Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Huo Xiaobao woke up very early today.

The southwest wind rustled the golden rain trees by the window, their long branches scraping against the glass twice, producing a harsh sound that startled Huo Xiaobao awake from his sweet dream.

He opened his eyes and looked around blankly.

After waiting for a long time without Zhong Xi coming, he started to feel anxious. The curtains were still drawn, and the room was dim and shadowy. It seemed like there were black shadows on the ceiling, and the more Huo Xiaobao thought about it, the more scared he became. He quickly crawled to the foot of the bed, stretched out his little arm, and managed to unlatch the bed rail gate.

After finally opening it, he climbed out of bed, clutching his teddy bear.

First, he went to the master bedroom to look for his parents.

Because they were afraid Huo Xiaobao might cry at night, the door to the children's room was always left ajar. Huo Xiaobao slipped out, dragging his teddy bear along as he headed to the master bedroom. Halfway there, he realized he wasn’t wearing slippers. Afraid his mother might be upset, he went back to put them on.

The master bedroom was just separated from the children's room by a wall, but for Huo Xiaobao, this short distance felt like a trek.

The door to the master bedroom wasn’t closed either, so Huo Xiaobao pushed it open without effort. The room was filled with the smell of medicine.

Huo Xiaobao quickly used his teddy bear’s arm to block his nose.

He knew his father was taking medicine, but he hadn’t expected the smell to be so strong. Thinking about how his mother had to sleep in such an unpleasant smell every day, Huo Xiaobao immediately felt upset. He climbed onto the bed to save his mother, wanting to bring her back to his own room.

Huo Sicheng was awakened by a rustling sound. He opened his eyes alertly, only to see Huo Xiaobao about to cry.

Huo Xiaobao, still in his pajamas, paced around the bed twice. He then pulled back the blanket, but after finding no trace of Zhong Xi anywhere, he anxiously shouted, "Mommy’s gone, Mommy’s gone!"

The little one was so panicked that he trembled and sobbed as if he had been abandoned by the whole world, tears streaming down his face.

Huo Sicheng immediately sat up and reached out to him, "Xiao Bao, come here."

"No!" Huo Xiaobao cried, kicking his legs and crying out, "Mommy’s gone…"

Awakened early in the morning by the loud cries of the little one, Huo Sicheng rubbed his aching temples and patiently said, "Mommy is in another room. Daddy will take you to find him, okay?"

Only then did Huo Xiaobao stop sobbing. With teary eyes, he watched as Huo Sicheng threw off the blanket, grabbed the cane beside him, and slowly walked toward him.

Huo Xiaobao crawled to the foot of the bed, waiting for Huo Sicheng to pick him up.

Huo Sicheng bent down and reached out, "Come here."

Huo Xiaobao immediately clung tightly to Huo Sicheng’s neck, settling comfortably in his arms. Two large teardrops swayed and fell onto the collar of Huo Sicheng’s pajamas.

"Where did Mommy go?" he asked.

"In the guest room."

"Why?"

"Because…" Huo Sicheng was stumped by the child’s question. A bit embarrassed, he said as he walked out, "Daddy hasn’t been feeling well lately. If Mommy sleeps with me, she won’t sleep well."

"No," Huo Xiaobao shook his head.

"No to what?"

"Don’t want to be apart," Huo Xiaobao began to sob again.

Huo Sicheng’s expression darkened, and he didn’t respond.

The distance between the master bedroom and the guest room seemed longer than Huo Sicheng remembered. Because his bone injury hadn’t healed yet and he was carrying Huo Xiaobao in his arms, he took each step very slowly.

Huo Xiaobao was sniffling and sobbing, seemingly extremely dissatisfied with Zhong Xi sleeping in the guest room. Huo Sicheng felt guilty hearing his cries and asked helplessly, "Then let Mom sleep in the big room, and Dad sleep in the guest room, okay?"

Huo Xiaobao said, "Okay."

"..."

Huo Sicheng paused for a moment, his blood pressure spiking, "You really are my good son."

Huo Xiaobao looked innocent.

Finally reaching the guest room door, Huo Sicheng leaned against the door frame and freed a hand to open the door.

As the door opened, both Huo Sicheng and Huo Xiaobao were stunned. Inside was pitch dark, the curtains tightly closed, letting in no light at all.

The guest room had only a bed, a wardrobe, a small desk, not even a potted plant. In the corner were a box of milk powder and two boxes of toy blocks.

It was so bare that Huo Sicheng couldn’t believe it was a room in his own house.

The bed was placed by the window, and Zhong Xi was curled up tight against the wall, looking very insecure.

