He thought his axe strike would shatter this illusionary place, but when he struck, the person in front of him was unharmed and even continued to chatter.
"You can only blame yourself for being useless. You refuse to do the things your parents want you to do, so the future of this family can only depend on me, the sensible child."
"Do you think your parents don't like you? They both like obedient children, but you're not one of them."
The younger brother shook his head, his voice full of mocking laughter, "Since that's the case, what's wrong with having you do some housework at home and help me? You're not liked, that's your own fault, not my fault."
Zhong Mu slowly lowered his head and gripped the axe in his hand tightly. "I have my own ideas, and I have things I want to do."
"Sons are supposed to listen to their parents. Your parents are doing this for your own good. You were just being stubborn and insisted on choosing your own path. So who in this family do you expect to take you seriously? It's good enough that we haven't kicked you out!" The younger brother kept sneering, and his blurry face made Zhong Mu feel dizzy.
"So... I left home later... I..." Zhong Mu subconsciously tried to explain, but then shook his head, remembering that this was an illusion and that ignoring him was the best way.
He turned and strode toward the door, trying to leave the house, but as soon as he reached out to open it, two people suddenly squeezed in, staring coldly at Zhong Mu inside, even frowning slightly in displeasure.
"What are you standing at the door for? Get out of the way." With that, the man pushed past Zhong Mu and went inside, while the woman turned around indifferently, closed the door, and walked into the house.
When they saw Zhong Mu, their cold faces showed no reaction, but when they saw his younger brother in the house, their faces instantly lit up with joy and they rushed over, "Oh, baby, you're home? Are you hungry?"
"Your parents came home late and didn't pick you up, so they asked your brother to pick you up instead. They must be tired from the journey and should go home and get some rest."
The three of them stood together, enjoying each other's company.
Taking the opportunity, the younger brother pulled a long face and glared at Zhong Mu unhappily, "But I'm hungry, and my brother hasn't cooked for me. He's deliberately making me go hungry."
Upon hearing this, the other two people's cold gazes fell directly on Zhong Mu.
In the silent room, the three men stared at him with displeasure. Zhong Mu took a small step back, feeling suffocated.
The slightest thing that doesn't go my way will make me give myself a hard time. This silence, this unspoken self-reproach, is more terrifying than yelling at myself.
A familiar feeling washed over him, and Zhong Mu felt difficulty swallowing. He gripped the axe in his hand tightly again, tensely. "Don't look at me like that... He should be independent now. He can't rely on me for everything. I have my own things to do too..."
But the room remained silent in response to him. The three people were standing in the room just like him, but the distance between them seemed to be infinite, as if a huge barrier had been drawn between them.
"It's alright, don't worry about your brother. What do you want to eat? We'll make it for you." The woman stopped staring at Zhong Mu, turned to her younger brother with a smile, and pulled him towards the kitchen.
"Oh dear, the future of our Zhong family depends on you. Some of the disobedient ones should leave home as soon as possible. They're just an eyesore at home."
They talked to themselves and then went about their own business.
The suffocating feeling they brought never dissipated; they would show their displeasure at the slightest inconvenience, so much so that Zhong Mu learned to read people's expressions from a young age.
The family left the kitchen peacefully, leaving Zhong Mu standing there alone, feeling short of breath and dizzy.
He gritted his teeth and glared at the three people's retreating figures. "It's always been like this since we were little. You never let me do anything. I have to listen to you! What am I supposed to do to be right? Obey you and do what you say?"
"Am I only fit to be a nanny in this house because I'm no longer useful?"
"Why do I have to become a surgeon? I've said it so many times! I'm afraid of being incomplete! I'm afraid of being cut open! I really can't carry on your work, why don't you ever listen to me!"
The three people suddenly turned around, their gazes turning icy as they stared at Zhong Mu. "If you don't want to, then don't stay in this house. You're no longer family with us."
Zhong Mu stood there in astonishment, his hand gripping the axe so tightly it turned white. "Just because of this, I don't deserve to stay in this house? Just because of this?"
Aren't family members an important relationship that everyone is born with? A refuge that accompanies us on the long journey of life?
He tried his best, persevered, and never gave up on his family, but his family easily abandoned him.
Even after returning to this suffocating room, Zhong Mu still shrinks back and trembles.
"My thoughts... don't matter... I'll be obedient..."
He murmured, his gaze turning icy, "The old me would have said that, and then tried to persuade you to stay, but now, it doesn't matter anymore."
Zhong Mu gripped the axe and slowly approached them. "My family doesn't necessarily have to be you."
"Even if it's an illusion, I can't stand this place for even a second longer."
"I prefer small towns, and I want to go back to them."
As if he had finally made up his mind, he swung the axe he had been gripping tightly at the scene before him with a fierce blow.
The entire house began to collapse and twist, and everything inside seemed to grow hands and feet as it lunged at Zhong Mu.
Zhong Mu tried to dodge, but he couldn't escape at all; he was completely immobilized and unable to move.
This icy touch... this chilling gliding motion instantly reminded Zhong Mu of the terrifying feeling brought by Li Mo's tentacles.
He suddenly opened his eyes, his consciousness instantly becoming much clearer.
Yes, he's in a hallucination right now. These are all illusions. He can't be trapped in the past forever. He will definitely be able to open his eyes and go to where he really wants to go and do what he really wants to do.
Only by maintaining a good mood and optimism can we break free from this filthy place and move towards the best future.
Zhong Mu repeatedly tried to calm herself down by recalling more beautiful things.
Compared to the twisted and suffocating feeling coming from all directions, he should miss the care and attention he received from everyone in the small town.
The kindness emanating from each person makes them seem more like family than the people in the house.
Before each dungeon run, they make thorough preparations to ensure they come out alive. Caring for and valuing oneself is the feeling that family should have.
He loved the lively atmosphere of the small town, where everyone was energetically handing out flyers and reciting the town's rules.
That's what a family is. They respect each other, care for each other, and value every member of the town. Boss Ye is the pillar of this family and is trusted by everyone.
Xiu Ge and Li Mo's strength has a strong voice and deterrent effect. The fear they bring can ward off all external invasions. Even in such a dangerous dungeon, the town can make people feel at ease.
Another thing that could reassure Zhong Mu was the heart that was constantly beating in his chest, conveying his emotions.