Chapter 1313: Chapter 1312: Vicious
Qiu Qingqing seemed really infuriated and turned to face the boy. Looking down at him from above, "What is it?
Jiang Cheng now realized that this boy bore a certain resemblance to Qiu Qingqing. Particularly with the raised eye tails. It gave Qiu Qingqing an unwarranted seductive aura, but made the boy look mischievous. One had to admit, the boy had a handsome face, and could probably drive many girls crazy in normal circumstances.
"Sister, do you really not recognize me? I was the one hurt by you." The boy suddenly laughed; his smile carried a shadow while bitter, but also some hatred.
Jiang Cheng saw Qiu Qingqing’s face suddenly turn pale, with her lips tightly pressed together.
So they’re siblings, Jiang Cheng thought. No wonder they look so similar, but they seemed like enemies. Jiang Cheng pondered, growing more puzzled.
However, seeing Qiu Qingqing not keeping calm, Jiang Cheng felt that she must care about this boy. But he didn’t understand why they acted like they couldn’t stand each other.
"But sister, why are you here? Were you exiled too?" The boy said with a smile, showing his gleaming white teeth, looking quite sunny.
"None of your business," Qiu Qingqing replied coldly.
"Heh, you’re still like this, sister." The boy looked at the sky, appearing somewhat helpless.
"No matter what, whatever you’re doing, I just hope you take care of yourself." Qiu Qingqing glanced at the boy and then turned to leave.
Jiang Cheng also turned and followed Qiu Qingqing. After Qiu Qingqing left, the boy lowered his head again, looking at his computer, without giving Jiang Cheng another glance.
"They really are one family," Jiang Cheng thought. "All so aloof."
Jiang Cheng didn’t know where Qiu Qingqing wanted to go. He only watched her keep walking forward, seemingly preoccupied. There must be something on her mind, he thought. What just happened probably affected her somewhat.
"Are you okay?" Jiang Cheng asked as he walked beside Qiu Qingqing.
"What’s there to be wrong?" Qiu Qingqing replied, sounding indifferent.
But Jiang Cheng still noticed her raised chin.
Jiang Cheng didn’t speak anymore, just quietly walking alongside Qiu Qingqing. Perhaps she really didn’t want to talk right now.
Throughout the way, Qiu Qingqing didn’t speak again, as if she was lost in her thoughts.
Along the path, Jiang Cheng heard a commotion ahead, along with the sound of iron clashing. Looking around, he realized they had just left the scenic mountains and waters. Now the surroundings were barren land.
"Ahead should be where we visited yesterday," Jiang Cheng said to Qiu Qingqing.
"Let’s go check in front," Qiu Qingqing said.
Jiang Cheng didn’t know what Qiu Qingqing intended to do, but from the conversation with her brother, he realized she must’ve been here before or at least knew about this place.
Jiang Cheng didn’t intend to pry into Qiu Qingqing’s secrets. But he also didn’t want too much secrecy between them because only the two of them were here now. Being open with each other would be best.
"Whoa, careful!" Jiang Cheng saw a large pit ahead, but Qiu Qingqing clearly didn’t notice it. He quickly steadied her to prevent her from falling.
Jiang Cheng just steadied Qiu Qingqing’s arm, noticing how her hand felt fragile enough to easily break. "So delicate," Jiang Cheng thought. He observed that Qiu Qingqing seemed even more frail than when they’d first met.
However, living conditions where they barely had enough to eat made Jiang Cheng feel guilty. Letting a girl live like this truly made him feel uneasy.
"Thanks." Qiu Qingqing said, looking ahead. Following her gaze, Jiang Cheng saw the same group of workers they had seen yesterday. As expected, they were still working, but now it was extremely hot. Sweat beaded on everyone’s foreheads, making them look really tired. The men beside them still forced them to continue working.
Many looked pale with exhaustion, but the men showed no intention of leniency, continuously shouting while holding whips.
Jiang Cheng observed a skinny teenage boy, who seemed malnourished, but still wielded a shovel larger than himself, constantly digging. Sweat dripped from his head onto the soil, tugging at Jiang Cheng’s heart as he watched the boy’s emaciated, dark skin exposed to the harsh sun.
Qiu Qingqing kept watching these people intensely. Jiang Cheng noticed she seemed to be searching for someone. All the while, Jiang Cheng focused on the frail boy, who seemed to sense Jiang Cheng’s gaze and suddenly lifted his head, looking in his direction. He glanced at Jiang Cheng then at Qiu Qingqing, his eyes abruptly turning fervent, filled with some admiration. Jiang Cheng found it amusing; such a look was typically worn by girls looking at Qiu Qingqing. He became deeply curious about this thin boy.
Maybe sensing the boy’s burning gaze, Qiu Qingqing turned and met the boy’s eyes. They exchanged several glances, her expression shifting from curiosity to satisfaction.
Jiang Cheng was intrigued as he watched the two. Nearly ten seconds passed with them still looking at each other. "Is that the boy you’re looking for?" Jiang Cheng asked.
"Probably," Qiu Qingqing replied.
At that moment, the boy was suddenly struck by a burly man beside him. The boy didn’t cry or shout, but continued watching Qiu Qingqing, unblinkingly.
The burly man kept whipping the boy, drawing many people over, yet the boy never took his eyes off Qiu Qingqing. Despite the admiration in his eyes, his furrowed brows hinted at true pain. Eventually, the boy was beaten and slumped to the ground.
From the moment the boy fell, Qiu Qingqing and Jiang Cheng wanted to rush in, yet Jiang Cheng was shocked by the boy’s strange behavior towards Qiu Qingqing; he couldn’t fathom it.
After the boy collapsed, a burly man dragged him up, seemingly to throw him out.
"Wait!" Qiu Qingqing shouted.
The burly man turned around, looking at Qiu Qingqing with great surprise. He continued staring at her, his eyes glued to her.
People nearby turned to watch Qiu Qingqing and Jiang Cheng, whispering among themselves.
The burly man, captivated by Qiu Qingqing, carelessly tossed the boy to the ground. Qiu Qingqing went to help the boy up. Jiang Cheng noticed the boy’s face was all bruised and purple; he seemed to be beaten often. His back was covered in blood, staining his worn-out blue T-shirt red. This shocked Jiang Cheng.
"Uh, wait a minute!" The burly man, seeing Qiu Qingqing acting like she would take the boy away, tried to intervene. Yet he refrained from immediately acting, realizing Qiu Qingqing and Jiang Cheng weren’t ordinary people.
Jiang Cheng took the boy from Qiu Qingqing’s hands and carried him on his back.
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