There is no point arguing with a degenerate madman.
Tang Sui knew this very well.
Even though her mental power was temporarily blocked, she could still keenly perceive the emotions of the people around her.
Hmm, it felt like a scene from a game where two major guilds were duking it out.
The ape-faced man chuckled, "It's only at times like these that you're like a radar, hitting every single minefield."
Tang Sui paid no mind to the ape-faced man's teasing and moved on, "That's not important. What's important now is that someone just handed me a ladder."
"Oh? So you've made your choice."
"Of course. I made my choice long ago."
After replying to the ape-faced man, Tang Sui watched as the manager tried to persuade the woman who wanted to leave. He then tried to focus everyone's attention on the cause of the disaster, urging them to calmly think, but the woman, who was consumed by thoughts of her children waiting alone at home, was resolute in her desire to leave.
"I'm sorry, I, I can't just stay here. I have to go home to my children, they need me." The woman shook her head, refusing their pleas.
Even though they had warned her that the fog might be toxic, that it was extremely unsafe outside, and that unknown dangers lurked, the woman still wanted to leave.
Manager Ollie approached the woman, attempting to guide the somewhat agitated woman to a safe place to calm down, but as soon as his hand touched her shoulder, she dodged it and raised her voice, "Didn't you hear what I said?! I can't stay here!"
Ollie froze, and the woman, realizing her reaction was too intense, pursed her lips, tears welling up. She suppressed a sob and spoke of her children: "My daughter, Wanda, is looking after my younger son, Victor, but she's only 8 years old. She doesn't understand much and sometimes she even forgets she's watching her brother. I told them I was only going out for a few minutes and would be right back."
Ollie's fingers, frozen in mid-air, retracted and slowly lowered. He no longer tried to persuade the woman to stay.
Dan, who had stumbled in earlier, injured, to the convenience store, spoke amidst the stunned silence of the crowd, his words clear and distinct: "If you truly care about them, then you need to protect yourself in the face of unknown danger and not go out."
No one knew if the fog was toxic now, or what they would face once they opened the door.
The woman, fighting back tears, scanned the silently contemplating crowd and spoke again, "Is there no one who will help me?"
The others paused. Even the man in the security uniform and the three privates who had come to shop at the convenience store stared at the woman but remained silent.
Who didn't have family? Who wasn't worried?
Benevolence and solidarity might endure when they didn't involve one's own life or other interests.
Although they all lived in the same small town and often saw each other, the relationship was far from close or intimate enough for anyone to be willing to sacrifice their life for friendship.
Tang Sui picked up a chocolate bar. The sound of the plastic wrapper being crinkled was originally subtle, but in the profound silence, it was amplified manifold, incredibly clear.
"I'll go with you, madam."
With that, Tang Sui took two steps forward.
Everyone else looked at her with a sense of horror. Su Dan Novel Network
Ms. Irene, who had spoken to her before entering the convenience store, looked over with concern and advised, "Kid, don't do anything foolish. It's very dangerous outside, and no one knows what is roaming in the fog. Staying here now, with enough supplies and everyone together, is the best option."
Tang Sui looked at Ms. Irene, who was speaking in her defense, and lowered her voice slightly, "Thank you for your advice, madam. But I still want to leave."
The woman's tear-filled gaze fell on Tang Sui. She paused almost imperceptibly, and before Tang Sui could capture the emotion in her eyes, the woman turned her head and continued to ask, "Is there anyone willing to escort a lady home?"
Tang Sui: "......"
She watched as the woman, with tearful eyes and a dejected demeanor, unhesitatingly bypassed her, not even acknowledging her. Tang Sui narrowed her eyes and, in the silent crowd, spoke loudly again:
"Madam, I'll accompany you. I also want to return to the hotel. My younger brother is there too, he's only 7 years old, and I'm very worried about him."
A hint of worry appeared in Tang Sui's eyes, as if she were genuinely concerned about this fictional younger brother who was a year younger than the woman's son.
The woman, her eyes blurred with tears, looked at her, "But what can you, a child, do? Aren't you just going to die for nothing if you go out?"
Hearing this, the others on the scene showed subtle expressions, their gazes towards the woman darkening slightly.
So if they went out together, wouldn't they also be dying for nothing?
They were all human, and even if she was a minor, they shouldn't be treated differently, should they?
Sensing a hint of disdain from the woman's gaze, Tang Sui fell silent.
It was clear that the woman wasn't considering her a "child," but rather saw her as a potential burden.
Seeing that the woman was still trying to force her hope onto others, Tang Sui slowly walked towards the shop entrance.
"Alright, madam. I respect your choice. I'll go find my brother alone then."
She lowered her eyes, appearing a little dejected, but people felt a greater sense of determination from Tang Sui.
This delicate-looking, frail girl clearly needed protection more, yet unlike the woman, she didn't ask others for help. Despite knowing the danger, she intended to go on her own.
With the stark contrast, the scales in everyone's hearts tipped more towards Tang Sui, and their gazes towards the woman carried more unspoken meaning.
The woman, facing their unusual gazes, trembled. The words she had prepared to beg the crowd were stuck in her throat, making her feel extremely uncomfortable.
She wanted to say something to salvage the situation, but her feet seemed rooted to the spot, and her voice refused to come out.
The people standing in front of her looked at this exquisite-faced girl and wanted to persuade her further, but when their eyes inadvertently met Tang Sui's, the words that were about to be spoken got stuck. The urge to persuade clashed within their hearts, but they simply couldn't speak.
"By the way, Mr. Manager, may I have another bottle of mineral water?" As she approached the shop entrance, Tang Sui stopped and suddenly turned back, flashing a smile free of any gloom at Ollie.
Ollie's heart skipped a beat. His subconscious told him that this beautiful, flower-like girl was doomed if she went out, and that staying with them was the safer option.
But...
Ollie picked up a bottle of mineral water from the shelf next to the cash register, which a customer had temporarily cleared from their shopping cart, and handed it to Tang Sui.
"Child, have you thought this through?"
His voice was slightly hoarse.
Tang Sui met Ollie's deep eyes and smiled fearlessly, taking the mineral water and shaking it, "The moment disaster struck, I made my choice. Thank you for your generous support, sir."