Chapter 142 The Best Gift

Lin Yao reached for the ring, his hands trembling as he touched it.

His fingertips carefully touched the edge, where a trace of blood remained in the crevice. It was hard to imagine the circumstances under which he took off the ring that he had worn ever since.

"Is this how you report that you're safe?" he muttered to himself. "Is this a birthday present or a keepsake? Xie Xingchen, you're such a scoundrel."

"These rings aren't Xie's..." Xie Dai immediately recognized them and exclaimed, "Xie Xingchen's! How did they get sent back?!"

Several pairs of eyes turned to look at him at once, and He Li was so excited that his voice almost cracked: "Did he send it to you?"

Lin Yao held the ring in his hand, slipped it onto his ring finger, and then looked down at the package: "His handwriting is on the card, but it looks like he struggled to write it. He must have been seriously injured."

His throat bobbed slightly. "I'm going to find him."

"I'll take you there." Pei Yizhong immediately stood up, took a picture of the package, and asked someone to help him check the return address.

“Let’s go too.” He Li couldn’t sit still and paced back and forth in the living room. “He’s definitely still alive, Yao-ge, don’t worry.”

Lin Yao looked down at the two rings stacked together and shook his head: "No need, I want to go by myself. Dad, can you send me the detailed address?"

Pei Yizhong froze, exchanged a glance with Lin Han for a second, and almost burst into tears when he heard that address for the first time.

But fearing that his reaction would be too strong and that Lin Yao would never shout again, he could only force himself to remain calm and said, "Okay, okay, we'll find it soon. You, bring Xingchen some clothes to change into. He must have suffered a lot these past few days."

"I'll go pack." Lin Han's eyes were filled with tears as she quickly ran upstairs, grabbed a bag, folded up some toiletries and Lin Yao's clothes, packed them in, and then quickly returned.

He Li hadn't yet recovered from hearing "Dad" and looked at Lin Yao with concern: "Are you sure you don't need us to come along?"

Actually, everyone was worried. The suicide note, the ring, and the card did not mean that Xie Xingchen was still alive.

If Lin Yao rushed over, what he would find was his lover's death.

Especially since today is his birthday, how is He Li going to face it? He Li didn't dare to think about it.

"No need, I'll go by myself. Don't wait for me to eat." Lin Yao gave a pale smile. "Thank you."

The package was sent from a remote island. The courier found the pickup location, which was a privately owned clinic.

Lin Yao was thinking about this on his way there.

When I see him, I'll give him a good scolding and ignore him for a month so he'll learn his lesson and never be so crazy again.

But when he actually arrived at the clinic, he stood on the empty street and couldn't move an inch.

For so long, I've been praying to Buddha every day, but there's been no news. I've remained calm, just feeling that Xie Xingchen has his own plans. I'll wait a bit longer; he'll come back once things are resolved.

But today's suicide note made him realize that, for a moment, Xie Xingchen was truly prepared to give up his life.

In that instant, Lin Yao felt as if he had fallen into the deep sea with him, sharing his pain and sorrow.

"Looking for someone?" A doctor in a white coat came out and was about to lock the door.

“I…” Lin Yao thought that Xie Xingchen probably didn’t use his real name, otherwise, with all the news, he wouldn’t have been rescued without being informed of the Alliance Leader. So he changed his description, “Have you rescued a young man these past few days? I received something he mailed to me, and it was sent from here.”

"Oh, yes, you are... Lin something."

The other person led his men inside, rambling on and on, "He rushed to the shore and was rescued by nearby residents. They treated his external injuries. Our area is remote, and there are no big hospitals, so this is the only way. He was in and out of consciousness, but he kept calling out a name."

Lin Yao's lips trembled as he said his name: "Lin Yao".

The doctor nodded: "Yes, that's his name. He's always been called that. He finally regained consciousness a couple of days ago and struggled to get up to mail something. He asked me to help him find a courier. He was not even fully conscious, but he still wanted to write cards. I've ruined several of them. I've never seen anyone so stubborn."

Lin Yao moved his lips, trying several times before finally managing to utter, "So, you're still alive, right?"

The doctor nodded: "He's just not in good condition. Once he's awake, we'll have to take him to a major hospital for a comprehensive checkup."

