I peeked at the parent – teacher meeting on the dark web and saw my mom frequently asking questions:
“Can a disobedient child be killed?
“My child weighs 120 pounds. How many bags are needed to chop him up?”
1
Seeing the familiar name and avatar, I was stunned for a long time.
This live – streaming room was shared with me by a friend, who said there were a group of perverted parents inside, discussing how to kill their children.
But how could my mom be here?
I confirmed it three times. The pink lotus avatar, the net name as calm as still water but in this context, it’s better to keep it as it is to maintain the authenticity of the original work), and the same IP address as mine were exactly the same as my mom’s.
Even during the gap when I was chatting with my friend, she sent out several more questions.
“There are still more than a dozen garbage bags left at home. Is it enough to hold his body?
“He’s very noisy. Do I need to feed him some sleeping pills before killing him?
“If faking an accidental death, which is easier, falling to death or electrocution?”
Under these creepy questions, many parents were answering them seriously.
As if making notes, that account was quiet for a long time. It was not until the tutor said it was time to end the class that she sent the last message.
“Thank you all for your suggestions. Temporarily planning to electrocute him with a hair dryer. I’ll try it tonight. Wait for me to share the results with you.”
Just like that, the live – stream was turned off.
I hadn’t recovered from the shock when the door was suddenly knocked, and my mom’s gentle voice came from outside.
“Is my dear son still playing games?
“Mom is going to cook. Go take a bath first. When your dad comes back, we can have dinner together.”
I quickly closed the dark web, but my eyes stopped on the chat record with my friend.
Seeing that I didn’t reply, he thought I didn’t believe in his skills and even made a location on the map.
The location on it was indeed my home.
There are three computers in my home. One is here with me, one is in my mom’s bedroom, and the other is a laptop that my dad usually takes to the company.
Looking at it this way, that account is likely to be my mom’s.
2
A chill ran down my spine. Recalling the information just now, whether it was the 120 – pound weight or the noisy personality, it was a perfect match for me.
Could that account really be my mom’s?
But since I was a child, my mom has always been the standard gentle and kind mother.
When I was a child and naughty, I smashed another child’s head open just to grab a swing. My dad said he would throw me to death on the spot, but it was my mom who cried and protected me.
When I grew up and was rebellious, staying in Internet cafes all day, it was also my mom who earnestly persuaded my dad to give me another chance.
Later, I didn’t get into high school and didn’t want to repeat the senior high school entrance examination.
It was still my mom who insisted on letting me stay at home and even helped me suspend school to adjust my mentality.
The neighbors around all said I was an ungrateful person and was so lucky to have a mom like her in this life.
How could such a mother want to kill me?
I suddenly thought that there was also a rebellious teenager next door, and his mom was always shouting at home that she wanted to kill him.
Looking at it this way, maybe the positioning was too close and got it wrong.
I closed the computer and let out a sigh of relief. My mom had already filled the bathtub with water for me. After taking a bath, most of the tension just now had subsided.
But when I was about to dry my hair, I suddenly thought of the sentence in the live – streaming room, and my hand that was already in mid – air stopped abruptly.
Over the years, my mom has always done everything for me in advance, like squeezing toothpaste for me before I wash up, or putting the hair dryer in place before I take a bath.
But the wire interface in front of me was full of water. How could my mom not have seen it?!
And these methods were exactly the same as what that account said.
I fell to the ground and could no longer deceive myself.
My mom really wanted to kill me. What should I do now?
3
The water droplets on my body dried up little by little. I huddled in the corner, shaking all over. For a moment, I couldn’t tell if it was because of the cold or fear.
Until the toilet door was pushed open forcefully, and my dad stood at the door, looking shocked.
“What are you doing huddled there without clothes?
“Didn’t you hear me calling you for dinner for a long time? Why don’t you dry your hair?”
I finally came to my senses, and tears welled up in my eyes. I shivered and pointed at the hair dryer.
“Dad… Save me. I’m scared.”
My dad looked disgusted, but when he saw the hair dryer, his eyes widened, and he immediately protected me behind him.
“Honey! The hair dryer is leaking electricity. Go turn off the main switch quickly!”
The lights went out, and then my mom rushed in in a panic.
“My goodness, is my son okay? Put on your clothes quickly. Don’t catch a cold!”
A chill ran through my body. I couldn’t bear the fear anymore, ran to the bedroom to put on clothes and rushed out.
My dad was so angry that he grabbed me: “It’s time for dinner. Where are you going again!”
