Xue Jun entered his car after leaving the Li household. Since Xue Rui and Xue Liang occupied the seats on the back, he can only sit on the passenger seat beside the driver. The driver tacitly began to drive towards the Xue family ancestral home.
Xue Jun glanced at Xue Rui and Xue Liang through the rear mirror and when he saw Xue Liang's state, he let out a heavy sigh. 'Maybe I was too harsh...' he thought to himself as he took out his phone and called for his family's doctor. Xue Jun didn't waste time explaining and only told the doctor to come over to his place as soon as possible.
"Feeling guilty?" Xue Liang's voice sounded out, breaking the silence in the car.
"The one who should feel guilty is you. Taking advantage of Xiao Rui's foolishness to take advantage of another person. Do you have no shame?" Xue Jun asked.
"Shame? Why would I need to feel shame? Someone who lives in the light won't understand how I lived these past few years! Compared to the things I've done in the past, these are not even the tip of the iceberg," Xue Liang told Xue Jun. "Grandfather doesn't even care what I did as long as he benefits. What makes you think he'll care now?"
"Because I said so," Xue Jun replied.
Xue Jun's reply made Xue Liang scoff. "You're saying grandfather listens to you?"
"That's right."
"Jun-ge, your confidence baffled me. You're telling me you've already seized the Xue family power from grandfather?"
Xue Rui who heard this eyed his eldest brother worriedly. He can only stay silent all this time because he didn't want to agitate his two brothers even further. Somehow, he felt that not only Xue Liang will get in trouble the moment they reached home.
"From others' point of view, grandfather still held the power of the Xue family. But a year ago, I completely seized them. Why do you think that your movement became, even more, smoother recently? It's because I've been helping you covering your track... but it seems that it was a big mistake for me to do so," Xue Jun said the last sentence and his tone didn't hide his disappointment.
"You helped me cover my track? Don't lie! If you do, then why did you decide to act against me now?" Xue Liang asked. "What I did shouldn't be conflicting against your interes-... wait... Ge, could it be, I've touched your bottom line?" Xue Liang asked.
Xue Jun just glared at Xue Liang through the mirror and Xue Liang then understood. Xue Liang laughed, his body shook with each laughter that escaped his lips. "Indeed, we are from the same egg in the first place. Falling for the same person... it must be fate playing with us! At the very least, in this race, I've won against you two. After all, I've already tasted the meat while the two of you haven't!"
"Xue Liang, I suggest you shut your mouth until we arrive home. Lest I do something we all end up regretting," Xue Jun warned his brother in a dangerous, cold tone. Both of his hands clenched into a fist, his nails digging into his palm and drew blood.
Sensing that his brother was seriously angry, Xue Liang didn't say anything anymore. He felt that if he did, Xue Jun would truly do something dangerous. 'I'm not strong enough yet...' Xue Liang thought as he remembered how his brother landed a series of punch on him. 'Just how did he grow so strong this fast anyway?!' Xue Liang glared at Xue Jun, dissatisfaction was clear in his eyes as if the whole world was unfair to him.
The rest of the ride to the Xue ancestral home was quiet and the drivers whose task was to drive them felt uncomfortable with how tense the atmosphere was.
* * *
Li Xinwen returned to the living room after sending Xue Jun off. Li Jinghua patiently waited for him inside and Li Xinwen simply went over to sit down beside her. "Hua-jie, I won't beat around the bush so I'll ask this straight away. Is Xue Jun someone important in the future?"
Hearing his brother's question, Li Jinghua only nods her head. "At the beginning of the apocalypse, everyone depended on the military for protection. Major General Xue was tasked to rescue and evacuate the civilians. He was well known and he always succeeds. Whenever he's on missions, his casualty rate is always the lowest. And... he did it with Min Xiaoyu by his side. He was supposed to come and rescue us in this residential district next but something seemed to come up because just when we thought we would be saved, the military pulled back. They only brought those whom they had managed to save."
When Li Xinwen heard this, he can't help but frown. "How far in the apocalypse was this?"
