EM 72. Dawn

The members of Xingtian returned to Beijing not long after. Those with serious injuries stayed in the hospital, while the rest were sent back to base. No one said much along the way. The atmosphere was heavy. Song Feng didn’t go with them. Instead, he followed Song Zhe back to the main Song residence and spent his days recovering in his own bed. In truth, his injuries had more or less healed. He just didn’t know what to do with himself, so he simply lay there.

Xingan wagged his tail and followed him, hopping up on the bed and pawing at him. “Woof?”

“Xingan, I was living with someone for a while,” Song Feng said. “Now it’s just me again.”

Xingan nudged up to him and barked again. “Woof!”

“Yeah. I still have you.” Song Feng patted his head and closed his eyes in silence.

Xingan tilted his head. He could vaguely sense that his owner wasn’t in a good mood, so he quietly curled up beside him and stopped bothering him.

Time passed day by day. The sun rose in the east and set in the west. No matter what had happened before, life had to move on. Xiao Mingxuan’s funeral was never held. Neither the Xiao family nor the members of Xingtian were willing to accept it. It felt like holding the funeral would mean accepting he was truly gone. The search teams near the Andaman Sea hadn’t been pulled back. Everyone still held onto a sliver of hope. As long as there was no body, there was still a chance he had survived. But as time went on, that hope grew thinner by the day, and the weight on everyone’s heart grew heavier.

Once fully recovered, Song Feng made a trip to the Xiao family. He had never been the type to run from things. He stood before General Xiao, vaguely recalling how energetic the man had looked the last time they met. Now, fatigue lined his features, and he looked like he had aged years. Song Feng stood there in silence, wanting to say something. But when the words reached his lips, he couldn’t speak a single one.

No one in the Xiao family said much. Back then, when Song Feng had risked his life to save Xiao Mingxuan, the Song family hadn’t made a fuss. What could they say now? General Xiao understood his son better than anyone. Once Xiao Mingxuan made a decision, no one could stop him. Even if everything played out a hundred times over, he would still throw himself in front of danger to save Song Feng.

He looked at the man in front of him. He still remembered Song Feng as the smiling second son of the Song family. Now, all that brightness had faded. Earlier that year, he had talked to his son and understood what he felt for this man. Back then, he thought it was one-sided. But now, seeing Song Feng like this, it was clear there had been something real between them. He sighed silently to himself. So be it, he thought. As long as his son could come back, he didn’t care about anything else. He patted Song Feng’s shoulder. “Live well.”

Song Feng’s body gave a slight shudder, but he said nothing.

General Xiao still had work to do and didn’t ask him to stay.

Afterward, Song Feng wandered around the capital. He had no idea where he was going. He didn’t want to go back to the base. That place held too many memories. Going back would only make it worse. He stood there for a while, watching the endless stream of cars on the road. In the end, with nowhere else to go, he drove home.

When he got back, there was a guest in the living room chatting with his older brother. The man looked up at him calmly the moment he walked in. It was Shao Xiujie.

Song Feng froze. “What are you doing here? Are you healed?”

“Almost healed,” Shao Xiujie said, looking him over. “You’ve lost weight.”

Song Feng shrugged casually. “I was injured. Just finished recovering.”

The physical wounds had healed, but the rest… had they? Shao Xiujie looked at him. “I heard about what happened.”

Song Feng let out a noncommittal “oh” and changed the subject. “This is your first time in Beijing, right? I’ll show you around.”

Shao Xiujie had no objections. After exchanging a few polite words with Song Zhe, he went out with him. By the time they reached the street, it was already evening. The sky was painted with streaks of red and gold, casting a magnificent glow over the city. Song Feng had both hands in his pockets. “How’s Fu Shanming?”

“He’s still alive. Already transferred to another hospital.”

Song Feng hummed in response and said softly, “That’s good.”

Shao Xiujie raised an eyebrow slightly. He was glad Fu Shanming was still alive? He almost asked about it, but when he saw Song Feng’s expression, he stopped short. In the next moment, he understood. That “that’s good” wasn’t for any particular person. It was simply for the words “still alive.”

Still alive. That was good.

He let out a sudden sigh.

Song Feng turned to look at him, his beautiful eyes holding the same innocent calm as always, as if nothing had changed. “What is it?”

