Chapter 3: The Unveiling Truth

Confronted by my sister, I ultimately conceded to her demand.

My decision wasn’t born of coercion, but from a lingering regret that had haunted me for a decade.

Now, with this opportunity for a new beginning, I was particularly eager to uncover the truth.

What exactly transpired at the cafe my sister had asked me to meet her at all those years ago?

A last-minute errand to withdraw money for Mom had caused me to miss our appointment. By the time I finally reached the cafe, my sister was nowhere to be found.

In the days that followed, her demeanor towards me grew noticeably colder. Even her eventual departure from home after the apocalypse seemed inextricably linked to that missed meeting.

‘If only our relationship had remained as it was then.’

‘Then my sister wouldn’t have vanished without a trace, venturing out into the world all by herself.’

****

In the initial chaos of the zombie outbreak, few dared to confront the horrifying undead alone. My sister, venturing out by herself, must have been utterly terrified.

This time, I vowed, history would not repeat itself.

With my resolve firm, I nodded to my sister, signaling my consent.

“YES!”

Upon hearing my answer, my sister joyfully clenched her tiny fists. An exuberant expression lit up her face, her eyes curving into delightful crescent moons. In that instant, she struck me as incredibly adorable.

My sister had always possessed an extraordinary beauty, a stark contrast to my own ordinary appearance.

“Then, Big Brother, you absolutely must come today at three in the afternoon! Green Tree Cafe, don’t be late!”

“Alright, I’ll be there.”

“Dress a little more handsomely.”

“…”

Only after I had escorted my sister from the room did I finally find myself with a moment of leisure.

Green Tree Cafe, three in the afternoon. It was the exact same request as before.

However, the appointment was a day earlier, stirring a flicker of hesitation within me. ‘Could the same mishap occur again, perhaps Mom calling me to withdraw money, just like last time?’

‘No, every conceivable accident must be preempted!’

With that thought solidifying, I retrieved my phone and dialed Mom’s number.

“Hello, Mom, I have some urgent matters to attend to today. My phone might be switched off for a period.”

“Nothing’s wrong, is it?”

“No, everything’s fine. The school has asked me to grade some papers, and I’m not allowed to bring my phone inside.”

“Oh, alright then.”

After politely concluding the conversation with Mom, I ended the call.

Though it might sound like bragging, my academic performance was quite respectable, and in the eyes of my teachers, I was considered a diligent student.

Thus, it was not uncommon for me to receive special tutoring or assist teachers with various tasks.

Given that the unfortunate incident hadn’t yet transpired, and Mom hadn’t encountered any immediate need for funds, my preemptive excuse should prevent her from asking me to withdraw money again.

Though I felt a pang of guilt towards Mom, I was resolute: this time, I would not let my sister down.

Furthermore, today, I intended to seek out my sister and demand a clear explanation.

‘What exactly do I represent in her heart? Why does she always fix me with that inscrutable gaze? If she truly despises me, she should just say it outright!’

‘Regardless, I would never abandon my sister, Mom, or Dad over this. Given the care the Bai family had shown me, I was determined to ensure their safety during the apocalypse.’

‘Only if they explicitly told me they no longer needed me would I ever turn my back and leave.’

With ample time remaining before our appointment, I decided to spend half the day exercising at the gym.

It wasn’t until two o’clock that I swiftly showered and exited the gym’s main doors.

To avert any unforeseen mishaps, I deliberately switched off my phone. Then, suppressing the aches throughout my body, I began to jog towards Green Tree Cafe.

Due to my concern about the meeting with my sister, I had intentionally selected a gym located quite close to the cafe, giving me ample confidence I could arrive before three o’clock.

As I approached the cafe, my gaze immediately fell upon my sister, standing prominently before the main entrance.

She was dressed in a pristine white dress, complemented by a soft, charming cat-eared hat perched atop her head, exuding an utterly adorable charm.

Her fair, porcelain skin and large, expressive eyes lent her the innocent aura of a girl-next-door.

My sister was, undeniably, the most beautiful.

Just as I was about to walk towards my sister, I suddenly overheard her speaking with a group of men standing nearby.

“Bai Xia, why isn’t the person you spoke of here yet? Are you trying to trick us?”

“I’m certainly not tricking you!”

“I suppose you wouldn’t dare. Still, it’s almost three. If that person doesn’t arrive, you’ll face the consequences.”

As I drew nearer, I suddenly realized my sister was conversing with the men beside her.

A clear look of aversion marred her features, as though she utterly detested the presence of these men.

‘Could this, then, be the incident I had missed all those years ago?’