"Once you've recovered, you'll need to do your part for the camp too."
"The children can sort supplies and organize medicine. You're strong, so you can come along on supply runs."
"We can only survive by helping one another."
After listening, Long Ya still shook her head. "I'm not used to making decisions."
She called out again in her mind, Master!
The pendant remained silent.
That silence was like a wall, pressing down on her until she could barely breathe.
Fu Xuyang seemed to notice her hesitation and added, "Come take a look first. If you don't like it there, you can leave anytime."
"At our Red Blessing Rescue Team's camp, you're free to come and go."
Long Ya stared at him for a long time.
At last, she spoke. "All right. We'll go with you."
As soon as she finished speaking, several men in the convoy exchanged glances, the faintest hint of a smile curling their lips.
Long Ya didn't see it.
All she saw was Fu Xuyang's smile growing gentler, like an elder who had finally persuaded a wayward child to return.
"Get in. It's warm in the truck." He stepped aside to let her pass.
Long Ya didn't move.
She walked over to the boy with the cleft lip, crouched down, and whispered in his ear:
"Don't fall asleep once you're in the truck. Do you hear me?"
The boy opened his eyes groggily and nodded faintly.
Long Ya stood, slung the rifle over her back, and led the children toward the truck.
After two steps, she suddenly stopped.
She looked down at the pendant hanging at the hem of her clothes.
At some point, the pendant had grown slightly warm.
As though something inside was slowly waking.
The truck's engine roared, churning up clouds of yellow