Chapter 41

Chapter 41

The black lion stretched its body in the tranquil, deep waters, then slid under Feng Chen, kicking with its paws to steadily propel the semi-conscious man towards the surface.

The moment they broke the water's surface, the quiet world exploded into noise; fierce winds and towering waves struck Feng Chen's face, causing his eyes to snap open.

His lungs greedily expanded, inhaling the fresh, metallic-scented air. Lying on the lion's back, he coughed violently, spat out water, and gasped for air, his throat making bellows-like wheezing sounds.

The black lion, in tune with his thoughts, didn't wait for his command and turned around, swimming against the wind and rain towards the underground shelter.

The entrance to the shelter was flooded up to the last few steps, but Yan Bubu stood guard by the cabinet with the door-closing button, not letting anyone near.

He was like a frenzied little beast, eyes red, wielding a stone picked up from who-knows-where, in a desperate stance, screaming and ready to bite anyone who approached.

"My brother hasn't come back, you can't close the door, you can't! Just wait a bit longer, he'll be back soon."

He was just a six-year-old child, and despite his resistance, could be easily carried away by others. But everyone could hear the desperation in his voice and see the pain and pleading in his eyes.

In this earthquake, no one was spared from the agony of losing loved ones. The child in front of them simply wanted to save his only relative. His heart-wrenching cries softened even the most hardened hearts.

Some recalled their own losses, turning away with tearful eyes. Others wanted to close the door immediately but couldn't bring themselves to pull Yan Bubu away, so they all stood in silent, uneasy contemplation.

The team leader who had been tied up with Feng Chen felt particularly empathetic. After all, if Feng Chen hadn't cut that rope, none of their team would have made it back.

Finally, someone couldn't bear it any longer and came forward to pull Yan Bubu away, reprimanding, “Your brother isn't coming back. Have you thought about the others in the shelter? For your brother, would you disregard everyone else's lives?”

“Just a little longer, just a little more time, he'll be back soon.”

Yan Bubu cried and waved the stone, trying to keep him at bay, sweat and tears mingling as they rolled down his cheeks, fiercely protecting the cabinet behind him.

The man suddenly advanced, grabbed Yan Bubu's wrist with a firm grip, causing the stone to drop. He then hoisted the boy aside, instructing others, “Quick, go close the door.”

Seeing someone approaching the cabinet, Yan Bubu struggled desperately, flailing like a fish thrown ashore, nearing death. His voice was hoarse, but he kept shouting, “Don't close it, just wait a bit more…”

“If you keep this up, kid, I'll throw you out,” the man holding Yan Bubu threatened menacingly.

Yan Bubu, unable to free his hand, watched someone at the control box identifying buttons, and cried out in despair, "Then throw me out too, let me go out, I'll go find him..."

The team leader from Feng Chen's vehicle approached Colonel Yu, his voice slightly strained, "Colonel Yu, the one who hasn't returned yet is also a child..."

The person holding Yan Bubu continued angrily, "Have you ever thought about others? For your brother, would you risk so many people in our underground shelter—"

"Wait, don't close the door yet," Colonel Yu suddenly spoke up amidst the chaos.

All eyes turned towards Colonel Yu, the person at the controls pausing with their finger on the button.

Colonel Yu looked at the person holding Yan Bubu, "What's the point of saying this to him? We can weigh the importance of things, but in a child's heart, only his brother matters. Compared to his brother, not to mention the underground shelter, what does the whole world mean to him?"

"So..." A soldier beside him, confused by Colonel Yu's statement, hesitantly asked.

"Bring those cement bags over there and pile them up another half meter," Colonel Yu commanded loudly.

"Yes, sir."

The soldiers ran quickly to fetch the cement bags stacked in the corridor, stacking them on the entrance steps to block the floodwater that had already started to seep over the ground. Others who were initially standing still also sprang into action, helping to carry the bags to the doorway.

The person standing by the control box looked around decisively, then left the box to join in the effort of moving the cement bags, still holding onto Yan Bubu, grumbling, "What are you all doing? Do you want to live?"

