68. Ending
The morning light at the "Oasis" stronghold always seemed to hold a touch more tempered tranquility and hope than in other corners of the ruined world. It wasn't the soft, lazy light depicted in poetry from the past, but rather carried a clarity and power that belied the aftermath of a catastrophe. It penetrated the thin clouds and the cracks in the stronghold's outer fence, scattering a golden glow that coated the shattered concrete floor and metal roof with a warm edge.
In the medical area, a converted old warehouse, light filtered through the clean, brightly polished glass windows, falling precisely on the windowbed. Su Lin lay there, the sun seemingly favoring him, gilding his overly delicate profile with a soft, almost holy halo. His long, thick eyelashes, like the wings of a perched black butterfly, cast two faint shadows beneath his eyelids. His skin, once pale from blood loss and exhaustion, finally took on a hint of color under the warm light, like fine white porcelain, finally tinged with the faint scent of life.
He had been awake for a while.
Consciousness slowly emerged from the long abyss of darkness and chaos, and the first thing he perceived was the warm brightness that blanketed his eyelids. Instead of the roars of bloodthirsty mutants and the roars of energy explosions, he could hear the faint clatter of busy footsteps and hushed conversations of the early risers within the stronghold, and even the rhythmic call of a distant training ground. These sounds intertwined, forming a mundane yet vibrant background that, to him, felt like another world.
He didn't open his eyes immediately. Instead, within this warm embrace, he carefully assessed his body's condition. The exhaustion and tearing pain within him had subsided, replaced by a deep, sore feeling, as if every cell had been meticulously repaired. At the core of his supernatural power, that familiar, everlasting power, like a thawed stream in early spring, though weak, had begun to flow slowly but steadily again, nourishing his parched meridians.
He... survived.
This realization, with a heavy yet light relief, weighed heavily on his heart, yet also floated lightly, as if to carry him aloft. He recalled the brutal battle by the dark river, Bai Yan's resolute back, and the final push toward him, containing all the blessings and reluctance... His heart suddenly shrank, a sharp, stabbing pain suddenly hitting him, causing his breathing to pause slightly.
He slowly opened his eyes. His obsidian pupils, misted with a thin layer of water from the sudden awakening and the turmoil of his emotions, were remarkably clear. He tilted his head and gazed quietly out the window. What he saw was the orderly and vibrant scene within the "Oasis" stronghold: patrol members stood tall and steady; logistics personnel shuttled back and forth, carrying supplies; a few half-grown children chased and played in an open field not far away, their crisp laughter faintly heard through the glass... All of this stood in stark contrast to the ruined world filled with death and despair in his memory.
Is this the hope they are desperately guarding?
His gaze was hazy, as if he could see through the tranquility of the present moment to a more distant past, a prosperous and peaceful era that existed only in archive footage. His fingertips unconsciously curled, gently grasping the rough yet clean fabric of the bed sheet beneath him. The real touch from his fingertips gradually dispelled the nightmarish shadow that lingered in his heart.
At this moment, the door was pushed open very gently, making an almost inaudible "creaking" sound, as if the person pushing the door was afraid of disturbing the tranquility in the room.
Su Lin looked in the direction of the sound.
It was Ling Ye who entered. He still wore his cold, inhuman demeanor, his fitted black combat uniform meticulously crafted, clearly outlining his sturdy, upright, and explosive figure. His short, icy-blue hair was spiky, each strand radiating a chill. His brows and eyes were as sharp as a knife's edge, as if he possessed a natural aura of unapproachable presence. In his hand, he held a white porcelain bowl, a faint steam rising from its rim.
However, when his icy gaze reached Su, who had opened his eyes and looked back at him from the bed, the ice seemed to be instantly shattered and melted by the invisible sunlight, revealing the tenderness and focus hidden beneath, almost overflowing. It was an extremely powerful emotional shift, like the polar glaciers suddenly welcoming the height of summer, all the coldness and hardness instantly melting into a softness that can be twisted around the fingers.
Ling Ye's footsteps paused imperceptibly, then he walked to the bedside with a slower, yet more purposeful pace. His gaze, like the most sophisticated scanner, quickly and carefully scanned Su Lin's face, confirming the return of his rosy complexion and the clarity of his eyes.