Light from the hallway streamed in, and Huo Sicheng vaguely saw something dark on the bed. He pushed the door wide open and finally saw clearly—it was the wooden carving art he had given Zhong Xi last night.

Zhong Xi had given up most of the bed space to the wooden carving.

He must really like it.

Huo Sicheng felt his heart clench, and he remembered the words on the back of the wooden carving—

"To love for a hundred more years."

Seeing Zhong Xi motionless, Huo Xiaobao was so scared he went quiet. Huo Sicheng heard the sobs escaping from his throat. Huo Sicheng walked over, placed Huo Xiaobao by the bed, and Huo Xiaobao flew like a little rocket toward Zhong Xi.

Zhong Xi was enveloped by the smell of milk.

It was the best sleep he’d gotten in ages. Even though he knew Huo Xiaobao had crawled into his arms, he still couldn't wake up. He wanted to greet Huo Xiaobao, to kiss the little one, but all the cells in his body were dragged back into sleep.

He blinked his eyes open drowsily, pulled Huo Xiaobao into his arms, and quickly fell asleep again.

In his dream, he returned to the day Huo Sicheng had the accident.

October 21st, overcast, not a suitable day for flying. There were signs of the accident—birds startled, a gust of wind rising in the forest.

The next second, Zhong Xi saw the olive green helicopter Huo Sicheng was in pierce the blue sky and plummet from the air.

His heart skipped a beat.

Despair washed over him.

This scene kept haunting Zhong Xi’s dreams, disturbing his sleep.

In the dream, someone wrapped their arms around him from behind, covering his eyes with a large, warm hand, and said gently, "Xi Xi, stop thinking about it. I’ve returned safely."

Huo Sicheng pulled Zhong Xi into his arms, gently rubbing his cheek against Zhong Xi’s forehead, "Let go of those memories, sweetheart."

Zhong Xi couldn’t stop sobbing in his arms, "Sometimes I just hate you, I hate you with all my heart. If you can’t promise to always be by my side, why did you come to provoke me?"

His voice grew weaker, "From the academy until now, how many times have you been near death, lying in front of me, battered and bruised... Tell me, how many more times will I have to endure this?"

Zhong Xi struggled out of Huo Sicheng's embrace, crying, "I don’t want to like you anymore, never again."

"You’re not taking me back to your planet?"

"No," Zhong Xi murmured to himself, "Not taking you."

.

When he woke up again, it was already ten in the morning.

The room was still hazy, but the bedside lamp was on, set to the softest orange glow.

He caught the sound of Xiao Bao whispering.

Who’s he talking to?

Zhong Xi wasn’t fully awake yet, he tried to make out what Xiao Bao was saying. Xiao Bao laughed and said, "Dad, you lost."

He was utterly bewildered.

Were Xiao Bao and Huo Sicheng both there with him?

For a moment, he felt like he’d been transported back a month. Mornings were often like this when Huo Sicheng's work schedule wasn’t too tight. Zhong Xi would sleep in until nine or ten, too exhausted to get up.

Huo Sicheng would get up first, wake Xiao Bao, help him with his morning routine, then carry him to the bed, both of them waiting for Zhong Xi to wake up.

Zhong Xi thought: Is this another dream?

He heard Huo Sicheng's voice, "Xiao Bao’s cheating."

Xiao Bao’s voice got a bit louder, denying, "No, I’m not! I’m scissors!"

"You were paper a second ago, and now you’re scissors?"

"Wuwu, I didn’t cheat! Dad, you’re mean!"

Huo Sicheng "shushed," lowering his voice, "Shh, Mom’s still asleep."

Xiao Bao was still pouting, feeling wronged. "Xiao Bao didn’t cheat."

"You sure you didn’t cheat?"

Xiao Bao’s voice suddenly got a bit weaker, "N-no…"

Zhong Xi heard Huo Sicheng chuckle softly, thinking to himself: Okay, let’s drop it. Just keep playing, or he’ll start crying and you won’t be able to calm him down.

Zhong Xi still thought he was dreaming. It was one of those ordinary mornings from the past, so comfortable and beautiful. He could almost sense the soft spring light streaming through the window, birds resting on the branches, the wind blowing quietly, everything was so gentle. The sweet, milky scent of Xiao Bao and the crisp mint of Huo Sicheng’s aftershave filled Zhong Xi’s senses.

It made him think of a line from a poem, "Back then, it all seemed so ordinary."

He didn’t want to wake up, choosing to continue indulging in this dream, letting the drowsiness envelop him, closing his eyes, motionless, listening to the silly conversation between Huo Sicheng and Xiao Bao.

"Alright, let’s play another round," Huo Sicheng said, "Rock, paper, scissors—go!"

