After his son returned safely, Gong Yuanhang felt relieved. He took his son back to his room and checked him up and down, left and right.
"Dad, I'm not hurt." Gong Lixin patted his father on the back to comfort him.
"I know you aren't injured. But I haven't seen you for two days and two nights. Dad hasn't seen you in two lifetimes. Shouldn't you let your Dad look at you a little?" Gong Yuanhang said lovingly as he patted his son's head.
"Oh, then look at me, Dad," said Gong Lixin as he unfolded his arms and happily ran two laps around Father Gong, making Father Gong laugh out loud. This son of his had not a single humorous bone in him, but his cuteness always brought joy and happiness to those around him. Even though he had been living outside and suffering during the apocalypse, this had not changed.
Father Gong was very happy. Compared to his daughter's cold and indifferent nature, his heart unconsciously favored his cute and lovely son.
Smiling, Father Gong looked forward to telling his son about Gong Xiangyi's prophecy and space ability. He was also happy that he could finally tell his son details about the zombies so that he would be prepared for future situations.
"Lixin, your sister has a space ability. Dad wants you to keep it a secret. If you let others know, your sister would be in danger. You sister didn't deliberately lose you this time. She also feels very guilty. I hope you don't hate her. You are brother and sister after all, and family should depend on each other. Do you understand?" [1]
Father Gong spoke slowly, his tone somewhat unnatural. His daughter had harmed her brother, but he still had to protect his daughter and advise his son to mend their relationship with each other, and to keep each other safe. It made his heart uncomfortable, but what could he do about it? He was still a man made of flesh and bones. He couldn't allow his children to turn against each other, and begin harming one another.
"Yeah, I know." Because of his father's request, Gong Lixin reluctantly agreed.
"Good boy." Looking at his son's clear eyes, he couldn't see any traces of resentment. Father Gong smiled and rubbed his head. He then said: "You're tired, go rest. Go call your Big Brother Song and Big Brother Lin before you sleep though. I have something to tell them."
"Alright." Gong Lixin nodded and went out to call Lin Wenbo and Song Haoran.
Going into the bathroom to wash away the grime from his body, Gong Lixin took out a set of casual clothes from the mountaineering bag he had brought with him. He then took out the crystal nucleus from his trouser pocket and studied it carefully.
The crystal nucleus was as big as a coin and it was shaped like a six-pointed diamond. There was no trace of impurities in the nucleus. It was practically crystal-clear under the light, and was more eye-catching than the purest diamond.
Gong Lixin lifted it up and studied it for a long time before he placed it on his palm. He quietly pushed a bit of internal force into it, but the crystal nucleus stayed a nucleus. There were no changes at all to the nucleus.
'Nothing happened?!' He was puzzled. Gong Lixin tilted his head and once more fixed his gaze on the nucleus in his palm.. After thinking for ten minutes, he finally stopped and hid the crystal nucleus underneath his pillow case after he heard Gong Xiangyi's footsteps approaching his room.
"Lixin, are you asleep? I want to talk to you." Gong Xiangyi asked as she knocked on the door.
"Come in." His palm was empty as the lock turned. He was already sitting on the bed when the door faintly opened.
Gong Xiangyi pushed the door open and slowly walked towards his bed. She looked concerned and apologetic as she sat down on his bed. She whispered: "Lixin, you have suffered these past two days. They are all blaming this sister of yours for only knowing how to organize things, and that I didn't even know how to look after you. I'm sorry!" She said as she reached out, prepared to caress Gong Lixin's soft hair.
Gong Lixin was expressionless as he avoided her hand and slowly opened his mouth, "I'm sorry for not accepting sister's apology. Because I know you deliberately let me go. You wanted me to go out alone, so that I would die." For 16 years, he lived in the Underground Palace and was raised by Xiao Lin. He was not a pure white rabbit that could be easily deceived. [2]
Gong Xiangyi's gentle and amiable smile froze instantly, her hand also froze midair. Stunned, she forgot to take her hand back. About a half a minute later, she regained her senses and shouted, "What are you talking about? How could I, your sister, do that? Your sister loves you!" When she said that last sentence, her tone was extremely unnatural.
