Chapter 307: Chapter 307: The Past
Guo Gang thought back to that ordeal, and a hint of sadness crept onto his face, “During the acid rain, ng ng and I happened to take shelter in a mall. There was also a group of people there who said there was a place where you could earn food by fighting, and they wanted to go there. But the acid rain blocked their way, so I helped guide them. That’s how we got to know each other, and we started looking for food together, thinking of ways to go to the place where we could fight.”
Guo Gang said this and sighed, “I knew that at such tis, it had to be Black Boxing, which was never proper. But after the acid rain, resources beca even scarcer. I thought if I went to fight in Black Boxing and earned a lot, with my wide network, I could get a car and co to No.7 Base to find you all. After the acid rain, I went with them to a place for Black Boxing and started fighting. At that ti, I won every day and earned so resources pretty smoothly.”
He seed at ease as he talked about this.
Then he paused, his expression grew serious, and continued, “Later, suddenly one day, a lot of people showed up, saying that there was a large boxing gym at No.7 Base and they were looking for talents, asking if I wanted to go. I was just thinking about how to get here, thinking it was just a change of places to fight, and that it would also save on travel expenses to find you all, so I naturally agreed. But when we got here, we realized we had been sold. After that, we completely lost our freedom. To keep ng ng alive, I had to fight desperately. Many tis, I felt like giving up, thinking we might as well die, but looking at ng ng, she’s still so young, I really couldn’t bear it. Thankfully, you found us.”
It was only then that Gu Pan knew how they had co to be there, “We arrived at the underground fight club late, if only we had co earlier.”
Guo Gang said, “You wouldn’t necessarily have seen if you had co earlier; I didn’t co out every day. Besides, you’re not really into Black Boxing; you must have had your own reasons for being there. We were very lucky to have t.”
Lu Ruisheng smiled, “You really understand us. Indeed, we were heading for the auction. Black Boxing was just a cover to avoid suspicion, so we went to have a look. The first ti we went, we saw you.”
Guo Gang also smiled, “That day I felt those two people looked familiar. It really was you.”
“Yes, it seems like fate was also trying to help us,” Gu Pan said with a smile.
After talking for a while, Gu Pan checked the ti, “I’ll take ng ng upstairs to wash up and change into clean clothes. When everyone cos back from work later, they will surely bombard us with questions, and there won’t be ti to change then.”
Guo Gang nodded, “Then I won’t stand on ceremony with my sister-in-law.”
Gu Pan took ng ng upstairs. The layout of the house had bathrooms not integrated into the bedrooms, so there was no need to enter the master bedroom.
She led ng ng to the bathroom door, “You can wash yourself up, use whatever you like. Whether you take a bath or just wipe yourself down, it’s your choice. I’ll go alter one of my clothes for you to wear for now, and tomorrow we can go shopping at the mall, okay?”
ng ng nodded, “Okay.”
Gu Pan left the bathroom, closed the door, and let ng ng wash by herself.
Then, she found a small-sized pair of underpants from Space, and a small tank top, and a bathrobe, placing these on the bench outside the bathroom door. She told ng ng she could open the door to get them when needed and not to worry, as she would not co over. Giving children like ng ng, who had experienced trauma, as much space as possible was for their good.
Afterward, Gu Pan picked out a few casual sportswear items and made so simple alterations in her workroom, thinking that it would be fine to buy them at the mall tomorrow or let Lu Xuerong make them. She had the right size in her Space, but it would require so excuse to bring them out later since retrieving them now would seem too abrupt.
An hour passed before ng ng ca out. She had taken a bath and changed her underwear and had also washed her dirty clothes.
She erged in the bathrobe, the little figure appearing yellower rather than whiter after the bath.
Gu Pan called her over in the second bedroom’s workroom where she altered the clothes, “Co try on this T-shirt and these sweatpants, see if they fit.”
This workroom was where Gu Pan usually did her handicrafts, stocked with crochet hooks, yarn, a sewing machine, fabrics, and more.
ng ng went over and, with a smile on her little face, took the clothes and put them on with her back to Gu Pan.
Gu Pan looked at ng ng in her newly tailored clothes and nodded, “Not bad. Based on this size, I’ll alter another set.”
ng ng said, “Auntie, one set is enough; once my old clothes are washed and dried, I can wear them again.”
Gu Pan smiled and replied, “You can’t just keep wearing two sets. Besides, these clothes used to be mine, and it’s just right to alter them for you, who’s smaller. Otherwise, wouldn’t that be a waste?”
It was easier for the child to accept the logic when she put it that way.
Hearing Gu Pan speak like this, ng ng felt much more at ease, “Then thank you, Auntie. If there’s any work to be done at your house in the future, just let know. I can do anything.”
While working on the sewing machine, Gu Pan said, “If I need your help, I’ll tell you. Find a stool to sit on. There’s so juice on the table; have a drink. You might be thirsty after taking a bath.”
ng ng poured a cup for Gu Pan as well, “Auntie, you drink too.”
Gu Pan smiled and took a sip, “You have so as well.”
The two of them didn’t talk much more, just sitting quietly there.
Downstairs, Lu Ruisheng had a chat with Guo Gang and then told Guo Gang to take a wash. He found so of his own clothes for Guo Gang to change into and also got a first aid kit to treat the wounds on his body.
At that mont, a familiar voice ca from outside, “Brother, Sister, you’re back.” Cheng Yang’s first stop after work wasn’t his house, but seeing the car in the courtyard through the wall, he knew they had returned and imdiately ran over.
“Guess who’s here?” Lu Ruisheng said to Cheng Yang, who had just reached the door.
Upon seeing Guo Gang, Cheng Yang ran over happily and hugged him, “Brother Guo, you’re finally here. Now that we have your family, we’re all together.”
Guo Gang patted his back, “You’ve gotten strong.”
Cheng Yang said with a smile, “I’ve been keeping up with my workouts. In the future, I’ll need more pointers from Brother Guo.”
After saying this, he looked at ng ng, who seed even more slender and fragile than he rembered, which made him feel sowhat distressed. He thought to go over and hug her, but noticing the wariness in ng ng’s eyes, he didn’t know what she had been through. However, when he talked about his feelings with Brother Chen Lang, he knew how those injuries had changed him on the inside.
So instead of rashly approaching ng ng, he went in front of her and crouched down slightly, “ng ng, did you miss Brother Cheng Yang?”
ng ng nodded, “Yeah, I missed you, Brother Cheng Lang, and Sister Lanlan.”
Their terms of address had always been a bit haphazard, with everyone using different ones, as that was sothing that truly couldn’t be standardized.
Cheng Yang gently stroked her head, “Let’s go to Brother Cheng Yang’s house later; Sister Lanlan will be there too. Brother Chen Lang’s house is right next door, and later we can all play together.”
ng ng thought for a mont, “Then can you co to Auntie’s house to play?” She was wary of leaving what she felt was a safe place.
Gu Pan smiled and interjected, “Sure, we’ll all have dinner here tonight. I’ll invite everyone over, all people you know.”
Cheng Yang said, “Then I’ll go and call Brother Chen Lang over. Sister Lanlan gets off work late today.” Saying that, he was already running out the door.
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