Chef's Knife

Chuning regretted it.

When he heard the sound and ran to the entrance of the alley panting, the inn had already turned into a sea of ​​flames.

"Hey—kid! Stay away, this is not a place to play!"

The adults who came to put out the fire with ladles and buckets pushed him away.

Looking at the blaze that filled the sky and the charred corpses brought out of the fire, Chu Ning felt a dull pain in his chest and couldn't breathe for a while.

known long time ago……

The 12-year-old boy bent his knees weakly and fell to his knees.Tears fell drop by drop, seeping into the scorching ground.

He will always, always bring disaster and kill those around him time and time again.

It would be fine if I didn't crave that little bit of kindness, and it would be fine if I ran away in the first half of the night.

Chu Ning ran in the night, falling into deep self-loathing.

He despicably abandoned that 'self' and lived secretly in this world.

But what reason is there to live?

Such an empty life is like a sinking black hole, and there is absolutely nothing that can be filled.

Why not die?

Every night in his nightmare, those dead people are calling him, wanting to bring him into that world.Why refuse?Obviously, as long as you let nature take its course, you can easily get rid of all this, can't you?

There will be no more nightmares, no more hunger, no more pain; you can reunite with your loved ones and enjoy eternal peace...

Why refuse?Why do you have to wander alone like duckweed?Why did you choose to escape?

It would be great if he could die in that fire just now!

Chuning stopped, gasping for breath, and slammed into an unknown embrace.

"..."

Chuning smelled the familiar smell of oil and salt.

"You..." The man's voice was full of helplessness, "It's crazy to run like this without even wearing shoes."

Chu Ning hugged his waist, and grinned, the tears that had just stopped poured out again.

To be able to see this person in full form - it's really nice!

"..." For the first time, the 'cook' saw the boy's strong mood swings, and he was dazed and awkwardly wiping his tears, a little at a loss.

Buried in the warm chest of the 'cook', Chuning felt safer than ever before.

I am alive.

"I said," the 'cook' sighed after a while, "you have had many enemies along the way."

In the dark night, the murderous intent has emerged, and only running for life is left.

"Could you tell me what's going on in your house now?" the 'cook' asked as he ran while holding Chuning's hand, "Why do these people have trouble with you—first they set fire and then hunted down?"

After a while, Chuning's muffled voice came.

"My father is a gambler. He owed a loan shark and left my mother and me to run away."

The pursuers with torches came closer and closer.

"My mother was forced to hang herself, and these creditors dragged me to ask for my father's debt..."

Before he finished speaking, he saw a bright knife slashing at him, and Chuning subconsciously closed his eyes.

"Ping—"

The 'cook' caught the blow with a kitchen knife in his hand, and slashed at the opponent's tiger's mouth.There was only a wailing sound, and the knife in the man's hand dropped out of his hand and fell to the ground.

The 'cook' swung his knife to block the attack of the No.2 murderer, and removed the other person's shoulder with his skill.

"Hand over that kid, and I'll spare you!" the leading chaser shouted at the 'cook'.

The 'cook' only held the kitchen knife to protect Chuning behind his back, and responded with actions.

Under the night, Chu Ning watched the green-clothed figure wield the kitchen knife that was supposed to be used for cutting vegetables unskillfully, resisting the deserters rushing forward like a mantis holding a cart.

The face of the 'cook' was splashed with blood, his movements gradually slowed down, and he seemed to be struggling a lot when swinging the knife.Finally, in a gap, the murderer raised his knife and slashed at Chuning - he was carried off by the 'cook' on his shoulders.

The blood of the 'cook' flowed from the wound to Chuning's neck, and he hugged Chuning with difficulty and ran through the streets at night.

At that moment, Chuning heard her own heartbeat.

"You are hurt."

"Ah."

"Put me down."

Chuning repeated with a dry voice from crying.

"Put me down, throw me away."

'Cook' fell on deaf ears.

"You're bleeding, you're going to die."

"I know." The 'cook' who was pale from blood loss just forced a smile, "I know everything, it's just..."

He took a deep breath and looked serious.

"My mother taught me since I was a child that the things I picked up at home must be kept to the end—"

Chuning closed her eyes, tears soaked the coat of 'Cook'.

You're the thing... idiot.

Who would take trouble as a treasure? Is there anyone more stupid than this guy in the world?

But he really likes this idiot...

The exhausted 'cook' was finally about to collapse, and smiled weakly at him.

"I'm sorry, I can't run away with you anymore."

Why do you say sorry, idiot!

"You run... I will send them away."

The voice of the 'cook' couldn't stop trembling, and the clothes on his shoulders were completely soaked in blood.

"Finally I can protect you again, I'm so happy."

The 'cook' smiled wryly and held his left shoulder, the wound was cracked and the bone was visible.

"You have to live as you want and marry the best girl."

"No matter when and where... my back will always be your shield, and my kitchen knife will always open the way for you."

"Like today."

As Chuning ran under the guidance of the moonlight, he remembered those eyes firmly in his mind.

He wants to live, in order to see that person again.

Even tombstones.