EM Chapter 19. Return to the Country

When Song Feng was wheeled into the operating room, he was still running a high fever. Combined with severe blood loss, he remained unconscious for a full day and night before finally waking. When he opened his eyes, he found himself in a small hospital room. The glass window not far away was tinted with a reddish glow, suggesting it was late evening. He felt a flicker of confusion. Where was he?

“You’re awake? How do you feel?”

His gaze shifted. Xiao Mingxuan was sitting in a chair beside the bed, watching him. His eyes were bloodshot, his face more worn than usual. Song Feng was still very weak. His lips were pale, and even he could barely hear the sound of his own voice. “Where is this?”

Xiao Mingxuan leaned closer to hear him clearly, then patiently explained everything. At the end, he said, “Yu Bai already got in touch with our people. He’s negotiating with the Thai side. Someone will come pick us up in the next day or two.”

Song Feng gave an almost imperceptible nod.

Xiao Mingxuan was quiet for a moment. “Are you hungry? I can ask them to bring you something to eat.”

Song Feng shook his head. He had been asleep too long and didn’t feel the slightest appetite.

Of course, Xiao Mingxuan knew that. He said softly, “Then I’ll have them make something and keep it warm. I’ll bring it over once you feel hungry.”

Song Feng nodded again.

Xiao Mingxuan pulled the blanket up over him and turned to leave. Song Feng lay there staring at the ceiling, his expression calm. This was the second time he had nearly crossed over into the next world. The last time, he had wished he could just die and never wake again. This time, all he felt was relief. He was still alive. There were still so many things he could do. It felt good to still be here.

Xiao Mingxuan had killed someone and was still under surveillance, but thanks to Yu Bai’s maneuvering, he had some limited freedom. He had someone prepare a bowl of light porridge and headed back to the room. As he reached the doorway, he stopped in his tracks.

Song Feng had fallen asleep again without anyone noticing. His curled lashes brushed lightly against his eyelids, making him look unusually quiet and well-behaved. His features were delicate, and like this, with his eyes closed, he seemed refined. Just looking at him made people feel a strange fondness. Xiao Mingxuan found himself thinking about Song Feng’s two brothers. It figured. The Song family really was full of monsters. Just their looks alone had probably fooled countless people.

Although it was a private room, the police and hospital clearly didn’t want to give him a second one. They moved a narrow cot in from another ward so the two of them could stay in the same room. Xiao Mingxuan was perfectly fine with that. He half-lay on the bed, continuing to keep watch over him.

Song Feng didn’t sleep long. By nightfall, he woke up, looking much better than before. Xiao Mingxuan was sitting on the bed reading a newspaper. When he noticed, he set it aside and came over.

Song Feng was quiet for a moment, then asked weakly, “Any cute nurses around?”

Xiao Mingxuan paused. “What do you want?”

“Pretty ladyboys work too.”

Xiao Mingxuan stared at him in disbelief. “What the hell do you want?”

“To piss.”

Xiao Mingxuan grabbed the urinal. When he looked up, Song Feng was giving him a strange look.

His eyebrow twitched. “Are you going to piss or not?”

“I am,” Song Feng said, still weak, but full of complaint. He looked utterly aggrieved. “Ever since I hit puberty, no one’s touched my little brother except beautiful women. If I wasn’t totally drained right now, I wouldn’t let you…”

Xiao Mingxuan stared at him. Song Feng quickly added, “Not that I’m saying you can’t touch it. Hurry up. You want me to piss myself?”

Xiao Mingxuan accepted his fate and helped the bastard relieve himself. Then he washed his hands and went out to fetch some porridge. Song Feng didn’t have much appetite, but managed to force down half a bowl. Afterward, he let out a breath and lay back down.

Xiao Mingxuan lay down on the cot beside him. A long time passed before he spoke. “Song Feng, are you asleep?”

Song Feng’s voice was soft. “Not yet.”

Xiao Mingxuan went silent for a moment. “If you had actually died this time… what would I do?”

“Reincarnate, I guess.”

Xiao Mingxuan took a deep breath. “That’s not what I meant. I…”

“I know. You want to ask if I’ve thought about the consequences, if I regret it, right?”

“Something like that.”

“I don’t regret it. If I had to do it again, I’d still make the same choice.” Song Feng’s voice was quiet. “You don’t need to feel guilty. Don’t think you owe me anything. Besides, I’m still alive and kicking, aren’t I?”

Xiao Mingxuan pushed down the emotion rising in his chest and changed the subject. “Do you really like being a mercenary that much?”

“Yeah.”

Xiao Mingxuan frowned. “Things like this could happen at any time. And you still…”

“Doesn’t matter. It’s not always like this. I’ve just been unlucky lately.” Song Feng sighed heavily. “Your drug lord cover’s blown. Go back to the military district and behave yourself, young master. Every time I run into you, it’s a damn disaster.”

Xiao Mingxuan stared into the empty air, silent for a long time. Then he spoke again. “I have an idea.” He waited, but there was no response. He sat up and leaned over under the warm light to check, only to see the man had already closed his eyes and fallen asleep.

He watched him for a while, reached out to touch his head, then casually turned off the bedside lamp.

Both young masters were injured. The higher-ups moved fast. The next day, a team was dispatched to escort them back into the country and then fly them straight to the Beijing military district by helicopter.

Song Feng’s parents were both government officials. They had plenty of work during the day. Though they were worried about their son, they couldn’t come in person.

