Chapter 449 Take me away

Qi Tongwei frowned: "But the world outside is not as simple as you think. You have been in this small town for so many years, you may encounter many difficulties when you go out." Zhang Long sighed: "I know it is not easy, but I don't want to spend the rest of my life in regret. I want to do something to make up for my previous mistakes."

Qi Tongwei stood up and paced around the room: "It's good that you have this idea, but you also have to consider the actual situation. How will you live if you go out? And your health is not as good as before." Zhang Long was silent for a while and said: "I will find a way. I can do some odd jobs and support myself."

Qi Tongwei said helplessly: "You are too naive. It is not easy to find a job now, not to mention that you have a criminal record. Others may not accept you." Zhang Long's eyes dimmed for a moment, but soon became firm again: "There will always be a chance. I can't just stay here like a useless person."

The two men were in a stalemate. Qi Tongwei knew Zhang Long's character very well. Once he made a decision, it would be difficult to change it. But he was really worried about letting Zhang Long go out to explore the world. "Zhang Long, think about it again. If you leave, if something happens, there will be no one to take care of you." Qi Tongwei continued to persuade him.

Zhang Long looked at Qi Tongwei: "Tongwei, I understand your worries. But I don't want to be trapped in this place for the rest of my life. I want to go out and find my own value." Qi Tongwei sat down, pondered for a moment and said: "Have you ever thought about what you want to do specifically? Where to go?" Zhang Long scratched his head: "I haven't thought about it yet, but I want to leave here first and go to a big city. Maybe I can find some opportunities."

Qi Tongwei smiled bitterly and said, "Although there are many opportunities in big cities, the competition is also fierce. If you don't have a skill, it's hard to gain a foothold." Zhang Long clenched his fists and said, "I can learn. I'm not afraid of hardship." Qi Tongwei looked at Zhang Long's determination and was a little shaken. He knew he couldn't force Zhang Long to change his mind.

"So when do you plan to leave?" Qi Tongwei asked. Zhang Long said, "I want to leave as soon as possible. I'll take care of my family affairs in the next few days and then leave." Qi Tongwei sighed, "Okay, since you have made up your mind, I won't persuade you anymore. But you must promise me that you will call me if you encounter any difficulties."

Zhang Long nodded: "Thank you, Tongwei. You always care about me so much." Qi Tongwei patted Zhang Long on the shoulder: "We are friends, it's too formal to say these things."

In the next few days, Qi Tongwei helped Zhang Long deal with some household chores while continuing to inquire about Cuicui's news. The information he posted on the street received some responses, but many of them were invalid clues. He did not lose heart and carefully screened every piece of information.

Zhang Long was preparing his own luggage. He packed some old clothes and daily necessities, and took his only savings. He looked at the home where he had lived for many years, and his heart was filled with emotion.

But at this moment, Zhang Long burst into tears, his voice trembling and pleading: "Tongwei, take me away. I'm really going crazy here. Every day I am shrouded in the shadow of the past. I want to start over." Qi Tongwei looked at Zhang Long, his heart full of entanglement. He said firmly: "Zhang Long, you can't be impulsive. You have to think about your future."

Zhang Long became emotional. He rushed forward and grabbed Qi Tongwei's arm: "What future do I have? I can only wait to die here. You are my last hope, you can't leave me here." Qi Tongwei tried to break free from his hand, frowning: "Calm down, I'm doing this for your own good. What can you do when you get out? How will you live?"

The two of them were talking louder and louder, and the air around them seemed to become tense. Zhang Long's face flushed, and he shouted loudly: "I don't need you to make arrangements for me. I know how to go my own way. No matter how difficult it is, it's better than being here." Qi Tongwei also raised his voice: "You are blind, you don't know how cruel the outside world is. You are so old, you can't be as impulsive as a young boy."

Zhang Long let go of his hand and punched the wall hard. The back of his hand was scratched, but he didn't notice it at all: "You don't understand me at all. You go your way and I go mine." Qi Tongwei felt a sharp pain in his heart. He didn't expect Zhang Long to say such a thing, but he still tried to control his emotions: "Zhang Long, I know you feel bitter, but we have to be rational. If you follow me without any plan, you will only fall into a worse situation."

Zhang Long turned around and started packing his luggage, stuffing his clothes into his bag in a mess, his movements filled with anger and determination. "I don't care, I must leave today. If you don't take me with you, I will leave by myself." Qi Tongwei stepped forward and snatched his luggage: "You can't leave. You will only hurt yourself if you go out like this."

Zhang Long rushed forward to grab the luggage back, and the two fell to the ground in the struggle. Zhang Long's eyes were burning with anger: "Qi Tongwei, why did you stop me? Do you want to see me trapped here for the rest of my life?" Qi Tongwei got up from the ground and said with a heavy breath: "I want you to spend the rest of your life in peace. Don't be so willful."

Zhang Long sat on the ground, holding his head and crying. Qi Tongwei looked at him, feeling mixed emotions. He knew Zhang Long's pain, but he was also afraid that Zhang Long would encounter more setbacks after he got out. After a while, Zhang Long raised his head with a hint of despair in his eyes: "Tongwei, go away. Just pretend that I never asked you for help."

Qi Tongwei stood there, not knowing what to do. He wanted to comfort Zhang Long, but he didn't know what to say. At this moment, it suddenly rained heavily outside, and the raindrops hit the window, making a crackling sound, as if they were also disturbed by their quarrel.

Qi Tongwei looked out the window at the heavy rain, his thoughts tangled. Zhang Long's desperate look lingered in his mind, and he knew that his decision might completely change Zhang Long's fate. If he took him away, he was not sure that he could give him a stable future; but if he kept him, he could not bear to see him in such pain and despair.

Raindrops hit the window fiercely, as if urging him to make a decision. Qi Tongwei slowly turned around and looked at Zhang Long who was sitting in the corner. Zhang Long lowered his head, his body trembling slightly, as if he was abandoned by the whole world. Qi Tongwei's heart was tightened. He walked to Zhang Long with heavy steps, squatted down, and said softly: "Zhang Long, I..." The words came to his lips, but he didn't know how to continue.