"Awake?" His voice was low, a subtle rasping from the long silence, like rough sandpaper rubbing against his heart. "How do you feel?" He gently placed the bowl of porridge on the bedside table, his movements so steady that not a ripple appeared. Then, with perfect naturalness, he reached out and gently placed his warm, dry palm on Su Lin's forehead, feeling the reassuring, normal body temperature. His fingers were long, slender, and powerful, their pads covered with calluses from years of wielding weapons. They felt a little rough to the touch, but at that moment, they conveyed an indescribable sense of comfort and strength.
The warm touch on his forehead startled Su Lin slightly, but then a familiar, dependent warmth quietly flowed through his heart. He raised his head, meeting Ling Ye's eyes, now filled with concern, and forced the corners of his lips into a faint, yet genuine smile. That smile was like the first ray of morning light breaking through the clouds. Although still frail from the initial recovery, it instantly brightened his overly pale face, making it appear particularly moving.
"Much better," his voice had returned to its usual clarity, but it was still a little soft and sticky, like a feather gently scratching the listener's eardrum, "I just don't have much strength." He tried to move his fingers, and a feeling of weakness and soreness immediately spread through his limbs, causing him to slightly frown his handsome brows.
Ling Ye's eyes darkened as he furrowed his brows. He said nothing, silently sitting down on the chair beside the bed and picking up the bowl of warm porridge. He stirred it gently with a white porcelain spoon, scooped up a spoonful, and brought it to his lips. He blew on it carefully and patiently, confirming that it was the right temperature, before carefully offering it to Su Lin.
"Doctor Li said you need to slowly recover your strength. Don't rush. Eat some liquid food first." His movements were smooth and focused, his icy blue eyes fixed on Su Lin's lips, as if feeding him porridge was the only important thing in the world at that moment. Deep within those eyes, beyond the obvious concern, lay a deeper, more profound sense of relief and dread at having survived.
Su Lin obediently opened his mouth slightly, and the warm porridge, with a faint aroma of rice, slid down his throat and into his long-empty stomach, instantly bringing a comforting warmth that flowed through his limbs. He sipped the porridge Ling Ye fed him, all the while watching Ling Ye's handsome face, so close at hand, etched with seriousness and concentration.
The thrilling scene before he fell into coma resurfaced in his mind uncontrollably and clearly again - Ling Ye rushed towards him in panic, and those eyes that were always as calm as the surface of a frozen lake suddenly shattered with endless fear and despair when he saw the blood on his chest. The hoarse cry seemed to still echo in his ears... His heart seemed to be slightly hot because of this memory. An indescribable emotion, mixed with gratitude, dependence, and perhaps other more complex ingredients, quietly grew and spread in the depths of his heart.
"Ling Ye," he called softly, swallowing his porridge, his gaze clear and deep. "Thank you..." He paused, as if weighing his words, ultimately choosing the most straightforward yet weighty expression, "...for always keeping watch over me." He knew that, given Ling Ye's temperament, he must have been here, constantly by his side, since he fell unconscious. This silent protection carried more weight than any flowery words.
Ling Ye paused slightly in feeding the porridge, his eyes like the deepest ocean, looking deeply into Su Lin's eyes, with complex and unspeakable emotions surging in them - heartache, relief, and deep affection that could not be expressed in words. In the end, all these intense emotions settled into a rock-like, unquestionable firmness.
"I will always be by your side." His answer was incredibly simple, lacking even a single embellished word. Yet, it weighed like a thousand pounds, each word carrying the weight of a soul, hammering at Su Lin's heart. These weren't just sweet nothings, but a vow, a law Ling Ye had established with his life, one that could not be changed.
Su Lin's heart skipped a beat. He looked at the undisguised, almost overwhelming emotion in Ling Ye's eyes, and for a moment he felt lost. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but words seemed powerless in the face of such a heavy promise.
Just as this subtle and quiet atmosphere flowed between the two of them, the door to the medical area was gently pushed open again.