“You guys eat. I’ll stay at my friend’s house tonight.”
I shook him off and walked out, only hearing my dad’s angry roar behind me.
“You little brat, you’re getting more and more outrageous!
“Look, this is the son you spoiled. Now what do you think we should do!”
My mom remained silent all the time, but the more she didn’t speak, the more scared I became.
I ran all the way to my friend Qi Fei’s house. Without even changing my shoes, I told him everything that happened today.
“No way. Your mom is such a nice person. How could she want to kill you?
“Could it just be a coincidence?”
“What about the IP location? Is that also a coincidence?”
Qi Fei immediately fell silent.
He cleared the bed for me to rest for a while and then went to check again, but the result was still the same.
And this time, the possibility of the neighbor was ruled out because when I left, I met the neighbor’s child in the Internet cafe downstairs.
He said his mom had cut off the Internet at home to prevent him from playing games, and the computer had been sold for half a month.
4
These things made me so nervous that I kept shaking until midnight and then fell asleep drowsily.
It was already the next morning when Qi Fei woke me up.
His face was terrified, and he pointed at the open computer.
“I entered the dark web according to what you said and found that live – streaming room again. Now they’re live – streaming again.
“You’d better get up and take a look. Your mom… seems to be right downstairs.”
I sat up suddenly, but the picture on the computer scared me out of my wits!
I saw a group of women wearing masks gathering together. They were all dressed simply, holding a small shopping cart in their hands. They looked like ordinary housewives, going shopping in a group.
However, the words in the live – streaming room were creepy.
“That child is too naughty. Let’s kill him together.”
Qi Fei stammered and walked to the bedside, taking a peek.
“This is bad. They’re really downstairs! Could they be coming to kill you?
“Should we call the police?”
I quickly took out my phone to call the police, but in a blink of an eye, those moms had entered the corridor.
We were on the second floor, and we could clearly hear the footsteps on the stairs. Finally, they all stopped at the door.
The next second, there was a knock on the door, accompanied by my mom’s gentle and eerie voice.
“Dear son, are you here? Mom has come to pick you up.”
I was so scared that I almost peed my pants. It was Qi Fei who reacted first and opened the window to push me out.
“It’s the second floor. You’ll be okay if you jump down.”
I grabbed him: “What about you!”
“Your mom is looking for you, not me. Seeing that you’re not here, she surely won’t make things difficult for me.
“You go quickly. It’s too late if you don’t go now!”
5
As Qi Fei said, he pushed me out of the window. I stood on the air – conditioner outdoor unit, and there were full trash cans right below.
He watched me jump down, then waved his hand vigorously, turned around and pulled the curtain.
I didn’t dare to stay any longer. I rushed to the police station at the intersection in one breath, told the police everything that happened these days, and then took them to Qi Fei’s house.
But when we arrived, the room was empty.
Qi Fei’s bedroom was in a mess, and there seemed to be traces of something being dragged on the ground.
The police checked his computer, but all the website addresses in it had expired, and there was no trace of ever entering the live – streaming room.
The police urgently contacted Qi Fei’s mother, but there was a burst of laughter on the other end of the phone.
“What kidnapping?
“My son is just visiting his aunt’s house. We’re having tea and chatting. How could it be kidnapping? These kids just like to joke!”
She even turned on the video. Surrounded by several middle – aged women, Qi Fei’s face was pale, and he forced a stiff smile at the camera.
“This is not right! There must be something strange about this!”
Not to mention Qi Fei’s strange expression, usually his relationship with his mom was not good. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have moved out to live by himself. How could he be sitting so closely together having tea?
I was about to say more, but the police hung up the phone and waved at me impatiently.
“That’s enough, kid. Watch less horror movies.
“And the websites your friend visited, we’ve checked. They’re actually pornographic websites that can automatically change domain names. We won’t pursue this this time, but it’s better to watch less in the future.”
There was a hint of teasing in their eyes. They patted me on the shoulder and left.
Then my phone rang. My mom urged me to go home for dinner as usual, as if nothing had happened.
I had already implicated Qi Fei. This time, I definitely couldn’t run away again.
6
But when I got home, everyone in the video had left.
There were freshly cooked dishes on the dining table. My mom said my dad was working overtime and wouldn’t come back, and asked me to wash my hands and eat quickly.
I didn’t want to pretend anymore. I came straight to the point.
“Where’s Qi Fei? What did you do to him?
