Chapter 353 Chapter 72: Breakthrough
“Then, then I got so scared, so I...”
Laura’s voice trailed off, and she didn’t finish her sentence, but Hilary and Octaville understood what had happened.
“That’s good, as long as you’re alright.”
Octaville seemed to be trying to lighten the mood.
“It’s also to help you get used to things. Once we’re underwater, there will be even more fear. I don’t want Liang Lin and I dragging you down to the bottom of the sea.”
After hearing this, Laura’s already pale face turned even paler, as if she would die and be buried the next second.
Oh dear.
This child really can’t take a joke.
Slap!
Hilary slapped Octaville on the back of the head without hesitation.
“Seriously, Laura’s already timid, and now you’re scaring her. She’ll faint from fright before she even gets to the seabed, just on the beach.”
“Ouch!”
Octaville yelped, clutching the back of her head, muttering with a forced laugh, “I was just trying to lighten the mood… This atmosphere is so oppressive right now, with a creepy and terrifying undertone. I was worried Laura would be scared.”
“You’re making her even more scared…”
Hilary sighed, exasperated.
On the other side…
After moving the group of lively children to safety, Liang Lin rushed back. She was actually quite scared and worried; she feared Liang Di might encounter danger, or might go somewhere else with the old woman without waiting for her.
When she rushed back, she found Liang Di and the old woman sitting face to face, staring at each other silently, like two statues weathered by time.
"Phew, I'm back."
Liang Lin breathed a sigh of relief and patted Liang Di's shoulder.
Liang Di, who had been expressionless, finally relaxed, a bright smile appearing on her cold face.
"Sister Liang Lin, you're back~?"
Tsk tsk tsk, look at that sweet smile, a purebred hypocrite.
Liang Di took Liang Lin's arm.
"Sister Liang Lin, let's go."
The old woman also stood up, leaning on her cane again.
"Alright, you can come with me now, right?"
Liang Lin nodded.
"Please lead the way."
The old woman's steps were very slow.
That's right, she was over ninety years old; if she could still walk briskly, she'd truly be a superhuman.
The old woman walked slowly ahead, while Liang Lin grew anxious.
She was naturally an impatient person, and now she was walking slower than a tortoise.
How long would it take? It was already evening; she might not even reach the old woman's house by tomorrow morning.
After much deliberation, Liang Lin decided to address her respectfully.
"Grandma, excuse me... where do you live? How much longer will it take us to reach your house? Approximately what time will we arrive?"
Seeing her impatience, she asked three similar questions.
The old woman didn't turn her head, continuing her slow, leisurely walk.
"Almost there, almost there, almost there."
They walked for a while longer.
The road ahead began to become bumpy and uneven, covered with sand, dirt, and pebbles. The pebbles looked sharp; if someone fell, they would definitely get several cuts.
Liang Lin and Liang Di supported each other as they walked along this road. The old woman seemed accustomed to this road, walking at a steady pace without swaying.
After about five or six minutes, a row of houses finally appeared ahead.
Liang Lin's eyes lit up.
It seemed they had finally arrived.
Sure enough.
The old woman led them to the third house, stopped, and tapped the ground with her cane, making a crisp sound.
"Alright, we're here. This is my home."
The old woman shakily took out her key, inserted it into the lock, and turned it forcefully. With a creak, the door opened. The old woman didn't rush in, but instead gestured for Liang Lin and Liang Di to go inside first.
Liang Lin and Liang Di didn't move, their eyes full of wariness.
"You are the hostess, please come in."
Liang Di gave a polite smile.
The old woman knew, of course, that the two still suspected her. Without a word, she pulled out her key and went inside.
"Alright, you can come in now."
However, the house was pitch black, resembling a damp, dark cave, fraught with danger.
The old woman seemed to understand Liang Lin and Liang Di's thoughts. In less than half a minute, an oil lamp was lit.
She handed the lamp out, waving it. "Take this lamp. It's too dark in there. You're not familiar with the layout of my house; be careful not to trip."
After saying this, she walked straight into the house without turning back or urging Liang Lin and Liang Di to hurry inside.
"....."
Liang Lin and Liang Di exchanged a glance.
"Sister Liang Lin, I..."
Liang Di wanted to go in first.
Liang Lin understood her intention and interrupted her, "I'll go in first. Don't argue with me, or... I'll get angry."
This was indeed a very effective threat.
Liang Di chickened out.
“Let’s go in.”
Liang Lin, holding an oil lamp, led the way into the house.
Surprisingly, there was nothing frightening inside; on the contrary, it was very cozy. Although the tables, chairs, and sofas were made of cheap materials, everything exuded a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
“Ah…”
Could this really be a normal human home?
Reaching the living room, Liang Lin saw an old woman sitting on the sofa, holding an oil lamp.
“You’ve come? Please sit down.”
Whether it was her imagination or the light from the oil lamp, the old woman’s smile seemed exceptionally kind. She gestured towards the freshly poured hot tea on the table.
"Have some tea, I just brewed it. Sit down, and I'll tell you the story slowly."
Liang Lin and Liang Di didn't want tea, nor did they dare, but they were indeed tired from walking so long. So, the two sat close together on the sofa opposite the old lady.
"Glug."
The old lady took a sip of tea and placed the oil lamp on the tea table.
"This story begins when I first learned of my identity."
"At that time, I was only twelve years old, still a carefree little girl. Until I turned twelfth, exactly on that day—no, the day after my birthday—my body began to change."
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