Mu Lin walked in. He had changed into a clean, light blue suit. The soft fabric accentuated his already gentle demeanor. His icy blue eyes, like a clear lake beneath a snow-capped mountain, were clear and inclusive. Although his face still paled from the blood loss, and the outline of the bandages wrapped around his chest was faintly visible beneath his loose collar, his steps were steady and he appeared to be in good spirits. Seeing Su Lin sitting awake in bed, Ling Ye feeding him porridge, a gentle, relieved smile immediately spread across his eyes, like a spring breeze blowing across a frozen lake, creating gentle ripples.
"Su Lin, you're awake!" Mu Lin's voice was gentle and pleasant, carrying the soothing power unique to his water-based abilities. He walked a few steps to the bedside and naturally reached out to take the bowl of porridge from Ling Ye. His movements were smooth and held a gentle, undeniable strength. "Let me do it, Ling Ye." He turned to Ling Ye, his tone still gentle, yet with clear concern. "Go get some rest. Your eyes are all black, you must have been awake all this time."
Ling Ye glanced up at Mu Lin, a barely perceptible flicker of emotion in his eyes, like a beast whose territory had been invaded, instinctively wary. But his gaze quickly returned to Su Lin's face. Seeing that Su Lin showed no sign of objection, he remained silent for a moment, but ultimately, he obeyed and stood up, offering Mu Lin his place by the bed. He himself stepped back a few steps, leaning against the window with his arms folded, his gaze fixed on Su Lin like the most loyal of guards, never leaving his gaze.
Mu Lin sat down beside the bed, gracefully picking up the spoon and continuing where Ling Ye had left off. His fingertips were long and clean, carrying a faint, refreshing herbal scent. "How's your internal energy? Any stagnation or chills?" He asked softly as he carefully passed the cooled porridge to Su Lin's lips, his icy blue eyes intently observing Su Lin's expression and gaze, not missing a single subtle shift.
"No," Su Lin answered honestly, feeling the gentle warmth coursing through his body, his tone relaxed. "It feels very warm, very comfortable." He looked at Mu Lin's gentle, focused expression, remembering how not long ago, this man had laid in a pool of blood, seriously injured and dying, trying to protect them. And now, he was here, with his wounds still unhealed, caring for him. His heart was suddenly filled with indescribable gratitude, and a deeper emotion, a mixture of admiration and pity. Mu Lin's gentleness, like a gentle rain, always silently soaked into his parched heart.
Mu Lin seemed to be keenly aware of the surging emotions in his heart and smiled slightly. That smile was like a spring breeze blowing across the melting ice, with a reassuring power: "That's good." He put down the empty bowl, took a clean and soft handkerchief from the side, and wiped the corner of Su Lin's lips very naturally and gently, as if he was treating a rare treasure, carefully and cherishing it.
After doing all this, he did not stand up immediately, but put the handkerchief aside. His eyes fell on Su Lin's face again. His eyes became more gentle, but also more serious.
"Su Lin," he said softly, his voice like the gentlest stream, yet with an unquestionable firmness, "There are some things I want to tell you solemnly when you are sober."
The medical area fell silent, the very air seeming to freeze. Ling Ye, leaning against the window, imperceptibly tightened his arms. His body straightened slightly, like a cheetah poised for a pounce. A complex, dark glint flickered in the depths of his icy blue eyes.
Su Lin seemed to have a premonition of something, and his heartbeat involuntarily quickened. He raised his eyes and met Mu Lin's gaze. His obsidian eyes held a hint of confusion, a sense of being unprepared.
Mu Lin's icy blue eyes brimmed with undisguised affection, as deep as the ocean. It was a love so pure, so unadulterated, it threatened to drown one. "Su Lin, I love you," he spoke clearly and slowly, each word dripping with warmth. "This isn't a momentary impulse, nor is it simply a life-and-death bond between companions. It's a desire to watch every sunrise and sunset with you, to support and warm you for the rest of our lives. It's a lifelong, unwavering love."