“Don’t you want to kill me? Now that I’m back, let him go quickly.”
My mom’s face suddenly darkened, but the corner of her mouth still had a strange arc. She played with the fruit knife on the table.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. But your friend is dangerous. Mom is protecting you.”
“Dangerous? What could be more dangerous than you now?”
I was so angry that I shouted at her:
“Do you think I don’t know about your disgusting parent – teacher meeting? What kind of good mother are you still pretending to be here? Didn’t you want to kill me long ago?”
Caught by me, she was stunned for a moment but quickly regained her cold expression.
“No mother wants to harm her child.
“Xiaoyu, as long as you can be obedient and stop asking, mom promises you’ll be safe, okay?”
Looking at her sincere eyes, I fell silent.
It wasn’t that I was moved by her crazy words, but just now, I heard a faint sound coming from the basement.
It was like something hitting the ground, three times in total, hardly noticeable.
But I knew that it was the secret signal Qi Fei and I had set.
He must be locked in the basement now.
So I pretended to compromise, sat down and quickly ate a few mouthfuls of food, and then went back to my room with my mom’s permission.
When the lights in the living room were turned off, I took the opportunity to sneak out and opened the door to the basement.
The moment I opened the door, a bad smell came over.
Qi Fei was tied to a chair, with tape on his mouth. A liquid spread from between his legs to the door. He looked at me, trembling.
7
I quickly untied him, saying “sorry” over and over again.
“I didn’t expect my mom to really do such a thing. Where are you hurt? Can you still walk?”
He took a big breath. After catching his breath, he shook his head.
“It wasn’t your mom who took me away. She said she would kill me, but she didn’t. I think she might be helping me.”
“Helping you? What do you mean? Don’t you have Stockholm syndrome?”
I had just asked halfway when I suddenly heard footsteps coming from upstairs.
“Xiaoyu, are you down there?”
Oh no, my mom was coming down.
This was an old – fashioned residential building. There was a window at the top of the wall, which could lead to the ground.
I quickly asked Qi Fei to step on me and leave. There was a police station opposite the community. This time, with him as a witness, the police would surely believe us.
The moment he climbed up, my mom rushed in and then let out a sharp scream:
“I told you to be obedient!
“Why don’t you listen! Why don’t you listen!”
Then she chased after Qi Fei. I was shocked and quickly followed, but found that the basement door was locked from the outside.
By the time I managed to climb up, there was already a crowd of people around the community entrance.
“My God, is that a car accident?”
“The body is flattened. He must be dead!”
A chill ran down my spine. I slowly moved over and saw that half of Qi Fei’s head was flattened, and he was lying motionless in a pool of blood.
“My son! Why are you here!”
There was a shrill cry from behind. Qi Fei’s mother rushed over and knelt down, crying. And my mom stood sinisterly behind her, staring straight at me.
The disappointment in her eyes made me feel creepy.
8
Qi Fei’s death must not be an accident. But would the police believe what I said?
But thinking about everything that happened these days, I no longer dared to face my mom. Even if the police thought I was crazy, I wouldn’t go home again.
But just as I was walking towards the police car, my arm was suddenly grabbed. My dad appeared behind me, out of breath.
“Don’t go over. They’re all watching you. If they find out that you’ve called the police, you’ll surely die.”
“Who are they? What on earth is going on?!”
I was almost crying. My dad didn’t answer. He just pulled me to the car with a gloomy face and stepped on the gas pedal.
“Where are you taking me? Are you in cahoots with my mom? Do you also want to kill me?”
I asked desperately. But it was not until the car drove to the outskirts that he spoke with a solemn expression.
“We’re your parents. We’ll never want to hurt you.”
“Then how do you explain the live – stream?! And Qi Fei! I saw with my own eyes that he was tied in the basement by my mom!”
My emotions were on the verge of collapse. I held onto the car door tightly, ready to jump out at any time.
My dad seemed to see through my intention. He suddenly stopped the car, took a deep breath.
“What your mom did was to save you and your friend.
“If it weren’t for your mom, he would have been killed by the people in the parent – teacher meeting this afternoon.”
My head was in a mess. I grabbed my hair hard.
“So what exactly is the parent – teacher meeting? Can’t we call the police?”
My dad stared at me for a long time. As if making a big decision, he finally lit a cigarette and said.
The parent-teacher meeting is a mysterious organization. They advocate cruel education for children and even take pleasure in tormenting problem children, believing that this can make them qualified parents and contribute to society.
