No one spoke. Zhao Zheng's voice echoed in the air.
Actually, the people in the town all knew that the Zhao family had done everything they could.
Over the years, it was precisely because of the Zhao family that the people of Qinghui Town had been able to maintain their livelihoods and joys.
They didn't want to push the Zhao family to such a desperate situation either.
But when facing life and death, they were also afraid and didn't want to die like this.
"Maybe there really is no justice in this world."
A young man slowly collapsed to the ground, full of despair.
"Although Ye Ling was cruel when she was alive, under her jurisdiction, no one ever dared to slaughter the villagers in the town so wantonly."
"Time has changed. Now, the Eastern Wilderness has completely transformed. It is now a world for the strong."
"In the world of the strong, problems can only be solved with brute force."
"What did we do wrong to end up like this?"
Many villagers in the town were infected by these words and began to cry loudly.
They had once thought about resistance. They had once been full of fighting spirit, but time had gradually worn it away.
Those bastards never showed up directly. They used a formation to trap the villagers of Qinghui Town in the town. The passage of time and the trauma caused by hunger had made them extremely depressed.
Lin Min'er walked into the courtyard. Looking at this scene, her heart was filled with great sorrow.
"Brother Zheng."
"Min'er, why did you come out?"
"Brother Zheng, I'm worried. Alas, is there really no way to turn the situation around?"
Zhao Zheng took a deep breath and then said, "Min'er, do you regret following me?"
"Never."
These two resolute words made the couple hold each other's hands tightly.
"Min'er, it was my stubbornness back then that hurt you."
Lin Min'er shook her head and said, "Brother Zheng, I've never regretted it. Meeting you was the most glorious moment of my life. Every minute and every second spent with you, whether it was happy or painful, was the most brilliant memory in my life."
"Min'er, is there any food left at home?"
Lin Min'er shook her head. Her face also showed a hint of paleness.
Actually, she was also on the verge of collapse.
"Brother Zheng, do you have any regrets?"
"Brother Zheng, I really want to see Shuning again. She's our child. I miss her so much. It feels like I haven't seen her for a very long time."
Only then did Zhao Zheng notice something wrong with Lin Min'er. Although her eyes were looking at him, there was no focus in them.
Her consciousness was slowly dispersing.
"Min'er—"
Zhao Zheng quickly hugged Lin Min'er from behind. Her tottering body fell into his arms.
At the moment, there were cries everywhere, and no one noticed this little episode.
"Min'er, how are you? Min'er, don't scare me."
"Brother Zheng, I seem to, seem to see Shuning. Brother Zheng, when will Shuning come back? I really miss her."
"Min'er, don't think nonsense. Our child is doing fine. Huai'er has gone to find her. You know, a girl as smart and mischievous as Shuning, even our second brother at the same level is no match for her. She won't have an accident. She definitely won't."
Since Zhao Huai left, Lin Min'er had been in low spirits.
She always had illusions. Sometimes, she would hear someone knocking on the door. Sometimes, she would see Shuning running towards her barefoot. Sometimes, she would hear Shuning calling her mother.
The Li family in Yanqing City said that Zhao Shuning was dead.
None of the Zhao family members were willing to believe it.
But in their hearts, there was a faint sense of unease.
They knew that since the Li family dared to say such a thing, they must have some basis.
Lin Min'er, who had a weak constitution to begin with, was now trapped in Qinghui Town and could only survive on thin millet porridge every day. Her health was getting worse and worse.
"Brother Zheng, don't lie to me, and don't lie to yourself either."
Back then, they should have insisted on their own opinions. Shuning was still so young. How could she go to the Rain and Smoke Tower full of intrigue?
It was they, as parents, who had been negligent, which had led to Shuning's accident.
"Min'er, don't talk. Save your strength."
"Brother Zheng, I know that if this continues, I definitely won't live long. If you have a chance, you must escape. I really want, really want to see that girl Shuning."
Lin Min'er's hand slowly lifted up, but before it could touch Zhao Zheng's face, it fell again.
"Min'er!"
Zhao Zheng was in a panic. He quickly reached out to feel Lin Min'er's nose. After feeling her faint breath, he slowly let out a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, Min'er had just fainted.
However, if this stalemate continued, they were afraid that they wouldn't be far from death.
Zhao Xue walked over from the side. Looking at Lin Min'er's appearance, his face showed concern.
"Brother, how's Sister-in-law?"
"She's okay. I'll take Min'er back to the room first. Zhao Xue, take good care of Father. He's old and can't stand such a shock."
Zhao Xue nodded. A red - dressed girl was constantly checking if anyone was injured in the yard. That girl was Zhao Xiangxiang. After more than two years, she had grown even more beautiful.
Just like before, she was still dressed in red, and her temper was still extremely fiery.
There was a lot of worry between her eyebrows.
"Xiangxiang, come here."
Hearing this, Zhao Xiangxiang quickly walked to Zhao Xue's side.
"Father."
"Xiangxiang, here's something for you."
Zhao Xue handed the sword he had always used to Zhao Xiangxiang.
"Father, you know I don't know how to use a sword."
She liked to use a whip. Although at the moment, Zhao Xiangxiang didn't have a decent weapon in her hand.
"Xiangxiang, if we all can't escape death tonight, are you afraid?"
"Father, what's there to be afraid of? Zhao Shuning is so much younger than me. Back then, when she knew that the Rain and Smoke Tower was full of dangers, she still fearlessly entered it. Father, we're all daughters of the Zhao family. I'm Zhao Shuning's elder sister. If she's not afraid, why should I be?"
Just thinking about it, Zhao Xiangxiang felt a bit regretful.
She didn't know if there would be a chance to meet that little girl in the future.
"Take this sword first. It can at least protect you."
"No need."
Zhao Xiangxiang went to the corner and casually pulled down a vine. Then she said, "This is good enough for me."
"Father, Grandpa, Uncle, all the villagers, don't look so sad. Until the very end, who knows if the sky will really fall?"
The red - dressed girl's voice was so loud that everyone present could hear it.
If a young girl could have such courage, it was really a loss of dignity for them, at their age, to cry and wail here.