His voice was still gentle, yet it held a powerful force, like a warm current, slowly enveloping Su Lin's heart. "When you, for the sake of everyone, exhausted your powers and collapsed with a pale face; when I saw your chest stained with blood, your life force so weak it seemed as if it would dissipate in the next second... Su Lin, my heart aches so much it's about to break." He reached out and gently grasped Su Lin's slightly cool hand, which lay outside the quilt. His palm was warm and dry, carrying a reassuring strength. "I've never been so afraid of losing someone. So, I must tell you my feelings. I don't want to have any regrets."
His confession, like him, was gentle, firm, full of healing power, and so sincere that it left no room for doubt.
Su Lin's heart leaped, as if gripped tightly by an invisible hand, then suddenly released, leaving a throbbing sensation. An uncontrollable flush crept across his cheeks, spreading all the way to his ears. He stared at the deep, ocean-like love in Mu Lin's eyes, nearly drowning him, and his mind went blank for a moment. He opened his mouth, but his throat seemed to be clogged, and for a moment, no sound emanated. He could only stare blankly at the other person, feeling the firm, warm touch on the back of his hand.
"Bang!"
The door of the medical area was almost slammed open by a brutal force, breaking the charming yet tense atmosphere inside.
Ah Yan rushed in, like a moving, energetic flame. His bronze skin glowed with health in the sunlight, and his short golden hair stood up like burning, dancing flames. His piercing golden eyes, like the most accurate locator, instantly locked onto Su Lin on the bed the moment he entered the room.
"Su Lin! You're awake!" Ah Yan's voice boomed, filled with unconcealed, almost overflowing joy and excitement. He quickly strode to the bedside, his tall frame brimming with a vibrant warmth that seemed to dispel any gloom. He completely ignored Ling Ye, whose expressions varied beside him, and Mu Lin, who had just finished a passionate confession. His eyes, astonishingly bright, like two blazing suns, stared intently at Su Lin, repeatedly asking, "How are you feeling? Are you feeling any discomfort? Are you hungry? Want some meat? I'll get you the freshest meat! It's guaranteed to taste a hundred times better than supplements!"
His barrage of questions, like a dense barrage of artillery fire, bombarded with his characteristic enthusiasm and directness, left the already overwhelmed Su Lin even more bewildered. He could only subconsciously smile and shake his head, his voice still a little weak: "I'm fine, Ayan, really. Thank you." He looked at Ayan's genuine concern, and a warm current surged in his heart. Ayan's enthusiasm was always like the sun, direct and warm, easily dispelling the haze in his heart.
Upon hearing this, A Yan immediately grinned, revealing two rows of snow-white teeth in a smile so bright it could almost dazzle anyone. As if suddenly remembering something extremely important, he took a deep breath and then did something that surprised everyone. He knelt on one knee in front of the bed, tilted his head back, and his golden pupils, like molten gold, burned with a fiery and pure emotion. He spoke to Su Lin loudly and without reservation:
"Su Lin! I like you too!"
His voice was so loud that it made the air tremble slightly. He seemed completely oblivious to the fact that he was saying this right after someone had just confessed their love. He was only concerned with pouring out his heart: "I've been wanting to tell you for a long time! I wanted to talk to you the last time I came back from the mission, but I never found a good opportunity. I was always interrupted! This time you were injured, and seeing you lying here motionless, I was so scared, so scared! I was afraid that I would never be able to tell you my feelings again!"
He spoke quickly, with the urgency and passion unique to fire-type psychics: "Su Lin, I like you! More than the strongest weapons and the strongest liquor! I, A Yan, won't say those flowery, roundabout words, but I promise," he patted his chest hard, making a dull sound, his eyes as firm as a rock, "from now on, my life is yours! My fists are yours! My fire is yours! If anyone dares to frown, I will be the first to rush up and burn him! You...are you willing to accept me?"
His confession was straightforward, passionate, and frank, just like him, with a determination to burn everything and an undisguised desire. It was like a sudden forest fire, instantly boiling Su Lin's already chaotic heart.
Su Lin was dazed by the barrage of confessions, each one more blunt than the last. His face flushed, his heartbeat pounding like a drum, threatening to burst from his chest. He glanced at Mu Lin, who still held his hand and gazed tenderly at him. Then he looked at A Yan, who knelt on one knee, gazing up at him with fiery eyes. The overwhelming amount of information and emotion left his mind blank, completely unsure how to react. Subconsciously, he cast a panicked, pleading glance at Ling Ye, who remained silent by the window.