9
I listened in disbelief, unable to believe my ears.
“Tormenting? Isn’t this illegal? Why not call the police?”
“Calling the police is useless.”
My dad’s eyes were a bit vicissitudes. He extinguished the cigarette and shook his head.
“This organization has existed for a long time. They can erase traces on the Internet. Few people can master evidence of their crimes. And even if a child dies, as long as the parents don’t pursue it, the police basically won’t investigate further.
“Just like your friend. As long as his mother signs a letter of understanding, tonight’s car accident will be considered an accident.”
I finally understood. No wonder Qi Fei’s mother became so abnormal and always showed up in time to stop the police from investigating.
“But… he’s her own son! How could she do this? Just because he’s not obedient and sensible?
“They’re nothing but a bunch of perverts! And you guys, why do you know so clearly?”
I moved back in horror, but my dad handed me a yellowed photo. In the photo, my mom was young, holding a seven – or eight – year – old child in her arms. There was a scary scar behind the child’s eyebrow.
“Who is this?”
“This is your mom’s previous child. Strictly speaking, he’s your elder brother.”
It was like a thunderclap in my ears. I looked at the boy with features similar to mine in disbelief.
I had known since I was very young that my mom remarried to my dad when they were both in their thirties. It was several years later that they had me. People said my mom had me late in life, so she spoiled me more than usual. But I never expected that she already had a child before.
“But where is he now? Why has my mom never mentioned him?”
“He’s dead.”
10
My dad reopened the cigarette case and said slowly:
“That child was naughty since childhood. He poked a teacher’s eye out with a pencil in kindergarten and beat a schoolmate half to death in middle school. Your mom couldn’t get him to listen no matter what she said. Coincidentally, her husband at that time accidentally got in touch with this organization.”
I gasped in disbelief.
“Could it be that…”
“Yes, he killed that child. Perhaps out of guilt, his body was found not long after. It was said to be suicide… Later, your mom married me and then had you. Originally, life could have gone on like this until your mom accidentally discovered that the organization was still active and told me everything.”
“So my mom wanted to infiltrate the organization to investigate secretly? That’s too dangerous! What if they found out?”
I hurriedly took out my phone, but my dad pressed it down.
“It’s no use. The danger has existed since she entered the organization. Remember the hair dryer that leaked electricity a few days ago? That was a test of the organization for your mom. She cut off the power in the bathroom in advance to deceive those people.”
But this was at home. How could they know?
My dad was silent for a long time and finally pointed to the surveillance camera under the street lamp in the distance.
“They’re everywhere. They could be watching us at any time. The last time you called the police, they already targeted you. Qi Fei’s death was a warning. So we have to leave tonight.”
I wanted to ask something else, but my dad had already stepped on the gas pedal.
The car sped all the way, bypassing all the intersections with surveillance cameras in the urban area, and finally stopped in front of a shabby hotel.
“Rest for one night. We’ll leave this city tomorrow morning.”
My mind was in chaos. Just as I was about to go upstairs, I suddenly felt something flash behind me. I turned my head and saw the hotel clerk holding a phone.
Was she… secretly taking pictures of us just now?
11
After being nervous all day, I didn’t think much about it and fell asleep as soon as I lay down.
Until in the middle of the night, a faint laughter came from outside the door, and it seemed that someone was turning the door lock.
I woke up instantly and quickly pushed my dad, but no matter how much I called him, he wouldn’t wake up.
On the table, there was a cup of finished mineral water.
“It was given by the hotel clerk. There’s definitely something wrong with this place!”
I grabbed my phone to call the police, but the door behind me “creaked” open, and a strange laughter squeezed out from the crack of the door.
“Hehe, we finally found you.”
I stiffly turned my head and saw more than a dozen heads squeezing through the narrow crack of the door, staring at me from top to bottom!
I couldn’t bear it anymore. My eyes went dark, and I fainted.
When I woke up again, the surroundings had turned into a dim and lightless secret room.
I groped around. The only way out was the iron door in front of me. Before I could get close, the window on the iron door was suddenly opened, revealing a pair of cold eyes.
“Oh, you woke up so quickly?”
“Who are you? Where’s my dad? Do you know this is illegal detention?”
Hearing me say this, the other person laughed, tilting their head back. The face hidden by the hat flashed in the light.
“Your dad betrayed the organization and has been taken away. Don’t worry. After we execute him, it’ll be your turn next.”
He threw down a steamed bun and was about to leave, but I suddenly grabbed his collar.
