TRAPPED IN THE NOVEL WORLD
218

Morning at the Han family home. Zero had finished cooking, tidying up the firewood and withering away the outer courtyard. Zero diligent child, he does not want people who become foster parents disappointed because they have taken care of him, especially if they sell it again.

"Where is the child, my wife?" ask Mr. Han when he comes home from a neighbor's house.

"He's in the back," Bu Han replied lightly.

"Why is that kid still you told me to take home? He's a money tree, don't let that kid get sick."

Bu Han's eyes dodged, his upper lip raised slightly. "She just helped me cook. The smoke from the kitchen won't make him sick. Instead he will be more independent," said Bu Han.

"But not like that either. It's too early, and we let the kid cook while it's cold."

"What desire? See he's making a fire, soon he'll be warm. Don't be too hard on people's children. His parents just throw it away!"

Ms. Han always didn't want to lose to her husband. Although they were equally evil, but her husband was more understanding. According to Mr. Han, even though Zero was not his son, if he got sick or died in his house, it would be a big problem.

Mr. Han peeked out of the room, seeing Zero being focused on blowing out the furnace of fire. The firewood in their house was not very dry, making it very difficult for Zero to light the fire evenly.

"The boy is very smart. Look, he's very clever at strategizing so that the fire is quick to even out. At a very young age, he understood the direction of the wind. I was curious about the boy's parents. I'm sure his intelligence was passed down from his parents" Mr. Han said.

According to Mr. Han, when compared to his son. Zero is very different. Zero was very small, yet from his personality, there was an adult figure inside. Little Zero was also very obedient, not once against or against their call.

"My husband, five million is in our hands now. We use this money so that it can be used several times," said Bu Han. He continued to count sheet by sheet, fearing that the money would diminish in value.

"I'll obey. What plans have you made for this money to increase?" ask Mr. Han.

"We use this money for gambling capital. Incidentally in the city is being held gambling Dominoes massively. The prize is very tempting, every hundred players then, half of them will be winners. We can join a group of champions. I myself already have a gambling master acquaintance, so that he can hook us to win the prize." Bu Han gave a suggestion.

"Good idea, it means that our chances of winning will be more and more" said Mr. Han, "but what about the boy? There's no way we're taking him while he's gambling. Someone may kidnap and sell the child to be made a slave."

Bu Han seemed to be thinking hard. After a few minutes of thinking, Bu Han finally found a solution. "We leave the boy to my brother. If it was only a day, he wouldn't mind. Especially if we give money as a foster service," said Bu Han.

Bu Han has always dominated any event. Her husband could only obey, and follow the way he had planned. That morning after Zero boiled the eggs for them to eat, they prepared to pack up wanting to go to the city to gamble.

"Zero," call Mr. Han.

"Yes, Uncle."

"Wear this coat. This is my son's property, despite his greatness, at least it can warm your body on the way," Mr. Han said.

"Where are we going, Uncle?" ask Zero. Whenever her foster parents took her away, she was always afraid. Zero directly put the large-sized coat on his thin body.

Mr. Han sighed heavily. "But he'll be cold on the street. Let it be, we're just lending it a day."

"Can't! Just put that blanket on." Show Bu Han on Zero's used blanket to sleep, "quickly, I'll wait for you outside."

Inevitably Mr. Han complied, took off the coat on Zero's body and replaced it with a blanket covering the top of Zero's body. "Uncle there's a need in town. For a while you stayed at the sister-in-law's house first. Relax, you will not be lonely because there are so many of your peers there. You can play with them so as not to get bored," Mr. Han said with a smile. Then lead Zero out. Zero simply nodded helplessly.

**

An hour had passed and they had reached this city which they had gone to. Mr. Han took Zero by the hand and walked towards the smallest house from the other house. From a distance they saw a woman in her forties spinning threads from a silkworm.

"Miwa, how are you?"

Bu Han's voice was familiar to the female ear called Miwa. He raised his head, then looked closely at the three people in front of him. His attention focused on Zero who was partially covered with a blanket.

"Han, who's this kid? Why is his face so handsome? This isn't your son, is it?" ask Miwa. He rushed down, then approached Zero. In Miwa's place there's no better-looking boy than Zero.

"Miwa, I'd like to leave this kid for a minute. Just a day, I have work to do," replied Ms. Han.

Miwa held Zero's cold hand, stroking Zero's white cheeks and Zero's extremely pale thin lips. From his aura alone, Miwa was convinced that the child was no ordinary child.

"What's your name?" ask Miwa.

"Zero," Zero replied slowly.

Miwa pulls Bu Han back, questioning the boy's origins. The two whispered, Bu Han explained everything to Miwa and gave her some money so she wouldn't ask much more.

"Take that kid! I picked her up tonight" said Ms. Han.

Miwa nodded then approached Zero, telling the boy to sit where he was spinning. "Little sister, you will stay here today at aunt's house. Tonight Aunt Han will meet you again" Miwa said after Han's departure.

Zero did not nod let alone shake his head. He just kept his head down and lamented his fate. Zero believes that now, he has been sold again. Zero did not cry, his heart was strong enough to face that reality. He sat on the edge of the table while accompanying Miwa spinning.

For a long time he was bowed lethargic, accidentally a ball fell right on his feet. Zero looked at the red round object and grabbed it.

"Hi, you! Return the ball quickly!" Someone shouted at Zero.

Zero raised his head. Seeing one by one five boys staring at him like a stranger. One fat boy, approached him and took the ball from Zero's hand.

"Why are you quiet! Are you mute?"