Chapter 13
writer:
風流書呆 update:2022-08-01 16:33
T/N & E/N: We realized that we’ve been translating the MC’s name wrong. It should be Lixin instead of Lizhen. So we’re going back and changing that. Also, here’s a bonus chapter courtesy of Jessie. Thank you Jessie! I’ll post the other bonus chapter next week!
October 13, 2012, 8 p.m, an earthquake of a magnitude of 9.5 on the Richter scale occurred on an island country, triggering a tsunami. Within a few minutes, a huge wave the size of a mountain engulfed 1/10 of the island’s territory. The tsunami crushed houses and countless were dead or injured. The whole world was shaken by this event when all the news stations began reporting about it.
That night, Lin Wenbo read about the tsunami, his mood becoming complicated. Gong Xiangyi predicted that this earthquake and tsunami would happen. In fact, Gong Xiangyi had predicted all the major disasters that had struck the world in the last two months. Until now, Lin Wenbo didn’t dare to believe her words because he wanted hold on to the hope that everything would stay the same. However, with her prophecies coming true, and with the world experiencing one disaster after another, their peaceful life was slowly falling apart.
He took a sip of the strong whiskey he had just poured, before deciding to head to Lin Jia’s study to talk to the family head who was his grandfather, Lin Mao. Although he had been helping Gong Xiangyi collect materials, but he had not been doing his best. Since he was burdened with the responsibility of his family, the fate of his family couldn’t be joked about simply because of a prophecy.
Since there was now proof of the prophecy being true, he knew the Lin family could no longer stay silent. It was necessary to decide their next course of actions seriously in order to survive when the apocalypse started. The safest way to survive was to provide the Gong family’s army with full logistical support, and be completely tied to the Gong family. For this, Lin family were required to make a big move.
Lin Wenbo was orphaned as a child. One of the reasons why he hadn’t been killed by his uncles in the shadows, was because of his abilities and skills. The second reason was because Lin Mao was supporting him. Lin Mao trusted his grandson. No matter how ridiculous or horrifying the news was, he still decided to take precaution; making a decision only after he observed Gong Yuanhang and Gong Xiangyi.
If Gong Xiangyi could convince him about the reality of her prophecy, Lin family would do their best to support Gong Yuanhang’s army at all costs.
The following day, Lin Wenbo was still staying in Lin’s townhouse in the morning before he headed to the training camp in the afternoon. To prepare for the apocalypse, one must also be strong so that they could survive the apocalypse and live well during the apocalypse.
His mood was heavy when he thought of his grandfather’s impending visit to the Gong household tonight. He figured that their family’s fate would soon be decided.
The Lin family had relied on his father, grandfather and their three generations’ hard work to get the family to where they currently were. He wasn’t interested in his family’s wealth, instead he cherished the hard work he and his parents had put in. After today, everything they had done in the past would be destroyed by the apocalypse. Their family’s foundation would be destroyed. Even though the situation couldn’t be helped, he was still sad nonetheless.
At the training camp, Lin Wenbo’s gloominess was transferred to the sandbag he was hitting; his fists becoming faster and faster; his punches stronger and stronger. He stopped to look at the boy who was surrounded by a group of soldiers on the training grounds. A smile immediately appeared on his face as he stared at Gong Lixin, and with that, the depressing atmosphere vanished.
Song Haoran was busy gathering the rest of the army in the province, so he couldn’t come to the training camp everyday. Therefore, it was his subordinates which carefully prepared a training schedule and adjusted it for the weak Young Master Gong. Little did they know, they had completely underestimated Gong Lixin’s strength and knowledge. The mentor became the mentee, and they all kept on coming back to ask for the boy’s wisdom. As soon as one person left, another person would soon fill the spot. The scene looked extremely comedic.
Gong Lixin had learned the Wu martial arts, and he was cultivating the unpredictable ’Reverse Spirits.’ With those two things being his foundation, learning modern fighting techniques was child’s play for him. On the first day, he had learned all sorts of fighting techniques, and fought against the instructor.
The instructor was the most well-versed in different types of martial arts in the special forces training camp but even he, lost to the hands of the baby-faced boy that had just learned fighting techniques a day ago. News of the defeat spread like wildfire, and other masters in the training camp began pouring out so they could take turns to fight against the boy. Every person that looked for a match with Gong Lixin was defeated.
Soldiers, especially soldiers who have been tempered in battle, had stubbornness seeping inside of their bones. They didn’t want to lose. Every time one lost, another one would go up to fight. None of the soldiers who had asked for a match managed to win against the boy. The soldiers were becoming more and more frustrated by their losses to the point that challenging Gong Lixin to a fight had become a major event in the training camp. Whenever someone challenged the boy, all the other soldiers would immediately stop whatever they were doing and began to cheer for the challenger.
Such a genius, it was no wonder he was the son of the head of Gong family. It was very likely that the boy would join the military in the future. When he did, his future would be boundless, and the people in charge of the training would be unable to impede his rise to fame.
The young master was simple. He wasn’t very interested in showing his superiority. His attitude towards these challenges could only be described with one word: "serious". He wasn’t annoyed by these constant challenges. Instead, he would agree to the match and accompany the soldiers to play until they were too exhausted to continue.
