Authentic Performance

The original plan was that after resolving the incident in the Rotten Kingdom, I could still go back to work.

But when Yang Jia drove Xiao Xiao back to the city and asked Xiao Xiao where he was going, he suddenly thought of something:

Perhaps after such a big event, I should take a break?

Although Xiao Xiao reflected deeply on it, he didn't seem to find the task particularly difficult...

... No, there's something wrong with my thinking.

... Although I didn't exert too much physical effort, who can understand the mental and physical stress I endured?

... This may sound shameless, but the idea is quite good.

Therefore, Xiao Xiao naturally decided not to go to work today.

Have a holiday.

Yang Jia dropped him off near the hospital, and then the two parted ways. Xiao Xiao then bought some late-night snacks downstairs and went upstairs.

He had already visited his mother during the day, but after the events of the Rotten Kingdom, Xiao Xiao still felt a lingering, subtle pressure in his heart. He felt increasingly lost about the city and everything that had happened there. There was a sense of stark reality, yet also a questioning of the City Will...

The city's will is like a director hiding behind the scenes. All the original inhabitants of the city are just his puppets. Their lives and experiences are just a script, and they are just playing one role after another.

Perhaps, the kind of indifference and detachment towards the world that Yang Jia embodies is the right approach.

Calm, and precise.

But Xiao Xiao understands these things, and even has more time to think than others, yet he always gets caught up in them.

Because it's simply impossible to ignore it.

I could sense the surprise Yang Jia why I gave that girl a hug. Although she was very polite and concealed it well, the insightful person always seemed to be good at capturing these subtle emotions.

Perhaps in her eyes, what she did was absurd and irrational?

It's like someone who sheds tears while watching a movie.

However, when he thought of the look in the girl's eyes before she left, Xiao Xiao felt it was all so real.

It felt so real that it was almost the only thing I felt I existed in this world.

"Oh dear, why are you here so late again?"

His mother was unaware of Xiao Xiao's experiences that night, nor did she know the complex thoughts in his mind. She only noticed Xiao Xiao's arrival and immediately began to complain. However, her complaining expression and words also revealed an undisguised joy as she kept saying, "It's not a big problem. I'm going to be discharged tomorrow. You work so late every day, how can you manage without someone to cook for you?"

"No need to rush to be discharged from the hospital, just focus on getting better."

Xiao Xiao thought of the girl in the white dress's experience and felt vaguely touched.

There is a kind of existence called mother in this world, but not every mother seems to be the same.

He brushed away the strange feeling that filled his heart and forced a smile, saying, "Don't worry about money. I've changed jobs now and I earn more than before. You won't need to work anymore, and I'll take care of the household expenses... Let's hire a housekeeper when I've saved up more money?"

"I know a friend who works as a nanny, and I can ask her to introduce me to someone in the same profession."

"..."

"What is this silly child saying?"

Mom hurriedly said, "You're not married yet, you might still need to prepare... a house for your wedding..."

She paused noticeably at this point, then quickly covered it up. "Anyway, we still have a lot of expenses to cover, how can we afford to invite them?"

As if afraid that Xiao Xiao would press him about the old street houses, he quickly changed the subject:

"You changed jobs?"

"Where do you work now? Is your boss good to you?"

"..."

"This..."

After thinking for a moment, Xiao Xiao could only say, "The new job is great, the pay is good, and the benefits are also good."

"The company has been featured in the newspaper; it's a well-known large enterprise in Black Gate City."

"The boss is quite obedient..."

"..."

"That's good, that's good..."

Although Mom didn't quite understand, her mood improved significantly, and she even seemed a little sullen.

"Hmph, let's see who dares to say my child is a dockworker carrying boxes..."

"..."

"Of course..."

Xiao Xiao thought to himself: Let's see who dares to say anything, after all, I'm holding a knife now...

After comforting his mother and telling her to stay in the hospital and rest for a while, and also to take the opportunity to get a check-up, Xiao Xiao left the hospital. He didn't know why, Mingming he had only said a few casual words, he felt particularly at ease. Occasionally, thoughts would arise, and he even wanted to thank the city for arranging such a vivid performance for him...

... It gave me a false life, yet it also gave me real comfort?

As he pondered this, he walked out of the hospital, hailed a taxi, and returned home.

As he got closer to the street where he lived, his mood gradually improved, and he breathed a sigh of relief.

First, I went to a convenience store outside and bought the best quality meat—juicy, tender, from a reputable brand, and with a springy, delicious texture...

... ham sausage.

Then, with a joyful heart, Xiao Xiao strode into the alley.

Whether it was a hallucination or not, a cheerful and pleasant melody immediately began to play in my ears or in my mind.

