265. We Are the Same
As they grew older, they attended the same elementary school. Being two child prodigies was a clear disadvantage there, making it difficult for them to make friends.
Mobius, of course, disdained associating with those little brats and even dragged Ling along...
However, with each other's company, their childhood wasn't lonely.
But one day, several noticeable bruises appeared on Mobius's arm.
Under Ling's questioning, he learned that it was their neighbor who had beaten her...
While Mobius could be a little willful at times, she would never commit any serious offenses, yet his neighbor had brutally beaten her. There must be some hidden reason.
Ling wanted to ask the neighbor about the matter, but Mobius stopped her.
After all, it was her family matter, and Ling didn't want to pry too much.
However, Mobius's injuries multiplied, with new wounds constantly appearing before old ones had healed. The worst time was when a large gash on her forehead bled profusely.
If Ling hadn't been awake at the time, Mobius might have bled to death outside.
Ling really wanted to call the police, but Mobius shook her head.
After all, he was her father.
This matter couldn't be kept secret from Ling's family and her neighbors, but Mobius insisted on not accusing her father, intending to endure it all silently.
"Why? He used to be such a kind person. How could he suddenly become like this?" Ling's father scratched his head anxiously.
He had always treated Mobius like a daughter; he never imagined she would be treated this way. How could he not be heartbroken?
"But little Mobius refuses to reveal all this."
"If she did, you should know what would happen to her… She's already lost her mother; she can't lose her father, too."
"Are we just going to watch?!"
"What can I do? I can't just take Mobius away from her, can I?"
In Ling's home, an argument erupted over Mobius. They all wanted to stop it, but found themselves powerless.
Mobius was a very intelligent child. She knew what she wanted, she knew how to choose between two evils, but the more she knew, the more heartbroken they became.
Ling listened quietly to their argument. He didn't say anything, because he knew he had no say in this matter; his words couldn't change the outcome.
Ling's family could only provide Mobius with a decent shelter, a situation that continued until she was nine years old.
During this time, they also learned why Mobius's father's personality had changed drastically.
He had contracted a disease—the incurable Honkai disease!
He needed medication to survive, but this medication had terrible side effects; it hijacked the patient's nerves and even altered their perception!
That's why he became so unpredictable, transforming from a healer into a violent maniac...
Mobius understood it and chose to accept it all, taking on the responsibility of caring for her father.
Today was her birthday; she should have been having a happy birthday party, that's how it should have been.
But...
Ling's phone vibrated. It was a message from Mobius, containing only two simple words:
"Come out."
Ling didn't suspect anything and walked towards the door.
It was already late at night. If it were a message from Mobius, Ling could roughly guess what had happened.
Opening the door, she saw that Mobius's once cute face was slightly swollen, and two dark red handprints stood out starkly against her fair skin.
"Ling, I'm leaving."
These were the first words Mobius spoke upon seeing him.
"…I'll go with you." Ling grasped Mobius's hand without hesitation.
"No need. You and I are different." Mobius coldly shook off Ling's hand.
"We are the same." Ling stubbornly grabbed Mobius's hand again, forcefully pulling her into the room.
Mobius tried to struggle, but found herself no match for Ling's strength, and felt a surge of frustration.
Ling took out a first-aid kit from under the bed and carefully applied medicine to her wound with cotton swabs.
Mobius seemed somewhat annoyed by Ling's ungentlemanly behavior, turning her head away from him.
Ling didn't care. No matter how she turned her head, half of her face was still facing him, enough for him to apply the medicine.
"I've saved up a lot of money over the years. We'll withdraw it later, buy two plane tickets, and then go to Mu Continent together. It has the most cutting-edge technology in the world; we'll definitely be able to show off our skills there…"
Ling told her about their future plans while applying the medicine.
"Wait, are you serious?" Hearing Ling's words, Mobius looked directly at him, seemingly incredulous.
"I don't see any reason for me to lie to you, do I?"
Ling looked at Mobius, puzzled, as if wondering why she would ask such a question.
"…You shouldn't have left." Mobius lowered her head, as if apologizing for what she had just done.
"That's not something you can decide," Ling said domineeringly.
"You…" Mobius looked at Ling, her fist clenching, then slowly relaxing.
"We…are the same, Mobius." Ling gently pressed his forehead against Mobius's.
At that moment, Mobius saw a resolute emotion in Ling's eyes, and she also saw…herself.
'Wow~ What a heartwarming confession!'
"?" Ling glanced around in confusion.
"What's wrong?" Mobius asked, noticing Ling's unusual behavior.
"Did you…hear someone talking just now?" Ling blinked, his eyes full of confusion.
"Did I?" Mobius shook her head, indicating she hadn't heard anything.
"Then it's probably just a hallucination. Okay, let's leave it at that for now. Let's rest for the night, pack up tomorrow, and leave." Ling packed up and put away the medical kit.
"…Okay." Mobius nodded, then climbed into Ling's bed.
The two had shared a bed many times before, so there was no need to worry about anything. Besides, why should she worry about such a thing as a young child?
Ling lay beside her, the warmth gradually breaking down Mobius's defenses.
She buried her head in Ling's arms, sobbing softly.
This was the first time Ling had seen Mobius cry. Even when she was beaten bloody by the neighbor, she hadn't uttered a sound.
Sure enough, making this decision was also very painful for Mobius.
From this day forward, Ling would be her only support.
Ling knew what Mobius wanted to do.
She would eliminate the source of the Honkai Impact; she would allow 'humanity' to 'evolve'.
No matter the disaster, no matter the medicine... she would never again allow the word 'humanity' to be humiliated!
She would absolutely not allow 'humanity' to become a disgusting... monster like her father!
...