Chapter 55: Zhongshan Country [2]

Zhang Qiu returned to Xi’an from Xinjiang, just in time to register his semester.

Lu Feng, Hua Ting, Pei Qing and Little Ling Dang returned to Beijing. As for Pixian Hui w.a.n.g, who knew why he was angry, he disappeared. Zhang YuShui, his second brother, followed after to look for him. Desert Falcon filming production had caused death, and heard that it was stirring up too much trouble. Recently, the microblog hot search was all about Desert Falcon’s death. The director had a headache now. Qi Xi’s part couldn’t be filmed naturally. His broker had found a Xianxia drama for him and it was heard that he had gone to Anhui.

Zhang Qiu returned to the empty and small rental apartment, and his heart sunk. He had planned to change into a bigger one last time, but now he didn’t have to. What if Li Shu couldn’t find them when he comes back?

Xiao Jiang sat on the sofa with his eyes fixed on Zhang Qiu.

Xiao Jiang seemed to know something all the way back. He had been very good all the way and not naughty. Zhang Qiu blamed himself. He had made Xiao Jiang worry about him. He cheered up and kissed Xiao Jiang’s lips on the sofa. He happily said, “Let’s go out for dinner today. Daddy will give you ice cream!”

Xiao Jiang’s eyes lit up in an instant, his small arms went around Zhang Qiu’s neck, and he said seriously, “Daddy, Big Daddy will come back. We’ll wait for him.”

“Ok, wait for him.” He could no longer made Xiao Jiang worry about him.

Zhang Qiu carried Xiao Jiang downstairs to eat and amusing Xiao Jiang so he was in cheerfull mood. When he got back home, he had a headache. What should Xiao Jiang do, when his cla.s.ses begin in two days? He now lived in an old community near the school. There should be a kindergarten nearby. It’s really out of question; he had to put Xiao Jiang in the kindergarten for a period of transition first.

In the midst of thinking, the mobile phone rang.

Zhang Qiu took a look; it was Senior who had called. They should have arrived there, and probably wanted to inform they were safe and sound.

“What? Lost the map?!”

Zhang Qiu was also confused when he heard the news. The map that was found from the tomb of Emperor Hui of Jin was placed in Senior Brother’s place, and they had not known which specific place the map was about. They went to Xinjiang first, and Gouw.a.n.g was dealt with. Zhang Qiu even forgot that there was still the map.

“Only the map was lost.” Hua Ting’s expression was not looking very good either. Once he arrived at home, the doors and windows were all right. Only the safe box in the study was opened. Nothing else valuable in the house was lost, only the map.

Zhang Qiu thought of Senior Brother’s high-end villa, which was usually well-guarded, not to mention the electronic surveillance. Even with all of these, something still missing, which meant no ordinary people had stole the map.

“Forget it. If it was lost, then it was lost. Senior Brother, don’t worry, Gouw.a.n.g is dead. It should be okay.” Zhang Qiu soothed him with two sentences: “That time in Xinjiang was more dangerous. Senior Brother, you still have to go to the hospital to have a good physical examination. If there is something, contact me again.”

Hua Ting was in a bad mood. Everyone trusted him to put the map in his hand. He had lost it. Now he just wanted to find it as soon as possible.

Lu Feng patted Hua Ting on the shoulder soothingly. “Let’s go to the hospital and have a good physical examination.”

“I’ve been feeling a lot better lately, don’t have to go——ok ok ok, I listen to you!”

Zhang Qiu hung up and threw himself on the bed. Although Gouw.a.n.g was dead, the plot behind him did not seem to be over. The map was not completed yet. Who was the person who stole it? What’s the purpose? Who was it that Gouw.a.n.g mentioned?

The whole things made Zhang Qiu be utterly confused and disconcerted, but when he thought of Li Shu, he couldn’t lift any energy. It had nothing to do with him. Losing it might mean that it was time to put an end to such an adventure.

The next day Zhang Qiu found a nearby kindergarten, not far from the school. Xiao Jiang calmly stared at a string of runny-nosed children. He pulled Zhang Qiu and said, “Daddy, I don’t want to go to school with these children.”

Aren’t you a child, too? Zhang Qiu didn’t know whether to cry or laugh, he coaxed, “There are all kinds of toys in there, as well as small companions.”

“No.” Xiao Jiang’s face was almost frozen to bits, seriously repeated, “I’m not a kid.”

Zhang Qiu still wanted to persuade, Xiao Jiang suddenly raise his head, revealing two tiger’s teeth, especially sharp, “Daddy, do you really want to send me in?”

There was an illusion that if he didn’t conform to Xiao Jiang, he would bite the kindergarten kids. Zhang Qiu didn’t want to see the Kindergarten’s headlines the next day ——a child in certain Kindergarten in Xi’an bite kids.