"Two weeks into the apocalypse. Since they pulled out, we can only stay here and try to survive on our own..." Li Jinghua replied. As she remembers her past, she can't help but feel sorrowful.
Li Xinwen noticed this so he quickly pulled Li Jinghua into a hug. "It's alright, Hua-jie. With you here, we'll survive," Li Xinwen comforted the young female. "Anyway, Xue Jun was doing so well but he suddenly retreated. Something must've happened. Based on his action tonight, he appears to be an upright man. Maybe his superiors told him to pull back?"
"Might be. Because a few months after, news of the largest military survivor base was released and most people decided to move. We were also supposed to move, but Xue Rui who had disappeared for a while sent us a message to wait until things have calmed down before making our move. Then two weeks later, he came to pick us up," Li Jinghua murmured in a soft voice.
"When was this?"
"The sixth month into the apocalypse..."
"Xue Rui... did he change then?" Li Xinwen asked.
Li Jinghua only nods her head. Li Xinwen now had a suspicion in his heart. "What about Xue Jun? After... Xue Rui came to pick us up, was there any news about him?"
At this, Li Jinghua tried to look through her memories before answering. Only then did she realize that after Xue Rui came to pick them up, there was no news of Xue Jun, as if the guy had disappeared. Even when Min Xiaoyu created the medicine to fight against the zombie virus, there was no news of Xue Jun at all. 'Did he die?' Li Jinghua can't help but think of this.
Meanwhile, Li Xinwen's suspicion rose even more. He let out a heavy sigh before he turned to Li Jinghua once more. "It's now late, Hua-jie. Let's go and rest. About Xue Jun, maybe if we can get close to him, we'll be able to follow him to the base earlier."
"No. We can't go to that base," Li Jinghua quickly shakes her head. "Because of the large number of survivors, it'll attract a zombie tide every three months. It is actually not safe there."
"Then, do you have any plan?" Li Xinwen asked.
"En... I plan to build a base of our own. It might sound crazy but I believe that this is the only way we can survive the apocalypse. If we were to stay under someone else's banner, when things goes bad we'll be thrown away to ensure their own survival. But if it is our own base, we can have better control of our own lives," Li Jinghua explained to Li Xinwen.
"Building your own base, huh?" Li Xinwen entered deep thought. 'It might not be such a bad idea. I wonder if this is why Li Jinghua needed a huge amount of capital in the first place... because she plans to create her own base.'
"Hua-jie, do you have a place in mind?" Li Xinwen asked.
"I do. But at the moment, there is nothing we can do for it. The place I'm thinking about... can only be accessed on the second year of the apocalypse."
"Why is that?"
"Because in the second year, the world will change again."
Here's another chapter to pay for the lack of update last week! Next week, we'll return to the normal update rate of 2 chapters a week.
A few days passed since the night Xue Liang broke into his room and Li Xinwen is now preparing himself to go to Min Xiaoyu's martial art school. Because he had been looking forward to this day, Li Xinwen was unexpectedly in a very good mood that he was even humming as he placed his spare clothing in a duffle bag.
There was a gentle knock on the door before he heard the door was being opened. When he glanced over to the door, he saw Sun Xiao's head peeking into his room.
"Xin-gege, are you ready?" he asked. His eyes that were shining brightly is unable to hide the excitement and impatience behind.
Li Xinwen also knew that Sun Xiao is looking forward to this day. These past few days, he had helped Sun Xiao with basic training of body strengthening. Of course, since it has only been a few days since Sun Xiao started, the only changes that occur are just a simple increase in strength.
"Ready now," Li Xinwen said as he zipped his duffle bag. He slung it over his shoulder and approached the door. The door swung open to reveal Sun Xiao in his sportswear, carrying a heavy-looking backpack. Seeing the backpack, Li Xinwen raised up an eyebrow. "Ah'Xiao... what else are you carrying?"
"Oh, umm... books?" Sun Xiao looked up at Li Xinwen as the color of red spreads all the way to his ears.
"Martial arts books?" Li Xinwen asked.
