MASG chapter 75

 

A detailed report was spread out in front of Xia Yu. He had only learned today that he actually had someone of the same kind.

Was she an older or younger sister? During those ten months of incubation in the same artificial womb, had she ever opened her eyes to look at him?

The impact of this revelation was too strong. At first, after reading it, Xia Yu didn’t feel much emotionally. He spent most of his childhood playing alone and feeling very lonely. The researchers dismantled and reassembled him, barely paying attention to him.

Until Professor Wang Qin appeared.

She was like a mother to him—Xia Yu could never forget her embrace and smile. However, she was responsible for the entire X-series; she designed and controlled it all herself. Why had she never mentioned that he had a sister? She lied.

The joy and happiness of having a sibling were mixed with the loss and helplessness of never having seen her. Xia Yu didn’t know how to process it. He didn’t want to consider the possibility that Professor Wang had deceived him, yet he didn’t know where to begin. Looking again at the small photo in the report, he couldn’t even tell whether that was himself.

They really looked alike. Very alike.

Xiang Xing imitated his face, too, but his imitation lacked any of his own traits—it was a 100% duplication. The girl in the photo showed subtle differences upon careful comparison. Her features were softer, but her gaze was sharper. Having been in the lab since birth, she probably rejected and guarded against the outside world intensely.

“Let me see.” Mo An pulled the report off the table.

“I think we need to calm down, then hold a meeting. Everyone should organize their information and emotions, and then make a long-term plan,” said Xi Ban. No one was in the best condition right now. If they pushed themselves further, they might not be able to endure it mentally.

Silver Fang agreed and tidied the table a bit. At that moment, Xia Yu’s wrist device rang.

Ling Shi: [The supplies I sent you, and Xiang Xing as well, have arrived. Send someone to the dock to pick them up.”

“Thanks.” Xia Yu jolted slightly.

Ling Shi: [And… I overheard your conversation earlier. I’m sorry for everything that happened, but Xia Yu, I hope you can stay strong.]

“I will.” Xia Yu looked again at the report, committing that face to memory. No matter where you are, I’ll rescue you. I may be an incompetent brother, but you must wait for me.

Silver Fang and Mo An went together to pick up the aircraft. On the way, Silver Fang said, “Look at you. What a terrible time to confess! You’re truly a kid who can’t hold things in—whatever’s in your heart spills out immediately. Couldn’t you have waited until this mess was over?”

“I didn’t expect it to happen like that. I really couldn’t hold it in,” said Mo An, still puzzled.

“I never imagined the Rijianmei scheme was so grand. They’re capable of anything.” Silver Fang was more worried about the mermaids’ situation than their own. “You live in the deep sea. If we hadn’t encountered you and met so many other mermaids later on, we might never have seen you in our lives. What does Rijianmei have to do with mermaids? Instead of focusing on giving humans plastic surgery, they’re busy acting as ocean monsters.”

Mo An had thought about this, too. “Humans emphasize cause and effect. If they’re doing this, the mermaids must have obstructed their plans, so they want to eradicate us. But I won’t let them succeed.”

“I didn’t expect I’d get dragged into something this big by following you. Once this is over, you owe me at least five million points. Then I won’t have to worry about my modification fees for life.” Silver Fang stroked the back of his hand affectionately. The hidden weapon embedded there hadn’t even been tested yet.

An aircraft hovered above the dock. As they approached, it slowly descended. After the hatch opened, Xiang Xing stepped out first. He was still wearing prison clothes. “How is everyone? Are you all okay?”

“Everyone’s fine. You’re the one who had it rough.” Mo An raised his hand to help Xiang Xing down.

“Good thing we prepared ahead of time—they really intended to kill Xia Yu.” Xiang Xing pointed to his forehead. “A mech unit shot at my head. How’s your investigation going?”

Silver Fang began unloading the cargo. After checking the time, he said, “Let’s regroup and talk later. We all need a proper rest.”

The aircraft carried not only Xiang Xing, but also plenty of food and weapons. Xiang Xing was sent back to the prison fortress first, where Xi Ban introduced him to 107. Out of curiosity and to demonstrate his skills, Xiang Xing quickly changed to look like 107. After learning that Xia Yu had a sister, he morphed into the girl in the photo.

