Chapter 988 - 14: Waterworld

"That little Kong Hou is quite clever. Would you like an orange?" Dr. Zhong Hong didn’t think Kong Hou could understand, he was just teasing her, thinking she was just looking at pictures in the newspaper.

"Does Jiali have something to eat?" Little Kong Hou looked outside and asked. Li Jiali had just gone out to help bandage an injured person and hadn’t come back yet.

"Wow, little Kong Hou is really good. She’s an adult now, so she doesn’t. This orange was sent by the factory manager. It’s very precious. It’s for the best child, little Kong Hou. Would you like to have it?" Dr. Zhong Hong took out a large yellow-orange and handed it in front of Kong Hou.

Kong Hou looked at the large orange in front of her, then looked at Dr. Zhong Hong, but didn’t take it right away.

At this moment, Li Jiali walked in after washing her hands. She smiled and said, "Dr. Zhong, you’re giving little Kong Hou good things again, how kind of you."

"I can’t help it, she’s too good," Dr. Zhong Hong said with a smile, holding up the orange, "Little Kong Hou, it’s for you."

"We, three, eat together." Kong Hou still didn’t take it, but shook her head and slowly said this sentence.

"Aww, you’re so good, I’m glad I care about you." Dr. Zhong Hong looked at Kong Hou’s serious expression, feeling his heart melt. Actually, at first, he was against Li Jiali adopting little Kong Hou. After all, Li Jiali could barely support herself, and adding another burden, he feared it would overwhelm Li Jiali. It took him years to find such a competent assistant, and he didn’t want to spend more time and energy finding another suitable one.

However, after interacting with this child, he unexpectedly found that the child was very sensible and good. She never caused trouble, quietly watching them work. Every day she would do what she could. When hungry or thirsty, she never mentioned it, just quietly waited to eat together. A child of only four or five, yet so understanding it tugs at the heart. It wasn’t clear why she was separated from her family.

Li Jiali peeled the orange, and the three of them shared it.

"Today’s forecast said there will be toxic fog in the evening, you should head back early," Dr. Zhong Hong said.

"Alright." Li Jiali changed her clothes, took Kong Hou to wash her hands, and prepared to go home. Drinking water in the Swamp District was very precious and needed to be purchased. Domestic water was treated sewage from the surroundings of the swamp. This water couldn’t be drunk but could be used for bathing.

On the way home, Li Jiali held Kong Hou, touched her hair, looked at the roadside stall, and said, "Little Kong Hou, shall we buy a hairband for you? You’ll be the most beautiful princess."

"No, no need. Save the money," Kong Hou immediately refused. Li Jiali, with a difficult life, didn’t want to treat little Kong Hou poorly, wanting within her ability, to give Kong Hou the best. This left Kong Hou with mixed feelings.

She had never liked humans, even found them repulsive.

But in her most helpless moment, it was such a gentle human who took her in and cared for her diligently.

Li Jiali wanted to say something more, but at this moment, a piercing alarm sounded on the street.

Toxic fog is coming!

"How did it come so fast?!" Li Jiali was shocked, holding little Kong Hou and running quickly towards home. If they didn’t return home in time and got contaminated by the toxic fog, the consequences would be unimaginable.

The toxic fog originally predicted to arrive in the evening came a full two hours early. This made Li Jiali’s heart sink. She looked at little Kong Hou in her arms, gritted her teeth, and ran forward with all her might.

She absolutely will keep this child safe! Absolutely!