Ling Ye caught his gaze. A barely perceptible, complex wave of emotion flashed across his icy blue eyes, like a crack finally appearing on a long-repressed glacier. He pursed his lips, his hard jawline tensing for a moment. Then, he stretched out his long legs and walked to the other side of the bed, forming a three-way standoff with Mu Lin and A Yan.
He didn't look at Mu Lin, nor did he pay attention to A Yan squatting on the ground. His gaze, from beginning to end, was locked with a deep, focused gaze on Su Lin alone. In those eyes, there was forbearance, possession, unquestionable affection, and a hint of cold sharpness provoked by the continuous "provocation".
He didn't speak.
Under the gaze of Su Lin, whose eyes were slightly widened in surprise, under the gentle but scrutinizing gaze of Mu Lin, and under the vigilant and puzzled stare of A Yan, Ling Ye simply leaned down.
He gently cupped Su Lin's cheek with one hand, his fingertips feeling slightly cool, yet his movements carried an irresistible force. Then, on Su Lin's lips, slightly parted in shock and still moistened with porridge, he placed a brief, yet resolute, kiss that carried a clear sense of possession and declaration.
Instantly separate.
The cold and hot touch on his lips, with Ling Ye's unique scent, instantly ran through Su Lin's limbs and bones like an electric current.
Ling Ye stood up, still looking at Su Lin, as if everything around him didn't exist. His voice was low and hoarse, with a declaration of unquestionable certainty: "You are mine."
Those three simple, almost rough words, coupled with the sudden kiss just now, seemed to have poured out all his emotions - that was the persistence honed in the sea of blood and corpses, the deep affection precipitated in the long wait, and the determination that was so domineering as to be almost paranoid.
Su Lin was completely confused.
The fleeting yet distinct touch of his lips lingered, his cheeks burning intensely, as if on fire. His mind went blank, all ability to think shattered by that kiss and that declaration. He could only stare blankly at Ling Ye, at the deep, surging waves in his eyes that threatened to consume him.
Mu Lin frowned slightly, and his hand holding Su Lin tightened slightly. A hint of complexity flashed in his ice-blue eyes, but soon returned to his previous gentleness. He just watched quietly without saying a word.
Ah Yan suddenly jumped up from the ground like a cat whose tail was stepped on. Flames danced in his golden pupils as he glared at Ling Ye with anger and disbelief: "Hey! Ling Ye, what are you doing! You..."
Just then, Stardust quietly opened the door and walked in.
He was dressed in simple white, which made his chestnut hair appear even softer and smoother. Although his face still showed a slight paleness from the blood loss, he looked in good spirits, his eyes clear and gentle, like a deer in the woods. He observed the strange and tense atmosphere in the room—Ling Ye stood by the bed, his eyes cold and powerful; Mu Lin sat beside the bed, holding Su Lin's hand, his expression gentle but difficult to discern; A Yan stood at the foot of the bed, looking furious; and Su Lin, lying on the bed, was flushed, his eyes panicked, and his lips were an unnatural red...
Xingchen froze for a moment, a blush spreading uncontrollably across his delicate face. He had clearly guessed what might have happened. But after his initial shyness, his gaze grew remarkably resolute. He gently closed the door and walked steadily to the end of the bed. His gaze passed over the various people with varying expressions and gently fell on Su Lin, who was surrounded and seemed bewildered.
His arrival seemed to have a strange, soothing power, easing the tense atmosphere in the room a little.
"Brother Su Lin." He spoke softly, his voice as clean and soft as the breeze blowing across the strings of an ancient zither, successfully attracting everyone's attention.
Xingchen's gaze fell gently on Su Lin's face, with the clarity and sincerity unique to psychics, as if he could see directly into a person's heart. "My psychic power can vaguely sense the color and temperature of emotions," he said slowly, his voice low but clear to everyone's ears. "Brother Mulin's emotions are a gentle and inclusive blue, like a tranquil lake; Brother Ayan's are a fiery and bright red, like a burning flame; Brother Lingye's... are a deep, cold blue, but underneath, there's boiling lava."
