Chapter 155: Taken Alive

The gauze was peeled away layer by layer. Everyone watched with bated breath as the white strip in the doctor’s hand grew longer and the layers covering Mu Qingxi’s face grew thinner.

Even with her eyes closed, Mu Qingxi could feel the many gazes fixed upon her. She could feel the air and sunlight touching her face; it felt as if her skin was finally breathing—a truly comfortable sensation.

When the room fell into complete silence, she knew the last of the gauze had been removed. She wondered what those standing before her were doing or thinking, when she heard the gentle, kind voice of Mu Yuncheng: "Xiao Xi, you can open your eyes now."

Mu Qingxi nodded, gave a soft hum of agreement, and slowly opened her eyes. Light flooded her vision instantly. She raised a hand to shield herself, then gradually adjusted, looking at the people who cared for her.

She saw her grandfather, his smile radiating immense kindness, his eyes brimming with love and affection.

As for her parents, her cousin, and her younger brother—there was no need for words. Her parents expressed their love in silence. Her cousin had been by her side throughout the entire ordeal, and her brother, though they often bickered until their faces turned red, shared a bond that was simply their unique way of expressing affection.

During her school years, she had met Qin Yu, a friend she could confide in, and Xi Haifei, who was also a wonderful companion.

As for her uncle, she felt a profound sense of guilt. If not for her own childish impulsiveness back then, perhaps her aunt and cousin would not have been taken from them forever, leaving her uncle to endure so many years in solitude.

She had been only six years old at the time. Her aunt and uncle had a lovely son who adored playing with her. She remembered how happy she would be whenever her cousin came to visit. They would play wildly together, and her aunt and uncle, who doted on them both, would take them everywhere.

But misfortune always strikes with cruel speed. One day, she and her little cousin had run off to a hillside to play. By chance, they stumbled upon a group of men—some brandishing guns, others carrying large leather suitcases. Driven by curiosity, she and her cousin followed them, watching from the shadows. A short while later, another group arrived, dressed much like the first, also carrying heavy suitcases.

She and her cousin watched with excitement as the two groups conducted their transaction. Because they loved watching American blockbusters and domestic police dramas, they knew these men were doing something wicked, so they remained perfectly still, watching in silence.

Just then, voices drifted through the woods: "Xiao Xi! Xiao Fei! Are you in there? Xiao Fei, answer your mother and father! Are you in there? Xiao Xi, Xiao Fei, say something if you can hear us!"

Mu Qingxi watched with a reflexive jolt as the men in the woods scrambled to gather the suitcases filled with narcotics and large sums of cash. The gunmen took up defensive positions, slowly creeping outward to scan the forest for whoever was approaching.

She and her cousin watched the men moving closer and closer toward them. Their hands were tightly clasped, trembling, their palms slick with sweat.

Her aunt and uncle were drawing nearer as well, but her uncle’s professional instincts warned him that something was terribly wrong—that the atmosphere was far from peaceful. He urged her aunt to stay back, but she insisted on following, refusing to let him face the danger alone. He could not sway her, so he reluctantly let her follow behind him.

The group of men rushed them, pinning her aunt and uncle to the ground. Just as her uncle tried to resist, he saw a pistol pressed against his wife’s temple and was forced to freeze, allowing them to hold him down.

Unable to help themselves, she and her little cousin leaped up and ran toward them, throwing themselves into the arms of her aunt and uncle.