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worry about it. You're new to the scene; these awards aren't everything."With a sweet smile, Wen Ran admitted she was a bit let down, but not overly concerned. She wasn’t expecting overnight success w...1069

The next evening, Mu Mu and Sen Sen had completed their withdrawal from school; the reason was simple—taking a medical leave. Gu Baby wasn't too eager to withdraw her children from school, but in reality, what they were learning at school did not match their mental capacity or intelligence level. She also considered skipping grades for them since Mu Mu had complained multiple times about how boring and childish his classmates were.

The withdrawal suited Mu Mu's wishes perfectly.

Sen Sen felt a bit down because he had made some good friends who he enjoyed playing with, and they wouldn't see each other for quite a while since he'd be going to Qianyun Island after withdrawing. However, Mo Chen fully supported their decision to withdraw from school.

The next day was the camping trip. Each family prepared their own supplies, and those who had children brought them along. The mayor and his team were very capable and had already arranged for all the barbecue ingredients for the evening; everyone else just needed to prepare what they required for sleeping outdoors.

The camping location was on a mountain within a park area that could be considered semi-wild, with steep and rugged paths rarely visited by people. There were many wild animals on the mountain, but none of them would attack humans proactively. Hunters often came up to hunt in this region, and their target area was at the summit. Everyone chose their own camping spots, while the barbecue site was beside a small stream at the peak.

The people from their town often came here for camping trips.

Gu Baby and her children had participated before. Having a man in the family made it very convenient; Mo Chen set up two tents tightly to keep mosquitoes out, with a hanging light bulb inside and an extra power source as backup. Mu Mu and Sen Sen huddled in their tent playing games while Mo Chen checked the temperature and danger level of the mountain outside using his laptop. Gu Baby went to help the mayor's team prepare for the barbecue.

About sixty people came camping. The women all helped with preparing the barbecue, while the men either sang songs or gathered to play cards and drink alcohol; some even played the guitar. Camping was a new experience, an opportunity to live life differently.

The atmosphere was quite pleasant.

Morning had finished his research and shut down the computer when he suddenly heard the cries of prey, which were common at the park's hilltop. There were several hills nearby that were connected, but this area wasn't a hunting zone, so it was relatively safe.

Sen Sen opened the tent, revealing her cute little head: "Daddy, I can't beat this level; help me."

Mu Mu looked down on Sen Sen. Asking daddy to play the game for you—what kind of thing is that

But Morning was full of energy as he taught Sen Sen how to play. Nick approached and wanted to go halfway up the mountain to have fun, asking Sen Sen and Mu Mu if they wanted to come along too. Because of different perspectives, the view from the hilltop wasn't as good as that from halfway up the mountain; there were also many places to play. Many people had gone in groups already. Morning looked at the sky and said, "Kids are different from adults. You two can go ahead, but they shouldn’t wander around too much at night."

"What do you mean Are you afraid I might lose them" Nick was displeased. "When you weren't here before, we came camping, and it was me who took the kids out to play; none of them got lost. What about you—what happened to Lin Lin"

Upon hearing this, Morning's expression instantly changed.

The dark look on his face was unsettling, and he looked at Nick as if shooting him with electricity, trying to pierce through him. When Morning became angry, there was an additional sinister edge that others couldn’t understand. This matter had never been brought up by Baby Gu or Mu Mu and Sen Sen since they met—though they hadn't forgotten Lin Lin, they didn't want to dredge up those painful memories.

No one could forget such a thing.

Gu Babao, both Mu Mu and Sen Sen can scold him; this is their family matter. Strictly speaking, it's a family affair, so if it’s my family matter, others have no right to meddle.

Yet, it hurt Mo Chen's heart sharply.

Mu Mu threw the game console aside and said coldly, "Nick, you guys can play. We won’t join."

Nick realized that he had spoken rather harshly; it wasn't intentional. He left after saying sorry and joined a few young men and women going halfway up the mountain.

Mo Chen's expression was still gloomy, like an overcast sky before a thunderstorm.

Sen Sen whispered, "Daddy, don’t be angry. It wasn't Mom who told Nick. Everyone in town knows about Lin Lin’s matter. He was very likable; his sudden disappearance would definitely make people curious. So I talked to Nick."

Mo Chen slowly exhaled and ruffled Sen Sen's head. "It's okay, Daddy isn’t angry."

Nick had spoken the truth.

The original plan was for the family to enjoy a happy camping trip together but they ended up being troubled by a few words, ruining their good mood unexpectedly. Mo Chen couldn't help recalling Lin Lin and that lovely child. They were originally five as a family; now one person is missing. Mo Chen looked up at the sky and recalled when he first understood what death meant. Eleven had said back then that after people die, they all turn into stars to watch over their loved ones.

Linlin, which star are you among them Have you seen daddy, mommy, and your brother and younger brother Haven't you blamed daddy for letting you miss out on such joy, watching from up above all alone

"Don't run around, or mommy will have to look for you later. Got it" Mo Chen wanted some time alone, so he told Mu Mu and Sen Sen a few times before walking off by himself. His tall figure was swallowed up by the darkness.

Loneliness, coldness.

Sen Sen felt a bit heartbroken. "Mu Mu, daddy looks so pitiful."

Mu Mu didn't say anything and took out a game console to play games, but he wasn't playing very well. After a while, he threw out a sentence, "Isn’t it all because you talked too much Who told you that Linlin died because of him"

"I didn't say that! I said mommy and we went to daddy's place, and then Linlin..."

"That means she died because of him."

"But that’s not what he meant at all…" Sen Sen was extremely aggrieved. The two brothers fell silent, one continuing to play games while the other looked sadly in the direction where Mo Chen had disappeared. Gu Babu was helping wash the ingredients by a little stream since there were many people, and the tents weren't far from each other—about three or four meters apart. Some who liked adventure set up their tents further away, while some young couples seeking excitement set them even farther apart. Sen Sen and Mu Mu's tent was surrounded by others, and twenty meters away was the barbecue area, relatively safe. Two trendy girls were talking about music next to them, five meters away.

Gu Babu came over after being busy for a while and brought them some juice. Not seeing Mo Chen, she couldn't help but ask, "Where's your daddy"ountless times what little sister would look like when grown up. I believed you'd surely be a charming princess, but seeing you now, I fear you might not like me. You're gentle and polite; how could s...