Sun Xiao shyly nods his head before he lowered his head and looked down on the floor.
Seeing this reaction, Li Xinwen can't help the helpless smile that formed on his face. He raised his hand and gently pats Sun Xiao on the head. "Your bag looks too heavy. How many did you bring, hmm? Come on, let's put some of them into my bag so it won't be too heavy for you," Li Xinwen suggested as he brought Sun Xiao into his room.
At first, Sun Xiao thought that Li Xinwen would tell him to leave the books. He didn't expect that Li Xinwen would help him carry them instead. His admiration for his brother simply grew to another level as he happily followed Li Xinwen inside.
After dividing the books, they finally went downstairs to eat breakfast. With how fast Li Xinwen had proved himself to be recovering, he managed to coax mother Li to increase the variety of his diet though he has yet to eat solid food. 'Not that I am complaining. The food really tastes good in this world,' Li Xinwen thought to himself as he took his seat.
"Ah'Wen, are you really sure you want to go and practice martial arts at the martial art school? Can't you just practice here at home just as you had done these past few days?" Mother Li, asked when she saw her son. She knew that in a martial arts school, their training would be harder, and not to mention there will be a sparring session. Her son had only just returned from the brink of death and now, her boy is going off to do dangerous things again.
"Mom, don't worry about me too much. You've seen how far I've recovered. Plus, I know the condition of my body well. Once I feel unwell, I promise you that I will stop practicing," Li Xinwen said, trying to assure the older lady.
"Hua-er... can you please persuade your brother?" since she couldn't do it, Mother Li turned to her daughter instead.
"Mom, don't worry about Ah'Wen. These past few days, he has been training with Ah'Xiao and we've seen how his condition is better than before. In fact, I feel like he has even grown stronger than before the accident," Li Jinghua who was the one suggesting Li Xinwen go and practice with Min Xiaoyu felt guilty as she cannot help her mother.
At this, Li Xinwen just nods his head while giving Mother Li a pleading look. In the end, Mother Li can only let out a heavy sigh. "Alright. But make sure that you be careful. If this old woman sees a single bruise on you, you will stop immediately. Got that, young man?"
"Yes, mom!" Li Xinwen replied with a huge smile on his face. "You're the best!" he added before he continued to eat breakfast.
After breakfast, the two brothers finally left their home in order to go to Min Xiaoyu's place. Unexpectedly, when they arrived, Xue Rui was already waiting for them by the entrance. Xue Jun was also present. But there was no trace of Xue Liang.
When Xue Rui saw Li Xinwen, his face brighten up and he quickly went over to greet him. "Xinwen, good morning! Have you eaten?" Xue Rui asked with a smile on his face.
"En. Where is Xue Liang?" Li Xinwen asked.
Hearing that the first person that Li Xinwen asked about is Xue Liang, the expression of both brothers changed considerably. Though Xue Jun recovered almost instantly, Xue Rui still sported a dejected look as he answered.
"That night, after being scolded by... grandfather, he ran away again."
"Ran away?" Li Xinwen was surprised and turned to look at Xue Jun for a clearer answer.
"It's exactly what Xiao Rui was saying. That guy ran away. Seriously, he's already this old and still acts like a rebellious teenager," Xue Jun grumbled. Just thinking of his second brother is enough to give him a headache. Adding his third brother's foolishness, it is a miracle that he didn't go crazy.
"Didn't you put a tracker on him?" Li Xinwen was surprised that Xue Liang could escape from Xue Jun despite having a tracker planted on him. He remembered that Xue Jun planted a lot.
"All of them were destroyed overnight. We didn't even get to use it."
Li Xinwen let out a hum in response. 'A shame. I would've loved to teach him a very good lessons.'
Sun Xiao has been staring at Xue Jun and Xue Rui all this time as if trying to find if there is any difference between the two men. His eyes were full of curiosity as he stared at them.
"Ah'Xiao, it's rude to stare at someone like that," Li Xinwen who noticed this said as he rubbed the younger boy's head.