The visual effect was striking—she looked very similar to Xia Yu, yet different. She looked like a determined young girl.

“Have some hot tea.” Xi Ban used the aircraft’s hot water and tea bags to make tea and gave a cup to each person. The familiar scent of black tea rose. As Xia Yu lowered his head to smell it, he felt as if he had returned home, far from the surrounding danger. The sweetened black tea swirled in his mouth, and the exhaustion he had been suppressing surged up. Wrapped in a thick blanket taken from the aircraft, he felt drowsy.

“Ling Shi really thought of everything. He brought us everything we might need.” Xi Ban had even found a bottle of honey. “Doudou, this is yours.”

“I’m here.” Mi Dou took the small amber bottle and immediately moved next to Xia Yu, squeezing some onto his biscuits. “How do you feel? Do you have a fever?”

“Maybe a little.” Xia Yu didn’t pretend to be strong.

With considerable experience, 107 said, “That’s how it is. When you keep holding yourself together, your body assumes you’re fine. The moment you relax, it starts settling old accounts. You need to sleep, Xia Yu.”

“Do you need me to help set up a bed?” Xiang Xing looked at the inflatable sofa that had been brought from the ship.

“No need. Sitting with all of you is fine. I’ll just take some medicine.” Xia Yu reached a hand toward Mi Dou.

Mi Dou’s portable medical kit was stocked with a variety of medicines and injections. He was always prepared, terrified that any of his teammates might get hurt. After taking Xia Yu’s temperature and confirming a fever, Mi Dou handed him two fever reducers. “Take them with honey water. I made these pills myself. There’s also a calming component in them.”

“You know how to make medicine?” Silver Fang remained skeptical.

“Don’t underestimate me. Lo Gui and I have many medical accomplishments!” Mi Dou’s face showed his displeasure. Don’t look down on him. “Hmph. You all rest. I’m going to talk with Lo Gui about the data here.”

Wearing five layers of down jackets and carrying a stack of reports, Mi Dou ran off, muttering with Lo Gui about something unknown. Xia Yu wanted to stay alert and discuss their situation with everyone, but the medicine slowly began to take effect. His eyelids grew heavy.

The thought of sleep crept across his entire body. Hot tea, a blanket, and companionship left only one feeling: safety.

Too much safety, in fact. While the others talked, Xia Yu quietly crawled onto the sofa, curled up, and lay down. If not for all the chaos, this could almost feel like a vacation.

“You okay?” Mo An’s face suddenly appeared close to Xia Yu’s.

Xia Yu had almost fallen asleep and was startled out of his daze. Up close, Mo An’s face seemed even more menacing, as if he could devour Xia Yu in one bite.

“I’m fine.” Sweat beaded on Xia Yu’s forehead. “Am I sweating?”

“Yes, quite a bit. But Doudou said sweating helps you recover.” Mo An dragged a small stool over. For someone his size, sitting next to the sofa made him look absurdly out of place. “Go to sleep. Once you wake up, everything will be better. I’ll stay here with you and protect you all the way.”

“Really?” Xia Yu managed a small smile. He looked at Mo An’s hand and had an unrealistic thought.

He really wanted to touch Mo An’s hand.

Not through gloves—real contact. Actual hand-holding. He had long forgotten what it felt like to hold Mo An’s hand. Ever since he became poisonous, there had always been something between them—fabric, metal, or something else—blocking them.

“What do your fingers… feel like?” Xia Yu asked out of nowhere.

“What? What about my fingers?” Mo An quickly looked at his fingertips. Was Xia Yu hallucinating from the fever? There was no professional medical team on Frozen Island at the moment. Only Mi Dou was there, and his ability to provide support was questionable.

“Your fingers… are they very warm?” Xia Yu admitted that he was feverish and confused. He couldn’t tell if what he saw was real or a dream. In his most miserable moment, he just wanted to grab his younger brother’s hand to draw strength from him. Just one touch would be enough.

They say that sick people need the most care and that any wish they have should be fulfilled. All right, Xia Yu, you should fulfill your own wish now, he told himself in a half-asleep daze.