“Wait! Come back!”
Just now, I clearly saw a long scar behind his eyebrow, exactly the same as that of my so – called elder brother.
But wasn’t he dead? How could he be here?
What on earth was going on?!
Seeing that he raised his hand to hit me, I gritted my teeth and shouted.
“Brother! I’m your younger brother!”
12
The young man’s body shook, and he looked at me with a strange expression.
“Brother? Are you crazy? I don’t have a brother.”
“Do you know Xu Guimei? She’s my mom! Then we’re brothers — Aaaah!”
Before I could finish, I felt a piercing pain in my wrist.
The young man let go of my hand, his eyes blood – red as he rushed into the room and kicked me in the stomach.
“Don’t mention Xu Guimei to me!
“You’re her son? She really hasn’t changed… Why hasn’t a person like her died yet…”
I rolled on the ground in pain. It took me a long time to understand what he said.
“What do you mean she hasn’t changed? How can you say that about my mom!”
He squatted down, looking at me in shock.
“You’re really stupid. She’s going to kill you, and you’re still speaking for her? I was tricked here by her back then. I barely managed to survive and stay here. Did she tell you she loves you and won’t hurt you? Wake up. It’s all fake!”
My head was “buzzing” and I curled up in pain.
What was real?
I saw my mom trying to kill me, but she said she was protecting me. After I believed all this, now someone said it was all fake!
I’m just an ordinary guy who likes playing computer games. Why are they torturing me like this!
I couldn’t help crying. When I raised my hand to wipe my face, I saw the mended trace on the sleeve. It was sewn by my mom after I accidentally tore it a few days ago.
Suddenly, I remembered her meticulous care for me over the years, and I was stunned.
Couldn’t I tell the good from the bad myself?
Seeing that he was about to leave, I suddenly hugged his calf.
“No! I don’t believe it. My mom won’t kill you, nor will she kill you!
“What happened back then was a misunderstanding. She always thought you were dead and wanted to avenge you. She never wanted to harm you!”
13
The young man dragged me for a few steps and finally stopped stiffly.
“What did you say?”
I gritted my teeth and told him everything I knew.
Now that my dad and I were caught here, my mom was alone outside and couldn’t do anything.
God gave me this chance, and I could only take a gamble.
Gamble on whether the person in front of me would help us.
I quickly took out the photo my dad stuffed into my hand last night from my arms.
“Look, mom, no, our mom has kept your photo for so many years. She didn’t know what happened back then! She thought you were dead. She’s been trying every means to investigate the organization and avenge you for all these years. If she knew you were still alive, she’d be very happy!”
I held onto his leg tightly, looking up with snot and tears.
“Brother, help us and come back with us.”
There was a moment of silence in the air. The young man was silent for a long time. Finally, he kicked me away.
“Who are you calling brother? It’s disgusting.
“My name is Chen Ming.
“Stop crying. It’s so disgusting. Are you really my younger brother? Why are you so cowardly?”
He squatted down and let out a heavy sigh.
“All right, I have a way.
“No matter what they say later, you do as they say, and everything will be okay.”
As soon as he finished speaking, footsteps came from the corridor outside. He immediately kicked me, and then left amidst the whistles of several people.
The next second, the door behind me was kicked loudly, and an impatient voice sounded.
“Pull him out! Pull him onto the stage!”
My head was covered with a black cloth, and then I was dragged forward.
After a while, it suddenly became noisy in my ears. It seemed that we had arrived at a noisy venue.
The next second, the black cloth on my head was taken off, and I saw my dad tied to a chair under the converging lights.
14
“I heard you want to repent?”
On the other side of the stage, a woman in a gray dress spoke.
She had a square face, single – eyelids, and thick eyebrows.
She was the woman I saw in the live – stream on the dark web.
Remembering what Chen Ming told me, I quickly nodded.
“Don’t believe him!”
The voices from the audience suddenly became restless.
“Such problem teenagers are the best at lying!”
“He’ll say anything to stay alive!”
“Don’t believe him. Execute him right away!”
I looked around for Chen Ming’s figure and saw him wearing a mask, slowly walking up to the woman and saying something.
The woman’s eyes immediately lit up.
“Okay, do as you say.”
“Strayed youth, this is your attitude of showing determination! Now… kill this person who wants to lead you to hell and let us see your determination to repent!”
Darkness suddenly fell, and the only light focused on me. The people in the audience started cheering. Everyone stood up and looked at me, with a strange excitement on each face.
