When the old woman came, she came in a wheelchair. She brought a seat with her, while the pregnant woman who came behind occupied two chairs.
Even if you include the "sister" who is still cooking, there is still one person missing at the table.
There is always an empty chair.
Annan took the opportunity to get up and try to check the note on the wall.
What was written on it seemed to be a message board.
It used to be found occasionally in stores around the school, with many sticky notes filled with words posted on them.
Some people use it as a confession wall, some people use it as a place to show affection, and some people use it to check in and take notes. The store can also use it as a proof of popularity...
And the note posted on this message board is almost like this sticky note:
"Today is my father's death anniversary, and tomorrow is my birthday. He said he would come back after my birthday.
"He's a liar.
"He is also a hero, because my sister said that he died on the battlefield. In a foreign country. He died in a place that I can't see. I want to worship, but I don't know which direction to kneel in. No matter what, he will always be there.
I can’t come back either.”
For example, this post-it note.
Rather than saying it is "kept as a souvenir", it is better to say it is some kind of diary.
The difference is that this diary is open to others. Annan has been reading it here for a while. Others have seen his actions, but no one has ever stopped this "old man" from peeking into other people's privacy. From then on,
In this regard, this behavior may be allowed here.
"……Huh?"
Annan suddenly noticed that there were several dark red traces on a piece of paper.
It looked like dried blood. To be more precise, it should be a bloody fingerprint. It was like the person who pressed this note had blood on the fingertips that had not yet dried up.
The first sentence of this note caught Annan's attention:
"Is this world... really real?"
It was a brushstroke that contained fear. It looked like a note written with sweat, and you could see the wet curl of the paper.
"I felt something was wrong. Although I could hear the radio, it seemed that there was a whole world outside; although I still had my childhood companions in my memory... But it is undeniable that I have not been there for several years.
Never saw outsiders again.
"Including me, there are only eight people in this village. Where do our food, clothing, housing and transportation come from? Why is there only one worker in the factory? Where is the old woman selling the things produced?
"So I make a bold guess: our world is false!
"When the sun rises tomorrow, I will run away! I want to see if the world outside this village really exists!"
...What kind of talent is this?
If he is a madman, his logic seems to be quite clear, and his worries are reasonable; but if he is a wise man, his last bold speculation is so jumpy...
Annan thought and looked back at a few people.
He remembered that the "old woman" from before urged "Huang Mao" to start work again tomorrow;
"The Lady" is due to give birth tomorrow;
The owner of the first note has his birthday tomorrow;
The owner of the second note plans to verify the authenticity of this world tomorrow...
If Annan guessed correctly, the eight people here should all have some expectations for "tomorrow"...
Or rather, fear.
"The food is ready!"
At this moment, a gentle girl's voice sounded.
Annan hunched over and turned around.
A girl wearing a goose-yellow turtleneck sweater, with long, silky black hair, and glasses walked out of the kitchen carrying the last plate of dishes.
Seeing Annan standing by the wall, she smiled lightly, with two beautiful dimples on her cheeks: "Uncle, let's eat first."
"good."
Annan, who was still in the intelligence gathering stage, nodded obediently and followed their wishes and sat at the table.
There is no doubt that from Annan's perspective, everything on the table is delicious. And everything he likes to eat...
From smoked beef burgers, egg tarts, half-cooked cheese, to pickled pork with pickled vegetables, cola chicken wings, boiled pork slices, and clay pot rice. The most outrageous thing is that there is also a large tomahawk steak and grilled crispy roast suckling pig.
In any case, this is not a meal that a young girl can prepare in a few hours in such a simple kitchen.
Annan has not seen meals with such a hometown flavor and modern flavor for a long, long time.
But Annan didn't bother to move the chopsticks, but looked at the girl called "Sister". Yes, there were actually chopsticks on the table, not just knives and forks.
She looked like she was only sixteen or seventeen years old.
Like others, he has a face similar to Annan.
"Give it to me, sister."
The strong man with a calm temperament walked over and took the dish from the girl's hand.
This strong man, who was at least in his early thirties, said "sister" to a girl who was only in her teens... This made Annan feel strange.
But the others seemed not to notice anything, with no abnormal expression on their faces. This sense of surprise gave Annan a strong sense of unreality.
My sister glanced around and asked, "Where are the philosophers?"
"He didn't come!"
Huang Mao, who was the first to move his chopsticks, filled his mouth with food and answered first: "I haven't seen him in a day!"
……philosopher.
Annan heard the "name" of the last person.
If nothing else, this should be the person who left the second note.
But another doubt arose in Annan's mind. There were only ten people in the village. If Huang Mao hadn't seen him for a day, then why was his note left here?
"Abo, don't you want to eat?"
My sister asked from the side.
It was an extremely gentle tone, almost respectful, but Annan's intuition felt a vague sense of danger.
It was as if something terrible would happen if he didn't eat.
"I'm a little distracted, sister."
Annan had a simple and honest smile on his face and picked up the chopsticks.
He deliberately called "sister" to see other people's reactions. In the end, no one thought there was anything strange about it.
...I probably understand a little bit about the rules of this nightmare.
Annan thought to himself.
But we still need to collect some more information.
If I guessed correctly... I should hear about the death of that "philosopher" soon.
Is this the last supper?
The taste of the food is indeed as delicious as it looks. Rather, it is exquisite. Every food is comparable to the peak state in Annan's memory. It is so wonderful that people can't help but admire it.
Even Annan, who was wary at first, couldn't help but move his chopsticks a few more times.
But even Annan, who was immersed in the food wholeheartedly, was still vaguely observing his surroundings.
Although all his abilities were inexplicably unavailable here... the quality of Annan's soul had not declined. His instinct told him that someone was observing him in a similar way to himself.
Until Annan was full, nothing unexpected happened.
“Today’s sunset is beautiful.
"How about I give you a divination?"
The old woman lying in the wheelchair with her head tilted suddenly said with a smile: "Just for fun after dinner?"