Chapter 50 Part 1
Seeing Shen Qiao collapse, the three of them remained indifferent, watching as his life faded, his eyes still wide open.
The desire for life, ingrained in their very being, prevented them from finding peace even in death.
No one cared about him anymore. Since Shi Lin’s appearance, Shi Xu’s gaze had been fixed on her. He had so many questions, so many things he wanted to say, but he didn’t know where to begin.
Shi Lin smiled faintly, her cold hand moving from his cheek to his head, her voice as gentle as he remembered. “Xiao Xu, you’ve grown.”
Shi Xu’s throat tightened, his voice hoarse. “Sister.”
Shi Lin: “I know you have many questions. I don’t have much time left. You’ll understand later.”
He understood what she meant by “not much time.”
Those consumed by pollutants couldn’t return to their human forms. He had tried to save his brother, but ultimately ended his suffering.
He couldn’t save his sister either.
Shi Lin’s voice was filled with guilt. “I’m sorry for mentioning Ah Cheng at a time like this, but I hope you can bury us together.”
Shi Xu shook his head. “I don’t mind anymore.”
Even if he wasn’t the most important person in her life, it didn’t matter anymore. He finally understood that everyone had someone most important to them.
His sister had Ah Cheng. He had Gu Sui.
Shi Lin’s gaze shifted to Gu Sui, who stood behind Shi Xu, his face filled with anxiety. She chuckled softly. “You found yours too. My brother…”
Before she could finish, Gu Sui interrupted eagerly. “I’ll take good care of Shi Xu! I’ll be with him forever! I won’t let him go!”
Both Shi Lin and Shi Xu were taken aback. Gu Sui, realizing his outburst, quickly introduced himself. “Hello, sister. I’m Gu Sui, an SSS-class pollutant. Although I’m a pollutant, I’m trying my best to be human…”
He spoke for a while, then said earnestly, “I love Shi Xu, and I’ll love him forever.”
Being confessed to in front of his family embarrassed Shi Xu slightly. He murmured, “He’s a bit… foolish.”
Gu Sui, not offended, agreed readily. “Wife is always right.”
Shi Xu: “…”
Shi Lin covered her mouth, chuckling softly. “Then I can rest easy. Please take good care of Xiao Xu for us.”
Gu Sui’s gaze was firm. “I will!”
Realizing Shi Lin was about to leave, Shi Xu grabbed her hand, his grip gentle, but firm.
Before his sister, he finally dropped his usual stoicism, his eyes filled with a childlike vulnerability, seeking guidance.
Shi Lin patted his head, smiling gently. “Parting is not the end, Xiao Xu. It’s just the end of one journey. Your brother and I guided you through the first part. We can’t continue, but you won’t lose your way.”
Shi Xu’s eyes reddened, his grip loosening under her comforting words.
Gu Sui stepped forward, taking his hand, holding it tightly.
He didn’t say anything, but his touch was reassuring.
Shi Xu closed his eyes, then opened them, smiling at Shi Lin. “Goodbye.”
Shi Lin smiled back, then her human form dissolved, a black pollutant collapsing onto the floor, lifeless.
Gu Sui embraced him, their bodies close, their hearts beating as one, neither speaking, only their breaths mingling.
After a long moment, Shi Xu looked up, his voice soft. “Let’s find someone to clean this up.”
Gu Sui: “Okay.”
To prevent leaks, Shi Xu hadn’t shared his suspicions with Qi Yu.
Receiving Shi Xu’s late-night call, hearing his calm announcement, “Shen Qiao is dead,” Qi Yu was stunned.
He was still in a daze when he arrived at Shi Xu’s villa, his subordinates equally shocked.
Shen Qiao’s death was a major event. Shi Xu had also informed Lin Quan.
Shen Qiao resented anyone who was more capable than him. The Anomaly Management Bureau had a deputy director, but they rarely saw him.
Shi Xu couldn’t reach him, then realized he was probably also under Shen Qiao’s control, or perhaps the position was vacant. Shen Qiao wouldn’t share his power.
He briefly explained what happened, his words met with disbelief. Many of them admired Shen Qiao, having joined the bureau because of him, inspired by him, striving to earn his recognition. They couldn’t believe he was capable of such things.
Some refused to believe it. Shi Xu didn’t bother explaining. He was tired.
Qi Yu and Lin Quan would find the evidence. When the truth was revealed, even the most skeptical would have to believe it.
Shen Qiao’s motives couldn’t be hidden. Shi Xu, in front of Lin Quan, revealed Sui Sui’s true nature and the significance of the golden egg, both to emphasize the importance of the matter and to protect Sui Sui.
“Sui Sui is the child my sister left behind. I’ll take care of him, protect him.”
So no one could take him, no one could harm him.
Lin Quan was too shocked to speak. Qi Yu, recovering quickly, echoed Shi Xu’s words. “Of course! He might not be human, but he’s still a life. We wouldn’t harm him.”
“We’ll discuss the details later. I’m tired,” Shi Xu said, his exhaustion evident.
Qi Yu said quickly, “Go rest. This isn’t urgent. We have a lot to deal with. We’ll talk later.”
No one dared to stop him. He left the house to the Anomaly Management Bureau, taking Gu Sui to the neighboring villa.
