The Bond in the Midst of Turmoil and Uncertainty

At Mo's request, the hospital placed him and Midnight in the same ward.

When the anesthesia wore off, what Mo saw was Midnight's pale little face. Midnight was still asleep. After each of his seizures, he was always extremely exhausted.

"Midnight went looking for you, Mr. Shen," a nurse said to Mo after entering the room.

As she skillfully changed the dressing, the nurse continued, "But he didn't run very far before he had another seizure. Alas, it really worried us."

After a day of turmoil, Mo had an illusion that in this world, only he and Midnight depended on each other.

"... We really worried too much before... This handover was also perfect... So perfect that... 唉,I don't know what to say. Anyway, you'll know once you go out," Bihua said, still with a hint of doubt.

"What's up?" Mo was peeling an apple for Midnight.

Midnight still refused to talk to him, but the resentful expression on his face had disappeared, replaced by a kind of calmness after despair.

"Don't you think... this is similar to a book?"

"Which book?" Mo didn't look up.

"... The one that Chen liked to read the most... Tsk, I forgot the title. I just remember he always daydreamed about the stories in it..."

"Now that you mention it, I have an impression," Mo said as he cut the peeled apple into small pieces.

"Well? Does it seem alike... I'm just thinking, if Chen really didn't die, how much did he participate in this?"

Midnight looked up at Bihua.

"Oops, look, Midnight is also interested in this," Bihua said with a smile and stroked Midnight's head.

"Could you please not call me 'little'?" Midnight mumbled.

Mo picked up a piece of apple with a fork and brought it to Midnight's mouth. Midnight opened his mouth, took it in, and chewed expressionlessly.

"I think he's not angry anymore," Bihua whispered.

"I think he's just exhausted. Maybe he'll lose his temper again tomorrow, right?" Mo smiled gently at Midnight. Midnight just gave him a glare.

"What an ungrateful little kid. Brother Mo came all the way from the shelter to find you," Bihua tapped Midnight's head lightly.

"What did he come to find me for?" Midnight turned his head away.

"Of course because he was worried about you," Bihua said helplessly.

"... Does Little Mo like Ye Rufeng more, or me?"

"What a little rascal," Bihua secretly laughed.

"Of course I like Midnight," Mo replied simply.

Bihua was a bit surprised, but she didn't say anything.

"Then, compared to Brother Chen, who do you like more?" Midnight turned back and looked at Mo expectantly.

Mo hesitated for a moment.

"... Well, what's the answer?" Midnight tugged at Mo's sleeve.

"I... I don't know..." Mo lowered his head.

"Then, if it's like today, and Brother Chen and I are in different places, who would you go to find first?"

"... Probably Midnight," Mo smiled.

"Then, if one of Brother Chen and I had to die, who would you choose?" Midnight asked in a low voice.

Both Bihua and Mo looked at him in surprise.

"... I'm just making an analogy. For example, if Brother Chen and I can't swim and we fall into the water..."

"Chen can swim," Bihua interjected.

"I'm just making an analogy!" Midnight shouted.

"Okay, okay, I'll shut up," Bihua shrank her neck and shook her head at Mo helplessly. See? You spoiled this precocious kid. Now let's see what you're going to do.

"... I... I would still save you first..." Mo said, his voice low. "And then... I would accompany Chen... to die together..."

Heard you had another seizure?

Yeah.

What caused it this time?

The strong light.

... Do you want to come back? We can give you a thorough checkup.

... No need. I've only had two seizures. I can just avoid the strong light carefully.

... I'm worried about Little Mo. I don't know what he'll think.

I told him it's a problem I've had since I was a child, and he didn't suspect anything.

... I looked at your physical examination report. They said your immunity is showing a downward trend.

It's just temporary. Once I get better, it will recover.

... You're an expert too, so I won't interfere. But you still have to be careful. Otherwise, Little Mo might... because of losing you.

I know.

What was that thing you didn't tell me last time?

You actually remember that?

It's also a rather unpleasant joke.

Well, it was a misunderstanding. Ye Rufeng proposed to Little Mo, and I was really furious.

... Did Little Mo accept it?

No.

Then why were you angry?

I... I was just jealous! You weren't there, so you couldn't understand!

Silly. You've forgotten that Ye Rufeng has had a crush on Little Mo since a long time ago.

Yeah, I know. I won't make the same mistake again.