"No, sister hates me." Gong Lixin shook his head seriously. "Sister was at the window when I left, looking at me indifferently. I could feel your gaze on me." Her eyes were full of hostility and hatred, how could he possibly ignore his five senses alerting him to her actions.
"You…" Gong Xiangyi opened her mouth, wanting to defend herself. She could be on the good side of Gong Lixin and get rid of all suspicions, but she wasn't able to say a word.
"Why does sister hate me?" He ignored Gong Xiangyi's defense. [3] Gong Lixin continued to question her, and finally asked the question he was most anxious about. In his memory, the siblings have always been harmonious, without any hatred between them.
"How could I hate you? You, child, must definitely be frightened and confused." Gong Xiangyi resolutely denied with a strong smile on her pale face.
Who knew that she wanted to strangle the person in front of her and yell 'yes, I hate you! I can't wait for you to die!' But she couldn't. She was no longer the Gong Xiangyi that had broke down after being arbitrarily played in the past. She was no longer the one shocked by her husband's violence and scared to the point of screaming.
At the time of her rebirth, she had decided to bury her filthy past forever. She was now brand new and clean. [4] Therefore, she couldn't say outright that she still had hatred leftover.
"Is it really nonsense? I know, I know the truth." Gong Lixin faintly stared at the wall, no longer interested in further questioning her. No matter whether Gong Xiangyi hated him or not, she couldn't pose a threat to him. He didn't need to care about her.
A moment later, Gong Lixin continued to speak. His plain expression made him look as if he was talking about the weather. "My sister nearly caused my death so I will ignore sister in the future. If sister wants to harm me, I won't tolerate it. I won't hesitate to kill you sister."
"How could you say that?" Gong Xiangyi was extremely shocked. This aggressive teenager and the gloomy Gong Lixin from her memory were worlds apart [5] , causing her to panic. As she panicked, her whole body shivered because she could not mistake the look in Gong Lixin's eyes. Right then, she clearly knew that Gong Lixin was serious and, as long as she provoked him, he would really do it.
Yes, she had almost forgotten. Gong Lixin always had a short temper, but he would hide all his anger in his heart and quietly wait for the right opportunity to unleash it. [6] Now that he was an ability user, he didn't need to rely on others to live like he did in her previous life, so there was no need to hide his true nature anymore. [7] Gong Xiangyi silently grind her teeth, but her heart was somewhat relieved.
This was also good. As long as she wanted to stop showcasing their 'sibling love' with Gong Lixin, she would tear off her facade to match her true thoughts. Although Gong Lixin clearly opposed her, she was not afraid at all. If he wanted to play tricks, then she would also play. Don't think that just because he has an ability, and that this is the apocalypse that she would allow him to run rampant!
The figurative thin paper window was smashed, and Gong Xiangyi immediately took off her mask, sneering at Gong Lixin. "Oh~ well said! Since you've already said this, I will not show any mercy. Gong Lixin, if you try to hurt me again later, you'll suffer a fate worse than death! Mark my words!"
"Hurt you again?" Did the original owner harm Gong Xiangyi? What was she talking about? With a confused expression, Gong Lixin turned his head and squinted his clear eyes as he stared at Gong Xiangyi.
"Oh? Is that so? How will you make Lixin suffer a fate worse than death? It's better to tell me." Song Haoran clenched his fists as he stood on the other side of the doorway. Behind him was Lin Wenbo who also had a dark expression, and stared at Gong Xiangyi as if looking at a stranger.
After they met with Gong Yuanhang, they wanted to see the child. However, they did not expect to hear such an incredible conversation. Even though there had been some doubt in Song Haoran's heart, he still couldn't believe his ears. If the other party wasn't the daughter of Uncle Gong, he would have immediately rushed in to break the girl's neck. [8] But right then, he could only patiently restrain his hatred and silently endure.
"When did you– when did you get here?!" Gong Xiangyi stuttered, her face as pale as paper.
"It's been a while." Though Lin Wenbo deeply despised her, he still replied.
"Then you heard him, right? He said that he would kill me!" Gong Xiangyi pointed a finger at Gong Lixin with anger, her voice sharp enough to sting one's eardrum.
