Chapter 7
After finally making my way down the mountain, I found the town’s bus station.
The old man at the gate was watching a video on his phone, and it happened to be a news report about my mom. Her company was under investigation after being reported, its funds frozen, and she owed a lot of money.
She’d left the country with all my siblings—everyone but me.
I stood beside the old man, stunned for a long time.
Went out for a trip, and my home got stolen?
It wasn’t until the old man, feeling a bit uncomfortable, nudged me that I snapped out of it.
So I borrowed his phone and called my grandma.
“Whatever you do, don’t come back! Right now, your mom’s creditors are staking out both the house and your school. You come back, and you’re dead!”
How did I become a stray?
If it weren’t for that damned Chloe kidnapping me, I’d probably be overseas with my mom right now!
Thinking that, I actually found myself back at Chloe’s place.
She slammed her cards aside, her face dark, and threw a few bills onto the table.
“No wonder my luck’s been so bad today. It’s because you, you little punk, came back.”
Chloe turned to look at me, a murderous expression on her face.
“I have nowhere else to go.”
“Oh, and?”
Chloe lit a cigarette, watching me with a sneer.
“So, can I stay here for a while?”
“Are you crazy? Why would I take you in?”
Chloe suddenly stood up, glaring at me. “Get out. I’m not joking.”
“My mom will definitely contact me. Just let me wait a little longer…”
I said, feeling a bit guilty, my voice barely a whisper.
“Who ever heard of someone being kidnapped and then refusing to leave?”
“Your mom owes me money, and now I have to raise her son, too, is that it?”
“You…”
I didn’t hear what she cursed about after that because everything went black, and I passed out.
When I woke up again, I was lying on a long bench.
Walking up and down the mountain the whole time, my blood sugar had dropped, and I’d actually fainted.
Not far away, the chattering sounds of the card game continued.
“Chloe, I think this little brother is pretty innocent.”
“He was kidnapped, and his mom wouldn’t even pay the ransom. She just took her money and the other kids and ran off to another country.”
“Yeah, what did he do wrong? He’s so pitiful!”
…
“He’s a capitalist’s kid! Are you all suddenly sympathizing with capitalists?”
“Don’t you want your money anymore?!”
Chloe rapped on the poker table with a card, sounding annoyed.
“I think his mom is his mom, and he’s just a naive kid who hasn’t seen the world yet.”
Right, right, that’s exactly it!
“Look at his innocent, clueless face. He’s never suffered a day in his life, has he?”
“Chloe, don’t you like these soft, sweet puppy types?”
You guys…
“If you like him, take him! I’m not taking care of him!”
“Go, go, go!”
When Chloe blew up, everyone scattered like birds.
Silence fell, and then I heard Chloe’s calm voice.
“If you’re awake, then get out!”