“Nothing.”

Song Feng glanced at him, then said nothing more.

Shao Xiujie stayed in Beijing for a few days. Song Feng took his role as guide seriously, bringing him to try all sorts of famous local foods. The days were peaceful and relaxed, almost like they had gone back to their time in Malaysia. Shao Xiujie could tell that Song Feng had become quieter than before. He tried his best to distract him, but nothing seemed to help much. With work waiting at the company, he couldn’t stay any longer. On the day of his departure, he stood at the airport, looking at him. After a long silence, he finally asked, “Xiao Feng, if you had more time… do you think you could fall in love with me?”

Song Feng didn’t respond right away. This man, like Xiao Mingxuan, had been willing to risk his life for him. Being with Shao Xiujie was comfortable. But he didn’t have that quiet strength that made him feel safe. Maybe it was because they hadn’t known each other that long. Maybe if Xiao Mingxuan had never existed, if the person he had chosen to live with had been Shao Xiujie, things would have turned out differently. No one could say.

But the world didn’t work in maybes. He had chosen Xiao Mingxuan. And he knew now that it would be nearly impossible to feel that way about someone else again. If this question had been asked back then, he might have said “maybe.” But now…

He shook his head. “Sorry.”

Emotion surged in Shao Xiujie’s eyes. The year they had lost between them had become an irreparable wound. Love had no concept of who came first or last. He could only blame himself for not holding on when he had the chance. He closed his eyes briefly, forcing the emotion back down, then reached out and gently patted Song Feng’s head like he used to. “It’s okay. We’re still friends. Come visit me sometime if you feel like it.”

Song Feng smiled. “I will.”

Just then, a clear female voice came over the intercom. Shao Xiujie stepped forward and pulled him into a hug, holding him for a moment before patting his shoulder. “Xiao Feng, live well.”

Song Feng let out a soft response. “I know.”

He watched Shao Xiujie quietly, only turning to leave once his figure disappeared around the corner. On the drive home, he passed a young mother pushing a stroller across the road. He paused for a moment, glanced at the time, and when the light turned green, changed lanes and headed off to visit his sister-in-law and Xiaolin.

His sister-in-law had just gotten off work and lit up when she saw him. “Come on in,” she said as she ushered him inside, then gave him a once-over and frowned. “You look thinner.”

“I was injured a while ago. I’m better now,” Song Feng said with a smile as he stepped inside and scooped up Xiao Lin, poking his little cheeks and playing with him.

“Sit down. I’ll cook. Stay and have dinner before you go.” She turned and headed for the kitchen.

Song Feng didn’t argue. He played with Xiao Lin for a while before getting up to help. As he watched her busy at the stove, he fell silent for a long time before finally speaking, his voice low and hesitant. “Sis, back then… how did you get through it?”

She froze for a moment, then replied softly, “Time passed, and somehow I did. There’s nothing in this world you can’t survive. The wound never fully heals, but it stops hurting the same way. I really thought I wouldn’t make it back then, but I still had Xiao Lin. I had to force myself to hold on. And look at me now. I turned out okay.”

Song Feng felt a sharp twist in his chest. “I’m sorry…”

She gave him a helpless look. “Didn’t I already tell you to stop saying those words?” She looked at him carefully. “What’s going on? Did something happen?”

Song Feng shook his head.

She glanced at him, then turned off the stove and slid the food onto a plate. “Every time I look at you, I think Hang didn’t die for nothing. No matter what happens, live well, Xiao Feng.”

Song Feng nodded and helped her carry the food to the table. He stayed for dinner, but didn’t linger long after. By the time he left, night had fallen. The wind outside was cold. He opened the car door but didn’t start the engine. He sat there in silence for half a minute, then slowly covered his face with one hand.

Everyone kept telling him to live well. He knew that too.

But living hurt too much.

It hurt so much.

When he got home, his older brother was sitting in the living room drinking tea, looking perfectly at ease. Song Feng glanced at him, then suddenly walked over. “Brother.”

“Yeah?”

“If one day my sister-in-law dies saving you…” Song Feng paused, but still forced the word out, “…dies, what would you do?”

