I never expected Mazao to be desperate enough to ask me for advice on how to get along with parents.
"If you're seeking guidance from me, then you've got the wrong person," I said.
"Why? Do you not get along well with your parents?"
Mazao was initially puzzled, then seemed to recall something, "Now that you mention it, I don't think I've ever heard Zhuang Cheng speak about his parents. You always live alone... Could it be..."
As she spoke, she showed a somewhat apologetic expression, as if feeling guilty for bringing up the topic. She likely misunderstood something. In the "Doomsday Era," death is commonplace, and losing friends and acquaintances is an everyday affair, so it's easy for her to think along those lines. Hence, I quickly clarified.
"Don't overthink it. My parents are still alive," I said.
"That's good then."
Mazao breathed a sigh of relief and then asked with confusion, "Why do I still feel that you're quite distant from your parents..."
