XG 56 - If we don’t agree, you kick us out?

“So what Madam Lok means is, we should help out, either in the form of monetary or labor. If we don’t agree, you will kick us out?”

Lok Hui Man gave Wong Xue Guo her most apologetic expression. “I had done my best to speak on your behalf. But the other party members are very scared of letting more outsiders in and the residents are also making noises. We could no longer make allowance for you as we won’t for everyone else from now on.”

How could Wong Xue Guo not feel upset hearing that?

She was equally upset that her father had not left his study to entertain the guest, so she had to take up the task. If her father was here, he would most certainly not care about Lok Hui Man’s face and mocked her until she ran away crying.

Or she hoped Lok Hui Man would run away crying. It would be difficult to make such a confident woman cry.

Alas, the junior Wong Xue Guo could only hold back her anger. Although rather reluctant to admit it, she could understand a bit about Lok Hui Man’s point. After all, in the movies she watched, she had also been angry on the commander’s behalf when the survivors did nothing but trouble in the safety base.

Lok Hui Man was a responsible and good leader. She thinks of everyone instead of siding with a small group of people. It was also a plus that the residents also choose to help out willingly instead of forcing themselves to work to trade for daily supplies.

But knowing it does not mean it does not hurt her, because she was in the small group of people Lok Hui Man did not choose to help.

“It does not matter,” Wong Xue Guo finally spoke. “We are going to leave anyway.”

“Leave?” Lok Hui Man’s eyes flashed. “Are you going to find your mother?”

“Not exactly. As soon as my mother reaches the border, we will leave. Madam Lok, during our stay, we ate our own food, bought food with our own money, and stayed at our own purchased villa. Surely it isn’t too unreasonable if we choose not to join the labor force or charity fund?”

Especially when they had not taken anything from them, right?

Lok Hui Man could not be thick-faced in disagreeing with Wong Xue Guo’s words either. The other party was also a young girl and there was no need to speak harshly to her.

“Why don’t you rethink your decision to leave? When was the last time you had talked with your mother? Outside is getting too dangerous to survive, even if your mother has bodyguards with her.”

Actually, my mother might be stronger than our bodyguards.

Chen Yibo frowned at Lok Hui Man’s indirect cursing for Suzie Yap to die and asked sharply, “What are you trying to imply, Madam Lok?”

Lok Hui Man was not surprised that Chen Yibo would come into his girlfriend’s rescue, but it was a surprise for Wong Xue Guo. His action eased some of the stuffiness she felt in her heart at Madam Lok’s words even if she was confident of her mother’s strength.

Having someone to support you was actually quite nice.

Lok Hui Man guessed that they must have not heard from Suzie Yap, or else the young girl would defend against that statement.

“The communication line in this island had only just been restored. Your mother had also failed to show up till now. Did you not consider that your mother might not make it?” Lok Hui Man asked tentatively, which Wong Xue Guo outright believed was a lie, no matter how genuine she sounded.

She knew Lok Hui Man wanted them to stay to help her instead of genuinely caring for their safety. Maybe she did care, but her care towards them was just a small drop from her large pool of compassion.

At Wong Xue Guo’s silence, Lok Hui Man continued with more self-assurance. “Even if she did make it to the border, we could not let her in. You and your father are alive and living well here. Penang Island is the safest place in Malaysia and we will upgrade our security. Surely your mother would prefer you and your father to stay here instead of joining her outside where danger is?”

“When is it your turn to question our family’s business?”

Uncertain at what point of time it happened, Charles Wong stood behind where Wong Xue Guo was seated, staring down coldly at Lok Hui Man like a protective wolf over his family. His gaze was so cold that Lok Hui Man could not resist her involuntary response to shudder as the position of prey was forced onto her.

Lok Hui Man straightens her back, trying her best to ignore the cold sweat forming behind her back. “Mr. Wong, I’m just voicing my opinion in concern of Xue Guo’s safety. She is still young and should not be exposed to danger. If you dislike it, you can ignore my words. But as a father, should you not want your daughter to stay at a safe place?”

