The fat man was speechless for a moment. He had never considered the question. In his mind, Wang Qi, Huai Yi, and the doctor were all stronger and more valuable than he was. They had far more reason to stay alive. As for him...
"Your friends were willing to risk their lives to save you. That proves you're a person of value, at least to your friends. You matter to them—very much." Li Shanru looked at the fat man and spoke earnestly. "I can tell, Wang Fugui, you're a good person and a dependable friend. That man named Jiang Cheng treats you very well."
"That's true. He's saved me so many times. I wouldn't have made it this far without him. He's an incredible person." Remembering how the doctor had looked after him, the fat man felt nothing but gratitude.
To his surprise, Li Shanru suddenly smiled. She leaned back against the wall, her gaze turning distant. Her sunburned face took on a wistful look. "Once... once, I had a friend like that, too. I'd just entered a mission then and didn't know anything. Thanks to her, I survived time and time again."
"When I was at my most terrified and helpless, she was always by my side. She'd even sing to me. Have you ever heard Sky City? She didn't need any music—just her soft singing was beautiful."
Looking at Li Shanru, the fat man felt something stir inside him. He hadn't expected this woman, with her buzz cut and rebellious, unconventional style, to have such a tender side.
"She's gone now, isn't she?" the fat man asked, sensing the answer.
"During a mission, she was killed by a ghost while saving me." Li Shanru's voice choked. "She didn't have to die. I was the one who should have