These villas, purchased but unoccupied, were regularly cleaned. They were fully furnished and ready for immediate occupancy.
Gu Sui looked surprised. “You don’t live here. Why bother cleaning them?”
Shi Xu said calmly, “Because it’s my home.”
He valued his personal space, wanting his home to be clean and ready for him at any time.
Gu Sui understood, embracing him from behind, kissing his ear. “From now on, this… is… our home…”
Shi Xu chuckled. “You’re quite opportunistic, acquiring so many houses without spending a penny.”
Gu Sui casually produced a pile of gems. “Is this enough?”
Shi Xu glanced at them, not responding.
Gu Sui, clenching his hand, produced a pile of gold. “I heard… gold is… valuable now… Is this… enough?”
The glittering gold almost blinded Shi Xu. He covered it with his hand. “No need.”
Gu Sui: “Then… what does… Wife want?”
Shi Xu turned to look at him. “Don’t you already know?”
Warm breath brushed against his cheek, a shadow falling over him, soft lips capturing his, a tongue invading his mouth, entwining with his.
They had been intimate many times, accustomed to each other’s touch, but Shi Xu had never been this passionate, his arms around Gu Sui’s neck, returning the kiss, his eagerness making Gu Sui lose control.
The heat intensified, Shi Xu almost losing consciousness several times, Gu Sui’s hand on the back of his neck, keeping him tethered to reality.
Gu Sui bit his lip, forcing him to reciprocate.
He seemed to enjoy his eagerness, his excitement evident, his body burning hot, threatening to melt Shi Xu.
Shi Xu’s mind clouded, his own reflection in those dazzling golden eyes the last thing he saw before succumbing to the pleasure.
Only him.
All that love and affection, for him and him alone.
…
He dreamt of his sister, finally understanding what she meant by “You’ll understand later.”
He was an observer in the dream, seeing into his sister’s heart—
Shi Yan often said he was cold and heartless, but Shi Lin didn’t think so. He gave all his warmth to her and their brother. Only they could make him smile, only with them did he act like a normal child, laughing, crying, acting spoiled.
Even though they knew it was a calculated move by Shi Yan, hoping to use them as leverage against Shi Xu, they willingly fell for it. They couldn’t bear to hurt him, to reject him.
She knew he was fragile, vulnerable, needing their protection.
While their brother was alive, she didn’t have to worry. He would always protect Shi Xu.
After his death, the responsibility fell on her. She didn’t mind, but a problem arose.
She realized he was incredibly stubborn.
Previously, his world revolved around her and their brother. Now, it was just her.
He didn’t say it aloud, but she heard his thoughts: My brother is gone. We only have each other now. Let’s be each other’s most important person.
She couldn’t tell him she already had someone most important to her. He sensed it, and accepted it.
This should have been a happy ending, but she felt a pang of sadness.
He was too understanding, too accommodating.
She cared about him, but she couldn’t fulfill his wish.
One day, in the rift, she found the golden egg Shi Yan craved. She wanted to destroy it, but before she could, she sensed its emotions, a flicker of life within.
A baby’s cries echoed in her mind, breaking down her resolve.
She didn’t know if it was a ploy for survival, but she kept the egg, hiding it from Shi Yan.
Shi Yan eventually discovered her secret.
She wasn’t controlled by the egg. She chose to protect it, to keep it.
Because she couldn’t be the most important person in his life, she hoped the egg could, protecting him in her stead.
Before being consumed by the pollutant, she made a wish.
Despite her gentle appearance, she was strong, always placing first in training, even surpassing their brother.
Her willpower was equally strong. Even after being consumed, she retained her consciousness, albeit weak, still aware of who she was, what she had to do.
She let the pollutant control her body, let Shen Qiao manipulate her, silently guarding her secret.
Neither Shi Yan nor Shen Qiao knew where she hid the egg. Shen Qiao never suspected it was inside the pollutant that consumed her.
Before her consciousness faded completely, she gave the egg to Shi Xu, knowing it would bring him trouble, but she trusted him to protect it, to nurture it, knowing that when it hatched, it would fulfill their promise, protecting him in her and their brother’s stead.
“I’m sorry, Xiao Xu. I can’t be the most important person in your life, but I will always protect you.”
Shi Xu cried in his sleep, the first time in over a decade, his eyes swollen upon waking.
A warm hand gently wiped away his tears, soft kisses soothing his sadness.
He slowly opened his eyes, meeting Gu Sui’s worried and loving gaze.
“Shi Xu,” Gu Sui murmured.
Shi Xu’s tear-filled eyes blurred, then cleared.
Gu Sui rarely called his name, but whenever he did, it was with utmost sincerity.
“Gu Sui.”
“Hmm?”
“I tried so hard to be a child in front of my siblings. I wanted my sister to be the most important person in my life, but I didn’t want to disappoint her, so I never told her how I felt. I was selfish, hoping she would notice, that she would reach out to me…” He paused, his voice choked with emotion.
“She saw my selfishness, and she still chose Ah Cheng. But in her final moments, she chose me.”
—I can’t be the most important person in your life, but I will always protect you.
“She kept her promise.”
Even after being consumed by a pollutant, she silently protected him, giving him hope.