“Forget it, if you won’t go, you won’t go.” Zhang Qiu dismissed the idea and carried his family’s Xiao Jiang to say goodbye to his teacher.

Xiao Jiang heard but didn’t go. His whole person was particularly soft. Zhang Qiu found that Xiao Jiang had become more and more difficult to handle.

In the end, there was no way out. In the first Public Course cla.s.s, Zhang Qiu took Xiao Jiang with him to sit at the back. As soon as they entered the cla.s.sroom, they attracted all eyes. A female cla.s.smate’s eyes like burning torches, brought snacks to feed Xiao Jiang.

“Cla.s.smate, your little brother is so cute!” The female cla.s.smate stuffed chocolate beans to Xiao Jiang, and found that Zhang Qiu was not bad-looking; she intentionally wanted his contact information. She said, all the while smiling, “What’s your major, we can go to the library sometime.”

Xiao Jiang held a chocolate bean in his little meaty hand and pa.s.sed it to Zhang Qiu’s mouth. “Daddy, aunt gave, it’s delicious.”

The atmosphere suddenly fell silent.

Zhang Qiu silently chewed Xiao Jiang’s chocolate bean, stroked Xiao Jiang’s head, and said to the female cla.s.smate, “My son Zhang XiaoJiang.”

“Ha-ha.” The femal cla.s.smate laughed awkwardly. “I didn’t expect your son to be so big…” After she had said that, she went away.

How unfortunately at the beginning of the cla.s.s, the professor was a very serious person. He was very dissatisfied to see someone bring children to his cla.s.s. He asked Zhang Qiu’s name specially. Throughout the cla.s.s, Zhang Qiu was just like a target. At the end of the cla.s.s, the professor pointed him and said, “Next time, don’t bring children, although he is very adorable.”

Zhang Qiu nodded and walked back with Xiao Jiang in his arms. His headache had worsened.

“Daddy, I suddenly want to go to kindergarten!” Xiao Jiang said with his meaty hands around Zhang Qiu’s neck.

Zhang Qiu knew that his son was this sensible, but he felt a little sad. How old was Xiao Jiang to give in for him.

“It’s all right. Daddy will try to figure it out again.” Zhang Qiu answered with a kiss to his son’s lips.

Trying to figure out a way was actually no other way. Zhang Qiu took Xiao Jiang with him to fight guerrilla¹ every day. If he met a professor who let him out of cla.s.s, he would poke Xiao Jiang to sell adorable while he sold miserable. Never expected that within a few days, Zhang Qiu and Xiao Jiang had become their school’s internet celebrities, and were also on the rise in the microblog hot search.

[1 打游击 dǎ yóu jī = (fig.) to live or eat at no fixed place]

Li Shu hadn’t returned yet. The only good news was that Senior Brother Hua Ting had thoroughly recovered. The hospital examiners all felt that it was inconceivable.

Zhang Qiu thought back in the underground Queen’s tomb, that Li Shu had released a hazy red mist in a split second. After being shrouded, he became much more energetic and healed his wounds slowly.

“b.a.s.t.a.r.d Li Shu, I’m going to climb the wall if you don’t come back!” Zhang Qiu ground his molars.

In a twinkling of an eye, it was the end of August. Xiao Jiang now found out the temper of each professor, and he seamlessly docking big tricks. He could be high and mighty or cute. He had become the cla.s.s pet. Professor Fang especially liked Xiao Jiang, and let Zhang Qiu take Xiao Jiang to his home to visit. The Professor’s wife made a good dish, she was particularly enthusiastic.

The two old people had a grandson about the same age as Xiao Jiang, but their son’s family lived in Beijing and seldom returned to Xi’an throughout the year. They both put their love for their grandson on Xiao Jiang. Xiao Jiang had gained a lot of weight and a fat face during this period.

Zhang Qiu had bathed his son and touched his round belly, which made Xiao Jiang giggled.

Thud——

Someone knocked at the door.

Zhang Qiu looked at the time. It was over eleven o’clock in the evening. He had no friends in college. It was impossible for anyone to come to him at this time. Zhang Qiu jumped out of bed and rushed out barefoot.

The door cracked open.

When Zhang Qiu saw the visitor at the door, his smile froze and after a pause saidwith a smile: “Er-sao.”

When Pixian Hui w.a.n.g saw Zhang Qiu excitement just now, he knew that Zhang Qiu thought it was Li Shu who came back. He was about to open his mouth and he heard the sound in the stairs. He advanced into the apartment first. Zhang Qiu saw his second brother followed after.

“Second Brother——”

“There’s news about Li Shu.”

Zhang Qiu turned blank. For a long time he could not respond. His hands were shaking. “What?”