Song Zhe had always been sharp. He had everything in life calculated and under control. He could count on one hand the number of times he had ever sighed. But hearing his younger brother ask this, he let out a quiet breath. “If she could really do that for me, I would have no regrets even in death.”

Song Feng’s mouth twitched. “No wonder she hates your guts.”

“No idea why,” Song Zhe said with an easy smile. “Maybe it has something to do with the time I locked her in a cage.”

Song Feng’s mouth twitched again. “Forget I asked. Back to the previous question. When my sister-in-law got hurt, I heard you almost went with her. Is that true?”

Song Zhe took a sip of tea and answered gently, “Ah Feng, you and I are different. I only ever wanted one person in this life. What about you?”

For a moment, Song Feng was stunned. He opened his mouth. “I also…”

“You’re tired,” Song Zhe interrupted, still gentle. “Go get some rest.”

“I’m not—”

Song Zhe gave him a look.

Song Feng immediately backed up two steps, glanced at his expression, sniffled pitifully, and trudged upstairs with his little shoulders hunched.

Song Zhe watched him disappear around the corner of the staircase and fell silent. Sometimes he could almost feel the pain himself, as if something had torn open deep inside his chest and was bleeding slowly, steadily, day after day. The silence repeated, the weight grew heavier. He rubbed his forehead, pulled out his phone, and made a call. “Any updates? Keep digging. Check every ship that passed through, even the private yachts. Let me know the second something comes up.”

He hung up and poured himself another cup of tea. The incident had happened in the Andaman Sea. A little farther ahead was the Strait of Malacca. That area saw countless ships pass by every day. If that person had survived, if someone had rescued him, he could have ended up anywhere.

After Shao Xiujie left, Song Feng went back to lazing around the house, curled up with his dog Xingan in the corner like he was growing mushrooms. He looked pitiful from every angle. He holed up for four days. On the fifth day, a group of young heirs showed up at the house insisting on taking him out.

Song Feng was surprised. “Something going on tonight? Why are all of you here?”

In their hearts, the answer was simple. When the eldest Song prince calls and tells them to entertain his little brother, they show up. No one dared say no. They all smiled. “Yeah, something’s on. Come on, Second Young Master. Let’s go.”

So Song Feng was dragged out and taken to a club. Music was playing in the private room. The floor manager brought in a group of stunning women, each one more charming than the last. He sat on the couch, sipping the drink one of them poured for him. He wore his usual smiling face, but he felt completely hollow inside.

Through the hazy, suggestive light, he looked around at the glamorous, noisy scene and suddenly felt like he didn’t belong in this world. All that wine and luxury had nothing to do with him. What he felt was a deep, creeping loneliness and cold.

One of the women poured him another drink, then leaned in with a soft giggle, brushing against him. Song Feng lowered his head but didn’t push her away, so she moved in even closer. Their eyes met. Her lips slowly edged toward his.

They were only inches apart now. He could clearly smell her perfume, could easily glance down and see her cleavage. He stared at those approaching red lips, then suddenly furrowed his brow.

The woman was experienced. She read the moment instantly and backed off.

Song Feng froze for a moment. In the past, a kiss like that wouldn’t have bothered him at all. Why did he now feel something close to disgust? He thought about it for a long time, then smiled politely and exchanged a few words with the others before standing up to leave. It was the peak of the night’s excitement. Music echoed through the halls. He walked quickly down the stairs. At the corner, two people were talking. One of them sounded drunk, her voice choked with emotion.

“I thought he would never leave me. Sometimes I used to imagine he’d come back like in those stories, wearing golden armor, riding on multicolored clouds, appearing before everyone to find me again…”

Song Feng passed them, his figure quickly swallowed by the night.

He drove home like a madman, burst through the door, and strode straight in. “Brother, I’ve figured it out. I’ve made up my mind. I only want him. So tell me, what do I do?”

Song Zhe ended a call, his expression calm. “Then go tell him yourself. We found him.”

Song Feng’s pupils contracted. The keys slipped from his hand and hit the floor with a sharp clatter.

The search teams had nearly turned the Andaman Sea upside down, but Xiao Mingxuan had already been rescued and taken across the Strait of Malacca, all the way to Kuala Lumpur. Right before the explosion, he had thrown himself out, but still suffered injuries from the blast. Half of his body was burned, and several fragments from the off-road vehicle had pierced into him. If there hadn’t been a doctor on board that ship, he would have died on the spot.

