Disaster Apocalypse: Farming, Family, and My Hidden Secret Space-Chapter 10. Doubt

Seeing the genuine worry on the young girl's face, Hua Jinyi's smile became even more authentic.

"Sister Xiaomao, I'm fine now. Thank you for your concern, Sister Xiaomao."

"It's good that you're okay. When we heard you were injured, I was going to visit you, but Auntie and them said you'd hurt your head and shouldn't be exposed to the wind, so we didn't dare go in."

"Yes, yes, Jin'er." The other girls quickly nodded, including the one whose expression seemed unnatural. Just mentioning her head injury made her seem even more nervous.

Xiaocao, the name suddenly popped into Hua Jinyi's mind, and more memories followed.

Only then did Hua Jinyi realize that Xiaocao was also part of the Hua family, though her branch of the family was much more distant from theirs.

Hua Jinyi gave Hua Xiaocao a deep look, feeling that her manner was unnatural. Coupled with the sudden emergence of chaotic memories, Hua Jinyi couldn't believe there was nothing going on.

"I'm fine, thank you all for your concern," Hua Jinyi said softly.

"We're like sisters, what thanks? But Hua Jinyi, is your family okay with you going up the mountain?"

"Silly, they're not okay, which is why my sister is able to come with me." Little Four, who had just escaped his sister's grasp and was secretly celebrating, couldn't help but roll his eyes when Liu Huahua asked such a silly question.

"Watch your mouth," Hua Jinyi glared at Little Four. Still, he obviously didn't take it to heart and made a face at her, then apologetically said to Liu Huahua, "Don't mind this brat, he needs discipline!"

Liu Huahua shook her head, not taking it to heart. At this age, kids were annoying even to dogs. Her brother was the same, and if she got upset, she wouldn't be able to stop.

Hearing his sister's words, Little Four pouted defiantly, but seeing her warning look, he decided to behave because his sister's punishment would leave him with a sore bottom for days.

"Jin'er, why don't we go together? We can look out for each other," suggested Meng Daya, who was known for taking care of others, thinking about Hua Jinyi's injury.

"Sure!" Hua Jinyi had no objection to getting to know the village girls better and nodded in agreement.

She also wanted to observe what this girl named Xiaocao was so nervous about.

Hua Jinyi's cheerful agreement instantly made their atmosphere more harmonious, and they walked into the woods, chatting and laughing.

"Sister Jin'er, we were so scared the day you got hurt. We heard you lost a lot of blood. How did you roll down the hill?" Wang Xiaoxiao, still shaken at the mention of the blood, asked.

This question was well-timed. Hua Jinyi clearly noticed that as soon as Xiaoxiao asked, Hua Xiaocao, standing next to Huahua, stumbled for a moment. Despite her calm demeanor, a trace of nervousness crossed her face, and she sneaked a glance at Hua Jinyi.

After all, she was just a young girl who thought she was being subtle, not knowing that Hua Jinyi noticed it all.

Now, anxious, she was listening for Hua Jinyi's answer, though to avoid others noticing her abnormality, she lowered her head even more.

Hua Jinyi cast an almost imperceptible glance at Xiaocao and shook her head at Wang Xiaoxiao.

"I'm not sure either. Maybe because of my head injury, I can't remember how I rolled down the hill. It was probably an accident."

As soon as she said this, Hua Jinyi noticed Hua Xiaocao's body suddenly relaxed.

It seemed she wasn't mistaken; her fall down the hill that day was related to Hua Xiaocao, either directly or indirectly.

The girl's expression forced Hua Jinyi to suspect this.

And then, after saying these words, she saw Wang Xiaoxiao look at her sympathetically, as if feeling her luck was truly unfortunate. A familiar hill, yet she managed to fall.

She heard Xiaoxiao say, "Sister Jin'er, when you go to the mountains, go together with us. Then nothing dangerous will happen."

Faced with Wang Xiaoxiao's kindness, Hua Jinyi could only nod and, without realizing it, glanced at Hua Xiaocao, neither agreeing nor disagreeing with what Xiaoxiao said.

Soon enough, they arrived at the foot of the mountain after stopping along the way to pick some wild mushrooms they found.

As they walked, at some point, Wang Xiaocao found herself next to Hua Jinyi.

She carefully glanced at Hua Jinyi, like she was very curious or concerned, and quietly asked, "Jin... Jin'er, do you really not remember much about the day of your injury?"

Hua Jinyi turned her head to look steadily at Hua Xiaocao, smiling slightly, "So do you hope I remember or not?"

"I... How... How would I know?" Hua Xiaocao couldn't bear to look at Hua Jinyi's clean, black eyes, her voice growing softer and softer.

Hua Jinyi's words made her inexplicably more flustered.

"But..." Hua Jinyi's subsequent words again startled Hua Xiaocao.

"But with you asking, I seem to vaguely remember something?" Hua Jinyi rubbed her slightly aching head and suddenly narrowed her eyes at Xiaocao, making it harder for her to look up.

"I remember... you seemed to be on the mountain that day too! And right near me... Could it be you...?"

"I didn't..."

Hua Jinyi's suspicion was too apparent. Hua Xiaocao, already feeling guilty and nervous, reflexively shouted, regretting it as soon as the words left her mouth. Seeing everyone looking at her in surprise, she realized her foolishness and instinctively wanted to flee.

But leaving required Hua Jinyi to let her go.

Though she was just a young girl, if her injury was indeed related to her, Hua Jinyi wouldn't let it rest easily.

More accurately, it wasn't just an injury; it was a life. Such a sweet child was no longer here.

A flash of coldness appeared in Hua Jinyi's eyes. People shouldn't be judged by appearance. Who'd expect such a thin, seemingly sweet child to have such a cruel heart, and what if she grew older?

Don't say she's a child, and don't use her being a child as an excuse. In fact, kids understand everything - they know good from evil, and know what can and can't be done.

Don't disguise it as a small prank; it only abets wrongdoing.

This reminded Hua Jinyi of some unpleasant memories from her school days, every time something truly happened, there was always a group trying to cover it up, citing they were kids.

Hua Jinyi reached out to block Hua Xiaocao, and Little Four, noticing his sister's displeased expression, hurried over, glaring unkindly at Hua Xiaocao.

Annoying his sister, he'd hit a girl for her.

Hua Xiaomao and the other girls exchanged puzzled glances and stopped picking to hurry over.

"Sister Jin'er, you guys... What's going on?"

Her gaze wandered between Hua Jing and Hua Xiaocao, full of confusion.

Hua Jinyi put away her smile and stared intently at Hua Xiaocao, "You should ask Xiaocao. Is that right, Xiaocao?"

"Xiaocao, what did you just shout?" Hua Xiaomao, recalling Xiaocao's earlier panic, frowned.

"I... I..."

Still a child, facing her former companions' questioning looks, Hua Xiaocao was more flustered and scared amidst her anger.

However...

"Xiaocao, why are you nervous?"

Hua Jinyi didn't give her a moment to breathe.

"I'm... not nervous."

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Taking a deep breath, Hua Xiaocao timidly said, her voice so quiet it was almost inaudible.

However, the other girls didn't find it strange, knowing that Hua Xiaocao was usually timid, and her voice was always soft.

Only Hua Jinyi continued to watch her intently, her gaze slightly cold.