seat and patted her little chest with her small hand.

Hmm~ It seems getting along with people isn't that hard after all, hehe.

The scenery was picturesque, with blue skies and white clouds; everything was showcasing the beauty of time.

"Shan Zi, tell me, what was Lei Zi thinking? Why would he become a traitor for a little bit of money?"

When Gu Nan mentioned Lei Zi to Zhang Shan, Zhang Shan's expression changed.

"The thing I regret most in this life is becoming brothers with Lei Zi. I never expected that one day he would betray us. But I also have to thank him; if it weren't for him, I wouldn't have the achievements I have today."

"The deceased is gone; he is already dead and has paid the price for his actions."

Zhang Shan sighed and didn't speak.

Gu Nan closed his eyes, thinking about the days when they all used to be together, not having enough to eat or wear. Although they lived a life of licking blood off the blade, there were also happy days.

"Shan Zi, do you remember? One time, you, me, and Lei Zi, the three of us received a mission to intercept a shipment. It was our first mission, and we had the spirit of newborn calves not afraid of tigers, as well as the joy of finally being able to earn money."

"But after all, it was our first mission, and we weren't very experienced. Although we successfully brought the shipment back in the end, the boss was very dissatisfied with our operation and punished us by making us run ten laps with weights, and didn't even allow us to eat dinner."

Zhang Shan thought of this and turned his head, smiling.

"Of course I remember. That day we had just finished the mission and were already tired, then we were punished with 10 laps. After running, it felt like my legs weren't even my own. What was even worse was that they wouldn't let us eat dinner. You were the most pathetic one at the time; you couldn't sleep from hunger at night, went to the kitchen to steal food, and got caught red-handed."

Thinking of his embarrassing moment, Gu Nan felt his face burning in a way he hadn't felt in a long time.

Zhang Shan continued: "It should have had nothing to do with me and Lei Zi, but you insisted that it was the three of us together, saying you were responsible for stealing the food and I was responsible for keeping watch. When the captain came to find us, both of us were dumbfounded."

"Then the captain, in his frustration, told us to eat our fill and then run another ten laps. At that time, we really wanted to beat you to death, and you still shamelessly said, 'Good brothers, share hardships and joys together.' We were also stupid and believed your nonsense."

"Hahaha"

The two looked at each other and laughed.

"We trained together from a young age. Back then, we stood out from the brutal competition, and the captain formed us into a team. From that day on, we fought together. During this time, we had arguments and fought countless times."

"But in the end, we always made up, and our bond grew stronger. But how did it become like this now? Lei Zi betrayed us. Before I could even ask him clearly why he did that, he died, and now only two of us are left from the three."

Gu Nan covered his eyes with his hand so Zhang Shan wouldn't see him tearing up.

Zhang Shan patted Gu Nan's shoulder.

Gu Nan wiped away his tears. "I don't believe Lei Zi would betray us so easily. He must have had a reason he couldn't speak of. I must investigate it clearly; I must find the mastermind behind the scenes; I must know what Lei Zi's hidden hardship was!!"

Gu Nan stood up from the grass excitedly, indignantly declaring his little goal.

Zhang Shan looked at Gu Nan and felt that he also needed to get to the bottom of this matter, to give himself an explanation and to give Gu Nan an answer.

Zhang Shan stood up and patted Gu Nan. "Nan Zi, are you still willing to fight side by side with me?"

Gu Nan looked at the serious Zhang Shan and nodded resolutely. "I, Gu Nan, to you, Zhang Shan, from this day forward, will never leave or abandon you! We will share life and death!"

The two looked at each other and smiled. Hey, the weather today is really nice!