His description made the expressions of the three people named change slightly.
Finally, his gaze returned to Su Lin, softening even more. "And your existence, Brother Su Lin, is like the only clear and stable coordinate in this chaotic world. It's the unique dawn of light that warms my entire spiritual world." He pursed his lips slightly, seeming a little shy, and his fair earlobes stained a crimson. But he still mustered his courage and spoke clearly and firmly, "I may not have Brother Mu Lin's powerful abilities, Brother A Yan's fiery fighting power, or Brother Ling Ye's... resolute protective style. My power is more inclined towards perception and assistance."
He took a small step forward, his eyes earnest and sincere: "But my feelings are as real and heavy as theirs. I love you, Brother Su Lin." His confession had no fancy words and no intense emotions, but was delicate and sincere, like a trickle of water, directly knocking on the softest part of people's hearts, with a power that cannot be ignored.
Su Lin looked at the four men surrounding him—Mu Lin's gentle determination, A Yan's passionate frankness, Ling Ye's domineering affection, and Xing Chen's delicate sincerity—four completely different, yet equally deep and sincere, loves surged toward him from different directions like four surging tides, enveloping and drowning him. His heart churned, a chaotic and overflowing mess. The overwhelming impact made it almost impossible to think, his brain roaring. His eyes flushed uncontrollably, his nose felt sore, and he felt an urge to cry.
This is too much... How can he be worthy of this...
"You... I..." His voice choked with confusion and helplessness, his vision blurring as he scanned the familiar, sincere faces before him. "This is so sudden... I don't know... am I worthy..." He thought of Bai Yan, who had sacrificed her life without hesitation to save him, remaining forever in that cold, dark river. A sharp, almost suffocating pain struck him. The heavy guilt and sadness, contrasted with the complex and surging happiness at this moment, seemed particularly glaring, threatening to tear him apart. Did he deserve this much love after losing such a precious companion?
"You're worth it." Mu Lin spoke first, his voice gentle but with a decisive force. He held Su Lin's slightly trembling hand tightly, "Bai Yan sacrificed himself so that you could live, so that you could take his place and see a future full of hope for the world. If he were still alive, he would surely wish for you to be happy, cherished, and deeply loved, rather than forever immersed in sadness and self-blame."
Ling Ye didn't say anything, but he reached out and covered Su Lin's other hand, which was resting on the quilt, its knuckles white from exertion. His palm was warm and dry, carrying a rock-hard strength, silently conveying his support.
A Yan nodded hurriedly, his golden eyes full of eagerness and sincerity: "Yes, yes, yes! Su Lin, don't let your imagination run wild! Bai Yan... he must be hoping so too! You deserve all the best things in the world! We... we're just telling you our feelings, you take your time to think about it! I, A Yan, have plenty of patience! I'll wait for you no matter how long it takes!" He scratched his head, as if he wanted to express his attitude in the most direct way.
Xingchen also whispered soothing words, his voice like the softest wave of comfort: "Just follow your heart, Brother Su Lin. No matter what your choice is, or whether you need time to think, or even... if your final choice isn't one of us, we will respect that. And we will still be each other's most trusted partners, partners you can count on. That will never change."
Their understanding, tolerance, and unwavering support were like warm arms, slowly embracing Su Lin from the sharp remorse and confusion. He lowered his head, tears finally uncontrollably flowing, falling heavily onto the white quilt, leaving dark, wet marks. But this time, the tears were no longer simply sorrow or panic; they were mingled with a profound sense of emotion, a cherished happiness, and an indescribable, heavy sense of relief.
Just as the atmosphere in the room became subtle and tense because of this common understanding and support, with a complex warmth mixed with sadness and happiness, the door of the medical area was pushed open again.
This time, the force that pushed the door open was steady and powerful, with an unquestionable sense of authority.