Lin Wenbo pushed Song Haoran into the room with indifference and closed the door with the back of his hand. He was tired, so he sat on the sofa. His voice was dull as he spoke. "I heard, but as long as you don't make a move against Lixin, Lixin won't move against you."
Gong Xiangyi heard those words and paled, [9] unable to speak for a long time. Consternation, hatred, disbelief– all kinds of negative emotions intertwined on her face. She never thought that even Lin Wenbo would help Gong Lixin.
Song Haoran walked straight towards the bed and used his protector's instinct to smother the expressionless child into his arms. He kissed his cheek before facing Gong Xiangyi, stating coldly, "Lixin has his own sense of rightness. If you don't hurt Lixin, Lixin would never take the initiative to hurt you." This child, what does he not know? That pure temper would never take the initiative to harm people.
"What did you mean when you said 'if you hurt me again?' When did Lixin ever hurt you? Why is it that even if you committed a mistake, you still think you're the victim? Gong Xiangyi, when did you become so disgusting?" Song Haoran said. He talked and gave Gong Xiangyi no chances to interrupt with her excuses.
"When did he hurt me? He hurt me…" She almost revealed her unfortunate past life. Gong Xiangyi was in danger of blurting past matters out and thus, immediately stopped speaking. The past..she never wanted to mention the past again. If there were a potion that could make people lose their memories, she would have swallowed it without hesitation.
"What's wrong with you? Hey!" Song Haoran stared at her coldly, urging her on.
Gong Xiangyi opened and closed her mouth several times but was unable to speak.
"Gong Xiangyi, if you're mentally unstable, it's best to go see a doctor." The hatred in Gong Xiangyi's eyes was evident and he was unwilling to look further into it. Thus, Song Haoran could only hug the child in his arms and seriously advise Gong Xiangyi. There was no sarcasm in his statement for what he said was the truth. Since Gong Xiangyi's ability to predict the future appeared, she had become more and more strange. If this went on, sooner or later, she would drive herself crazy.
Predicting the future was not a good ability. If one saw too many things and mixed it up with reality, the person would not be able to stand such pressure sooner or later.
"My mind is not unstable! I am fine! I have never been more awake!" Gong Xiangyi stood up, denying the accusation. Her bloody eyes glared at Song Haoran and Gong Lixin as if she wanted to tear them apart.
"Enough, Xiangyi! Don't cause any trouble!" Lin Wenbo could no longer keep silent. He grabbed Gong Xiangyi's arm and coldly said, "Let's go. Let Xiaoxin rest early."
"Wenbo?" Lin Wenbo's face was covered with a layer of frost and looked beautiful. Gong Xiangyi looked at him with a little embarrassment.
"Xiangyi, maybe it is because of your prophetic ability that you are now unclear about what is false and what is reality. You need to rest. Let's go." Lin Wenbo said as he opened the door. He stood at the doorway and looked at her.
The suspicion and disappointment in his eyes struck a chord in Gong Xiangyi and she suddenly became sober. Yes, Gong Lixin still hasn't done anything yet but what about in the future? Since no one believed her now, they can just wait it out. Soon enough, they'll see what a disgusting person he is.
With this in mind, Gong Xiangyi took away all the emotions on her face including the darkness in her eyes, leaving the room with Lin Wenbo.
[1] AutumnBreeze: Aw… I know you are trying your best to keep the family together… but I’m sorry… Gong Xiangyi is a bitch.
[2] Wuxian: Atta boy, lixin. I love a fighter.
[3] AutumnBreeze: ‘Nice guilt trip.’
[4] CrazedCookies: *snort* Yeah, right!
[5]CrazedCookies: You have no idea
[6] AutumnBreeze: And these types of people are always the most dangerous…
[7] CrazedCookies: Argh! Your mind even says that he's different! Stop finding excuses!
[8] CrazedCookies: Please do!
[9] AutumnBreeze: How much can you pale before becoming a ghost?
CrazedCookies: So, I already announced this on Discord, but summer’s been really busy. So bonus chapters are on hold until further notice. Everyone’s still free to offer Ko-Fi if they want and I’ll catch up with the bonus chapters once I have more time.