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CHAPTER 15
PART 3
Su Xiaotong and Gu Lei returned home, finding Gu Xiaoliang sitting on the sofa watching cartoons. Su Xiaotong walked over, lifted her son, placing him on her lap with her chin resting on his little head. Gu Lei sat beside the mother and son, the family watching TV, but Su Xiaotong and Gu Lei seemed absent-minded, lost in thought, burdened with something on their minds.
After a few episodes of cartoons, Su Xiaotong told her son it was time to rest his eyes. Gu Xiaoliang nodded and went to play with puzzles nearby. Su Xiaotong walked into the bedroom, followed by Gu Lei.
"Xiaotong, why are you so quiet?" Gu Lei closed the door and asked.
Su Xiaotong turned around, embracing Gu Lei. He was momentarily stunned, then gently stroked her back.
"Xiaotong, have you been crying?"
Su Xiaotong wiped her tears, sitting on the bed. Gu Lei sat beside her, holding her shoulders, softly asking, "What's wrong... no one got hurt this time, and Fan Lin was just frightened."
"I was scared too. Don't you feel terrified, Gu Lei?"
"Are you saying..."
"What if the person scattering steel balls was targeting us? If we had left in the morning and those steel balls fell on us, what would have happened?"
"But that's unlikely. Our outing was spontaneous. Fan Lin said she became a target because she had to pick up Fan Wenjing every day."
Su Xiaotong shook her head, "The assailant could have seen us leave the building and dropped the steel balls from above without predicting our exact time of departure!"
Gu Lei fell silent.
"Do you know what this means? Today we were lucky, or the assailant didn't come after us. Otherwise, our whole family might have..."
Gu Lei hugged Su Xiaotong tighter, "But luckily, this incident serves as a wake-up call for us. We need to be extra cautious when leaving or returning. If necessary, I'll have someone make a high-quality umbrella so that even if steel balls fall, it can cushion the impact..."
"It's useless, can't prevent it."
"Are you talking about the umbrella? I'll have it made with the best materials, not just ordinary rain-resistant fabric..."
Su Xiaotong interrupted him, "I'm not talking about the umbrella. I mean that it's impossible to prevent the assailant from killing."
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"Why?"
"In this world, there are too many ways for assassination and ambush. We may defend against one, but not against another. If someone is determined to kill, they'll find a way."
"Thinking like this is falling into the assailant's trap; their aim is to scare everyone away."
"Yes, congratulations to them, they've succeeded," Su Xiaotong said wearily. "I'm tired, Gu Lei. Today's incident made me realize that instead of living in constant fear, it's better to leave here."
"Really, Xiaotong, have you made up your mind? Are you really willing to give up this inheritance?"
"Yes, I can't stay here anymore. And I have to think about Xiaoliang. I can't let him grow up in such a suppressed and fearful environment."
Gu Lei's expression and mood turned heavy. After contemplating for a while, he said, "I've said I'll respect your decision. So when do we move?"
"As soon as possible, I don't want to stay here for another day."
"Come to think of it, Lawyer Feng said that after receiving the inheritance, we must spend most of the year in Yuehai Bay Community. But we haven't received the inheritance yet..."
"What's the difference? If we get the money, are we going to move back here? Wouldn't that mean returning to this dangerous place, making our leaving now pointless?"
"It's a temporary measure, what if during this time, the police catch the culprit? Also, just now, Old Tan called a few people to do fingerprint comparisons, didn't he?"
"It's useless. Is the assailant so cunning, meticulous in planning, that they'd be foolish enough to leave fingerprints on the steel balls?"
"That's not necessarily..."
"Huh?"
"I mean, considering how things have progressed, how do you know it's definitely the same assailant?"
Su Xiaotong pondered for a moment. "Are you suggesting that the original murderer triggered a chain reaction?"
"Yes, some people initially didn't intend to kill, but were forced to act for self-preservation or to reduce threats."
"If that's the case, staying here is even more dangerous. So I say, let's give up the inheritance and leave Li City."
"If you're truly considering it, then we'll..." Gu Lei paused for a moment. "However, I have a compromise."
"What compromise?"
"You and Xiaoliang move to Kunming, I stay here. This way, you'll be absolutely safe, and as long as I stay, I can still receive the inheritance."
Su Xiaotong was surprised. "So you mean... we'll live apart for a long time?"
"No, I'll come to Kunming every night and return to Li City the next day. That way, at least I'm in Li City the entire day, not contradicting Gong Yamei's original intention in her will, so I think it's feasible."
"Gong Yamei's intention was for the extended family to live together harmoniously, which has long since deviated from reality. Ironical."
"Yes, she probably never thought it would evolve into the current situation while she was alive. But leaving that aside, do you think my proposal is workable?"
"Commute between Li City and Kunming every day, it's too strenuous."
"It's okay, the high-speed train takes just over two hours each way."
"Add the time before and after reaching home, plus waiting time, it's more than four hours, at least six hours."
"That's alright, I won't mind. After all, once I receive the inheritance, I won't need to work. Spending extra time commuting will be like working."
Su Xiaotong couldn't accept this proposal.
"You going back and forth like this every day, I won't be at ease. Twenty years, this isn't a long-term solution."
"It really doesn't matter, Xiaotong. Perhaps you think it's very hard for me to travel by train every day. But for me, every train ride is to come home and see you. This happiness fills my heart, brings immense joy. This so-called traveling is actually a form of enjoyment."
"But don't you feel happy being with me every day?"
"Of course, but it's a different kind of feeling. 'Absence makes the heart grow fonder,' do you understand what I mean? When you're not with me, I miss you, and then eagerly look forward to seeing you soon. Setting foot on the train naturally brings excitement and joy. Repeating this process every day might be more interesting than always being together; distance adds beauty."
Su Xiaotong looked at Gu Lei, suddenly unable to fathom his thoughts. "Are you saying this to convince me, or do you truly mean it?"
"I truly mean it."
"Even so... but being alone here, isn't it dangerous for you?"
"I won't be in danger."
"Why?"
"Because I'll be extra careful."
Su Xiaotong didn't know what to say, feeling uneasy. After contemplating for a while, she suddenly raised her head, looking straight at Gu Lei.
"What's wrong?" Gu Lei asked.
"I suddenly came up with an idea."
"What idea?"
"With this plan, everyone in the extended family can avoid danger and still receive the inheritance. No one will incur any losses!"
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