Lei Qing's towering figure appeared at the doorway. He was still dressed in the immaculate dark green combat uniform that symbolized his leadership. His posture was as straight as a pine tree, unbending. His resolute face held the composure and dignity of someone weathered by countless hardships. His gaze, like the most precise radar, swept across the room, taking in the expressions on each face—Su Lin's tear-stained, bewildered expression, Mu Lin's gentleness, Ling Ye's sternness, A Yan's eagerness, Xing Chen's earnestness. Finally, his eyes, as deep as an ancient well, settled calmly on Su Lin, who lay on the bed, his face flushed and his eyes wet with panic.
Lei Qing walked to the bedside with a gait as steady as a mountain. His presence was immense; simply standing there, he instantly transformed the room's previously somewhat emotional and chaotic atmosphere into one of solemnity and order. He didn't glance at the other four people, each with their own distinct expressions. His gaze, like a stabilizing force, was focused solely on Su Lin.
"Have you said everything?" Lei Qing's voice was deep and rich, with his usual calmness and barely perceptible hoarseness. It was not a question, but a statement.
Mu Lin and the others nodded slightly, acquiescing. Ling Ye's eyes met Lei Qing's for a moment, their icy blue and dark brown colliding in the air, silently exchanging some complex message before they separated.
Lei Qing's gaze returned to Su Lin's face. He was silent for a few seconds, a silence that seemed to carry a substantial weight, weighing on everyone's heart. He seemed to be weighing his words, as if gathering some strength. Then, in a tone that was extremely solemn, completely consistent with his character, and almost a promise, he spoke clearly and slowly:
"Su Lin, my words are very simple."
He paused to make sure that Su Lin's black eyes, which were watery, confused and contained a hint of barely perceptible expectation, were looking at him seriously.
"I love you."
Unlike Mu Lin's gentle affection, A Yan's passionate and unrestrained expression, Ling Ye's domineering directness, and Xing Chen's delicate sincerity, Lei Qing's confession was direct, concise, and without any embellishment, yet it carried an undeniable weight, like a rock falling to the ground. It wasn't just an expression of emotion, it was more like a declaration, a brand.
He looked at Su Lin's eyes, which had suddenly widened and were filled with shock, and continued, his voice steady and powerful, each word striking at his heart: "I'm not good at romance, nor can I make too many empty, romantic promises about the future. This world is too cruel. No one knows which will come first, tomorrow or an accident."
His words were realistic and cold, yet they carried a strange, convincing power.
"I can promise you," his gaze was like the most steadfast rock, firmly locking onto Su Lin's gaze. "As long as I, Lei Qing, am still breathing, as long as my heart is still beating, I will not let anyone hurt you in the slightest. My back is always open to you; my team will always be your home and support; and so will my heart."
He didn't declare possession with a kiss like Ling Ye, nor did he convey his feelings with a gentle touch like Mu Lin. He didn't even express his desire as eagerly as A Yan and Xing Chen. He simply extended his broad, rough hand, covered with calluses from years of holding guns and fighting, and with extreme solemnity, an almost ritualistic intensity, he gently but firmly patted Su Lin's shoulder.
That gentle tap wasn't heavy, but it seemed to carry the weight of this man's entire responsibility, his commitment, his protection, and the love buried deep within his heart, as thick and silent as the earth. This was the most profound, sincere, and fitting confession a leader could offer, a man who had endured countless life-or-death trials and shouldered the expectations of the entire Oasis stronghold.
Su Lin looked up at Lei Qing, at his face, scarred by the wind and frost, yet still resolute and handsome. He saw in his deep eyes, stained by the years and smoke of war, accustomed to the separation of life and death, yet still retaining a soft yet resolute feeling for him, for all of them. The warmth and strength of that pat on his shoulder, through the thin hospital gown, was clearly imprinted on his skin and on his heart. He suddenly understood with absolute clarity that Lei Qing's love, silent yet as vast as a mountain and as vast as an ocean, was a harbor he could always rely on and trust.
Lei Qing's confession left Mu Lin, Ling Ye, A Yan, and Xing Chen all silent for a moment. Their eyes revealed a deeper understanding, a complex admiration, and an indescribable sense of relief. Lei Qing's love was unlike any of theirs. It was more expansive, more profound, like a stabilizing force, silently supporting the entire team and accommodating the intense and delicate emotions of each of them. His statement, in a way, lent a strange balance and solemnity to this sudden, collective confession that nearly suffocated Su Lin.
