Chapter 32: I’m His Elder!
As night fell, the air on the island was fresh, with a slight salty taste brushing against people’s faces.
The vast night was like a chessboard, with countless stars scattered across it, forming a dazzling starry sky.
In the beautiful night, the sound of waves constantly surging and crashing against the shore, mixed with faint sobs, broke the silence of the evening.
When Chi Xiasheng followed the sound to the edge of the beach, he didn’t have time to catch his breath before he saw a pale-faced Qiu Li anxiously pacing back and forth by the sea.
Next to her, a wheelchair lay on the ground.
Seeing the familiar wheelchair, Chi Xiasheng’s heart skipped a beat.
“Where’s Bo Wenxing? Where is he?”
Qiu Li’s lips were already white. When she saw Chi Xiasheng, her fingers trembled as she pointed to the sea, tears welling up in her eyes. “He fell into the sea. He was swept away by the waves. What should I do? What should I do?!”
Chi Xiasheng didn’t hear her last few words. After she finished her first sentence, he jumped straight into the sea.
In the ocean, he was even more at ease than on land. He didn’t even need to breathe and swam forward at an extremely fast speed.
The waves on this island were constantly rolling in at night. Bo Wenxing was young and very thin. A single wave was enough to sweep him away.
The sea was too vast. Once you were submerged in it, it was like a drop of water falling into a stream, completely untraceable.
Even though Bo Wenxing had just been swept away, Chi Xiasheng couldn’t see him after entering the water.
Chi Xiasheng was anxious. After all, if it were an adult, there might still be a chance of survival after being swept away by the waves. But Bo Wenxing’s legs couldn’t exert any force, and he was small and thin. He couldn’t even struggle after being washed away by the sea and could basically only wait for death.
Chi Xiasheng couldn’t bear to watch this little boy who had once said he would take him home die in the sea like this. With a thought, his spiritual energy madly overflowed.
Wen Shu had once said that a merman’s spiritual energy could control all things.
Then, could it control the waves and currents, and let Bo Wenxing return here with the waves…
Chi Xiasheng had never tried it before, but he knew he had to act fast now. Even if he couldn’t succeed, he had to try his best.
The half-moon hung in the sky. When Chi Xiasheng used his spiritual energy, the light seemed to dim for a moment, becoming hazy, as if covered by a faint blue light.
The birds and beasts on the island nearby cried out, wanting to run towards the spiritual energy, but they were also deterred by the danger emanating from it and could only stop anxiously.
This gentle spiritual energy was also mixed with a tyrannical force, arrogantly released, announcing its existence to all living things.
At the same time, Sheng Sheng, who was still meditating in his cave, felt the heat from the other half of his Demon Core and a hint of confusion appeared in his eyes.
Is this my Demon Core?
Why does it feel so strange?
But the healing power that the other half of the Demon Core was madly absorbing made Sheng Sheng’s eyes widen in surprise.
He had never seen such a healing power before.
Even the merman he had once seen in the great war did not have such a strong spiritual energy…
Without time to think much, Sheng Sheng quickly used this healing power to heal himself.
And in the sea, the original waves were intercepted by a transparent wall, gradually becoming calm, no longer raging as if they would sweep everything away.
Chi Xiasheng felt several currents passing by him. When he opened his eyes, Bo Wenxing was floating in the water.
Parting the seawater, Chi Xiasheng quickly swam over, picked up Bo Wenxing, and swam up.
At this moment, Bo Wenxing’s breathing was so weak it was almost non-existent. His little face was cold, and his lips were pale.
Chi Xiasheng patted his face. Seeing that he was unresponsive, he looked around.
They were not far from the shore of the small island, and the moonlight was still bright, so he could vaguely see Qiu Li anxiously waiting on the shore.
This definitely wouldn’t do. Chi Xiasheng thought for a moment and then, holding Bo Wenxing, dived back into the water.
After re-entering the water, under the cover of the sea, Chi Xiasheng’s spiritual energy materialized into blue light spots, which all entered Bo Wenxing’s body.
Similarly, a part of it was also frantically absorbed by a small, faintly glowing ball in his chest.
After Bo Wenxing regained consciousness, Chi Xiasheng was also so tired from using too much spiritual energy that he almost couldn’t hold on to him.
The faint blue light gradually dissipated in the sea. Chi Xiasheng gritted his teeth and, relying on his willpower, swam back with Bo Wenxing.