Yan Bubu, seeing all this, stopped crying and wailing. He stood stunned for a moment before his dim eyes brightened up as he realized what they were doing.

Seizing the opportunity when the person behind him was distracted, he suddenly broke free from their grasp and rushed to help move the cement bags. But lacking the strength to lift them, he helped by holding a corner of a bag.

"Little Curly Hair, come here," Colonel Yu called out to Yan Bubu from the doorway.

Yan Bubu, knowing this man was in charge of closing the door, quickly wiped the tears from his face with his sleeve and ran over.

Colonel Yu stepped aside for a soldier dropping a cement bag to the ground and said gravely to Yan Bubu, "I'll give you a little more time. If the water is about to overflow these bags and your brother still hasn't returned, we will have to close the door no matter what."

"He will come back," Yan Bubu, still sobbing, said with certainty, "He knows I'm waiting for him, he will definitely come back!"

He turned to face the dark, expansive water, cupping his hands around his mouth, shouting hoarsely into the distance, "Ah woo bang ga ada uxia! Ah woo bang ga ada uxia!"

His young voice pierced through the thick darkness and heavy rain curtain, drifting far away. Just then, a soldier suddenly pointed ahead, exclaiming in shock, "Look, what is that?"

People around looked towards the sound, only to see something breaking through the water towards them, illuminated by the searchlight.

"It looks like a person, but can a person be skimming across the water like that? And so fast?" someone murmured.

"Right, could it be some kind of mutant?"

Everyone grew tense, and the soldiers quickly drew their guns from their waists, aiming at the object swiftly moving on the water's surface.

Yan Bubu stopped shouting and stared unblinkingly at the spot, his lips tightly pursed, his breathing seemingly halted. As the object drew closer and its vague shape became discernible, his body shuddered, his eyes sparkling brilliantly, shining as brightly as the stars in the sky.

"That's my brother! Do you see? That's my brother!"

Pointing ahead, tears streaming down his face, he cried out proudly and excitedly, "He's come back! I knew he would! That's my brother! I always knew he would return!"

Feng Chen rode atop the black lion, slicing through the heavy rain like a blade. The black lion, agile in the water like a fish, surged towards the settlement entrance with the speed of the wind and waves.

The settlement was brightly lit, the only light in the dark, rainy night. But Feng Chen only had eyes for the small figure behind a row of concrete bags, constantly jumping up, waving at him.

Feng Chen wiped the rain from his face and also raised his right arm to wave back.

As the distance closed, Feng Chen knew others couldn't see the black lion he was riding, and arriving like this might arouse suspicion. Especially since he could see General Lin's eagle and Adai's snake, it was possible others might see his black lion.

With this thought, he willed, and the black lion beneath him vanished, and he plunged into the water, swimming towards the settlement.

Several soldiers jumped into the water at the entrance and swam towards Feng Chen, then helped him back by holding his arms.

The torrential rain continued, and the row of concrete bags at the gate was already half submerged. The water level was now half a meter higher than the settlement. The soldiers pushed Feng Chen out of the water, and people inside pulled him in clumsily.

"Close the door!"

At Colonel Yu's command, the heavy Aleck metal doors thunderously closed, sealing tightly, keeping all the wind and rain outside.

"Brother," Yan Bubu threw himself into Feng Chen's arms, hugging his waist tightly, sobbing, "Why did you only come back now, why only now..."

Feng Chen felt his body trembling, his heart suddenly filled with a mix of sourness and softness, and he gently stroked his wet hair, his voice hoarse, "I'm sorry."

Yan Bubu suddenly stepped back, hitting him lightly on the body, then burst out crying, "You made me so angry, I'm really angry."

"I'm sorry."

"This time I, I really don't want to forgive you, I don't want to...sob..."

"I'm sorry..."

Yan Bubu lunged back into Feng Chen's arms, "Don't ever do this again..."

"Okay, I won't. I promise."

Someone nearby couldn't help but ask, "How did you come back just now? It was like you were gliding on the water."