“Let’s get in and talk. There’s news about Li Shu. Li Shu is not dead.” Zhang YuShui patted Zhang Qiu on the shoulder and affirmed, “First put your heart at ease. This time we confirmed the news before we came. It’s really Li Shu.”

Pixian Hui w.a.n.g saw Zhang Qiu was overwhelmed with joy. He was looking for water cups everywhere to pour water for them but the water cups were clearly on the tea table. Therefore, he quickly stopped him. “Don’t bother. We aren’t strangers.”

“Not strangers.” Zhang YuShui repeated the sentence with a smile and looked straight at Pixian Hui w.a.n.g. “Your Er-sao is right. Don’t be bothering, we are all family.”

Pixian Hui w.a.n.g’s face went stiff. If Zhang Qiu hadn’t waited for their news, he would have kicked Zhang YuShui to death.

“It has started half a month ago, your Er-sao——Ah Yan also had some fame on the street. Someone wanted to ask Ah Yan to go down the pit with a high price payment, but then we were all in no mood and refused.” Zhang YuShui said emphatically, “After that, someone wanted to ask for Li Shu, we both heard. Ah Yan immediately contacted the person who first sought him to confirm it and tell you later. It turned out that there was no sign of Li Shu at all. But the person who said that had seen Li Shu. However, he was s.n.a.t.c.hed by someone else. I finally got a picture in hand, you take a look.”

Zhang YuShui took the photo out of his pocket and handed it to Zhang Qiu.

The person in the photo was tall, indifferent and had beautiful features that were not like ordinary people. Zhang Qiu’s hands holding the photo were shaking. Although the photo was blurred, he knew it was Li Shu.

It’s really Li Shu.

Li Shu is not dead!

Zhang Qiu’s eyes were red and he held the photo tightly. After Li Shu’s safety was confirmed, his fears and torment all turned into grievances in the past month. He ground his teeth and cursed in a low voice, “b.a.s.t.a.r.d, see if I won’t bite you to death!”

Since he’s alive, why didn’t he come to find him? Did he know how he spent this month?!

So angry! It’s going to blow up!

Pixian Hui w.a.n.g heard Zhang Qiu spoke angrily but was obviously happy to death. He smiled with tenderness on his face. He looked up and saw Zhang YuShui staring at him closely, and so he pretended to turn his head naturally.

Zhang YuShui smiled and Pixian Hui w.a.n.g became angry but said nothing. He would fall for Zhang YuShui’s series of skills and tricks as long as he spoke.

The mood between the two was ambiguous and flirtious. Zhang Qiu diddn’t notice at all. He was consumed with the thought of Li Shu. It was Pixian Hui w.a.n.g who reminded him that his mobile phone ringing. Zhang Qiu saw it was Senior Brother’s call.

“Junior brother, Li Shu is in Beijing now. Come quickly!”

It was Senior Brother Hua Ting. Zhang Qiu now knew Li Shu was safe and sound. He had lightly calm down and asked for details.

“Do you remember Uncle Qi? Qi ZhiRong, who invited us to a c.o.c.ktail party last time. There was an auction tonight. Lu Feng and I went to join in the fun but didn’t expect Uncle Qi to be there too. I just went to the bathroom and saw Li Shu on the way. I thought my eyes were mistaken, and I purposely chased after him. Li Shu entered Uncle Qi’s VIP room…” Hua Ting frowned and swallowed what he wanted to say. “You’d better come first.”

Zhang Qiu’s head was full of information that Hua Ting said. He never noticed Hua Ting’s forbear from making a full explanation. Zhang Yushui and Pixian Hui w.a.n.g looked at each other and thought it was strange. Li Shu’s desire to possess Zhang Qiu was known to all. He gave his spiritual soul to Zhang Qiu in the desert, which was his best way to make sure Zhang Qiu was safe and sound. Zhang Qiu’s life vein was too Yin and staying too long with a zongzi Li Shu, his bloodline was more likely to provoke dirty things/creatures. So, bad luck was a common occurrence. With the spiritual soul protection, there would be no short-sighted things/creatures dared to strike up any thoughts.

Now Li Shu was undoubtedly alive, but he hadn’t come to Zhang Qiu for such a long time. Was there something important that was stopping him or was there something else…

Zhang Yushi and Pixian Hui w.a.n.g wanted to return to the hotel after giving the news. Zhang Qiu had wanted to say that they could stay for the night, but when he saw that his house only had a small worn out sofa, he cast away the thought. Plus, second brother had only Er-sao in his eyes. It was not convenient to stay here with him.

The three men discussed about leaving tomorrow morning and Pixian Hui Wan would get the air tickets.

The next morning Zhang Qiu went to school to ask for leave and called Professor Fang by the way. As a result, the professor’s wife said that the professor had gone out with the delegation temporarily and might not return for some time.