"Sorry," Sun Xiao replied but his eyes were still glued on both Xue Jun and Xue Rui. "They really look alike. Xin-gege, how do you differentiate them?" Sun Xiao asked as he turned to Li Xinwen. When he heard that Xue Rui actually has two identical brothers, he thought that there should still be some difference since Li Xinwen could easily differentiate them. But when he looked at them, they really looked similar. The only difference is their demeanor.
Li Xinwen just let out a small chuckle before he leaned down and whispered to Sun Xiao's ear. "You will also be able to do it easily once you learn martial arts properly. But if you really want to know early then... look at the left side of their neck, just below the ear. Do you see a small scar on one of them?"
Hearing Li Xinwen's whisper, feeling the other's breath so close to his ears, Sun Xiao felt his heart race and his face burn up. But Sun Xiao still focused his eyes on the two brothers and noticed that one of them have a very small scar on the spot where Li Xinwen mentioned. "I see them."
"That one is Xue Jun. The one without the scar is Xue Rui," Li Xinwen told Sun Xiao. He then straightens up his back and smiled at the two brothers. "Anyway," he speaks up. "Ah'Xiao, go and introduce yourself."
As Li Xinwen said this, his hand lightly gave Sun Xiao a gentle push from behind, letting Sun Xiao stood before the other two.
Sun Xiao stared at them for a while before he turned to Xue Jun. "Uncle Xue Jun, I'm called Sun Xiao! I will be in your care later," Sun Xiao said with a small smile on his face. After being told to be confident by Li Xinwen, Sun Xiao has been working very hard to build up his confidence so now, he won't act as nervous as long as his brother is around.
Xue Rui and Li Xinwen who heard what Sun Xiao said suddenly have trouble trying to control their expression as to not laugh out loud.
Xue Jun who had been called uncle: ...
Sun Xiao, only noticed that the way he addressed Xue Jun was wrong and he quickly apologized. "Ah... you and Rui-gege are of the same age... then can I call you Jun-gege?" Sun Xiao asked nervously, hoping that Xue Jun didn't take offense on his mistaken address form.
"Just call me big brother," Xue Jun replied. He felt that being called 'Jun-gege' is too affectionate. 'But if the one who called me that is Xinwen...' as the thought crossed his mind, his eyes landed on Li Xinwen. But rather than affection, his eyes were only filled with suspicion.
Li Xinwen also noticed this gaze and he only smiled knowingly at Xue Jun. "Shall we go inside?" he suggested and Sun Xiao excitedly walked in front. Just before Li Xinwen walked past Xue Jun, he whispered to the other male: "Young Master Xue, I don't like the way you're looking at me. As I've said that night, as long as you 'impress' me, then I'll answer your question. So why don't you stop looking at me like I am some criminal?"
"Taking another's identity is considered a crime of identity theft. So, you are a criminal in my eyes. You may be able to fool the rest, but not me..."
"Right. You know that I am not... but, this body is indeed Li Xinwen's body and I am indeed called Li Xinwen. It is up to you if you believe me or not," Li Xinwen replied before he walked away.
Xue Rui noticed the short exchange between the two and can't help walking towards his older brother. "Jun-ge, what were you two talking about?" he asked out of curiosity. When the two whispered earlier, they were standing very close to each other so Xue Rui was feeling jealous.
"It is none of your concern, Xiao Rui. He just told me to help him take care of Sun Xiao later when they have class."
"Oh, alright. Speaking of which... how did you know this place, Ge? I just told you the name of the school and you already know the way without consulting the navigator."
"Of course I know, this school belongs to my master," Xue Jun replied.
"..." Xue Rui who had told Min Xiaoyu that his grandfather is a fraud can only stay quiet and not saying anymore word fearing that he will end up picking up a stone only to drop it on his own foot.
Current vote status:
Xue Jun: 7
Sun Xiao: 4
Min Xiaoyu: 1
If anyone still hasn't voted and wanted to vote, do so in chapter 29.2! So far, Xue Jun is winning. I wonder if its because you guys wanted to see that military uniform XD
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