“Kill him! Good boy, kill him quickly!”
“Prove that you’re a child who can correct your mistakes. Kill him quickly! Prove it to us!”
Everyone was shouting like crazy, looking no different from lunatics!
And at the back of the crowd, I saw my mom with a pale face.
She stood there as if she had lost her soul. She took a few steps forward, as if she wanted to come to me, but was suddenly held back by the people around her, staggering and leaning on a stool beside her.
When our eyes met, I slowly shook my head.
Chen Ming followed my gaze and looked back. His body suddenly froze, then he quickly turned his head and stuffed a dagger into my hand.
“Don’t stop. They’re all watching you.”
15
I held the dagger and walked onto the stage. My whole arm was shaking.
My dad had blood on his forehead. Seeing me come over, he wasn’t too surprised. He just nodded helplessly.
“Sorry, dad.”
I knelt in front of him, suddenly raised the dagger, and stabbed it hard into his stomach.
Again and again.
He coughed up a mouthful of blood, and soon his head dropped, and he fell to the ground with the chair.
The audience was dead silent. Chen Ming came over to check his breath and then nodded to everyone.
Then, deafening applause broke out in the entire venue.
They gathered around my mom, cheering and clapping around her, as if it was the highest honor. But I just felt a chill, especially when I heard those hypocritical words.
“This is a truly obedient child!”
“Xu Guimei, your education is amazing. You can make your son so obedient! We all have to learn from you!”
No one cared that a life had disappeared. They only cared that the child could listen to them unconditionally and that they were great and successful mothers.
I stood in the middle, feeling horrified.
Chen Ming waved his hand, and several people carried my dad away. I was allowed to wash my face to prepare for the upcoming meeting.
My mom led me to the toilet without saying a word, and then slapped me.
“Didn’t I tell you to leave? Why did you come back?!”
I quickly covered her mouth, turned on the faucet louder, and whispered.
“Dad isn’t dead. It’s all an act!
“And my brother, he isn’t dead either!”
My mom’s body staggered. It took her a long time to understand what I said.
“Your brother… You mean… You know everything?”
I nodded and told her everything Chen Ming had done.
My mom listened in silence. By the time I finished, she was already sobbing. She leaned on the sink and slowly knelt down, her whole shoulders shaking.
Then, the door of the toilet was suddenly knocked.
“It’s me.”
16
Chen Ming pushed the door open and said calmly.
“I’ve sent your dad to the woods. It’s safe there. He should go to the police when he wakes up.
“You guys leave as soon as possible. I know a small path that can take you out.”
Before he could finish, my mom rushed over, trembling as she lifted his mask.
“Child… Child… It’s really you!
“You’re really not dead. I’m sorry. Mom didn’t protect you well back then… How have you been all these years…”
Chen Ming had no expression on his face, but his lips were trembling. After a while, he turned his head away.
“Back then, it was the same as today… I was brought to this organization by my dad and then forced to… kill him. After that, I stayed here…”
“It’s mom’s fault.” My mom wiped her tears hard. “It’s all mom’s fault. Mom didn’t protect you well.”
“Let’s go together. Leave this place together.”
But Chen Ming suddenly took a step back and shook his head.
“I can’t leave. Over the years, I’ve been adopted by the leader of the organization and have done a lot of things for her. I can’t leave here anymore. You guys go quickly. Don’t get involved with this place any longer. You can’t fight against them.”
As he said this, he broke free from my mom’s hand and turned around to lead us out.
This place was like an abandoned school. There were high walls all around, and there was a large iron gate on the east side, guarded by a group of people wearing hats.
Chen Ming led us out from the back door of the meeting room, walked along the small forest, turned left and right, and finally we saw a high wall.
“This is the back door. Keep walking straight. You can see a dog hole in the corner of the wall. After climbing out from there, keep running down the mountain. Don’t trust anyone on the way. After finding the road, leave this city as soon as possible and don’t come back for a short time.”
17
“No! We leave together!”
I held Chen Ming’s hand tightly, but he pushed me away hard.
“Use your brains. You guys can’t fight against them. If I leave with you, we’ll all die sooner or later! Do you think the police will believe you? This is just one of their bases. By the time you bring the police here, they’ll have already run away!”
“What if we have evidence?”
My mom suddenly spoke up, taking out a tiny camera from her chest pocket.
“I’ve recorded everything here. When they searched my body, I happened to hide this in the toilet. I finally got a chance to get it just now. With this, the police will surely conduct a thorough investigation, and we’ll all be safe.”