It turns out you have a worse temper than me.

Same here.

"... The administrative power transition of the Light Industry City District was completed in approximately half an hour. After 0:30 a.m. on October 1st, the city center building announced the lifting of the curfew. The residents returned home and were amazed by the efficiency and friendly attitude of the new government..."

Without even blinking, Midnight stared blankly at the TV in front of him.

"Come on, open your mouth, okay?" Mo continued to act as a dutiful substitute father.

Scooping up the food spoonful by spoonful, Mo fed Midnight, who opened his mouth obediently.

"Do you like watching the news?" Mo smiled.

"Yeah," Midnight nodded.

"... Regarding the repeated reforms in the new city district, some autonomous city districts issued a statement last night, hoping that the central government would guide them to complete reforms similar to those in the new city district. However, this was rejected at this morning's briefing. The central government stated that there are still some aspects of this administrative operation system that need to be improved, and it is not advisable to promote it comprehensively at present... But I don't know what aspects need to be improved," Midnight turned off the TV.

"Hey, Little Mo, what do you think of the current city district?" Midnight said somewhat triumphantly.

Mo didn't know what exactly he was so happy about.

"... You mean, after the new government took office?"

"Yeah!"

"... I still can't believe it. It's just amazing," Mo said, with a hint of nostalgia. "An efficient government system, local units that are directly responsible to the central government and have great authority. It's almost a utopia."

Midnight tugged at Mo's arm and rubbed his cheek against it.

Recently, he often liked to act coquettishly. Mo picked Midnight up and let him hug his neck.

In this warm and cozy life, there was only one thing that made Mo worry. A few days ago, Bihua went to look for Chen's home, which had been burned to the ground in a fire. Where on earth had Midnight's family gone? He didn't dare to tell Midnight and hoped that Midnight wouldn't ask.

And he himself just hoped that they would never appear again.

However, a week after they came back from the hospital, Mo noticed something was wrong. He didn't know if Midnight had been infected with the recently prevalent cold virus, but Midnight was listless all day long, couldn't eat, and his face became much paler.

Midnight said he didn't want to get another injection and refused to let Mo take him to the hospital. And this was also a pain in Mo's heart.

Although Midnight allowed Mo to change his clothes after they came back from the hospital, the new injection wounds on his arms still made Mo feel heartbroken.

However, if it were an ordinary injection, it wouldn't leave such needle marks... Had Midnight received a blood transfusion? Or some blood products? Why?

Thinking of the ominous possibilities, Mo held Midnight in his arms even tighter.

After coming back from the hospital, Midnight refused to sleep alone.

Perhaps he should talk to the hospital to find out what kind of illness Midnight had. If it couldn't be cured in the country, it would be better to send him abroad for treatment...

Regarding Chen and the others' indifference, on the one hand, Mo was angry, and on the other hand, he was relieved.

So, when the hospital said they wanted to notify Midnight's family, Mo hung up the phone because he had nothing to say.

Let them look for Midnight's family. Anyway, they wouldn't be able to find them.

In fact, if he turned on the computer at home, perhaps Chen would show up.

But Mo never turned on the computer at his home again. He gave it to a student and never asked about it again.

Taking a long leave of absence, Mo stayed by Midnight's side and never went out.

Bihua was worried. Every time she brought food, she would earnestly persuade Mo. But Mo just listened quietly, and then, when Midnight called him, he would rush to his side and ignore Bihua.

Watching the interaction between the two, Bihua felt a chill run down her spine.

"Ye Rufeng, what on earth are you busy with? Come back quickly!"

Finally getting in touch with Ye Rufeng, Bihua cried into the phone.

"What's wrong? I just got back from a business trip..."

"Something's wrong with Little Mo... He's staying by Midnight's side as if Midnight were his own... his own dying child. Last time, when I just wanted to help him get Midnight out of bed, he actually... he pushed me to the ground! Big Brother Ye, come back quickly. I'm already exhausted," Bihua sobbed.

"I see. I'll go right away! Bihua, you go back and rest first. I'll go to Little Mo's place to see the situation and come to you tomorrow, okay?"

"... By the way, I'll go find Chen and ask him to take his own brother back!"

"Wait a minute, Bihua. You need to discuss this with Little Mo first... Bihua?" Ye Rufeng looked at the phone in his hand, also breaking out in a cold sweat.

... Who are you?

