"What happened? They're all dead, Old Liu, Xiao Hua, Zhang Jie, they're all dead. Of course, you won't see them anymore."
"You said it was just a small problem, why is it so serious? What exactly happened?" Xu An's heart skipped a beat upon hearing Mouse's words.
It was as if something had been overlooked.
But looking at Mouse's dejected expression, she didn't know what to say.
Xu An looked into Mouse's eyes, but there was nothing in them, only boundless numbness and indifference.
Xu An could hardly imagine that the Mouse now and the Mouse half a year ago were the same person.
"You had so many children, why didn't you ask for help?"
Xu An knew that Mouse ran an underground organization that took in children who were unwanted or couldn't be raised.
In essence, it was an orphanage. These children supported themselves by doing odd jobs for Mouse.
"Who would help us? Those children, I watched them gasp their last breaths before my eyes."
"Those children were so young and sensible. Some starved to death, some froze to death, and some were thrown to their deaths while trying to escape pursuit."
Xu An had previously heard that the Lighthouse had conducted a sweep of illegal residents on the Lighthouse who had no household registration or identity cards.
However, Xu An also knew that Mouse had strong backing, and such activities were usually just a lot of noise and little substance, just putting on a show each time.
But why did it turn out this way this time?
"I didn't take this sweep seriously at first, but when I saw that the leader was a stranger, I knew something was wrong."
"My father, brother, and I had an agreement that as long as it was a familiar face, I would be at ease. But if it changed, it meant my parents were also in danger. At that time, I couldn't even leave to find my parents."
Back then, to stay in the alley and take care of these homeless children.
Her brother suggested registering Mouse's personal information in the core confidential family area on the second floor, but Mouse refused.
She thought she would never return to such a place in her life, but she never expected that day to come, and she wouldn't even get to see her parents.
The former Mouse used to take on tasks that couldn't be done openly, but people with some means knew Mouse's background and gave her some face because of the people behind her.
Although no one understood why a wealthy and influential young lady would choose to stay in such a place.
But it was different now.
The day after Mouse discovered her parents and brother were in trouble, those who had flattered her and fawned over her all came out to kick her while she was down.
It was as if they were certain Mouse would never recover.
No matter how strong she was, no matter how ruthlessly and expertly she disguised herself, she was, after all, just a teacher who couldn't even lift a chicken.
Half of her current status was due to the people behind her backing her.
Mouse never imagined that the "tree falls, the monkeys scatter" would happen to her.
"I went to beg them, asking if they could spare some food, but they just laughed at me."
"They pushed me into the mud and said that I had nothing now and shouldn't dream of being high and mighty."
"When those children were very hungry, they went to the streets to beg. When someone got sick, we asked the guards on the Lighthouse for help, but it was useless. Without money, they wouldn't even look at you, even if you died in front of them."
Xu An hesitated. From what she knew, Mouse shouldn't have been without savings doing grey market business.
Mouse seemed to see through Xu An's thoughts.
"You must be thinking, with all the things I did before, how could I not have money? But Xu An, the truth is, I really don't have money."
"Do you think the alley is just my alley? It's the alley of all the capital behind me. Eighty percent of all my income has to be handed over, and only those people can protect these children without identity cards to live safely on the Lighthouse."
"The remaining twenty percent is still needed for these children to live. You might not believe it, but I really don't have money."
"Then what about your parents and brother? How are they now?"
Mouse shook her head, seemingly unwilling to talk about it too much, and just said coldly, "They're fine."
Xu An looked at Mouse.
Perhaps this girl wasn't a good daughter or a good sister in the traditional sense.
But she was definitely a good teacher and had indeed lived up to her conscience.
Xu An dejectedly let go of Mouse, looking at her lifeless face, and found she couldn't say anything to blame her.
"Then why haven't you left? What are you still doing here?"
Since Mouse's parents were fine, with their capabilities, even if they couldn't help Mouse make a comeback, she wouldn't have fallen to this point.
"I still have a few children here. I... I only have these few children left. No matter what, I have to raise these children. Nothing else matters."
Tears fell like broken beads, continuously sliding down Mouse's somewhat mottled cheeks, revealing streaks of white underneath.
"What do you plan to do now? Is your previous information network still intact? I came here to find you for something. If it can be done." Xu An paused, looking at the children huddled in the corner, their eyes full of timidity.
"I'm willing to help you."
After saying this, Xu An sighed deeply and gave a bitter smile.
The moment Mouse looked up in shock, Xu An heard Ze Yuan's voice behind her.
"Hey, didn't you say yourself not to meddle in other people's business? What are you doing now, Xu An? Are you trying to be a big shot?"
Ze Yuan was somewhat displeased.
Everything has a price. Let alone whether Mouse still had any value now.
Even if they really found that person.
If Xu An agreed to help Mouse, the investment would definitely be more than just some contribution points.
He didn't believe Xu An couldn't even figure out such a simple calculation.
Xu An didn't speak up but communicated with Ze Yuan using brainwaves.
"Some things just have to be done by someone."