The moment he got ashore, Chi Xiasheng collapsed on the beach from exhaustion.
His chest heaved. He felt not only physically exhausted but also mentally drained, as if he had been completely emptied.
It was even more tiring than when he had saved that stranger on the island last time.
When Qiu Li saw Chi Xiasheng coming up with the child, she covered her mouth and almost cried out.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. It’s all my fault. I’m so glad you’re okay.”
Chi Xiasheng was too tired to speak, but he was still worried about Bo Wenxing’s condition. He could only move his fingers and force himself to sit up.
Fortunately, his rescue in the sea was very successful. After he sat up, Bo Wenxing slowly opened his eyes.
He looked up and saw the brilliant starry sky. Bo Wenxing was dazed for a moment before he said in a weak voice, “I… I think I just saw you in the sea, Brother Xiasheng.”
Hearing him speak, Chi Xiasheng finally relaxed.
Once the motivation that had been supporting him disappeared, a wave of exhaustion rushed over him like the sea. Chi Xiasheng felt his vision go black, and then he fainted.
Perhaps because he had just received Chi Xiasheng’s spiritual energy treatment, Little Bo Wenxing felt warm all over. He saw Chi Xiasheng fall to the ground and, with tears of fear streaming down his face, he quickly rushed over.
He probably didn’t even realize it himself. It was only after he had taken two steps that Qiu Li, who had just wiped her tears, said in confusion, “You can walk?”
“I can’t…”
Before he could finish his sentence, Bo Wenxing suddenly froze and looked down at his legs.
It doesn’t hurt that much?
After he and his parents had experienced that fire, he had not only lost his parents but also had his legs crushed by a collapsing wall.
From then on, every time he walked with his legs, he felt a piercing, burning pain in his broken meridians. The doctor had even said that amputation was the best treatment.
But Bo Wenye didn’t give up and stubbornly took Bo Wenxing all over the world for treatment.
Unfortunately, after more than half a year of treatment, Bo Wenxing was already four, almost five years old, and there was still no hope of his legs healing.
Instead, the longer they dragged it on, the weaker his legs became, and he couldn’t even stand.
But now, not only was he standing on the ground, but he could even walk two steps independently without support?
Bo Wenxing blinked, feeling very confused.
But he was still too young and couldn’t figure it out. And he was too worried about Chi Xiasheng’s condition, so he quickly forgot about it and anxiously squatted down to push him with his small hands.
“Brother Xiasheng? What’s wrong?”
Qiu Li cried for a while, venting the fear that had almost killed her, before she had time to check on Chi Xiasheng’s condition.
She didn’t suspect anything, just thinking that he had swallowed some water or was too tired from saving someone, which was why he had fainted.
After calming down, Qiu Li quickly went to call for help.
Bo Wenye was the first to arrive at the beach.
He had found out that Bo Wenxing had snuck out again and had gone out to find him in a panic, finally seeing him on the beach.
At this moment, Bo Wenxing was trying to wake the fainted Chi Xiasheng, sobbing softly in fear.
“Brother Xiasheng, you… sniff sniff… wake up…”
Bo Wenye quickly ran over. Seeing the soaked and fainted Chi Xiasheng, he quickly asked, “Xingxing, what’s going on…”
Before he could finish his sentence, he saw Bo Wenxing squatting on the ground and was so shocked he almost bit his tongue.
“Xingxing, why are you squatting on the ground? Don’t your legs hurt? Get up quickly, I’ll carry you to the wheelchair.”
Bo Wenxing felt very guilty and blamed himself. He looked at the unconscious Chi Xiasheng, who had saved him, and looked at Bo Wenye with teary eyes.
“Uncle, is Brother Xiasheng not going to wake up, just like my mom and dad?”
Having experienced a tragic separation by death before, Bo Wenxing was afraid that the people close to him would leave him again, so his teary eyes were filled with panic.
Bo Wenye put Bo Wenxing in the wheelchair and checked Chi Xiasheng’s condition. He was relieved to find that he still had a heartbeat and was breathing.
At this moment, Qiu Li also arrived with some people.
When Wen Nian saw Chi Xiasheng lying on the ground, his face turned pale with fear. He quickly rushed over and cried out.
“Xiaxia, sniff sniff~ what’s wrong with you?”
Qiu Li quickly explained, “He went into the sea to save someone. He might have swallowed some water or been hit too hard by the waves…”
“How is that possible?” Wen Nian retorted in a small voice.
