《Once Upon a Time in a Foreign Land》Chapter 022 : Duanmu Shanquan
Advertisement
Shanquan and the girl exited through the back door of the building. They did this for security reasons. The back yard of the building was roughly the same size as the front yard. From the back door, they walked towards a small door in the back fence wall. Behind the door, there was a passage that led to the station.
"Now, where are we going, Sir?"
"I'm already starving. How about we have breakfast first at one restaurant at the subway station?"
The girl's face became glittering after hearing Shanquan's answer. Shanquan smiled. His stomach was already screaming to be filled with food. He was sure that she also felt more or less the same as him. The girl's backpack was huge compared to the girl's body. Shanquan was amazed yesterday that the girl could run while carrying such a big bag. Despite its enormous size, the backpack looked very heavy. Shanquan couldn't bear to let the hungry-looking girl have to walk carrying such a heavy load.
"Let me carry your backpack," said Shanquan.
"No, Sir! I'm used to it," said the girl.
"Never mind! Please, don't refuse. I feel bad to see you carry such a heavy burden while I'm just watching."
"Then let me carry your bag." The girl said while pointing at the bag Shanquan was carrying. This Songfei's bag seemed indeed much lighter than the girl's backpack.
"Okay! I think it's fair," said Shanquan.
After exchanging bags, the two moved towards the station at the crossroads. Because they were hungry, they could not move as fast as they were full. Arriving there, they directly headed to the food stall. The mall at this subway station was not big. There were not too many shops selling food either. But as long as there was proper food, it was enough for them.
Shanquan ate very well. Usually, he ate four times a day. In fact, when he was young, he ate five times a day with large portions of food. Even then, sometimes, he still added more portions every time he ate. But since twelve years ago, he had tried to limit himself to eating only four times a day, and even then only with reasonable portions. He also rarely had more for seconds. It differed greatly from in the past when he could eat two or three servings at once.
"So your name is Duanmu?" The girl started the conversation. Several times Hanrong had called Shanquan "Mr. Duanmu." So it's not unusual for the girl to mention it.
"Right." Shanquan nodded. "Is there anything strange?" Shanquan asked that because the girl had a certain facial expression on. The facial expression that people used to show when Shanquan introduced himself.
Advertisement
"Is that the 'Duanmu' Family?"
"That's right. It is indeed the 'Duanmu' Family."
The girl nodded. "Turns out I've spent the night with someone who isn't an ordinary person."
Shanquan laughed. "I'm just an ordinary person. Just happened to be born into that family."
"Yes, it's the same thing. That means you're not an ordinary person."
Shanquan smiled. Based on his experience, this was indeed the most difficult thing when introducing himself.
"My name is Lüqiu." The girl said her name as she pressed her palms together in front of her chest.
"Nice to meet you, Miss Lüqiu," said Shanquan. He smiled.
The girl laughed. Shanquan didn't know exactly why. But he guessed the girl felt that the two of them were in a ridiculous situation right now. It's natural for people to get to know each other and then just spend the night together. The two of them even spent the night together and then got acquainted. This was really an uncommon thing.
Shanquan wanted to know more about the life the girl had lived so far. So he thought now would be a good time to ask a few questions. He hoped the girl wouldn't mind sharing her story.
"You move from one relative to another like this your whole life, so what about your school?"
"When I was in elementary school, I often changed schools. However, I did homeschooling in junior high and high school. I only lived in elementary school for four years. I also finished junior high and high school much faster than I should have."
"So it means you graduated from high school a lot earlier than people your age?"
The girl nodded. There was pride in her eyes.
"Does that mean you're really smart?"
The girl shook her head. "Maybe because I can focus more on studies than the other kids."
"Don't you feel lonely or have no friends?" Shanquan stared in surprise.
"I get to know kids my age who live near the houses of relatives I live in. So you can't say that I don't get along at all."
"Never had a hard time fitting in?"
"Of course, it's not easy. But it's no different from before. When I change schools, I also have to always adjust to new friends."
