"Otherwise, what can we do? Although we’re reluctant to leave this place, there’s nothing we wouldn’t give up for our daughter," the boss said with determination.
"I can see you love your daughter very much, but I’m afraid you can’t leave."
"What do you an by that?" The two elderly people, already tornted by the bully, stood up nervously upon hearing Xu Ke’s words, holding each other’s hands and looking at Xu Ke warily.
"Don’t misunderstand, I an no harm. But when I entered the hotel just now, I noticed that soone seed to be watching it. After hearing you, I think that person is likely the bully you ntioned. So, if I’m not mistaken, all your actions are probably under his watchful eye. Trying to leave when he’s not paying attention may not be possible."
Xu Ke reluctantly shared this harsh reality with the elderly couple.
The elderly couple broke down completely, "Why? Why do we have to face such things? It’s unfair to us." The boss’s wife clung to her husband, crying heartbreakingly.
Behind them, a young girl in a white lace nightdress walked down and approached the couple.
She gently embraced them, her expression brimming with undeniable sadness but also carrying a certain determination, as if she had made up her mind.
"Oh, Alice, my sweetie, why did you co down?" The boss’s wife, seeing her daughter standing behind her, hurriedly wiped her tears and forced a smile, looking at her daughter as she spoke.
"I heard noises downstairs, so I ca down," Alice said with a smile, smoothing her mother’s disarrayed hair.
"Did we disturb you? Go back to sleep. We’ll be done here soon, no noise will bother you either," the boss said lovingly, looking at his daughter.
"Mom and Dad, I already know what you’ve been hiding from , we don’t have to move; tomorrow I’ll go find him, and I’ll make sure he won’t trouble us again," Alice said with a smile, looking at her weary-looking parents.
"No, he’s not a good person, and I won’t allow you to go see him. Do you hear ? You can’t go see him." The boss’s wife beca frantic upon realizing Alice’s choice, gripping her daughter’s shoulders and hoping to hear a negative response from her.
But Alice shook her head slowly, "Mom, I can’t be selfish like that. You and Dad have already sacrificed so much for . I can’t let you abandon everything for ; everything here belongs to you, and even if we have to leave, it shouldn’t be you who leaves," Alice said softly but firmly.
"What do you plan to do?" Hearing these words, Alice’s father couldn’t maintain his composure and beca even more anxious than his wife.
"That’s not sothing you need to worry about, Dad. I promise no one will hurt you. You protected once; now it’s my turn to protect you."
Seeing the smile on Alice’s face and the worried expressions of the boss and his wife, whose willingness to sacrifice for each other was evident, Xu Ke, an irrelevant bystander, chose to speak.
"I think there’s no need to be so pessimistic. Every problem has a solution."
"What do you know? You know nothing. We can all say comforting words, but they’re useless when faced with this situation; they don’t help at all," the boss’s wife exploded, feeling that Xu Ke was rely making empty statents, treating her family as nothing more than a joke in a movie, insensitive to their struggle.
"Those words may not help you, but I can. If you trust , I can help you solve this problem."
Xu Ke didn’t mind the impoliteness of the boss’s wife because in such situations, few might remain calm. That she had held back for so long before erupting was comndable.
"What can you do?" Upon hearing Xu Ke’s offer, the boss’s wife rushed over as if grabbing the last lifeline, gripping Xu Ke’s arm as if trying to pierce his skin with her grip.
"Of course, by fighting fire with fire. Isn’t that the quickest way?" Xu Ke replied with a smile.
The boss’s wife, who was initially excited, found her spirits dampened upon hearing Xu Ke’s thod.
She looked at Xu Ke’s fra, similar to her husband’s lean build, almost capturing disdain and disbelief in her eyes.
"Your intentions are good, but seeing you as you are makes it hard for us to believe in your capability. We trust you’re on our side and appreciate your willingness to help, but we can’t watch an innocent person go to harm. Go and get so sleep," the boss’s wife said, sowhat disappointed.
"This is a family matter, let us handle it on our own. Don’t forget to find another hotel. I don’t expect we’ll keep ours open for much longer. I hope you find one and move soon; wishing you a good life and a peaceful night’s sleep, goodnight." The boss’s wife scarcely paid any heed to Xu Ke.
Xu Ke glanced at his own fra, seeing its slimness through the boss’s wife’s eyes, with a tinge of helplessness, "I just look lean. I’ve tried to gain weight before, but due to my body type, the results were less than ideal, and I had to give up. However, my abilities are still reliable. If ever you need my help, feel free to ask. This promise stands indefinitely," Xu Ke concluded.
After this, Xu Ke wished the family of three goodnight and walked to his room.
He had said and done all he could; whether these people would believe him was beyond his control.
In this chance encounter with strangers, Xu Ke felt that he had done quite well, so he went to sleep without any unease or guilt.
Downstairs, the family’s atmosphere was not good. Although they put on brave faces, each person’s heart was filled with worry.
"Don’t worry, Mom. I heard you, I won’t go looking for him. I think we’ll find a way to resolve this. Until we find it, you must take care of yourselves, so I won’t worry. Alright?"
Alice took her parents’ hands, placing them together, and warmth passed through their skins, shared by each of them.
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