Chi Xiasheng is a merman!
Qiu Li wanted to show Wen Nian how scary the sea next to them was. How could a person not faint after swimming in it for a while?
Bo Wenye timely stopped their conversation. “Let’s go back first and have a doctor check him.”
Wen Nian quickly nodded. “Yes, let’s get Mom to check on Xiaxia.”
Bo Wenye didn’t think much of it, just assuming Wen Nian’s mother might be a nurse or something similar.
Wen Nian carried Chi Xiasheng on his back, and Bo Wenye pushed Bo Wenxing behind him.
The security guards who had come with them lit the way with flashlights.
The occasional croaking of frogs could be heard on the island, and the sound of the waves crashing in the distance was particularly fierce in the night.
Only then did Bo Wenye have time to ask Bo Wenxing, “Xingxing, why did you go to the seaside? Do you know how dangerous it is?”
Knowing that it was Chi Xiasheng who had saved Bo Wenxing, Bo Wenye felt both guilty and relieved.
Fortunately, Chi Xiasheng was at the seaside at that time, otherwise Xingxing might have…
Bo Wenxing also lowered his head in shame for his willfulness. He held back a sob, but in the end, he couldn’t help but cry softly.
“I’m a bad boy. Brother Xiasheng will never like me again…”
Bo Wenye also felt sorry for his orphaned little nephew. He could only sigh and wipe his tears.
“How did you fall into the sea? You can’t go to the seaside and run around anymore.”
Bo Wenxing sobbed, his words broken. “I just… just wanted to prove that I can go out by myself. I… won’t go to the seaside anymore. I… was pushed into the sea by… sister…”
Qiu Li, who was walking alongside them, saw that the matter could no longer be hidden. Her face instantly turned pale, and she squatted down and cried to Bo Wenye. “I’m sorry, it’s my fault. I was in a hurry and bumped into Bo Wenxing. I really didn’t do it on purpose. I was just not thinking clearly for a moment and accidentally pushed him. I didn’t mean to…”
Qiu Li had been tormented for a long time, her nerves stretched taut every day, afraid that what she had done would be exposed.
Because she was jealous of Chi Xiasheng, she had deliberately slandered him online. This made Qiu Li, who had never done such a bad thing before, immersed in self-blame and resentment every day.
She wanted Chi Xiasheng to be entangled in negative press so that Bai Ranran would dislike him and start to like her again, giving her a lot of resources.
Unfortunately, the online matter was exposed, and Chi Xiasheng seemed to have noticed something these past few days. This made Qiu Li feel as if she were walking on a tightrope every moment, her nerves constantly tense, ready to fall at any moment.
Tonight, Chi Xiasheng had wanted to have a showdown with her. Qiu Li was scared and ran away in self-deception.
But she had been walking too fast by the seaside and had tripped over the wheelchair. In her anger, she had pushed Bo Wenxing.
She never expected the accident to happen so suddenly…
Qiu Li’s mental state was too poor at the time. If she had been more rational and had been able to pull back Bo Wenxing, who was being swept away by the waves, in time, perhaps none of this would have happened later.
Unfortunately… there are no “ifs” in this world…
Bai Ranran, who had come to help, was stunned by these words. She stood there, not knowing whether to hate Qiu Li first or to sympathize with this implicated little boy.
“How could you… Qiu Li, I’m really disappointed in you!”
Bai Ranran let out a deep sigh and frowned fiercely, saying to the still-crying Qiu Li, “I stopped being your fan not because of Chi Xiasheng. I also swore I would never chase male celebrities again. And Chi Xiasheng got the role in the film crew on his own, it has nothing to do with me!”
Qiu Li sobbed and looked up with a hint of surprise in her eyes.
“But you… the way you looked at him was wrong…”
Bai Ranran thought she was probably talking about how she had been looking at Chi Xiasheng with a dazed expression and coughed, trying to cover up her “old lecherous” nature.
Bo Wenye’s hand, which was pushing the wheelchair, also stopped. He suppressed the anger burning in his chest and looked down at the still-collapsing Qiu Li. “I will release everything you’ve done as it is. I will also re-shoot the role in the film crew. Qiu Li, as long as you are still in the industry for one more day, I will do my best to blacklist you.”
Bo Wenxing was Bo Wenye’s only relative in this world, his greatest weakness. He would not allow anyone to hurt him.
Qiu Li had caused the young Bo Wenxing to fall into the sea. Just the thought that Bo Wenxing could have died because of this was enough to drive Bo Wenye mad.
