Last night, Lu Xun tossed and turned.
He spent the entire night thinking about that fifty million and imagining that intact Special-Level Orge Race spine.
He even dreamt of himself becoming a Muscle Bully, sweeping in all directions and crushing enemies... Unfortunately, he was woken up by Xie Manyu.
For a man, money is worth risking life; for a bird, food is worth dying for.
He felt it was worth taking the risk.
Old Octopus made a good point; rather than taking a thousand small risks, it's better to do one big thing and accomplish it all in one go.
Finish it and then quit, give up the identity as a "Black Doctor," and start a new life.
But reason told him: stay cautious, develop steadily, don't overreach. Old Octopus is too greedy and reckless, can't be trusted!
...
Lu Xun not only suffers from waking up grouchiness.
He also has a bad habit of lazing in bed.
But calling it going back to bed is misleading, as he only lightly napped for a dozen minutes... only to be wakened by the urge to pee!
"So tired." He murmured as he turned over and got out of bed, "Damn Xie Manyu!"
He rubbed his messy hair.
Lu Xun shuffled in slippers, wearing pajamas, as he walked out of the bedroom, yawning constantly and staggering towards the bathroom.
As he passed his uncle's ward, he thought he heard someone speaking.
Initially, he thought it was his sleepiness, but after pausing to listen for a few seconds, Lu Xun confirmed that he wasn't hearing things.
'Who's in there?'
Curiously, he crept over.
Getting close to the half-open door, through a small gap, he saw a familiar silhouette.
'Turns out it's Aunt.'
He breathed a sigh of relief and was about to push it open.
"I really can't do it, don't force me, Zhenhai." — A voice came through, choked with sobs.
Lu Xun's hand stopped halfway.
.
.
Inside the ward, Jiang Jingfei's eyes were red, her face stained with tears.
On the screen, lines of words slowly appeared —
[We colluded with the doctor to deceive the kids, saying I still have more than ten years left, but the paper can't wrap fire, the truth is almost out.
You should have known three years ago this moment would come. I live painfully, without human dignity, I'd rather die. It's Xiao Yu, Xiao Lu, and you who gave me the faith to persevere.
I also want to see the kids grow up, go to college, get married, have children...but that's impossible. I can only go with you until now.]
"But the doctor said as long as you don't stop the medication, you should have a few more months..." Jiang Jingfei wiped her tears, sniffling and choking, "Why decide to leave early suddenly?"
Xie Zhenhai was silent for a few seconds.
Then, he typed on the screen through his brain —
[Last night Xiao Lu came to me for a chat, he asked if I was tired? Of course, I'm tired, countless times I've thought of giving up this life worse than death, for relief.
A minor child goes to school and works simultaneously, leaving early and returning late every day, exhausted. Finally done with work, dragging a tired body home, stomach rumbling with hunger...yet he asks if I'm the one tired, this useless person?
Do you know how guilty, self-blaming, and heartbroken I was?
I truly am a beast of an uncle, a beast foster father!
So I decided to go early, after all, the lie is about to be exposed. Surviving four more months is meaningless, let Xiao Lu take it easy.]
"Is that so?"
Jiang Jingfei nodded, understanding her husband.
Her emotions gradually stabilized, regaining some composure:
"It's indeed not okay. Originally, we adopted Xiao Lu, but it turned out to be him protecting this family. His thirteen years of nurturing grace he had already repaid long ago, yet we owe him endless love and debts instead.
"You leaving early...is good."
[It's good you understand. I'm not one to cling to life, I want release long ago.
Three years ago, that Rift Pioneer Corps had more than two hundred people hit by Medusa's poison, and now only two are still alive... the other one should be dying soon too, right?
I should have died long ago. I just happened to be lucky, having a good nephew. I'm already content being with you for these three years; a few more months make no difference. Dying early is reincarnation sooner, haha!]
Surprisingly, Xie Zhenhai was still quite optimistic.
"If only considering Xiao Lu, you indeed should have died long ago!"