As she said this, she tightly grabbed Chen Ming’s arm.
“Son, mom didn’t protect you well when you were a child, so your dad brought you to this kind of place.
“Ultimately, it’s all mom’s fault. Give me a chance to make up for it…”
I saw a hint of emotion in Chen Ming’s eyes, but the next second, an alarm sounded in the distance, followed by hasty footsteps.
“Search for them! Send another group of people to guard the holes around and the roads down the mountain!”
“Don’t let them escape!”
In an instant, the roads in front and behind were surrounded!
The three of us held our breath and lay tightly on the ground, only able to crawl towards the corner of the wall.
But the next second, there were already people guarding the corner.
Our last hope of escape was completely cut off.
“What should we do now?”
My eyes were full of water droplets. I couldn’t tell if they were sweat or the dew from the soil. I lay limply on the ground, completely out of ideas.
There was really no way out this time.
Not only me, but also my mom and Chen Ming.
We were all caught in this man – eating whirlpool. There was only a dead end.
18
Just as I was about to give up completely, my sleeve was suddenly pulled.
“Take this.”
My mom handed me the camera, then patted my shoulder.
“Escape with your brother, find your dad, and leave here together.”
Before I could react, Chen Ming had already pounced.
But it was still a step too late. She suddenly stood up and rushed towards the distance, shouting as she ran.
“You bunch of perverts! Harming your own children! You’ll get your retribution!”
The patrolling people around were immediately attracted, and even the people guarding the corner quickly chased after her.
I wanted to rush over, but Chen Ming grabbed me tightly.
“What are you doing! Let me go!”
Seeing my mom running further and further away, Chen Ming kicked me to the ground.
“You’re really stupid, aren’t you?
“Mom is trying to draw them away so that we can escape. What are you shouting for here? Don’t you want to live?”
I sobbed and struggled, glaring at him fiercely.
“I don’t care about my life. I want my mom!”
Chen Ming stared at me for a while. His whole face turned red, and the veins on his forehead bulged. Finally, he let me go helplessly.
“You’re really an idiot.”
But the next second, he kicked the back of my knee, knocking me to the ground.
Then, without saying a word, he dragged me towards the hole.
But when we staggered to the hole, we were completely dumbfounded.
The mountain hole had been mostly repaired. Even if we were not big in size, it was very difficult to get through.
And at this time, there were a pair of arms outside, stretching in and chiseling the bricks vigorously.
I was stunned for a long time, then suddenly squatted down.
“Dad! Is that you?!”
19
The arm outside froze, then quickly retracted, revealing a pale face.
“Son! Are you kids okay?!”
Chen Ming’s face froze, and he immediately rushed over.
“I told you to go call the police. What the hell are you coming back for?”
My dad scratched his head and quickly waved his phone.
“I ran a bit further to call the police and left my phone there for the police to locate. I was still worried about you guys, so I came back to save you.”
“Save us? Just you?”
Chen Ming stared at him in disbelief, looking both shocked and helpless. Then he glanced at me.
“Now I know where your stupidity comes from.”
“…”
Why is he still scolding me indirectly?
I threw the camera my mom gave me to him. “Dad, take the evidence out first. Mom has been taken away now. We have to go and save her. You go find the police and bring them here quickly!”
After handing it to him, I turned around and ran back, but Chen Ming grabbed my arm tightly.
“Are you crazy? Do you really plan to go back?
“How are you going to save her? With your weak arms and legs?!”
“Then what should I do?! I can’t just wait here, can I?”
Chen Ming was silent for a moment, as if making a major decision. He suddenly pulled me in another direction.
“There’s an arsenal here. The key I have should still work. If you want to save someone, you should at least be well – prepared, right?”
We made our way around to a small house at the back. The moment we opened it, I was shocked by what was inside.
Crossbows, flamethrowers, stun guns, almost filled the whole table.
“Why no guns?”
Chen Ming gave me a look. “The sound is too loud, and it’s not necessary.”
He quickly picked up an electric stick and then handed me a crossbow.
“Can you use it?”
I nodded bravely.
“I’ve not been playing computer games for nothing all these years. I’m a national – level marksman.”
20
He laughed, and led me outside. But when we reached the door, he suddenly stopped for a moment.
“Have you thought it through? This isn’t a game. If you start shaking at a critical moment, it’ll cost you your life.”
I quickly hid my trembling right hand and forced an embarrassed smile.