Zhang Qiu held Xiao Jiang, packed his wallet, carried bag on his back and met Er-sao at the airport.

Zhang YuShui was holding Pixian Hui w.a.n.g’s waist, and when Pixian Hui w.a.n.g saw Zhang Qiu and Xiao Jiang coming, he knocked off Zhang YuShui’s hand. Zhang YuShui’s face turned grievance. Pixian Hui w.a.n.g was angry that he wanted to beat Zhang YuShui. This man even has a grieving face!

Last night already said——cough, forget it.

Pixian Hui w.a.n.g’s cold face, but he looked beautiful. The cold face had a kind of cool and n.o.ble feeling, more attractive. Many people at the airport looked at him. Zhang YuShui’s expression turned bad. He glanced at the people looking at Pixian Hui w.a.n.g. He reached out and pulled Pixian Hui w.a.n.g into his arms.

“Aren’t you feeling hot?” Pixian Hui w.a.n.g asked coldly.

“It’s warm and nice like this, warm and nice.” Zhang YuShui laughed haha. His face was not as thick as usual.

Zhang Qiu felt that his second brother had changed as a person since he was born again. What kind of "be pure of heart and have few desires"appearance did he say before?

It was just over ten o’clock in Beijing when Lu Feng came to pick them up. Hua Ting and Hua Hua were in the car. Xiao Jiang was very happy to meet Hua Hua. The two children were sitting in the back seat and chattering and grumbling, who knew what they were saying. After that, they even laughed out loud.

Zhang Qiu wanted to ask Senior Brother about Li Shu. Zhang YuShui, next to him, had been staring at Lu Feng since they got off the plane. Lu Feng saw and felt freaked out. “What’s the matter?”

“You are not human ah!” Second brother Zhang YuShui had returned to the appearance of be pure of heart and have few desires. He was particularly making up a mystery.

The whole car was quiet. Zhang Qiu looked at Lu Feng. Fortunately, Lu Feng was not angry. “Second brother, how can you curse people…”

Zhang YuShui knocked on Zhang Qiu’s head, sat up and said decently, “It’s not cursing, it’s the literal meaning. Just after we left the airport, I found that he was not quite right. There was a strength he have that ordinary people did not. Like Pei Qing, however, the blood of Pei Qing was thicker. His is thinner. If it hadn’t been the impact on Xinjiang last time, his inheritance might not yet awaken. ”

At this point, Zhang YuShui looked at Hua Ting, smiling and asked, “Otherwise, do you think two ordinary men really can have children?”

Hua Ting was not embarra.s.sed. He was mainly concerned about Lu Feng. Seeing that Zhang YuShui’s words were reliable, he quickly asked, “I also found that his strength has increased since he came back from Xinjiang, and that——” He wanted to say that it was not human to do it very night. They used to be restrained because of his health. Now he was completely well, he could see that Lu Feng had a Teddy nature!!!

But this kind of talk, he couldn’t say out loud.

In addition to the two children, there was an old driver. A look at Hua Ting’s pa.s.sionate talk yet stopped it like an emergency brake, just knew what he wanted to say. Everyone’s face shown understanding but pretended not to know.

“Apart from being energetic and extraordinarily strong, I don’t think I have changed much from before.” Lu Feng laughed at this, “and I won’t change.”

“The power in your body is not yet fully awakened. It needs an opportunity.” Zhang YuShui switched the conversation to some other subject, “But even so, your life will be longer than ordinary people. There is no need to pursue this deliberately. The gains do not make up for the losses.”

Zhang Yushui didn’t know much about Lu Feng, so he was afraid that Lu Feng would overlooked the happiness he had now that he knew that he had a bloodline heritage and would pursue it blindly.

Lu Feng naturally understood what Zhang YuShui meant. He nodded and did not attach much importance to it. He only wanted to cure Xiao Ting. Now Xiao Ting was well. He wanted to live together and grow old with him. If he became some Divine Beast, he would have to watch Xiao Ting grow old alone. That was a sort of torment.

Now he was very happy like this. Xiao Ting was well and he was full of glow. How nice.

If Hua Ting knew that Lu Feng was very touched to think this way, perhaps he might end up cursing when he heard about it.

When they arrived at the villa, Hua Ting asked Hua Hua to take Xiao Jiang to play and then he looked at Zhang Qiu. “I still want to tell you something in advance. You should also have a psychological preparation.”

Zhang Qiu almost dropped his teacup by Hua Ting being like this. He gaped, “Is it Li Shu?”

“He’s all right. He’s in Beijing.”

Zhang Qiu breathed a sigh of relief; as long as everyone was okay. Senior almost scared him to death.

“Just——Li Shu, he seems to have lost his memory.”

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