“My fingers…they’re fine, not too warm.” Mo An stood up to get some drinking water. The only thing Ling Shi had forgotten to pack was fever medicine. He moistened a tissue and gently placed it on Xia Yu’s forehead. Feeling the cool dampness, the burning heat on his forehead was briefly pushed back. Xia Yu forced his eyes open again, his whole body wrapped in weakness.

The calming medicine made him drowsy. He yawned; his eyes were watery and everything he saw was blurred and misty.

He stared at Mo An for a while, then sighed. “You’ve grown up. You’ve really grown up a lot. You were so small when you were little, chubby… but when you grew up… why aren’t you chubby anymore?”

“Yes, I grew up. I’m this big now. When you grow up, you can’t stay a chubby kid, otherwise you’d dislike me.” Mo An fixed his blanket. Sick people always toss and turn, and blankets slip easily.

“So you don’t listen anymore? I never disliked you. I liked you chubby. It was comfortable to hold you.” Xia Yu suddenly changed the subject.

Mo An instantly looked displeased. “When did I ever not listen? Even if you’re doing a seafood business[mfn]“你做海产也要讲讲良心” is a sarcastic jab — basically “don’t talk nonsense” or “be fair.”[/mfn], Xia Yu, you should talk with some conscience. Since childhood, if you said one, did I ever dare say two?”

“You did.” As soon as Xia Yu said this, his body began to slide downward. “What wouldn’t you dare? Don’t think I don’t know. You hide everything from me… at the Control Center, how much you suffered… You always report the good and hide the bad. You’ve hidden too many things from me, like being isolated and people setting you up in assessments. Yan Xia told me everything.”

“She’s still selling me out?” Mo An didn’t know whether to cry or laugh. So Yan Xia was an undercover agent after all.

“And now you won’t even let me touch you.” Xia Yu stared at him firmly.

Mo An’s smile disappeared. Now, he realized how badly Xia Yu was burning up. He was usually the one tempted to break the rules, and Xia Yu was always alert. Was Xia Yu turning it around and blaming him now?

“Exactly. You grew up, and now you won’t let me touch you. Sigh. I really want to touch your fingers. Are your hands hot? Are they soft or hard?” Xia Yu rambled, his left hand reaching outward. Years of training made his body unusually responsive, and his movements were still precise. In the blink of an eye, he grabbed Mo An’s index finger.

But they were both wearing gloves.

“Got you.” Xia Yu was satisfied. He couldn’t tell what he was holding anymore. If someone put a small wooden stick in his palm, he would probably take it as Mo An’s finger and hold it happily. Seeing him like this caused Mo An’s mood to fluctuate.

Was Xia Yu really this feverish?

But when he was muddled, he spoke the truth, so he had always wanted to hold his hand.

“Got you. Sleep now.” Xia Yu mustered his last bit of strength and lay motionless like a pretty doll, half his face buried under the blanket. His fingers gradually loosened from gripping tightly. Once Mo An was sure that Xia Yu was fully asleep, he got up to replace the towel.

Then, he bumped into the excited Mi Dou.

“Slow down!” Mo An steadied him. “What’s wrong? Why are you in such a rush?”

“Big news!” Mi Dou held up a sheet of paper. “This is Rijianmei’s report on the Blue jellyfish hybrid. It says that by cutting out the toxin glands behind the fusion subject’s vocal cords, most of the toxicity can be removed.”

“No!” Mo An rejected it immediately. “I won’t allow you to perform that kind of surgery on Xia Yu! If his vocal cords are damaged, he won’t be able to speak! Besides, the toxicity is his greatest protection and his strongest weapon. I don’t want him outside without defenses.”

“Why are you imagining surgery? I’m definitely not doing that. Besides, a surgery this big requires a highly specialized doctor.” Mi Dou tapped the corner of the report. “What I mean is this: This is a formula that Rijianmei left behind. If I can find the right materials and Lo Gui can guide me remotely, maybe I can develop a drug that will reduce his toxicity toward you.”

Mo An’s ears twitched. “You mean…”

“You two might actually have hope!” Mi Dou was full of confidence. “If I can save you, I can save the entire mermaid race.”