I'm Little Mo's friend, Rong Bihua.

... What has Little Mo been doing recently? He hasn't come to see me.

Your brother isn't feeling well, and he's taking care of him at home.

... There's also a computer at home. He could have come to talk to me online.

This isn't the time to talk about this. Chen, take your brother back quickly!

What's going on?

What's going on? Aren't you worried that Little Mo has been taking care of your brother for so long? Is he really your brother or not!?

He is. But last time he said he liked living with Little Mo, so I let it be... Doesn't Little Mo like him too?

Take him back! Your damned brother is dying!

What!?

Take him back! If this goes on, Little Mo will die with him! Take him back!

Calm down, Bihua. What exactly is going on?

Damn it, Midnight is getting weaker day by day. Just as I've seen, he's had several more seizures, and it's making Mo so worried that his hair is almost turning white. Since you knew he had this illness, why didn't you keep him at home!

... I see. We'll go right away.

"Little Mo? Great. I was worried you had moved out of the city," Chen laughed as soon as Mo opened the door.

"So, has my brother caused you any trouble?" Chen peeked inside, but Mo closed the door.

"... What's wrong?" Chen seemed a bit surprised.

"No, nothing. Are your parents here?" Mo asked.

"They're waiting downstairs... What's wrong?" Chen was still smiling.

"I want to adopt him," Mo said.

"... Why?"

"I like him very much. I... I can't live without him. Please, let me adopt him. I'll take good care of him," Mo pleaded.

"... We heard from the hospital that he's sick. Let me take him to see a doctor first. We can talk about this after he's cured," Chen still smiled.

Mo didn't say anything.

"Don't let the child suffer because of adult matters. Are you worried that we'll take him away, so you won't let him go to the hospital?"

Mo remained silent.

"To be fair, he's our family member. We can't just let him leave our family, can we? Besides, don't you feel 心疼 when you see him sick? How about this? After we get his illness under control, we'll talk about this again?"

"Little Mo?"

The door behind Mo opened, and Midnight stuck his head out. When he saw Chen, his already pale face turned almost bloodless.

Chen squatted down and smiled gently. "Come on, you're sick. After you get better, you can come back and play with Brother Mo, okay?"

"... No... No!" Midnight shrieked and hugged Mo's leg tightly. "No! Don't let them take me away! No!"

"... Little Mo, what do you think?" Chen smiled.

"... I'll talk to him. You go back first and come back tomorrow," Mo said.

"... That's fine. See you tomorrow then," Chen said.

"... They said you have to go to the hospital. What do you think?" Mo knelt on the ground and hugged Midnight, asking in a low voice.

"No... Don't send me there. If I go, I won't be able to come back!" Midnight cried.

"... But you're really sick now..."

"I'd rather die by your side!"

"Midnight, stop being stubborn... I... I think what your brother said is right. Instead of letting you be sick like this, it's better to take a chance and let the hospital treat you..."

"Little Mo, no. Don't believe them. You can only trust me... Don't let me out of your sight, not even for a minute. If I'm taken away, I won't be able to come back. They won't let me come back," Midnight hugged Mo's neck and said in a low voice.

"If they won't let you come back, I can go and find you," Mo said.

"... No, you won't be able to find me... Really..." Midnight said, his voice trembling. "Take me away, Little Mo. Let's go as far as we can. Don't stay in this city district."

"But what about your illness?"

"It can't be cured. I've known that for a long time. The only reason they want to take me back is to use me as a research subject... Little Mo, you're also in this research field. You should know... I don't want to be a guinea pig... I don't want to..." Midnight sobbed.

"You're shaking..."

"I'm so scared..."

"... Don't be afraid. I won't leave you," Mo comforted.

"... The success of the Light Industry City District and the previous ten city districts has greatly increased the confidence of the person in charge of Plan C. It is understood that the Ministry of Defense has applied for special project funds. Regarding the approval of this huge budget, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Defense said today that they are very confident. This is an epoch-making revolution. They said that this plan will make our country become the leading superpower in the world..."

"Midnight, let's go," Mo picked up Midnight in front of the TV, taking only cash and drinking water.

Mo turned off the TV.

"Don't take a taxi. Rent a car without satellite navigation," Midnight said in a low voice. For some reason, he was so tired...

"Okay, you can take a nap first. When you wake up, we'll be on the plane," Mo gently patted his back.