From Apocalypse To Entertainment Circle (BL)-Chapter 65: In His Arms

After a stern round of scolding, Mr Xia finally let people into the house. The atmosphere shifted from tense to relieved as Siān’s wounds were assessed and treated with care. His wounds, although visible, were merely superficial bruises that disfigured his flesh and not some serious injury. Luckily, no blood was shed to stain the floor or add to the worry, and a sense of relief swept over the group as they focused on her speedy recovery.

The doctor carefully massaged Siān’s arm while he thawed out the medicine as the heat permeated his skin. He wrapped it gently in soft gauze. Each gentle movement seemed to comfort him a bit, but nearby, Lan Qisheng’s face contorted into a pain that was equal to his own. His broad, anxious eyes conveyed the extent of their connection, conveying the pain that informed him he felt each moment of Sian’s suffering as if it were his own.

Once more, he had allowed Siān to go into the fight, aware of the risk, and then have him endure pain and hurt. It pained him deeply, especially since he had vowed on his honour to keep him safe from harm. Lan Qisheng’s mind whirled in a cycle of regret and self-reproach. Guilt waves engulfed him as he re-lived the episode, haunted by the fact that he had failed to protect someone so dear to him.

No one seemed to notice the storm brewing within him, however. The others grouped around Siān, their faces a combination of worry and question, as the doctor went about professionally attending to his injuries. As the consultation was coming to an end, Zeming was the first to speak. His voice was tinged with sarcasm and genuine concern as he clicked his tongue in disbelief. "Tsk, what kind of superhero ends up in this state? Your entire body is a bruised blue and black canvas." The graphic visual image of Siān’s bruised body was jarringly juxtaposed against the celebratory atmosphere, highlighting the gravity of his plight in the face of the light-hearted taunt of the group.

Siān didn’t catch his words at first, then recalled what he had told them at the banquet—that he was a superhero and they shouldn’t worry about anything.

Siān’s natural tendencies overwhelmed him; he couldn’t sit there anymore when provoked, especially when he could see the other person was worried. Cocking an eyebrow, a playful smirk on his lips, he leaned forward slightly, exuding rebelliousness and mischief. "I had no choice," he declared, the acrid bite in his tone slicing through. "I had to watch out for some feral kids, and this is what it led to." His eyes flashed with a blend of pride and anger, revealing a more nuanced story behind his bravado.

This time, it was Zeming who was left dumbfounded, his head in disarray and unable to come up with a response. Just as he was attempting to gasp for air, the sharp, commanding voice of his mother pierced the awkwardness in the room, capturing his attention and breaking the moment.

"Enough! Stop arguing! Can’t you see Siān’s condition? He got hurt because he was protecting us, and yet you’re still arguing with him? Do you have no decency?"

After being harshly admonished by his mother, Zeming fell into a mutinous silence, his frame rigid as he stood by his brother. He was stiff as a statue, not budging and tense, face expressionless and distant, mirroring the sternness of her rebuke.

Madam Xia stood confronting Siān, her face increasing significantly, a soothing salve to the newly passed strain in the atmosphere between her and her eldest son. "Siān," she spoke, her voice now tasting of warmth, "it’s getting rather late." She hesitated, gazing out into the receding sky beyond. "Why don’t you two stay here overnight? I’ll have the housekeeper set up two comfortable rooms for you and Lan Qisheng so that you both can have a restful haven." Her words enveloped Siān like a warm hug, urging him to make himself at home.

The "big puppy" was abruptly hauled out of his daydream, his head reeling with images of home. He longed to return with Siān, to snuggle in the warm heat of their shared room, breathing in the familiar scents and sounds of their sanctuary. Before he could protest on his lips, Siān, efficient and determined, dived in with words that caught him off guard.

"Sorry, Madam, but I’d like to return home with Lan Qisheng," Siān replied.

A particular someone felt a thrill course through his heart as if delicate wings had sprouted within him, lifting him into a realm of pure joy. The moment the word "home" flowed softly from Siān’s lips, it ignited a sense of elation in Lan Qisheng, sending him soaring to heights he had never imagined.

