Chapter 379: Family Meeting and the Pyramid Path

Location: Moon Terrace, Old Apartment Building, Apartment 401.

Event: The Third Family Meeting convenes.

Two such family meetings had been held previously.

During the first meeting, after discussion, Lu Xin’s family decided that Lu Xin should enter the Second Stage and then review File 003.

The second family meeting was held after reviewing File 003, confirming Chen Xun was still alive. In that meeting, Lu Xin’s family decided to visit family in Central City, unintentionally resolving the Black Table’s “Creating gods” incident.

Now, the Third Family Meeting has begun.

Without the lights on, Apartment 401 always felt somewhat gloomy. With the lights on, the glare seemed a bit harsh. The television was already on, currently showing Gourd Babies. A gourd baby on screen was shouting: “My head isn’t made of dough!”

Several dishes were already laid out on the dining table, much more plentiful than before.

There was a plate of stir-fried shredded cucumber, a plate of spicy stir-fried clams, a bowl of radish and dried shrimp soup, four bowls of rice, and a bottle of alcohol.

Attendees: Mom, Father, Sister, Lu Xin.

There was also a skinless dog huddled under the table. It wasn’t clear if it counted, but it stubbornly refused to leave.

…

“Whether camping in the Wasteland or staying in a Central City hotel, neither is as good as home.”

Lu Xin smiled happily. He had cooked today’s meal, bought alcohol for his Father, and even poured him a glass. He picked up his own bowl, slowly eating his rice, and casually remarked, “But returning so urgently now… My work will need handling soon too. What Doctor An said back in Central City, I wonder how much of it was true and how much was false…”

Pausing slightly, he asked curiously, “Is the problem with the Abyss Rift really that serious?”

Sister and Father looked at each other, then turned their heads towards Mom.

Mom seemed to possess an even more elegant aura. Sitting in this dilapidated old house, before the worn-out dining table, she always gave off a sense of being out of place. Yet, her expression remained as gentle as ever. Hearing Lu Xin’s words, she put down her chopsticks, chuckled softly, nodded, and said, “From the Research Institute’s perspective, this is naturally very dangerous.”

“Even without applying the research’s rift theory, it can be understood simply from the perspective of pollution. If a pile of garbage is left unattended, it will only get dirtier. How much more so for a pollution source like that? It’s inevitable that the longer it’s delayed, the worse it will become.”

…

Lu Xin picked up some food with his chopsticks, eating as he said, “If that’s the case, then we really can’t ignore it.”

“Whatever the Research Institute is planning, as long as they’re doing the right thing, then I should also contribute.”

“After all, this is the work I do.”

He pointed his chopsticks at the dishes on the table, saying, “The groceries we bought were all paid for with the salary they gave me.”

“Heh, you make millions in one trip, yet you only buy this kind of food to eat?”

Father let out a cold laugh and drank half a glass of alcohol.

He only drank, not eating any food, seemingly using this behavior to express his protest.

Of course, it was also possible he wasn’t hungry. In the kitchen behind him, piles of unknown flesh were already stacked up. Lu Xin didn’t know where this meat came from; he just saw it as soon as he entered this time. Perhaps Father planned to enjoy it alone.

“Money should be spent sparingly…”

Lu Xin said slowly.

He knew Father was referring to the two and a half million he earned from selling information that one time, and felt a bit embarrassed.

Although he earned a lot of money that way, his heart wasn’t quite at ease.

He had already decided that such things, in the future…

He would do less often.

Thinking this, he smiled reassuringly, “Besides, look, we’re eating two kinds of seafood in one meal now.”

Hearing Lu Xin’s explanation, the atmosphere at the table turned somewhat awkward.

Even Sister gave Lu Xin a strange look.

Clams and dried shrimp could count as two kinds of seafood?

“You’ve remembered many things since going out this time.”

Father’s body was largely submerged in shadow. Coupled with his slightly lowered head, deep-set eyes, and chilling gaze:

“If that’s the case, do you still want to continue living such a hard life?”

“Before, you threw all the money you earned into the orphanage because you felt you owed them.”

“What about now?”

“Have you forgotten her reaction when you left here…”

…

Lu Xin’s hand, just about to pick up some food, suddenly stopped.

He didn’t speak, nor did he show any reaction, just paused slightly.

Mom immediately shot Father a reproachful glance, waited a moment, then smiled gently, “What’s the point of saying these things?”

Saying this, she turned her smile towards Lu Xin, “Have you decided?”

Lu Xin resumed picking up food, placed it in his bowl, nodded lightly, and said, “This is my job, after all.”

Mom smiled, then looked towards Sister.

Sister, who was fiddling with the screaming chicken in her hands and focused only on the TV, was suddenly caught by Mom’s gaze. She immediately reacted, though it was unclear if she understood what was being discussed, simply raising her little hand, “Listen to Brother.”