“I know.”
“I’m not joking.”
“I know, I really know.”
I repeated, determined in my heart about what I had to do.
That was my mom. Nothing was more important than her, even my own safety.
Chen Ming didn’t say anything more. He just patted me on the shoulder.
“Seems like you’re worthy of being my brother.”
We stood in front of the auditorium door. He took a deep breath and then kicked the door open with a bang.
The commotion inside stopped. I saw my mom trapped in the middle of the stage, and several women in flowery dresses were shouting around her.
“Traitor! You’re not fit to be a mother. You can’t educate an obedient child!”
My mom spat at them and rarely cursed.
“Fuck off, you bunch of perverts!
“Is a child good just because he’s obedient? Do you deserve to be mothers? You want to kill your children just because they’re not obedient. You’re worse than animals!”
As the door was kicked open, the voices inside suddenly stopped. Dozens of pairs of eyes turned towards us.
“Chen Ming! It’s you!”
The woman in the gray dress shrieked, her face as dark as thunder.
“You actually betrayed me. Don’t forget who saved your life back then!”
Chen Ming didn’t say anything. He just stood there quietly, then grabbed the crossbow on his back and fired a shot directly at her.
The arrow shot out and hit the woman’s thigh.
A scream of pain echoed throughout the meeting room. Only then did Chen Ming leisurely whistle.
“I’m not a fool. I can tell who treats me well.”
21
The woman roared in anger, pointing at us and shouting, “Catch them!”
Chen Ming kicked me and motioned with his chin.
“I’ll hold them off. You go save mom… no, our mom.”
I nodded, dodged the attacks and rushed to my mom’s side. Just as I was about to untie the ropes, the woman in the gray dress shrieked and charged towards us again, holding a huge axe in her hand.
“You bitch! You even dared to bring reinforcements!”
I was so scared that my legs went weak. But at the moment I heard this, a surge of anger welled up in me. I suddenly picked up the stun gun in my hand and pointed it at her.
“What did you say about my mom?!”
I roared and pushed her away, forcefully jabbing the stun gun into her stomach. I didn’t let go until I saw her body twitching and falling to the ground.
After untying my mom, I quickly looked for Chen Ming. I saw him surrounded by several people. The weapon in his hand had already been snatched away, and he was dodging in a sorry state.
My mom suddenly covered her mouth and shouted at him.
“A – ming, be careful behind you!”
A woman had already raised a knife and was about to chop at him.
The next second, a figure rushed over, knocked the woman down, and they rolled to the ground together.
It was actually my dad!
He pushed his glasses. The fall made his face bruised and swollen. He stood up, sniffling blood.
“Hehe, am I in time?”
Then, the sound of police sirens came from outside the door. A dozen policemen rushed in with shields.
“Don’t move! Hands up!”
I quickly supported my mom and finally let out a sigh of relief.
22
The police subdued everyone soon. The organization had several other bases, which were also revealed during the interrogation.
Chen Ming was taken away and detained for half a month, but was finally acquitted.
My mom handed over all the evidence she had collected over the years to the police. Finally, after half a year, this organization was eliminated.
Everything finally settled down.
Chen Ming finally went home.
He said that when he hurt the teacher in childhood, it was because he saw that male teacher bullying a girl in the class. And when he beat his classmates at school, it was because he couldn’t stand them always bullying others.
But when he told his previous dad about it, his dad said it was his own problem and that it wasn’t something to be proud of, so he shouldn’t say it.
Over time, his temper became more and more irritable.
My mom wanted him to go back to school, but Chen Ming said he wasn’t cut out for it and might as well go to a vocational school to learn some skills.
I also said I wanted to go with him, but I got beaten up by the whole family.
So half a year later, I went back to school and started my sophomore year of high school.
Chen Ming said that if anyone bullied me, I should tell him and he’d take care of them.
But my mom heard this and he got beaten up again.
Since going through this incident, I’ve always been on edge and completely lost interest in computer games, for fear of being killed by some extreme mom.
And Qi Fei, wasn’t so lucky.
His car accident was found to be deliberately designed by his mother. But even if the truth was found, he couldn’t come back.
I couldn’t figure out why. Was it because he wasn’t a good child?
My mom said no, it was exactly the opposite.
It was because his mother wasn’t a good mom.
I was heartbroken, but also felt lucky. The moment I walked into the room, I subconsciously called out to my mom.
“Love you, mom.
“See you tomorrow.”
– End –