It's like a man walking into a massage parlor with satisfaction and anticipation.

Xiao Xiao couldn't help but narrow his eyes as he looked into the thick night air. "What music should we play now?"

"Shouldn't you be working at the bar right now?"

"..."

The music suddenly became hoarse.

"Snort..."

Xiao Xiao, however, felt perfectly justified and continued walking into the streets and alleys.

Some people just need to be given a talking-to.

Don't think you've forgotten.

This record player, however, was thinking of taking advantage of the situation while it was in danger.

In addition, she is making Xiao Xiao feel increasingly strange. When that girl appeared in the Rotten Kingdom, he seemed to hear her reminder again. In other words, she should indeed be able to speak, or even communicate with him directly.

But why is it that whenever I ask myself this, I always respond with strange songs?

Mingming your superior, I genuinely want to be your friend...

These three Pain Hound are so much better; they're so loyal, hardworking, and brave...

When he reached the neighbor's yard, Xiao Xiao couldn't help but spread a smile across his face.

He took out three hams, deliberately facing them with the price tags on.

I don't know if Pain Hound can read price tags, but I need to let you know, this thing is expensive...

"Swish, swish, swish..."

As soon as Xiao Xiao approached, the tails of the three Pain Hound wagged simultaneously.

They rushed to the railing, put their front paws on it, and excitedly watched Xiao Xiao walk over, sticking out their tongues.

"The three of you did a fantastic job this time..."

Xiao Xiao first affirmed their work, his face full of satisfaction.

Both the big black dog Ghost and the big yellow dog Earl looked excited and thrilled, as if to say that this was all something they should do.

[For their master, they would sacrifice everything.]

The Erha also put its front paws on the railing, but it tilted its head and stared intently at Xiao Xiao.

That look seemed more urgent and serious than the other two:

Hey kid, come here, I need to talk to you about what happiness really means...

[...]

Xiao Xiao ignored the Erha and tore open the two sausages, throwing them into the yard.

I held the third sausage in my hand, thinking I should have a good talk with the Erha before giving it to it.

Unexpectedly, at that moment, the three dogs in the yard suddenly seemed to realize something. They all shuddered at the same time, quickly tucked their tails between their legs, and darted back into their kennels in the yard, their eyes filled with fear...

... Only the Erha, which had originally run back, suddenly ran out again, grabbed a sausage, and went back in fear.

"This..."

Xiao Xiao was also startled and subconsciously turned his head, only to see the darkness at the end of the street.

The Butcher, dressed in a black apron, was quietly watching himself.

Around him, darkness seemed to materialize and come alive, occasionally revealing subtle twisting and writhing characteristics.

Within that submerged, rugged face, only a pair of eyes faintly reddened.

Xiao Xiao's heart skipped a beat.

When I was dealing with the problem of the Rotten Kingdom, I was filled with complex and intense anger, and I didn't think too much about it at the time. But now that I've calmed down, and thinking back to how I acted after the Butcher appeared, I can't help but feel a little scared...

The towering figure, the menacing chainsaw, and the splatter of blood.

And those piles and piles of rotten flesh, which it ruthlessly shredded into pieces...

It's hard not to be afraid.

Xiao Xiao also knew that, in terms of urban logic, he should belong to himself.

But even if it's your own, you're still afraid, like you're holding a bomb in your hand...

Still unsure if it's a type with a safety latch...

"What to do?"

Xiao Xiao couldn't help but think that, logically speaking, he had saved his life, so he should thank him properly, right?

But how can I express my gratitude?

... There's still one sausage left in my hand, should I give it to him?

... Or should we invite him to our own bar for a good drink?

In this extremely tense atmosphere, a series of reliable and unreliable thoughts flashed through Xiao Xiao's mind, but despite his mind being in a state of Mind Burst, his expression remained as calm as ever. The two were about twenty or thirty meters apart, with only a light bulb from a neighbor's yard illuminating the narrow area between them, but both of them were immersed in darkness.

Just then, the Butcher suddenly spoke in a low, hoarse voice, "Thank you."

"?"

Xiao Xiao was feeling extremely nervous, was stunned. "Shouldn't I be thanking you?"

"I don't know what I've been through."

Just then, the Butcher whispered, "But I'd be happy to do that for you."

After he finished speaking, he turned around and slowly walked towards his butcher shop, which made Xiao Xiao freeze on the spot.

He didn't even ask himself carefully?

Or has he already found an explanation from another perspective?

Just as he was thinking this, the Butcher had walked to the front of the meat shop, suddenly stopped and turned to look at Xiao Xiao.

After a long silence, he said softly, "My daughter likes you very much."