Chapter 98: She is not a superwoman
Chapter 98: She is not a superwoman
The price of endurance is watching the two security guards start her car, the wheels rolling over garbage and a bag of diapers meant for the baby, making their way to Wang Xin's side.
“Just like that, Miss An, go home and take a good wash. Come to the security room tomorrow morning to pick up breakfast,” Wang Xin says with a smile, looking at the car as if it is his own, casually brushing off An Ran’s presence. Then, he walks a couple of steps toward the passenger seat, turns back with a look of mild curiosity, and changes his mind: “The water in this neighborhood is a bit murky, but if you can bear it, you can still take a shower. Clean yourself up; I’ll come find you later.”
It seems that cars hold a fatal allure for every man. Wang Xin is too lazy to talk much with An Ran now; seeing Zhan Lian’s car in front of him, he looks as if he has found a prized possession. His eyes light up as he opens the door and jumps into the car, joking and laughing with his colleagues while driving Zhan Lian's vehicle around the neighborhood.
An Ran is left standing alone, holding the baby, surrounded by a mess of scattered supplies, seething with anger.
That is her ex-husband's car! How can they so brazenly steal someone else's things? Does that mean she can also recklessly take back what belongs to her? Just like she did in the hospital when she snatched supplies from Chen Jiao!
But how can she do that?
A sense of humiliation wells up in An Ran’s heart, and she recognizes how dangerous and difficult it is for a woman to walk alone in this apocalyptic world. She is not a superwoman; she can’t fly over walls. All she has is a hungry child to feed and a useless supernatural power that will only help her open a flower shop in the future.
What should she do?
An Ran stands for a long time under the gloomy sky, her head lowered, until the baby in her arms begins to hum restlessly. She quickly bends down, cradling the baby in one arm while using the other to gather the scattered bags on the ground.
The pot with the pink snow mountain is too heavy to carry, so she nudges it with her foot, moving it to the side of the greenbelt to retrieve later.
She realizes that the order in this community has collapsed. It is unsafe here; not only are supplies and cars being stolen, but her safety is at risk too.
An Ran initially plans to grab a knife and then wait for Wang Xin to come find her. She hasn’t decided how to deal with him yet, but she has to find a way to get her ex-husband's car back—no matter what, she has to retrieve it! Because that car is not hers; it belongs to her ex-husband!
With this vague determination, An Ran hurries back home, intending to check the storage room in the attic for the saber.
Back when she and her ex-husband were still married, after Zhan Lian returned from the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, they stored more items in the attic. He thought she didn’t notice, but how could she not know? She has lived in this house for too long not to know what is kept in every corner.
Her home is on the top floor, the sixth floor, not far from the community gate. But the baby in An Ran's arms is becoming increasingly restless. She hurries into the building, burdened with bags, and takes the elevator.
As soon as she steps out, she spots the hostess from the apartment opposite hers, emerging with a haggard expression.
Author’s Notes:
’ve seen many readers recently questioning why An Ran doesn’t fight back when three men rob her of her supplies. I want to share a real-life story.
A mother is pushing her child across the road when, in a moment of anger, she quarreled with someone. In the scuffle, her child is taken out of the stroller and falls to the ground, resulting in a tragic death.
In that situation, what do you think would be more important to a mother? Would she fight for her dignity, or would she prioritize caring for her child?
Of course, she would fight for her dignity. (Eyeroll)
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