Xiao Bao followed, slurring, "Scissors, paper!"

Zhong Xi couldn’t see the game, but he heard Huo Sicheng say with a smile, "Xiao Bao lost again."

Xiao Bao sniffled and snorted.

"You lost, so what’s with the snort?"

"I don’t want Daddy right now."

Zhong Xi could easily picture Huo Xiaobao right now—pouting, crossing his arms to hug himself, and kicking at Huo Sicheng’s legs. His cartoon socks would slip, and with a bit of force, his foot would fly out, making him lean back.

Sure enough, a second later, Zhong Xi heard a "thud."

Huo Sicheng’s laughter and Huo Xiaobao’s crying reached his ears. Despite the noise, Zhong Xi felt at peace.

Huo Sicheng lifted Huo Xiaobao onto his lap, rubbing his behind and helping him put his socks back on, reminding him, "Mommy’s still asleep, so you can’t cry."

Huo Xiaobao said, sounding aggrieved, "Daddy can’t laugh either."

Huo Sicheng stifled a laugh and said, "Okay, Daddy won’t laugh."

"You’re still laughing!"

His voice was indulgent.

Zhong Xi thought: It’s great that Huo Xiaobao is finally back to his old self. He still likes the old Huo Xiaobao better.

While Huo Xiaobao is usually well-behaved, he’s also a child who’s been showered with love by his parents. He knows how to act spoiled, throw tantrums, and fake tears to get his parents to comfort him. Zhong Xi doesn’t want him to turn into a sensible kid who, when upset, just hugs him and says, "Mommy, I love you."

"I’m mad!" Huo Xiaobao said, emphasizing each word.

"So what?"

"I won’t let Mommy give you kisses."

Huo Xiaobao knows just how to push Huo Sicheng’s buttons. Every time he says this, Daddy replies, "No way."

Huo Xiaobao would also say, "Mommy is only Xiao Bao’s."

Whenever this topic comes up, Huo Sicheng acts just as childish as Huo Xiaobao, with no sign of being the Chairman. He’d say seriously, "Mommy’s for both of us. She’s your mommy, but she’s also my wife. I have two roles, so I’m more important to Mommy."

Huo Xiaobao pouted, on the verge of tears, "Xiao Bao is more important, Mommy, Xiao Bao is more important."

Usually, at this point, Zhong Xi would have to wake up to prevent a full-blown argument. He would open his eyes, pinch Huo Xiaobao’s hand, and tell him, "Xiao Bao is more important."

Many memories flooded in, and Zhong Xi found himself lost in them. He thought, this dream is so long, why is time overlapping and intertwining? Zhong Xi began to feel confused.

Bright spots flickered in his mind, and the half-month of insomnia finally came to an end after ten hours of deep sleep.

He felt he should wake up. Huo Xiaobao still needed to eat his baby food, his thesis wasn’t finished, and he needed to call his parents today.

As soon as he opened his eyes, he was stunned.

Wasn’t it a dream?

In the guest room bed, Huo Sicheng lay beside him, and Huo Xiaobao sat on Huo Sicheng’s waist, arm-wrestling with him. This time, Huo Xiaobao finally won against Huo Sicheng, grinning from ear to ear. Turning his head, he saw Zhong Xi and immediately pounced on him.

"Mommy! You’re awake!"

Zhong Xi, still not fully awake, instinctively hugged him.

"Mommy slept for a long, long time. Did you have a good dream?"

Zhong Xi thought Huo Sicheng must have taught Huo Xiaobao to say this, as Huo Xiaobao couldn’t yet speak such long sentences.

"Yes," he replied.

"Did you dream about Xiao Bao?"

Zhong Xi kissed him, "Of course, he was."

As soon as he finished speaking, Huo Sicheng's voice came from the side, "What would you like for breakfast?"

Zhong Xi looked up, meeting Huo Sicheng's eyes under the light of the small orange lamp. Though not as loving as before, it was better than the recent coldness.

This could be Huo Sicheng's way of making peace.

Zhong Xi wasn't sure; Huo Sicheng had never ignored him before—it was always the other way around.

Everyone said Huo Sicheng spoiled his beta partner beyond measure, and Zhong Xi never refuted it because it was the truth.

Used to being pampered, he couldn't bear being forgotten.

Huo Sicheng remembered everyone—except Zhong Xi and Huo Xiaobao. How could he forget the two people he loved the most?

Zhong Xi still couldn't wrap his head around it.

Meeting Huo Sicheng's eyes, anger flared in Zhong Xi, his expression shifting from shock to fury.