"Yeah, were you riding something?" another person asked curiously.

The team leader, who had been tied to Feng Chen earlier, clapped him on the shoulder, "Impressive, lad. I saw that big fish dragging you into the deep waters, thought you wouldn't make it back."

Feng Chen took this cue, "After the fish dragged me away, I struggled with it in the water for a while. After it was subdued, I rode it back here."

The team leader was speechless.

Others, shocked, asked, "A big fish? What kind of fish?"

"It was as big as a shark, but not a shark. It looked more like a giant catfish."

Feng Chen looked at the speaker, the one who had been right beside him, thrashing his legs in the water like a whale. The man was now animatedly gesturing to the others, "Such a huge fish, first it was just someone from vehicle six swimming in the water, then suddenly he disappeared, and then we were dragged under. Oh, it was perilous, I thought I was a goner..."

Yan Bubu, listening on the side, now realized how close Feng Chen had been to being dragged away by the big fish. He gasped, pinching Feng Chen's arm twice, as if to assure himself he was real.

Sensing his unease, Feng Chen patted his shoulder, whispering, "It's okay, I've come back safe and sound."

Colonel Yu listened silently from the side, scrutinizing Feng Chen without a word. As more people crowded around with questions, he broke in with a command to silence the chatter.

"Everyone, leave the entrance, back to the hive."

The soldiers quickly jogged to the elevator, and the others ceased their talking and followed.

Feng Chen, leading Yan Bubu, was the last to leave, but Yan Bubu stopped and stretched out his arms towards him, "Hug."

Feng Chen, obliging, bent down and scooped Yan Bubu into his arms.

Yan Bubu wrapped his arms around Feng Chen's neck, affectionately burying his face in the crook of his neck.

Someone nearby, watching them, suddenly remarked, "Do you know? It was your brother who stood at the door, refusing to let others close it. If not for him, you couldn't have made it back."

Feng Chen paused, his gaze sweeping over the row of concrete bags, and replied softly, "I know."

Both drenched, they first headed for a hot shower upon returning to the hive.

In the steam-filled cubicle, Yan Bubu, his hair covered in suds and eyes closed, hummed a song, his voice slightly hoarse.

Feng Chen carefully scrubbed his head, then pulled him under the warm shower to rinse off.

"Don't open your eyes, and don't rub them with your hands," Feng Chen said as he moved Yan Bubu's hands away.

Yan Bubu spat out water and yelped, "The water's getting into my mouth."

"Stop singing and just keep your mouth shut, will you?" Feng Chen chided.

Once Yan Bubu closed his mouth, Feng Chen asked, "How long did you cry? Your voice has changed."

"Didn't seem like too long, just... glug..."

"I got it, don't talk anymore."

After rinsing his hair, Feng Chen squeezed out some body wash and began bathing Yan Bubu, who played with the bubbles, suddenly calling out, "Brother."

"Hmm," Feng Chen responded, continuing to scrub Yan Bubu's back with a washcloth.

Yan Bubu said, "If you hadn't come back today and they had to close the gate, I would have gone out to look for you."

Feng Chen paused his movements, "Where would you have looked for me?"

Yan Bubu flipped a clump of bubbles between his palms, "I don't know where, but I would have gone out anyway."

Feng Chen's voice grew stern, "You would've drowned."

"You didn't drown, did you? Plus, you had a big fish to bring you back," Yan Bubu muttered under his breath.

Feng Chen yanked his arm, causing Yan Bubu to stumble and then yell, "The water got in my eyes."

Feng Chen turned off the showerhead roughly and spun Yan Bubu around to face him.

"Listen to me, Yan Bubu. If something like this happens again, you must obey the officers. You're not allowed to look for me alone or leave the underground shelter. Remember the last time you went to the tunnel entrance by yourself? I won't tolerate such recklessness again."

Feng Chen's expression and tone were severe, with a burning anger. Yan Bubu, unprepared for such a reaction, stood there soaking wet, mouth slightly agape, staring at him blankly.

