Lilian Mo was staring at Zhang Youji's thin and frail from. The child was really small as if he was a twig that was about to break in half. It was really a mystery how this child managed to survive one and a half years of being bait in her previous life.
Lilian Mo didn't want to think too hard about it. She would take this opportunity to approach him so she could get over her trauma. Only by facing her fear would she grow stronger.
"Little kid, you should also absorb some. You are a mental ability user. It wouldn't hurt to improve your ability since this will also improve your constitution." Lilian Mo reminded him since she could not stand seeing the child's condition. She took out an apple from her space.
"Here." She dropped it on his open palm.
"Your body is malnourished and underweight. I have more food with me so you only need to ask if you're hungry."
Zhang Youji nodded absentmindedly as he studied the big juicy apple that was given to him. It was the first time he saw an apple as big and as red as this one. Even before the apocalypse, he has never seen one with its size and vibrant color. The smell was tantalizing that one could not help but salivate.
Zhang Youji looked up at Lilian Mo with wide eyes. "Big sister, you're really nice."
Lilian Mo only thought that it was ridiculous that she was called 'nice' by this child just because she gave him an apple or said a few words of advice. This time, she did not want to be misunderstood.
"No. I am not a nice person. I am very selfish."
"Big sister, nice people often say things like that." Zhang Youji pointed out before taking a bite of the apple. His face brightened and his hunger spiked, prompting him to eat the apple at high speed.
Lilian Mo handed another apple to him and a water bottle.
"Slow down or you might choke."
"Big sister, this apple tastes great! I've never tasted an apple as delicious and sweet as this!" Zhang Youji's face lit up. The innocence and happiness in his words and behavior were not something that can be often seen in the apocalypse. Sure enough, children are different. Right now, he looked just like any normal child who was happy to eat delicious food.
Lilian Mo placed a hand over her chest when she felt a twinge of guilt. She did not mind facing scums, murderers, or rapists but a child who still retained their former innocence made her confused on how to deal with him.
Zhang Youji was still a child. The things he did in the past three months were ordered by his half-mutant mother. And for a child who was easy to manipulate and order around, he must have been too scared and too afraid to go against his own mother.
Moreover, he also seemed stuck. He must still think that that half mutant was his mother. Zhang Youji still harbors love for that being.
Lilian Mo couldn't relate.
Afterall, she grew up mostly alone in her life. Her parents died when she was only eight and even when they were alive, they were barely there. They had been too busy with their work to pay attention to her so Lilian Mo didn't have much attachment to them.
As for the Old Chen couple, those two people were also very busy. They did take care of her but they were still tied to their own families. The Chen family still mattered to them the most. Even so, they were probably the closest thing to parents that Lilian Mo ever had. It was a pity that they too died early but in a way, it was also good.
Those two good people wouldn't be able to stomach the cruelty of the apocalypse. And with how selfish the Chen family were, they might even be the first to condemn the old Chen couple who were weak and old.
Lilian Mo felt refreshed that she had taken a different route. She swore not to involve herself with the Chen family. Even though she could not avoid getting entangled with Lu Jingren, it was fine as long as she kept her distance. She was confident that she could take him on if she wanted to.
Still, she was very curious.
What was Lu Jingren's level at the moment?
Lilian Mo curiously glanced at Lu Jingren who was busy absorbing crystal cores in silence. He was the only one that hadn't interacted that much with everyone.
Ah... He is a natural loner, Lilian Mo noticed but this really didn't sound good coming from her who was also a loner.
'And in terms of having friends... Lu Jingren has more friends than me.' Lilian Mo felt strange as she thought about this. Mu Qingqing was someone she had long considered as a friend. As for Lin Jiaojiao, she was at first a responsibility but Lilian Mo realized that the girl was very likable and was an innocent version of Mu Qingqing so she immediately felt very fond of her.
Mizuki Rei could be considered a comrade and Mu Qianmo was an acquaintance. As for Fu Yangzhu who was a shameless foodie, Lilian Mo kept even more distance from him. Lu Jingren was obviously labeled as a potential target that needed to be killed in case something goes wrong.
Her social life was really trash and if the old Chen couple was here, they would have nag endlessly and told her that kids her age should make more friends and should socialize more.
Lilian Mo sighed and handed another apple to Zhang Youji who was innocently staring at her.
The little child smiled and that simple reaction alone managed to make Lilian Mo feel a bit at ease.
'Grandpa, Grandma, I'm still alive. Your granddaughter is doing good.'
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