Before Huo Sicheng could react, Zhong Xi turned away, clutching Huo Xiaobao, and stayed silent.

Huo Xiaobao was spun around but stayed calm, cuddling in Zhong Xi's arms.

Zhong Xi had taken all the blankets from Huo Sicheng.

He couldn't figure out why Zhong Xi was upset again. All he did was ask, "What would you like for breakfast?" Was that so bad?

Though Zhong Xi faced away and didn't respond, Huo Sicheng couldn't stop staring at his back, slender waist, and legs under the blanket.

Zhong Xi's waist seemed delicate enough to encircle with one hand.

Huo Sicheng swallowed hard, about to reach out, when a knock interrupted.

"Chairman, it's time for your medication."

Huo Sicheng muttered a curse under his breath, rose, and headed to the door.

Zhong Xi lay still, his smile fading as Huo Sicheng left, his eyes turning dull and distant.

After Huo Sicheng left, Huo Xiaobao noticed the change in Zhong Xi's mood and immediately asked, "Mommy, what's wrong?"

Zhong Xi shook his head, burying his face in Huo Xiaobao's arm, and said, "Nothing's wrong."

He murmured 'No,' as if answering Huo Xiaobao or himself.

Huo Xiaobao stumbled through his morning story while Zhong Xi half-listened. Not long after, the clink of Huo Sicheng's cane suddenly sounded at the door.

Huo Sicheng pushed the door open.

Zhong Xi caught a whiff of something familiar.

He turned around and saw Huo Sicheng, one hand on his cane, the other holding a tray, walking slowly and laboriously towards the bed.

"It's almost noon, so I made some clear soup noodles. Maybe you should get up and eat."

Zhong Xi stared at him in a daze.

"Huo Xiaobao has already eaten. I went downstairs to make it for him."

Zhong Xi could tell that Huo Sicheng was trying to be nice, but he remembered how Qi Jiaran had been eagerly going in and out of Huo Sicheng's room yesterday, and even Huo Sicheng himself got on his nerves. He said with a stern face, "You made it? Can your legs handle it?"

Huo Sicheng thought he was being concerned and was just about to speak, just feeling touched.

Zhong Xi cut him off, "Does your nutritionist allow you to go up and down the stairs like this? Maybe you should have him give you a massage."

"..." Huo Sicheng felt a surge of frustration stuck in his throat. All his previous efforts seemed wasted, and his tone cooled down. "No need for your concern. I'll have him massage me when it's time."

Zhong Xi turned his face away.

Both of them went quiet.

Huo Xiaobao tilted his head and looked over, feeling that his parents were a bit strange lately, as if they were always keeping things bottled up. But he smelled something delicious and was practically drooling, eagerly saying, "Mom, I want to eat."

His voice broke the stalemate. Huo Sicheng just handed the bowl of noodles forward, and Zhong Xi took it.

Though it was called clear soup noodles, it was pretty hearty.

There were two poached eggs, two green vegetables, shredded meat, and dried shrimp. The noodles were the thin kind that Zhong Xi liked.

Zhong Xi grabbed a small piece of shredded meat and fed it to Huo Xiaobao.

Huo Xiaobao smiled with his eyes curved, "Delicious!"

Zhong Xi just stared at the clear soup noodles for a while, then lowered his head and sipped the soup.

"There's water here," Huo Sicheng passed the water cup from the bedside.

Zhong Xi suddenly said, "I want to drink Mulberry Jasmine Tea."

"What?" Huo Sicheng thought he misheard.

Zhong Xi ate some noodles and took a bite of the poached egg, seeming to like it.

He said in a displeased tone, "I want to drink Mulberry Jasmine Tea."

Huo Sicheng just didn't understand why he was even considering Zhong Xi's request. Logically, he had no obligation to do what Zhong Xi wanted. He was the Chairman of Blue Rock Base, the future Governor of the Alliance. It was already pushing it for him to go downstairs and make breakfast for his indifferent partner despite his fractured leg. In the end, not even a thank you was received, and now he was expected to make some Mulberry Jasmine Tea.

What kind of tea was that? It didn't sound good.

Huo Sicheng just walked out step by step. Qi Jiaran was standing in the corridor, looking into the guest room.

Seeing Huo Sicheng come out, Qi Jiaran immediately snapped to attention, ready to follow Huo Sicheng's orders.

Seeing Qi Jiaran, Huo Sicheng suddenly remembered, Mulberry Jasmine Tea... wasn't that the tea Qi Jiaran brewed for him yesterday?

Zhong Xi was insisting on having it today.

Huo Sicheng just suddenly stopped. A thought crossed his mind that he found a bit presumptuous:

Was Zhong Xi actually jealous?