Madam Xia did not push the issue, but something suddenly occurred to her after a few seconds. Earlier, when they were in danger, Siān had called her Mom. But now that they were back home, safe and sound, he had reverted to addressing her as Madam Xia.

It left a twinge in her heart.

"Siān, dear... won’t you call me Mom?" she asked, unable to repress the question though fearing the answer. fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓

To her surprise, Siān looked at her with intensity.

Madam Xia looked so much like his real mother.

Siān was no man of no conscience, and he was not a dreamer either. He did know his real mother had passed away. No matter how hard he tried to hide the poignant memories of losing his family inside a sealed box, keeping himself away from remembering them, the truth was that he still loved them with all his heart. The pain and sorrow of remembering them never waned.

This was different, however.

If his assumptions were correct, then Madam Xia was the mother of this body. And since the child earlier had called him Brother, and it was quite clear that this woman cared for him very much.

And he already had been affected by her love.

There was no reason why he could not accept her as a second mother.

Of course, it did not mean that he would ever forget the birth mother who had brought him into the world, the woman who had sacrificed for him. But deep down, he was sure that if his real mother were here, she would approve of his choice.

Since Siān didn’t open his mouth, lost in contemplation, Lan Qisheng was about to step in and break the heavy mood.

Since all of the Xia family turned their gazes on Siān, awaiting his response.

But then—

Soft, rosy-pink lips curved upwards slightly, rolling with an elegance of motion as one single word was spoken.

".M-Mom."

Lan Qisheng saw how that one word brightened the face of each member of the Xia family. Even Zeming had a faint smile on the corner of his mouth.

Madam Xia smiled and softened, taking Siān’s hand into hers. Having reminded him a few times that he wasn’t well and must rest well, she eventually relented and let him leave with Lan Qisheng—but only after making him promise to let her visit as often as she pleased.

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The two of them rushed back home. Siān collapsed onto the bed the moment they returned, not even bothering to bathe or freshen himself up.

Lan Qisheng noticed this and sighed, shaking his head. He picked up a warm, damp towel and cleaned Siān’s body tenderly before placing him into a blue set of pyjamas.

These were not your run-of-the-mill pyjamas—Lan Qisheng had himself chosen them. He had thought the design quite adorable; it was designed in the image of a cat, with a hood that sported small ears and even a small fluffy white tail.

"...Too cute."

No one knew whether the old colonel was referring to the pyjamas or the person wearing them.

After his own shower, Lan Qisheng finally went to bed. But in the middle of the night, he felt a pair of arms hugging him hard around his chest.

He opened his eyes—only to be met with gentle whimpers and strained mutterings.

Turning on the bedside lamp, Lan Qisheng gently pried Siān’s face away from his chest, his heart clenching at the sight.

Tears streamed down the teenager’s face, his breathing uneven as he mumbled in his sleep.

".Mom..."

".Brother..."

".Sister..."

Lan Qisheng couldn’t make sense of the broken words. But even if he didn’t understand, it didn’t lessen the ache in his chest.

He pulled Siān into a firm embrace, whispering soothing words.

"It’s okay. I’m here."

"Don’t cry, darling."

"It’s alright now."

He continued to stroke Siān’s hair, his other hand rubbing gentle circles on his back.

And so, he held him like that throughout the night—until the trembling subsided, the broken sobs faded, and Siān finally drifted into peaceful sleep just as dawn broke.

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Hello, hello! Erato-san has arrived!

How’s everyone doing?

So, here’s today’s Chapter!

And I’m here to announce—

We’ve finally survived the horror of the charity banquet, and now we’re off on a new adventure with our beloved Xian.

Because he’s working soon!

Yaaay~

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Meanwhile.

Sian: "No, I don’t wanna! I don’t wanna work! I just want to sleep in Lan Qisheng’s big, cosy bed! Besides, my sweetheart is disgustingly rich—why the hell should I work?!"

Erato-san: "Of course, it is to beat up some scum and show the world what it truly means to have an angelic face and an angelic voice."

.Ahh, I’m looking forward to it!

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