Because Kuala Lumpur was far, he missed the best treatment window. His fever once soared to forty degrees, and for days he hovered between life and death. It was only the day before yesterday that he had been transferred out of the isolation ward. Tonight, Song Zhe’s people had finally found him.

As soon as he got the news, Song Zhe sent people to retrieve him. Preparations had to be made on both ends, and by the time Xiao Mingxuan returned to Beijing, it was already late the next day.

Members of the Xiao family and Xingtian were all gathered on the helipad, anxiously waiting. The roar of blades grew louder. Song Feng looked up. Against the backdrop of fiery evening clouds, a helicopter slowly approached. He blinked, trying to ease the sting in his eyes.

That man… had come back to him, riding on a rainbow cloud.

The helicopter slowly descended. The waiting medical staff immediately rushed forward and carefully lifted the patient down. Members of Xingtian quickly followed. Bai Xuyao started crying before he even reached them, running with snot and tears all over his face as he stared at his captain.

Xiao Mingxuan was already awake. His eyes swept across all their faces until they finally settled on Song Feng. He then slowly reached out a hand toward him.

Song Feng stared at him without blinking, walking over one step at a time. He reached out with trembling fingers and placed his hand into Xiao Mingxuan’s, gripping it tightly.

Beside them, Bai Xuyao wiped his tears. “Boss, I knew you’d be okay. Who saved you? Why didn’t they contact us?”

“That’s a good question,” Song Zhe said with a smile and glanced around. “Where’s that woman? Why didn’t she come back with you?”

Xiao Mingxuan: “…”

Everyone turned to look at him in unison. Song Feng silently looked at his brother.

Song Zhe spoke gently. “She’s the daughter of a gang boss. Fell for him at first sight, took care of him herself. From what I heard, their relationship wasn’t bad. If my people hadn’t tracked him down, who knows when he would have come back.”

Song Feng slowly withdrew his hand and walked away.

“…Song Feng. Song Feng.” Xiao Mingxuan would have jumped up and chased after him if he could move. He turned his head and stared at Song Zhe, speaking slowly and with a voice so weak it barely held together. “I just got out of critical condition. I just opened my eyes. I spoke to that woman maybe ten times, total. I wanted to contact you, but she wouldn’t give me a phone.”

Song Zhe smiled. “See, that’s exactly the problem. According to what I heard, it was love at first sight for her.”

Xiao Mingxuan: “…”

Song Zhe’s tone remained utterly mild. “While you were sleeping like a baby, Ah Feng was in a terrible state. I think it’s your turn now.”

Xiao Mingxuan: “…”

Of course Song Feng didn’t believe any of that. He just couldn’t control his emotions. He was afraid he might break down and cry on the spot, so he had no choice but to step away for a while. He went home, packed a few things, and drove to the hospital, planning to stay there.

By the time he arrived, Xiao Mingxuan was already asleep. His face was pale. Song Feng stood beside the bed, looking at him for a long time. Then he dragged over a chair and sat down, holding his hand and keeping him company. He hadn’t been sleeping well lately, and before he knew it, he had dozed off too, deep and sound asleep.

He didn’t wake until he felt someone gently stroking his head.

Xiao Mingxuan was staring straight at him, eyes wide open. When Song Feng looked back, he held out his arms.

Song Feng’s chest tightened. “You’re still hurt.”

“It’s fine. Come here.”

He paused for a moment, then slowly got up and leaned into the embrace. That long-missed warmth hit him all at once, and a tide surged up from his chest, crashing through his head. His nose stung. He shut his eyes. He didn’t dare hold him too tightly, so he just clutched the blanket, his shoulders trembling uncontrollably.

Xiao Mingxuan’s gaze softened inch by inch. He stroked his head and gently patted his back, holding him firmly.

His voice was hoarse but steady. “Song Feng, I came back.”

“…Yeah.”

Dawn was breaking. The first rays of sunlight pierced the clouds and spilled across the earth. Birds chirped in the trees and took flight into the sky. A new day had begun.

++++ End of Story ++++