Shanquan nodded. What this girl felt, of course, she did not know exactly because she had never experienced it. But at least Shanquan hoped he could understand a little more if he knew more.
After they were full, they inched away from the food stall. Shanquan said, "Do you want to come to the surface now?"
Advertisement
Lüqiu Yingyue, the girl, looked at Shanquan with an astonished look. As if asking for an explanation.
"I'm afraid the thugs were still trying to find you up there this morning. Better to stay underground for a while. Of course, it's much better if you go to another area. I think it might be good if you go to Yuehming to meet your relatives. It's definitely safer for you than wandering around alone."
"But I still have three more days. I'm afraid I will not be able to walk freely after I meet with my relatives. Actually, I don't know them either. Even though they are my relatives, to me, they are strangers. In fact, I think you are more familiar to me than them."
This girl is so weird!
Shanquan looked at the girl in amazement. This girl seemed reluctant to be with her family. Shanquan knew he had to be extra careful. "Regarding what happened last night. Do you think we shouldn't go to the police?"
The man's question made the girl put on a doubtful face. In a low voice, the girl said, "What about the building custodian from earlier? If we report this matter, I am afraid he will be in trouble."
Shanquan smiled. He tried to calm her down. "If Hanrong's superior had asked, we could have said that Hanrong, the custodian of the building, had indeed asked permission to go home before the incident. Let me take over the responsibility later."
The girl still looked unsure of Shanquan's words. "As good citizens, of course, we should report to the authorities if we see a crime." The girl stopped talking. Her brow furrowed. There was a look of conflict on her face.
"But…..?" This time Shanquan tried to continue the girl's words.
The girl looked straight ahead. "I don't know how to explain it." She stopped talking again. After about five seconds, she continued her speech. "I've had a terrible experience when I reporting a crime. There were some consequences that I had to face."
The girl stopped talking again. Then looked at Shanquan and continued. "And it wasn't just once. It's happened three times in my life. Even the last one was really annoying because it dragged me into trouble."
Hearing that, Shanquan was stunned.
This girl had experienced bad things regarding legal action. I better not push it any further.
"Okay, if that is the case. How about for a while you just rest at my house? Of course, if you don't mind."
The girl gasped. Shanquan guessed that such a thing was what the girl had been waiting for.
"Will my presence at your house not disturb you and your friends?"
"Of course not. In fact, we would be delighted," said Shanquan.
Shanquan felt that this time he was thinking and behaving strangely. An incident like this was not an ordinary thing that he should just ignore. As a grown man, of course, he was always aware that he had an obligation to report crimes that occurred around him. Shanquan also knew that he was already involved in this incident. Being silent meant that he had allowed a crime to occur.
He knew that his decision not to report it was unfair to the person who was the victim of the crime. For example, the woman who seemed to be the victim of a kidnapping, as this girl told. Silently means that Shanquan also had a hand in this crime, so it's not just letting it go, but Shanquan may have become part of the crime itself.
Shanquan could understand that many people didn't want to get too involved. As this girl said, being a witness to a crime has consequences. Not to mention the complicated and tedious procedure. Many people do not want their lives to be disrupted because they have to be witnesses. Even further, in this case, if there really had been a kidnapping as they suspected, then this girl's safety was in danger.
Thinking that far, Shanquan felt that this girl's meeting with him was not a coincidence. It might be an introduction arranged by the universe for Shanquan to enter this girl's life, or maybe vice versa, for this girl to enter Shanquan's life. After all, since this girl refused to involve the authorities, as well as declined to meet her family, then Shanquan, at least for the time being, was the one who had to take responsibility for this girl's safety. Half of him felt that the best way was to contact the police and this girl's family, but the other half of him wanted to be the one to take care of this girl. It was really confusing. This time, Shanquan felt he could not understand himself.
