Chapter Seventy-Four: The Basement

Zhao Meng watched the two people embracing and couldn't help but clear her throat. When they separated, her eyes narrowed in delight; indeed, this was much more pleasing to the eye!

Qin Yu looked at Zhao Meng and said, "Go on, make breakfast. We're all starving!" Only then did Zhao Meng snap back to reality, wailing, "My fried eggs!" She turned and hurried into the kitchen.

Qin Yu took Tao's hand and led her to sit on the sofa. "Did you sleep well last night?" she asked.

Tao looked at the hand draped over hers, nodded silently, and stared intently at Qin Yu's hand, unwavering.

Qin Yu's mouth twitched. She felt that everyone she met in this life was stranger than the last! Was her hand really so fascinating?

"Hey, who is this little sister?" Xia Cheng looked curiously at the girl sitting close to Qin Yu.

Qin Yu replied, "She's our new companion. Her name is Tao."

She then lowered her head and said to Tao, "This is another little friend, Xia Cheng. You can call him brother."

Upon hearing this, Tao finally shifted her gaze from Qin Yu's hand. She nodded and called out coldly, "Brother."

Qin Yu's face stiffened at the chilly greeting. "Tao, your name is quite peculiar!"

"What's peculiar about it?" Qin Yu asked.

"Think about it," Xia Cheng said matter-of-factly, "If we ever need her to run away, she might think we're just calling her name!"

Qin Yu's face darkened; Xia Cheng's logic really was out of the ordinary.

After hearing this, Tao stared straight at Qin Yu and declared, "I won't run."

Both Xia Cheng and Qin Yu were taken aback, never expecting such a response from Tao.

Qin Yu came to her senses, rubbed Tao's head, and said, "Alright."

"Breakfast is ready! Come eat!" Zhao Meng called as she carried breakfast out from the kitchen.

Qin Yu led Tao by the hands to the dining table, beginning their day's nourishment.

Tao ate her food in a daze, feeling the scorching heat in her mouth. Her fingers flexed slightly—how long had it been since she last felt such warmth? How long since she tasted such fragrance? With these thoughts, her hands moved faster.

The other three watched this scene, each with their own thoughts.

Zhao Meng wondered, "That was just out of the pan. Doesn't she mind the heat?"

Xia Cheng watched the girl's hands. Those slight calluses shouldn't appear on such a young child's hands, especially given their position—it was clear she had trained with guns for years! Who exactly was this Tao?

Qin Yu, meanwhile, watched her devour the food, recalling her own past life when she too had gratefully wolfed down food. Who had fed her then?

Regardless of their musings, Tao was contentedly full on her own.

Seeing Tao's satisfied expression, the three quickly sped up their own eating. Soon, the food was gone without a trace.

"Xiao Yu, what do we do next?" Zhao Meng patted her stomach and asked.

"Hmm, let's check the big houses in town first, see if any have basements or underground passages," Qin Yu replied.

"A basement?" Tao spoke up.

Seeing Qin Yu nod, Tao said, "I know where there is one."

Qin Yu's eyes lit up; so it really existed! She had intended Zhao Meng's suggestion as a stalling tactic, yet this little town actually had a basement!

"Where is it? Can you take us there?" Qin Yu asked.

Tao nodded, "Yes." With that, she stood and walked toward the door.

The three exchanged glances, quickly gathered their things, and followed Tao out. Luckily, they hadn't fully unpacked yesterday, making it easy to leave.

Tao walked ahead slowly, while the others followed. Qin Yu looked at the lonely figure in front, glanced at Xia Cheng and Zhao Meng, then whispered, "She has psychic abilities," before hurrying to catch up with Tao.

Sensing Qin Yu's arrival, Tao stopped, raised her pale hand, and looked at Qin Yu.

Qin Yu was surprised, but smiled gently, placing her hand atop Tao's, and said, "Let's go together."

Tao rubbed Qin Yu's hand with her thumb, feeling the warm and delicate touch. A pure smile bloomed on her lips, and she bowed her head, guiding Qin Yu toward the basement.

Behind them, Zhao Meng and Xia Cheng exchanged glances.

What did Xiao Yu mean? What kind of psychic ability does that girl Tao have?

I'm not sure, but she's definitely not as simple as she seems! I've observed her hands; only those who use guns for years develop such calluses. I suspect this little girl is just a facade—her real age may be much older.

Really? But she looks so small.

Xiao Yu, there are all sorts of extraordinary people in this world. Shrinking bones isn't rare. She probably didn't expect us to notice her calluses.

Then why do you think she's approaching us, especially Xiao Yu? What's her motive?

That's unclear for now. Chief Qin keeps her close, probably because it's safer than letting her lurk in the shadows.

So what should we do now?

Four words: wait and see.

Xia Cheng guessed Qin Yu's intentions, but not the truth about the girl. As a result, he and Zhao Meng treated Tao as a crafty old witch for quite some time, leading to a few comical incidents—which we'll leave aside for now.

Tao led Qin Yu for about half an hour before finally stopping in front of a house. Qin Yu surveyed it; it was on the edge of town, modest and unremarkable. Such a place would never attract attention—who would expect a basement here?

Qin Yu didn't doubt Tao; at this point, there was no reason to. Just the fact that Tao could scare Xiao Honghong proved her abilities surpassed theirs. And last night's eerie smile had bewitched her! If she wanted to kill them, it would be effortless.

Tao took Qin Yu straight into the house, winding left and right until they reached a small room. Xia Cheng and Zhao Meng followed, surprised by the maze-like layout—nothing of the sort was visible from outside.

Tao led Qin Yu to a corner, touched something unknown, and the floor in the center of the house slowly cracked open. The three exchanged glances, and Qin Yu asked, "Tao, have you ever gone inside?"

Tao shook her head. "No, I found it yesterday, planned to enter today, but then I met you."

Qin Yu looked at the fully revealed entrance. "Let's go inside and have a look!"

Xia Cheng and Zhao Meng nodded in agreement.

Qin Yu took Tao's hand and slowly descended. What kind of world awaited them below?

Ha ha, today is still a double update, la la la, kisses!