Lu Xin nodded with satisfaction.

Since returning from Central City this time, Sister seemed more obedient than before.

She had her own thoughts and judgment.

…Listening to her brother in all matters was, of course, a form of thought and judgment!

Having stated his position, and with Sister having done the same, Lu Xin naturally looked towards Father.

Usually, Father loved playing devil’s advocate. But this time, meeting Lu Xin’s gaze, he suddenly chuckled darkly, lowering his voice, “From the first time I saw that monster, I didn’t like her. I just wanted to tear her apart. It’s just that none of you were willing to join me back then. Since there’s a legitimate reason this time, of course, we should go tear apart her hive and have some fun.”

“This matter needs to be handled, but my opinion isn’t necessarily that we have to tear her apart…”

Lu Xin added, then looked back at Mom.

He now felt more and more that Mom’s opinion was the most important.

The smile on Mom’s face didn’t change in the slightest, only gentleness and refinement remained. She asked softly, “Are you confident?”

Lu Xin frowned slightly, “That’s precisely the problem.”

After a brief silence, he said, “Actually, I don’t know if I have confidence myself. Usually, I handle things that are presented right in front of me. This is the first time I’m actively seeking someone out… I keep getting this feeling like I’m a troublemaker, a bad guy.”

Sister and Father immediately stared intently at Lu Xin.

Then Father burst out laughing, “Hehehehe.”

“In that case, let’s not worry about confidence for now.”

Mom smiled at Lu Xin, “There’s something else you need to know.”

“The Research Institute wasn’t lying. Not just about the issues with these forbidden zones, but also about the Pyramid they mentioned.”

…

“Pyramid?”

Lu Xin hadn’t expected Mom’s topic to suddenly shift here and was slightly stunned.

Sister, who had been distractedly watching TV, suddenly turned her head, looking at Lu Xin with excitement, her mouth stretching to her ears.

The tall figure of Father also slowly turned around.

A blood-red color floated in his eyes. He looked very excited, yet he was suppressing it.

Mom’s expression remained composed, elegant, and calm, only the corners of her mouth held a hint of a gentle smile. She looked gently into Lu Xin’s eyes, “Yes, the Pyramid exists. And you are indeed already on the Pyramid. So, regarding your desire to handle your work, the family will naturally support you. However, when faced with proper business that needs doing, shouldn’t you also step up your efforts?”

Listening to Mom’s words, Sister’s eyes grew brighter and brighter. She squeezed the screaming chicken hard.

Father chuckled, ‘hehehe’. The light bulb above his head began to sway gently, causing the light in the room to flicker.

“Do I really have to go…”

Lu Xin spoke as if somewhat troubled, yet for some reason, a smile suddenly appeared on his face.

It was a smile he couldn’t hide.

“Of course…”

Mom said gently, “It’s not just for the family, you know…”

“I understand you. Given your temper, how could you possibly like the feeling of being stepped on by others?”

…

Hearing this, Lu Xin fell silent again for a moment, then lifted his head.

He wore a gentle smile and said softly, “Actually, I don’t know what use taking this step is.”

Mom was silent at this moment. Father had a cold sneer on his face. Sister was also affected; hugging the screaming chicken, she looked left, then right. She leaned closer to Lu Xin, but then seemed to think better of it and leaned towards Mom instead.

The skinless dog under the table quietly poked its head out, glanced around, shivered, and pulled back again.

The atmosphere in the room had unknowingly become oppressive; the air felt as if it had solidified.

“But since you all think I should take it…”

Lu Xin smiled and continued, “Then taking it doesn’t matter much, does it?”

Saying this, he glanced at Mom, “Actually, you’re right. I really don’t like being bullied either.”

Seeing Lu Xin’s expression, Mom suddenly broke into a smile:

“That’s right. I know you’re an honest child. You don’t like bullying others, but others bullying you isn’t okay either…”

“Hehehehe…”

Father let out a cold laugh, seemingly tinged with ridicule.

But unlike usual, he was previously adept at using smiles to mask sarcasm.

This time, it seemed more like he was using the facade of sarcasm to hide the genuine happiness and excitement in his heart.

Only Sister subconsciously followed suit with a smile, but it looked somewhat forced. She tilted her head, looking at Lu Xin.

“So, it’s settled then?”

Lu Xin smiled, “The work that needs doing must be done, and the step that needs taking must also be taken?”

Mom smiled and nodded, picking up her chopsticks. Father filled his glass with alcohol and started laughing heartily.

Gazes exchanged among the family, the atmosphere instantly became harmonious.

Did family meetings require a show of hands? A single glance was enough for mutual understanding.

“Woof woof woof…”

A small whimper came from under the table. It was the skinless dog.

As a quasi-attendee, it naturally agreed too.

…Mainly because it had no right to disagree.