"Did you hear me? If something like today happens again and you leave the shelter to look for me, then keep your distance from me. I won't let you follow me anymore," Feng Chen reiterated, word by word.

This time, Yan Bubu understood. His small chest heaved, he gasped for air, fists clenched at his sides, his eyes flickering with hurt.

"Fine, don't follow then. You don't want me, and I don't want you either," he suddenly shouted, his voice echoing in the bathhouse, "Just leave me alone. Always talking about leaving me, I don't want you either."

Feng Chen, hearing his hoarse voice, felt both anger and heartache, "Talk properly, no need to yell, I can hear you."

"You said you wouldn't talk about sending me away again. You said you'd never send me away. You lied, you're a liar, a big fat liar, a breaker of promises. I'll leave right now."

Yan Bubu's voice softened after his outburst. He didn't leave, just turned his back to Feng Chen. His neck was stiff, seemingly defiant, but his tense back betrayed his vulnerability and nervousness.

Feng Chen, looking at the crown of his head, wore a complex expression. He opened his mouth as if to say something but remained silent, reaching for the washcloth to scrub Yan Bubu's back, only for Yan Bubu to twist away.

Feng Chen reached out again, and Yan Bubu dodged once more.

"Still sulking, huh?" Feng Chen clicked his tongue, securing Yan Bubu's arm with his left hand while scrubbing his back with the right.

Yan Bubu squirmed slightly but didn't pull away, standing still instead.

Feng Chen continued to scrub his back, then suddenly said in a low voice, "I was wrong. I promised I wouldn't say those things again, but I went back on my word. It's my fault."

"Hmph!" Yan Bubu scoffed, his voice nasal.

"You've learned to scoff now? Where'd you pick that up?"

"From you," Yan Bubu replied stiffly.

Feng Chen sighed, "I'm sorry, I'm a bad liar, a real deceiver."

Yan Bubu corrected, "The worst kind of liar."

"What?"

"Not just a bad liar, the worst kind of liar."

"Alright, I'm the worst kind of liar, a deceiver. It's my fault."

"You were harsh with me earlier."

Feng Chen said, "And didn't you also yell at me? Let's call it even, okay?"

Yan Bubu remained silent, so Feng Chen lowered his voice, "I know you were scared today. I shouldn't have been harsh with you."

Yan Bubu stayed quiet, and from Feng Chen's angle, he could see the reflection on the cubicle's tiled wall.

The reflection showed Yan Bubu slowly pursing his lips, a hint of a smile appearing on his face.

Feng Chen had found it difficult to say these words at first, but seeing that smile in the tile reflection eased his mind.

He leaned down, whispering in Yan Bubu's ear, "Please don't say you don't want me. It would really upset me if you did."

Yan Bubu's reflection smiled even more broadly, his mouth unable to close, his eyes squinting in delight.

Feng Chen turned the showerhead back on, letting the warm water flow again. He pulled Yan Bubu under it, rinsing off the soap suds while earnestly explaining, "I misspoke in my haste earlier. Under tonight's circumstances, I could have come back, but then I found out you'd gone to look for me. What was I supposed to do? I had to go out and find you. Otherwise, would we even be standing here now?"

As Feng Chen spoke gently, Yan Bubu's recent grievances were swept away completely.

"I understand now. I'll obey from now on, wait for you at the shelter, and never rush out," he whispered.

"Mm." After a few seconds of silence, Feng Chen added, "Actually, I was scared today too... but thankfully..."

Yan Bubu wiped the water off his face and looked up at Feng Chen.

Feng Chen didn't say anything more. He turned off the shower, dried Yan Bubu with a towel, dressed him in clean clothes, and then led him out of the stall.

"Wait for me outside; I'll be done with my shower soon."

When they showered together, Feng Chen would only start his shower after Yan Bubu had left the cubicle.

As Feng Chen tilted his head under the shower, he suddenly heard Yan Bubu outside say, "Don't worry, I'll never not want you."

Feng Chen paused, wiped the water from his face, and hummed in acknowledgment.