Song Feng was carried off the helicopter and pushed forward in a wheelchair. He looked up and scanned the area. Parked at the edge of the helipad was a black sedan. Standing beside it were a few people. The one in front wore a white Tang suit embroidered with gold. He had a gentle, noble look and a faint smile on his lips. It was his eldest brother, Song Zhe.

His eyes instantly welled up. He had nearly died this time, nearly lost the chance to ever see his family again. He looked up at his brother with pitiful eyes and weakly waved a paw. “Big brother~”

He glanced around but didn’t see their youngest brother. “Where’s A’Xi?” he asked.

“He had something to do,” Song Zhe replied with a smile. His gaze swept from his younger brother’s pale face to the oxygen tank beside him. Then he glanced at Xiao Mingxuan, who looked perfectly unharmed, before turning to the Xiao family’s welcoming party. His voice was gentle, his smile kind. “I heard your young master was badly injured too. He’ll need proper care to make sure there are no lasting effects. If needed, I have a very capable doctor under me. I can have him come over and take a look.”

Song Feng choked out, “Big Brother, I’m more seriously injured…”

Song Zhe gave him a warm look. “Be quiet. I’m speaking to someone else. Interrupting like that is very rude, you understand?”

The weight of years of authority pressed down. Song Feng immediately sniffled and curled up, not daring to move again. Song Zhe returned his attention to the others. “I’ll have him drop by sometime.”

The others waved their hands, smiling nervously. “We wouldn’t dare trouble you, Young Master Song.”

“It’s no trouble at all.” Song Zhe’s eyes remained pleasant. “Your young master has earned another commendation. From what I’ve heard, he’s due for a promotion, given his past achievements. As expected of General Xiao’s son. Like father, like son. He’s exactly the kind of talent the country needs. Be sure to take good care of him. Nothing must go wrong.”

Everyone nodded and agreed emphatically.

Song Zhe nodded in satisfaction and smiled again. “You might want to assign more guards in the future. Security in Beijing is good, but that doesn’t mean it’s perfect. A few more people never hurt, don’t you think?”

“Yes, yes, of course.”

“Especially if there are two or more of them. Be extra careful. If things get rough, don’t try to force your way through. Back off if you need to. Staying safe matters more.”

Xiao Mingxuan’s steps came to a halt. His expression stiffened.

Everyone else froze as well.

Young Master Song, are you saying that our military-trained young master couldn’t handle two thugs? Is that what you’re implying?

Song Zhe was still smiling, the picture of elegance and grace, as if he hadn’t just taken a jab at them in the nicest voice possible. It was hard not to feel utterly crushed. He gave no further attention to them and instead gestured for his people to load Song Feng onto the waiting medical vehicle. Finally, he turned back and, with the same mild smile, said, “You may speak now.”

“……”

“Oh, Axi wanted me to ask if you’d like a pretty girl to sleep with you.”

Song Feng burst into tears. “Big Brother, do you think I can even do anything right now?”

“He said you could have her use her mouth.”

Song Feng’s eyes lit up instantly. He was just about to agree when his big brother continued, “He said your lung’s injured. The moment you climax and can’t catch your breath, he’ll be calling the funeral home.”

“……”

“I’ve got some free time lately, so I’ll be taking care of you myself. Don’t worry.”

“……” Song Feng trembled. “Big Brother, I was wrong. I swear I’ll never get hurt again. Please spare me. Ahhh!”

Xiao Mingxuan hadn’t said a word the whole time. He didn’t look angry at Song Zhe’s remarks either. He simply stood there and watched their car drive off, then turned to head back to the Xiao family estate.

After resting for a while, he wanted to go visit Song Feng, but something kept holding him back. Some part of him kept saying he couldn’t go. Not like this. Not while he was still standing there as the weak one.

As his injuries improved, he returned to the military district. He climbed the stairs to the third-floor office and snapped a textbook salute. “Commander.”

The general returned the salute and gestured toward the chair. “Have a seat.”

“Yes, sir.” Xiao Mingxuan sat, his back perfectly straight.

There was little expression on the general’s face, but a trace of satisfaction showed in his eyes. “You did well this time. The decision has been made to officially promote you to the rank of lieutenant colonel. The order will be announced tomorrow.”

Xiao Mingxuan didn’t look particularly pleased. After a pause, he said, “Dad, I have something I want to ask.” He had always strictly followed military protocol outside and had never addressed him this way before. The general looked at him. “Go ahead.”

“Special forces soldiers are usually selected from within the army, from officers with strong political and tactical performance, usually those ranked deputy squad leader or above. Is that right?”

“You want to join the selection program?”

Xiao Mingxuan nodded.

The general thought for a moment. “Go ahead.”

Xiao Mingxuan shook his head. “I don’t mean the reconnaissance and assault units under the Beijing military district, or Nanjing’s ‘Flying Dragon,’ Guangzhou’s ‘Southern Sword,’ Jinan’s ‘Black Berets’ and ‘Falcons,’ Shenyang’s ‘Northeast Tigers,’ or Chengdu’s ‘Southwest Eagles.’ I mean the unit that was sent on this last mission. The one that’s always been kept off the books.”

The general’s expression turned serious. “Do you even understand what you’re saying?”

“I do.” Xiao Mingxuan met his gaze. “I’ve never seen more clearly than I do now what it is I want.”