Chapter 15: Anger

Hearing the shouts, the group on the wall became somewhat flustered.

But as soon as they heard Tang Ke beside them shout out, they were put at ease.

"Dad, it's us."

The people below narrowed their eyes, their faces changed dramatically when they recognized the people on the wall:

"Son? What are you doing back here!"

When Shen Congfei and the others heard this, they wondered whether father and son had a bad relationship, or if they were afraid of being implicated and so were not welcoming.

But after they climbed down the wall and into the zoo, and heard Tang Ke's father explain the real reason, they realized they had completely misunderstood.

As it turned out, after the five of them had fled from school, the empire's soldiers, according to the home addresses recorded by the school, had gone from door to door, conducting searches, and took them to the school for questioning.

Luckily, they hadn't been able to find out anything.

In the end, if it hadn't been for Tang Ke's father reaching some sort of trade agreement with the empire's people, their family might still be detained in the concentration camp temporarily set up at the school.

"Dad, what did you trade with them?"

Tang Ke couldn't help but ask.

And Tang Ke's father, a robust middle-aged man who looked just like a larger version of a "gorilla", shook his head with a bitter smile:

"If you look at what's missing from the zoo, you'll know what I traded."

Hearing this, the rest of them looked around and realized that some of the cages in the zoo were empty.

"Dad! How could you do this!"

At that moment, Tang Ke, like an enraged "King Kong", let out a roar.

After he finished yelling, he immediately turned around and ran towards some place, with no one knowing what he would do.

Shen Congfei asked Tang Ke's father: "Uncle Tang…"

Tang Ke's father shook his head, his tone full of resignation:

"It's okay, I know he doesn't like to make friends when he was a child, but he always loved the animals in the zoo."

"That's also why we decided to run this zoo."

"But in that situation, I had no choice. If I hadn't done it, possibly his mother and I..."

As he spoke, a look of deep fatigue flashed across the middle-aged man's face.

Curious Xue Yangping asked: "But why would those empire soldiers need animals? It's not like they're going to eat them, right?"

As soon as these words were uttered, everyone turned their gaze on him.

He was so scared his hair stood on end: "What's with the stares? I was just saying, saying that's all."

Only then did everyone withdraw their gaze, Tang Ke's father's brows furrowed:

"No matter what they want these animals for, we don't have much control now. Oh, by the way, I should thank you guys for helping the kid to escape, otherwise…"

Shen Congfei felt like there was a hidden meaning in his words, so he asked:

"Otherwise what?"

"Ah,"

His father let out a sigh: "The students at the school, part of the girls were sent home, and the other boys were all taken away to do forced labor, to do God knows what."

"I see."

Shen Congfei and Xia Wei looked at each other. No wonder they hadn't found a single student in the school when they were on the mountain that day.

"Forget about that for now, you guys must be starving. I'll go tell his mom to make you guys something to eat."

"No need, Uncle, we just came to…"

"Ah! Don't be polite, we haven't eaten dinner yet anyway."

After speaking, Tang Ke's father led the remaining four people to walk forward.

Along the way, they passed through the zoo's enclosures. Many of the cages were now completely empty, giving off a desolate impression.

"Hey, what kind of animal is this? It's interesting, the fur on its head and back is all white."

"Oh, this is a honey badger, which lives in the open grasslands and tropical rainforests."

Upon hearing the answer, Xue Yangping's eyes lit up: "Oh, so this is a honey badger, it's quite formidable."

As he said this, he started towards the cage, but Tang Ke's father swiftly warned:

"Hey! Young man, don't go near."

"This creature is quite aggressive, always seeking trouble. Last time we had to change its cage temporarily, and it nearly got bitten to death by a lion next door and didn't even know to retreat."

"Ah? It couldn't beat a lion?"

Xue Yangping, known as "Flathead," was stunned.

"Of course, this little thing is just impulsive and bold. It rushes to fight without distinguishing the strength of its enemies."

Hearing Mr. Tang's explanation, everyone else was trying hard not to laugh.

Only a certain individual with the nickname "Flathead" was feeling stifled.

When they reached the staff centre, Mr. Tang went inside to ask his wife to prepare some food while the others stayed in the dining hall.

"I don't want to be called Flathead anymore. I want a new codename."

At this moment, Shen Congfei didn't hesitate: "Hey! I think it's quite good. Not to mention the character, even its form looks like you, which is rare."

"Pah, I am brave, not a silly honey badger. Plus, my hair is natural. Do you think I want it to be white?"

Now, Xue Yangping deeply felt he had been tricked. Regretting it, he started to grumble:

"No, I want a new codename."

Unfortunately, the other three ignored him and looked around at the layout of the dining hall.

After a while, Mr. Tang came out with another middle-aged woman.

"Students, thank you for helping our son."

In front of the dining table, Mrs. Tang put down the food she was holding and expressed her gratitude with a thankful face.

Shen Congfei and others could only reply with polite remarks.

At this time, Tang Ke didn't say a word as he walked in. Though his face showed unhappiness and sulking, he obediently sat down on the chair.

...

During the meal, Shen Congfei and others occasionally asked the two about things happening in the city.

Whereas Xue Yangping, while eating, couldn't help but think of his parents, so he changed the topic:

"By the way, uncle and aunt, did you see my parents when you were captured?"

This question made everyone present pause.

Shen Congfei and Xia Wei didn't have much reaction, as the families of their adoptive parents were unusual and knew how to deal in such situations, not needing to worry about their safety.

However, the old medical teacher, Chen Yuanjia, slightly wrinkled her eyebrows, obviously thinking of her own family.

She was from another city, and her elderly parents were not present here, so she didn't need to worry about involving them. She was only slightly worried.

Mr. and Mrs. Tang didn't notice others' reactions, only asking:

"Your parents are?"

"Oh, my dad is a policeman, my mom..."

Mr. Tang, looking surprised, called out his name directly:

"Wait, is your name Xue Yangping?"

"Uncle, you know me?"

Xue Yangping looked surprised, he didn't remember having any connection with Tang Ke's family, either himself or his parents.

"Hmm..."

Mr. Tang nodded, looked at Mrs. Tang, and after their eyes met, their expressions became complex and they hesitated to speak.

Everyone, including the oblivious Xue Yangping, can tell by their obvious expressions.

"Uncle, aunt, can you tell me what happened to them?"

His voice was trembling a little.

Mr. Tang seemed to have made up his mind, his expression sorrowful:

"Your parents, I don't know how to tell you, child."

"But I witnessed them...are no longer with us."

"Plop!"

Xue Yangping's chopsticks and bowl fell to the ground. With his mouth still full of food, his eyes were blank.

The food in his mouth, he didn't know whether to swallow or spit out, was stuck there, tears filling his eyes.

"Bang!"

He stood up, slammed his fists heavily on the dining table, shaking off others' bowls.

But nobody said anything at this moment, not knowing what to say.

Xue Yangping suddenly raised his head, his bloodshot eyes stared, and with food spewing out of his mouth, he blurted out:

"I will kill them all!"