Being able to hold back from hitting Qiu Li was due to his good upbringing.
And Bai Ranran, seeing Qiu Li still begging for forgiveness, felt a mix of complicated and sad emotions. She simply ignored her and walked away.
Everyone left one after another, leaving only Qiu Li still crying in regret.
Perhaps she shouldn’t have done those things from the beginning. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have had a mental breakdown and pushed a child…
Back at the hotel, the film crew’s doctor examined Bo Wenxing’s condition and found that apart from swallowing a couple of mouthfuls of seawater, the child had no major problems.
In fact…
“Does it hurt when I tap your knee?”
The doctor gave Bo Wenxing a simple test and was surprised to find that his legs seemed to have improved greatly.
Bo Wenye, who was on the side, found it incredible. How could Bo Wenxing’s legs have recovered for no reason?
But in his heart, he couldn’t help but hope that what the doctor said was true.
Suppressing his excitement, Bo Wenye planned to take a boat back to the country early tomorrow morning to have Bo Wenxing thoroughly examined.
Bo Wenxing had stayed up for so long and had cried for so long. He was also a little tired. But he still waited for the doctor to examine Chi Xiasheng, insisting on seeing that he was okay before leaving.
Bo Wenye could never win against his little nephew and could only let him wait here.
Fortunately, Chi Xiasheng was a fish. A swim in the sea wouldn’t cause him any major problems. He was just a little tired from using too much spiritual energy.
Relieved, Bo Wenye finally took Bo Wenxing, who could no longer hold on and whose eyelids were almost closed, back to sleep.
And just as they left, Wen Shu also rushed over anxiously.
Seeing Chi Xiasheng lying on the hospital bed, soaked and curled up, Wen Shu’s head spun for a moment before she suppressed her anger and asked, “Wen Nian, what happened?”
Wen Nian sniffled and told Wen Shu what had happened. “A bad human hurt that little cub. Xiaxia went to save the little cub, and then he ended up lying here.”
The veins on Wen Shu’s forehead throbbed. She felt that this son of hers, who was too stupid to even get the story straight, could be thrown away.
Then she went out again and found Bai Ranran, who had witnessed the whole thing, and asked her what had happened.
Bai Ranran was sitting alone by the glass window of the restaurant, looking at the huge night sky, her mood silent and complicated.
She heard Wen Shu call her, sighed, and explained what had happened today.
“…That’s about it. It’s also my fault. I’m too fickle, falling for someone new every time. It made Qiu Li’s mentality unbalanced, which is why she did such a thing.”
Hearing Bai Ranran’s words, Wen Shu was silent for a moment, her heart filled with pity for this child, Chi Xiasheng.
When she had first found him at the bottom of the sea, she knew that this child had a lot on his mind. He was a bit stubborn and liked to carry everything on his own.
Therefore, Wen Shu had never asked Chi Xiasheng about his past, giving him enough time and space.
She believed that her unreserved kindness would one day make Chi Xiasheng open his heart to her and become a truly close kinsman with them.
But Wen Shu never expected that Chi Xiasheng’s life on land would be so difficult…
“That what’s-her-name Chestnut, where is she?” Wen Shu sighed and asked.
Bai Ranran held her face, still worried. “Sister Xiaoshu, her name is Qiu Li. Sigh, I really need to change this fickle habit of mine in the future.”
Wen Shu felt that Bai Ranran was thinking too much. What was wrong with being fickle?
“Live a little happier, Ranran. You’re not wrong. What’s wrong is Chestnut’s dissatisfaction and desire. This kind of person will make mistakes sooner or later. You don’t need to take the blame on yourself.”
Bai Ranran thought it made a lot of sense, but she still corrected her. “Her name is Qiu Li, Sister Xiaoshu.”
Wen Shu waved her hand dismissively and walked away in her high heels without looking back.
Qiu Li was still crying on the small path leading to the hotel. After crying for a while, she rubbed her knees and stood up.
She hadn’t walked two steps before she saw Wen Shu walking towards her.
Qiu Li had seen Wen Shu a couple of times and knew that she was the one who had saved Chi Xiasheng and was very beautiful.
But this time, meeting on a narrow path that could only fit one person, Qiu Li had to look up at the gentle and lovely Wen Shu and realized that she was truly naturally beautiful, as beautiful as a pool of water.
Just as Qiu Li was stepping aside to let her pass, Wen Shu slapped her across the face.