Advertisement
- In Serial22 Chapters
Viridescent Core
Some mortals see dungeons as a plague to destroy. Some mortals see dungeons as a resource to manage and harvest. Some mortals see dungeons as a place to train and advance. However, all of them agree on something. Dungeons are unnatural and deadly. Places where death stalks every corner and monsters thrive. What mortals forget, in their hubris of tools and civilizations, is that Mother Nature is often the deadliest of all. Feel free to write any comment, suggestion, or criticism. I read and appreciate every single one! Releases are on Mondays and Thursdays. With occasional bonus chapters on Saturdays. Have a nice day ^^
8 244 - In Serial27 Chapters
Lichen Leech
At the northern border of explored lands, the humans have once again built a settlement. The wilds are reluctant to give way for civilization. Many settlements before this one has fallen to its whims. Will Harwall be any different, or will it fall to yet another monster straying from the woods? Only time will tell, but the unusual gathering of changelings hiding among the people of this settlement just might tip the scales. Will Rowan the werewolf keep his curse in check, or will he embrace the beast and lay waste to all that surrounds him in a fit of destructive glee? For how long can the reincarnated soul survive in his new body, hearing the whispers only the green may know? How long until Cain's instincts to trick and devour gets him caught and burned by those he preys on? Come find out, but beware their lies, their promises, and their betrayals. New chapters release during the weekend (or whenever they're ready). This novel contains violence and sexual content.
8 201 - In Serial27 Chapters
Summoning went wrong (draft)
Who doesn’t like fantasy? Worlds full of interesting and new things that baffle the mind of anyone. Races like elves, dwarfs, and beast peoples, roaming the land, in search of different things that might be banal from them but incredible for others. And if you are someone who comes from an otherworld you will certainly receive a great power, rare equipment, trustworthy companions or even a harem, while you are tasked to fight the Demon Lord and his army made of monsters, for peace and glory. But have you ever asked this question: What is like to be on the other side? Follow the story of Steven Torres, who was abducted from his world with his classmates only to be thrown away into a chaotic world as the most hated race. While the hero’s job is to fight for justice, his at least a lot simpler. To survive, another day. ( I moved here: https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/39906/summoning-went-wrong)
8 82 - In Serial18 Chapters
The Sleeping Immortal
It's my first time writing, I'm going to try a mix up of LitRPG and Wuxia. God killed me while I was sleeping, and now I have the power to become a God myself just by well... sleeping. Ironic isn't it? Let's say it came as a surprise when I, Fiend Yuki, got killed by God. God, not wanting me to die as easily next time, reincarnated me with OP sleeping powers. Before this, I was just your average bum living in my parent's basement, sleeping and doing general otaku things. Now I have to worry about getting killed by Gods, kinda came full circle didn't it? Or I could just sleep and worry about it later... Yeah, I'll just sleep... Sleep sounds good. Yeah, it was until I woke up and found out I've become a toothpick and personal claw sharper of the world's strongest dragon while I was sleeping... I don't like being awake... Changes courtesy of cavo
8 211 - In Serial46 Chapters
Chronicles of Rathia - The Era of Blood
Welcome to the Chronicles of Rathia. Contained within is a trilogy of stories which are all set in different time periods and with different characters. Each story has its own era from The Era of Blood, The Era of Magic and The Era of Demons. Read along the first in the series which is The Era of Blood where magic is still in an infant stage and where swords can dominate the battle field. In The Era of Blood, you follow along the first main character who had his memories wiped clean except for the most basic things in life. It is up to him to find out how to get his memories back and why they are gone. (If you don't like the story layout or characters, I suggest either just reading through or wait till the next one in the series is being released. With how it's set up, you can enjoy any of the three in the trilogy but of course reading in order will help give a better understanding of the world.) (Side authors note - I'm currently reworking the first several chapters as they are lacklustre to myself since they were originally a draft and not concrete at first. This note will stay here until all the chapters I wanted to fix up are done.)
8 196 - In Serial17 Chapters
reaccionando a universos
van a salir diferentes personajes y mis creaciones estaran conmigo
8 188