Jiang Jingfei spoke with a sobbing tone, "He's so busy every day he can't catch a hot meal, it breaks my heart each time."
"I've thought several times myself, let you die and be done!"
[Then why are you still hesitating?]
Xie Zhendong asked her.
"For Xiao Yu, she needs you alive!"
Jiang Jingfei said, "Your daughter saved her allowance for so long, just to buy you a new album by Kong Zihan."
"Every day she hopes for dad's recovery."
"If you suddenly leave, how much impact would she endure? I lied to the kids you still have many years...how should I explain?"
Upon hearing this, Xie Zhendong fell into silence.
After a long time, he continued with words submitted through his brain —
[She will have to face the pain of losing her father early, it's a growth she's destined to experience.
Don't foolishly tell the kids you pulled the plug, just say my condition worsened and I'm gone.]
"You're the foolish one!"
Jiang Jingfei was instantly irritated:
"Our dad named you 'Zhenhai,' and you really just boldly ran off for the revival of Jinghai City, facing death in the Rift exploration? I advised you numerous times back then, don't be a pioneer, you wouldn't listen. Just some slogans and you rush in hot-headedly. You think you're a hero? You're cannon fodder! Overestimating yourself!"
[Fine, fine, bringing up old matters has no point. At this time, you still want to argue with me?
Xiao Yu has been waiting downstairs for several minutes. Hurry and unplug, then send her to school. Don't dally.]
No more dawdling indeed.
Jiang Jingfei, with trembling hands, reached for the oxygen tube, finding the difficulty of "murdering one's husband" daunting.
Still unable to do it.
[You're helping me be free, helping Xiao Lu be free, this isn't murder, you're just doing the right thing. You should do it, you must do it.] — Xie Zhenhai feverishly tapped the display, building up his wife's psychological fortitude, encouraging her to act.
[Come on!!]
"Hoo~"
Jiang Jingfei took a deep breath, steeling her resolve, reaching for the oxygen tube.
[Yes, just like that, pull it off!]
[Let me die!]
Bam—
The door was pushed open.
"I disagree!!"
A loud shout suddenly exploded.
A figure strode in with determination and forcefully restrained her hand.
"Xiao Lu?!" She panicked, trying to explain, "Your uncle..."
"I know he's living painfully, I can understand... but the tube can't be pulled, at least not now."
Lu Xun shook his head, staring into his aunt's swollen from crying eyes, resolutely saying: "Let him live!"
With that, his gaze shifted to the camera, his voice firm and unyielding:
"Even if Death God comes, he can't take you, I'm saying it!!"
.
.
.
Linsheng Slaughterhouse.
Old Octopus lay limp, sprawled on the chair, his eight "tentacles" dangling lifelessly.
Still the secret chamber from last night, the chair from last night, the posture from last night.
He indeed couldn't eat or sleep, dazedly sitting the whole night.
Beep beep~
Suddenly, the Communication Device rang.
He shot his eyes wide open, the dim mechanical eyes erupted with unprecedented brilliance, his body sprang from the chair with the speed of light, as he connected to the call —
"Kid, have you made up your mind? What do you say? Are we doing it or not? Let's do it! I'm reminding you first: refusing such a fortune...will bring divine retribution!"
He spoke swiftly, extremely anxious.
A few seconds later, Lu Xun's voice came through —
"First, let's make a three-clause agreement."
"Hahaha, don't say three clauses, if you're willing to join me in this business, even three hundred clauses would be fine!!!"
Old Octopus laughed heartily, finally releasing the suspended star.
"Don't speak too soon, my three clauses you might not accept." Lu Xun said, "Discussing it over the phone isn't safe, let's talk face-to-face, I'm on my way."
"Heh heh, I'll be waiting, come quick!"
Old Octopus wore an expression of delight and excitement.
Behind him, six mechanical arms swayed in joy.
After hanging up,
He hummed a tune while heading for the kitchen, an unprecedented sense of happiness.
Not only could he eat now, but he could also down three big bowls at once!