Not mentioning his strange movements and strong punches, Gong Lixin’s unparalleled patience combined with his serious attitude towards the challenges, had won the soldiers’ respect. They loved to challenge Gong Lixin to matches because the matches were very beneficial for them, because after each match, the boy would take the time to clearly point out their flaws and mistakes.
Watching the young, clear-eyed teenager beating down one big man after another, the soldiers no longer hated the boy but instead felt grateful towards him since he was pointing out their shortcomings. The scene was very pleasing to Lin Wenbo. His mood which had fallen to rock bottom, was slowly rising as he shook his whilst laughing.
"Xiao Lixin, play with me." Lin Wenbo said, not caring about the soldiers which surrounded the boy. But after seeing Gong Lixin’s powerful punch, he was beginning to have second thoughts.
"No." Gong Lixin frowned. "Lin Big Brother, you can’t beat me. You will get hurt." Lin Big Brother was a businessman with no strength. He was not as resistant as the soldiers.
Lin Wenbo wasn’t angry after hearing his refusal, instead he smiled with good humour. He already knew Gong Lixin’s character since he had been friendly with the boy for a few months now. Gong Lixin was a pure and simple child that would say whatever was on his mind without being around the bush or deceiving the other. The boy was also indifferent towards the future, and instead concentrated fully on enjoying the present. Whether he was happy or whether he was suffering, he accepted everything that came at him. He never blamed himself or others.
Being with him was like holding onto a small light source, it was not glaring, not burning but exuded enough warmth at the touch to be extremely soothing to the point that those heavy, gloomy and stressful feelings would disappear. Lin Wenbo loved this Gong Lixin’s current appearance. Training with him every day and then having dinner was currently Lin Wenbo’s favorite activity. The feelings between the two also grew in this short month.
"If I don’t fight then how could I practice martial arts." Lin Wenbo said with a smile.
"Lin Big Brother’s right." Gong Lixin thought about it before nodding his consent. He then solemnly warned, "It’s a fight, I won’t go easy."
"Don’t be polite!" Lin Wenbo laughed. He went back two steps before taking on an offensive/defensive posture.
The two quickly rushed towards each other. Gong Lixin really did keep his word and, with a single powerful move, defeated Lin Wenbo. One kick pushed Lin Wenbo out of the battle circle. Gong Lixin stopped when he saw this and walked over to pull him up.
Lin Brother’s skills were actually quite good. He only won because he had been learning martial arts for years. He also had his internal energy protecting his body. Although he tried to restrain himself, the battle instincts which were carved into his bones had him winning against Lin Big Brother. Gong Lixin secretly lamented.’Being an ordinary person really was impossible.’
"You really didn’t show any mercy!" With the support of Gong Lixin, Lin Wenbo crouched, holding his stomach where he was painfully kicked just a few seconds ago. His condition wasn’t good but inside, he was extremely happy. After a hearty fight, his gloomy thoughts vanished.
Gong Lixin sincerely apologized, "I’m sorry." He reached out to Lin Wenbo’s abdomen. He said, "I will help Lin Brother feel better." Using the palm of his hand, he used a technique which would heal any cuts and bruises that Lin Wenbo’s might have gained.
Gong Lixin’s palm was delicate and smooth. He was very soft and gentle as he rubbed Lin Wenbo’s abdomen. Suddenly the temperature rose, and the pain in his abdomen was no longer as painful. Lin Wenbo blinked, tried to make a sound but stopped himself. He didn’t want to embarass himself in public.
"I am much better, don’t worry." He reluctantly removed Gong Lixin’s little hand from his person. Lin Wenbo smiled and touched the other’s black hair and said: "Time’s almost up, you can go back first. Go, Lin Big Brother will take you out to have dinner."
"Okay!" Gong Lixin nodded immediately, his eyes widened in delight, his expression bright and happy. He looked like a puppy waiting for the owner to feed him. A smile spread across Lin Wenbo’s face as his heart softened at the sight. The two went to separate bathrooms which were specially approved by Song Haoran. As per usual, they wandered about until they found a restaurant with different specialties than the ones they had eaten before.
Gong Lixin saw a Thai-style barbecue shop. He pointed to the mouth-watering barbecue on the store’s sign board, and with wide eyes and a pitiful look on his face, looked towards Lin Wenbo.
Lin Wenbo patted the top of his hair, smiling and nodding before turning the steering wheel to find a place to park. The car stopped and, before the two had time to unfasten their seat belts, Lin Wenbo’s cell phone rang.
Taking the call, he listened to the other party’s low-pitched speech respectfully. Lin Wenbo then looked at Gong Lixin and apologized. "Xiao Lixin, let’s go home for dinner. My grandfather is at your house, there are important things that need to be discussed.
Gong Lixin nodded with no trace of unhappiness on his face. "Okay. Then let’s go back. Let’s not make grandfather wait too long." Lin Big Brother’s business could naturally not be delayed.
Lin Wenbo smiled, glancing at him before driving out of the parking lot and heading for Gong family’s home. His heart felt a little heavy.