Charles Wong ignored Lok Hui Man and gazed down at Wong Xue Guo. She was indeed relieved that her father finally appeared, but it was rather nerve-wracking to be looked at. She does not know how to place her hands and legs, like a child that was caught doing something wrong!

“Pack your bags. Prepare to leave anytime.”

“Okay!” Wong Xue Guo nodded obediently.

Lok Hui Man’s lips curled downwards when her advice was not taken seriously. “Since Mr. Wong had decided, it would not be good for me to speak more. I shall take my leave now.”

Wong Xue Guo stood up. “I will send you out.”

Her actions took Lok Hui Man by surprise. After all, during her two previous visits, only a bodyguard sent her to the door. Thinking that it might be because the young girl had a favorable impression of her, Lok Hui Man’s expression became better.

‘Poor girl, to be forced to obey her father even if she agrees with him’, Lok Hui Man thought in pity, her gaze towards Wong Xue Guo became even softer.

No one noticed the smirking Kang Xunsu, who belatedly went to follow his little princess to watch a good show.

Charles Wong stopped Chen Yibo, who was preparing to follow Wong Xue Guo.

“Sir?”

“Do you want to learn shooting or sword arts?”

“I have learned the basics from my uncles when it comes to guns. I want to learn the sword arts.” Chen Yibo remembered what Wong Xue Guo had told him about her mother’s words. He had agreed with the points voiced by Mrs. Wong, even if using a sword would need more physical strength and stamina, as well as requiring him to get physically close to the enemy.

“Come with me.”

For a moment, Chen Yibo glanced in the direction where Wong Xue Guo had gone, before following behind Charles Wong up the stairs.

They ended up in Charles Wong’s study, where Chen Yibo had never been into.

Approaching the sword stand holder, Charles Wong picked up the sword and passed it to Chen Yibo. It was a pure black sword with no pattern on the sheath, with only the gold tassel adding vibrancy to it.

“I prefer guns to swords. This sword will be better served in your hands than acting as a decoration,” Charles Wong said.

This sword was given to him by her mother, but after using it once as a form of gratitude, he left it here as a display. It was also to add more weapons in this villa to be used in case of danger.

“Thank you. I will treasure it well.” Chen Yibo carefully received the sword. From his untrained eyes, the one he had been using was not shabby, but it was also not as good as the one Mr. Wong had just given him.

“No need. There are plenty of others available if you break this one.” The one he had given to Chen Yibo was his birthday present five years ago and he happened to carry it over to this villa during his daughter’s school holiday.

His mother had always given him a sword every birthday even when he never used it. He had not inherited his mother’s appreciation towards swords, but his father’s fondness of guns.

Once they reached the front gate, they stopped walking and Wong Xue Guo said politely, “Thank you for taking some time out of your busy schedule to speak with us.”

“…Are you really not considering my advice?”

Which advice are you talking about?

She vaguely remembers Lok Hui Man had given more than enough advice, but it was only one that she remembered clearly.

Ignore her mother that was outside, fighting zombies, and stay here? How cowardly it sounded.

Lok Hui Man sighed when Wong Xue Guo did not respond. “I know I sound cruel when I say to forget your mother. I’m not a mother myself, but I know your mother would want you and your father to stay safe.”

“Madam Lok, I understand what you are trying to say,” Wong Xue Guo interrupted with a polite smile. “But we won’t change our mind.”

“Your father, you mean?” Lok Hui Man shook her head helplessly. “Xue Guo, you are going to be eighteen soon. Sometimes, parents do not understand their children or even care to take their opinion into consideration. You are a good daughter, obedient and lovely. But at important times such as this, you need to stand up for yourself. You knew very well that leaving here…”

She sighed. “Xue Guo, don’t follow your father to seek death.”