“Do you know why I hit you?”
Qiu Li’s head was buzzing. She shook her head, dazed from the slap.
“This slap is for my child. You caused him to be flamed online. You deserve it!”
Qiu Li roughly understood that she was venting her anger for Chi Xiasheng. A hint of anger appeared in her eyes. “On what grounds are you hitting me for Chi Xiasheng? Even he didn’t say much!”
Wen Shu just let out a cold laugh.
When the gentle beauty sneered, it made people’s skin crawl. They looked away, not daring to meet her gaze.
“Of course I have the right. I am his only elder kinsman in this world. I have a reason to discipline him! He has a kind heart and doesn’t bother with you, but I’m not a good-tempered person. I’ll let you know what it means to not be easily bullied!”
Wen Shu’s voice was never the loud and boisterous type. Even her threats were soft and gentle, but the ruthlessness in her tone was even more heart-stopping.
In fact, after spending a little time with Chi Xiasheng, one would find that he was actually a person who was cold on the outside but warm on the inside. He was always easy to soften and easy to show kindness to others.
That’s why he had been repeatedly deceived and bullied. The Su family had also taken advantage of this point, which was why he had been so passive.
But Wen Shu was the complete opposite. She didn’t fall for the “human tears” trick. Although she was gentle on the surface, her heart was as cold as the icy sea.
“Then you’re done hitting me now. I’ve also been blacklisted by Director Bo. I won’t be able to make it in the industry anymore. Is that enough?!”
Qiu Li shouted, unable to hold back her tears.
Wen Shu shook her head and let out a soft laugh. She leaned close to her ear. “You’ve never tasted what it’s like to fall into the sea, have you? You can try it tonight.”
With that, Qiu Li felt a throbbing pain in her head. When she came back to her senses, she found that she was already back in her hotel bedroom, lying on the bed and ready to sleep.
Sleepiness washed over her, and she couldn’t think much before she fell into a dream.
But her dream was full of a vast sea, which flowed over her ankles, into her nostrils, mouth, and ears, leaving her nowhere to escape.
Just as she was about to suffocate, Qiu Li woke up from the bed, drenched in sweat.
Clutching her chest, her eyes filled with panic. She felt that Wen Shu must be a demon!
Only a demon could create such a terrifying dream illusion!
The feeling of falling into the sea had completely traumatized Qiu Li. She didn’t even dare to wash her face in the morning. With her hair disheveled, she took her luggage and was about to flee.
Chi Xiasheng and Wen Nian were also packing their luggage. Seeing Qiu Li fleeing like a madwoman, they were a little puzzled.
“Why is she walking so fast? The boat in the morning doesn’t leave until almost noon.”
Wen Shu stroked her long hair. “Who knows? You guys hurry up and pack. We’re going back.”
Chi Xiasheng had rested for a night. Although his spiritual energy had not yet recovered, he was in good spirits. And the drama had already wrapped up, so there was no need for them to stay on the island.
There were obviously a lot of people taking the boat back to the mainland today. Bo Wenye also brought Bo Wenxing to thank Chi Xiasheng.
“I plan to take Xingxing for a check-up. The doctor said there’s hope for his legs to stand up.”
Looking at the excitement in Bo Wenye’s eyes, Chi Xiasheng thought that perhaps when he was treating Bo Wenxing in the sea, he had also treated his legs?
But Chi Xiasheng didn’t explain much, just congratulating him.
Bo Wenye shook his head. “It’s me who should be saying thank you. If there’s a suitable role after I go back, I’ll contact you.”
Chi Xiasheng raised an eyebrow in surprise. “Are you going to give me a back door?”
A hint of discomfort appeared in Bo Wenye’s eyes, and his ears turned slightly red.
Every time he was alone with Chi Xiasheng, Bo Wenye would feel his face heat up. He didn’t dare to think too much about the source of this palpitation and could only make an excuse to leave first.
Wen Nian, nibbling on an apple, shook his head. “Xiaxia, don’t you dare mate with him. He’s so cowardly.”
Chi Xiasheng quickly stuffed the apple into Wen Nian’s mouth. “Just eat. He doesn’t mean that at all.”
Wen Nian grunted, thinking to himself, Of course he does.
As the boat sailed further and further away, the shadow of the land in the distance gradually became clear.
Chi Xiasheng looked at the silhouette of the city’s skyscrapers and let out a slow breath.
In any case, he was finally back.
