Chapter 89 Despair

Ruan Hanyu and Wang Chunlan were busy discussing their next work plan in the conference room when suddenly there was a rustling noise from the roof, and the roof tiles started falling down with a crash.

Pushing open the window, I saw Little Darling curled up into a ball and rolling down the roof ridge. The red, bloodthirsty vine soon rolled out of the brigade headquarters, heading southeast.

On the road to the southeast, more and more Bloodthirsty Vines joined in, turning the area into a sea of ​​red. Ruan Hanyu exclaimed in surprise, "Sister Chunlan, come quick! What happened to our little darling?"

Wang Chunlan stared at the direction the Bloodthirsty Vines were moving and wondered, "Is Captain Jiang summoning them?"

Ruan Hanyu asked in confusion, "Isn't Captain Jiang at the hospital with Xiao Heng? Why is he summoning Xiao Guai Guai?"

After a pause, the two suddenly realized what was happening. "Oh no! Captain Jiang and the others are in danger!"

Blood-red, bloodthirsty vines swarmed in from all directions, quickly blocking out the entire hospital. They coiled around the hospital pillars and hung from the walls, intimidating everyone nearby.

The patients in the hospital had never seen anything like this before. They stood inside the building pointing and whispering outside: "What's going on?" "I don't know, why are there so many little darlings? Did something happen to Captain Jiang?" "My God, Captain Jiang can't be in trouble!"

Jiang Rong was still shaken and terrified. Meng Liang was too cunning; he was like a lurking wild beast, ready to bare his fangs when no one was on guard. To get close to her, he had even changed his appearance.

To lower his guard, Meng Liang repeatedly displayed his metal-type ability in front of him. His careful and attentive behavior towards Xiao Heng during this time was merely a ploy to control him when he was off guard.

Fortunately, Xiao Heng was there, otherwise Jiang Rong would already be Meng Liang's puppet.

The Bloodthirsty Vine had already gripped Liu Heng's limbs; with just one command from Jiang Rong, Liu Heng would be torn to shreds.

Jiang Rong stood by the bed, holding Xiao Heng in his arms. He looked at Liu Heng, who was hanging upside down, with disgust. Blood was flowing from Liu Heng's seven orifices, his pupils were white, and his body was convulsing; he had lost the ability to resist.

If Jiang Rong were just an ordinary superhuman, he would have retaliated without hesitation after such an attack. However, he is not only a superhuman but also the leader of the Starfire Base, and Liu Heng is the newly appointed leader of the Peace Base. Because of his position, Jiang Rong not only cannot kill Liu Heng but also must ensure his safety at the base.

When Guan Shao and Chu Qiang rushed into the ward, they saw Jiang Rong with a complicated expression. "Meng Liang possessed Liu Heng and wanted to control me when I wasn't paying attention."

Chu Qiang immediately started swearing, "Fuck him! I've been feeding and treating him well, and this beast actually wants to use us as puppets?!"

Guan Shao glanced at Jiang Rong, "Are you alright?"

Jiang Rong shook her head with a serious expression. "I'm fine. Now that you're here, what should we do with him?"

Chu Qiang rubbed his hands together, "Chopping him up is too easy on him! Damn it, lock him up, I'll squeeze every last drop out of him, or I'm not Chu." Liu Heng and Meng Liang's two worthless lives combined are no match for Xiao Jiang's single finger; killing them with one blow is too lenient.

Jiang Rong nodded: "It's up to you."

At this moment, Jiang Xiaoheng, who had been nestled in Jiang Rong's arms, coughed twice in a muffled voice, "Dad, I feel unwell..."

Jiang Rong looked down and her pupils contracted sharply. Jiang Xiaoheng's face turned pale. Dark red blood was dripping from the corners of the child's mouth, nose, and eyes, and even his ears were oozing blood.

Jiang Xiaoheng's voice was weak, and his small body trembled uncontrollably, "Daddy, it hurts..."

Jiang Rong rushed out of the ward carrying the child, shouting, "Doctor! Doctor, come quick!"

*

Jiang Xiaoheng single-handedly thwarted Meng Liang's attack. Meng Liang was an adult and a mature psychic ability user. Xiaoheng burned himself out like a candle to save his father's life.

After the candle burned out, only remnants of wax remained, and the same was true for Xiao Heng. After reviewing Xiao Heng's scans, the doctor shook his head helplessly at Jiang Rong, "At most three months left. I'm sorry, we've done our best."

The light in Jiang Rong's eyes was like a faint candle flame, easily dissipated by a gentle breeze. He raised his head blankly, the doctor's words echoing in his mind. Three months? Who only has three months left? Xiao Heng? How could that be? Xiao Heng is only four and a half years old this year. He's so young; he has a long future ahead of him.

He shook his head, his voice barely audible, "There's a mistake, I don't believe it." How could his adorable Xiao Heng be sentenced to death?

The teammates started chattering, "Doctor, would you like to take another look? Could you please examine it more closely?" "Sister Chunlan, you're a doctor too, say something!" "Is there a mistake?"