Lin Yao suddenly closed his eyes and felt his heartbeat, which had stopped abruptly, begin to beat slowly again.

"By the way, I paid for the postage myself, and I haven't paid for the medical expenses or the daily caregiver fees. Will you settle those with me?"

Lin Yao, who had been holding his breath, finally relaxed: "Thank you, I'll give it to him, I'll give it to him."

"Then come over here to pay the bill." The doctor looked at the bill while glancing up at the quiet young man.

Despite trying her best to appear calm, she was trembling uncontrollably, looking as if she would break at the slightest touch.

"He...he's really lucky to be alive. He must have survived the explosion and been at sea for a long time. Luckily, he didn't lose any limbs, but he has many wounds. Don't be too surprised when you see him," the doctor said, giving him a heads-up.

Lin Yao held back his tears and nodded slightly, eager to follow him inside.

But when she actually got to his bedside, she didn't dare touch him. He was the one who had hugged and kissed her before he passed away. Now he was lying there wearing only shorts, shirtless, with bandages wrapped around his left arm, calf, and back. His eyes were closed and his lips were pale.

Lin Yao sat on the edge of the bed and sent a group message to everyone to let them know he was safe.

"Waaaaah, I knew he was still alive, Yao-ge, is he awake? Is he badly injured?" He Li dialed the number immediately.

“Let’s call up the video and take a look.” It was Cheng Boyan’s voice from the side.

Lin Yao switched the video and pointed the camera at the person on the bed. He said softly, "He's not awake, but at least he's still alive. That's much better than I expected."

"I've already contacted my dad. He's on his way with a doctor. Don't worry, Xingchen's injuries are all external. He'll be fine after some rest."

Cheng Boyan paused for a moment, then said, "However, the contents of the suicide note have already sparked a lot of protests from the public, causing quite a stir. It would be best if you didn't go back for the time being."

Lin Yao nodded: "Okay."

"Call me if anything happens. Don't worry too much, take care of yourself." Cheng Boyan hung up the phone.

"Xie Xingchen..." Lin Yao turned his head, his fingers lightly touching Xie Xingchen's cheek, his voice choked with emotion, "Does it hurt a lot?"

"Wake up, okay? Look at me."

"You're truly one of a kind when someone sends a suicide note on their birthday."

"However, Xie Xingchen, it turns out that there really are gods and Buddhas; they heard my prayers."

Lin Yao leaned down, gently hugged him, buried his face in the crook of his neck, and said in a trembling voice, "Wishing Island is real too. I've finally brought you back."

He paused, ran his fingers through the other person's short hair, and murmured to himself, "Then I'll be a little greedier. My birthday is almost over, and you said you'd be with me, but I didn't hear you say 'Happy Birthday'."

Then, feigning fierceness, he threatened, "You've broken your promise, and I really will scold you."

Go ahead and curse.

Lin Yao's heart stopped, and his whole body seemed to be fixed in place, unable to move. The dampness turned into rain and suddenly fell.

"Go ahead and scold me, Yao Yao. I'm sorry for making you worry."

Lin Yao felt a broad palm land on the back of his head, and stiffly rubbed it, his voice still hoarse: "Were you scared?"

Xie Xingchen only felt that head buried deeply into his neck, and warm liquid dripped down like raindrops.

Lin Yao hugged himself tightly, as if he were melded into his body, but he didn't speak. He just trembled and whimpered like a small animal.

Xie Xingchen had never seen Lin Yao so emotionally broken down. He was always cool, calm and aloof, and it was rare to see any extra expression on his face, let alone break down to the point of crying.

It's like being tense for a very long time, and only when you see someone close to you do you dare to completely relax and release your grievances.

But he was still very well-behaved.

Picking and choosing, enduring all the bitterness of the past two weeks, only choking back sobs and complaints.

"...Xie Xingchen, my birthday is almost over."

Xie Xingchen lowered his head to kiss the top of his head, but because of the bandage, he couldn't do much. He could only apologize in a low voice: "I'm a jerk. I didn't even prepare a gift. You can scold me as much as you want."

Lin Yao held him tightly, shaking his head desperately, but dared not let go for even a second, for fear that this was just a dream from last night, and that it would all be for nothing when he woke up.

"I'm not cursing anymore. I've already received the gift I wanted most. Thank you for being alive."