Lei Qing's gaze slowly swept over the people around the bed. His voice had regained its usual calm and commanding tone, yet it carried an unquestionable conviction, like a final verdict: "Feelings are a private matter. How Su Lin handles them is his freedom. But don't forget, we are first and foremost a team. We are comrades who share life and death and can fully trust each other's backs." His words were filled with the decisiveness and foresight of a leader. "'Oasis' is still under construction, and the threats outside haven't been completely eliminated. Su Lin has the right to know all feelings and the right to make his own choices, or, for now, not to make any choices."
His gaze finally fell on Su Lin, with instructions and trust: "No matter what the final outcome, remember our roots - we are each other's shield, each other's sword, and the most solid support in this apocalypse. No personal emotions can shake this foundation, nor can they affect our trust and cooperation on the battlefield. Do you understand?"
His words, like the resounding might of a bell, brought a temporary, powerful pause to the emotional storm. He didn't favor anyone, nor did he pressure Su Lin into an immediate decision. Instead, he contextualized everyone's emotions within a larger narrative: the team's survival and future. This served as both a constraint and a form of protection, buying Su Lin precious time and space while also setting the tone for the future: respect, protection, and putting the team above all else.
Su Lin looked at the five men surrounding him—Mu Lin's gentleness like water, A Yan's fiery passion, Ling Ye's coldness like ice, Xing Chen's clarity like the wind, and Lei Qing's weightiness like a mountain. These five distinct loves, like five solid pillars of varying character, steadily lifted him from the quagmire of grief over Bai Yan's loss and the anxiety of drifting in the apocalypse. His heart surged as before, turbulent but no longer bewildered, filled with a profound, almost painful feeling, enveloped in immense happiness.
It might take him a long time to sort out this tangled web of emotions, to come to terms with this overwhelming, almost terrifying happiness, to balance his guilt towards Bai Yan with his hopes for the future. But now, after hearing Lei Qing's words, he clearly felt that he was deeply, in various ways, and firmly loved and protected. He was no longer alone, wandering the apocalyptic wasteland. They were by his side.
He carries the expectations of the deceased as well as the love and trust of the living.
He raised his hand and wiped the tears from his face with the back of his hand in a somewhat awkward manner, then raised his head, his eyes slowly and seriously sweeping over every familiar and sincere face in front of him - Mu Lin's gentle smile of encouragement, A Yan's silly but sincere grin, the warmth in Ling Ye's eyes after the ice and snow melted, Xingchen's clear and relieved eyes, and the almost undetectable but real upward arc at the corner of Lei Qing's resolute lips.
Sunlight streamed through the windows, filling the entire medical area with warmth and brightness, shrouding everyone in a warm, bright golden glow, as if capturing this moment in eternity. Outside, the residents of the "Oasis" stronghold began a new day of activity, and the carefree laughter of children could be heard faintly, brimming with vitality and hope for the future.
Su Lin took a deep breath, as if breathing all the warmth and hope into his lungs. Unable to suppress it, a smile, stained with tears, yet incredibly bright and soft, appeared on his lips, like the most beautiful rainbow after the rain.
"Thank you..." His voice was still a little hoarse from sobbing, but it echoed in the quiet medical area with incomparable clarity and sincerity. "Thank you... for loving me."
He didn't say who he would accept or choose, nor did he even mention any promises about the future. But this heartfelt, heavy thank you and the relieved and happy smile on his face, as if carrying the hope of a new life, said it all.
The road ahead is long, and the apocalypse is still fraught with danger. Although the threat of the Guichen Cult has been greatly reduced by Jiemiao's demise, its remnants may still make a comeback. However, at this moment, on this hopeful morning, in the "oasis" where love and protection converge, they have each other.
The real home is not in the distant sky, nor in the lost history, but in the hearts that are closely connected to each other, on this ark built by their own hands, carrying love and hope, and will jointly build a path to tomorrow.
The morning light is bright and the future is promising.
over.
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