Wang Chunlan pursed her lips, tears welling in her eyes, and shook her head at her teammates. It was precisely because she was a doctor that she knew how serious Xiao Heng's condition was. The doctor said that even three months to live was an optimistic estimate; Xiao Heng's organs were rapidly failing, and even a minor cold could take him away.

Ruan Hanyu's voice was choked with sobs, "Is there really no other way?" It's all their fault. If they hadn't been so careless and hadn't discovered Meng Liang's conspiracy, Captain Jiang wouldn't have been tricked, and Xiao Heng wouldn't have suffered like this.

Wang Chunlan turned her head away and wiped away her tears. "At least our base is out of options, but if we can find a very powerful healing-type ability user, Xiao Heng might still be saved."

Guan Shao looked around and said, "Then let's go find the healing-type ability users. Qiangzi, send messages to all the bases. Once there's a response, we'll send someone to pick them up."

Chu Qiang quickly replied, "Okay!" Their most important task now is to find a healing-type ability user; the base construction can be put on hold for the time being.

Jiang Rong only saw his teammates' mouths opening and closing; his soul seemed to have been ripped out, his ears ringing and he couldn't hear a single word. He slowly turned and walked out of the ward; he needed to be with Xiao Heng, Xiao Heng needed him.

Xiao Heng has been admitted to a special ward. To see him, one must wear thick protective clothing and undergo multiple rounds of disinfection. Xiao Heng lies on a large hospital bed, his body covered in tubes.

As Jiang Rong entered, she saw Xiao Heng tilting his head to look out the window. Outside the thick window, Xiao Guaiguai and Xiao Xiannu were peeking out. Upon seeing Jiang Rong, Xiao Guaiguai made a heart shape with his hands, then grabbed Xiao Xiannu and left.

Jiang Xiaoheng turned his head with difficulty, and when he saw that the person who came was Jiang Rong, he smiled weakly and stretched out his little hand: "Dad."

In just a few days, the child's round cheeks had sunken in. Jiang Rong could barely feel Xiao Heng's weight anymore; through the protective suit, he couldn't touch the child's soft hair and skin. Listening to his son's heavy breathing, his vision gradually blurred, and a layer of fog formed on his mask.

Jiang Xiaoheng rested his head on Jiang Rong's arm, his right hand holding his father's fingers. Having lay in the hospital room for so long, he had so much to say to his father. He recounted all the interesting things that had happened in the ward, his bizarre dreams, and the things he wanted to do.

Xiao Heng has always been a child with a strong desire to share; he's very good at finding the beautiful things around him. Listening to the child's innocent words, Jiang Rong felt as if her heart was being repeatedly cut by countless tiny knives, making her reaction sluggish.

Jiang Xiaoheng sensed Jiang Rong's sadness, and he squeezed his father's fingers and whispered, "Dad, I'm not actually your baby, am I?"

Jiang Rong was startled and raised his voice two octaves: "Who said that? You are my baby!" From the moment he brought Xiao Heng home, he had considered himself Xiao Heng's biological father; in his heart, Xiao Heng was his son. Who was gossiping in Xiao Heng's ear? Did they really think he had no temper?

Jiang Xiaoheng said softly, "I know, I can hear the thoughts in the hearts of the people around me. I am not Daddy's baby. Like my older brother and Yuanyuan, I am Daddy's adopted baby."

Hearing Xiao Heng's answer, Jiang Rong's anger turned into sorrow. Xiao Heng's abilities were too strong; after awakening his psychic powers, he could hear the voices in people's hearts. He knew what he should and shouldn't know.

At that moment, Jiang Rong hated Meng Liang so much that he wanted to tear him to pieces. However, Xiao Heng's words made his anger and murderous intent disappear without a trace. Xiao Heng raised his little face and smiled brightly, "But I am Daddy's most beloved baby. Although I am not Daddy's real son, in my heart, Daddy is the best daddy in the world."

Jiang Rong felt a pang of sadness. He lowered his head and touched his son's forehead. "Xiao Heng is the best baby in the world. It is my good fortune to be your father."

Jiang Xiaoheng pursed his lips and said shyly, "Dad, actually I did something bad. I've never told you this, but I didn't like Xiaoyuanyuan at first. I thought she was fierce, unreasonable, and always monopolized you."

“Dad, didn’t you ask me before why Yuanyuan and I fell into the river? That day, I pushed Yuanyuan while we were walking on the road. I wanted to bully her secretly while you weren’t around, and as a result, we both fell in.”

“I thought Yuanyuan would tell on me, but she didn’t say anything and even told Junjun to save me first. Daddy, Yuanyuan is a good baby.”

After saying this, Jiang Xiaoheng glanced at Jiang Rong anxiously, lowering his voice even further, "Daddy, am I a bad baby?"

Jiang Rong forced a smile, tears streaming down her face. "How could that be? Xiao Heng is fine. You just wanted your father's attention. I'm sorry, Xiao Heng, Dad... Dad has made you suffer."

Love is possessive. Xiao Heng didn't have a mother to begin with, and even his father's love was divided between Xiao Hao and Yuan Yuan. No matter how generous and selfless he is, he will still harbor resentment in his heart.

He's just a child, why should he be sensible and obedient? He can be spoiled and willful all he wants, but Xiao Heng has never once expressed any dissatisfaction in front of me...

Jiang Rong's tears flowed even more freely. He was an incompetent father. He had neglected his child's feelings because he was busy with his own things. "I'm sorry, baby..."

Seeing Jiang Rong cry, Jiang Xiaoheng could no longer hold back his own tears. He raised his hand and touched Jiang Rong's face through his mask, "Daddy, don't cry, don't cry. Daddy is great. I'm so proud to be Daddy's baby every day."

"Dad, don't be sad if Xiaoheng is gone. You must be good to Uncle Guan. I will tell my older brother and Xiaoyuan to listen to Dad and not make you angry in the future."

*

Jiang Rong didn't know how he left the intensive care unit. He only felt a tightness in his chest. After taking two steps forward after removing his mask, he couldn't walk any further.

Chu Qiang and the others could only watch helplessly as Jiang Rong's body slowly slid down the wall, the young father weeping uncontrollably, his face buried in his hands. The last time he cried like this was when he realized his parents were no longer with him.

Back then, he had Xiao Heng by his side, and for the sake of his child, he could pull himself together after crying. But now Xiao Heng is leaving, so young and so afraid of the dark, and he, as his father, is powerless to stop it.

Jiang Rong's cries were so desperate that the members of the superpowered team silently wiped away their tears.

Through his tears, Guan Shao bent down and hugged Jiang Rong. He suppressed his emotions and encouraged her, "We will definitely find the best healing-type ability user, Xiao Jiang. You have to be strong. Xiao Heng needs us. We can't fall. Things haven't gotten to the worst yet. Stand up."

Jiang Rong gasped for breath, wiping away her tears haphazardly. "Yes, yes, it's not the worst yet. We can't give up, we can't give up..."

*

From 6:00 PM to 6:30 PM is the broadcast time for "Little Stars Can Talk" at the Xinghuo Base. Since the program started, listenership has been steadily increasing. According to data, when the two children are broadcasting live, there are more than five million listeners.

Before the major crisis, five million was not a remarkable number. Now, however, it is a remarkable number, considering that the total population of Starfire Base is less than one hundred thousand.

Recently, the Little Star program's listenership has started to decline because the show has changed hosts; the two original junior hosts are gone. Although the new hosts are very good, listeners still prefer the original two junior hosts. Without their sweet voices and relaxed delivery, the program feels soulless.

At six o'clock in the evening, many people turned on their radios and tuned to familiar channels, hoping to hear the voices of the two young hosts.

After the light and cheerful music ended, the radio didn't broadcast a child's voice, but rather a young man's hoarse voice.

"Listeners, I am Jiang Rong from Xinghuo Base, and also the father of hosts Jiang Hao and Jiang Xiaoheng."

Upon hearing Jiang Rong's voice, many people raised their voices, "Holy crap, the boss of the Spark Base is giving a report today! Let's hear what he has to say!"

Wearing a headset, Jiang Rong's sorrowful voice spilled out, word by word, "My baby Jiang Xiaoheng is sick. He blocked an attack from a psychic, which caused multiple organ failure. The doctor said that if this continues, he only has three months left."

"Xiao Heng is only four years old this year. He is lively, cute, smart and obedient. His life has just begun and he should not die like this. I beg the listeners in front of the radio, please save my baby, save Xiao Heng."

“We need doctors and treatments. If any listeners know any doctors or have any good treatment methods, please contact Xinghuo Base. We have opened a 24-hour radio channel. Please lend a helping hand. I am willing to give everything to save the child.”

Just then, the door to the broadcasting studio opened, and Guan Shao led Jiang Hao and Jiang Yuan in. Jiang Hao skillfully put on his headset and pressed the button: "Brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, grandpas, and grandmas watching on the radio, this is Xiao Hao. My younger brother, Xiao Heng, is sick, he has a very serious illness. He's in a glass ward, and the doctor only lets me see him twice a day."

"The doctor said that if my little brother doesn't get proper treatment, he will never be able to leave the glass room again, and he won't be able to play with me and his friends anymore."

"Brothers and sisters, my little brother is so cute, he has such a beautiful smile. We have a new little sister in our family, and my sister and I look forward to Xiao Heng being discharged from the hospital every day. Please help us, I have a complete set of Meow Team cards, and I am willing to donate all of them in exchange for Xiao Heng getting better."

Little Yuanyuan's sweet, childlike voice soon came through the radio, "Brother Xiaoheng, it's me, Yuanyuan. Can you hear me? Today, Teacher Yuan taught me phonetics, but I just can't seem to learn it. When are you going to come out and teach me to write?"

"Little brother, I miss you. Please get well soon."

Author's Note:

I can't let only one of my eyes be swollen...

My eyes have been blurry lately, making it very difficult to read. Therefore, I've adjusted my writing time, trying to write during the day when the sun is shining, so my update schedule is a bit irregular. [Kowtowing.gif]

It's so strange. The characters that seemed normal before now look so small, they're almost blinding.